September 15, 2011 by Los Angeles Loyolan

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LMU at 100

OYOLAN OYOLAN Los AngeLes

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September 15, 2011 April 11, 2011 90, VolumeVolume 89, Issue 41Issue 4

Loyola Marymount University

FIRST-YEAR RETENTION RATES

TLC STUDENTS ALL FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

100 90 80 70

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Students establish Orthodox group

The Orthodox Christian Fellowship hopes to be officially recognized.

60 50 40 30

By Margo Jasukaitis

Asst. News Editor

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Your Home. Your Voice. Your Newspaper. Your Home. Your Voice. Your Newspaper.

P E R C E N T A G E

MON TUES WED THUR

2005

2006

2007

The data above shows the retention rate of first-year TLC students versus the retention rate of all first-year students at LMU. The numbers above represent the percentage of students who return to LMU and enroll as full-time students their sophomore year.

2008

black freshmen to engage in the special three weeks of programming that TLC coordinates prior to the first day of the semester. During these three weeks, the new TLC students live in dorms together, take a no-credit AfricanAmerican Studies class and an English preparatory class and take part in many cultural and leadership based activities. “The three-week program is filled with activities. The classes they take prepare the students for the academic rigors of the University and also acclimate them with the college classroom environment. They also visit different departments on campus that will serve as resources for them throughout their time at LMU,” Kemp said. Sophomore political science and theatre arts double major Rechard Francois spoke of the strong effects the TLC summer program has on its participants. “It was an amazing three weeks with extraordinary people doing exceptional things. During the program, we met a wide range of people from the LMU community as well as the community at large. We had the opportunity to meet Karen Bass, the speaker of the California state assembly, and have dinner with LMU’s very own president, David Burcham. The number of people we met and experiences we shared are uncountable. It

Last spring, LMU welcomed the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) to campus. The OCF, a religious student group, hosted two evenings of worship and continued to raise awareness of their presence on campus this fall with an informational meeting. “We endeavor to provide an environment for Orthodox students to gather together on campus for prayer, fellowship, study and service,” said Nicholas Denysenko, a professor of theological studies, director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute and the faculty contact for OCF. OCF is a national organization that consists of multiple chapters at schools nationwide. According to OCF’s official website, OCF is “the official collegiate campus ministry program under the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). [Their] mission is to support fellowships on college campuses … through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith.” Locally, chapters of OCF are already established at UCLA and USC. Many Jesuit schools nationally host chapters as well, including Santa Clara University, Loyola University Chicago and Gonzaga University. “I think it’s important to have diverse representation in the student groups on a campus, particularly a Catholic one like LMU,” said Allyson Schwartz, a senior communication studies major and president of Hillel, a Jewish student organization at LMU. Schwartz went on to outline the importance of religious diversity on campus. “It allows for interfaith

See TLC | page 2

See Orthodox | page 4

2010*

2009

YEAR

AVERAGE*

*Preliminary data and will be confirmed on the census date (9/27/11)

Information provided by First Year Experience

Greg Smith| Loyolan

Retention program aims to motivate NEWS FEATURE

The Learning Community expands efforts after receiving a corporate grant. By Tierney Finster News Editor

“Plant your seed and watch it grow,” encourages The Learning Community (TLC), a small-scale retention program for black students at LMU. With the help of the University and a corporate grant, TLC has grown into a larger and more comprehensive organization. TLC was founded over 10 years ago, when a group of administrators and staff realized that black students needed more support on campus. “African-American students were coming to the University in sizable numbers, but these key individuals wanted to make sure that they were staying,” said interim TLC Coordinator and LMU alumna Kellee Kemp. TLC was created to provide this support. Upon committing to the University, all black students are mailed a program brochure and are invited to apply to be a TLC participant. TLC is also advertised at events like the Black

Student Overnight retreat and Black Scholars Day. Interested students must answer essay questions, submit academic records and interview successfully before they are chosen. “TLC students are chosen very carefully. We try to create a good mix of students by balancing out the number of men and women and in- and out-of-state students that we take. We also consider what college the students belong to, and their talents and interests so that we have the right composition of students,” said Jade Smith the assistant dean of Student Engagement, Retention and Transition, who has worked with the TLC program since its beginning over a decade ago. TLC’s current class of freshmen is larger than ever. Forty freshmen students are currently involved with the program. This was made possible through an AT&T grant that LMU alumna and Board of Trustees member Renata Simril ‘93 helped them get. “Renata Simril has been a long-term supporter of the work we do [and] a steward of TLC. She is a good friend of one of the executives at AT&T, Denita Willoughby, who is in charge of corporate donation, and showed her that TLC fits in perfectly with the efforts that AT&T tries to support. Denita fell in love with the program and agreed to award it a $50,000 grant,” explained Smith. This extra funding allowed more incoming

Constitution Day brings guest lecturer to campus Law professor speaks about Constitutional history and Obama’s healthcare plan. By Kayla Begg Copy Editor

On Sept. 17, 1787, the members of the Constitutional Convention signed the document that is the foundation of the U.S. government to this day. LMU decided to celebrate Constitution Day a little early this year with guest speaker Karl Manheim, a

professor of Loyola Law School, on Tuesday. Approximately 100 people gathered in Ahmanson Auditorium during Convo on Sept. 13 to listen to a presentation and participate in a discussion on the constitutionality of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Barack Obama in March of 2010. Introduced by his former colleague President David W. Burcham, Manheim opened with a rundown of basic Constitutional history, stating the Constitution “is perhaps the most hallowed political document in all of human history.” After reviewing the failure of the

Did you know?

LMU once had a literary magazine called El Playano. Founded in 1949, El Playano contained samples of literary merit by LMU students. El Playano listed its purpose as “to foster good Catholic literature based on sound technical and philosophical premises.” Current Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Lane Bove also served as student body president of Marymount University. In fact, Bove was part of the first group of women to arrive on the Westchester campus and was turned away from the Von Der Ahe Library her first time going because she was not wearing stockings. When the lion was chosen as the LMU mascot in October 1923, the Loyolan’s headline read “LIONS DEVOUR CHRISTIANS.” This referred to Loyola’s 25-0 victory over California Christian College that month.

See Constitution | page 4

Index A beauty pageant at school? Asst. News Editor Margo Jasukaitis questions the relevance of ranking physical attractiveness on a college campus.

Opinion, page 5

Opinion...............................5 Cartoon............................8 A&E...............................11 Classifieds...........................13 Sports.................................16 The next issue of the Loyolan will be printed on September 19, 2011.

Information taken from Kevin Starr’s LMU HistoryDela Book Cruz Photos| Loyolan by Netpix Kaitlin

Soccer, soccer, soccer! Asst. Sports Editor John Wilkinson looks at the men’s soccer team’s rocky start.

Sports, page 16

September 15, 2011 Page 2

News

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TLC aims to holistically support students TLC from page 1 would take a lifetime to truly recall everything that happened over those three weeks,” he said. According to Francois, the time spent together over summer establishes a strong connection amongst all TLC students. “The sense of community that the TLC program brings to its participants is what makes it most valuable. My TLC classmates are more than just friends; they are family. Bonds were made so quickly because we spent nearly 24 hours together each day for those first three weeks. Through the good and the bad, we were there for one another and still are,” he explained. Kemp echoed Francois’ statements, attributing the strong sense of community that TLC created for her to much of her later success. “Because I felt comfortable on the first day of school, I didn’t have to worry about that transition. I believe this program brings students in and makes them feel at home in a hard environment. This makes them part of a community, which in turn gives them more reason to stay at the University,” she said. Kemp asserted that the strong foundation that TLC creates for these students compels them to continue to achieve into their sophomore year and beyond, which according to Kemp and new TLC Coordinator Ashley Patterson, is extremely vital in lieu of recent statistics. As published in The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, the black student graduation rate nationwide remains at only 43 percent based on 2010 statistics. Although this is an improvement from the black graduation rates of the past, this number still is

significantly lower than the 62 percent of white students that complete their bachelor’s degree within six years of entering a school, according to the same report. TLC hopes to continue to bridge this gap between black and white students by providing support, individualized attention, academic preparation and cultural capital building to black students during their first year at LMU. Patterson credits LMU for making it a priority to do so. “In the coming years, a shift in population dynamics will occur.

