Los Angeles Loyolan March 14th 2017

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A rejected applicant goes on a salty social media spree. Yikes.

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Women’s basketball improves game from previous season.

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Thomas Poon named as next provost Thomas Poon, professor of chemistry and acknowledged scientist, to succeed Hellige.

Tor Marom

Editor-in-Chief @LALoyolan

Lauren Holmes | Loyolan

Thomas Poon will be succeeding Joseph Hellige on June 1 with President Synder’s support.

On Thursday, March 9, LMU President Snyder announced Thomas Poon to be the successor of Joseph Hellige as executive vice president and provost.

The provost’s responsibilities involve leading the academic and student affairs divisions, which encompass athletics, enrollment management and educational and creative activities.

Confidence in our new provost appears high. “He is an esteemed scholar, distinguished educator, and a proven academic leader who has a track record for inspiring innovation, social justice, and global imagination,” LMU President Timothy Law Snyder said. Poon is a professor of chemistry and served at Pitzer College as interim president, acting president and senior associate dean of faculty. Poon currently holds tenured positions at Pitzer, Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College.

Poon is an acknowledged scientist, having received National Science Foundation grants for S-STEM research as well as other topics. As an administrator at Pitzer, Poon also led innovative initiatives surrounding study abroad programs and more. “Provost

Poon believes in experiential learning opportunities and has advocated for study abroad and community service programs,” Snyder added, “As an alumnus of Fairfield, a sibling Jesuit university, he shares our values and models the benefits of a Jesuit education for which we all strive.”

President Snyder also holds high esteem for Poon’s creative teaching style.

“Interestingly, Provost Poon composes and performs song parodies to welcome new students in his chemistry classes and to engage community members at events.

We will be sure to utilize those skills!”

Snyder himself is a bit of a campus celebrity for his musical exploits, namely the song “Uncle Wiggly” which many students have accessed on his Soundcloud.

“I am honored to join LMU as I am inspired by its mission and values — an institution that educates with purpose and seeks transformative social change,” Poon said for an article on the LMU Newsroom website. Snyder is confident that Poon is well prepared to be a symbol of leadership on the Bluff. “[Poon’s] experience at Pitzer, Scripps, and Claremont McKenna highlights his commitment to developing transformative academic communities of intellectual rigor and inclusivity.” “[Poon] has consistently put concern for students at the center of his decisionmaking, and I am confident that his energy and collaborative style will accelerate LMU’s momentum as an institution with global, creative impact,” Snyder said.

Poon will succeed Provost Hellige on June 1.

MEChA de LMU to hold annual high school conference on campus MEChA provides students with an opportunity to pursue higher education through conference.

Isabella Murillo Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

On Saturday, March 17, MEChA will be holding their Annual Raza High School Conference for local high school students on LMU’s campus.

MEChA, which stands for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlán, organizes their yearly conference to give opportunities and guidance to local high school students.

“This conference really aims to let marginalized students, particularly those of color, know that college is a very real possibility. It also provides them that space to see that students who look like them are currently attending college. Many of those students attending may not get these resources at their schools, so we want to ensure that they have access to these resources,” Chris Reynoso, a junior psychology Chicano/a studies major and External Chair and Vice President of MECha, said.

MEChA de LMU was founded in

1968 with two very specific goals in mind: First, MEChA was to become organically tied to the everyday social and political life of the Mexican American communities with the aim of empowering and developing those communities. Second: MEChA was to become a permanent, wellorganized power block for the purpose of redirecting university attention and resources to the needs of MexicanAmerican students, educators and communities.

“MEChA branches from the Chicano movement when college students sought their active role in the movement [...] to empower themselves and their communities through things like high school conferences to emphasize community outreach and the founding of an ethnic studies department.”

Sofia Hernandez, a senior theology, Chicano/a studies and Spanish major Internal Chair of MEChA, said.

With these goals in mind, MEChA started holding its Annual High School Conference. This conference will be the 20th annual and will have the theme “¡La Lucha Sigue!” (“The Fight Continues!”)

The all-day event will include a keynote speaker, college mentors and several workshops related to social issues, culture, college preparedness, entertainment and more.

The keynote speaker this year is Dr. Alma Itze Flores. According to MEChA de LMU’s website, Flores was a firstgeneration college student and daughter of immigrant parents from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from UCLA and her M.A. in Education from the University of Texas,

Austin. Recently she received her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Race and Ethnic Studies from UCLA. Her research interests include the educational experiences of Mexicana/ Chicana first–generation college See MEChA | Page 3

via MEChA

MEChA will be hosting a conference for high school students to provide support and guidance.

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MEChA plans conference

BURNING QUESTIONS

This week, Managing Editor Matt Gaydos sat down with Thomas This issue, Managing Poon, just Editorwho Danwas Raffety appointed executive vice sits down with Head president and provost Coach MaxTimothy Good,

by President head Snyder. coach of the

LMU’s men’s basketball team to talk about the upcoming season.

I went to a Jesuit institution. It really instilled in me the want to learn at every moment in my life — both personal and professional. But also, it made it possible for me to absorb and take and think critically about things. That is what is so valuable about an LMU education and I wanted to be a part of that. I have many ideas for that but I also want to hear the community’s ideas. And you have an amazing community here of teachers, scholars, dedicated staff, administrators and amazing students. [LMU] is moving at an amazing trajectory.

And who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

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How does your international experience influence what you want to do as a provost and vice president and help you help LMU students being better global citizens?

