W W W. L A LO Y O L A N . C O M
Los Angeles LOYOLAN The
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E. OM . H ICE UR YO R VO S. W U YO R NE U YO
V O LU M E 9 7 ISSUE 21 ON NI PI
Flooding on campus due to heavy rainfall calls for green solutions. Page 7
EST. 1921
F E B R U A R Y 2 7, 2 0 1 9
Buster brightens campus
Westboro Baptist church pickets LMU The church was greeted by a large student counter-protest outside the back entrance. Austin Woods
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
Gloria Del Mar | Loyolan
Eight-month-old Buster weighs in at 61 pounds, a significant leap from his 16 pound weigh-in when he first arrived on campus this fall. that Buster has brought joy to the campus since welcomed therapy dogs on campus to help He spends his days greeting his arrival last semester. students alleviate the stress of college life. students at SPS while training Fr. Siebert said he is amazed by how many According to Fr. Siebert, the inspiration students tell him that their day was made better behind bringing a therapy dog to LMU came to be a certified therapy dog. after they saw Buster on one of his walks. “[I from a conversation with Director of Student think] it helps relieve stress and brings a certain Psychological Services (SPS) Dr. Kristen Molly Box spirit of liveliness to campus,” Fr. Siebert said. Linden. “They’ve been wanting to do this for Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan LMU is not the only university where dogs years,” said Siebert. “It wasn’t until I moved have been welcomed to campus as more than here and we talked about how another Jesuit at Buster, now eight months old, is continuing just mascots. According to HuffPost, University Loyola Chicago was doing this, and they asked his training to become a certified therapy dog. of South Carolina, University of Southern if I would be interested.” His caretaker, Father Edward Siebert, believes California and Georgetown University have See Buster | Page 3
Rats leave students 'paranoid'
Two students filed a compliant about rats in Rosecrans, leading to traps and a floor inspection. Sofia Hathorn
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
A rat problem has been affecting the freshman residence hall Rosecrans. Multiple reports have come from third-floor
residents about hearing chewing and seeing shavings and droppings since the beginning of the semester. Roommates Haley Harbuck and Virginia Connolly had to move out of their dorm because of the rats. “On Thursday Feb. 14, I heard this really weird distinct chewing noise coming from under Haley’s bed. I woke up and turned my lights on and played loud music to try to scare it off but it wouldn’t go away, and it
Gülen Çelick | Loyolan
Rosecrans Hall, pictured above, was the site of a recent rat infestation in two students' dorms.
really started to freak me out,” said Connolly, an undeclared freshman. This was not the first instance of rats in the dorms of Rosecrans. Earlier in the semester, their hall mates had clothing in their room bothered by rats. "I knew [Rosecrans] had rats because there was a girl down the hall [whose] underwear and bathing suits were taken into the vent and chewed on. I didn’t think it would hit our room," said Harbuck. After hearing the rats and seeing gnaw marks, Connolly went to her Resident Advisor who took the issue to Student Housing Office (SHO). Rat traps were then put in Connolly and Harbuck’s room. Connolly and Harbuck chose to move to Sullivan Hall for 72-hour temporary housing, rather than staying in Rosecrans. The whole floor was then inspected and more traps were set up. The hall was vacuumed floor by floor. Any holes which rats could use as entry points were also sealed, according to Connolly. “SHO has been working with [Facilities Management] to put a preventative pest control plan in place," said Steven Nygaard, director of student housing. "SHO is also working with Housing staff to educate our students on the importance of maintaining a clean space that will help deter pests from entering the building." Though reports were made initially in January, these preventative actions weren’t taken until after Connolly and Harbuck made complaints in February. The only complaints about this issue have come from Rosecrans. See Rats | Page 3
The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) staged a picket outside the back entrance of LMU on the morning of Monday, Feb. 25. The WBC is a church based in Topeka, KS and is infamous for its public criticism of the LGBTQ+ community, Catholics, Muslims, Jews, U.S. soldiers and other groups they deem sinful. The church traveled to California with the main goal of protesting the Oscars. Big events like that are considered “anchor events,” as the WBC also protests at local colleges and high schools while in a given area. “This university really isn’t any different than any other university in this nation,” Timothy Phelps, a member of the WBC, said. “The youth of this generation has been taught since they were infants that the laws of God almighty are at best negotiable and more likely nonexistent, and that God himself doesn’t exist. So each successive generation becomes more and more perverse.” Prior to their protest at LMU, the WBC posted a digital flyer online to advertise the event. The flyer was laced with antiCatholic rhetoric and imagery mocking homosexuality. Following this, the University sent out a community advisory in the student edition of LMU This Week. The advisory warned of the WBC’s tactics, describing them as having the intent to “generate attention by inciting reactions and counter-protesters to advance their cause.” This caution toward holding a counterprotest was echoed by Dr. Lane Bove, the vice president of Student Affairs. Bove said that she firmly believes in the first amendment and supports the right to civilly protest against a group such as the WBC. However, she described holding a counter-protest as unwise given the nature of the WBC. See Westboro | Page 2
Gloria Del Mar | Loyolan
A student "stands for peace" against picketers.
laloyolan.com Page 2
NEWS
Students Westboro
outnumber protestors
Gloria Del Mar| Loyolan
Jonathan Procopio (right), a freshman english major, holds up a sign he made to oppose the protest held by the WBC. Westboro from Page 1
“[A counter-protest is] exactly what a group like the WBC wants,” she said. “They’re trying to cause a public outcry so that they get attention. Is it wise [to protest]? I would say no, because it gives a negative group positive reinforcement.” Despite her belief that a counter-protest was not a viable course of action for students to take in the face of the WBC, Dr. Bove emphasized that the administration’s number one priority is to protect students rather than suppress their free speech. “Our goal is to protect students and make sure the environment is as safe as can be,” she said. “Our goal is never to not allow civil expression of protest.” Despite the potential for bringing unwanted attention to the church, Jonathan Procopio, a freshman English major, decided to form a counter-protest that was held directly across from the WBC’s own protest. Procopio said that his intent was instead to divert any attention away from the WBC and toward his own message. “As soon as I saw the advisory, I wanted to do something,” Procopio said. Subsequently, Procopio posted a message on the Class of 2022 Facebook group and let its members know that he wanted to have a counter-protest, with the hope that interested people would decide to spread the word and attend. “We [wanted] to distract people from the WBC, so we [brought] speakers and [played] happy music,” he said. “I understand that viewpoint, but I think it only brings unwanted attention if you allow it to.” Phelps said that he was saddened upon seeing the LMU students’ counter-protest. “Evidently [the counterprotesters] decided they’re going to promote sin,” he said. “They repackage it. They talk it up like it’s something special, and that
sin is a beautiful thing called love. If you think something is good and you’re proud of it, you’ll never stop doing it. It’s sad.” At the protest, Phelps held up a sign with bold letters asking, “Why did God destroy Sodom?” Phelps said that the city of Sodom– described in the Bible as being replete with sin and decadence only to eventually be destroyed by God– is not dissimilar to Los Angeles. “If you’re going to be a proud, impudent sinner that demands God the almighty respect what you want to do, then there’s an answer for it,” he said. “A destructive answer.” Phelps said that the problems he and his church see with LMU, namely the University’s Jesuit faith and devotion to cultural diversity, are symptomatic of issues plaguing the rest of the world. According to Phelps, he and the other members of the WBC view themselves as messengers sent to warn people about America’s moral decay and believe that their agenda is firmly rooted in the Bible. “We don’t get to change the message. How people respond to it is irrelevant to us. If you reject it and say we’re lunatics, okay. It doesn’t change our duty. We’re supposed to warn,” he said. Procopio said that, overall, the fact that the WBC exists and traveled all the way to California to protest is bewildering to him and indicative of a much deeper issue. “There is a reason why LGBTQ+ people are still fighting and are still letting their voices be heard,” he said. “There [are] still massive traces of homophobia and hatred in America. It seems like the WBC is willing to do anything to get their hate spread.” Procopio said that by staging a counter-protest he wished to bring attention to these deeper issues and expose them to his fellow LMU students. “I’ve never been afraid to stand up for what’s right and that’s what I’m doing,” Procopio said.
NEWS
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Buster goes to work at SPS Buster from Page 1
BURNING QUESTIONS
This week, News Editor Isabella Murillo sat down with Jacob Cornblatt, a sophomore film and media studies major and the new editorin-chief of the Los Angeles Loyolan.
What made you want to apply to be editor-in-chief?
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I think I have ideas about how to move the paper forward and ideas about where it’s lacking. We have a lot of upperclassmen leaving, so there was a big dent in the executive board for next year. So I just figured I could take the hammer and do it.
When and why did you first get into journalism?
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I did journalism in high school. I worked for my high school paper, The Prowler, and I did it because I really love writing. I never was particularly interested in journalism until I joined. I just wanted an outlet to write and publish, and then I fell in love with journalism itself.