People of color will soon be the majority [in population], but we are still not all going to college or finishing college. At many places, changing this is not a priority. Luckily at LMU, it is,” Patterson said. Bry Dooley, a sophomore business marketing major and TLC participant, appreciates the way that TLC not only looks toward the future, but also celebrates the past. “The program is also based off the idea of leaving a legacy, or leaving something behind for the next group who passes through.

Giving back to the community is a value that is stressed and rightfully so because the TLC program is a concrete example of that value. Programs like TLC are crucial to have on campuses because it rekindles the love, appreciation and knowledge every student should have for their culture and place of origin,” Dooley said. According to Smith, the success of TLC is demonstrated through its participants’ high retention rate from freshman to sophomore year as well as the higher graduation rate of TLC students as compared

to other black students. But in the end, Smith says the achievements of the program are much greater than any number can represent. “The TLC program has not only given the African- American community a sense of pride, but has also uplifted the entire LMU community. African-American students are Lions too, and TLC assures that they thrive on this campus. The success of the program is not about the numbers, but about the impact that this program has had on the LMU community as a whole,” said Smith.

Kristen Trudo

The members of TLC have participated in a variety of “cultural capital building” events, including hiking at Temescal Canyon (pictured above), eating at ethnic restaurants, attending a Sparks basketball game and watching a Cirque du Soleil performance.

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News

September 15, 2011 Page 3

Have an idea for a News story? Contact News Editor Tierney Finster at tfinster@theloyolan.com

Liz Peters | Loyolan

Kathy Reed enjoys working with the students on campus, and says she makes sure the Registrar’s Office is easily accessible to them.

11 Burning Questions with the University Registrar

This issue, News Intern Liz Peters talks with Registrar Kathy Reed about what her job entails, why she loves what she does and the frustrating situations she sometimes encounters in her position. 1. When you meet someone and tell them that you are the registrar at LMU, what is their initial reaction, and how do you explain what you do? They are usually very quizzical. I then try and explain to them that, in the Registrar’s Office, we are the custodians of students’ records and we make sure they are as accurate as the information we have on hand. We also oversee new student orientation, [the period from freshman year to senior year], the commencement ceremony and diploma orders. 2. On LMU’s website it states that “the University Registrar’s mission at LMU is to maintain timely and accurate records of our students’ academic progress and accomplishments.” What would you say is the biggest challenge you have faced in upholding this statement? The changing technology. There are so many different methods of communicating with students so they can get accurate information and know what to expect. We are constantly working to find a method that works best for LMU. 3. Students come to the Office of the Registrar expecting answers to all of their questions. Has there ever been a question you could not answer? The amazing thing about students is they all have different questions. I am a person that likes to check things out and will need to research. Sometimes there are questions that are out of the realm of what the Registrar’s Office does, but if I can’t answer it, I will send you to someone who can. 4. What is the busiest or most difficult time of the year for you? I would say it is more challenging than difficult, but the most challenging is the end of spring term, trying to tie up all loose ends and putting on commencement, which we want to be top-notch. 5. How did you get the job as registrar? I have been working in the Registrar’s Office since 1982 and was previously the senior associate University registrar. The previous registrar then took a leave of absence and is planning on retiring May of 2012, so I was appointed to the job. 6. What is the best part of your job? The best part is working with people. We have, I think, the best students, faculty and staff. It is the people here that make [my job] worthwhile. Also, it is part of the registrar’s job to resolve problems, and I like doing that. 7. What is the most outrageous request you have received from a student or parent? We are responsible for being accurate, and it deeply upsets me when I am asked to write a letter on behalf of a student where the data is not factual. I cannot and will not do it, and it hurts me that they would even ask, but it has not happened in several years. 8. Why did you choose LMU as your place of work? I am an LMU alumna, and I left to teach for a few years but was the summer hire in the Registrar’s Office. Then, a job opportunity presented itself and I took it, but I also believe in LMU as a community. 9. On a very stressful day at work, what do you do to relax and relieve yourself of stress? I get up from my desk, get out of the office and walk. I don’t usually have a destination, but I like to take myself out of the situation. 10. What is something you do as part of your job as registrar that a student would not expect? I am more of an advocate for the students than they would expect. The Registrar’s Office does not make the University policies, but we interpret the policies. I am also going to do what I can to make sure we are moving towards better technology and making information more accessible to students, so they do not have to wait for the Registrar’s Office to be open to come in and ask a question. 11. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Right now it would be the Smithsonian because there is so much information there that I don’t even know what information is there. I need to soak up what it has to offer.

News

September 15, 2011 Page 4

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Professor discusses healthcare OCF trying to ‘gain traction’

Constitution from page 1

Articles of Confederation, the challenges of creating today’s Constitution and pointing out the nuances of the Constitution created by the South during the Civil War, Manheim honed in on one of the biggest controversies of the Constitution: states’ rights. “States’ rights are the most bitter struggle in American Constitutional history. The nation was born out of a states’ rights struggle, it went to war over a states’ rights struggle and we have serious candidates for president who are claiming that the states have the right to secede,” Manheim said. According to Manheim, it is on the basis of states’ rights that several courts in the U.S. are challenging the constitutionality of President Obama’s healthcare legislation. Many states are claiming only the states have the right to regulate their commerce, in this case, the buying and selling of health insurance and that Congress lacks sufficient power to regulate their commerce through this piece of legislation. However, Manheim claimed this argument is not sufficient. “The Affordable Care Act may have serious problems, including Constitutional problems – but states’ rights is not one of them,” he said. He further argued that commerce has reached a point beyond the control of state regulation. “The global economy of the late 20th and early 21st centuries requires ever-more active control at a national and international level. … My point is simply this: There is no such thing as local commerce anymore,” Manheim said. He stated that healthcare is the second largest sector of the U.S. economy, comprising approximately

Gersten Pavilion - On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS received a report of an intoxicated student in need of medical attention. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Gersten Pavilion - On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS received a report of an intoxicated student in need of medical attention. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Tenderich Apartments On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS received a report of an underage student in possession of alcohol. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs.

18 percent of the gross domestic product, or about $2.7 trillion a year. He continued that roughly 50 million Americans are still uninsured, with the U.S. spending more per capita on medical costs than any other nation on earth and with one of the lowest life expectancies of any industrialized nation. “To observe that the American health care system is broken is a vast understatement. A major overhaul is long overdue,” he added. With the discussion moderated by Constance Chen, a history professor, attendees raised issues such as the challenge to healthcare legislation based on individual rights, or the idea that government cannot force the individual to purchase healthcare, and the strategies the Supreme Court might utilize to address the issue; Manheim emphasized the role of the global economy in the debate and personally predicted that “it will be a five-four decision” for the Supreme Court.

“I guess the way they were talking about it being between states’ rights and individual rights put it in a new understanding for me. It’s definitely making me want to learn more about it,” said Jackie Sheehan, a sophomore liberal studies major who attended Constitution Day. Ashley Noehrbass, a junior history and modern languages double major who is pro-healthcare reform, said that she had been following the healthcare legislation in the news and attended the presentation because she was interested to see how someone who was an intellectual and not a news anchor would portray the controversy. “I didn’t really think about how much money would play in the whole decision-making process and how individual states’ rights would influence that process of making a healthcare system,” she added. Anyone interested in learning more about Constitution Day can visit http://www.constitutionday. com.

Orthodox from page 1 dialogue,” she said. “People can explore different faith options, and there are more opportunities for greater understanding and education.” According to Denysenko, there have been attempts to launch a chapter of OCF at LMU before. “I don’t know the whole history [of OCF at LMU], but I do know there have been efforts to start [a chapter] before last year. They just didn’t stick.” While OCF is still trying to solidify its place on campus, Denysenko admits the organization is in a fragile state right now. It is his hope that this time, OCF will be able to cement its place on campus and grow with each passing year. “It’s hard to speak of something that’s still trying to gain traction … but ultimately, we would like to be able to take the next step and open the doors to partnering with other organizations here on campus to perform a service or promote services in the broader Los Angeles community,” he said. In an effort to help establish the OCF chapter here at LMU, Denysenko has been in contact

Pray the Sixth Hour

Kenzie O’Keefe | Loyolan

Karl Manheim, a professor at Loyola Law School, spoke to students about the constitutionality of President Obama’s healthcare plan.

