Los Angeles Loyolan January 29th 2020

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Sig Ep misconduct leads to member disaffiliation The majority of members have left the fraternity and started a new organization.

Grace McCauley Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

After the first two days of IFC recruitment, a majority of the chapter of the Cal Chi (Cal X) chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep) has decided to leave the fraternity, according to an email obtained by the Loyolan from Brian Sheerin, former Sig Ep president.

In a now-deleted Instagram post, members of the Sig Ep chapter announced that they would be starting a new organization called California Philanthropy (Cal Phi). Cal Phi will be made up of members who have decided to leave Sig Ep. Cal Phi will be holding their own recruitment events this semester, according to Sheerin. These events are unaffiliated with the InterFraternity Council (IFC) and the University.

Two former Sig Ep members used their access to an online recruitment system in order to gain "sensitive information" of potential new members that was for IFC use only, according to IFC officials.

“I believe we had 63 [members] at the start of the semester, and all but two left. That’s probably not the exact number, but all but two decided to step

away,” said Sheerin. Calvin Foss, the current Sig Ep president, says that this is not true and a meeting was held on Jan. 28 to discuss the members “who are not sure whether they want to stay affiliated or disaffiliate.”

This comes after Sig Ep had interim measures placed on their chapter, as previously reported by the Loyolan.

In spring 2019, they were found in violation of LMU's Community Standards Section III, Letter A/ Alcohol and Drug Policy and Hazing and the Student-on-Student Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy.

The measures in place were temporary

probation on social events, permanent cancellation of Men of Brotherhood days, an assessment of chapter culture, educational workshops and a reworking of internal policies, procedures and protocols. These measures are still in place.

Additionally, in fall 2019 Sig Ep was found in violation of Section III, Letter E/Failure to comply with University Officials and Section III, Letter A/ Student Leadership and Development Policies. The current sanctions in place are social probation through Dec. 31, 2020, disciplinary probation through May 14, 2021, off campus address registration

for members and meetings with Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) Staff. These sanctions are also still in place.

In fall 2019, a picture of a Sig Ep member holding alcohol was sent to University officials. This was a violation of the interim measures that were placed on the fraternity, according to Sheerin's email. This caused the probationary period.

The new organization, Cal Phi, will be considered a “philanthropic group” and utilize the connections former members of Sig Ep made with the Special Olympics group on campus, according to Sheerin.

See Sig Ep | Page 2

Migrant families reunited at LAX by lawyer alumna

Photos: Owen Markham | Loyolan

Fernando Arredondo, the client of LMU alumna Linda Dakin-Grimm, reunites with his daughters after being separated from his family in the deportation process. Following a landmark court decision, Arredondo was allowed to return to the U.S. from Guatemala after a judge found that he and eight other parents were wrongfully deported.

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Sig Ep will still participate in IFC recruitment SigEp from Page 1

After winter break, the members of Sig Ep were able to reflect on their future and a majority decided to “step away,” according to Sheerin.

“That kind of sparked a lot of emotion just because we had just gone through a year where we had kind of been told that we had a very toxic culture and that there were some things wrong with our chapter,” said Sheerin. “Although there was a time period where we had some disagreement with that statement, that turned into a realization that yeah, there’s stuff that we need to change, and we successfully did that.”

Sheerin said that the men of Sig Ep went through months of “reflection”and “programming.”

Andrea Niemi, the director of Student Leadership and Development, clarified what these educational programs looked like. “Sig Ep was placed on interim responsive measures required to complete a series of educational experiences focusing on chapter culture, behavioral standards and accountability.” “[The reflection and

programming] retaught and rethought a lot of our ideals and motives and how we interact with different people on this campus,” said Sheerin.

“We truly believe that we can better ourselves and continue that growth as a group that does not have these sanctions and can prove that we have that ability to show that change that we kind of went through,” he continued.

Sheerin said that Cal Phi is in communication with a fraternity at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) who had gone through a similar experience. The Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) chapter was dissolved at Cal Poly after they received sanctions placed upon their chapter.

Sheerin said that Cal Phi has been inspired by the PIKE chapter at California Polytechnic State University.

“So, being in communication with [the organization at Cal Poly] and seeing how they went through this process and how to do it successfully,” said Sheerin.

Other fraternities, including Sig Ep, are still currently in the InterFraternal Council (IFC) Recruitment week. Sheerin said

that the news about Cal Phi was a result of bad timing and that Sig Ep will still be recruiting this week.