What’s one big project you accomplish as editor-in-chief ?
want
to
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I want the website to be as accessible and easy to read as possible. I want to make sure the paper is guiding people to the website, because we post almost twice as much content there. So as important as the paper is, I want to make sure that people are checking the website constantly when something happens. When students are curious about something, I want checking the website to be people’s first response.
What is something most people don’t know about the Loyolan?
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I would say how many people work here. There are so many people. Not every person who works here is writing, and not every person who writes is in every paper. People forget that the Loyolan is only 16 pages, which displays probably half of the people who actually work here.
What’s the value in media and journalism?
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I know it’s said over and over again now, but we’re living in a time where media is being questioned. Authenticity is being questioned, and that conversely puts media in a more important position than ever before. Media needs to defend its right to publish, its relevancy and its factualness. It needs to not stand down in the face of threat.
What is one thing you want to accomplish outside of work?
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It’s very personal, but I really want to focus on just enjoying the beauty of California. I want to remind myself to smell the air and look around and just really enjoy it. We’re just in such a beautiful area, and I feel like I always take it for granted.
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What’s your best memory at the Loyolan? My best memory at the Loyolan is chair racing. Every once in a while on Monday nights, we’d line up the chairs and run from one side of the office into the chair and see how far we could get. It’s pretty exciting.
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What’s your favorite TV show or movie?
Hard question to ask a film major. I’ll pick this one because few have seen it and I think many should. It’s got a couple translations because it’s Korean, but the title it’s most often called is “The Day He Arrives.” It’s a really great, funny Korean drama that deserves more attention than it gets.
Want to read even more questions with Cornblatt? Check them out at laloyolan.com.
Dr. Michael Doyle, a staff psychologist at SPS, said that he personally has noticed a change around the office since Buster arrived. “Students in the waiting room smile more, they are getting out of their phones more and they are interacting with other students more,” said Doyle. “Staff [members] who enjoy dogs, like me, are coming out of our offices to play with Buster, which makes us feel better and breaks down some of the professional barriers between staff and students. It’s hard to appear stuffy and professional when you’re kneeling in front of a dog who is licking your face.” When Buster first arrived at LMU, he was 16 pounds and 16 weeks old. Today, at eight months old, he weighs 61 pounds. Fr. Siebert says weight and size aren’t the only ways he’s seen Buster grow. Buster has become more stubborn and curious, as he has started testing his limits in terms of what he can get away with. In addition to this, he has become more picky about what he eats. At Buster’s current stage in his training, he knows the commands “sit,” “stay,” “come” and “high five.” Fr. Siebert says that, ultimately, they would like to teach him to roll over and to pray. “He’s a bright dog,” said Fr. Siebert. “He absorbs things.” According to Fr. Siebert, Buster is currently learning two different types of walks. One walk is for his own benefit, and the other is for the benefit of the student walking him. The latter is meant to ensure a relaxing experience for the walker, as Buster is trained to stop whenever the walker stops. If students want to visit Buster, he spends the day at the SPS office and greets students at the door. Students are also invited to sign Buster out
for a walk and take him around campus themselves. They can also interact with Buster online on his Instagram account, @busterlmu, which has 1,439 followers. According to Dr. Doyle, there is a certain science behind why therapy dogs are so useful. Dr. Doyle says that dogs and humans release a “bonding hormone” when they interact. The hormone, oxytocin, is proven to reduce anxiety. “In more human terms, the[dogs] love us and need us, and reciprocating their love makes us feel good,” Doyle said. “It’s hard not to smile at a dog who is completely innocent and only wants to play, love and be loved.” Want to read more stories? Visit us online at LALoyolan.com
Gloria Del Mar | Loyolan
Buster is learning two different types of walks to better interact with students.
Rat infestation affects freshman Rats from Page 1
“I think [SHO] on my end has been doing everything for me that they can, which I appreciate. But I heard that, in the beginning of the year, [other people with this issue] didn’t get the same rapid response that we did,” said Connolly. Harbuck agrees with Connolly that SHO was cooperative in working with them, but she still believes that there is a greater issue at hand. “It’s kind of ridiculous that we have to pay this much and this is what we get,” said Harbuck. “It’s ridiculous to have rats in our rooms.”
Harbuck added that this might be a concern for incoming freshman this fall. “If I was an incoming student and I knew that there [were] rats in those buildings, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere near those buildings or live there,” she said. “It would change, somewhat, my opinion of LMU.” Even Rosecrans residents who have not had rats directly in their rooms have felt the implications. “If I hear a sound, I kind of get a little bit paranoid that there could be a rat,” said Harrison Detroy, a freshman biology major. Detroy believes that SHO’s
lack of communication is causing “more gossip.” He said, “I think they need to communicate a little bit more with us so that we’re not so paranoid.” Harbuck decided to not move back into Rosecrans, and now lives in Desmond Hall. Connolly moved back and now occupies the room alone. “Now it’s much better, but I’m still paranoid. I sometimes still keep a light on under my bed when I go to sleep,” Connolly said. Want to read more stories? Visit us online at LALoyolan.com
NEWS
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Business school hosts pitch competition The College of Business Administration offered funding to ideas. Sofia Acosta News Intern @LALoyolan
The annual New Idea Pitch Competition, held by the College of Business Administration, allowed students to present their new entrepreneurial ideas in front of judges and a live audience. Students pitched ideas that varied from ski resort photobooth partnerships to a book review website for students. They covered a broad scope of topics as each student enthusiastically presented their ideas. The event was hosted on Feb. 21 in Hilton 300 and was sponsored by the Donald and Joyce Nores Entrepreneurial Endowment Fund. Students had 90 seconds to present their new idea to a panel of judges for the chance to win cash prizes to fund their startups. The event allowed students to test their business skills, using the best of the short time to stand out from the other contestants. “The idea [for a] pitch
competition is a wonderful opportunity to share with others the great ideas that our students are working on,” said David Y. Choi, professor of entrepreneurship and director of the Fred Kiesner Center for entrepreneurship. “I believe it also encourages our students to
think about problems, utilize their creativity to come up with solutions and take initiative to make a difference in others’ lives and their own careers.” In the application, each contestant had to submit a onepage explanation of their pitch idea. The selection process
narrowed down the group from approximately 35 applicants to 12 finalists. Contestants could submit an idea inspired by a company’s pre-existing project or create and submit an original project. “I am especially proud of our students [who are] committed to
Gülen Çelik | Loyolan
Twelve finalists submitted pitch ideas to be selected for consideration. Above, finalists pose at the event.
solving problems affecting our environment and marginalized populations,” said Choi. One contestant, junior finance major Adam Rodriguez, presented his startup, Tasl. He is developing software that serves to improve academic success by engaging students in the classroom through an app and a web-based platform. The competition is meant to teach students how to present their ideas eloquently and persuasively with judges providing live feedback on presentation form and statistical analysis. “The competition was really good for those who wanted validation for their ideas and a small taste of how entrepreneurs pitch their companies under audience and time pressure,” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez was able to work with Choi to develop his idea and make new connections. The competition functioned as an opportunity to present the redesigned app and showcase its newest features. The event is open annually to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors.
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Sit-in with Social Justice: former Social Justice Editor Karis Addo-Quaye ('18) talks about self-maintenance Past and present Social Justice Editors reconvene for a sit-in. Robyn De Leon
Social Justice Editor @LALoyolan
Karis Addo-Quaye ('18) was a psychology major, former Social Justice editor and played a major role in launching and establishing the social justice section at the Loyolan (alongside senior communications studies major and Editor-in-Chief Kellie Chudzinski). The current Social Justice editor interviewed Addo-Quaye to share the wisdoms of a recent socially conscious alumna. Robyn De Leon (RD): As a recent graduate, how has your major helped you out in the "real-world"? Karis Addo-Quaye (KQ): It gave me [the tools] to understand the things I already saw. The cool thing about psychology is that it can be intertwined with other subjects. It's about the mind and learning about how people think together and what leads people to think the way they do. It helps me have the words and names for the dynamics I see happening between myself and others.