On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS recieved a report of an underage student in possession of alcohol. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Gersten Pavilion - On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS received a report of an intoxicated student in need of medical attention. The case has been referred to Judical Affairs. Gersten Pavilion - On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS received a report of an intoxicated student in need of medical attention. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs.

Gersten Pavilion - On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS received a report of an intoxicated student. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs.

Gersten Pavilion - On Friday, Sept. 9, DPS received a report from a student who reported an injury while attempting to stop a fight in Gersten. The case is closed.

Tenderich Apartments -

McKay Hall - On Satur-

day, Sept. 10, DPS received a report of student use of marijuana. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Hannon Apartments - On Saturday, Sept. 10, DPS received a report of student use of marijuana. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Tenderich Apartments On Saturday, Sept. 10, DPS received a report of an underage student in possession of alcohol. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Gersten Pavilion - On Saturday, Sept. 10, DPS received a report of an intoxicated student in need of medical attention. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Foley Annex - On Sunday, Sept. 11, DPS received a report of an intoxicated

Leavey Chapel Convo hour Sept. 27 After the prayer, there will be an informational discussion.

student in need of medical attention. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Alumni Mall - On Sunday, Sept. 11, DPS received a report of an intoxicated student in need of medical attention. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. Rosecrans Hall - On Monday, Sept. 12, DPS received a report of student use of marijuana. The case has been referred to Judicial Affairs. University Hall - On Monday, Sept. 12, DPS received a report of a stolen bike. The case is now closed. Parking Lot E - On Monday, Sept. 12, DPS recieved a report of hit and run damage to a vehicle while parked. This case is now closed.

Nicholas Denysenko

While the chapter of OCF at LMU is not yet officially recognized, they hope to be soon. with the other local chapters at UCLA and USC. “[LMU’s chapter] is not at the state yet where we’re official – we need a little more footing – but … I’m trying to get that footing going. We’re using the brand name [of OCF] as a way of trying to get this thing going, but we’ll need more momentum and sustenance before we can say we’re officially a part of that,” he said. “I think it’s really important to be open to all kinds of religion,” said Hannah Bredberg a senior music major who identifies herself as a Christian. “People need to be accepting of everything. Diversity is so important, it’s important to show people what else there is.” Schwartz echoed Bredburg’s sentiments. “I just think it’s so awesome that we have all the opportunities to learn about different cultures and religions at LMU. It’s so interesting once you begin to understand just how diverse our campus is,” she said.

Del Rey North - On Monday, Sept. 12, DPS received a report of vandalized decorations in the second floor lounge. This case is now closed. Parking Lot E - On Monday, Sept. 12, DPS received a report of hit-andrun damage to a vehicle while parked. The case is now closed. Hilton Center - On Tuesday, Sept. 13, DPS received a report of a stolen purse. This case is now closed. Foley Annex- On Tuesday, Sept. 13, DPS received a report of a student complaint of harassment by an individual. The case is closed. On-Campus - On Tuesday, Sept. 13, DPS received a report of stolen bike. The case is now closed.

Opinion Student Editorials and Perspectives

www.laloyolan.com

Board Editorial

Rule of Thumb

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

Kenzie O’Keefe Editor in Chief

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

Commuter parking: changes add problems

Angelica Cadiente Public Editor

Michael Goldsholl Asst. Managing Editor | Sports Editor

The far-reaching influence of inaction

n a speech given in Ahmanson Auditorium during Convo hour on Tuesday, Loyola Law School professor Karl Manheim discussed the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010 [see “LMU celebrates constitution day” by Kayla Begg, News p. 1]. In response to an audience question about the individual right to choose whether or not to purchase healthcare, Manheim prefaced his response with a caveat: Inaction is an action, and it has repercussions. Manheim was referring to inaction in terms of healthcare. Those that don’t have medical insurance have an economic influence on more than just themselves. For example, emergency rooms will still treat people who need medical attention, and the rest of the paying population will most likely have to shoulder the financial burden of this. This concept reaches far beyond healthcare. At LMU, there are many such examples of inaction and its negative repercussions. Take academics, for example. In Asst. Opinion Editor Anna Escher ’s article “Not just a bunch of smiling slackers” [see the Sept. 8 issue of the Loyolan] she

September 15, 2011 Page 5

discusses LMU’s ranking as one of the schools where students “study least.” Exchanging study time for a trip to the beach, philanthropy events or Netflix time may not appear to have a dramatic impact on your grades, but a community of students who behave this way creates a reputation that is less than flattering for the University as a whole. The idea applies to athletics as well. Not going to that basketball game leaves a seat empty in Gersten Pavilion. One empty seat isn’t such a big deal, but in LMU’s case, almost everyone opting not to go to the game leaves the entire gym empty. Consequentially, the team is left without a crowd to cheer it into a winning occasion. Here, in the United States and at LMU, citizens and students alike have the privilege of choice. Rarely are people forced to do anything they adamantly do not want to do. However, there is a responsibility in this privilege of choice, and that is to look beyond the individual effects of the actions people take. Everyone is a part of larger community within which it is often important to remember: Inaction is an action, and it is often a detrimental one.

The new school year inevitably brings adjustments to parking regulations. One rule in particular: the prohibition of commuter students from parking in the lot behind the freshman residences – is proving to be frustrating for those who must park their cars on campus to attend classes. In previous years, commuters were allowed to park in any open student parking space. Now, they are restricted from parking in one of the largest parking lots on the main campus. Especially after spaces were displaced from Drollinger into the freshman lot, commuter students suddenly find themselves with fewer places to park. Commuters have less of a choice about bringing a car onto campus than those who live on campus since they actually need to drive (and park) to get to class, and should therefore have more parking alternatives open to them than they currently have. The Loyolan acknowledges that there are always going to be those who are unsatisfied with the parking situation and that students must adjust as the University takes steps to improve the issue. However, this new regulation just seems to burden commuters with more hassles than are warranted.

Add/drop date: too soon for comfort For students, it may be difficult to believe that the third week of classes is already coming to a close. Though to many, it still feels as if the school year is just beginning, the deadline to add or drop classes without a grade of “W” has already long passed. This semester, Sept. 2 was the cutoff date for students who wished to make adjustments to their courses without receiving a “withdrawal” mark on their transcript. Though, in the past, this date has generally come about four days after classes start, the Loyolan feels that this is not sufficient enough time to make the judicious decision of whether or not to continue taking a particular course. Students are not even given a full week to weigh their options and figure out how they want to spend the rest of the semester. Many factors need to be taken into account whenever a student decides to take or drop a class (including graduation requirements, prices of course materials, as well as the subject matter of the course itself ). Tuition costs are fairly sizable, so students understandably want to make the most of the course load they choose for themselves.

