September 6, 2012

ESTABLISHED 1921 September 6, 2012

Volume 91, Issue 2

www.laloyolan.com Your Home. Your Voice. Your News. loyola marymount university

Assistant to president takes leave from Jesuits

Dr. Joseph LaBrie no longer functions as a priest but plans to remain at the University.

By Adrien Jarvis Editor In Chief

her account), there were murmurs across campus of concern for the lion’s safety, as well as frustration over the expense of this event.

The Aug. 30 Loyolan’s Letter to the Editor from Associate Professor of Communication Studies Dr. Nina M. Lozano-Reich went so far as to call for a public apology for the lion’s appearance.

In an open letter to the LMU community, Ruiz spoke for ASLMU about First Convo and said, “As student leaders, we had intentional conversations about both positive and negative outcomes of bringing a lion to campus. … Although we believe we did our due diligence to research the best possible

Dr. Joseph LaBrie, special assistant to the president, is taking a leave of absence from the Jesuits, citing it as a “personal decision.”

Effective last Saturday, LaBrie no longer functions as a priest. According to a letter he sent out in August to select members of the LMU community, he will remain at LMU both as special assistant to the president and as an associate professor of psychology.

“This is a very personal decision that I have made after both a 30-day retreat in summer 2011 and an eight-day retreat this past summer,” LaBrie said in an email to the Loyolan. “It is about how best I can both live my life and serve others.”

A leave of absence often precedes leaving the Jesuit order, according to Acting Superior of the LMU Jesuit Community Fr. Allan Deck, S.J. – who is also the Charles S. Casassa Chair of Catholic Social Values and a professor in the theology department. He added that separating from the Jesuits without a leave of absence prior is “possible but it’s … not advisable.”

“Most Jesuits who have taken a leave do so in order to reflect on … what they are thinking of doing,” he said, mentioning that the leave is usually a year.

Deck added that a Jesuit leaving the order is not common.

When a Jesuit is considering terminating his involvement, he usually consults his

See ASLMU | Page 4

See LaBrie | Page 4

Liana Bandziulis | Loyolan

Artist completes salt installation “Floating Garden” in Laband Art Gallery Japanese artist Motoi Yamamoto’s first West Coast solo exhibition, “Return to the Sea: Saltworks by Motoi Yamamoto”, opens with a public reception from 4 to 6 p.m. this Saturday. To learn more about the artist and the exhibit, see Page 9.

Ruiz, ASLMU stay true to goals Despite mixed reception of First Convo, ASLMU keeps focus on community concerns.

By Kevin O’Keeffe Managing Editor

The Friday before the new academic year began in earnest, ASLMU President Bryan Ruiz professed his excitement about the upcoming First Convo, co-sponsored by Mane Entertainment.

“At First Convo this year, expect something you’ve never seen before to kick off this 101st year,” the senior management major said in an interview with the Loyolan. “Expect

something new and fresh. We’re kicking it up one notch with all of our events.”

Ruiz’s enthusiasm wasn’t reserved for First Convo; whether he was talking about ASLMU’s open-door policy, its new focus on transparency or all the student government’s goals for LMU at 101, the president was eager for the new year to begin.

Fast forward to First Convo on Tuesday, Aug. 28 and the “new and fresh” element, it turned out, was a live lion on campus.

While many students celebrated the decision (“LMU at 101! There was a real lion on campus today. Hurra[h] for senior year!” senior entrepreneurship major Michelle Figueroa tweeted from what appeared to be

C.S.L.A. gears up for 2012 election exit poll Student volunteers to conduct “most comprehensive” study of the Los Angeles vote.

By Zaneta Pereira News Editor

From a difficult Election Day experience that sparked curiosity about the nature of polling places in L.A. to research that has involved almost 700 undergraduate volunteers and informed legislative change, the Center for the Study of Los Angeles (C.S.L.A.) project “Los Angeles Votes” has come a long way since it began in 2005.

C.S.L.A. director and LMU political science and Chicana/o studies professor Dr. Fernando J. Guerra describes the project as stemming from a “variety of places,” one of which was a trip to the polls with his elderly mother in the early 2000s where, due to the closing of their usual poll, they had a great deal of difficulty finding a new polling place. Guerra described the experience as “an ordeal,” which ultimately prompted a desire to “find out why polling places were the way they were.”

THE DEBATE ABOUT "8" Managing Editor Kevin O'Keeffe and Contributor Lauren Rockwell make opposing cases for the presentation of a pro-marriage equality play on campus.

Opinion, Page 8

This question drove the first study under the “Los Angeles Votes” banner. Guerra’s students visited all the polling stations in the city and recorded their observations about the polls – including how they were set up, how easy they were to find and how many volunteers were present. The information gleaned from this first study went on to influence the Los Angeles Voters’ Bill of Rights, which was passed into law in 2010.

The current focus of the “Los Angeles Votes” project, however, is not on polling places but on the nature of the Angeleno vote itself. Building upon the study of the polling places and in response to the controversy surrounding the discrepancies in exit poll results in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, C.S.L.A. developed a new exit poll methodology and conducted its first exit polls in 2005.

The updated methodology, according to the C.S.L.A. website, focused around a sampling technique called “racially stratified homogenous precinct approach.” This approach emerged as far more accurate in comparison with the exit polls that were run

See C.S.L.A. | Page 2

Leslie Irwin | Loyolan

Fraternity GLOW party raises money for formal Sophomore political science major Hayley Paul dances and cheers at Sigma Phi Epsilon’s GLOW par ty last Friday night in Burns Back Cour t.

Index Classifieds.............................4 Opinion.........................5 A&E................................9 Sports..............................16 The next issue of the Loyolan will be printed on Sept. 10, 2012.

THUR

SAT

FRI

THE ART OF MEMORY

SUN

A&E Editor Tierney Finster reviews Jean-Francois Podevin's "State of the Art and Mind" exhibit, on display now in the William H. Hannon Library.

A&E, Page 10

September 6, 2012 Page 2

News

www.laloyolan.com

Interfaith Garden to encourage ‘dialogue’ Campus memorial commemorates LMU professor’s son.

By Casey Kidwell Asst. News Editor

“An enemy is someone whose story you have not yet heard.” These words spoke to Avi Schaefer, son of LMU professor of Marketing and Business Law, Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer, and encouraged his role as a mediator between Israelis and Palestinians. Schaefer ’s dedication to encouraging dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis inspired LMU to erect

a memorial in his name – an Interfaith Garden that will be installed beside Drollinger Parking Plaza this school year.

On Feb. 12, 2010, at the age of 21, Avi Schaefer ’s life was unexpectedly cut short.

According to Vice President for Public Affairs and University Relations at Brown University, Marisa Quinn, quoted in The Brown Daily Herald’s article “Update: Avi Schaefer ’13 struck, killed by car” published Feb. 12, 2010, “Avi Schaefer ’13 was struck and killed by a vehicle at approximately 1:40 a.m. Friday morning. … The driver of the vehicle was charged with drunken driving Friday af-

ternoon,” she said.

In addition to four other memorials dedicated in Schaefer ’s name, including ones in Israel, Santa Barbara and at Brown University, LMU will welcome its own memorial dedicated to the memory of Schaefer this school year.

From a young age, Schaefer was deeply involved in the Jewish community of his hometown in Santa Barbara.

At the age of 18, he and his twin brother Yoav moved to Israel, where they volunteered themselves to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, according to the Avi Schaefer Fund website. He served for three years as a lone soldier before being accepted into a

Polls show students’ ‘democracy in action’ C.S.L.A. from Page 1 concurrently by the Los Angeles Times using the traditional methodology.

Since then, C.S.L.A. has conducted polls for all major local and national elections at which 696 LMU students have collected and entered 10,895 surveys that informed research that has resulted in hundreds of unique media citations from outlets like the Los Angeles Times and CNN. Currently, C.S.L.A. is gearing up for its Presidential Election Exit Poll, which will take place on Nov. 6. In order to facilitate the polls, they are looking for 200 student volunteers to collect and enter 2,700 surveys – the highest number the Center has ever administered.

Additionally, to deal with the increasing trend of mail-in voters, the Center will be supplementing its exit polls with an over-the-phone survey of those who registered to vote by mail. This, Guerra pointed out, will provide the “most comprehensive” picture of how Los Angeles votes and will also be the first time such a survey has ever been conducted in America.

Berto Solis, C.S.L.A.’s communications coordinator, stresses the fact that this will be “a fully student-run operation” and urges students not to miss this opportunity but rather “be a part of history.”

Solis added “Something that students miss out on or overlook is research as being a part of something bigger than themselves. There’s a lot of focus on the individual sometimes … but a project of this size and scope shows you that you can be a part of something bigger than yourself … and that gives students a lot of perspective.”

Senior political science major and ASLMU Attorney General Sarah Palacios was an exit poll volunteer for C.S.L.A. during the 2010 gubernatorial elections.

Palacios was stationed at a polling place in the neighborhood her own family was from and stated that the highlight of her experience was “being able to speak on a personal level with L.A.’s citizens who really care about the future of our state.”

In particular, Palacios remembers Proposition 19, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, as being the hot issue on the ballot at the time.

She frequently listened to “various versions of Spanish-speaking grandmothers … rant about how they weren’t about to become subject to a world where ‘mota’ [marijuana] would roam recklessly and ruin the family structure and society.”

For Guerra, students should get involved for a chance to “see democracy in action,” but also to be a part of research that “is helping scholars, elected officials, journalists and everybody put elections into context.”

The exit polls not only contribute to the understanding of the way people voted, but are also key for elected officials. According to Guerra, by recording exactly why people voted the way they did and what they want from those they voted for, the polls “not only hold elected officials accountable, but also give them a roadmap.”

If officials are unsure of what the people want, Guerra said, “We’ll tell them what the people wanted, because the people told us.”

To register as a volunteer for the 2012 Presidential Election Exit Polls and for more information on C.S.L.A., visit their website, StudyLA.org.

EXIT POLL

SURVEY FACTS

2005 MAYORAL PRIMARY ELECTION

100

STUDENTS

1,189

SURVEYS COLLECTED

2005 MAYORAL GENERAL ELECTION

162

STUDENTS

1,743 SURVEYS COLLECTED

2008 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

184

STUDENTS

2,702 SURVEYS COLLECTED

2008 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION

227

STUDENTS

2,725 SURVEYS COLLECTED

2010 GUBERNATORIAL GENERAL ELECTION

128

STUDENTS

2,536 SURVEYS COLLECTED

Information from C.S.L.A.; Graphic: Joanie Payne | Loyolan

special forces combat unit.

Following that, he served as a counter-terrorism instructor for Israel’s most elite units.

After three years of dedicating himself to Israel’s armed forces, Schaefer enrolled at Brown University as a 21-year-old freshman.

According to his father, Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer, Schaefer had an op-ed piece published in The Brown Daily Herald shortly after his arrival on campus. This kickstarted his involvement at Brown within the Palestinian and Israeli community.