“I have been encouraging every freshman or sophomore that isn’t in an organization at this time to continue pursuing those IFC organizations, but also if they so choose to look into this new opportunity, I’m all for it,” said Sheerin.

Sheerin said he did not know the details about how recruitment for Cal Phi would work. “Some conversations can happen on campus ... they most likely will have guys off campus. It is just a little bit easier to have a secluded space ... whether that will happen on campus or off campus its kind of to be seen.”

In another email from Sheerin to potential new members of Cal Phi, he encouraged them to come to an off-campus address for a recruitment event taking place last night, Jan. 28.

“I know there’s been emails and rumors stating to avoid this opportunity. What I can tell you is that I highly do not recommend that. The men in this group, California Philanthropy or Cal Phi as it’s

starting to get known as, are committed to an elite mentality that is consistent with the drive and eagerness we showed at the two open houses,” said Sheerin in the email.

Foss said that as a member who has decided to stay a part of Sig Ep, he hopes to mend the relationship with the University. “I wasn’t a part of meetings and didn’t receive direct information about the fraternity’s cases, because I wasn’t an officer. While there might have been challenges in the past, what I can tell you is that our fraternity does not condone any misconduct by members,” said Foss.

When asked if he believes that Sig Ep deserved to have the measures placed upon them, he said, “We are in a new paradigm of our fraternity right now and are focused on making sure Sig Ep becomes the best fraternity we can possibly be.”

Sheerin said, “Every fraternity on this campus has its great points and great guys in it, so all power to them if they want to go that route and they’re going to have a great time regardless, but I also see great potential in what we’re doing.”

“They do not have insurance through a national entity, support from IFC or the University, and are not permitted to receive all the benefits [Registered Student Organizations] and SFL organizations can receive, such as the right to recruit, book spaces, host events, and receive [Student Activity Fee Allocation Board ] funding,” according to the email.

IFC also warned of possible repercussions if other SFL organizations associate with Cal Phi. “Know that most national entities ... prohibit interactions between Greek-lettered organizations and unregistered groups. This means that your members can be held liable for interacting with this organization, both on and off campus, by your respective headquarters/executive offices,” according to the email.

Currently, the other fraternities on campus that have measures or sanctions placed upon them are Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta and Lamda Chi Alpha. A hearing for conduct code violations against Alpha Delta Gamma is pending.

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Student press shouldn’t be censored EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor News Intern News Intern Asst. Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Opinion Intern Opinion Intern Life+Arts Editor Asst. Life+Arts Editor Life+Arts Intern Life+Arts Intern Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Sports Intern Bluff Editor Bluff Intern Bluff Intern Copy Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Digital Editor Asst. Digital Editor Asst. Digital Editor Asst. Digital Editor Digital Intern Design Editor Asst. Design Editor Asst. Design Editor Asst. Design Editor Design Intern Cartoon Editor Cartoonist Cartoonist Cartoonist Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Photo Intern Photo Intern Video Coordinator Video News Producer Video Producer Video Producer Video Producer Video Intern Video Intern Video Intern Video Freelancer

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LOYOLAN EDITORIAL POLICY The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student-run campus organization, publishes a 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 offcampus 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 advertisers. Board Editorials are unsigned and reflect the opinions of the Executive Editorial Board. Guest editorials are by invitation of the Executive Editorial Board and reflect the views of the author.

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The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.

The freedom of student press is essential to holding our University accountable for its actions and the actions of its community members.

This Wednesday is Student Press Freedom Day, which according to the Student Press Law Center, is “a national day of action when we celebrate the contributions of student journalists and highlight the need to support their independence without censorship or threat to their advisers.” This year’s theme for Student Press Freedom Day is “This is What Student Press Freedom Looks Like”.

You might be wondering whether this day has any real significance, but the freedom of the press, especially student press, is important to the safety of our community and its ability to function in an ethical manner.

If the administration at this school could censor everything we said, there would be no effective change and student’s concerns might never be heard. Initiatives such as ASLMU distributing menstrual products was possible because students voiced their needs.

Jan. 29 was chosen to be Student Press Freedom Day because it is near to the anniversary of

the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier decision. In this 1988 case, the Supreme Court ruled that a high school could censor the student newspaper because it was funded by the school and the work was done in class to be edited by the school before publication. This decision set a precedent that if student press was funded by their school or university, it could be censored at any time in order to keep the right image and not cause any problems.