It’s all about getting to know the community. Finding what their needs are and what direction faculty want to go in. But in terms of globalization and getting that impactful experience for students, there are many ways to do that. The one thing I’m very passionate about is providing opportunities for science students, for example, to study abroad. That’s not always as easy at institutions. When I was at my prior institution, we came up with programs that allowed students to study elsewhere. And then another idea that I had was bringing a global education on campus. The model is usually sending students out. But we have the technology to bring it on campus. If a professor wants to arrange for a guest lecture from someone from another country, we should be able to facilitate that. There are so many interactions you can have through technology. That would be amazing if we can bring you to the world and the world to LMU — both physically or virtually.

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What part of your position are you most excited about?

I’m excited about meeting more of the community. I only spent two days here during the interview process and during those days I met some amazing people. I’m looking forward to attending athletic events. I’ve been out of D1 for a while.

And also just learning about the rich diversity of academic offerings that you have here — attending theater events, going to seminars with speakers from various departments.

Experiencing the richness of the academic environment here is going to be a wonderful journey that I’m excited about.

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How does your chemistry background influence you for this new position?

I think one thing is the analytical way that I think of the word.

In my my area of chemistry — organic chemistry — you often don’t get what you first planned on getting in the lab. So it’s the ability to react to the unexpected, to problem solve, and to ask, “Ok, why did it do that? It reacted different so is that something good or bad?” So I think my disciplinary experience will help me to look at various aspects of the institution. It’s something I’ve done my whole career in the lab but also in my administrative work. It dovetails nicely.

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Now the less serious questions. What’s your favorite place to eat at in L.A.?

I love eating at Mitsuwa Market. They have the best ramen place that you don’t have to wait hours for. They also have a tempura place that has a location in L.A. and the other one is in Japan.

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MORE QUESTIONS

students, the connections between Mexican immigrant families and schools, and Chicana feminist pedagogies and methodologies. She has ten years of experience working with students of color and their families in different capacities – as a mentor, teacher and advocate.

“Dr. Alma Flores is a new professor at LMU, but in her time here she has had such a big impact on students. Her

willingness to share and get to know the students made her the right person to talk to a group of high school students and inspire them,” Reynoso said.

The college preparedness aspect of the conference is especially important to this demographic, as it includes an in-depth discussion on admission and financial aid, Two important factors for high school students looking into higher education. The conference is open to all high school students

and is completely free; it also includes free lunch and dinner for participants. MEChA has high goals for the accomplishments, but overall just hopes to help underserved communities.

“We were once in [the students’] shoes, and we know that being a person of color, or a marginalized individual, can make college seem scary,” Reynoso said. “But we let them see and know that it is possible, and know that we can succeed together.”

Classifieds

What drew you to LMU?

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MEChA from Page 1

Want to read more questions with Poon?

Check them out at laloyolan.com.

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LMU publications honored at CSPA Awards

Tower Yearbook and the Los Angeles Loyolan win big at the CSPA Awards.

Sami Leung

Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

Tower Yearbook and the Los Angeles Loyolan were both given awards at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Gold Circle Awards in New York on March 12.

Tower Yearbook was awarded the Gold Crown, the only collegiate yearbook to do so, and the Loyolan won a Silver Crown for hybrid news, which acknowledges a publication’s print and digital journalism.

“We are so proud to be able to continue to represent LMU in the student publication world,” Mali McGuire, senior biology major and editor-in-chief of Tower Yearbook, said. “Regardless of awards, we at Tower strive to utilize design, photography and editorial content to capture LMU as a whole while also sharing our student’s individual stories and perspectives.”

The CSPA is a student press association that aims to unite student editors and faculty advisors of public, private and

church-related schools across the country by making clear standards for success and offering awards to make student media better, according to the CSPA website. The Tower’s Gold Crown is the fifth won in Tower’s history and second consecutive win, while the Loyolan won the Gold Crown in hybrid news in 2016, a Gold Crown for digital journalism in 2012 and a Silver Crown for digital journalism in 2010.

“To be named the lone Gold Crown for collegiate yearbooks is unbelievable. I am so proud that Tower is being recognized again for its excellence as a student publication,” McGuire said. “Our staff has put so much into SEEK 2017 to elevate traditional yearbook coverage to the next level by experimenting with taking a more journalistic stance, so it was an amazing feeling to be recognized for the new direction.”

The Loyolan was also recognized statewide by the California College Media Association, which is a group that encourages cooperation among colleges in the region and works to offer a unified voice against problems college news media face. The Loyolan was awarded first in Best News

Series for their “No Human Being is Illegal” issue, first in Best Newspaper Website, Best Use of Social Media for “Wall installation that supports immigrant rights defaced,” Best Special Issue/Section for their “Commencement Special Issue” and second place for Best Multimedia Presentation for “WYNK - Captain Acorn.”

In addition, Loyolan writers Olivia Round, Sydney Majd, Kellie Chudzinski, Matt Gaydos, Cameron Woodard, Xian Wong and Hannah Kim were recognized for specific published pieces in the paper, such as “Dog Whistle Politics” and “The refugee who barely escaped.”

“I’m so proud of our staff for winning a crown once

again, and for Tower Yearbook taking home gold two years in a row,” Gracie McManus, junior marketing major and former editor-in-chief of the Loyolan.

“It goes to show how strong student media is at LMU, from our interns to section editors to advisor Tom Nelson. The Loyolan is so great because [...] it truly is a collaborative effort.”

via Mali McGuire

Mali McGuire (Tower editor-in-chief) and Emily Huber (Tower editorial director) at the CSPA Awards in New York.

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SOCIAL JUSTICE

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SJ Snapshots: “A Day Without a Woman” march Marchers gathered in DTLA on International Women’s Day last week.