“I went into the army so that my children will not have to – a dream I fear may not

come true,” Schaefer wrote in his article published Nov. 2, 2009. This piece, titled “Avi Schaefer ‘13: To those interested in creating peace in the Middle East,” answered the question Schaefer said he got a lot: “So what did you do during those three years you weren’t in school?”

“When both sides truly understand that Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live, a need for legitimate safety and a desire to envision a more peaceful future for their children, then there will be peace,” Schaefer wrote in his article.

That peace is what Gross-

See Interfaith | Page 4

N ews Summer trip to Africa www.laloyolan.com

September 6, 2012 Page 3

inspires LMU students Students create ONE chapter upon return to campus.

By Alison Croley Staff Writer

“The number one thing that I took away from the experience is that I am so blessed,” said Kiara Cerda, a junior biology major.

Last spring, along with junior political science major Ted Guerrero, Cerda applied for a “oncein-a-lifetime” trip to Africa to learn about U.S. foreign aid. The trip was sponsored by textbook rental and philanthropy company, Chegg for Good, and ONE, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting extreme poverty. Thousands of eligible college students applied for this internship, according to Chegg’s website, but only eight were chosen.

Guerrero and Cerda spent the first four days of their trip in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the last four days in Lusaka, Zambia. While there, they visited a variety of American-sponsored aid sites targeting different demographics.

“We visited places that SMART Aid [ONE project] funds, we visited several NGOs [non-governmental organizations] [and] we visited U.S. government aid sites. We basically visited sites that would teach us a lot about foreign aid and its importance so that we could come back and advocate for it,” Guerrero said.

Out of the many people they met and places they visited, Guerrero felt the deepest connection with the women at Chikumbuso, a center for widowed women and their children in Zambia. Most of the women at the center are infected with HIV and have lost their husbands to AIDS. The center provides the means for women to make jewelry that they can sell to the surrounding communities.

“It was amazing to see these women’s dedication to their work and their children. They have close to nothing and are so spirited, it’s infectious. They were so inspiring to me,” Guerrero said.

Cerda connected with Daphne, a middle-aged woman struggling with HIV at a clinic called Thembalethu, which means “our hope.” Cerda spent the whole day with Daphne, shadowing her to understand her daily routine.

“She smiled all day,” Cerda said.

“It was so cool to see how much she appreciated someone that would listen to her. This woman was all hope and optimism. She didn’t complain once while I was there.”

Guerrero and Cerda both said they were amazed at the success of the sites they visited, but it wasn’t the scale of philanthropy or results of the aid given that moved them – it was the people.

“They said that we inspired them, but really they inspired us. Their enthusiasm and depth was overwhelming and their perspective on life was extremely humbling,” Cerda said.

Both Guerrero and Cerda still keep in touch with the people they

met in Africa.

“I’m Facebook friends with two of the girls I met,” Guerrero said.

“And one of my friends there talks to me on Twitter,” Cerda added.

According to Heather Porter, manager of philanthropy and executive projects at Chegg, “The partnership between Chegg for Good and ONE came from a shared vision to inspire students to be advocates for change on their campus, in their community and around the world.”

Guerrero and Cerda are doing just that. With their newfound passion for Africa, Guerrero and Cerda have started a ONE chapter on campus. The club will partner with ONE to raise awareness of African social and economic issues within LMU’s student body and advocate for people living in these situations.

“It’s awesome because Kiara and I have been to Africa and experienced firsthand the adversities the people are facing everyday. This will help us enrich the information relayed to LMU students,” Guerrero said.

Cerda added, “This is really exciting, because helping these people become self-sufficient is the next step in the progress of charity and aid, and there is no better place than LMU to foster that principle and help students get involved.”

ONE at LMU will have its first meeting Tuesday, at 9 p.m. in St. Rob’s 249. For more information about the ONE club on campus, email Ted Guerrero at tguerre2@lion.lmu. edu or Kiara Cerda at kcerda1@ lion.lmu.edu.

Nestor Pimienta

Pimienta feels “blessed” to have had the opportunity to visit the White House in recognition of his work setting up TTT.

11BURNING QUESTIONS

with a founder ofTutoringTomorrowToday This issue, Web Editor Kasey Eggert sits down with senior political science and urban studies double major Nestor Pimienta to discuss his student-run tutoring program and the recognition it has received thus far.

1. What is the program Tutoring Tomorrow Today (TTT) about?

Tutoring Tomorrow Today (TTT) is a student-run program we founded that provides subject-based tutoring, as well as mentoring for the families of the Facilities Management workers and the food service workers on campus. By connecting LMU students as tutors and mentors with the campus workers’ families, TTT aims to build genuine relationships.

2. Where did the idea come from?

When I, along with other [Students for Labor and Economic Justice (SLEJ)] students, was building relationships with workers, one question that kept coming up was, “Can you tutor my son or daughter?” I thought of a way to not only provide tutoring and mentoring now, but institutionalize it. I wanted to create something ensuring the needs of our immediate community were being addressed while connecting LMU students, faculty and staff with the families of the campus workers.

Thus, TTT brings together different spheres of influence.

3. When did you decide to create this program?

The idea evolved over time, [by] working it out with co-founders [and LMU alumni] Sophia Pavlos (’11) and Frank Romo (’11). We all had our particular vision as we were moving forward with this idea that I came up with. Fall of last year is when we really took the time to exhaustively refine the idea.

4. Who is involved?

Sophia Pavlos, Frank Romo and myself designed TTT to be a collaborative effort, which is why it is comprised of a variety of campus organizations such as SLEJ and the sorority Sigma Lambda Gamma and many other groups, including cultural clubs and academic honors societies. Additionally, [Academic Resource Center Director] La‘Tonya Miles and the Academic Resource Center are really supportive TTT partners.

5. Where do you see the future of the program?

This is just the beginning for TTT. In addition to expanding it on campus, students, staff and faculty from other universities have expressed interest in starting TTT at their institutions.

6. What does it mean to you to be recognized by the White House?

Being recognized by the White House demonstrates what an innovative initiative TTT is, one that can be replicated anywhere in the country. Additionally, it illustrates an effective model that not only addresses necessary needs, but builds a more inclusive society.

7. What was it like being in the White House?

Beautiful. It was encouraging to receive such positive reception from so many different leaders in a variety of positions, both non-profit and corporate, [the] Obama administration, Department of Education and the White House staff. I was happy, and I [felt] blessed to have the opportunity.

8. How did you come up with the name?

Although the name initially just came to me, I honestly put a lot of thought into it to make sure it was the best name. It is about realizing what you can do in this very moment – how you can make things happen and how you can change lives right now.

9. What is one moment/experience that you remember while tutoring?

One moment out of many is after one of the sessions, one of the participants who came with his sister, who were both in elementary school, asked Frank Romo, one of the LMU students, “Are you gonna have this again?” And then Frank smiled and said, “Yeah, we’ll have it again!” Then the child said, “Can I come back?” That made everything worth it.

10. What did you do over summer?

What didn’t I do? I guess one highlight out of many was I was at a summer program at Harvard, at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

11. What are your plans for the future?

To be completely honest, I don’t know. All I know is that whatever I’m going to do, it’s going to involve helping other people. I’m keeping my options open. I’m considering graduate school, internships, fellowships, serving abroad, starting a non-profit or maybe something I have not yet envisioned. Organizing is one of my passions: organizing people to be active in peaceful social justice movements.

To read the extended transcript of Pimienta’s interview, visit laloyolan.com.

News

September 6, 2012 Page 4

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‘Excited’ ASLMU faces 101 Garden to be ‘place of civility’ ASLMU from Page 1

organization to accomplish our vision, we also realize that our actions have offended members of the LMU community, and for that we are regretful.”

Despite the controversy, Ruiz still called it a “very successful event” when speaking with the Loyolan.

First Convo was set to be the catalyst in the Ruiz administration’s push for “quality over quantity” in event planning, a theme stressed not only since the student body’s return, but also back in the election season. Since the controversy, Ruiz admitted that his administration is “adjusting” its event planning strategy going forward.

“We’re always adjusting. Nothing’s perfect, and we’re all learners every day,” he said. “At ASLMU, we’re going to keep adjusting our events to cater to our student body.”

Programming goals aside, Ruiz and his vice president, senior sociology major Vince Caserio, are focusing on two other major goals during LMU’s 101st year. “[Vince] and I are really friendly and extroverted guys,” Ruiz said in reference to their open-door

policy. “We [want to] make sure that everybody knows that ASLMU is home for everyone. … I think what’s most effective is face-to-face [interaction], actually being there.”

Caserio also spoke of increasing communication with the administration. According to the vice president, ASLMU’s plan is to meet with faculty groups every month.

“We know they want the students’ best interest as well,” Caserio said. “We just want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.”

Ruiz and Caserio also stressed a need for greater transparency as one of their goals, citing as evidence the student body’s anger at not being informed of the reasoning behind the decision to terminate the De Colores service trips last semester.

“I think students felt like they really didn’t have a voice,” Ruiz said.

“So, Vinnie and I want to make sure students do have a voice in things.”

However, Ruiz also urged looking forward at future issues, rather than looking back at incidents like De Colores and the controversial introduction of parking fees. “I

would be lying to tell you that I could change anything. It’s more of an informational piece. … It’s [about] informing students, ‘This is what happened; that wasn’t under my era, but this is what’s happening. I want to make sure you’re up to date with everything.’”

The executive team spoke of feeling ready to leap into the new academic year with the support of what Speaker of the Senate Cecilia Rangel-Garcia described as a “positive and excited” ASLMU staff.

“This year, there aren’t that many returners,” the sophomore psychology major said about the Senate in particular. “It’s a different dynamic. I really appreciate the enthusiasm that everybody has.”

Ruiz echoed her sentiments, indicating an infectious energy in ASLMU’s ranks as they face a year of new challenges and a currently unclear LMU at 101.

“This ASLMU team, I feel, is [going to] set a new structure and foundation for future administrations,” Ruiz said.

“What’s going on here is something special.”

Jesuits remain ‘strong’ LaBrie from Page 1 provincial as well as other religious superiors, according to Deck. A leave of absence does not always lead to the individual quitting the Jesuit order, though. But LMU is no stranger to this process, as several members of its community are former Jesuits. Also, during 2004 and 2005, two LMU Jesuits took leaves of absence – Dean of Students Mark Zangrando and the rector of the Jesuit community at LMU, Fr. Felix Hughes, S.J. – according to a Aug. 30, 2005 article in the Loyolan. Hughes returned to the order, the same article states, but Zangrando did not. Both cited celibacy reasons for their departure.

According to an email sent out

by University President David W. Burcham, LaBrie assumed his role as special assistant to the president in July 2010.

Burcham described LaBrie’s role as assisting him in “several key areas, including advancing the Jesuit and Catholic mission.”

With LaBrie’s change in status, Burcham told the Loyolan that he is not worried about how this will impact his office, saying,

“He certainly hasn’t lost all of his knowledge about [the Jesuit and Catholic tradition], and I am surrounded by some other Jesuits that help me with that now. … I feel like the Jesuit presence, in this office at least, is strong.”