Any form of censorship is a violation of our First Amendment rights and should not be tolerated.

To celebrate this very right, the Loyolan will be featuring Monica Lewinsky as our speaker at this year’s First Amendment Week.

We at the Loyolan are privileged to be funded by the University while maintaining the ability to write whatever we choose.

We stand with all student journalists who have had their voice taken away by their administration.

We believe that the freedom to report on issues and express our opinions is one of our most essential rights and we stand with those fighting to uphold that standard.

“Any form of censorship is a violation of our First Amendment rights and should not be tolerated.”

Board Editorial Jacob Cornblatt Editor-in-Chief

Kayan Tara

Managing Editor

Shannon Tormey Managing Editor

Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan.

They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.

Curb your coronavirus fears Story Time with Alyssa Alyssa Story

Asst. Opinon Editor @LALoyolan

W

ith recent coverage of the rapidly spreading novel strain of coronavirus (CoV), it is easy to believe that the near future will contain a “Contagion”-like apocalyptic epidemic. The immense amount of coverage causes us to have a heightened awareness of the virus, but has also warped the actual reality of the situation. We, as informed citizens, must apply context to the current reports of this disease rather than engaging in panicked response to the constant, confusing stream of

information that is being released about this terrifying virus.

Just this Monday, the front pages of four of the five most circulated U.S. daily newspapers had articles about the spreading virus. This strain, originating from Wuhan, China, is a new version of the coronavirus — the virus that brought Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), two globally covered contagions, in the 21st century.

It is okay to be aware about change to the virus and to remain informed about the spread of coronavirus. But that information needs to come with facts about the situation, including where the cases are, the risk of contracting it and the actual severity of this strand of CoV. Tons of hypothetical information

is being pumped out of health organizations predicting worst-case scenarios, like 80,000 undetected cases of CoV, as reported by The Guardian.

While this information is important to help officials prepare for a possible response to an epidemic, it cannot be presented to the public without the necessary context.

Instead of just reporting headlines with phrases like “Fear Intensifies” or “Alarm Grows,” (as seen in The New York Times), news outlets should push information that describes the actual risk of the virus. Obviously, this CoV strand is a serious virus that has the potential to spread across the world if not actively addressed and contained.

See Virus | Page 4

OPINION

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Honoring Michael Peters: ‘My life was saved by an organ donor’ Michael Peters Los Angeles Loyolan @LALoyolan

Editor’s Note: On Jan. 26, 2017 Michael Peters, an LMU student and employee of the Loyolan, passed away due to health complications while waiting on two organ transplants. A screenwriting major, Michael was an important member of the LMU community, involved in the theatre department as an actor, at the Loyolan as a digital editor and known by many for his witty comments and sense of humor.

Michael was extremely passionate about organ donation, being a recipient himself of a heart transplant when he was only an infant.

As his family and friends mark three years since his death, we at the Loyolan wanted to share our former colleague’s story once again in hopes that it continues to inspire many to consider organ donation.

It can be as simple as signing up with the California Organ Donor Registry.

As Michael so eloquently said, “Why not make life out of the grief that you have been dealt?” He certainly lived his to the fullest.

A

pril [2015] marks the 12th year of National Donate Life Month. This 30-day occasion is sponsored by Donate Life America — one of the country’s leading organ and tissue donor awareness organizations. The goal of National Donate Life Month is to honor the heroes who make the choice to save countless lives every year while also calling attention to how many more lives could be saved.

As a recipient myself, this occasion is unquestionably important to me. When I was five weeks old, my parents were informed that I was suffering from cardiomyopathy — a disease that causes heart muscle to replace itself with tissue.

I needed a new heart. I can only imagine how exhausting the next seven months proved for my family, but eventually I received one.

I have never known the name of the person who saved my life after theirs ended, and I never will. However, I have carried their gift with me every day for nearly 20 years.

Without the choice they or their family made, I would certainly not be here today. I would never have attended LMU and I never would have written this column.

You may choose to label me as biased on this topic, and you would be correct, but I hope you will have the opportunity to learn more about what it means to donate from my experience. Recently, I wrote an article in the Loyolan detailing my own experience with polycystic kidney disease.

My current condition—which is unrelated to my previous cardiomyopathy— guarantees that I will need another organ in order to survive: a kidney.

Therefore, donation is a topic I hold very dear to me. According to Donate Life America’s website, approximately 21 people will die today as a result of not receiving an organ soon enough. In the time it takes for you to finish this article, another name will be added to the national waiting list. Too many people are suffering from a problem that could be addressed with simple education and a checked box on a driver’s license application.