Jennifer Lee Opinion Intern @LALoyolan

On March 5, the second major Women’s March of 2017 took place in downtown L.A. The “A Day Without Women” march was planned to be held on the same day as the “International Women’s Day.” With signs and shirts calling for an end to sexism, racism, islamophobia, and other pressing social justice issues on both the national and international agenda, people

of every age, race, gender and sexual orientation showed up to make their voices heard, show unity and to find support among fellow protestors.

The mission of Women’s March Los Angeles, the foundation which organized this strike, states: We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all.

New SPS program encourages mental health awareness SPS Wellness Educators promote healthy living of body and mind at LMU. Emily Rawson Digital Editor @LALoyolan

LMU Student Psychological Services (SPS) has opened applications for its new student Wellness Educator Program.

The program’s goal is to increase students’ access to information promoting healthy living and to raise awareness about issues and stigmas regarding mental health.

Student Wellness Educators are trained to present about and discuss issues such as anxiety, depression, suicide, eating disorders, healthy relationships and other issues.

One Wellness Educator, sophomore psychology major Amanda Ordaz, explained, “We really try to bring awareness to this situation that is kind of thrown under the mat.”

Recalling a statistic from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, she stated that “31 percent of college students have felt so depressed in the past that it was difficult to function. Seven percent considered suicide, and it is really surprising that stigma is the number one reason they don’t get help.”

While many Wellness Educators are psychology majors, the program is open to any interested students who apply and are willing to dedicate the necessary time for weekly meetings to plan their presentations and table events.

Ordaz went on to emphasize that LMU students have free access to Student Psychological Services, a health service that “in the real world” costs hundreds. “I think its important that they know that going to Student Psych Services is not a sign of weakness,” Ordaz said.

“People tend to make certain assumptions about people who have mental disorders … [even] people who know mental disorders are real and know the person is not at fault tend to ascribe personal responsibility,” said Brett Marroquín, a

clinical psychologist and an assistant psychology professor at LMU. “There is a myth out there that the only people who get depressed, for example, have some kind of personal weakness.”

Many mental health circles now use the term “stigma” to describe the inaccurate and damaging assumptions that come with mental disorders – ones that the Wellness Educators are trying to correct to improve access to mental health treatment.

To erase the stigma, Marroquín suggests “being open as a society” to talk about mental illness and disorders and increasing our exposure to people’s experiences. “There’s huge prevalences in the population of people who experience mental disorders at some time in their life,” Marroquín said. “You don’t necessarily hear that from all of your friends, all of your family. This means that people are suffering in private.”

According to Marroquín, with the advancements of psychopathology comes an improved understanding of the risk factors and subsequent coping skills that can help improve the lives of those with mental disorders.

Implementing this research is like “giving them the tools they need so that when they hit that negative event, they won’t careen into the onset of a mental disorder,” said Marroquín.

The Wellness Educators work to promote beneficial coping skills so that students are prepared to confront mental disorders or difficulties that may strike them or their friends.

Ordaz said that she particularly likes to teach mindfulness meditations. It is necessary sometimes to “take a step back from all the craziness that’s happening because you really need to find balance,” she said.

The deadline to submit applications for the Wellness Educator program for the 2017-2018 school year is March 31 at 5 p.m.

For more information about getting involved, contact the SPS office or Dr. Rebecca Rutchick at rebecca.rutchick@lmu.edu or (310) 338-2868.

Visit us online at LALoyolan.com for more content from International Women’s Day and share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

OPINION

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Political activism needs to matter Board Returning to campus after spring break is in social and political activism in the greater Los Editorial challenging for many Lions — seniors await Angeles area and perhaps even beyond.

Tor Marom

Editor-in-Chief

Jackie Galvez Managing Editor

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Managing Editor

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Elliot Britt

Managing Editor

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

graduation in only a couple months while the rest struggle through classes and deadlines during the last half of the semester. Despite the activity on campus and the many distractions of pop culture, it’s important to keep track of and stay proactive about current events and important social and political issues.

The Los Angeles city and county elections took place last Tuesday, March 7. Los Angeles voters took to the polls to decide a number of ballot measures and city council seats. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti was also up for reelection, amongst 10 opponents similarly vying for the spot. Garcetti has been heavily scrutinized in recent years, his challengers claiming he hasn’t done much to combat homelessness and crime in the Los Angeles area. Despite the weight of such elections, less than 12 percent of eligible voters showed up to the polls this year, according to the Los Angeles Times.

For those that aren’t from L.A., how many of you that are eligible to vote actually go to local and off-season elections or request absentee ballots from your respective home states? According to CityLab, in 15 of the 30 most populous cities in the U.S., less than 20 percent of eligible voters come out to the polls for local elections. Additionally, the average voter age in local elections is roughly 57, cites CityLab, leaving some neighborhoods and populations more overrepresented than others.

In light of new local and national legislation, as well as on-campus ASLMU election campaigns, we at the Loyolan urge the LMU community to focus on what’s really important.

This ranges from person to person, of course.

But if you take the time to analyze where your passions lie — what matters to you and why — you may find yourself compelled to participate

In light of the recent presidential election, there’s been a clear surge in political and social participation amongst voters of the millennial generation. Roughly half of eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 29 cast their vote in last year’s presidential election. Despite the higher turnout in presidential elections, city and county elections might actually have more of an impact on your life overall.

Last week, measures regarding homelessness, L.A. county schools, marijuana and large-scale development projects across the city were voted on at the ballot boxes in the recent local elections here in L.A. Regardless of whether or not you are from Southern California, these types of policy changes affect all of us as LMU students living in a global city.

It is important to be aware not only of these measures, but the concrete changes they will bring as well.

Regardless of your hometown, ethnic identity or socioeconomic background, your involvement in political activism matters — particularly through participation in both local and national elections.