RD: What has your experience at LMU taught you? KQ: Every time you learn something new it’ll challenge your previous knowledge. I need the hope that things will be different, get better [and] keep going; otherwise, if I look at all the times [that] things have disappointed me or failed me, I will [become] immobilized. RD: You mentioned having hope — what does that mean exactly? KQ: With all that hope, I can't ignore the wisdom that’s come with disillusionment. I have to go deeper into the systemic issues that create different realities I'm dissatisfied with. Sometimes it’s just the pattern of seeing that I romanticize things and things are misleading and [that romanticization] might happen no matter what. RD: Any advice on maintaining hope and accepting wisdom? KQ: [I learned] to be compassionate with others, but also with myself. Compassion doesn’t mean being a doormat or turning the other cheek; it means seeing other people as they are. Self-love ties in with compassion. It humanizes everyone. RD: How does one practice self-love? Twitter tells me self-care is doing face masks and bath bombs. KQ: I categorize things like
face masks, nails, things that are luxurious and external as selfmaintenance. That is a facet of self-care. I can’t ignore those things because those things are indulgent, but those things aren’t [the] only [part of] selfcare. Self-care is always [aimed] toward truth and improvement; sometimes it means you catch yourself living an unhealthy life and [so you] find ways to live a healthy life. Sometimes selfcare is finding the humor in things. Self-care is always rooted in truth—whatever your truth might be—and in growth. It’s an essential truth I’m referring to. Be both reflective in isolation and in community, but present in community so you’re not caught up in your past and you’re not so present that you forget to be aware of what’s happening. Truth is in the future so you have to be able to balance. RD: Any left-over chickennuggets of wisdom you can share with us back at LMU? KQ: These three things: patience, self-interrogation and humor. Also, come to peace [with the fact] that you will not always be at peace, so once you get there you can start doing the work you need to be doing. This version of the article has been edited for length. To read the rest, visit laloyolan.com.
via Karis Addo-Quaye
Karis Addo-Quaye, class of '18, was the former Social Justice editor.
OPINION
laloyolan.com Page 6
The new staff will work to be your voice
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.
Hiring at the Los Angeles Loyolan is over, and as of this week, we are the paper’s new executive board. As we begin our tenure, we are evaluating what exactly the Loyolan is and should be. The Loyolan has been the voice of our student body for nearly 100 years. Even as our new staff takes over this week, we aspire to maintain this voice with accuracy, relevancy and responsibility. LMU prides itself on being a place that educates the whole person and pushes students to encounter new perspectives. We know this. We hear these sayings constantly; they become meaningless. As the new executive board of the Loyolan, we aim to reinvigorate these propositions through the paper. We want to lead by example and aid in the growth of each person and the student body as a whole. The Loyolan works to educate through coverage of all aspects of campus life, from the political to the social. On one page, students can engage with real world problems that affect the society we live in, and on the next, they can discover discover something new about one of their peers. We want students to be informed, inspired and intrigued by the many sections of our paper. By reading the Loyolan, students should be engaged as a whole person and grow with one another. Encountering new perspectives is challenging when there is such strong disagreement between opposing sides. As shown by recent events, such as the controversy surrounding Ben Shapiro’s visit to campus, students are uncomfortable accepting the voices of those who do not agree with them. This is not an insult — it is merely
something that we, as students, must confront. The truth is that LMU students are not the same, nor should they be. Differing viewpoints create discourse, and discourse is important for developing one’s ideas. As a representative of the student body, the Loyolan should not contain just one point of view. This is something that we are working on as we grow. We strive to represent more of the LMU community, whether that’s through representing diverse organizations, multiple sides of the political aisle or groups of students who feel their voices are not being heard. The Loyolan will capture the voices of LMU students in any and every way we can. There will be content in the Loyolan that you disagree with. Our news section will always remain objective, but, in other sections, the views of writers come through. We hold and will continue to hold every article to an equal, undeniable standard. This means that all claims are fact-checked and all arguments are logical. Arguments—particularly those in our Opinion section—serve as the foundation for discussion. If you disagree with an article, use it as a chance to start a conversation. Do not disregard it — grapple with it. Remember that this paper is as much yours as it is ours. If you see something improperly or under-represented, engage with us. Write a letter to the editor. Comment on social media. Email the writer. If we are failing to be the voice of LMU’s student body, help us improve.
“Remember that this paper is as much yours as it is ours.”
LMU’s infrastructure needs sustainable improvements for future rain, floods Speck and Spielmann Cristobal Spielmann Opinion Intern
L
MU has been suffering from heavy downpours since December, flooding sidewalks and pavilions to the point of needing to bring out sandbags along the Bluff to prevent runoff. This could be due to the impact of climate change, catalyzing rare events into the norm. With the increasing prevalence of extreme rainfall and flooding, the LMU community must be proactive in adapting campus infrastructure for future generations of students and faculty. You don’t have to walk too far to see how much rain has fallen on campus as of late. Outside of the massive water settlements along pathways on Alumni Mall and miniature rivers flowing down the Bluff, the rest of L.A. has seen its fair share of unusual rainfall. According to the L.A. Times, “Downtown Los Angeles … has seen 15.5 inches of rain water this year, which began Oct. 1, surpassing the average for the entire year of 14.93 inches. This represents the region getting 173 percent of average precipitation for this time of year.” These records also coincide with the lack of updated infrastructure to handle the new norm of intense rainfall, as detailed recently by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in examining the Whittier Narrows Dam along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo rivers. In the event of an increasingly likely megastorm dubbed the “ARkStorm,” heavy rains would overflow and erode the structure of the dam, threatening to force 1.5 million people out of their homes, costing $725
billion in damages and leaving cities under 20 feet of floodwater. “The weather we are experiencing is a result of climate change,” said senior environmental science major Giovanni Di Franco. “To clarify, I use climate change specifically rather than the term global warming because, while there is an overall increase of surface temperature,
media and politicians many times use the phrase ‘global warming’ to shut down and ‘disprove’ climate scientists since areas of the world are experiencing recordbreaking cold snaps.”
See Flood infrastructure | Page 8
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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. All advertisements are subject to the current rates and policies in the most recent Advertising Rates and Information materials.
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The Life Science Building utilizes empty space to plant rain gardens and prevent flooding.
The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.
OPINION
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Mainstream media is “the enemy of the people” Fill in The Space Phillip Nieto
Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan
O
n Feb. 20, celebrity Jussie Smollett was charged with a felony of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, according to CNBC. Soon afterwards the media, such as CNN, began publicly pondering how such an untrue story was able to attract the sympathy and attention of so many people. For that answer, the mainstream media need only look in the mirror to find the real guilty party—them—the enemy of the people. Smollett alleged that at approximately 2 a.m. two men screaming, “This is MAGA country,” assaulted him while continuing to yell racist and homophobic slurs. Within days of Smollett reporting this alleged attack, members of the corporate media were quick to rush to his defense. He was a gay man of color being attacked by two “bigoted” and “racist” Trump-loving fanatics. It fit their narrative. In an exclusive interview with Robyn Roberts of ABC News, Smollett gave perhaps the greatest acting performance of his entire career. “It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more. A lot more,” said Smollett as Roberts nodded sympathetically along. As soon as the “doubters” started to poke holes in his story, the establishment media were quick to defend their figure head. Mercury News ran a headline entitled, “Is Donald Trump Jr. promoting a Jussie Smollett conspiracy theory?” When Smollett’s house of lies began to fall apart over the course of the past week, the media tried switching the narrative as if they were the responsible party all along. Brian Stelter, a left-wing CNN anchor, declared, “There was a rush to judgment, I think it was mostly in the celebrity press and among activists and
Harrison Klein | Loyolan
The mainstream media’s coverage of the Jussie Smollett case was filled with bias and misinformation. among Twitter people. I think it was a really careful reporting by news organizations. But it all gets lumped in together at the end of the day.” This is unequivocally false. Only 24 hours after Smollett had gone public with the alleged attack, the Washington Post, before waiting for further information to come out, ran a piece entitled, “The Jussie Smollett attack highlights the hate black gay Americans face.” Brooke Baldwin, while reporting on the Smollett attack, declared that it was, “Absolutely despicable ... and this is America in 2019.” “This attack on Jussie Smollett is a hate crime and should be treated as such,” cried journalist and CNN political analyst April Ryan. In a tweet that has not aged too well, Washington Post editor, Karen Attiah said, “Regarding the heinous
attack on Jussie Smollett, yet another reminder that Trump’s ascendance and the resulting climate of hate has meant that lives have been increasingly at stake since 2015. Smollett could have been killed by those thugs screaming MAGA. Let that sink in.” Prime time news anchor, Don Lemon, defended Smollett and showered him with sympathy by stating, “One, he has to deal with discrimination as a black man,” said Lemon. “Then, on top of that, he has to be gay—and then, fame—fame is not natural. When something happens to you and it’s controversial, everyone is coming for you, and so I knew everyone would be picking apart his story.” What followed from this onslaught of anti-Trump media propaganda, was virtue signaling to the highest degree from left-wing political leaders. Presidential candidate, Corey
Booker, said the attack on Smollett was a “modern-day lynching.” In a now deleted tweet, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said, “The racist, homophobic attack on Jussie Smollett is an affront to our humanity. No one should be attacked for who they are or whom they love. I pray that Jussie has a speedy recovery & that justice is served. May we all commit to ending this hate once & for all.” Stelter is right to say that there was a rush to judgement by social media. But it was a rush to judgement manufactured by them, the media. All to push their warped racial view of the country. A narrative that they hoped could damage the president — truth be damned. This isn’t the first time that the bought-and-paid-for corporate media have misconstrued events and information to push their
own agenda against the president. Just a few weeks ago, The Covington High School students made national news as the media originally portrayed them as disrespectful Trump supporters who were being intolerant of a Native American elder. As reported by the New York Times, footage later emerged showing that the teens did not commit the amount of wrongdoing as originally suspected. This has now prompted, according to Reuters, a $250 million lawsuit against the Washington Post for their libel coverage of the incident. Less than a month ago, Buzzfeed reported that Michael Cohen had told investigators in the special counsel that President Trump had directed him to lie to Congress. It only took about a day for the Mueller investigation to publicly dismiss the claims made in Buzzfeed’s report, as reported by CNBC. The corporate media, that have been previously mentioned in this article, are no longer engaged in journalism. They’re nothing more than a partisan attack arm for the Democratic party. This is reflected in the declining trust that Americans place in traditional media institutions. A Knight Foundation and Gallup poll released in 2018 found that nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults have lost trust in the media over the past decade. Our so called “objective” media engaged not only in promoting a dangerous hoax, but also engaged in a cold and calculated smear campaign against normal everyday Americans who agree with the president’s agenda. When the corporate media continuously misconstrue stories to fit a political narrative, they shouldn’t act surprised when President Trump calls them out for being exactly what they are — the enemy of the people.