But, Burcham added, “I’m sure his change in status will have some impact on what he does this year to the extent that he won’t be a priest and to the extent that I used him as a priest. I will be relying on Fr. [Robert] Caro [S.J., Vice President for Mission and Ministry] and Fr. Deck and probably other Jesuits.”

According to LaBrie, he was “instrumental” in bringing seven new Jesuits to LMU’s campus this semester. The LMU Jesuit Community lists 28 Jesuits currently on campus, and members of other religious orders also live and work at the institution. With LaBrie’s change in status, he will no longer be heading up this initiative, according to Burcham.

“Until this year, he was also the point person on Jesuit recruitment to our campus,” said Burcham.

“He won’t be doing that as the point person. … It makes more sense to have a Jesuit being the point person. … He’s a great

spokesperson for the University, so he’ll still be involved in the recruitment efforts – but the spearheading will be done by Fr. Deck.”

LaBrie’s departure from the order comes during a period of diminished capacity for the Jesuits.

“Nationwide, the number of Jesuits has declined, to under 3,000 from about 10,000 in 1965,” according to a 2011 article in the New York Times. “More than half are over age 60. That they aren’t being replaced by younger Jesuits is the result of social and economic circumstances, including increased opportunity for poor Catholics and the stringent requirements of the priesthood.”

When Deck entered the order 49 years ago, the California province – which includes California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah – had more than 1,000 Jesuits, according to Deck. Now, he said, there are 380. Regardless, he is not concerned.

“We know that over history, the religious life flourishes or declines,” said Deck.

He added, “I don’t think we need to be alarmed.”

For the Record

In the ‘Changing Faces at LMU’ box the Loyolan ran on Aug. 30, it was incorrectly reported that Dr. Michelle Ko announced her departure from LMU ‘on the Apss Lmu Facebook page.’ It should have said that the Loyolan learned of her announcement via a post Ko made using the Apss Lmu Facebook account.

Authors of summer book to talk on campus Brian Thomas Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker,the authors of“Journey of the Universe,”this year’s summer book for freshmen,will speak today from 12:15 to 2 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion.The talk is open to all first-year students and centers on the key question of the book:What role and significance do we play in the 14-billion-year history of the universe?

Barbara Busse accepts position in President’s office Former LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts Dean Barbara Busse will return to the University as an assistant to the president next year, President David W. Burcham announced August 17. In an email to the community, Burcham said that Busse will work under Vice President for Mission and Ministry Fr. Robert Caro, S..J. ,“on several important tasks including supporting the planning for the Center for the Catholic Intellectual Tradition that is central in our Strategic Plan, assisting the Office of the Vice President for Mission and Ministry across its many tasks and representing Mission and Ministry both internally and externally.”

Staff changes within EIS The Office of Ethnic and Intercultural Services (EIS) has seen the introduction of three new directors, according to an email sent to the Loyolan from EIS Director Dr. Maria Grandone. Effective immediately, Anthony Garrison-Engbrecht is serving as the interim director of Asian-Pacific Student Services. Additionally, effective Sept. 10, the Office of Black Student Services will operate under interim Director Melvin M. Robert III, and Maruth Figueroa will assume the post of director of the Chicano/a Latino/a Student Services office.

Interfaith from Page 2 Schaefer said his son strove for in his life. “His goal was dialogue – which was unusual – but he really felt the need for peace,” Gross-Schaefer said.

After merely one semester at Brown University, Schaefer had built relationships, including one with a Palestinian from Ramallah, that “changed everything,” according to his father, and was on his way to making his lifelong goal of peace and dialogue come true.

As soon as word spread about his death, Israeli flags were draped on archways and windows across Brown’s campus in Schaefer’s memory.

In an article titled “Avi Schaefer, son of Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer, dies at 21” on the Jewish Journal website published Feb. 12, 2010, then-Brown University President Ruth Simmons described Schaefer as “a young man of inordinate strength and integrity.”

While mourning the loss of their son’s death, Gross-Schaefer said, “Our family decided rather than focus on why he died – which would be very anger-based, very revenge-based

Employment

– we wanted to focus on what he was living for.”

When the University approached Gross-Schaefer about having a memorial for his son, Gross-Schaefer knew he wanted to “create a place of civility where people can have dialogue.” The Interfaith Garden, which will be built by Drollinger Parking Plaza, will include benches with quotes encouraging dialogue and diversity among members of the LMU community, according to Gross-Schaefer.

Just as Gross-Schaefer believes his son was “willing to talk with people and listen to them and therefore build relationships,” Gross-Schaefer hopes this Interfaith Garden will help that live on in the community. Gross-Schaefer called the community to take part in this memorial by sending in quotations that represent a diversity of traditions and would be fitting for this garden, to Erin Hanson, director of donor relations, at ehanson@lmu.edu.

“The memorial for me is what happens, there’s a legacy piece to it,” Gross-Schaefer said. “My memorial would be for people to be touched by this [garden].”

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BOARD EDITORIAL

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

Kevin O’Keeffe Managing Editor

Adrien Jarvis Editor in Chief

Brigette Scobas Human Resources and Photo Editor

“8” has its place at LMU A reading of the play “8,” which focuses on pro-marriage equality in relation to California’s Proposition 8, is coming to LMU’s campus tomorrow. The Loyolan unanimously endorses the play’s right to be on LMU’s campus.

However, before you react to our seeming opposition with the University’s Catholic and Jesuit roots, let us take a moment to clarify a very important point that often seems to be missing from debates on this issue: our endorsement is of the opportunity for open discourse on a popular social issue. Our thoughts on marriage equality are not relevant to this discussion.

This distinction – one that President David W. Burcham has focused his response to the criticism on – is imperative. According to Burcham, most of the feedback he and the University have received has been critical, and even includes voices beyond the bluff.

“I’ve gotten emails from folks around the country that are upset,” Burcham said. “I’ve got emails from several, not a large number, but several of our alums that are upset.”

The planned presentation of the pro-marriage equality play – previewed on Page 11 – has inspired conversation about whether or not the play should continue as planned, from a post on The Cardinal Newman Society’s blog to a debate in the pages of this very newspaper (Page 8).

Despite the backlash, the University and Burcham are standing firm, supporting the play’s

presentation not despite LMU’s Jesuit roots, but because of them. “[S]ome jump to the conclusion because certain unpopular speech occurs on our campus that somehow, the fact that this is occurring on our campus signifies that the University endorses it, and that’s just not the case,” Burcham said. “What we endorse, what I endorse, is open, intelligent, respectful discourse. And that’s exactly what we’re going to have with this play.”

As the University prepares to kick off Zero Tolerance Week, the LMU community must remember that all voices deserve to be heard, even if they don’t represent the same viewpoint as the Catholic Church. The Jesuits themselves emphasize the idea of teaching how to think, not what to think. Not only that, but as Burcham made clear, to silence such voices would be against the University’s mission.

“Our tradition is we don’t shy away from controversial subjects, and if civil and principle-based discussion can’t occur here, on a university campus, about these kinds of subjects, where’s it going to occur?” Burcham asked. “This is our role, this is a university’s role.”

The best way to fully embody this role is for participation from across campus and from all sides of the issue. Students should attend the play with an open mind and a willingness to contribute to the talk back session at the end of the production.

Only through truly hearing others’ opinions can we hope to best understand controversial issues.

September 6, 2012 Page 5

Rule of Thumb

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

Arts scene thrives on campus LMU has long promoted artistic expression among its community members.Be it a show at theThomas P.Kelly Student Art Gallery or a play in the Barnelle Theatre, the fine arts are often well-represented.The start of this year has been an exceptionally bountiful time for the arts on campus. This weekend alone, you can visit the “State of the Art and Mind” exhibit in the William H. Hannon Library or the “Floating Garden” salt installation in the Laband Art Gallery, both featured in this issue’s Arts & Entertainment section (see Pages 9-12).You can also see a live reading of “8,” a play that is already making waves in and out of the community (see the board editorial on this page and the Uproar feature on Page 8). Considering all the opportunities for students to experience campus culture so early in the year, the Loyolan says thumbs up to the beginnings of a thriving arts scene for LMU at 101.

Presidential election is too high a price The presidential election is less than two months away and campaigning is more expensive than ever. According to the New York Times website, the 2012 presidential election already involves bigger campaign budgets and more spending than in years past. Between each candidate, his Super PAC and his party, a combined $897.9 million has already been spent on this election. In 2008, presidential candidates spent more than $1 billion, an increase from the $717.9 million spent in 2004, according to Bloomberg.com. With 46.2 million below the poverty line, according to the 2010 Census, and the economy a consistent topic of debate in the political sphere, thumbs down to candidates who should reevaluate how their superfluous spending is not reflecting their economic goals.

Phone hacking news keeps getting worse The scandal broke over a year ago, but the facts surrounding it keep getting darker. Police in the U.K. estimate that the number of phones hacked by Rupert Murdoch’s London media has raised to over 1,000, according to the Sept. 4 CNN article “Pool of likely phone-hacking victims skyrockets, police say.” The number seems to be ever-climbing; authorities have identified 3,706 additional potential victims. The callous reporters – whose actions are steeped in scandal stretching as high up as the prime minister – seemingly had no ethical line.

As more information comes to light, the embarrassment and disgust keeps piling up. Thumbs down to a news organization that ignored human rights in the ruthless pursuit of stories and tainted the integrity of journalism around the world.

Redundant reading: the syllabus class

M

ove-in, First Convo, Club Fest, GLOW and the first issue of the Loyolan: just a few things that might come to mind when you think about the first week back at LMU (who are we kidding, probably not that last one).

Designed to wean us off the morphine drip of summer vacation, A Short Story however, is

By Joseph Demes the droning Asst. Opinion Editor tedium of the e v e r- e x p e c t ed syllabus classes: a not-so-epic battle of wills where students strain against the inevitable monotone rumblings of both the text and the repetitive nature of the act.

Now, of course it’s not that bad. But there is some truth in the hyperbole, and I’d say that, in this instance, it’s this: Syllabus classes are a flashback to the hand-holding of our kindergarten days.

You’ve no doubt figured out the format at this point: class information on one side of the heading and teacher information on the other; course overview, expectations, required/ optional texts and grading policies in the middle; schedule following other casespecific variances. Though I’ll admit: I do appreciate it when a professor levels on not just the what, but the why, of a major divergence from the norm of expectations – like why I am submitting one of my final papers early in November for month-

long peer review exercises.

Generally, I’d rather skip the formality of hearing what I can reference at any time during the semester and get into some sort of discussion.

It’s probably better that we get used to reading contracts on our own – since that’s what the syllabus essentially is. It’s a very explicit

agreement of what the teacher expects at the most superficial levels and the criterion by which our grades are loosely determined. We, as the recipient party, implicitly sign that contract if we choose not to withdraw by the drop date. Sitting through the ordeal has become part of an expectation of entitlement, like the one referenced in a February 2009 New York Times article, “Student Expectations Seen as Causing Grade Disputes.”