The steps to register as a donor are absurdly simple: All anyone has to do is mark “yes” on their driver’s license application.

That means every single person of driving age in the entire country could enroll to give. It takes no effort at all, yet according to the American Transplant Foundation, “More than 123,000 people in the United States are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant.”

Death can be terrifying. Still, in terms of your own decision outside of religious beliefs, there is no reason for you to say no to donating organs. If you were to die under any circumstance, you would have no more use for your tissue. Despite what some people think, your doctor will never let you die just to “harvest” your organs.

Death is a reality and will continue to take place. But you can prevent it from happening to someone else. Why not make life out of the grief that you have been dealt?

You could even give the gift of life while you’re living. Kidneys can often be given using living donors as well as those who are deceased. Living donors give while still alive and will continue to

fully function even after the surgery. Many may be familiar with the fact that humans can survive with only one kidney. Other examples for this process include segments of lungs or intestines. Often, living donors could be individuals within the recipient’s own family. These transactions are equally as necessary as other forms of donation, and donors of all kinds deserve respect both during this month and throughout the entire year.

Additional aid can be offered simply through awareness. If you would like to help, do your part by making sure you are registered for donation and educating others on the issue. A single donor can end up contributing to multiple parties, so every “yes” now could result in the recovery of many more people. According to the New York Organ Donor Network, “One organ donor can save up to eight lives. The same donor can also save or improve the lives of up to 50 people by donating tissues and eyes.”

I owe a stranger everything I have because they chose “yes.” This month is more than just a time to ask for others to give and is certainly more than merely the celebration of the life I have been given. This month is the celebration of the life someone else lived, and what that someone else gave, in order for more people to celebrate the future Donate Life Months to come.

Originally published April 21, 2015.

This was the opinion of Michael Peters from Omaha, Nebraska. Tweet comments @LALoyolan or email editor@theloyolan.com.

Cartoon: Hanah Kim | Loyolan

For Peters, organ donation was personally significant. In 2019, 58% of American adults were registered organ donors, according to Donate Life America,

Don’t let yourself be misled by coronavirus Virus from Page 3

One of the main reasons for the swift and severe response of medical officials is the newness of the virus and its capability of humanto-human transmission it is. Wuhan stain of CoV is a very contagious virus, and it is spreading rapidly in China. However, with basic precautions, the spread can be quickly contained — especially due to the isolated nature of the confirmed cases.

As reported by the CDC, the risk factor for the general American population

contracting CoV is low. As of the morning of Jan. 27, there were 2,798 confirmed cases of CoV across the globe. 2,741 cases are in the country of China, and only five of those confirmed cases are in the United States. Furthermore, many of the most severe cases have been on people who were already dealing with a weakened immune system.

And 106 of deaths resulting from CoV happened in china where it was first detected.

We shouldn’t allow this virus to cause widespread panic in the U.S. There

are many more pressing issues both locally and globally than this new virus. Regardless, it is more likely you’ll contract a deadly case of the common flu than you are a mild case of the Wuhan coronavirus.

To read more articles by Story go to www.LALoyolan.com/opinion.

This is the opinion of Alyssa Story, a freshman film, television and media studies major from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tweet comments @ LALoyolan or email editor@ theloyolan.com.

editor’s pick Students celebrate Chinese New Year EDQ

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Photos: Owen Markham | Loyolan

Students enjoyed an evening of crafts at the Lunar New Year Celebration held on Jan. 24 in University Hall. Participants painted masks and umbrellas, wrote couplets about the importance of family and the new year and made Chinese paper decorations.

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Jesuit streaming service replaces HBO I like HBO. You like HBO. Well, too bad.

LMU doesn’t like it and wants to change it to something more Jesuit.

Connor Rose

Has Never Seen Two Popes

Cartoon: Ellen Na | Loyolan

Rather than uploading the film once, HB-Pope uploaded it 230 times. If you look closely, one is a director’s commentary.

No more gushing over “Game of Thrones.”

No more late nights binging “Barry.” No more pretending like you actually watched “Chernobyl.” The days of watching HBO are over for students after our school’s decision to cancel subscriptions to the streaming service.

In the wake of criticism, LMU has offered an alternative streaming service, one that falls more in line with its Jesuit teachings.