We at the Loyolan encourage every member of the LMU community to educate themselves on the social movements of our generation. We want you to think logically and critically on issues, formulate opinions and take action for causes that matter to you. Local elections are a great way to do so, especially when the next presidential election is still almost four years away. For international and out-of-state students who are unable to participate in local elections, take time to learn about political issues within your hometown, or become involved in social movements here in L.A. If we encourage each other to engage in movements that matter, we can be the catalyst that sparks a passion for social activism at LMU and for generations to come.

“We can be the catalyst that sparks a passion for social activism...”

Nike hijab supports Muslim women A Sam Dunk Samantha Davis Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

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ast week, Nike announced that they have designed an athletic hijab for Muslim women. The Nike Pro hijab, which is made from material much more suited for athletic activity than traditional head scarves, is expected to arrive in Nike’s Spring 2018 collection.

While Nike didn’t make any political statements in the announcement, their decision to release such a product has become politicized. Proponents of the hijab, such as myself, say that it is liberating for Muslim women. It will allow them to participate and compete in sporting events without parting with their faith or without wearing a headscarf that would disrupt their training or disqualify them from competing. Opponents, on the other hand, say that Nike is buying into a religion that oppresses women in order to increase their profit and expand their base.

While this may seem political on the surface, I think what Nike is doing is both smart and admirable. Not only are they

expanding their market by having a product that appeals to Muslim women, but they’re also showing solidarity with the Muslim community — something that is strategic, sure, but more importantly, it’s kind. The Islamophobia that has been rampant since the War on Terror, and even more so in this past election, has undoubtedly been extremely difficult for the Muslim community. Many of my extended family members practice Islam, and it hasn’t been easy to hear such negative things being said about a group which includes some who are among the most kind hearted people I’ve ever known. Seeing Nike use their influence to show solidarity with Muslims and help Muslim women be able to comfortably pursue their athletic goals gives me hope that we’re making advances in how we see Islam and, more specifically, how we view Muslim women.

The hijab and other veils that Muslim women wear in accordance with their faith have been the subject of much controversy in recent years.

Many people see hijabs, burkas and other head scarves as a form of oppression — they think that Muslim women are forced to wear it, and in some cases, that’s

Madeline Mary | Loyolan

Nike’s hijab gives Muslim women a chance to participate in athletics.

true. But often it’s not the case.

Many Muslim women prefer to wear head scarves. Some Muslim women find them to be liberating; they make them feel comfortable and confident.

Most importantly, it’s a part of their faith, and if wearing a headscarf is how Muslim women would like to practice their faith, then that is their right.

Obviously, if women are being forced to wear something they don’t want to, or if wearing such a thing was a tool for oppression, that would be something with which to take issue. But telling women they can’t wear a hijab or creating laws to ban hijabs and other head scarves is just

as oppressive.

I often see proponents of freedom condemn women’s choices to wear a headscarf, telling these women that they are being marginalized by their faith. I’ve seen this right here in Southern California. Correct me if I’m wrong, but California doesn’t operate under Sharia law. Women are free to do as they please, which includes the choice to wear traditional religious garb — or not to wear it.

Do these proponents of freedom also demand nuns take off their habits, raging on about how they are oppressed by their religion?

I doubt it. This isn’t about freedom, because if it were, we’d recognize that leaving Muslim women alone and letting them choose whether or not to wear their hijabs is the true way to let women be free.

And that’s exactly what Nike has done. They’ve given Muslim women autonomy and opportunity — the freedom to express their faith and participate in athletics at their will. That’s all we can really ask for.

This is the opinion of Samantha Davis, a sophomore philosophy major from La Cañada Flintridge, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email csontag@theloyolan.com.

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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.

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OPINION

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Simple living improves the Earth and ourselves Here’s the Dil-Emma Emma Lane

Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

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hink about some of your routines — morning coffee, Sunday grocery shopping, afternoon snacks. They all end in the same way: with the inevitable paper cup, plastic bags, receipts or wrappers being tossed into the trash and forgotten. Waste is a part of our everyday lives; trying to avoid it seems futile. With the stress of school, work and extracurriculars, caring about sustainability becomes another habit to adopt in the future — you know, when we have the time. What I never considered was how living sustainably could individually benefit me, and not just the environment.

Taking steps to conserve natural resources is inherently beneficial to humans. But because we thrive off instant gratification, the long-term rewards of environmental protection are often ineffective motivators.

I could buy a thermos for my morning coffee, or I could save the money and continue to use the free plastic cups at the Lion’s Den. Eventually, the 20 percent discount for bringing

your own mug would pay off the investment. But it’s a lot easier to not do something than it is to act. We need a different kind of motivator, something that makes us want to change our ways immediately and not some time down the line.

I spent this past week on an Alternative Break trip to Puerto Rico, learning about sustainability and organic farming. I went into the trip expecting to hear about the ways commercial agriculture harms the environment and what we can do to make growing our food less damaging. While these topics came up often, I was most affected by how much happier I was living simply and sustainably. Going through the week with few possessions, no phone and spending little to no money was so calming.

The consistent stream of thoughts that we experience here — What do I have due next?

What’s so-and-so up to right now? Why don’t I have anything to wear? — shut off. Everything we used was put to additional use; all food scraps were composted, milk jugs were filled with water and frozen for ice cubes, rainwater was collected and used to water plants. The way the farm ran just made

Madeline Mary | Loyolan

Caring about the planet can increase happiness and reduce stress. sense. I claim to care about the environment, and for the first time it felt like I was truly living in a way that aligned with my values.

Living simply also clarified what I need to be happy. We spent almost the entire week outdoors, sleeping in tents and learning in an open-air classroom. An integral part of the farm was living communally — we all

helped prepare meals, serve them and clean up afterwards.