The article explains, “[A] recent study by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, found that a third of students surveyed

said that they expected B’s just for attending lectures, and 40 percent said they deserved a B for completing the required reading.” It’s probably this mindset that influences teachers to read

Graphic: Alberto Gonzalez | Loyolan Alberto Gonzalez | Loyolan

off the syllabus year after year – attempts at preventative action against such entitlement. But it’s one that we submit ourselves to, because to some extent we assume it as part of the deal for succeeding in a class.

Really, then, it’s not that the professor is responsible for letting us know what we’re

getting into, but that we owe it to ourselves to make sure we’re fully prepared to meet the demands of that contract. Otherwise we might end up legally selling our souls, the way 7,500 people did to British gaming software retailer GameStation as part of an April Fool’s Day terms of service update, according to an April 2010 Fox News report, “7,500 Online Shoppers Unknowingly Sold Their Souls.” Of course, the point of the whole thing was in good humor, and there was a box customers could click to opt out of the clause (which would have earned them a

£5 voucher), but roughly 88 percent of consumers did not. For students, as a party in quasilegal contract, part of being a responsible member of said party entails understanding the terms of agreement – and asking questions if those terms are not clear to you.

Because once you choose to stay in a class, the professor owns your academic soul, so to speak.

So why don’t we then? Why do we just take our syllabi, say “thanks” and saunter out the door (but not that rudely)? Sad as this may sound, I think it’s because we don’t enjoy thinking of the whole process in such binding terms. Maybe we relish the televisual passivity of being told to expect what we are already aware of. Maybe we’re all a little intimidated to really pick through a syllabus. (I know it’s daunting for me; I had to construct and explain one as a part of a paper.) But maybe it’s that we don’t want to admit what we’re getting into: a relationship. Relationships take serious effort if they’re to thrive, and it’s easier not to think of a class in those terms. It’s far more convenient to submit oneself to routine rather than understand what makes that act tick – and how to make it tick well.

If you don’t want to think of it in those terms, consider this: checking the thing out on your own is better than being, for the umpteenth semester in a row, read material that’s not even subject matter.

But if we want to be involved in a discourse that does not treat its members as anything less than adults, in either tone or pedagogy, then it’s probably best that we suit up and shake hands with the syllabus instead of letting our hands be held.

This is the opinion of Joseph Demes, a senior English and philosophy double major from Clayton, Calif. Please send comments to jdemes@theloyolan.com.

Opinion

September 6, 2012 Page 6

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Kanye West’s Twitter rant Kanye West tweeted a series of questions to his followers about whether or not it’s acceptable to use certain offensive words and for which community members such usage is permissible. For words that have a polarizing history but have since been reclaimed by the group they marginalized, are they then only acceptable when used by the once-attacked community?

Celebrity endorsement of presidential candidates At the Republican National Convention, Clint Eastwood talked to an empty chair in a fake interview with President Barack Obama. Chuck Norris has spoken out against Obama, and Nicki Minaj has seemingly endorsed Mitt Romney in a rap on Lil Wayne’s mixtape “Dedication 4.” How much influence should celebrities have on votes in public elections?

The national debt surpasses $16 trillion

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The national debt exceeded $16 trillion this Tuesday, the first day of the Democratic National Convention. Given the timing, the GOP was quick to blame President Obama’s policies. Is it fair to place all of the blame for our nation’s debt on the Obama administration?

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Opinion

September 6, 2012 Page 8

UPROAR Should I

Don’t hate the “8”

t shouldn’t even be a debate.

I’ll admit – I’m curious as to what fellow contributor Lauren Rockwell’s argument is regarding the LGBT Student Services (LGBTSS) Office’s presentation of “8,” the pro-marriage equality play, at LMU tomorrow night. From my point of view, not as an LGBT individual, nor as someone who is pro-marriage equality, but simply as an LMU student, I fail to see a single valid reason Grinding why the play shouldn’t Gears be read on our campus.

By Kevin Agree or disagree O’Keeffe with what the play is Managing Editor arguing, the fact is that the show must go on, not because of the subject matter, but because it is an expression of a faction of students’ opinions. Their voices deserve to be heard.

For those who aren’t familiar with the play, “8” is a dramatic interpretation of the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial currently headed for the Supreme Court.

The case is about the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the infamous amendment to the California constitution that banned same-sex marriage in the state.

Written by Dustin Lance Black, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of “Milk,” “8” is an unabashedly biased and activist look at the trial, but it never pretends to be anything else.

Controversy brewed about the presentation of “8” on LMU’s campus when The Cardinal Newman Society posted an article about this on its blog.

The post, which has been picked up by a couple other Catholic blogs but has failed to make a dent in the greater media sphere, argues that LMU is promoting gay “marriage” (complete with i n c r e d i b l y condescending quotation marks) through its production of “8.”

What The Cardinal Newman Society fails to understand is that if LMU were to shut down the production of “8,” the University would be silencing student voices simply because they are at odds with the Catholic Church’s positions – a terrifying proposition, and completely at odds with the Jesuit mission to educate the whole person and encourage learning, as LMU’s mission statement reads.

When asked about “8” in an interview with the Loyolan, ASLMU President Bryan Ruiz said that he believes LMU students’ self-expression “does need to be heard.” LMU and President David Burcham are clearly working with the same mindset, and their refusal to

cancel the show is inspiring.

I’m incredibly proud to go to a religiously-affiliated school that is comfortable presenting a pro-marriage equality play on its campus while not fully endorsing it. To endorse the show would indeed be a violation of the Catholic position, something we shouldn’t ask the University to do.

But to shut it down would violate our mission. So in truth, President Burcham and his administration have done the only thing they can do without appearing hypocritical to some part of the University’s identity.

You’ll notice I haven’t talked much about why I think “8” is so great and how important the message it will spread to students is. That’s because “8” isn’t great, and I think said important message is something the majority of our student body already supports.

On paper, “8” is a clumsily written play, full of preachy monologues and an unwillingness to portray marriage equality opponents as anything but morons. The marriage equality debate deserves a better dramatic interpretation, and I have no doubt that several years down the road, we’ll see one. But a show being bad isn’t any reason to censor it from running. As the Loyolan’s primary theatre critic for the past two years, I’ve certainly seen shows I didn’t like, but you never once heard me call for their cancellation out of sheer disgust. Besides, the point of “8” isn’t to be great theatre – it’s activist in nature.

The message it is spreading, however, is something I think most students on this campus and across the country already feel: Marriage equality is the right thing for right now. Even among young conservatives in the U.S., support for same-sex marriage is rapidly rising.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll from May shows that almost half of young conservatives do indeed support m a r r i a g e equality – and among young liberals, that number is skyhigh. So, I don’t necessarily think a college campus, even a Jesuit one like LMU’s, is the most effective stage for a play like “8.”

What does any of this matter? Simple: It doesn’t. No matter how bad the play is, how repetitive its message may be or how much it may get The Cardinal Newman Society’s panties into a bunch, there is simply no valid reason to cancel “8.” At the end of the day, this is about students’ free expression, and we go to a school that values said expression.

That’s something worth celebrating,

“No matter how bad the play is, how repetitive its message may be ... there is simply no valid reason to cancel ‘8.’”

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

www.laloyolan.com

Head to Head

play?

Design: Kim Tran | Loyolan; Photos: Flickr Creative Commons

L

A one-sided debate

MU’s hosting of the play “8” should arouse debate, not merely to discuss battling opinions on gay marriage, but to ask whether or not our school opposes the Catholic teaching on gay marriage. Ostensibly, it does by the support and promotion of “8.” I believe that the actions of the administration and faculty have gone beyond merely allowing a forum for academic debate on the issue, and instead are advocating for a cause that directly opposes the

By Lauren teachings of the Catholic Rockwell Church.

According to an article Contributor titled “Loyola Marymount to Promote Gay ‘Marriage,’ Cancels Fundraiser,” posted on the blog of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) on Aug. 24, “8” was originally advertised as a fundraiser with proceeds going to two organizations dedicated to legalize same-sex marriage, one being the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER). AFER is the single sponsor of the federal court challenge to the California voter-approved ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, according to AFER’s website.

The event was said to be sponsored by both faculty and student organizations, including LGBT Student Services (LGBTSS).

However, the article highlighted that after being contacted by the CNS, an organization that, according to its blog, is dedicated to helping renew and strengthen Catholic identity in Catholic higher education, the LMU website was quickly changed. The blog continues, stating that the invitation to “8” now makes no reference to the event as a fundraiser, nor that LGBT Student Services is a co-sponsor. All references to Director of LGBTSS Anthony Garrison-Engbrecht’s involvement have been deleted. This may have been done in an effort to distance the University from appearing to endorse activities sponsored by LGBTSS and to classify the event as a faculty-organized display of academic freedom.

Academic freedom ensures that teachers and students have the right to express ideas freely; however, that does not include imposing beliefs of politicians or administrators on students or faculty. If one still wishes to categorize the reading of “8” as a display of academic freedom, where is the discourse?

Although the website for “8” promises to present arguments both for and against the legalization of same-sex marriage, ultimately the play promotes the overturning of Proposition 8. LMU is providing a “talk back” following the play, but I wonder how much debate will occur among those who have chosen to sit through two hours of advocacy for gay marriage. Further, some of the play is being read by faculty. How many students are going to boldly challenge faculty that are apparently, by their participation, in favor of

gay marriage? Isn’t there a power imbalance here? A subtle intimidation?

LMU’s mission statement proclaims the University to be “institutionally committed to Roman Catholicism” and further states, “This Catholic identity and religious heritage distinguish LMU from other universities.”

However, linked to LMU’s web invitation to “8,” you find a quote by the play’s writer, Dustin Lance Black, calling the Catholic Church’s standing on same-sex marriage “a vitriol and baseless hyperbole.” Instead of raising the ire of students and faculty, or even inducing some mild form of indignity at the insult to our Catholic tradition, LMU commits University resources and facilities in support of the playwright and the work.

Furthermore, the CNS blog post stated that when they contacted President David Burcham and the University’s public affairs office about “8” and requested “clarification whether the University opposes Catholic teaching on marriage,” all parties failed to respond. If the president of our University is not willing to voice support for our founding principles, who will?

I believe the reading of “8” exposes a larger problem about the environment of LMU’s campus and the lack of a religious presence.

Our University jumps at every opportunity to display “tolerance;” however, the movement largely favors the progressive agenda.

In accordance with its mission statement and based on its founding principles, LMU owes it to the students who came to the University in the promise of a Catholic education to provide a visible presence on campus in support of Catholic teachings.

It is clear that LMU is a liberal-minded campus. However, I wonder why seemingly no one on this campus is voicing conservative beliefs. When asked about the identity of our school, senior communication studies major Emily Loren stated, “I mean, we have a church and all, but other than that you wouldn’t even know we were a Catholic school.” Has it become so unpopular to have views that align with the Catholic Church that they are silenced in this so-called inclusive, tolerant, progressive society we live in? This should not be the case at a Catholic Jesuit university.