University rankings: not a beauty contest

MU’s not in the top 10, but we are number 11. The 11th bestlooking college in the country, according to The Daily Beast’s list posted on barstoolsports.com on Aug. 31, 2011. While LMU has always received acclaim for its well-manicured, architecturally aesthetic campus, Barstool Sports reported that The Daily Beast ranked us as 11th. They placed less emphasis on LMU’s gorgeous grounds and Margs on the more on its gorgeous girls. Rocks Barstoolsports. By Margo com isn’t the only Jasukaitis site providing this Asst. News Editor type of vitally relevant information on college life to high school seniors. Several sites including PopCrunch, The Best Colleges and College Prowler have all issued rankings of the relative attractiveness of different universities’ student bodies, and LMU has made the cut every time. Good work, boys and girls. The boys at LMU probably feel pretty lucky in general, given the 60-40 female to male ratio of our student body. According to these online polls that ask users to rank the attractiveness of various student bodies around the country, the men of LMU have a more than just promising ratio to be thankful for. But why are quasi-official statistics on the relative hotness of undergraduate populations even being kept? Aren’t we supposed to be at LMU (or any undergraduate institution for that matter) to receive a higher

education and earn a degree? The Daily Beast put it bluntly, but potentially most accurately, in the first sentence of the article introducing its “Most Beautiful” college rankings list. “No one wants to spend four years in Uglyville.” So insightful, Daily Beast. We are taught through TV, movies,

agree that college is a very important and opportune time for people to find their passions, learn from their mistakes and grow into the type of person they will be as an adult. However, I think people who find their passion to be ranking the hotness of their peers and are seeking to grow into the type of person who

Kaitlin Dela Cruz | Loyolan

Asher Roth lyrics and our friends who have gone before us that college is the best four years of a young person’s life. People are free to do what they want and who they want, when they want. It’s a time when young adults are encouraged to learn about themselves and experience a variety of new things. I completely

bases their opinions of others solely on physical attractiveness are missing the point. Rankings like those from The Daily Beast do factor into the beauty of the campus’ architecture and landscape, but in all honesty, I (and I would assume most people) pretty much read the list exclusively as an indica-

tor of how hot the student body at a given institution is. The prevalence and popularity of rankings like these serves as a startling indicator of just how shallow even the world of academia can be. While such lists are neither produced nor endorsed by the Association of American Universities, they do exert a very real influence on the decisions of high school seniors looking to attend college the following fall. It is my worry, and I would hope a worry of all people interested in preserving the academic rigor and focus of not only LMU but universities in general, that the mere existence of such lists facilitates the perception that college is more about perfect hair and short skirts than intellectual discovery and academic theses. Particularly at a time when many teenagers are looking to their freshman year of college as an opportunity to reinvent themselves and start fresh, redirecting the focus of a four-year college career away from academics and into arbitrary conceptions of physical attractiveness seems irresponsible, if only because it promotes an ideology and a set of personal priorities that translate as intensely vapid and somewhat moronic. Besides, last time I checked, the colloquialism read, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” So, unless we as a generation are deeming sites like Barstool Sports and College Prowler the ultimate “beholder,” I’m not convinced they have the right to rank how pretty we are. Because let’s be honest, we all know LMU belongs in the top 10. This is the opinion of Margo Jasukaitis a senior communications major from Seattle, Wash. Please send comments to mjasukaitis@theloyolan.com.

Opinion

September 15, 2011 Page 6

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Money can buy happiness, so save it

hat do concerts, restaurants, movies and trips to Magic Mountain all have in common? They cost a lot of money. Which, coincidentally, is the one thing students need to save. As a college student, it can be difficult to balance your spending and not having enough money only adds to the stress of college. However, there are a few things you can do to compensate. Obviously, you have to spend money eventually. You can’t A Minute just say “I don’t want with Morgan to spend money anyBy Ryan Morgan more.” So the question becomes “What Opinion Intern should I spend my money on?” There are many ways to cut down on spending while still obtaining the necessities and having some fun. 1. Avoid impulse buys. Just because it’s on sale, and you’ve always wanted it doesn’t mean you need it. Try to save your money for the more important things. If you find yourself suddenly wanting a new item, take a few days to think about it, and ask yourself if it’s something you actually need. 2. Pay with cash. When you purchase things with your debit or credit card, you aren’t really paying attention to the amount of money that you’re spending. When you actually have to reach into your wallet and hand your money to a cashier, you’re far more aware of the dent you are making in your money supply. 3. Buy in bulk. This practice can save a lot of money when compared to purchasing things individually. Spending a little more on one purchase instead of letting all of the cheaper purchases build up can save

$ $

Want to save

money?

Do activities that don’t cost money.

Watch your monthly payments.

Buy in bulk.

Cook your own food.

Keep track of your back account.

Save your change.

Avoid ATMs that charge fees.

Utilize Amazon.

Avoid impulse buys.

Pay with cash.

Dol-Anne Asiru | Loyolan

you money in the long run. Getting that Costco membership can prove to be a solid investment. The next time you’re buying something for your dorm, apartment or house, ask yourself if you can save money by purchasing it in bulk. 4. Keep track of your bank account. What if someone has overcharged you? Or even worse: What if someone has stolen your money? There have been many times when I’ve looked over my own account and seen that money was missing. By keeping up to date with my purchases, I’ve

saved a lot of money that would otherwise have been lost. 5. Avoid ATMs that charge fees. This is one of the most absurd concepts: You are actually paying to withdraw your own money! Next time, do a little research and find a different ATM or just come prepared with cash. It’s easy to press, “Yes, I agree to accept these fees,” but when you really think about the concept, those words aren’t as appealing. 6. Do activities that don’t cost money. Yes, going to see that movie or going to the night’s bus party can

sound fun, but is it really worth it? If you can have just as much fun doing something free, do that instead. 7. Watch your monthly payments. Calculate the amount of money you spend on recurring payments alone and see if there are things you don’t need. Magazine subscriptions, website subscriptions and Xbox LIVE can really add up over time. You may not even realize how much money you’re spending. 8. Cook your own food. Campus food and eating out cost a lot more than making your own meals. The next time you go to the grocery store, stock up on food so you won’t have to eat out. Save your leftovers, too. I made pasta the other week and had enough left over for three or four more meals. 9. Save your change. Spare change can seem like a bother, but if you continue to save it, you’re going to be glad you did. I’ve personally found $60 in change just by going through my room. 10. Utilize Amazon. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can save yourself a lot of money. Amazon even gives college students a free yearlong Prime subscription. Not only does everything come with two-day free shipping, but Amazon’s prices usually beat out other companies. The next time you’re about to buy something, take out your phone and check its price on Amazon. It can’t hurt. Everyone has wasted his or her money at some point or another. I’ve looked back on purchases and realized that they were thoughtless. The important thing is to learn from poor spending habits. College is a time for learning, not only about your major, but also about life. So take some time to consider how you can improve your spending habits. You’ll be glad you did. This is the opinion of Ryan Morgan, a sophomore economics and English double major from San Jose, Calif. Please send comments to rmorgan@theloyolan.

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I’m short, but I’m not delusional

e’re almost done with our third week of school, and I have yet to hang up my mirror. It’s a wonderful full-length mirror with Command Strips already attached to the back, yet I can’t bring myself to put it on the wall. Is it the fear that I won’t be able to put it up straight? No. It’s not even laziness. It’s because the angle at which the mirror is currently propped up against my wall me look tall Run ‘n Tell Dat makes and lean. I can’t see By Kim Tran my face in it, but Opinion Editor hey, that’s a small price to pay when at 5 feet 3 inches I can walk out of that room and into class feeling like a supermodel. Everyone knows that all I want in life are longer legs (and my own talk show and all of the riches in the world). People always say that positive thinking and daily affirmations are steps in the path towards high selfesteem and leading a happier life. It’s a great concept – if you tell yourself you’re capable of something, you will be. But when does optimism turn into delusion? Perhaps my example of the mirror isn’t a good one because I am not actually convinced that I can reach the top shelf of my closet. Instead, we’ll talk about the psychic from American Idol. Bobbie May, a professional psychic, came to the Las Vegas auditions in 2005 on the prem-

ise that she had a vision she would be in the Top 10. There were no ifs, ands or buts about it – she’s a psychic and she saw it happen. Bobbie May single-voicedly destroyed two careers the moment she opened her mouth to sing. This is a case of severe self-delusion, but you get my point. Bobbie May had completely convinced herself that she was a singer worthy of the Top 10 on American Idol, and Bobbie May – no matter how strong her premonition – was wrong. As you can see, self-delusion in a world where reality is pretty darn harsh is kind of detrimental. Low selfesteem is never a good thing, but a false perception of how great you are is just embarrassing. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but let’s face the fact that we are not perfect. I’m sure Bobbie had some redeeming qualities – but her voice and her future-seeing abilities were not some of them. In fact, studies have shown the detrimental effects of positive thinking to the point of self-delusion. According to psychologytoday.com, Northeastern University’s C. Randall Colvin, a psychologist, stated that when “self-perception races ahead of reality, the likely result is a socially inept misfit.” Colvin and his col-

leagues, as a part of a study that tracked 130 individuals since nursery school, found that “self-enhancers” – those whose glowing self-image lacked resemblance to their true personality – “tend to be hostile, lack social skills and appear anxious and moody. … They are trying to hide their flaws from themselves.” Having high self-esteem is different from being deluded into thinking you are the best. Rather, it is grounded in truth and involves embracing good qualities in spite of bad ones. Colvin said it best: “Positive selfesteem is good … but the context has to be based on reality. Knowing that imperfections exist is the first step to improving yourself.” If there are things about yourself that bother you, largely ignoring them is not the way to improve your self-esteem. Rather, you can either choose to accept them or work on improving them to make you feel better. College is a time where a student discovers himself or herself and along the way, there are times that flaws will be revealed and esteem will be tested. Disregard is not the healthy way to deal with this. Two things that can improve selfesteem without the risk of delusion include self-trust and awareness,