This lifestyle prompted simple acts of kindness throughout our days, which fostered a positive, motivating atmosphere. By the end of the week, it was easy to see what matters to me: nature and people. These are exactly the things I neglect when at school, as tasks and responsibilities take top priority.

If we can’t convince ourselves to be environmentally-conscious for the world, maybe we can try and do it for ourselves. Being intentional, whether it is while buying groceries or calling your mom, gives you a new appreciation for everything in your life. Think about what went into growing that apple. Ask your mom how she’s really doing.

Making these small changes gives us a better understanding of reality and increases our empathy. It reminds us that we have some control over the way the world is going, and we can either make a positive contribution or a negative one.

Now that I’m back at LMU, I realize I can’t spend 95 percent of my time outdoors or always put my friends over my homework.

But I can buy that thermos, put my phone on do-not-disturb at dinner and maybe plant some herbs. Though it may seem insignificant, changing your actions to reflect your mindset can hugely affect your personal happiness. And maybe it can help the world a little, too.

This is the opinion of Emma Lane, a junior English major from Portland, Oregon. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email csontag@theloyolan.com.

Snapchat threatens stability of small communities Jenny from the Block Jennifer Lee

O

Opinion Intern @LALoyolan

utraged Venice residents recently protested the Snapchat headquarters after the company’s takeover of notable Venice locales, including several landmark bars and buildings. Snapchat purchased these buildings in order to expand their corporate offices as the company underwent record growth this year.

Numerous people have benefited from this, including investors as well as potential and current employees. The investment of $15,000, made by Saint Francis High School in Mountain View in 2012, has grown to about $24 million since the company went public, according to the Los Angeles Times. Snapchat is also assisting in creating local jobs as it hires employees to fill newly created positions for their workplace.

While the company’s expansion has turned many people into millionaires and even billionaires, this development in Venice still leaves many wondering if Snapchat cares about its effect on the little guys.

The most prominent fear of Venice residents is the destruction of their neighborhood’s unique appreciation of independent business and local hangouts.

A drive down Pacific Avenue will reveal how important and

via Wikimedia Commons

Snapchat’s Venice expansion has sparked protests as locals try to protect their intimate communities. essential mom-and-pop shops are to the area. Gentrification and takeover of local businesses can be problematic anywhere.

Snapchat has displaced several local institutions. Residents are worried about the stability of their market.

Exclusion and eventual transformation of these loved locales is a tricky situation. Sure, it is Snapchat’s property now, and they have the right to do with it what they please, but the area’s history and residential impact seems to be unaccounted for by these actions.

While we don’t know the

specifics of the situation, imagine your favorite restaurant.

It’s right down the street from you. It’s the only restaurant you and your friends can agree on. It serves your favorite caesar salad with exactly the perfect amount of croutons: seven.

Now imagine that they can’t fill your order when you ask for “the usual” because your Snapchat clearance level is nonexistent and soon the restaurant will be office space. Imagine the owner was to ask you to leave and never come back.

There is a common ideology in modern tech companies,

especially in Silicon Valley, of expanding and expanding.

Google and LinkedIn are currently in negotiations with the city of Mountain View about gaining development rights in the North Bayshore district.

Many Google employees can probably attest that it creates an enjoyable working experience and serves to promote internal community, but does it harm their ability to connect with their local community outside the confines of their compound?

Now apply that to communities in L.A. like Venice or Playa Vista.

Here at LMU, for example,

we let non-LMU students eat at Starbucks, at the Lair, and even the library. Neighbors and community members don’t belong to our university, but we have certainly helped our ties with them by allowing access to many of the special locations that we call our own.

We bought property in Playa Vista to incorporate as part of our institution, and we will do our best to keep the entire community involved as we make that transition.

There are many unanswered questions. Could Snapchat have purchased other spaces with less significant ties to the community?

Is commercialization ruining our sense of community? Did Snapchat make a filter for the protest?

In the meantime, it doesn’t seem like allowing people to continue going to a bar or eating at a cafe would harm Snapchat in any way. Once they convert the buildings for their own personal use, the neighborhood will have to struggle to balance the influence of a massive corporation on their small business market. Until then, Snapchat should respect the relationships that local residents have built with these destinations by helping them through the transition.

This is the opinion of Jennifer Lee, a sophomore screenwriting major from Sacramento, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email csontag@theloyolan.com

OPINION

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The impossibility of being independent in college Taylor Made Taylor Cohen

T

Opinion Intern @LALoyolan

his is a college newspaper, so most of you reading this are LMU students. I want to talk about what it took to get here, and think about your peers who decided to stay at home for community college. There are many ways to get and pay for a degree: financial aid, scholarships, student loans, parents’ money, pay as you go, etc.

Most likely, if you attend a four-year university, then you had to take out a hefty loan with a parent co-signer.

Today, some students aren’t required to sign with a parent if they meet a certain criteria. Entering college as a financially independent student is definitely possible, but also rare since many incoming freshmen don’t meet the criteria.

According to the Community College Research Center (CCRC), almost all students attending a four-year university couldn’t go unless their parents signed off on their loans.

Another route that people take to get a degree is by going through community college. Unless students have the means to move away from home, many stay home to attend two years at a community college

with the hopes of transferring to a four year university. This path makes first-year college students depend heavily on their parents, leading many of them to continue to live in their parents’ homes.

To rely on your parents is not necessarily a bad thing. But why should we be forced to depend on our parents long after we are no longer minors? Wouldn’t it make more sense for teenagers to learn about independence in college? The point of growing up is to learn how to self-sustain, but university costs demand that, no matter which route you take, parents have to sign, pay and approve.