LMU’s choice to hold a reading of “8” brings to light the fact that our campus has wandered far from our Catholic identity, and in doing so, has made it unpopular to support Catholic teachings. I am proud that our school allows freedom of expression, but I am disappointed by the lack of attention to appropriate ways of doing so, and even more so at the lack of activism in support of the Church. With every loud yell of the liberal voice, there must be a resounding reply from the heart of our school’s Catholic tradition.

“ ... the reading of ‘8’ exposes a larger problem about the environment of LMU’s campus and the lack of a religious presence.”

This is the opinion of Lauren Rockwell, a senior psychology major from Federal Way, Wash. Please send comments to ktran@theloyolan.com.

Arts & Entertainment Film, Literature, Music, Restaurants and Theatre

www.laloyolan.com

September 6, 2012 Page 9

Jon Rou

Japanese artist Motoi Yamamoto finishes residency in the Laband Art Gallery today

Artist Motoi Yamamoto fashions complicated, tranquil art out of ordinary table salt. Today marks Yamamoto’s last working visit to the Laband Art Gallery on campus, where he is currently constructing “Floating Garden,” a site-specific salt installation on the space’s wooden floors. Students can visit the gallery throughout the day to observe the artist at work. “I wanted to provide students with an opportunity to realize that art can be created from anything, a variety of materials, and also the ability to watch an artist and his creative process at work,” said director and curator of the Laband Gallery Carolyn Peter. Peter is excited to host Yamamoto’s first West Coast solo exhibition, “Return to the Sea: Saltworks by Motoi Yamamoto,” which opens with a public reception this Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the gallery. “Life is fleeting and so is his art,” Peter said of the impermanence of the “Floating Garden.” On the last day of the exhibit, Dec. 8, the LMU community is invited to collect the Morton-donated salt from the installation and deposit it into the Pacific Ocean.

When asked about how working on a college campus feels, Yamamoto simply stated, “Youth power.” He wants college students to understand the power of focused action and beliefs, as demonstrated in his salt construction, and that small steps can lead us all somewhere far greater. University photographer Jon Rou has been capturing Yamamoto’s progress each day. “It’s been fascinating to watch how he goes about it. It’s such a quiet process, so meditative, but big and impressive. Solitary and simple becomes big and massive,” Rou said.

- Tierney Finster, A&E editor

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Arts & Entertainment

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French artist explores memory in new exhibit Art Feature

By Tierney Finster A&E Editor

“T

he past fades into the present and disappears in the future,” reads one of the 365 postcard-like paintings in Jean-Francois Podevin’s “State of the Art and Mind” exhibit, currently on display at the William H. Hannon Library.

The notions of time and memory are key to the show, which functions as a colossal display of the personal work that the French artist has completed since moving to California over 30 years ago.

Most notably, “State of the Art and Mind” features “Composite Memories,” Podevin’s seven-piece set of stand-alone sculptural machines.

Podevin refers to the machines as “stochasticons,” and explained in his address at the exhibit’s opening last Friday that the term represents “an infinite number of possibilities within finite limits.”

The stochasticons contain four painting-adorned, canvas panels that can be rotated individually to combine each of the 14 total paintings in a variety of ways across a horizontal axis.

Viewers are left with the opportunity to form the pairings, and thus the perceived narratives of the paintings, for themselves.

While the seven stochasticons are each titled with a unifying theme, such as “Fiat Lux,” “Let There Be Light” and “On the Beach,” the 365 stochasticon images represent an incredibly diverse range of experiences and artistic style over time.

“Each image is a painting in itself. Each painting is a statement,” Podevin said. “By putting them in the machine, I change their meaning.”

Largely personal, Podevin’s self portraits, along with images of his wife and sons, can be found throughout the machines. A series of four photos of a white minivan lines one painting. Embedded in folds of cool, ambient color, one’s memories are evoked while also taking in someone else’s surreal home movie. Other pieces resemble travel journals: a luscious garden scene reads, “Wish you were here;” the head of the Statue of Liberty hangs amidst a field of stark white space; ocean oases repeatedly tantalize. Perhaps most intimate are the apparent representations of Podevin’s own mental grappling, as he explores creation across an array of belief systems in “Fiat Lux” and the notions of unyielding permanence and union in “Instance of Eternity.”

“I’m fascinated by the multiplicity of ideas about something like creation,” Podevin said. “Some images complete each other, but others contradict in ways that raise questions.”

It is important to note that each of these individual paintings, along with all of the objects in the show, relates to one of the artist’s own composite memories.

“Memories are functional in order to deal with certain situations,” Podevin explained. The moments captured in “Composite Memories” carry a sustained pleasure or burden of some sort, and thus call for creative transfiguration in order to move toward a place of closure. Podevin admits, “The real trick is to forget.”

He doesn’t seem to have forgotten much over the years, thanks to the 200 journals he has kept over the last three decades. These books contain both sketches and text and were used as source materials for the exhibition as a whole.

Podevin estimates that the books contain over 16,000 drawings, and in introducing the sketchbooks as part of “State of the Art and Mind,” he writes that the collection is “a formless web of information whose expression is meaningful.”

Liana Bandziulis | Loyolan

Thirty of Podevin’s personal sketchbooks are currently on display as part of the“State of the Art and Mind”exhibit. Podevin began these sketch collections when he moved to California over 30 years ago and felt an“incredible change of identity.”

“No part is kept in chronological order since I began in 1974, strong of the belief that as an artist, I should be able to one day express an ‘eternal present.’ ...

They [the notebooks] represent a rhizome network in which, at each perceived intersection, there can be formed a synaptic connection: an ‘Instance of Eternity,’” Podevin wrote for the show.

One individual tracking Podevin’s quest for the eternal present is Colin Gardner, a professor of critical theory and interdisciplinary media at UC Santa Barbara. Gardner and Podevin met around 1977, when Podevin contributed a few freelance illustrations for “Synapse,” an electronic music magazine for which Gardner also worked.

“I was an instant fan of him,” Gardner recounted at Friday’s opening. Gardner frequently uses his knowledge as a critical theorist to contextualize and examine Podevin’s work. Gardner delivered an impressive lecture at the show on Friday in which he traced the similarities between the art, language as a whole and the human brain.

“The structural methodology of the machines is exactly the same as that of language,” Gardner said, calling upon Roman Jakobson’s model of language. Jakobson explains language as having an

axis of combination – the structural stringing together of words – and axis of selection, the specific word choices we make that propel the “forward flow” of words. If we think of the axis of combination as a specific sentence structure, the axis of selection is what gives different meanings to sentences formed with the same logic. “I am ecstatic” differs from “I was ecstatic,” just as “I was miserable” differs from “She is miserable.” Minor changes in the two axes create account for completely different end results and impressions.

“Changed through the axis of selection, this structure can be applied to any scenario,” Gardner said. The images in “Composite Memory” certainly function this way. Gardner refers to each machine as a “series of narratives” that allows for the “infinite possibility of continuation, the same way language always does.”

Rather than choose a limited number of images to share with us, Podevin’s stochasticons allow us as spectators to choose the narrative content of the image machines with a simple turn of their handles. Like with language, we posseses an unlimited number of attempts to form new meanings based on the combinations we choose within the four-paneled structure of the machines. Gardner demonstrated this during his

lecture by showing how changing just one of the images in a row transformed the group’s overall meaning, taking the sequence from a woman’s pagan to Christian journey to “the equalization of women as commodities.”

In his lecture, Gardner related this model of language to Jacques Lacan’s model of the unconscious, further linking Podevin’s work to the various states of our own minds. Lacan believed that the latent content of our real lives is transformed into dream by the mental axes of displacement and condensation, which follow a structure similar to that of language.

“Turning Podevin’s handles is the equivalent of a new form of displacement,” Gardner remarked.

Like while dreaming, we as spectators cannot completely account for the motivations behind our chosen combinations. A larger force, our creative unconscious, seeks the images that somehow touch upon our own emotional needs or past.

“You are driven by the need of motor continuity. We desire connections and forming them gives meaning to our own personal memories and images,” Gardner said.

“The purpose is to create your own narrative,” Podevin said.

Gardner also spoke on our authorship as an audience. “You become the artist in the very act of

Liana Bandziulis | Loyolan

Aside from the seven standing stochasticons in “Composite Memories”, Podevin assembled tangible models also based on specific memories. “Time is like paint for me. It’s a medium. I do things in time,” Podevin said.

working with and transforming the work. ... You the audience is as much a producer of the meaning as Jean Francois is.”

While the freestanding stochasticons are key players in Podevin’s show, “State of the Art and Mind” contains a variety of other images and stochasticon objects. Much of the work on display is part of Podevin’s traveling show, which event organizer Dr. Stephanie August, associate professor of the LMU electrical engineering and computer science department, first saw at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. However, “State of the Art and Mind” always contains the artist’s brand new work. One such work is “Tetric Landscapes,” a series of composite sketches from Podevin’s drives down the California coast. “Tetric Landscapes” is also highly interactive, enabling the viewer to recall and form his or her own memory images of drives down the coast as a lens distorts the pictures, giving the images the same fleeting feel Podevin felt when staring out the window from the passenger seat during these drives.

“Some of these are mere brush strokes which look like landscape in the context of it all,” Podevin explained. Gardner refers to “Tetric Landscapes” and Podevin’s work as a whole as employing a “profound cinematic kind of language” and references the famous Lev Kuleshov experiment in film editing in his discussion of the landscapes. This so-called Kuleshov experiment emphasized juxtaposition of images and how it changes the meaning of said images.

Podevin’s cinematic ideology is no surprise. In a world of the niche, the multifaceted artist is well-versed in both acrylic and oil painting, photography, computer illustration and other techniques.

Caran Goode, a former LMU professor who has known Podevin since the late ‘70s, said that he is still amazed by the artist’s “incredible range and skill.”

“He’s the only person I know who can collage, paint, photograph or just sketch the same thing and have it be just as good in each form,” Goode said.

Podevin called himself “interdisciplinary” in his artistic approach, which makes his work a perfect fit for August’s larger project: “Operation STEAMroller: A Festival of Many Disciplines,” of which “State of the Art and Mind” is included. The interdisciplinary connection was also cemented during Gardner’s lecture, during which he explored the similarities between artists and scientists with Podevin and the audience.

Like scientists, “Artists answer questions that haven’t been raised yet,” Gardner stated, citing Einstein’s Theory of Relativity as an example.

Camille Kolodziejski, a junior history major, commented on the accessibility of the project.

“Making the exhibit interactive allows for everyone to be involved, and for far beyond the opening night,” she said. “There is such a range to the work that anyone, regardless of what they’re studying, can find something of interest in it.”

“State of the Art and Mind” is a truly astounding display of multidisciplinary intelligence and artistic prowess. From the fascinating content, subjectively intriguing means of display and its powerful surrounding discourse, this show warrants a second visit. It will run on the third floor of the Library until Oct. 12, giving spectators plenty of opportunities to turn the stochasticons’ handles for second and third times.

