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Mitchell Storey News Intern @LALoyolan
Alo Coleman was in Malone 112 when he found out that he and his longtime friend, Brenda Quintanilla a junior political science and Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies major, had been elected as the 2018-2019 ASLMU president and vice-president, respectively. When the announcement was made, Coleman, a junior sociology and Asian and Pacific Studies double major, described himself as being at peace. In a bag next to him was his grandfather’s Ula Fala, a traditional Samoan chief’s necklace that is almost a century old. He said he has always taken his ancestors wherever he goes, attributing his existence to them. Coleman said that he and Quintanilla didn’t plan to to run for office. In fact, they only decided to register themselves as candidates a few days before the submission was due. Coleman does feel, though, that he indirectly planned for presidency through his participation in the LMU community. He visited 13 different states to share the intercultural work LMU does on campus or opened for Aloe Blacc and Bebe Rexha at 2016 Fallapalooza. Coleman said that all of his experiences have informed the way he decided to approach his tenure as president. “It was one of those things where you don’t really know that you were actually planning for it until the time came,” Coleman said. Coleman and Quintanilla’s campaign platform is rooted in reconnecting to LMU’s mission statement. The pair noticed that even though many of their fellow Lions lived out the University’s mission, few of them knew what it
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Coleman’s approach to presidency
ASLMU President elect Alo Coleman plans progress by spreading LMU’s mission.
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actually was. Before he and Quintanilla could make any progress or affect any real change, Coleman said, they needed to find some common ground with the student body that they could stand on — they found this common ground in the mission statement. “It’s what separates us from other universities and colleges and what truly makes us unique,” Coleman said. “We used the framework of the mission statement as a foundation for how we would make a difference.” The pair pledged to focus their platform around breaking down the mission statement into its three parts: the encouragement of learning, the education of the whole person and the service of faith
and the promotion of justice. They used these three parts to show that by committing to them, they could improve the quality and scope of campus life. Coleman used the first piece of the mission, the, encouragement of Learning, as an example. He wanted to encourage learning in all areas of education and improve the dialogue between the various social groups on campus. “We plan to do this by humanizing and diversifying ASLMU’s social media by portraying Lions from all walks of life,” Coleman said. “Through involvements such as service organizations, sorority and fraternity life, athletics or cultural clubs.” For the full article, go to laloyolan.com
Juliana Ferraro | Loyolan
Alo Coleman and Brenda Quintanilla, after being elected on March 22, 2018.
Your favorite restaurant Atheletes use their off campus will be platform to help those replacing your least in need. favorite on campus! Page 24 Page 8
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Deported U.S. veteran is given citizenship
“[It] validates what I’ve always felt in my heart,” said Hector Barajas on his citizenship. Kayan Tara
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
Hector Barajas, a U.S. veteran who served in the military for six years, was given naturalized U.S. citizenship on April 13. After being deported in 2004 and then again in 2010, California Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned Barajas in April 2017, clearing his path towards citizenship, according to CNN. “The citizenship only validates what I’ve always felt in my heart: I’m a proud American patriot,” Barajas said in a public statement on April 13, according to NBC. “I believe I am no less a good American for my mistake.” In April of 2017, the Loyolan published a special section under the title, “City of Deportees,” investigating immigration in Tijuana, Mexico, which has been impacted from U.S. deportations. The multimedia package included several videos shot and edited by De Colores trip leader, Antonio De Loera-Brust (‘17), who interviewed Hector Barajas in Tijuana regarding the immigration crisis and U.S. deportations. “I think Hector being granted citizenship is increasingly significant; it’s an all too rare example of there being justice in our immigration system,” said Loera-Brust. “While it’s just one small victory, coming in the midst of a really kind of unprecedented crackdown on all immigrants, even authorized ones, I think it serves a reminder that we are a nation of immigrants, that immigrants have always contributed to our society, including in See Citzenship | Page 3
Dean of students to retire from position Dean Jeanne Ortiz will retire in May and plans to teach again by next spring. Kayla Brogan
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