This is the opinion of Phillip Nieto, a freshman political science major from Fresno, California. Tweet comments @LALoyolan, or email jlee@theloyolan.com.
OPINION
laloyolan.com Page 8
Flooding on campus necessitates green solutions Flood infrastructure from Page 6
What can LMU do in the face of this new future? One of the best things we can do is learn from the cities. Cities have already begun restructuring and rebuilding their urban spaces into flood-absorbent areas that use rainwater for other purposes like irrigation and cooling. Elisa Palazzo of The Conversation wrote, “In Copenhagen, the Climate-Resilient Neighborhood program aims to transform at least 20 percent of public ground to work as a sponge to reduce flash flooding in dense inner-urban areas. When needed, controlled flooding of one part of the system will avoid problems elsewhere — such as roads.” We can also take advantage of specific systems of green architecture highlighted by the EPA, like rain gardens that collect runoff green roofs that solve the issue of limited space in dense cities and replacing old pavement with permeable surfaces to be an extra storage space for groundwater. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine some of these practices on campus. Vast and empty spaces of grass like the space behind University Hall could be lowered into reservoirs or be converted into rain gardens through the use of biodiverse plants. Green roofing could be expanded to every building that had space, from the residence halls to the Burns Recreation Center to the Hilton Center for Business. “We do have a decent amount of green spaces on campus that allow for drainage, but there is always room for improvement,” said Di Franco. “To my knowledge, we have some rain gardens, and of course the green roof on LSB, but the
addition of more porous surfaces not only could increase drainage, but also beautify the campus with native flora that can also educate the community on how plants from the region have evolved for these types of weather events.” Granted, it should be noted that LMU wouldn’t be the worst-hit area in the event of a major flooding event. We are famously atop a bluff overlooking the L.A. skyline, and there are obviously natural and man-made measures on campus to prevent a lot of flooding. There are some gradients in the LMU topography that do help in draining
runoff, and the aforementioned green roof on LSB is a great system for these kinds of issues. However, we shouldn’t rule out any attempts to better our community just because apocalyptic events on campus are unlikely. Rain gardens and green roofs aren’t just preventative means for a deluge; they enhance the environment of an area visually, spatially and ecologically. Also, as extreme weather events will become more common due to climate change, even if the probability of extreme flash flooding on campus is low now, the odds of such a catastrophe
happening will be higher in just a few years. We can’t just be thinking in the now. In 2010, my hometown, Nashville, suffered devastating floods as the result of torrential rainfall that took the lives of 11 people and caused irreparable damage to businesses. To combat future floods, Nashville invested $52 million into Riverfront Park. Aside from being a beautiful area for local activities, Riverfront Park also boasts 4,000 square feet of green roof, 375,000-gallon cistern for park irrigation and a flood wall. All of these efforts have been
instrumental into revitalizing the area with present needs and future challenges in mind. If LMU is going to be a campus where students from across the globe take advantage of the opportunities available to bring new ideas to life, we should be putting our efforts into ensuring that innovation continues for decades to come. LMU is smart enough to know how to deal with floodwater. This is the opinion of Cristobal Spielmann, a freshman environmental science major from Brentwood, Tennessee. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email jlee@theloyolan.com.
ELEVENTH ANNUAL
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM ARTS SHOWCASE
Friday, March 22nd 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM Burns Fine Arts Center
SYMPOSIUM
Saturday, March 23rd 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM University Hall For more information, please visit our website: www.lmu.edu/symposium
laloyolan.com Page 13
Darn Things Kids SAy
By Ellen Na, Staff Cartoonist
GALLOWS
By Harrison Klein, Cartoon Intern
ONE_OFF
By Jacob Johanson, Cartoon Intern
CHARACTERS WITH CHARACTER
GET READY TO WELCOME NEW COMICS FROM INTERNS HARRISON KLEIN AND JACOB JOHANSON
By Gabrielle Ouellette, Staff Cartoonist
laloyolan.com
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How
to
Ensure you will get secondhand famous by using these f ly tips. Jordan Boaz
Secondhand Famous Okay, okay, I get it; famous people make you nervous. But living in Los Angeles, you’re bound to run into them—and often. Whether it’s a Hollywood actress, a famous pornstar—not that you’d recognize them, of course —or someone from LMU’s hot guys Instagram—who you would most definitely recognize— you’re bound to encounter some tongue-twisting, face-flushing madness. Or are you? After reading this article, you just might be a pro … and you may even become famous yourself. You can thank me later in cash, if you so choose. If you know you’re going to meet them: If you know ahead of time you’ll
treat
be encountering a famous person, be sure to do your research. What’s their favorite color? Wear it. Favorite song? Let them catch you listening to it. If their dog’s name is Bunny, tell them you have a bunny named Dog. Surprise them with the amount of details you know about their private life. Tell them you contributed to writing their Wikipedia page. Anything over-the-top will almost be enough. By the time you meet them, you should know more about them than they do. It will really demonstrate to them that you are worthy of being in their presence. And also, never take them at their word — they’re actors, after all. This means that if they seem uncomfortable, it’s really just a sign of how flattered they feel. If they’re angry or mean, that just means they like you (but us girls already know that one). If you run into them: Don’t panic. Just kidding, you
a
famous
should absolutely be panicking. You didn’t have time to prepare! But it’s okay. In this situation, it’s best to play it cool. Like, super cool. Walk right past them, but act like you don’t know them. Walk like they should be looking at you, like you deserve their admiring gaze, like you are the only one of any relevance in the situation. Make them question their own fame. And just when you’ve got them feeling so very unimportant … swoop. Point out a piece of lint on their shirt, tell them they’ve got something in their teeth, offer to re-tie their shoe in a much more fashionable way or fix a strand of their hair. Huge power move. If they’re onstage and you’re not: Time to pull some strings. Pull strings like heck. Pull whatever strings you can find; pull other people’s strings, pull made-up strings out of thin air if you have to (“Hey, I’m the backstage caterer.”)
Pull strings like pulling strings will get you an invite back to the hotel
person room, because hey — it just might.
Abby Pollak | Loyolan
These students are too nervous to approach Jesse Williams. Too bad they didn’t read this article first.
Jesse Williams successfully summons devil at talk “Hello, my name is Jesse Williams,” backward which “is Lucifer, show yourself.” Andrew Dazé Racecar
Ellen Na | Loyolan
Smoke came out of the microphone as Jesse welcomed his overlord.
Why
not
By holding it in, you can ensure that the Lord will be with you. Jackson Walker
Waiting Until Marriage They walk among us. They get on the same metro as us. They drink the same Starbucks halfcaf-double-mocha-fettucines as us. They even use the same Charmin ultrasoft two-ply TP as us. But whenever we make eye contact with them, we feel a power radiating from their pupils and beaming messages of overwhelming holiness directly into our eyeballs. It hurts and fills us with envy. What makes them so special? This question bounced around my brain like a beach ball at a Nickleback concert until I finally worked up the gumption to interview NYU professor of Theology Dr. Holden Iten — one of them. “Why do these people seem so energetic and full of life?” I asked him. “They’re waiting for
Last Wednesday Feb. 20, LMU hosted Jesse Williams as its yearly First Amendment Week speaker. His speech was written to promote the free speech rights we have in America, and the content of the written words were almost as beautiful as his piercing blue eyes. What one may have noticed if they attended the talk was the quality of the microphones as they cut out throughout Williams’ speech.