This is the opinion of Tierney Finster, a junior screenwriting major from Los Angeles, Calif. Please send comments to tfinster@theloyolan.com.

www.laloyolan.com

Arts & Entertainment

Marriage equality topic of ‘8’ reading

Theatre Preview Campus Spotlight

By Chris James Asst. A&E Editor

C

ollege students in network sitcoms often end their long days of classes over a pitcher of cold beer with the gang. Although this remains a fantasy for most busy students, new hours of operation at The Loft could easily make this a reality for all students 21 and older.

The Loft is now open every week day beginning at 4:30 p.m. It stays in service until 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 p.m. on Thursdays and 8 p.m. on Fridays, according to Trey Duval, the director of Campus Recreation and Student Facilities.

This availability is a huge increase from last year’s limited schedule, which only included Thursday evenings and special events. The Loft’s abbreviated hours last year came as the result of a licensing misunderstanding that caused The Loft to unexpectedly suspend its services in February 2011, according to operational manager of The Loft Danielle Vicino, a senior political science major.

The decision to keep The Loft open and pouring drinks throughout the week was, in part, because of the influx in students and faculty last year.

“Last year, The Loft events were extremely popular with the LMU community. Whether it was Senior Night or a typical Thursday night, we always had a great turnout,” said Vicino. “In order to provide the best ser-

September 6, 2012 Page 11

vice for our members, we felt it was important to provide the opportunity for students, faculty, staff and alumni to socialize more often at The Loft.”

Students have taken advantage of the change in The Loft’s hours and have been happy to take advantage of this on-campus establishment.

Proclaimed as the first member to sign up this year and the first member to walk through The Loft’s doors, senior business entrepreneurship major David Neubert is excited about the new hours.

“I love the fact [that] I can grab a beer with some friends right after my Wednesday class around 7 [p.m.] without going down the street for a ridiculous price,” Neubert said.

LMU community members are required to purchase a membership to The Loft in order to receive full access to its hours. “Membership costs $20 for the school year [and] can be purchased in the Campus Rec Suite located on the first floor of Malone,” said Vicino.

For students, faculty, staff and alumni members, there is no need to worry if friends do not have a membership to The Loft. “Once a member, each [member] can bring up to two guests per visit,” according to Vicino.

There are a variety of house beers to try as well as certain rotating selections. “In general terms we have [on tap]: a house beer [the Golden Lion], an amber/red ale, a Belgian wit/golden ale/hefeweizen, an India Pale Ale (IPA), a brown ale and a stout/porter,” said Duval.

Having an on-campus bar is fairly unique to LMU. According to the

schools’ maps and dining pages, fellow WCC Jesuit universities such as Gonzaga University and Fordham University do not have an on-campus bar for students to enjoy. Similarly, local schools like Chapman University, Pepperdine University and UCLA do not have bars on campus either, according to their respective dining websites.

However, USC does have its own version of The Loft, an on-campus restaurant and bar called Traditions.

Unlike The Loft though, its bar does not require membership in order to drink. According to its menu, beer prices at Traditions range from $5 to $12 per serving. This is a different price point than the $3 craft beers and $4 wines and cider that are offered to members at The Loft. This, according to senior English major and member of the unofficial “Brew Crew” Jacob Aplaca, is exactly what sets The Loft apart from other university bars.

“It’s an awesome place to relax and have a drink after class,” Aplaca said.

“Its environment definitely provides a nice break from some of the crazier bars around campus.”

So far, The Loft’s staff is pleased with how the new changes are playing out.

“All of the managers and staff are committed to providing a quality experience for our Loft members” said Vicino. “We’ve already signed up nearly 300 members and hope our numbers will continue to grow.”

Photo: Albert Alvarado | Loyolan Graphic: Alberto Gonzalez | Loyolan

OPEN HOUSE lg bt

Come out to the LGBTSS Open House Mixer September 7th 2012 4pm-6pm

Malone 403 #LMULGBTSS #LMUglitter

like us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/lgbtss.lmu

follow us on twitter @lmulgbtss

By Amy Lee Asst. A&E Editor

A

unique, socially conscious theatre experience comes to LMU with the reading of “8: a play,” a new play about Proposition 8 and marriage equality. Written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, this 85-minute reading follows the trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger through actual court transcripts and interviews.

When LMU’s Faculty and Staff Gay/Straight Network approached the theatre and dance departments, they both agreed to perform the reading of the play; it will be followed by a panel discussion comprised of various faculty members who will share their views on Prop.

8, marriage equality and the Catholic Church’s position. Faculty, staff and students were invited to play the roles.

Considering the Church’s endorsement of Prop. 8, this reading being held at a Jesuit institution is controversial. According to University President David W. Burcham, the feedback has been “mostly critical, except those on our Board of Trustees who have reacted. That has been, for the most part, very positive.”

Defending the decision to have the reading on campus, Burcham said, “Our [University] tradition is we don’t shy away from controversial subjects, and if civil and principlebased discussion can’t occur here, on a university campus, about these kinds of subjects, where’s it going to occur? This is our role – this is a university’s role.”

Kevin Wetmore, the director of “8,” co-chair and associate professor of the department of theatre, agreed with Burcham and explained that he sees this project as a part of LMU’s mission “to present significant plays on important topics.”

“I believe we here at LMU are proud of our diversity, proud of our ability to engage respectfully with issues in which people may have very strong feelings,” said Wetmore.

“Performing ‘8’ and having a discussion about it afterwards is very much in the spirit of the University mission and of our three founding orders: the Ignatian principle of engagement and finding God in all things, the Marymount commitment to culture and the arts as a means to explore and teach and the Congregation of St. Joseph’s dedication to justice and reconciliation,” added Wetmore.

He continued, “We very much appreciate the freedom to engage different perspectives, to allow all voices to be heard and to recognize that there can be many definitions of social justice.”

Yasmin Almanaseer, a junior philosophy major and president of LMU’s student organization the Gay Straight Alliance, explained that when Proposition 8 was passed, the gay community was shocked because Americans were allowed to vote against what they perceive as a human right. She hopes the audience will see through the lens of a gay person and realize exactly why gay people should be allowed the legal rights of marriage.

“This isn’t about wearing rings or the ability to say ‘we’re married,’ and I think ‘8’ will show that,” said Almanaseer. “There is a story not being told about the people who die alone because their partners are not legally their spouses and subsequently are not allowed to be at their sides when they die in a U.S. hospital. You don’t see that on the news. There are so many other devastating examples of tragedy caused by inability to legally marry, and I believe ‘8’ will display the gravity of this issue.”

“This play highlights a contemporary cultural issue and will allow for the University community to become further educated on various issues pertaining to same-sex marriage,” said Anthony Garrison-Engbrecht, director of LGBT Student Services & Off-Campus Student Life.

“I am most interested in hearing from the members of the panel who will speak immediately following the play. The panel will feature scholars from various fields who will reflect on significant theological, legal and cultural factors in relation to same-sex marriage and will engage the University community in academic dialogue about these issues,” added Garrison-Engbrecht.

“I believe that it is through academic dialogue and discussions like this that we come to better understand and respond to the important and pressing issues facing society,” continued Garrison-Engbrecht.

Burcham emphasized the importance of allowing such discourse to occur on campus and said, “It … intrigues and baffles me that some jump to the conclusion that because certain unpopular speech occurs on our campus that somehow, the fact that this is occurring on our campus signifies that the University endorses it. That’s just not the case.”

“What we endorse, what I endorse, is open, intelligent, respective discourse. And that’s exactly what we’re going to have with this play,” he added.

Catch “8” on Friday, Sept. 7 at Strub Theatre at 8 p.m., immediately followed by a panel discussion and reception. Admission is free.

R.S.V.P. via LMU’s website.

- Additional reporting by Adrien Jarvis, editor in chief

September 6, 2012 Page 12

Arts & Entertainment

www.laloyolan.com

2012 pop music: 2011 redux Best TV shows you aren’t watching S H

ummer has officially ended, and the popular consensus has arrived: Frequently parodied earworm “Call Me Maybe” by Canadian artist Carly Rae Jepsen is your Song of Summer 2012. By now, you’re probably just a little tired of listening to it – which is natural for songs that you hear almost every day for a full 3½ months. But imagine how Canadians must feel – they first heard the song in September of last year.

T h i s highlights one strange trend that emerged this year It’s K-OK! pop

By Kevin O’Keeffe with music being Managing Editor even more behind the times than usual. Both of the most popular songs of the year – “Call Me Maybe” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” – were actually released in 2011, as was the highest selling album of this year, Adele’s “21.” While radio is no stranger to late-peaking hits, it is strange for the gap to be almost a full year after release.

So how did we wind up with pop music in 2012 that was nothing more than 2011 redux? With Adele’s album, we can chalk her continued successes up to being Adele, the savior of modern album sales, and write it off as an aberration. But with “Maybe” and “Somebody,” trying to explain why only leads to more questions.

Both Jepsen and Gotye are

from outside the country, which might explain why their songs didn’t make it here earlier. But if that’s the case, why did they become so big anyway?

The songs aren’t exactly the electropop dance songs or ringtone hip hop we’ve come to expect of the radio, so it might have taken them longer to catch on. But if that’s the case, why did they catch on anyway?

Big pop artists like Adele, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé stayed out of the singles game this summer, choosing not to release anything to radio. Compare that to the era of monster singles like “We Found Love” and “Someone Like You” at the end of last year, and it’s easy to see that there wasn’t room for Jepsen or Gotye until this year.

But this summer brought big songs from the likes of Rihanna (“Where Have You Been”), Katy Perry (“Wide Awake”) and Maroon 5 (“Payphone”), yet the two scrappy upstarts still reigned supreme.

The best explanation I can come up with is that there is no explanation – at least, no simple one.

“Maybe” and “Somebody” seemed to rise to prominence independently due to the promotion from their labels and other Internet success. Whereas Jepsen had Justin Bieber and all his famous friends on her side, Gotye had Walk off the Earth’s five musicians-one guitar viral cover. The songs’ 2011 roots seemingly had nothing to do with their success – all just a coincidence. However, when you realize that the third biggest hit of the year, fun.’s “We Are Young,” was also released in September 2011, you can’t help but feel you’re missing a pattern.

Pop music is obviously cyclical,

Associated Press

Carly Rae Jepsen of “Call Me Maybe” fame performs on NBC’s Today Show. and there are always going to be transition years. I’d chalk this year up to nothing but radio programmers trying to find a new sound as the dance revival is cooling down.

We’ll see more songs in the next year or so mirror the sounds that Adele, fun., Jepsen and Gotye first made popular this year.

Until then, enjoy your last remnants of summer music, including Ellie Goulding’s “Lights,” a song peaking in popularity right now that was first released in – er, 2010. Back to the drawing board.

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

Become a Jewish Studies Minor!

Take advantage of opportunities for JWST minors, including:

- Tuition and travel scholarships - Priority registration for JWST classes - Internships with local Jewish organizations - Community of dedicated students and faculty

Travel the world to study Jewish culture and history Israel: Summer 2013 Poland: Summer 2014

Don’t miss our upcoming events!