Particularly in California, rent is expensive for most students attending a university. Between classes and homework, students don’t have time to work enough to pay for basic necessities all on their own. This makes it necessary for parents to step in and pay for their child’s amenities unless they encourage him or her to stay home.

According to the Community College Research Center (CCRC), “38 percent of undergraduate students attended public and private two-year colleges” in 2015.

“I lived at home and attended a community college to save funds,” says Brian Farmer, a student now studying at Sacramento State.

Ashley Ma | Loyolan

Costs like tuition, loans and rent make parental dependence necessary for attending a four year university.

“That was my situation, but I made necessarily true all of the time, it’s to a four-year university. The very common. Many students who fact that moving out, no matter the best of it.”

The problem with this is that start out at community college end whether it’s for college or just first-year college students will up dropping out or just graduating moving out in general, comes often still be treated like high school with associate degrees. According with extreme difficulties is simply kids while living with their parents to the CCRC, only “15.1 percent of ridiculous. Achieving that level of and staying home. Although these students who started at community independence is one of the best students stay because of financial colleges in 2009 completed a degree things we can do for ourselves to reasons they may not realize the at a four-year institution within six help us grow up into our own true years.” This small number reinforces individual selves. value of moving away for college.

Staying at home may not the fact that moving away for encourage students to make new college is worth it — parents should friends, grow in their passion or stay encourage their kids to go to school This is the opinion of Taylor Cohen, a freshman English major from as driven in school as much as it does away from home.

Sacramento, California.

Tweet The cost of college discourages comments to @LALoyolan, or email when students move out of their parents’ house. While this is not many students from even applying csontag@theloyolan.com.

OPINION

laloyolan.com

Page 9

laloyolan.com Page 10

FOREVER FAIL

UNNECESSARY JAPES

STEAMED PUNS

THE ADVENTURES OF SNAPBACK BOT

By Emily Noriega, Staff Cartoonist

By Cameron Woodard, Staff Cartoonist

By Ashley Ma, Cartoon Editor

By Christian Boggs, Cartoon Intern

LMU.LoyolanAd.CareerExpo.3-1-17.MASTER.qxd:Layout 1

3/1/17

1:23 PM

Page 1

Find jobs and internships – network with a wide variety of employers offering opportunities across all fields.

Learn what employers are looking for, and what jobs and internships might be a good fit.

Develop your professional image – refine your elevator speech and practice talking about your accomplishments and qualifications.

Complimentary LinkedIn photobooth Students from all class years (and alumni) are welcome, and professional attire is recommended.

Sponsored by:

Download ‘LMU Career Fair Plus’ in the app store Learn more at careers.lmu.edu/careerexpo Stay updated and share experiences at

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University Hall Atrium

CAREER March 23 EXPO Noon - 3 p.m.

Charles Von der Ahe Building, Suite 135 • 1 LMU Drive • Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659

Congratulations 2017–2018 Fullbright Semifinalists

Jacob Axelrad

Clara Brackbill

Adam Coupal

Major: MA in Urban Education Expected Graduation: May 2017 ETA Malaysia Hometown: Studio City, CA

Major: Political Science Expected Graduation: May 2017 Study/Research Grant, Political Science, Zambia Hometown: Studio City, CA

Major: Entrepreneurship Minor: German Graduation: May 2016 ETA Germany Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Gabreelyn Daniels

Alex Napior

LaShyra Nolen

Major: MA Counseling Expected Graduation: May 2017 ETA Greece Hometown: Compton, CA

Major: Biology & Spanish Expected Graduation: May 2017 Study/Research Grant, Biology, El Salvador Hometown: Folsom, CA

Major: Health & Human Sciences Expected Graduation: May 2017 ETA Spain Hometown: Carson, CA

Ashley Osborne

Olivia Schimmels

Chase Speicher

Major: MA Counseling, LPCC Expected Graduation: May 2017 Study/Research Grant, Sociology, Norway Hometown: Reno, NV

Major: Mechanical Engineering Expected Graduation: May 2017 ETA Poland Hometown: Spokane, WA

Major: English Minor: Physics Expected Graduation: May 2017 ETA Taiwan Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

Office of National & Inernational Fellowships

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 13

New Nintendo Switch changes the game

Hannah Kim | Loyolan

“The Switch comes with the tablet console itself, two Joycon controllers, a dock for the console which allows for TV play via an HDMI cord and a grip to attach the Joycons when in TV mode.”

Babak’s highscores Babak Abrishamchian Asst. News Editor

N

@LALoyolan

intendo’s next foray into the console gaming market, the Nintendo Switch, is much more than a combination of the company’s past consoles.

The Switch is a spectacularly fun time for every casual gamer while still appealing to Nintendo’s dwindling hardcore fanbase.

The Switch comes with the tablet console itself, two Joycon controllers, a dock for the console which allows for TV play via an HDMI cord and a grip to attach the Joycons when in TV mode.

The new design features a multi-functional console that has the motion controls of a Wii, the touchscreen of the Wii U and can switch between TV screen gaming and handheld play in an instant.

The screen on the Switch itself has a 720p resolution, but when plugged into a TV, it can get a much crisper 1080p resolution. The battery life can only be described as acceptable.

Depending on the game, the console can get between two and half hours to five hours The new tech is great news for LMU gamers as it perfectly fits in a dorm room. The console is small so it doesn’t take up much space, and thanks to its kickstand can be taken on the go to other parts of campus to play

with friends. Additionally, the Switch’s Joycons disconnect to form two separate controllers, so two friends can play plenty of the Switch’s fun cooperative games.

Speaking of games, the Switch’s lineup of games at launch has been fairly mediocre.