“Low self-esteem is never a good thing, but a false perception of how great you are is just embarassing.”

according to Steve Pavlina, a blogger about personal development. Though for the most part, I’d have to say he’s a motivational speaker with a blog, Pavlina makes some solid points. If self-esteem is rooted in reality, selftrust is vital. People with low selfesteem tend to fixate on their flaws without remembering their qualities. If you don’t trust yourself, you will never develop the confidence that is instrumental in developing selfesteem. If you’re wrong, you learn. It’s necessary to trust yourself when you make the big decisions in your life because you learn liability, responsibility and ultimately the ability to act with confidence. On the other hand, awareness involves acknowledging one’s weaknesses as well as one’s strengths. Being aware of your ability allows you to improve what you need to and come forth as an intelligent individual in your strengths. The bottom line is that we are not perfect, and we would do well to remember it. Faking confidence and ignoring shortcomings is not the way to gain self-esteem or overcome flaws. Self-esteem comes with embracing your qualities in spite of your faults, because we’re not perfect, but we’re still pretty cool. Look at it this way: I’m 5 foot 3 inches and I probably always will be. Sorry about it, but more importantly, sorry I’m not sorry. Can you sit comfortably in coach? This is the opinion of Kim Tran, a sophomore marketing and communication studies double major from San Jose, Calif. Please send comments to ktran@theloyolan.

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Counting days and drinks T here is always one defining moment for upperclassmen – specifically juniors. Although I could be referring to the completion of the University core, the acquirement of a grey commuter parking permit upon moving off campus or even the excitement of spotting President Burcham jogging along the bluff, I am actually referring to the 21st birthday, the last beautiful American rite of passage. It seems as if I have been waiting for this day since move-in weekend of freshman year, and on March 14, 2012 it will finally be upon me. And let me tell you, I By Alisa Dwyer have a beautiful vision for Contributor my post-underage life. I long for the day when I will be able to laugh with professors at wine and cheese socials in Roski Dining Hall. I long for when my beautiful University will no longer send out FJ Cruisers to scour the streets of Westchester for my illegally-intoxicated self on Thursday nights. Instead, it will send out cheerful Facebook invites to two-for-one happy hour at The Loft. I dream of the day when my professors inquire as to what I did over the weekend, and I can unashamedly reply that it was spent sipping cranberry vodkas and playing blackjack at Morongo. These are the days I wait for. California law stipulates that I have exactly 185 days until I am mature enough to consume or purchase liquor in the United States. This means 24 weekends (really 26 weekends, but it seems insensitive to count Thanksgiving and Christmas as possible boozing opportunities) of adolescence. Twenty-four weekends of attending concealed kickbacks in basements or sneaking handles of Smirnoff into the Leaveys or, if I’m lucky, being the designated driver for those lucky enough to have been birthed before ‘91. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love drunkenly sharing a slice with a random freshman at Pizza Del Rey just as much as the next girl, but that is no longer where I belong. I belong dancing under bright lights at an overpriced club in West Hollywood, meeting strangers that are interested in obliging me in conversation regarding L.A.’s atrocious public transportation system. In 185 days my great country will finally gift me with this kind of interaction. With one of my best friends studying abroad in Rome this semester, I have become even more cognizant of the stringency of the United States’ drinking age. Every night she goes

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to bed exhausted from another day of eating gelato and wine tasting in the Italian countryside whereas I wake up every morning in a cold sweat, hoping no one has tagged a picture of me on Facebook owning at beer pong from the night before. It’s a very stressful existence. However, it has gotten me to thinking: How exactly can a nation classified by numerous embarrassing epidemics (one of them being excessive drinking by minors) justify its laws? I’m unaware of any singular events or series of events that takes place between the ages of 18 and 21 that makes me a more responsible adult deserving of an alcoholic beverage, but maybe I’ve been too busy searching for my legal lookalike in order to procure a good fake ID to really see the signs. But still, it plagues me: Why can five-year-olds in some countries have a drink with dinner but my own grandmother won’t speak to me for a week if she catches me sneaking a mimosa at Easter? My Irish ancestors are crying out, cursing the United States government for my alcoholic innocence and I, too, can feel their pain. Now, just so that I may clarify, my pain is not centered merely around the absence of a BevMo club card in my wallet or the fact that not a single bartender at Tompkins knows my name. It is much, much more than this. It is about finally accessing a place in society where I am no longer looked upon as an uncontrollable co-ed – where I won’t have to take my friend’s word on what flavors of Four Loko lie inside that sketchy corner liquor store. I will finally enter the premises and attest to the variety. What is the irony of this whole comingof-age story? Due to my plans for studying abroad next semester, my 21st birthday is going to take place halfway across the world in a country that allows its citizens to legally drink even before they can obtain a learner’s permit. That means no 21st-birthday bar crawl and no minors wanting to use me shamelessly for my ability to buy a six pack. And although it will seem painfully anti-climactic at the time, I know in my heart that when I finally do return to the States and a scantily clad cocktail waitress in Vegas asks to see my ID before serving me an apple martini, and I am able to smile and casually flash my proof of legality – it is then that all of this suffering will finally have been worth it.

Graphic by Greg Smith | Loyolan This is the opinion of Alisa Dwyer, a junior communication studies major from Sacramento, Calif. Please send comments to ktran@ theloyolan.com.

Loyola Marymount University

Loyolan Staff

Kenzie O’Keefe Laura Riparbelli Angelica Cadiente Michael Goldsholl Tierney Finster Margo Jasukaitis Brigette Scobas Liz Peters Kim Tran Anna-Michelle Escher Joe Demes Erika Gill Ryan Morgan Emily Rome Luisa Barron Amy Lee Hanna Sherman Michael Goldsholl John Wilkinson Daniel Raffety Kayla Begg Katherine Douthit Hailey Hannan Emma Movsesian Lucy Olson Emily Wallace Dol-Anne Asiru Kaitlin Dela Cruz Greg Smith Jackson Turcotte Denise Villanueva Jay Lee Thomas Finnigan Kristen Dornbush Michael Giuntini Andrew Sabatine Benjamin Herrera Amber Yin Erin Mallea

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Public Editor Assistant Managing Editor News Editor Assistant News Editor Assistant News Editor News Intern Opinion Editor Assistant Opinion Editor Assistant Opinion Editor Opinion Intern Opinion Intern A&E Editor Assistant A&E Editor Assistant A&E Editor A&E Intern Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Design Editor Design Specialist Design Specialist Cartoonist Online Editor Assistant Online Editor Business Director Assistant Business Director Assistant Business Director Director of Marketing Ad Sales Representative Ad Sales Representative Ad Designer

Tom Nelson Director of Student Media

Loyolan Editorial Policy The Los Angeles Loyolan, a studentrun campus organization, publishes a twice weekly newspaper for the greater LMU community. The first copy is free of charge. Additional copies are $1 each. Paid, mailed subscriptions can be purchased through the Business department. The Loyolan accepts unsolicited letters from students, faculty, staff and alumni, and press releases from on-campus and off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication. The Loyolan reserves the right to edit or reject all submissions, including advertisements, articles or other contributions it deems objectionable. The Loyolan does not print consecutive articles by the same author that repeat/refute the initial arguments. Opinions and ideas expressed in the Loyolan are those of individual authors, artists and student editors and are not those of Loyola Marymount University, its Board of Trustees, its student body or of newspaper adver tisers. Board Editorials are unsigned and reflec t the opinions of the Executive Editorial Board. Guest editorials are by invitation of the Executive Editorial Board and reflect the views of the author. All advertisements are subject to the current rates and policies in the 201011 Advertising Rates and Information materials.