wait
marriage, of course!” he said. He offered me three reasons why waiting for marriage will bring you closer to God and give you that holy look in your eyes: 3. Waiting until marriage means you must be absolutely repugnant to thine neighbor, for the prophet James said: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Do as Ebenezer Scrooge and curse the world and all the people in it. This will definitely keep potential lovers at a chaste radius, and God will become very, very friendly with you, although He probably won’t be your wingman anytime soon. 2. You must treat your body like it is God’s body; hear thee the book of Corinthians: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Be wary of those you engage in premarital relations with, for they
Upon further inspection there was something off about Williams’ speech. The cadence of the microphones going out and his pronunciation of the words struck a certain “Stairway to Heaven” chord in my ear. An audio recording of Williams’ speech audio was taken and played backward only to reveal the real motive behind the speech — hatred. Williams’ intentions may have been satanic. The speech in reverse is one of the oldest devilsummoning prayers verbatim. Why Williams would potentially set such a hex upon the Bluff is unknown, but it may have ties to someone shouting, “You were terrible in ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants!’ when he got
until
hold the sledgehammer ready to topple your temple like a tower of Jenga. Even a mere hug is enough to send God’s spirit flying out of your body faster than you can say “crackers and wine.” 1. Heed the book of Genesis and learn from the titillating treason committed against God: “Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s
on campus. There were summoning salts found in his backpack. When asked about them Williams said, “I, uh, have weak taste buds.” A set of extra blue contact lenses were found in his bag as well. Sources close to Williams confess his eyes are naturally completely black. When approached for questions about his outburst during the talk, a student who wishes to remain anonymous said, “Man that movie was just plain bad, what a shame he tried to summon a demon on our beloved school though.”
marriage?
wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. What he did was evil in the Lord’s sight, so He put Onan to death.” Shall you choose to open up your basket and spill your seeds all over the floor like Onan, God will take away your life. Be warned. Dr. Holden Iten shut his Bible and said: “If the word of the Lord leaves you unconvinced, numbers
These athletes are the shining beacons in a world full of jack rabbits.
surely get you there. According to the Journal of Why Not Wait?, couples that wait until marriage report 22 percent more stability in their relationship than sinners. This is also why governments that don’t wait until marriage end up in instability and turmoil.” That was all I needed to hear. He had me convinced. I think I’ll wait until marriage again.
Jacob Johanson | Loyolan
The Bluff is a humorous and satirical section published in the Loyolan. All quotes attributed to real figures are completely fabricated; persons otherwise mentioned are completely fictional.
life+arts
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The future of the Academy Awards Cormac ‘n Cheese Cormac Dolezal
Asst. Life+Arts Editor @cormacdolezal
T
he Oscars always seems to be surrounded in controversy, but this year’s definitely took the cake. Whether it be the departure of Kevin Hart as the host of the program or the Academy’s decision to only air
a select number of categories, it seemed like the Academy couldn’t do a single thing without facing backlash. Regardless of the controversy, this year’s Oscars more than ever highlighted the growing divide between critics and audiences and, depending on the various steps taken from here, could dictate the direction of the famous cinema ceremony for many years to come. The first thing that should be mentioned is, of course,
the movies themselves. This year’s list of nominated films held a bundle of firsts. Black Panther, the Marvel superhero movie featuring an almost allblack cast, scored a plethora of nominations including Best Picture, Best Original Song, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. For as popular as the superhero genre is amongst general audiences, the films starring those dressed in capes and tights rarely find themselves receiving any nominations, let alone actual awards. So for longtime fans of the genre, to see Kevin Feige and Chadwick Boseman sitting amongst the big stars of the night was a long time coming. Additionally, Bohemian Rhapsody, another audience favorite, was nominated for several awards. Currently, Bohemian Rhapsody holds a 61 percent amongst critics on Rotten Tomatoes, a very mediocre score. Comparatively, however, it holds an 88 percent amongst audiences. The Academy’s attempt at the addition of a “popular film” category was met with near universal disdain and was quickly shelved. In an interview
with the Hollywood Reporter, John Bailey, the president of the Academy said, “I don’t know why that happened because these are the same people who have also criticized the Academy for being irrelevant and not actually addressing the taste of people that go to the movies.” This sort of divide between critics and audiences showcased the beginning of the shift in the way the Academy is thinking. It’s no secret that as the years go on, less and less people are watching the Oscars. Last year’s Oscars hosted by Jimmy Kimmel was a record low in terms of viewership. It is evident by the various changes the Academy has tried to enact this year that they are desperate to keep that number from continuously decreasing. Perhaps with the introduction of fan favorite movies such as Black Panther and Bohemian Rhapsody, people who have felt alienated from the program before may find themselves tuning into see their favorite summer films bring home the famous Oscar statuette. This logic seemed to hold water because, according to Variety, viewership of this year’s program was up 12 percent in comparison to last year, though still far below the numbers of the past.
The conversation that then needs to be had is whether this push towards a more viewerfriendly Academy Awards is ethical. On one hand, having more people watching at home provides filmmakers a greater platform for both themselves and their art; but on the other hand, the name has always been the Best Picture, not the Best Picture a Lot of People Saw. I’m not saying by any means that Bohemian Rhapsody and Black Panther were bad movies—they both are extremely special and important in their own ways— but there will always be people talking about the newest Marvel movie, while movies such as The Favorite and Roma get far less media attention. At the end of the day, film will always be subjective, so it’s impossible to decide if anything is truly better than anything. Regardless, the Academy has some really tough decisions to make in the near future.
This is the opinion of Cormac Dolezal, a sophmore film and television production major from Woobury, MN. Tweet comments to @cormacdolezal or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.com.
life+arts
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L.A. screening spotlights documentaries Electric Emily Emily Rawson Managing Editor @laloyolan
O
n Thursday, Feb. 21, I attended a documentary screening held by Video Consortium at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood. Four short films were screened that evening and each one amazed me through the craftsmanship in the filmmaking and editing. Additionally, the sensitive handling of intense topics was impressively incorporated. In the order of their screening, the films were “Edgecombe” by Crystal Kayiza, “Mousetrap” by Armando Aparicio and David Zlutnick, “Lotte That Silhouette Girl” by Elizabeth Beech and Carla Patullo and “Amor Verdadero en Pueblo Textil” by Horatio Baltz. For three of the four films, the filmmakers came to the screening in person, and Kayiza, though she was on the East Coast at the time, skyped into the screening to answer questions about her documentary. The films I saw were incredible beyond belief. Lovingly crafted by independents, each documentary carried an individuality and intimate personality that larger productions fail to imitate. And those films broached difficult and controversial topics that large companies normally avoid for fear of consequences. The documentary “Mousetrap” is an investigative piece about the hardships suffered by Disneyland employees, whose wages for full-time positions are so paltry that they cannot afford their living expenses. Following the lives of two Disneyland employees and factually supported by studies from outside universities, this film is
via Elizabeth Beech and Carla Patullo
Elizabeth Beech and Carla Patullo behind the scenes of “Lotte That Silhouette Girl.” brutally honest about the unsavory business policies of “the happiest place on earth.” The filmmaker Aparicio described how Disney, “the biggest bully [he’s] ever picked a fight with,” lobbied for months to keep his film from being released, and he had to cut ties with producers who were scared off of the project. The film can be seen on L.A. Taco’s website. “Edgecombe” discussed topics of similar weight as it explored the black experience through the eyes of three individuals in rural North Carolina. The filmmaker Kayiza is an up-and-coming documentarian whose work seeks to highlight and investigate
racial relations in all of their complex, nuanced subtleties. The full film is awaiting wider distribution, but a trailer can be seen on Kayiza’s Vimeo. The last film, whose title translates from Spanish to “True Love in the Village of Textil,” can be found in its entirety on Vimeo. Crafted while Baltz attended a master session with documentarian Werner Herzog in Cuba, this film interviews the nine-year-old Maribel about her crush on a classmate in a deeply impactful reflection on the experience of love when we do not know what will happen next. I came to the screening to meet Beech
and Patullo, whom I had contacted weeks ago because their film detailed the life and career of Lotte Reiniger, an influential German animator whose work dates from 1917 to 1975. She has been largely neglected in modern animation and academic study. As I have been conducting Universityfunded research into Reiniger’s history and legacy for the past year and a half, I wanted to interview the filmmakers about their work and share my knowledge with them for the crafting of their upcoming feature documentary about Reiniger. I know that my experience at the screening was specifically about film and documentary work, but it taught me something that all college students could learn. Innovation happens at the fringes, and the greatest innovators are often unknown outside of the small niche in which they work. Lotte Reiniger is a name only known in niche crowds, but her work is much like the filmmakers that I mentioned above. When you watch her films, you know that you are seeing something truly magical. Working as an independent or in a smaller organization won’t make you rich, but it will give you the freedom to attempt ambitious projects that bigger companies wouldn’t dare touch. Video Consortium is an international community that aims to promote documentary filmmaking, and holds monthly screenings of award-winning short documentaries at various locations for their chapters in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., Paris, Milan and London.
This is the opinion of Emily Rawson, a junior animation major from Waldorf, MD. Tweet comments to @laloyolan or email comments to aboulas@ theloyolan.com.