Regardless, early adopters of the console won’t feel at a loss for tons of fun. The console launched with “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” an amazing foray not just into the “Legend of Zelda” franchise, but adventure gaming as a whole.

Its open world is absolutely fantastic to explore in addition to the fantastic combat of the game. “Breath of the Wild” itself is reason enough to buy the console so early in its lifespan.

“Snipperclips,” another downloadable title, is an adorable and brilliant co-op puzzle game that’s great fun with a friend — regardless of whether you actually succeed in solving puzzles.

The Switch also launched with the legendarily good “Shovel Knight,” which takes the place of the two dimensional platformer usually fulfilled by a Super Mario Bros. game. The console’s lineup is only getting better with ports of previously released games like “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” and “Stardew Valley” coming soon.

If you’re a fan of indie games, the Switch might be the best console you’ve ever purchased, seeing as up to 60 indie games are coming to the console by the end of the year.

Now with every console launch

comes hiccups. There are a myriad of issues with the quality of the console and its pricing.

The Switch itself has had widespread reports of what can only be described as horrific bugs and glitches such as screeching noises coming from consoles, frozen home screen and crashing.

These issues can be attributed to it having just launched.

Most other consoles encounter major issues at launch but are eventually fixed.

After a few dozen hours of use, the Joycon controllers can begin to feel a bit loose when in the grip and while it isn’t noticeable while playing, it may be a sign that owners who use the console frequently might have hardware issues in the not so distant future.

The Joycon controllers themselves are not the pinnacle of comfort either. The right Joycon’s thumbstick is below its buttons which means every time you want to press a button, you have to shift your hand to press one. The Joycons themselves, however, are made with a fantastic matte finish which are great to the touch and feel very sturdy as individual controllers.

The console on its own costs $299.99 without any pack-in game which is mostly fair. The issue then comes in with all the extra purchases that are mandatory for any Switch owner. Due to the dock reportedly scratching some users’ Switch screens, a necessary screen protector adds another $10. Then, you’re going to need a case to carry it in, as

the console itself is as fragile as an iPad, adding another $20.

Then you’re going to need the Switch Pro Controller, as it is an ultimately superior version of the grip controller that rivals the comfort and quality of an Xbox controller, adding another whopping $70.

Finally you’ll need at least one game to play on the console, and seeing as “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is the best game on the system, that’s another $60. The console is marketed as a $300 console, but in reality you’ll likely be spending upwards of $500, which is insane because you can buy a PlayStation 4 Pro with another game for $50 or less.

You also need to be wary about which games you’re buying.

One of the console’s launch titles, “1-2 Switch!” is a frankly abysmally shallow party game which should have been packed in with the console. Wii Sports came packed in with the Wii, and it had much more replayability than “1-2 Switch.”

It should be clear that the Nintendo Switch is an investment.

The console and its necessary extras are a hefty price for what is ultimately a great experience. The games are stupendous, the design is ingenious and anyone can enjoy it. Just make sure you can afford it.

This is the opinion of Babak Abrishamchian, a freshman English major from Los Angeles, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email tgage@theloyolan.com.

life+arts

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Stories from Spring Break: The Last Bookstore Glass half Phil Philip Brazelton Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

S

pring break is a make it or break it opportunity. You might feel impelled to go allout and travel to another country or party nonstop. Or you might end up sleeping and generally doing nothing, seeing all of the pictures from other people’s vacations and half-wishing you had gone too. If the latter is the reality, spring break offers two options: a week to goof off and forget about homework or a week to be lazy and to catch up on sleep.

Finding a balance between the two can be difficult. You might find yourself doing one without ever doing the other, which causes angst and regret. All of my previous breaks have been extremely lazy, and I was getting (ironically) tired of doing nothing and sleeping all the time. This break, I made an effort to change that. I can successfully say that this was the first time I found a balance between the two extremes – Aristotle would be proud. I found this balance in The Last Bookstore, a famous spot in downtown Los Angeles that offers the chance to combine adventuring with relaxation.

The Last Bookstore, for those unacquainted, is an expansive store that not only houses a plethora of books but art as well. It is a twolevel store that is a mix of a classic bookstore, a music shop and – to top it off – an art gallery. The title of the store, as you might’ve guessed, is satire, calling attention to the death of bookstores across the nation as technology takes hold of the book industry. Hopefully, the satire of the store’s name will

Vagueonthehow via Flickr Creat Commons

The Last Bookstore is located in the historic downtown Los Angeles.

not make sense much longer as bookstores experience a backlashfueled revival.

Just getting to The Last Bookstore is an endeavor. It is located in Downtown L.A., so getting there is an adventure in itself (not all adventures are fun—they can be frustrating and traffic-filled too).

But once I got there and parked, I was ready to embark on the fun part of the journey. The drive and the parking fee were justified by the grand bookstore.

I was taken aback upon first entering; the store’s high ceiling is supported by white columns in Greek style, and its shelves upon shelves of books transported me back to when I was little and would wander through a Barnes & Noble or Borders in search of a new book to read. They had new books and old, separated by genre. In the middle area were couches with a necessary sign reminding the visitors to not sit and read on a couch for more than an hour to allow others to read too. I spent a long time browsing, looking for a new book I would like to read.

The whole time I was picking up books here and there, planning to finally sit down with my books and relax in the middle of the busy store.

I moved through the rare book section, the photography section, historical fiction and a few other genres before finding myself in the classic literature section, which was right next to the rows and rows of vinyl. I spent some time there, before I proceeded upstairs, where they had fantasy and science fiction, a tunnel made out of books and a large section of more specialized sections of nonfiction.

Also on the second floor were paintings lining a hallway and a couple unique art shops. One shop in particular that caught my attention had typewriters and vintage cameras for sale, as well as other cool objects that could be used

for house decorations.