Introducing HB-Pope, a Jesuit streaming service created to exclusively stream Oscar-nominated “The Two Popes.” From drama to comedy, HB-

Pope offers it all, as long as you consider “all” a film about the grippingly inside voice-level interactions between Pope Benedict and Pope Francis.

“So I downloaded HBPope because I hadn’t seen the film yet,” said Jess Ewitt, a sophomore theology major. “After watching it, I browsed the whole site. Literally, that’s the only movie on there.”

It is noted that HB-Pope has an array of categories like “Continue watching…

‘The Two Popes,’” “You may also like… ‘The Two Popes,’” and “Criticallyacclaimed films about those two popes.”

“Yeah, I mean, the movie was pretty good,”

Ewitt continued. “But, like, there’s more Jesuit movies than ‘The Two Popes,’ you know? So I’m just confused why it’s only ‘The Two Popes.’”

“Say what you will about how many movies are on there,” said Mitch Jablinski, a representative from HB-Pope. “It’s all about quality over quantity, and we take quality very seriously.”

So seriously in fact that “The Two Popes” is the only film that passed the streaming service’s strict filtering process.

This filter is something HB-Pope likes to call “Holy Tomatoes,” a review system that uses Vatican Cardinals rather than

film critics to review the “holiness” of a film. If said film receives a rating of above 95% holy, then HB-Pope will add the film to “Certified Blessed” list.

As of today, the only film to pass the holiness filter is “The Two Popes.”

“I just miss HBO,” said Ewitt. “I miss having options. There are only so many times I can sit down after a hard day of classes and listen to Anthony Hopkins’ soft yet unsettling voice.”

When asked if she would rather have Apple TV than HB-Pope, Ewitt responded with “God no.

At least ‘The Two Popes’ is good.”

New York Times endorsement impacts PCH Cup Two will enter. Two are projected to win. The battle for Pacific Coast Highway is undecided.

Alex Hutton

Bets on Both Teams

On Jan. 19, the editorial board of The New York Times drew attention by endorsing two candidates, Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren, for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Fast forward a week and a half, and it’s clear that the Times’ non-stance stance has influenced other media outlets — an influence which has already had direct implications for LMU. In a break from tradition, ESPN’s editorial board is picking both LMU and Pepperdine to win the Feb. 1 men’s basketball showdown at Gersten Pavilion.

“These are two very evenly matched teams,” reads a notable passage from the article. “So, will LMU’s grinding defensive style win the day or will Pepperdine’s high-octane offense prevail? Yes.” The article spends lots of space discussing the best players from each team and their strengths and weaknesses, but never reaches a conclusion as to which school will emerge victorious.

“We thought it over for a long time, and ultimately we just couldn’t choose,” said ESPN Editorial Editor Andy Cisive. “Both teams have a lot of good things going for them. Also, we didn’t want anybody’s feelings to get hurt.”

The article has created confusion and commotion on both campuses, as well as inspired plenty of discussion among the Lions and Waves players and coaches.

“I really didn’t get it,” LMU head coach Mick Dunlop said. “I mean, they’ve been making predictions on the winners of games for years. That’s their job. It’s what they’re paid to do.

It doesn’t feel like it’s too much to ask of them to just make up their minds.”

At the same time, ESPN is insisting that readers are missing the bigger picture.

“What we really want is a team that can take down Gonzaga in the WCC Tournament,” Cisive said. “We think that team is LMU. Or Pepperdine.

Or maybe Saint Mary’s or BYU or someone like that. There’s really no way to know for sure.”

Interested in writing for the Bluff?

Email submissions to adaze@loyolan.com

By Sarah Cheung, cartoonist

Isn’t it Ironic

By Harrison Klein, cartoonist

GALLOWS

Cartoon: Jacob Johanson | Loyolan

Reporter Randy Randleman is confused due to ESPN’s prediction that Pepperdine and LMU will emerge victorious.

Check out more Loyolan cartoons online now!

Visit LALoyolan.com/cartoons

and catch up on your favorites!

The Bluff is a humorous and satirical section published in the Loyolan. All quotes attributed to real figures are completely fabricated; persons other-

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Enter the fantastical world of mythología Four senior studio arts independent studies majors open art gallery.

Sammi Su

M

Life+Arts Editor @sammi_susu

ythología ( μνθολογια), a student exhibition presented by four senior studio arts independent studies majors, Daví Cooper, Henry Cragg, Zoe Au and Cameron Strahn was held last week at the Thomas P. Kelly, Jr. Student Art Gallery and featured a collection of art inspired by mythology and fantasy.