The LMU community will say goodbye to the dean of students and vice president of student affairs, Jeanne Ortiz, at the conclusion of this semester. Ortiz officially announced her retirement from these positions on Wednesday, April 3, according to LMU News Week. Ortiz has been a dean of students since 1988, and prior to that, a faculty member for 10 years at previous institutions. She originally worked in residential community development with a background in urban planning. As she was beginning her second masters degree in architecture, she was invited by the president of a previous university to explore the administrative area in higher education. Ortiz explained that this offer completely changed her career track. She fell in love with how students learned outside the classroom and how significant their personal development was to their college experience. She then applied to a PhD program in higher education. Ortiz was drawn, in part to, LMU because of the Jesuit values LMU upholds and how the University opens up new modes of communicating and engaging with students. “I just became a believer in Catholic higher education. I felt like the depth, meaning and genuineness of conversation was much more authentic and substantial. I love what can happen and the ethic of
care that is inherent in Catholic higher education,” said Ortiz. Before she reaches her desk in the morning, Ortiz typically catches up on all her e-mails, she said. Her day is then centered around meetings with students and meeting with various people of the departments she supervises. Ortiz is also responsible for a program called Community of Care. Community of Care is, “an initiative that gives members of the community an opportunity to refer students to our office for whom they’re concerned the student is not thriving. And we work with the student to get them back on track,” said Ortiz. She explained that Comunity of Care acts as an early intervention strategy. Faculty who notice a sudden change in student behavior or class engagement are encouraged to report their concerns to Ortiz, and the situation is handled accordingly from there. In 2014, 300 students were referred to the Community of Care program. “We will probably see 1,200 students this year. We are seeing a good sixth of the undergraduate population,” Ortiz said. A big part of her role is acting as a liaison between student affairs and academic affairs for the student. Additionally, she handles student crisis situations. She explained that it is a 24/7 job. She will often drop whatever she is doing to tend to a student in need — she believes it is the most important thing to do at a time like that. “My time here has been priceless,” said Gabriela Arana, who has worked with Ortiz for eight years. “All the value that has come from working with her is just amazing. There has never been a supervisor that has cared more deeply about my personal and professional development the way she has.” Arana is an administrator specialist for student affairs. Arana added that while she
is happy for Ortiz as she retires, knows that her innovation and drive within the LMU community will be deeply missed. Arana and Ortiz met at Whittier College. “All I want is to grow up and be just like her one day,” said Arana. Ortiz described her commitment to LMU’s social justice scholars and DACA students. “[They] provide me with inspiration everyday for their resilience and tenacity to persist and get their education in light of all the external messaging that doesn’t value who they are and what they can contribute,” said Ortiz. She added that 93 percent of LMU’s social justice scholars graduate from the University. “She is one of the rare people on the administrative side of things that I felt like truly loved her job because it allowed her to connect with students,” said Lowell Morris, a junior health and human sciences major. He explained that she loves getting to know her students and strives to connect with them on a personal level. “She is so wise and provides ... great guidance and advice,” added Morris. Ortiz said her favorite part of her job is working with students. “I think one of my most rewarding experiences is watching students walk across the stage at commencement and reflect back on the ways I have had the opportunity to interact with them and accompany them on their journey to who they have become as young adults,” said Ortiz. Tim Vassallo, a senior history and film and television production double major had the opportunity to attend an Ignacio Companion (IC) trip with Dr. Ortiz, which took place in Nicaragua and is located in Central America. “There is silent strength in the way she faces each day,” Vassallo said. “I’ve been honored to experience her both in the capacity of that intimate group abroad, and then more
recently as the moderator of my service organization, Sursum Corda.” Vassallo also said that, “her work with DACA and the various Dreamers on LMU’s campus as both an advocate and educator has been inspiring.” He added that he is sad to see her go, but is positive about what the future will hold for her. Ortiz has plans this summer to travel, but mostly she is looking forward to decompressing and “getting zen.” However, she does plan to participate in Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAL), which is a bike ride across the entire state of Iowa. Additionally, she aspires to bike in Tuscany, Italy. She does want to return to teaching again in the spring — either at LMU or another university.
For the full article, go to laloyolan.com
via Jeanne Ortiz