The Wandering View: The Jewish

Immigrant in World Cinema

Featuring Dr. Lawrence Baron September 11, 2012 1:30 pm | Location TBD

2012 Kristallnacht Commemoration Keynote: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin November 8, 2012 6:30 pm | Roski Dining Commons

For more information, contact Dr. Holli Levitsky at hlevitsk@lmu.edu or 310-338-7664 or visit bellarmine.lmu.edu/jewishstudies

ollywood is changing. The entertainment industry, once dominated by auteurdriven films, is undergoing a gradual shift from the big screen to its smaller, plasma-enhanced counterpart.

In the era of “everything on demand,” television shows have thrived due to their easy, at-home availability.

RecognizBy Brian Leigh ing that poContributor tential, more and more outlets have invested money in creating quality television programs. The returns have been wildly successful for us, the consumers. Never before has there been a more bountiful crop of television shows to browse.

Programs like “Breaking Bad” and “Game of Thrones” have earned well-deserved plaudits, entering the mainstream and attracting a wide array of viewers. Many other shows, however, have fallen through the cracks of widespread attention, even as they’re universally adored by critics.

Here are the three best TV shows you aren’t watching –– one drama, one comedy, one reality. Three testaments to the depth of programming that exists in 2012.

Give them a watch when you have the time. You can thank me later for the advice.

“Sherlock” (BBC) There’s an old Hollywood maxim: “Give me the same thing, only different.” “Sherlock,” the British sensation from Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, gives us the same thing, only better.

Unlike the Robert Downey Jr. version or “Elementary,” the new CBS pilot, “Sherlock” wholly captures the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle’s drug-addled detective. And it does so with a masterful modernday spin, which makes the show feel fresh and new.

Technically a miniseries, the show’s form is admittedly jarring at first. There are only two seasons (a third is on the way), each consisting of three 90-minute installments.

It’s a big investment for one episode, sure, but one you’re not likely to regret. The acting, the plotting, the unique tone –– it’s all executed to perfection. Andrew Scott won the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for his haunting portrayal of archvillain Jim Moriarty, whose ongoing feud with Sherlock underscores what would otherwise be a classic, each-episode-stands-alone procedural.

The pilot is cryptic enough to get you hooked, episode three is gripping enough to get you addicted and episode six – the season two finale – is mind-blowingly tense enough, from start to finish, to make you

recognize “Sherlock” for what it is: The best damn show on television.

“Community” (NBC) I’m reticent including “Community” on this list, since those who follow TV are well-versed on its greatness. But the ratings say nobody’s watching, so I think it qualifies.

Much like “Arrested Development” before it, “Community” is a few years ahead of its time. NBC has flirted with cancellations multiple times due to the poor ratings, but each time they’ve been met with cries from the show’s dogmatic cult following.

Big changes are expected in the upcoming fourth season, following the departure of executive producer Dan Harmon, whose perfectly twisted mind created the show. And while it’s impossible to replicate the recherche big of his vision, the cast – including big names like Joel McHale, Donald Glover and Chevy Chase – is too talented to let the show fall too far.

In a day and age where networks preach “broadness” and “mass appeal,” “Community” has dared to eschew convention, becoming the most consistently ambitious show on television. There’s a pratfall every once in a while, but more often than not, it succeeds where others dare not try. Plus, it’s really funny.

“Impractical Jokers” (truTV) Sometimes you don’t need an original, groundbreaking premise.

Sometimes you just need to execute a simple concept well.

“Impractical Jokers,” a hiddencamera offshoot of “Punk’d” and “Candid Camera,” does just that.

The show follows four lifelong friends – Joe, Sal, Murr and Q – daring each other to do progressively more embarrassing things to strangers. You’ve heard that premise a million times before, but “Jokers” brings a fresh spin that separates it from its derivatives.

Whenever a gag gets too unkosher, which is often, the guys are likely to puckishly refuse the dare.

This recognition of virtue grounds the occasionally crass show with an unexpected moral compass. The show works because you genuinely like its stars – four normal guys from Staten Island with no filter, no shame and a penchant for laughing in any situation.

It’s tailor-made for the snickering frat boy demographic (and trust me, we enjoy the hell out of it), but the gut-busting humor is universal.

I showed it to my mom this summer, and she was in stitches, laughing eagerly as Murr attempted to raise money for a supposed nonprofit organization called “Fake Charity.”

The episodes aren’t readily available for free, but they’re well worth the $11.99 price tag on iTunes. Take my word for it; you won’t have buyer’s remorse on this one.

This is the opinion of Brian Leigh, a senior screenwriting major from Glen Head, New York. Please send comments to tfinster@theloyolan.com.

www.laloyolan.com

Sports

September 6, 2012 Page 13

Life lessons from a summer well spent Camp from Page 16 obligatory summer questions for the final time: yes, I had a “good” summer; nope, I was in L.A., not Oregon; weather was nice, can’t really complain; and I actually did find a job. This summer, I taught tennis to hundreds of kids.

And I loved it.

For those of you loyal Loyolan readers who are unaware, there are several sport camps that take place on LMU’s campus during the summer. I was lucky enough to land a gig as a counselor with the tennis camp for eight weeks, and I am very happy with my decision. Yes, it was tough to teach five year olds how to serve a tennis ball during their first week ever on a tennis court. Of course there were the kids you just wanted to…well, you know.

But for every first-timer and little annoyance, there were the kids enjoying every second of camp. And for that, there is no greater reward.

Jamie Sanchez, women’s tennis head coach, and his wife Tami Adkins, director of operations, prepared everything. They ran a splendid camp and know how to balance the campers’ time spent on and off the court.

In addition to the morning and afternoon sessions of drills and games, the kids observed a couple demonstrations per day, had a morning break, lunch and free time and an end of the day pool/ free play on the courts. Throw in the talent show, Wednes-

day morning fitness circuit, Friday awards ceremony and daily dose of “Pinky and the Brain” at the morning break, and I was ready to quit and sign up as a camper instead.

In the fashion of our esteemed Jesuit mission, I am here to provide you with what

I learned while working at tennis camp.

Lesson one: the snow cone obsession.

Ask any of the kids what they loved about camp and the majority would, with a crazed look in their eyes, gush about the snow cones. Possibly a

Ian Zell | Loyolan

bad idea to give hyper kids ice pumped full of pure sugar, but it made the camp a few bucks and could put a smile on the face of even the most troubling of troublemakers.

Lesson two: the sun is not a kid’s best friend.

Let’s just say these kids were very conscious of putting on sunscreen. As obstinate as I remember being about the SPFs when I was a young chap, some of the kids lathered on so much at every break that they were approaching ghost status. I’m not knocking it in the least, it just surprised me how mindful they all were. Of course, we had designated breaks to reapply, but the moms these days must be doing something right.

Lesson three: the young’uns.

With an age group ranging from five to 13, we had to split everyone up by skill level.

This generally left the youngest and most inexperienced on Court One. Oh, Court One. Some people loved it, some hated it, some loved to hate it and all other combinations of the like. Personally, I got a kick out of the little rascals.

The drills were simplified so as to hold their attention, but the kids were just hilarious. A day on Court One could go as follows: Stretch for two minutes as the kids whine about the sun.

Line them up for a forehand drill and brace for stray tennis ball contact. Pause as two girls and a boy scream and run away from a dragonfly.

Hang out for anywhere from 20 minutes to infinity as the balls are picked up and built into a pyramid. Break up a girl vs. boy flirting fight. Run for your life in an intense game of tag.

As you can see, I had a tough job.

Lesson four: the deeper meaning of all things tattoo.

For those of you who don’t know, I have a tattoo. Yes, it’s real; no, I don’t draw it on every morning. Seriously. Anyway, the kids were infatuated with it. A certain younger age group wanted to touch it and try and rub it off. As they got older, though, the questions turned to the deeper meaning of it. They all wanted to know what “What is Hip” meant, and I loved holding it over them. Sorry readers, you don’t get to know either.

Lesson five: everything else.

As quirky as the campers may have been this summer, I learned how much I really do love working with kids. I thought I was a patient person at the beginning of the summer, but I have now honed the art. I can teach anyone how to hit a forehand, no matter how long they may take to learn. I have found a new appreciation for the sport that I already valued, and hopefully at least one camper can learn to love it as much as I do.

This is the opinion of Nathan Dines, a senior communication studies major from Medford, Ore. Please send comments to ndines@theloyolan.com.

S ports Lam grows accustomed to environment

September 6, 2012 Page 14

www.laloyolan.com

Lam from Page 16 California, many students do not experience the culture shock and life transformation that some out-of-state students do.

“The people interact differently here, in the sense that they may say one thing and feel another thing,” said Lam. “Back home, people are straight up, real and just chill.”

In high school, Lam also played golf, organized service programs and was chosen to speak at his school’s gradu-

ation, where he described his class’ continuing journey.

Lam has become quite the journeyman himself transitioning to Division I soccer.

Lam is one of 12 freshmen on the LMU men’s soccer team. Lam has transitioned well into the team, and according to sophomore midfielder John McFarlin, the other players have enjoyed having him there.

“It’s been fun to have him around so far,” said McFarlin. “He’s fitting in great with the team.”

For many young college

#20 ALEX LAM YEAR: Freshman MAJOR: Business POSITION: Midfielder HOMETOWN: Honolulu, Hawaii

CREDITS: Two-time All-City, AllArea (2012), two time All-State, led Punahou High School to two Hawaii State Championships.

FAVORITE MOVIE: “Good Will Hunting” COACH’S QUOTE: “He’s just got a tenacity about him. He’s good on the ball and active without the ball.”

– Head Coach Paul Krumpe Photo: LMU Athletics; Information: compiled by Cruz Quinonez | Loyolan

athletes, it takes time to mature and get used to the higher level of competition.

The faster and more physical type of play in college soccer has surely been a difficult transition for Lam, but according to McFarlin, he seems to be getting the hang of things. “He’s a freshman, but he’s already showed he can step up and play at this level,” said McFarlin.

Throughout his soccer career, Lam has played what he calls “possession-style” soccer. This method values more passes and keeping the ball longer. LMU plays a different more “direct style” that involves the defenders bombing the ball to the forwards and launching longrange shots, which then creates more turnovers. “I have to change my approach to the game,” said Lam. “It’s not going to be the pretty style I’m used to.”

With a young team and plenty of unfamiliarity, no one has expected perfect soccer from the Lions thus far.

The coaches and players see this year as a building season, with the team getting better each game. “LMU has an idea of the type of soccer we want to play, but we’re not executing right now,”

said Lam. “The direct style of play should be the last resort, and I think we’re totally capable of playing the possession-style type of soccer, but we’re just not there yet.”

Lam’s expertise with the possession style helped him to two all-state selections and two team state championships at Punahou. His skills have not gone unnoticed by the LMU coaching staff. “He’s just got a tenacity about him,” said Head Coach Paul Krumpe. “He’s good on the ball and active without the ball.”

According to Krumpe, he has shown that he has all the skills needed in a midfielder.