Facts about the Fulbright Program Sweet Caroline Caroline Iglesias Life+Arts Intern @ciglesias99
L
ast week, the Loyolan published a page with pictures of LMU Fulbright semi-finalists for the Fulbright U.S. Program, and it left many students wondering: what is the
Fulbright Program? The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a highly competitive international fellowship program sponsored by the U.S. government. It is a program designed for individuals who are either recent graduates, masters and doctoral candidates or young professionals who have up to five years of professional study or experience in the work field. Accepted applicants will go abroad and
PREPARE
work on either study/research projects or be a part of the English Teaching Assistant Programs. It offers up to 470 teaching, research or combination of teaching and research opportunities in up to 145 different countries. Its grant duration can last anywhere from two to 12 months. Fulbright is a great alternative to consider if you are an undergraduate student who is graduating and feel that you’re not
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100 percent ready to jump right into graduate or law school at the end of the summer. “It’s been my plan to attend law school directly after undergrad for a long time,” Samantha Davis, a senior philosophy major, said. “I began wondering if I should take a year off and do something else for a bit [and] the more I looked into it, the more interested I became and decided it would be a great way to spend a year before heading to law school.” Whether you decide to do research in another country or be a part of the English Teaching Assistant Program, being a Fulbright scholar is an exceptional opportunity. Fulbright allows individuals to immerse themselves into foreign environments and gain worldly experience. “I want to grow as a person and I feel like traveling [in the past] has changed my perspective on what I have here in [the U.S.]. It made me appreciate my life here,” Sami Leung, a senior psychology major and managing editor at the Loyolan, said. Additionally, Fulbright not only allows students to gain a different type of experience before jumping back onto the rigorous environment that is graduate school, medical school or law school, but it gives undecided undergraduate students the opportunity to weigh their options. “I’m a psych major which allows for a very broad spectrum of job opportunities and I’m not really sure what I want to do yet, so I feel like [Fulbright] will also give me the opportunity to examine what I want to do,” Leung said.
Currently, LMU has 12 semi-finalists, all of which are designated to different locations with different occupations. Their fate is still unknown, but is said to be announced by May of this year. Although the 2019-2020 Fulbright applications may be closed, now is a good time to start thinking about applying for next year’s fellowship opportunities. The program may be competitive, but you never know where your fate will lie and you may just end up being on the semi-finalist list for the 20202021 Fulbright Student Program. Additionally, it is always important to remember that very much like the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, there are also other amazing programs such as the Capital Fellows Program, Critical Language Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, Freeman-Asia and so many more that are worth looking into and can be just as great. For accomplished academics looking for ways to expand their horizons, programs like the Fulbright Program or the other ones mentioned above could be an incredible experience and a useful step in securing a bright future. The pursuit of knowledge isn’t limited only to classrooms and college campuses, and the Fulbright Program is proof of this fact.
This is the opinion of Caroline Iglesias, a sophomore communication studies and political science major from Riverside, CA. Tweet comments to @ciglesias99 or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.com.
life+arts
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Cheap Break Ideas Go abroad this Spring Cormac ‘n Cheese Cormac Dolezal
Asst. Life+Arts Editor @cormacdolezal
S
pring break is a time in which people can relax, unwind and travel the world. Unfortunately for broke college students, however, the perfect spring break often costs quite a bit of money. If you’re an LMU student who still wants to have a little spring break fun without those spring break prices, you’re in luck. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time compiling a list of the very best spring options for a fraction of the price. I now present to you, four cheap and easy spring break options. 4. See the L.A. sights As LMU students, we have the great privilege of living in one of the greatest cities in the world, and in our busy dayto-day lives it can be pretty hard to see it all. During this upcoming spring break, take the time to be a tourist again. If you’ve never been to the Griffith Observatory, go to the Griffith Observatory. If you’ve never been on one of those Access Hollywood Tours, as touristy as they may seem, give them a try. Regardless of what you do, your spring break will be better for it. 3.) Look at last-minute tickets It’s no secret that flying is very expensive, and rightfully so. How that big of a machine is able to float through the air is an absolute mystery to me, but regardless, it is still the easiest way to travel a long distance in a short amount of time. All that being said, it’s worth taking
a look at various last-minute ticketing services to see how low some of these tickets will actually go. Your trip may be a little spontaneous, but there’s nothing more romantic than asking the teller at the airport for “two tickets on your next plane out of here” for you and your special someone. 2.) Reconnect with your parents Reconnect may not seem like the correct word choice, but sometimes it definitely feels that way. During this upcoming spring break, why not take the time and reach out to the people in this world who love you the most. In our busy college lives, it can be quite easy to forget about that weekly call, and I’m sure your parents would love nothing more than to spend a little extra time with you, whether that be through face-to-face time or FaceTime. And who knows, if you play your cards right, you might get a free ticket back home. 1.) Have a staycation For whatever reason, staycations have a bad reputation. People may call them boring, but quite honestly, what part of doing absolutely nothing productive in your house for a week sounds boring? I think it sounds fantastic. Hopefully, this list has provided you with a couple options for this upcoming spring break. And regardless of what you do or where you go, just make sure to allow yourself some time to relax, because you know what? You work really hard, and you really deserve it. This is the opinion of Cormac Dolezal, a sophomore film and television studies major from Woodbury, MN. Tweet comments to @cormacdolezal or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.com.
Sweet Caroline Caroline Iglesias Life+Arts Intern @ciglesias99
I
gnacio Companion (IC) Trips are faithbased immersions that are provided by Campus Ministry. These trips allow students to explore new world views through reflection and spiritual examination in the context of a new culture. Some of the locations that IC will be leading this year include Lake Atitlán (Guatemala), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Georgetown (Guyana), Guadalajara (Mexico) and Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Many students draw away from the idea of going on an IC Trip in fear that they will be getting themselves into some sort of religious indoctrination, but IC Trips are the exact opposite. While they do still have a large emphasis on faith and religion, it is an emphasis that focuses largely on where you are with your personal relationship to faith and religion. IC Trips are accepting of the fact that everybody is in a different stage of their faith journey and encourage everybody to really reflect on what the current status may be, rather than try to treat everyone as if they were all religious experts. “The faith and reflection-based nature of the trips means that they’re extremely introspective and thoughtful journeys. The trips offer a chance to learn and experience as no vacation could and to decompress after with your group to gain more knowledge of time spent there,” Sean Silva, a senior history major, said. All IC Trips are unique in that they are all connected with a Jesuit Institution,
Jesuit Apostolic Work or Ignatian Inspired Organizations. Additionally, IC Trips offer the opportunity to communicate in solidarity with our host communities. If you are looking for a memorable experience, an IC Trip is definitely something to consider as a student here at LMU. IC Trips understand that not all student have the means to go on these trips and as a result the program gives back to those who display immense amounts of interest. “I wanted to be an IC leader because I felt like I had all these gifts that were specific to me that I could bring to the table,” Sam Kim, senior sociology and women’s and gender studies double major, said. “[However] financially, it was more possible for me to go on this trip as a leader.” IC saw these gift traits in Kim and gave her a chance, as it has done over the years for many students and continues to do today. I am about to embark on the spring break trip to Guadalajara myself, and I can say that the journey has been unforgettable thus far. I have grown closer to amazing individuals that I would not have met otherwise and cannot wait to learn even more upon my arrival. IC Trips are definitely expeditions you won’t want to miss out on throughout your four years here as a student. Although applications are unfortunately now closed for this year’s excursions, if you get the opportunity, do not hesitate to sign up next year. It will be the trip of a lifetime.
This is the opinion of Caroline Iglesias, a sophomore communication studies and political science major from Riverside, CA. Tweet comments to @ciglesias99 or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.com.
SPORTS Men’s lacrosse rising on LMU’s sports scene laloyolan.com
Page 18
Revitalized men’s club nationally ranked, aiming for conference title. Nick Rossi Sports Intern @LALoyolan
In the midst of a winter sports season dominated by exciting basketball and baseball games, LMU has a highly competitive program flying almost entirely under the radar. The revitalization and current success of the men’s club lacrosse team may be one of LMU’s best-kept sporting secrets. The team currently sits at No. 24 in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division II national poll with an overall record of 4-1. Although early into their season, the team has their sights set on a playoff spot and a chance at a conference title, according to sophomore midfielder Kirby Delfatti. “It’s looking like we can make a deep run into the playoffs ... maybe go on some traveling games and visit teams from other states,” Delfatti said. Sophomore attacker Rett Canon has even loftier goals for the team, hoping to take their regular season success and apply it to a deep postseason run. “Our team’s aim is to win the SLC championship,” Canon said. Teams that compete outside the NCAA on the club level, such as LMU, are governed by the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA). LMU’s program competes
in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC) in MCLA’s Division II. The LMU lacrosse team started the season with a four-game winning streak, boasting a comfortable 22-2 victory in their first division matchup against Cal State Channel Islands. The Lions were also able to claim a victory over Division I MCLA opponent Claremont in their first game of the season. Despite the hot start, however, the team suffered a setback on Sunday, losing to UCLA in a competitive 11-7 defeat. The team’s successes in recent years represent a massive turnaround for the program. Prior to the past two seasons, the club lacrosse team endured seasons of defeat and losing records. “The year before I came to LMU, they went 0-22 for two seasons,” sophomore defender Jeremy Hayes said. However, over the course of the past year, the club lacrosse team has been rejuvenated from top to bottom. At the start of last school year, the team’s roster size nearly doubled and now holds 27 players. Canon expressed excitement in regards to his new freshmen teammates. “We’ve added several freshmen who have made a huge impact thus far,” he said. The lacrosse team ended last season with a 5-7 record overall and a first round playoff loss, a noticeable improvement from the program’s two previous seasons. See Lacrosse | Page 19
Instagram via @lmumenslacrosse
The men’s club lacrosse team is off to a 4-1 start on the season. The team has emphasized camaraderie as one of the keys to their early success.