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By: Ian Zell

Undercover Wizards

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By: Jackson Turcotte

A rare sighting of the Dalai Llama

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By: Jackson Turcotte

“...And now I’ll sing a personal favorite of mine: Car Alarm No. 47.” By: Ian Zell

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Are you a graphic designer? The Los Angeles Loyolan is looking for new design specialists.

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Jewish Book Group kicks off new semester Event Preview

Jewish Book Group

By Amy Lee Asst. A&E Editor

he Jewish Studies Program’s Sunday Book Group will start off the year with a discussion on “The Preservationist” by David Maine, a novel that retells the story of Noah’s Ark. Dr. Elaine Goodfriend, a theological professor in the Jewish Studies Program who led a book talk with the group last spring, will lead the discussion. “The [Noah’s Ark] story in Genesis takes up just four chapters, perhaps 150 sentences and is very concise with few details,” Goodfriend said. “‘The Preservationist’ is 230 pages long, and [Maine] fills in many of the informational gaps left by the Bible. While there is no role for women in the Bible’s account, the author, David Maine, gives women a central role in the story.” The inception of the book group came about to promote the Jewish Studies Program minor while the William H. Hannon Library was being built. The group has brought staff, faculty, students and others from the Westchester and L.A. community to Hannon Library and LMU for its events. “Truly, any student who is interested in Jewish culture and/ or literature is very welcome,” said Rhonda Rosen, who oversees the book group and who is the head of Media & Access Ser-

Meetings this semester Sunday, Sept. 18 “The Preservationist” by David Maine Discussion led by theological studies professor Elaine Goodfriend W. W. Norton & Company

St. Martin’s Press

“The Preservationist,” a retelling of the Noah’s Ark story, is the first work the Jewish Book Group will discuss this semester.

most have not read or even heard of before. The group will include a graphic novel called “The Book of Genesis,” illusvices at Hannon Library. “The trated by Robert Crumb in the group is a lovely collection of list this year, something Rosen Jewish and non-Jewish people is very excited about. The group will meet on Sunwho are willing to see how other people think or how they live, day, Sept. 18 from 2 - 3:30 p.m. in the past, present or perhaps on the third floor of Hannon Library. Adthe future. We mission to the look at how the discussions is Jewish people Jewish Book Group free, but those are representinterested ed throughin attending out time and Hannon Library must conall over the Von der Ahe Suite tact Rosen at world.” rrosen@lmu. For future edu or (310) discussions, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2 p.m. 338-4584 to Rosen hopes to reserve a spot. choose books

DEJAVIEW MOVIE LOUNGE Movie Times Thur. 9/15

Fri. 9/16

The 2009 graphic novel “The Book of Genesis” is the group’s pick for November.

Sat. 9/17

“Super 8” 7 p.m.

Sun. 9/18

“Ferris Buellerʼs “Ferris Buellerʼs “Super 8” Day Off” Day Off” 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. “Ferris Buellerʼs “Ferris Buellerʼs Day Off” “Super 8” “Super 8” Day Off” 9 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 3:30 p.m. “Ferris Buellerʼs Day Off” 7 p.m. “Super 8” 9 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 16 “The Prophet’s Wife” by Milton Steinberg Discussion led by English professor Monica Osborne Sunday, Nov. 13 “The Book of Genesis” illustrated by Robert Crumb Discussion led by studio arts professor Michael Brodsky Sunday, Dec. 4 “The Day of the Locust” by Nathanael West Discussion led by history professor Nicholas Rosenthal Discussions are held 2 – 3:30 p.m in Hannon Library’s Von der Ahe Suite. Admission is free, and reservations can be made through Rhonda Rosen at rrosen@lmu.edu or (310) 338-4584.

Carnival games added to annual Adopt a Fish event Event Preview By Hanna Sherman A&E Intern

eventy-five freshmen will be given a chance to take home a new pet tomorrow, Sept. 16 at Mane Entertainment’s (ME) annual Adopt a Fish event. Taking place in The Living Room, the Adopt a Fish Carnival is free for students to attend and is designed as a freshman-only event. While Adopt a Fish has been in place for several years, the carnival component is a new addition to the event. “We decided to add in the carnival aspect to Adopt a Fish to add some challenge and make the event more fun for students,” said Sharon Aguilera, junior sociology major and ME’s Special Events manager. Students will play a series of small-scale games and acquire tickets in the process. After accumulating five tickets, students can then trade those tickets in for a fish and fish accessories, which include a fish bowl, fish food, sand and decorations. The first 10 students that acquire 10 tickets get to take home a beta fish, which ME is giving out in a limited quantity. Other students will get goldfish. The Adopt a Fish Carnival encourages freshmen to attend to win a pet but also to meet other students and have fun. “Friends have come in together, saying they’d share a fish,” Aguilera said. “It’s something to bond over.” Adopt a Fish begins at 7 p.m. tomorrow in The Living Room, which is located on the first floor of Malone Student Center.

Greg Smith | Loyolan

September 15, 2011 Page 12

Arts & Entertainment

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Master guitarist coaches students Concert Preview By Luisa Barron Asst. A&E Editor

tudents will get a chance to play for and learn firsthand from one of the world’s foremost classical guitarists in the LMU Guitar Concert and Masterclass Series, which kicks off its 13th season this Friday. Belgian guitarist Raphaella Smits will both lead the masterclass and perform in her own concert on Saturday night. Five different student guitarists will get the chance to work onstage with Smits. Each person gets a 40-minute slot to play a piece and receive feedback and comments from Smits. The masterclass is “basically a lesson in public; in other words, one student sits with the artists on stage and plays for the artists, and the artist comments [on their performance],” said Michael Miranda, the director and founder of the series as well as a professor in the music department. “It’s really wonderful exposure for our students,” he said. However, “many times the masterclass goes beyond the actual playing of the guitar. [...] It’s not entirely focused on how to move your fingers, but how to be expressive, how to approach something, the kind of skills to be successful,” Miranda said. Students participating were chosen by Martha Masters, the private guitar instructor for LMU students. “[She] decides which students are ready,” said Miranda. In addition, there will be guitarists from other universities participating in the masterclass, but LMU students were given spots first in the event.

The audience is also a key part of the masterclass. Miranda encourages even those not taking part to try the experience. “Even though you’re not the one playing for the artists, there’s still a lot to be learned. I always leave these things wanting to go home and practice myself. They’re really inspiring,” Miranda said. Smits has years of experience under her belt, multiple recordings and a glowing 1986 review from the New York Times as “an uncommonly musical guitar-

ist.” Miranda describes her as “an incredibly sensitive player ... that has the perfect combination of virtuosity and technique [that] is just amazing. Incredible sensitivity. She can knock your socks off and melt your heart in the same breath.” The masterclass is set for this Friday at 3 p.m. in Murphy Recital Hall and tickets are $5. Smits will perform in concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the same location. Tickets for the concert are $25 for general admission and $15 for LMU students.

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World-renowned guitarist Raphaella Smits will critique students onstage in the LMU Guitar Concert and Masterclass Series.

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1337 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 Have you ever wanted the perfect sweater to snuggle up in when you’re cold or watching a movie with your significant other? Alternative Apparel has a great selection of loungewear for both men and women. Previously a manufacturer without stores (like American Apparel), this quaint new shop in the heart of Venice has an assortment of cloud-soft, vintage-inspired threads. If you are a shopper who values quality, you can find a great collection of clothing basics for $20-$60. If you are fed up with your boyfriend’s over-used and holey sweatshirt, spend a Saturday morning looking through Alternative Apparel’s range of menswear. You can shop while he shops - it’s a win-win. Take advantage of the store’s 15 percent student discount. For an effortless chic look, a person can never go wrong with a pair of dark denim jeans and a basic T-shirt like the shop’s Boss V-Neck Tee for $24. Alternative Apparel is open Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Dol-Anne Asiru

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Arts & Entertainment

September 15, 2011 Page 13

Ask a Lion: Fall movie youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to? The leaves are changing and the nights are growing longer and colder - eh, who are we kidding? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Los Angeles, and that means itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fall movie season (and still eighty degrees outside). The Loyolan asks students what movie theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re most looking forward to seeing in theaters in the next few months.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Girl With the Dragon Tattooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; because the original was really good.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lion King 3Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a wonderful story. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like our childhood coming back to life.â&#x20AC;?