Inspired by Guatemalan folklore, Daví Cooper created large textiles with a muted color scheme. Cooper’s favorite piece was the “Baile de Conquista.”

The colorful piece depicts a dance that explains a battle between the Spanish and the first Mayan king to reject Mayan

Photos: Sammi Su Loyolan

Friends attend the mythología exhibit to support their fellow peers in their creative endeavors (middle). Au’s digital illustration of a female champion is her centerpiece in the gallery (left), and Cragg’s “The Fifth Heaven” is his final piece in his collection (right).

religion and move toward Christianity. Cooper pointed out that the Mayan king has European facial features, but has dark eyes to show that he’s still Mayan. The piece acts as a symbol of the culture moving in a different direction.

Au’s gallery consists of

five digital illustrations titled “Pantheon.” Au began by designing the Champion, “a warrior devoted to a goddess … and then I started to develop ... a post-apocalyptic universe where she’s the chosen champion of her goddess and she goes on adventures to meet other champions and gods to rebuild and reform the Pantheon.” Her favorite piece, however, is “The Raven,” a man in traditional Chinese garments with a white outline of a dragon surrounding him.

According to Au, this piece allowed for her to revisit her cultural roots.

Cragg created five pen and ink illustrations. One of his favorite

pieces is “The Heavens,” the fifth and final piece of his collection. Most familiar with graphic, black and white printmaking and ink and pen drawing styles, Cragg strove to “instill certain emotions and feelings in the viewer by depicting uncomfortable and grotesque imagery.” Cragg noted that vulnerability and fear are two emotions that were commonly imbued into his artworks. However, Cragg encouraged the viewers to interpret the art as they will, and noted that every aspect is intentionally placed.

Using a black and white color scheme, Strahn created five drawings that were brought

to life with realistic shading and strong attention to detail.

Strahn’s art contains themes of fantasy and is inspired by the designs of warriors and undead characters from role-playing games and mythology. His favorite one was of a womansnake hybrid displaying a severed head and a curved sword. By each illustration, he added mini-stories that allowed viewers to take a look into the world of the characters.

The gallery may have been open for only one night, but it included a semester of hard work and brought viewers into a fantastical world of myth and imagination.

Chinese New Year at LMU Dumpling making brings students together as they learn about Chinese culture.

Michael Carandang Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

O

ver 1 billion people celebrate Chinese New Year and among them are LMU students. One of the first events to celebrate the Chinese New Year was a dumpling making workshop hosted at the International House on Thursday, Jan. 23. During the event students got to enjoy free food, learn about Chinese culture, relax and enjoy time with friends. This year’s Lunar New Year celebration involved LMU Athletics, Asian Pacific Student Services (APSS), the Office for International Students and Scholars, several Asian Pacific Islander organizations and the Residence Hall Association working together to host an array of activities for students to enjoy.

Michael Yang is a junior psychology major who helped prepare the food for

Photo: Michael Carandang | Loyolan

Friends gather to make dumplings. APSS groups offer an opportunity for students to learn about Chinese culture.

the event. He talked about how many of these APSS events are fun and “[provide] a great opportunity to learn [about] Chinese culture.” While discussing what he enjoys most about these events, he stated, “most people have not had the experience to make dumplings before.” He also enthusiastically added that dumplings are one of his favorite Chinese foods.

One of the new dumpling makers, sophomore history major Matthew Ruggles emphasized that although dumplings look very simple, making dumplings is harder than you think.

Ruggles briefly explained the process of dumpling-making. He noted that the pastry dough-like dumpling wrappers had a firm texture. However, when damp, the circular wrapper becomes soft and malleable. When the edges are wet, you place the filling in the center of the wrapper. Then, the sides are folded in to seal the dumpling.

Sophomore accounting and marketing double major Ashley Thi helped with cooking the dumplings. Discussing a trick for making dumplings, Thi said that “making sure the dumpling is sealed all the way around so it doesn’t burst” is the key to making a good dumplingso that the dumpling cooks properly inside the wrapper. Thi continued to explain that the significance of dumplings in Chinese culture is that dumplings allow families to spend time together and celebrate with good food.

Thi also said she enjoyed how these events encourage people to come together and explore international cultures and traditions.

Laurel Mooney, a senior psychology major, said events like these are “always a good reset button, and a way to relax and get away from the busyness of being a college student.”