SPORTS
Leadership key for Lions Softball from Page 20
With Wisz leading the Lions offensively and Strinz-Ward leading from the sides, the team’s desire to mentally lock in with the sport contributes to their cohesiveness on the field. They achieve this primarily by looking to their senior teammates for guidance. The Lions have two seniors on the roster this season: pitcher Hannah Bandimere and catcher Irma Sanchez. Their experience on the roster has helped them get accustomed to the mental aspects of playing collegiate softball, and they use this experience to lead by example for their teammates. “They are such great examples of the mental game—which is the most challenging part of
the game—and exemplify drive and compassion for the sport,” said Robinson. “They push us and motivate us to play for each other when everything else is uncontrollable, and that is so important in a team sport like softball.” With a majority of the season still on the horizon, the Lions will face test after test in pursuit of their goal — playing as a single cohesive unit rather than individually. The upcoming Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif., will be the Lions’ next chance to showcase their mental drive and dedication for their team. “We are motivating each other. Our mentality is ‘we are playing for each other,’” said Grumbo.
via Loyolan Archives
Redshirt senior Irma Sanchez (pictured) is one of the senior leaders on this year’s softball squad and has contributed to the team’s 7-5 start.
laloyolan.com
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SPORTS
SCORES UPDATE 5-2 L
M. TENNIS
LION
vs UNC Wilmington
SPORTS
BASEBALL
7-1 L
vs. Saint Louis
W WATER POLO
11-9 W
vs. UC San Diego
SOFTBALL
2-1 W
vs San Diego State
Follow us on Twitter @laloyolan for up-to-date scores.
Page 20
LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | February 27, 2019 | laloyolan.com
Softball's mindset critical for this season The Lions enter the year focused on their mental approach to the game. Miles Thomas Sports Editor @LALoyolan
The LMU softball team has stepped up to the plate and opened their season with a 7-5 overall record. This comes after the team successfully finished last season with a 34-24-1 record and a National Invitational Softball Championship title. Led by sophomore first baseman, Delanie Wisz, last season’s All-WCC honorable mention selection, and Sami StrinzWard, the reigning WCC head coach of the year, the Lions’ main focus this year is to improve their ability to lock in mentally. The team also aims to play for each other as the season continues. The Lions opened the season with four consecutive wins. However, they have recently struggled, losing four out of their last five games. Despite the ups and downs, the team remains confident in their ability to come together while recognizing that they will be tested mentally in the long season ahead. “I think this team is still finding its identity. We have a lot of talent, but we are still finding a way to work as a unit,” said sophomore outfielder Molly Grumbo. “We have done well starting the season, but we have a lot of season left.” The Lions enter this year focused on their mental drive, dedication, general playing ability and execution during games, according to freshman infielder Kaley Robinson. By sticking to their core values, the team hopes to build off of last
season's success and go even further this season. “Our core values [are to] demonstrate accountability, play for [the team] and compete and commit to growth. [These] are definitely the motives behind [us] looking to excel this year,” said Robinson. Wisz led the team offensively last season, earning WCC player of the week twice for her contributions. Wisz’s hitting prowess was on full display last season, where she led the team in hits (56), home runs (13), slugging percentage (.637) and runs scored (38). Wisz also ranked second on the team in runs batted in (34) and batting average (.333). Wisz said that she plans to shift her attention toward leadership and put the team’s collective achievements in front of her own. “Coming off of last year, I am looking forward to seeing how far my team goes,” said Wisz. “In order to help my team, I am focusing on improving at the plate and being a leader for this team moving forward.” The players trust StrinzWard's leadership as she enters her fourth season as head coach for the Lions. Her players have praised her ability to rein in the team’s focus and instill a competitive mindset into the team, which has become a theme for them this season. “As a coach, she is so committed to everything we do — even down to the little things in life that will help us excel outside of softball,” said Robinson. Grumbo praised the leadership qualities of her coach, agreeing with the vision that Strinz-Ward has for their program, now and in the future.
via Loyolan Archives
Sophomore first baseman Delanie Wisz (pictured) was named All-WCC Honorable mention last year after leading the Lions in hitting, home runs, runs scored and slugging percentage. “Coach Sami is a great example of a strong female leader. She is very passionate about our team
and making this program a top 25 program," said Grumbo. "She teaches us to take the game one
pitch at a time." See Softball | Page 19
Kelly revives team
We’re honored. Since 1948, we’ve been committed to making great-tasting, made-to-order burgers, fries, and shakes for our guests. It’s all part of our dedication to quality, freshness, and service. Thanks for thinking so highly of us. We look forward to serving you again. For location information, call us at (800) 786-1000 or visit us at In-N-Out.com
©2019 In-N-Out Burgers
Lacrosse from Page 18
The Lions aim to keep their early season momentum going in hopes of continuing the upward trend of the program. Commenting on the improvements from last season to this season, Delfatti noted that the teams the Lions struggled against last season are now the teams that they have defeated this year. “We had all of our really hard games towards the end of [last] season ... The teams we have beat early on are the same teams we lost to in the second half of last season,” said Delfatti. In addition to the energy that some of the younger players have injected into the team, head coach Ryan Kelly has also played a large role in the program’s comeback. When Kelly took the reins of the lacrosse program last season, the team had not
won a game in two years and has relegated from Division I of the MCLA to Division II. Kelly has turned the program around and the players have praised him for his leadership. “He’s such a great guy and such an amazing improvement. He cares deeply about all of us and how we improve,” Delfatti said. The team also contributes some of its recent success to the tight bond and genuine friendship between players. Canon described the team as “family orientated” and believes that the team’s off-field chemistry has certainly contributed to the onfield success. The LMU lacrosse team will play at 2 p.m. this Saturday, March 2 on Drollinger Field. The team will take on Cal State San Marcos as they aim to continue the success from the start of this season.
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BEST OF 2019 BLUFF LIFE
2X
WINNER
COFFEE SPOT
6X
WINNER
The Lion’s Den
5X
STUDY SPOT
3X WINNER
William H. Hannon Library
A tried-but-true classic, the library is LMU students’ go-to on-campus spot for studying. Whether it’s last-minute cramming or pre-finals planning, most students will spend many hours in the library during their time at LMU.
HANGOUT SPOT The Bluff
With views ranging from the ocean to the Hollywood Sign, students can take in all of Los Angeles on favorite on-campus spot, The Bluff.
COFFEE SPOT Starbucks
Whether it’s where you meet your group for that project you put off or your go-to to get through that early morning class. Students trust favorite off-campus coffee spot Starbucks with their coffee needs.
QUICK FOOD/ late night eats In-N-Out
Long lines of cars don’t scare LMU students away from enjoying their favorite late night eat and quick food. From protein style burgers to animal style fries, In-N-Out is a SoCal staple that will never go out of style.
Thai Talay
SANDWICHES & MORE Mendocino Farms
From their crowd-pleasing curried couscous, to their sensational salads and sandwiches, whatever you order from Mendocino Farms is guaranteed to be an explosion of fresh flavors.
Basketball
With the best start in school history at 8-0, LMU basketball were exciting to watch, including a victory over Georgetown and a close loss to Gonzaga in a sold-out Gersten. Led by senior guard James Batemon, the Lions proved they could ball with any team in the nation.
Leavey 6
Sitting on the bluff is favorite housing complex Leavey 6. The majority of apartments are two-bedroom, but there are five one-bedroom options, all of which have a kitchen, living room and bathroom.
LMU WOMEN’S TEAM Volleyball
In an exciting season highlighted by a victory over then No. 1 ranked BYU, the Lions reached the second round of the NCAA tournament. The team’s strong play was led by junior setter Tess Reid earning all American Honors and ranking third nationally in assists.
Food & Drink 3X
WINNER
DESSERT SPOT Salt & Straw
Contrary to popular belief, LMU students’ favorite dessert spot, Salt and Straw, did not originate in L.A., but its deliciously unusual ice cream flavors seem right at home here.
2X
WINNER
DONUT SHOP
Krispy Kreme
Known for “the one, the only, the original glazed doughnut,” LMU students can’t go wrong with favorite donut shop Krispy Kreme. It’s no wonder you see so many FUNdraising boxes around campus.
C&O Trattoria
Eight doors away from the beach, favorite Italian restaurant, C & O Trattoria, not only delivers with its location, but also with its food. Known for its generous portions, “Killer Garlic Rolls” and nightly sing-alongs, it truly is the definition of amore.