“He’s a good ball winner and a terrific connecting piece,” said Krumpe.

Lam’s teammates appreciate the intangibles Lam brings to the table, too. “He’s smart, hard-working and always knows where to be on the field,” said McFarlin.

Against UC Santa Barbara and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Lam’s minutes were few and far between.

But against Cornell University on Sunday, he showed the LMU community he’s here to play. “He did well for himself and earned himself

some more minutes,” said Krumpe.

The lack of playing time has not bothered Lam too much; he’ll be ready whenever his name is called. “The only thing I can control is my work ethic,” said Lam. “All 12 of us [freshmen] want to play, and it’s obviously competitive, but I just look for what I control with how hard I work and how frequently I go to training. I just try to do the right things.”

Like the title character of his favorite movie “Good Will Hunting,” Lam has the skills needed. He’s just waiting for his time to shine.

“I came in with as little expectations for myself as possible because I had no idea what to expect,” said Lam. “I just tried to keep my fitness up and get myself ready.”

While he might not have high expectations for himself, the rest of the program certainly does.

“He’s got a really nice disposition about him,” said Krumpe. “Guys seem to really get along well with him.”

Alex Lam will join the rest of the team Friday in taking on Cal State Fullerton University. The game will take place at 3 p.m. at Sullivan field.

Lions lose to Badgers, prepare for Bruins W. Soccer from Page 16 Sharpe. Wisconsin then made a move of its own with what would be its final goal in the 70th minute, making the score 4-0.

The Lions still didn’t quit and continued to move offensively with more good shots by Martino and Blankenship. This eventually paid off with junior midfielder Darien Pyka scoring off of an assist from Blankenship in the 77th minute, to make the score 4-1. The Lions took advantage of this spark and followed it up with Sharpe’s first goal of the year just seven minutes later.

With the score now 4-2, Wisconsin scrambled to regroup as LMU worked to get more shots in with time dwindling. Time wasn’t on the Lions’ side, however, and the clock ran out before LMU could score again.

“I thought we fought untill the very end,” Sharpe said. “I think

we could’ve won that one if we had played like that a little bit longer than 15 minutes.”

Even after the tough loss, the team is focusing on how to improve.

“We’re a very united team,” Medved said. “Sometimes, we get really riled up and we go really hard, and there are sometimes [when] we have a lull in the intensity. I think we just need to focus on keeping that intensity the whole time.”

Sharpe added, “Like [Medved] said, when we’re on, we’re on together. It makes it that much more exciting to try and be an impact for the team. You see everyone working hard, and it’s contagious, so it just fires me up to do everything I can for them.”

This Friday, LMU will have an opportunity to bring that intensity in all 90 minutes of the game when they play No. 1-ranked UCLA. Though UCLA is the best-

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ranked team in the country, the Lions are not backing down from the challenge.

“I’m just expecting a good game. Obviously, they’re a good team, but at this point rankings don’t really matter,” Medved said. “Soccer’s a game where literally anything can happen. We were down 4-0 and came back and scored 2 goals in 10 minutes.

We were up on UCLA at the beginning of the game last year and if we hadn’t let that first goal in, who knows what would’ve happened?”

Sharpe continued, “They’re a really good technical team. ‘On paper,’ they’re better and might have more talent, but hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

The Lions play UCLA at UCLA’s Drake Stadium this Friday, at 7 p.m. The game is also available live on the Pac-12 network.

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Sophomore midfielder Brianne Medved (above) played strong defense against the University ofWisconsin and will try to bring that toughness against No.1 UCLA.

S ports Lions sure to see physical play in rivalry game

September 6, 2012 Page 15

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M. Polo from Page 16 “I’m excited to play on a really good team,” said Mitrovic, who played in his first ever collegiate game last Saturday.

The Waves cruised to a 2-0 start after wins over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and the University of La Verne at the UCLA Invitational.

Pepperdine plays in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), which has more nationally-ranked

teams than LMU’s water polo conference, the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA).

Pepperdine surrounds itself with perennial water polo national champions such as USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley and Stanford University, to name a few. LMU’s biggest conference competitor is UC San Diego, which has only made one national appearance in the last five years.

However, NCAA water polo rules state that winners of

each conference get automatic bids to the NCAA semifinals.

LMU has made it to this game in three out of the last four years.

“Ideally, the WCC [West Coast Conference] would adopt water polo at some point,” said Loughran. “However, we are proud to play in the WWPA and take full advantage of using our conference championship format to gain recognition in the NCAA tournament.”

This won’t be the only time this season that LMU faces off against MPSF competition.

The Lions will travel to the NorCal Invitational, a 16-team tournament hosted

by Stanford University on Sept. 15 and 16. Many of the Lions’ games

will be against teams in the MPSF. Saturday’s game will have a major impact on seeding for the tournament, because it corresponds to national rankings.

Other than the national ranking separation between the two programs, the games typically get physical, and both sides draw a lot of ejections.

“The games are always hard-fought,” said senior goalie Kyle Testman. “It’s a very physical environment, and we have to match their intensity if we want to come out on top.”

Redshirt senior attacker Collin Walters is excited about playing against Pepperdine for the final time in his career.

“Our team doesn’t like theirs,” said Walters. “The games have been physical

ever since I got here. I want nothing more than to go into their home pool and silence their crowd with a victory.”

Last season, LMU dropped the match to the Waves by a 11-7 score in which Pepperdine converted 70 percent of its power-play opportunities. The game was standing room only at Burns Aquatic Center with 890 people in attendance, according to LMU’s athletic website.

“Pepperdine has an extreme home-pool advantage,” said Loughran. “They always get very loud, and it influences play in the game. It would be wonderful to get some of us out there and really make some noise. If you like to see physical play, this is a game to watch.”

The game is scheduled for noon at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool on Pepperdine University’s campus.

Leslie Irwin | Loyolan

Redshirt sophomore attacker Peter Olson (above) takes a shot in the Lions’ Alumni Game.

This was the team’s final tune up before facing Pepperdine University this Saturday, Sept. 8.

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Lion Sports

Say Aloha to men’s soccer’s Lam

What I learned at tennis camp Sports Editor Nathan Dines reflects on the lessons learned this summer as an LMU tennis camp counselor.

SPORTS FEATURE

Freshman midfielder Alex Lam deals with many transitions during his first year as a Lion.

I

cannot say that my typical summers have been all that columnworthy. There is usually a lot of relaxing and winding down from the school year – a teenager’s justification for his or her bum firmly planted on the couch for the better part of four months. Sure, I’ve worked – hand me my red polo and khakis and call me a Target team member – and I’ve spent time with Droppin’ Dines friends and travBy Nathan Dines eled, but this is the first time I’ve Sports Editor been inclined to write about my summer ventures.

Seeing as I have caught up with probably everyone I care to since the start of school, I will answer the

See Camp | Page 13

September 6, 2012 Page 16

By Ray Ferrari Staff Writer

Leslie Irwin | Loyolan

Two Lions make All-Tournament team

Litara Keil (5, sophomore middle blocker) and Kathleen Luft (21, redshirt junior outside hitter) were named to the All-Tournament team for last weekend’s LMU/UCI dual tournament. Led

by Luft’s 48 kills and Keil’s four solo and 11 block assists, the team finished the weekend 2-1.

Hawaii’s Punahou School has given the United States the likes of President Barack Obama, LPGA star Michelle Wie as well as actress and supermodel Kelly Preston. But another great Lion contributor might just be Alex Lam. While most freshmen are dealing with the adjustment to dorm rooms, cafeteria food and shower shoes, Lam is trying to adjust to a completely different style of life and style of play.

“I come from Hawaii, where I’m comfortable and everyone knows each other and is one big family,” said Lam. “In L.A., there is so much more of everything. The lifestyle is much faster and more productive.”

With most LMU kids already from

See Lam | Page 14

Lions stand strong and united through adversity Undeterred by opponent’s high ranking, women’s soccer forces a tough game against Wisconsin.

By Cruz Quinonez Asst. Sports Editor

Loyolan Archives

Junior midfielder Darien Pyka (20, pictured last season) scored the first goal for the Lions against the University of Wisconsin, sparking a late but unsuccesful comeback in their 4-2 loss.

The high-heat last Sunday noontime women’s soccer game matched the intensity of the play on the field against No. 11 University of Wisconsin. The Lions fought hard against the Badgers, but fell short, 4-2, despite a furious second-half comeback and a strong first half.

At the end of the first half, the Lions had turned the game into a dogfight. The game was at a standstill, until the 33rd minute when Wisconsin took advantage of a Lions’ defensive mishandle and made a close shot past redshirt junior goalie Brittany

Jagger. LMU entered halftime trailing 1-0.

After halftime, the Lions came out aggressive with sophomore midfielder Brianne Medved slide tackling a Wisconsin player soon after the start of the half. Wisconsin, however, matched the increase in pace and responded with a goal in the 49th minute. With a growing deficit, LMU attacked stronger than ever with two quick shots by junior forward Tawni Martino. Both shots missed, but forced Wisconsin to keep up with the frenetic pace the Lions set.

Wisconsin came back after Martino’s shots and scored off a corner kick and header in the 53rd minute. LMU pressed the attack again with shots by freshman midfielder Jocelyn Blankenship, freshman defender Cassidy Nicks and senior defender Whitney

See W. Soccer | Page 14

Rivals LMU and Pepperdine to clash Saturday With the LMU rivalry game approaching, the team prepares for a physical fight.

By Dan Raffety Asst. Sports Editor

It can be said that rivalries – a competitive dislike based off of location, conference history and tradition – define collegiate athletics.

USC hates UCLA; Georgetown University really doesn’t like Syracuse University; and Duke University absolutely despises its in-state foe, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

So what about LMU – a small, Catholic Jesuit university located in the second biggest city in the nation, often overshadowed athletically by big football schools like USC and UCLA? Pepperdine, a small Christian university that is only located 19 miles from the back gates, rivals LMU. In every sport except water polo, the Lions and Waves clash in conference

play. Not only is the game important to the respective schools for bragging rights, but it also has a legitimate impact on where the teams finish in conference at the end of the season.

“Rivalries are a major part of college athletics. Rivalry games transcend normal games,” said LMU Sports Information Director John Shaffer, who oversees water polo.

“There is that extra something in rivalry games, and that extra something is what gets people excited. I can’t define it, but both members of the rivalry feel it.”

And, as the No. 10 Lions prepare to play water polo against No. 8 Pepperdine Saturday, Sept. 8 in Malibu, the intensity is just the same.

“We have a little chip on our shoulder,” said 16-year Head Coach John Loughran. “They are ranked higher nationally than we are, and this is a statement game early in the season.”

The Lions are 1-0 on the season after defeating Whittier College 17-6 in their opening game. Freshman Milutin “Milo” Mitrovic led the team with six goals.

See M. Polo | Page 15

Loyolan Archives

Redshirt senior attacker Collin Walters (above) will play his last game against Pepperdine on Sat., Sept. 8.Walters said of the game:“I’d love nothing more than to silence their crowd with a victory.”