All in all, the event was quite relaxed with plenty of tasty dumplings and Chinese food to go around.

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A conversation with Laband's new artist Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero's exhibition "Caravan" comes to the gallery.

Francesca Bermudez

C

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LALoyolan

elebrated Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero opened her exhibition entitled "Caravan" at the Laband Art Gallery on Saturday. She has collaborated with two of LMU’s School of Film and Television faculty members, José García-Moreno and David Garden, to present this installation with a focus on migration. I had the chance to sit down with her the day before the opening of "Caravan" to ask about her journey as an artist.

Francesca Bermudez (F.B.): How did you become involved with LMU? Betsabeé Romero (B.R.): California [is] the first state where I began my work on [migration and borders] more than 20 years ago. I’ve been in contact with José García, [who I first met at] university in Mexico.

F.B.: Have you always known that you wanted to be an artist?

B.R.: I wanted to study philosophy, but since my childhood, I was close to art. I learned [about issues important to me through] hearing music or reading a novel or watching or painting. Little by little, after being in the university studying communications … I wanted to produce things [so] I studied art afterward.

F.B.: Do you have any favorite artists or people who have influenced your artwork?

B.R.: I’ve had many in many periods of my life. Any time I’m sad or any time I want to think on any problem, I look at my art books and, of course, I have my

Photos: Annie Kapila | Loyolan

Visitors look at Romero's pieces in the Laband gallery. "Caravan" features a collaboration with José García-Moreno and David Garden and will be on display until March 28.

very close friends. In Mexico, I have my preferred artists … of course I admire Frida Kahlo.

F.B.: How have your experiences influenced your work?

B.R.: I’m happy about getting in contact with students [and being part of] communities. When I feel that the young public is close to my work and maybe get some knowledge …

I’m [inspired by] this communication between generations.

F.B.: What is your creative process typically like?

B.R.: I’m very systematic with discipline. I think that the artist has to be in contact [with] reality. You have to read a lot, you have to see a lot of films, you have to read newspapers … to keep the curiosity that you have when you are a child and continue asking questions.

[You must] work a lot in your archives — your own archives of images. It becomes a methodology of reading and writing about reality.

F.B.: Can you tell me more about the different materials you incorporate into your art?

B.R.: I want to recycle not only trash, and not only in a material way, but in a metaphorical way. So I recycled the tires [in the exhibit] because I think we have to recycle our idea of mobility in this moment and we need to think about how vehicles must be used in metaphorical ways. I work in collaboration with the great masters of [Mexican] handcraft.

F.B.: Is there anything you hope people take away after visiting the exhibit?

B.R.: I always want to dignify the value of Mexican culture — how it is rich and powerful, not only because the colors and the handcraft, but because we have a history of art [which is] very long, very deep and very interesting.

Murphy Recital Hall holds annual music concert for kids 21st Annual Concerts of Music for Children is a hit with children and families.

Michael Carandang Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

T

his past Sunday, the LMU Sinatra Opera Workshop teamed up with the L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC) to perform at LMU’s 21st Annual Concerts of Music for Children. Throughout the performance, children were giggling at the songs and antics exhibited by the performers.

At intermission, the Obillo family, consisting of Dennis Obillo ('02), his wife Lisa Obillo and their two children, Kathleen and Declan, talked about their favorite moments of the concert. Kathleen, an aspiring violinist, said she enjoyed Ken Aiso's violin performance. Declan said he liked pianist Valeria Morgovskaya. However, they both enjoyed the jolly dance and musical performance “Three’s a Crowd," which is about two parents trying to keep up with their three babies.

Lisa commented that the “music department is doing a great job. The first section

was just the right length for their [children’s] attention span.” Dennis thought the music department did a good job keeping the atmosphere relaxed. Dennis wished that they knew about the concert sooner because they loved it.

The concert attracted people of all ages and all nationalities.

Two attendees even came from as far as Changshan, China.

Shandong Zhou, who goes by Alan, is a visiting graduate international student. He listened to the concert with his son Bobby. When Bobby was asked if he enjoyed the music, he answered with a resounding “No, I don’t like music.” However, he still “liked the concert because it was really fun.”

Megan Masson, a senior music major, talked about her experience at the concert.

“This is my favorite concert to perform every year. I don’t feel nervous, because everybody is just there to have a good time."

According to Masson, the children's music pieces were difficult because they needed careful cooperation between the singer and the guitarist.