In need of the sugar rush that is Thai iced tea? Or maybe you’re daydreaming about the peanutty goodness that is Pad Thai? Less than a mile away, Thai Talay, is the place to go to satisfy all your Thai food cravings.
6X
LMU MEN’S TEAM
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
ASIAN RESTAURANT
WINNER
Roski Dining Hall
Known for its “fresh and light” menu, as well as its cultural cuisines, the on-campus restaurant, Roski Dining Hall, offers LMU students healthier and diverse options to eat.
What Central Perk was to Friends is what the favorite on-campus coffee spot, Lion’s Den, is to LMU students. WINNER
EATERY
2X
WINNER
HOUSING COMPLEX
LOCAL PIZZA PLACE Beach Pizza
With a name that includes two of LMU students’ favorite things, it’s no surprise that Beach Pizza is hailed as a favorite pizza place. Boasting fresh ingredients and a unique and innovative menu, Beach Pizza is where students go when they want to “eat happy.”
VEGAN/VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT Sage Vegan Bistro
Favorite vegan/vegetarian restaurant, Sage, started out of a love of gardening, food and cooking. That love is most definitely felt by LMU students.
SMOOTHIE, JUICE & BOBA Jamba Juice
Located conveniently on campus, students are served up wholesome nutrition and healthy living in smoothie classic, Jamba Juice.
2X
WINNER
BRUNCH SPOT IHOP
Whether you’re waking up or winding down, LMU’s favorite breakfast/brunch spot, IHOP, is the place you can count on for 24-hour breakfast deliciousness.
MEXICAN RESTAURANt/ CLOSE-TO-CAMPUS BAR Cinco
LMU students can expect to have their taste buds (and wallets) treated at favorite bar Cinco. With cocktail classics like the Mexican Mule and $1 street tacos during Happy Hour, it’s no wonder why students keep coming back.
NEW RESTAURANT Harvest Bar
Just a short walk from the LMU campus, favorite new restaurant, Harvest Bar, offers students a diverse menu of sweet and savory bowls, smoothies and specialty coffees and teas.
PIZZA CHAIN California Pizza Kitchen
From a California legend to a global favorite, CPK gave California a seat at the table alongside pizza icons Chicago and New York. So, it comes as no surprise that students voted it as favorite pizza chain.
BEST OF 2019 “FAMILY’S IN TOWN” DINE OUT spot Italy’s Little Kitchen
3X
WINNER
FARMER’S MARKET
Playa Vista Farmer’s Market
Open Saturdays, favorite Playa Vista Farmer’s Market offers LMU students a diverse assortment of local goods. Located down the street on Runway Blvd., students are sure to find a tasty and top-quality treat to take home.
With its proximity to campus, it makes sense why Italy Little's Kitchen is students' go-to when family is town. Closeness aside, their use of fresh ingredients helps make Italian classics that much more tantalizing to the taste buds.
2X
WINNER
MEAT-LOVERS RESTAURANT Hopdoddy
Combine fresh ingredients with creative vision and you have Hopdoddy, where their amazing array of burgers and drinks is sure to make your taste buds bloom in delight.
GROCERY STORE Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s really has it all … and at affordable prices too! Whether you’re shopping their seasonal selection, everything pumpkin in the fall or their cult classics, like the revamped 2 buck Chuck, LMU students know that this one-stop shop is where to go to get all their favorites.
SHOPPING & SERVICES HAIR SALON
BARBERSHOP
Gettin’ Faded
There’s a great cut waiting for you at a reasonable price when you visit either of the two campus-close locations.
NAIL SALON
Happy Nails
The philosophy behind this familyowned salon is simple and likely the reason why LMU students keep coming back. With quality services, reasonable prices, and an upscale environment, students always feel “happy” after a visit to Happy Nails.
Beach Beauty Lounge
Favorite hair salon, Beach Beauty Lounge, offers students a place to go for beauty, pampering, relaxation and the perfect beach wave.
CLOTHING STORE
MOVERS & STORAGE U-HAUL
Offering the right equipment at the lowest cost guaranteed, favorite mover/storage U-Haul is the place LMU students’ call when moving.
Urban Outfitters
A classic for that hipster aestheic, students know you can't go wrong with favorite clothing store Urban Outffiters.
ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT VENUE
MUSEUM
The Forum
The Getty Center
Known for its unusual and groundbreaking structure, The Forum is an L.A. legend. The former home of the L.A. Lakers and host to countless musical superstars is just a short drive down Manchester Blvd.
With sweeping views of L.A., favorite museum The Getty is a place where students can appreciate classical art as well as the city that they call home.
LIFE STYLE MUSIC STREAMING SITE
FOOD DELIVERY Postmates
Clever coupon codes and endless influencer endorsements makes Postmates the go-to for food delivery.
Spotify
Personalized daily mixes and a year-end review that has become an end of year essential, students turn to Spotify for an individualized listening experience.
2X
WINNER
BEACH
El Porto (Manhattan)
Favorite beach El Porto offers LMU students sun, surf and sand in the South Bay’s posh-yet-laid-back Manhattan Beach.
MUSIC FESTIVAL Coachella
Coachella has become the epitome and standard of today’s music festival culture.
VIDEO STREAMING SITE Netflix
With a cult following for several of its shows. As well as perhaps the phrase of the decade … Who doesn’t know, “Netflix and chill?” Whether they’re actually Netflix-ing or not, students choose Netflix for video streaming.
WINNERS & FINALISTS ON-CAMPUS COFFEE SPOT Winner: The Lion’s Den Finalist: Starbucks
ON-CAMPUS HANGOUT SPOT Winner: The Bluff Finalist: The Lion’s Den
LMU WOMEN’S TEAM Winner: Volleyball Finalist: Basketball
SMOOTHIE, JUICE, & BOBA Winner: Jamba Juice Finalist: CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
BRUNCH SPOT Winner: IHOP Finalist: 26 Beach
MEXICAN RESTAURANT Winner: Cinco Los Angeles Finalist: Paco’s Tacos
PIZZA CHAIN Winner: California Pizza Kitchen Finalist: Domino’s
“FAMILY’S IN TOWN” DINE OUT spot Winner: Italy’s Little Kitchen Finalist: C&O Trattoria
LATE NIGHT EATS Winner: In-N-Out Finalist: Taco Bell
Nail SALON Winner: Happy Nails Finalist: Bellagio
MOVERS & STORAGE Winner: U-HAUL Finalist: E–Z Storage
CONCERT VENUE Winner: The Forum Finalist: The Hollywood Bowl
MUSIC STREAMING SITE Winner: Spotify Finalist: Apple Music
ON-CAMPUS EATERY Winner: Roski Dining Hall Finalist: Einstein's Bagels
ON-CAMPUS STUDY SPOT Winner: William H. Hannon Library Finalist: The Lion’s Den
OFF-CAMPUS COFFEE SPOT Winner: Starbucks Finalist: Blue Bottle Coffee
QUICK FOOD Winner: In-N-Out Finalist: Chick-fil-A
ASIAN RESTAURANT Winner: Thai Talay Finalist: PF Chang’s
SANDWICHES & MORE Winner: Mendocino Farms Finalist: Panera Bread
VEGAN/VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT Winner: Sage Vegan Bistro Finalist: The Butcher’s Daughter
NEW RESTAURANT Winner: Harvest Bar Finalist: Sustainabowl
FARMER’S MARKET Winner: Playa Vista Farmer’s Market
Finalist: Santa Monica Farmer’s Market
HAIR SALON Winner: Beach Beauty Lounge Finalist: Avenue Hair
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING Winner: Leavey 6 Finalist: Del Rey North
LMU MEN’S TEAM Winner: Basketball Finalist: Water Polo
DESSERT SPOT Winner: Salt & Straw Finalist: KC’s Crepes
DONUT SHOP Winner: Krispy Kreme Finalist: Randy’s Donuts
ITALIAN RESTAURANT Winner: C&O Trattoria Finalist: Italy’s Little Kitchen
LOCAL PIZZA PLACE Winner: Beach Pizza Finalist: The Good Pizza
CLOSE-TO-CAMPUS BAR Winner: Cinco Finalist: Brennan’s
MEAT-LOVERS RESTAURANT Winner: Hopdoddy Finalist: Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles
GROCERY STORE Winner: Trader Joe’s Finalist: Whole Foods
BARBERSHOP Winner: Gettin’ Faded Finalist: The Bord Room
CLOTHING STORE
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Winner: Urban Outfitters Finalist: Nordstrom
Winner: Coachella Finalist: Camp Flog Gnaw
MUSEUM Winner: The Getty Center Finalist: LACMA
VIDEO STREAMING SITE Winner: Netflix Finalist: Hulu
BEACH Winner: El Porto (Manhattan) Finalist: Santa Monica
FOOD DELIVERY Winner: Postmates Finalist: Uber Eats