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Staff cartoonists react to the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
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Check out what puts LMU’s improv team “Laser Squad Bravo” a cut above.
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Monday Funday Block Party kicks off Spring semester
DPS continues investigation into alleged student rape at Sigma Alpha Epsilon house. Julia Sacco News Editor
@_JuliaSacco_
Information about the investigation of the alleged rape of an LMU student that took place on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, revealed to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and LMU’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) that the indecent occurred at a Halloween party organized and hosted by Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). The incident took place at the 8700 block of Yorktown Avenue where the fraternity, not officially recognized by LMU, has an unsanctioned house and frequently holds offcampus parties. Upon obtaining the information about the circumstances of the alleged rape on Nov. 1 and its link to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, DPS sent out a second alert and safety bulletin on Dec. 5, warning students not to attend any offcampus parties or participate in any events associated with the Greek organization. The LMU Alert also stated that, “Very See DPS Alert | Page 2
Leslie Irwin | Loyolan
On Monday Jan. 12, residents of Rains Hall, McCarthy Hall, O’Malley Hall and the Leavey Apartments gathered on O’Malley Lawn for the Monday Funday Block Party, hosted by the resident advisers. Attendees began their spring semester with a photo booth, flash tattoos, snowcones, volleyball, cotton candy and more. The first 125 residents to show up also received a free meal from the Belly Bombz food truck.
New bust remembers former LMU president
Die-in honors deaths of Brown and Garner
Students took part in a “die-in” at the annual Christmas tree lighting to remember Brown and Garner.
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Zaneta Pereira Editor in Chief @zanyzaneta
Emelia Shelton | Loyolan
This new bust of Robert B. Lawton, S.J. in front of Lawton Plaza honors and remembers the 14th president of LMU who was appointed in 1999. During his presidency, Lawton oversaw the growth of the campus and the drafting of LMU’s 20 year Master Plan.
In a somber and poignant demonstration last semester, approximately 30 students gathered in front of the Christmas tree at ASLMU’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 5. As the lights on the tree turned on, they raised their hands, fell to the ground and lay there for four and a half minutes to signify the four and a half hours that Michael Brown’s body was left on the ground. This “die-in” was one of many that took place across the nation in response to the deaths of Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York. Senior sociology major Maya Combs participated because she saw it as a brilliant way of “waking up the campus and reminding the community of the tragedy the Brown family continues to face this holiday season. It was bold and it was necessary.” According to Sofia Hernandez, a sophomore theology and Spanish double major who also participated in the die-in, the idea for the protest developed during the Umoja (unity) vigil that was held on campus on Dec. 4. Following the vigil some of those present discussed the recent die-in staged at Columbia University’s Christmas Tree Lighting. According to Hernandez, “Faculty present in those conversations chuckled and brushed off
the idea and it was then that we realized that if the die-in was going to happen, we would have to work on our own.” According to Hernandez, not only were students advised against planning the die-in but “some of us were completely scared and rattled out of participating. … Administration, faculty, alumni, donors and students were upset by it, asking us to not disrupt an event that focuses on making sure our students are coddled in their protective bubbles with free hot cocoa and fake snow.” However, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs Lane Bove said that no one in her office was officially informed about the die-in. She noted that the office did hear rumors that it was being planned and their concern was solely one of safety. According to Bove, “99 percent of the issues with protests have to do with safety – the safety of those who are protesting and those who are watching and may engage positively or negatively with the protest.” Specifically, Bove explained, “The issue with the die-in had nothing to do with content but with logistics because it took place during the Christmas Tree Lighting on the terrace, which is a small area, and we expected around 1,500 people, including small children.” Senior film and television production and theatre arts double major Samuel Lock, who identified himself as a “white ally,” supported the die-in by filming it and publishing it on his YouTube channel, SteamBunnyProd. He cited the possibility of negativity against protestors as the reason the die-in was not publicized. “The last thing we need is someone at this school to get hurt, injured or expelled for their beliefs. It’s See Die-in | Page 2