Sean Drummond

Lindsey Scanton

Freshman Film production major

Junior Theatre arts major

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;50/50.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Your Number?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good combination of comedy and chick flick.â&#x20AC;? Valeria Bonales

Tommy Sugimoto

Sophomore Electrical engineering major

Freshman Film production major

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Know How She Does It.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I love Sarah Jessica Parker!â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Three Musketeers.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I heard it was shot with this new, crazy high-tech camera.â&#x20AC;?

Cameron Ware

Jake Torii

Senior Theatre arts major

Sophomore Business major Compiled by Amy Lee

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Sports

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Rankins says, ‘All W’s’ this weekend W. Volleyball from page 16 “We make the drills as chaotic as possible and demand a certain level of poise,” said Black. “I think they have been doing a good job all year, but it’s one thing to do it in practice, and it’s another to do it in games. So we’re throwing a lot of chaos at them in practice, and then we play the games and learn from that.” While playing at home is favorable for any sports team, long stretches of road games have taken the Lions out of their comfort zone. The Lions continue to prepare for their upcoming conference schedule, which they struggled with last year when they went 6-8 and finished fourth in the WCC. “I think it definitely helps,” said Rankins. “It makes us feel like, when we do travel, that it’s nothing new. It’s nothing we haven’t done. We’re in a routine, we’re in a groove; we know how to travel, we know how to act and we know how to play – so, it’s all good.” Black shared similar sentiments, saying that, “Consistency is all about what you are when things are tough. If you are waking up in your bed every day, that doesn’t mean you’re consistent, that means you’re comfortable. So, if we can learn and be tough enough to bring our

LMU faces full weekend schedule

• Men’s soccer hosts the San José State Spartans on Friday, Sept. 16 at Sullivan Field at 3 p.m. The Lions are looking to improve their season record to 3-3.

LMU Athletics

Senior Emily Cheek (pictured, center, above in a game earlier this season) was named to the All-Tournament team at the UK Invitational last weekend. best all the time in these situations, it pays off huge,” he said. Regardless, Rankins is undaunted by the Lions’ schedule this weekend and remains optimistic about LMU’s chances in this weekend’s tournament. “We’re definitely going to come out with all W’s,” she said. The Lions begin tournament play on Friday Sept. 16 when they take on UC Riverside at 10 a.m. They’ll return to the court later

that evening when they face off against tournament host University of the Pacific at 7 p.m., and will cap off the Invitational with an 11:30 a.m. contest against San José State. “I feel like the most difficult thing is anything that happens on our side,” Black said. “We’re not worrying about any other teams. We just need to focus on our side and what we need to do and run our system which is LMU volleyball.”

• The women’s soccer team takes on Southern California rival No. 4 UCLA at Sullivan Field on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. The Lions are 6-1-1 on the young season, with their only blemish coming to a one-goal loss to Rutgers University. • The No. 10 men’s water polo team rebounds against No. 15 Naval Academy Saturday, Sept. 17 at Burns Aquatic Center at 1 p.m. in a non-conference matchup after a four-goal home loss to rival Pepperdine.

Complied by Dan Raffety | Asst. Sports Editor

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Corrective exercise is key Strength from page 16 they are doing out there.” While both Longo and Rossi each come from very different backgrounds and will be focusing on different areas of athletics, each bring a similar philosophy that strives for dedication in the weight room and displays a commitment to establishing correct movements and motions for the athletes. “This is one thing that we’re all on the same page about, which is training smarter, not stronger,” said Longo. “Because there are days where you can take an athlete out on the field and pound ‘em, and pound ‘em and pound ‘em, but what’s that going to do for you? Basically, with me, it’s do everything with purpose.” One of the most important aspects of weight training is understanding the correct body movements one must make while training, and how executing those movements correctly can positively influence an athlete during play. “We’re making sure guys are doing things right before they start loading those movements,” said Rossi. “I’m into doing a movement, screen and I take a look at how my athletes operate before I start placing a load on them. Because no one gets held out of a game because they can’t bench press 300 pounds. It’s usually because they can’t move well. I’m big into movement before load. We have to tailor things to the needs of our athletes.” Considering the amount of injuries suffered by LMU athletic teams last year – primarily men’s and women’s basketball – Rosario, Longo and Rossi are doing everything in their power to limit and

prevent injuries. “No matter how good an athlete is, if they are injured, then they are not helping out the team,” said Rosario. “So each sport – take soccer for example – they’ll go through their power movements and their strength movements, then we’ll go after injury prevention and agility type stuff. Their injury prevention will be based more on ankles, knee and hip stability. Whereas, an overhead sport, such as volleyball, baseball, swimming sports – they will be geared more toward shoulder stability exercises and core exercises.” While balancing the lives of college student and student-athlete can be strenuous at times, Rossi and Longo still expect a strong level of commitment and focus from their athletes.

“I have not met a mentally weak athlete yet,” said Longo. “Every athlete who I have met in this weight room has given me 100 percent thus far. It’s only two weeks in, but we have a long year and they are starting it off right with me. That’s my keen observation. Very respectful athletes, and it looks like they are trying to get work done in this facility.” Rosario, Longo and Rossi are each certified strength and conditioning specialists under the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The LMU Athletic Department hopes that their presence in the weight room, coupled with their experience in a number of strength and conditioning fields, is setting the stage for faster, stronger and smarter student-athletes at LMU.

2-1 loss to UCLA on Sunday, senior defender Roger Downes called tomorrow’s contest with San José State the last home game of the “preseason.” And it seems at this point, the reality – one LMU basketball fans know all too well – is that the non-conference slate has been relegated to an extended warm-up for the 12game WCC season. You can’t particularly blame the Lions for pinning their hopes on the conference’s automatic bid. The NCAA College Cup selection committee has been less than reliable in its selections, especially with respect to West Coast teams. Two years ago the Lions finished third in a strong WCC and received an at-large bid to the College Cup, but after an arguably stronger year in 2010, one that included a share of a conference title, the Lions were left out in the cold. However, things are not looking particularly promising in terms of WCC respect this season either, as all WCC teams received a total of one combined vote in the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. In the poll of teams just in the Far West region, only one WCC team appeared, Santa Clara in the No. 8 slot. Even if the Lions hadn’t limped through the first quarter of the season, it appears they would have once again had a difficult time grabbing a

Athlete Spotlight Linda Bakker

Sport: Women’s soccer Class: Freshman Major: Liberal arts Hometown: Rustenburg, Netherlands Position: Midfield/Forward

You’ve already scored two goals this season. How does it feel to contribute so much to the team as a first-year student? It’s nice. I think I expected to do well, but it’s always nice to score a goal and I hope that I can score more – it’s a good feeling. When did you first start playing soccer? I think when I was six years old, but I also did judo and then quit soccer. Then when I was 16, I started to play soccer again and quit judo because I liked soccer more. What was your proudest moment in soccer? I think the first game of the UEFA Champion League when we played against Olympique Lyonnais, which is a pro team in France. We played them at home and lost 2-0, but it was an amazing experience.

Michael Goldsholl | Loyolan

Geno del Rosario (pictured above) is in his first year as the head strength and conditioning coach for LMU’s Division 1 teams.