Masson also said she felt many people are more appreciative of the children’s concert,

because “it’s really difficult to get live music for free, especially classical music.

It's really cool that the opera workshop will fund something like this for the community.”

After the show, Ashley Newby and her daughter, Lillianna Newby, talked about

their favorite performance, "The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant." Lillianna, an aspiring violinist, said she loved the performance, because they acted out the story with the music.

The event was about an hour and a half long with a

total of two performances at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

It was free and open to the Los Angeles community.

Both shows that afternoon were packed with plenty of energetic children who enjoyed the performance.

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Kozlowski prepares for swimming swan song The senior works hard to achieve her success despite being undersized.

Alex Hutton

Asst. Sports Editor @LALoyolan

LMU senior Lanna Kozlowski is aware that she doesn’t look like a Division I swimmer.

“There’s swimmers who are really naturally talented. You know, they’re 6 feet tall and really lanky,” she said. “I was always that one who was 5-foot5 working really, really hard.”

However, what she lacks in size, she makes up for in experience. She has been swimming competitively since the age of 5 and has always been drawn to the pool.

“My parents kind of threw me into it and it just kind of stuck immediately,” she said. “My dad is always like, ‘We couldn’t keep you away from the water.

You always wanted to be in the water.’ So it just came naturally.”

Her desire to swim drove her experiences in the pool, from her time on the elite DART Swimming club team in her hometown of Davis to her role as co-captain on the Davis Senior High School swim team, which consisted of more than 100 swimmers during her senior year.

For Kozlowski, swimming isn’t just about her own success and the success of the teams she

swims for. It’s about helping others, and she has done so as a volunteer with a Special Olympics program that helps kids with intellectual disabilities learn how to swim and be more comfortable in the water.

“Even the little things were huge for them. [For] some of them, even putting their toe in the water was huge,” she said.

“I think that it really made me appreciate swimming itself and just being able to do these things and then being able to help others. It was really cool and rewarding.”

In spite of all of her swimming experience, by the time her senior year of high school rolled around, Kozlowski wasn’t sure that she was good enough to continue her career at a collegiate level.

“Coming from an elite club team, a lot of my teammates were going to places like Cal and Texas and big top-10 programs,” she said. “So I figured [I’d] just go to school [and] maybe swim recreationally.”

Her coaches and parents had other plans for her and convinced her that she had the talent to keep going. Kozlowski began to explore Division I swimming programs, with a particular focus on Southern California. Prior to this, she had never heard of LMU and didn’t know anyone who attended, but the more she learned, the more she fell in love with the school.

Throughout her time with the Lions, Kozlowski found consistent individual success.

The Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference (PCSC) has named her swimmer of the week four times and she also made allconference teams on multiple occasions. Fittingly, she saved one of her best performances for last.

The WCC Cup is a two-day meet between LMU, Pepperdine and the University of San Diego. It was hosted at Burns Aquatics Center this year, making it the final home event of Kozlowski’s career. With her parents watching in the stands, she delivered, winning both the 1650-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle races. The 1650 victory came in particularly dominant fashion as Kozlowski finished more than 26 seconds ahead of the secondplace finisher.

“It was just a really, really fun day. And I think that that always helps,” she said. “When you’re having fun, it makes it a lot easier. That’s not common for every swim meet. So I think when you’re stress-free, you’re in a good mood. Things come more naturally.”

When talking about the success of her career more generally, Kozlowski made a point to praise assistant coach Kelsey Cummings, a former distance swimmer with whom Kozlowski has worked closely.

Graphic: Alena Copeland | Loyolan

Lanna Kozlowski has swum for LMU for four years. In the WCC Cup, the final home meet of her career, she posted outstanding results.

“I have a really great assistant coach,” Kozlowski said. “I think just having people that know what you need and know how to communicate with you, know how to work with you, is really important.”

Kozlowski is now less than three weeks away from her last swim in crimson and blue. She

has been able to take a little bit of time to reflect on her journey — and she keeps coming back to the work she put in to compensate for her size.

“I think it’s a really hard thing to learn,” she said. “But I think it’s also really rewarding because I feel like I learned a lot more by having it not come so naturally to me.”

SCORES UPDATE W. Water Polo W. Tennis M. Basketball W. Basketball

W W W. L A L O Y O L A N . C O M

16-3 W

vs. Chapman

4-0 L

at UCLA

73-62 L

vs. Saint Mary's 78-52 L at Gonzaga

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