Despite losses, men still shooting for WCC Wilks World from page 16

September 15, 2011 Page 15

College Cup berth without winning the WCC. The goal was clearly set at the season’s outset for an outright conference title and return to the postseason. Luckily for LMU, those two things come hand in hand, and the Lions still have time to produce the consistent performances they are capable of turning in. The talent and experience are there. With its top three goal scorers back, LMU is capable of overwhelming opposing defenses at any time. However, five games into the season only two of those threats have scored and neither more than once. Sophomore Connor Hunsicker is the only Lion to find the back of the net more than once this season. Center backs Downes and redshirt junior Mitch Boland are both physical presences that are capable of smothering opposing movements and taking dangerous strikers out of their game. The execution and consistency, however, have not been at the same level they were last season. The Lions got a great test from a talented UCLA team that will certainly return to the College Cup this season. Playing down a man for 77 minutes may not be the best way to get a result, but it certainly is a great way to test your mettle and learn about your team’s character. Even though they couldn’t complete the comeback, you can bet that battling back in a tough environment

will pay dividends down the line. If toughening up, lessonlearning and confidence building are the main goals of the remaining non-conference games, LMU will have plenty of opportunities. After hosting San José State on Sullivan Field tomorrow, the Lions will face the kind of road trip that can stress the second half of “student-athlete” over the first as they play three games in six days. The Lions will cover approximately 4,360 miles while traveling to play No. 16 the University of New Mexico, the University of Wisconsin and their WCC-opener against the University of San Diego. If LMU hopes to win the WCC outright this year, a brutal trip like that will be the perfect time to work out the early season kinks and come into the conference season stronger than they have looked thus far. Sure, it would have been nice for the Lions to come out and dominate like an experienced team should, but rough patches and learning experiences are part of any team’s growth. Winning early might have made NCAA College Cup selection day a little less stressful than in the past three years, but the reality is that winning late, when WCC play comes around, will make it a moot point. This is the opinion John Wilkinson. Please send comments to jwilkinson@theloyolan.com

Is there anything different about soccer in America compared to soccer in the Netherlands? Yes, the [substitutions] are different. In Holland, when you get subbed out, you are done for the whole game. In [American college soccer], you can go in and out as much as you want. Do you have any pre-game rituals? Not really, I just listen to music – I like “The World’s Greatest” by R. Kelly. What has been your favorite memory on the soccer team thus far? I like to just be with the team because they are amazing; I love them. My other favorite memory was scoring my second goal – it was a good one. (Bakker scored twice in the Lions’ 3-0 victory over CSU Bakersfield earlier this season.) Who is your soccer role model? He plays at Ajax and his name is [Miralem] Sulejmani. I like him because he’s a good player and is very fast. When he first joined Ajax, he was really bad, and no one liked him. He worked really hard though, and now he’s really good. Do you want to play professional soccer? I don’t know yet. I want to focus on my studies first and get a degree. Then maybe after if I have a chance, I might take it. But if I get a good job then I don’t want to. It’s not my first priority. What is your favorite meal to eat on the LMU campus? I think the Lair, but I miss my home-cooked meals in Holland. We usually have potatoes with veggies, meat and a lot of bread. I am always taking a break to eat. At the Lair I get sandwiches, pasta and Mexican food. What is the thing you most had to adjust to in America? Always having to speak English – I can’t really speak Dutch here. And definitely the food. The food is much healthier in Holland also. What is your major? Liberal arts, but I think I will switch. I’m not sure what to change my major to though, because there are so many options.

Photo: LMU Athletics Compiled by Emily Wallace | Copy Editor

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Lion S ports Volleyball hits the road again

September 15, 2011 Page 16

Finding it for WCC season

Having suffered two consecutive losses, the Lions are set to play in their fourth straight tournament. By Michael Goldsholl Asst. Managing Editor | Sports Editor

John Wilkinson looks at where the men’s soccer team stands a quarter of the way through the season.

t this point, the next three games are all about confidence. For the LMU men’s soccer team, the remaining two weeks of non-conference games appear to be more about finding a rhythm and the back of the net rather than finding results in the win column. It may be a little too cynical to think these games are simply a prologue for the Lions’ West Coast Conference (WCC) Wilks World title assault, but By John Wilkinson that certainly Asst. Sports Editor appears to be the reality at this point. It seems almost too early to make commentary on this team. The deep roster, senior leadership and career success should buy them some time to figure things out, but at the same time, shouldn’t a team with those factors have put it together more quickly? The truth is, however, that a quarter of the season has passed, and the Lions find themselves 2-3-0 with only a couple truly convincing performances under their belts. They are a good team, but they certainly have not played like it very often this season. It was most likely just a slip of the tongue by a mentally and physically exhausted athlete who had just had to give extra effort for 77 minutes of shorthanded attack-absorbing soccer, but when interviewed after the Lions’

See Wilks World | page 15

LMU Athletics

Senior Jasmine Rankins (pictured above in a game earlier this season) has captured one All-Tournament selection this season and leads the Lions with 99 kills through nine games.

The journey to improve continues for the women’s volleyball team, playing in their third straight tournament this weekend in Stockton, Calif. The Lions (5-4) are looking to end non-conference play on a high note by returning to their winning ways after suffering their first set of back-to-back losses this season at the University of Kentucky Invitational. The Lions picked up a win against West Virginia in the opening game but fell to tournament-host Kentucky and the University of Houston in consecutive sweeps the following day. Despite the losses, LMU did see its fourth Lion of the season take home All-Tournament honors, as senior Emily Cheek earned a selection in Lexington, Ky. On the heels of two straight losses, the Lions are looking to regroup and maintain focus this coming weekend, as they are slated to play in the Hilton Stockton Invitational hosted by University of the Pacific. “I think that we have all of the tools necessary, and our system is stronger than everyone else’s,” said senior Jasmine Rankins, who also took home All-Tournament honors earlier this season. “We just have to come together as a team and play hard and work hard and be mentally in it, 100 percent as a team.” The team is making an effort to improve their slow starts in games, which has plagued the Lions in the previous tournament losses. “That’s exactly it – coming out strong,” said Head Coach Tom Black. “Not giving up five or six points in the beginning. So playing our game in the very beginning and not taking 15 points to warm up is huge.” Black cited struggling with the chaotic and overwhelming atmospheres the Lions found themselves in at the UK Invitational. He is making an effort to especially prepare his team for this upcoming tournament — the team’s final test before conference play begins.

See Volleyball | page 14

New staff brings valuable experience to weight room LMU welcomes a new strength and conditioning staff to the new athletics facility. By Michael Goldsholl Asst. Managing Editor | Sports Editor Strapped with ice packs and dressed in gym attire while gingerly walking from class to practice and back to class again — these are LMU’s student-athletes, attempting to balance their college lifestyle with their athletically-driven lives. But where do the ice packs come from? Who is pushing LMU’s athletes to become the best they can be on the court, in the pool or on the field? While their coaches might be providing them with guidance during practices or games, who are the people enabling them to move their bodies in ways that the rest of us only wish we could? It all starts in the training room. Although LMU’s new first-rate athletic facilities and favoritism among certain lockedout NBA players might not be enough to generate the national reputation of nearby institutions, such as UCLA and USC, a shake-up among the department’s strength and conditioning coaches has LMU athletics headed in the right direction. After former Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Bobby Harmston decided to return to UC Irvine, his assistant of two years, Geno del Rosario, was named to the position. With a degree from Long Beach State in kinesiology and a natural passion

for enhancing athletic performance, Rosario brings to LMU the building blocks to establish a new foundation for LMU athletics. However, he doesn’t intend on improving the production of LMU’s student-athletes singlehandedly. “I’ve had quite a few mentors coming in, and each one of them has helped me – including my assistants,” said Rosario. “Everyone brings something to the table. It’s not so much that you are reinventing the wheel, it’s just that there’s so much information out there, and you take what you can based on your needs and you apply it to your sport.” In addition to Rosario, LMU has brought in two very well-qualified assistants, Nick Longo and Drew Rossi, to help foster the athletic development of LMU’s student-athletes. Longo, who has a master’s from CSU Fullerton (where he was also an athlete), will work with baseball, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, cross country and share responsibilities of the crew team. Rossi, a former basketball player from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in exercise science, spent this past year working with the Springfield Armor of the National Basketball Development League (NBDL). “I’m just bringing a work ethic with me,” said Longo. “There’s no excuses for hard work, that’s my theme. We’re kind of on the same page, where if you’re not doing something right in the weight room, you’re not doing it at all. Because, number one, we realize they’re not weight lifters, they are athletes, and we’re trying to help them become better at what

See Strength | page 15

Michael Goldsholl | Loyolan

Drew Rossi (left) and Nick Longo (right) are the new assistant strength and conditioning coaches for the Lions’ division 1 teams this year.