By the time I had made my way through the entire store, I was exhausted. It was time to sit down with my books and decide which ones I wanted to keep. Again, I was transported to my youth, sitting in bookstores reading books and choosing which ones to take home with me. I opened “Ulysses,” and immediately came to the conclusion that I wasn’t ready for a book of such caliber yet. I gave “Siddartha”

by Herman Hesse a try, but set that one in my “put back” pile as well. I ended up leaving with three very different books: “To Rise Again At a Decent Hour” by Joshua Ferris, “Mickelsson’s Ghosts,” John Gardner’s last novel and “Dune”

by Frank Herbert, which I’ve been meaning to read for a while. In total, I believe I spent about two hours or more in the store, which is much longer than I’ve ever spent in any bookstore, or any store other retail store for that matter.

The Last Bookstore is an opportunity to have fun exploring a bookshop, record store, an art gallery and unique shops, while also providing the opportunity to kick back with a book in hand and not a care in sight. The nature of the store allows for an exciting day of discoveries but also for time to read and relax—whether in the store or at home with the books you bring back. Its convenient location makes it perfect for getting dinner in the city after you shop or a chance to explore Los Angeles if you are inclined. I found The Last Bookstore to be a perfect blend of fun and calm, and I would recommend this store to anyone looking for a cool spot in L.A. to visit.

This is the opinion of Philip Brazelton, a freshman communications major from San Jose, California. Tweet comments to @ LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@ theloyolan.com.

Stories from Spring Break: Home sweet home Godby With You Natalie Godby Staff Writer

@LALoyolan

M

y iconic Cabo spring break trip is still far in the future. Last week I spent my #SpringBreak hanging in my hometown and reconnecting with my friends and family. It’s so important to value your time back home, wherever that may be. LMU is this beautiful, shining and perfectly breezy bubble that makes it easy to forget about the Pacific Northwest Paradise I left behind. Whether it’s internships, Greek life or hectic class schedules, forgetting about your life back home becomes all too convenient.

In a sense, we begin to live double lives when we begin our journey as college students. We find new friends, new “families” and for many of us, a totally new setting. Is it possible not to create a double life? At what point can we fully merge them and have one life?

After our first return home, we tell our childhood friends about “my fraternity brother” or “a girl in my hall.’” Everyone gains a label, and we create a stark difference between our old and new lives. A

year ago today, I was bundled in my Patagonia and contemplating how on earth I would get myself through an 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. school day. I ate dinner with my parents, played with my dogs and found every loophole that senior year had to offer. Now, I live in Southern California in my adorable, glorified closet and pout when it’s anything less than 70 degrees out. My life has changed dramatically, and I’m incredibly thankful for all that has evolved. Stepping out of your comfort zone and learning to live in pursuit of constant personal improvements are what life is all about. It’s unrealistic to try and keep every friend updated on your accomplishments, big and small, but I’ve realized how crucial it is to stay connected with my friends from back home, and put in the effort.

Staying connected to your friends at other schools becomes a challenge when your breaks and holidays never quite line up.

I pictured my spring break as a week to hang out with my pups and binge watch “Shameless,” but, at the last minute, many of my best friends booked flights home. I was overjoyed to see those familiar faces, but the reason they came home was heartbreaking.

The loss of a young community member brought home hundreds

of students and friends this past weekend to celebrate his life. A passing is never the reason I thought I would have the chance to see my friends, but the amplitude of love and community healing I witnessed was one of the most grounding and reflective experiences in the rawest sense. The love and support my hometown created validated that no matter where life takes us, home is always where the heart is.

Many students feel a disconnect to the place they grew up, and college creates a haven and a fresh start to forget about where you came from. For me, home will always have my heart, and saying goodbye doesn’t get easier. I leave wanting one more day, wishing I had spent that night eating with my family, and remembering all the people I intended to catch up with. Balancing the new and the old is no easy task, but it’s worth it. It’s always worth it. Tell your parents you love them, check in with the friends who made you laugh through your high school days and never forget the ones who support you.

This is the opinion of Natalie Godby, a freshman marketing major from Mercer Island, Washington. Tweet comments to @ LALoyolan or email comments to tmarom@ theloyolan.com.

Kevin Chan | Loyolan

Sometimes home can be better than Cabo for a great Spring break.

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‘The Rose Tattoo,’ details behind the romance Cory’s Content

Cory Hutchinson

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LALoyolan

W

hether you love theatre or not, it’s almost impossible not to have heard about “The Glass Menagerie,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” or “A Streetcar Named Desire.” We study these plays in English classes, watch popular movie adaptations of them, read them for pleasure or simply just hear people talking about them because their insightful plots persist for decades and inspire talk about the philosophy of humankind. Yet one show is about to come to right to LMU. It’s called “The Rose Tattoo,” and a production directed by Timothey Fitzgerald – one of LMU’s many skilled professors in the theatre arts department – will premiere on March 17 here on campus.

The brilliant mind behind these works is Tennessee Williams, and he’s been recognized and revered for his countless plays, novels, screenplays, short stories and poems. The titles that I mentioned won awards including the Pulitzer Prize and have been nominated for several Tony Awards, but one of Williams’ award winning plays often goes unnoticed by the public. “The Rose Tattoo” is on the lighter side of Williams’ works but still tells the very real and dramatic story of Serafina

Jason Munoz | Loyolan

“The Rose Tattoo” exhibits the romantic details in Serafina’s life while characterizing the reality of relationships.

Delle Rose, a Sicilian woman who’s moved to the Southern U.S. trying to find love after her husband’s death. Like any good drama, the plot thickens with the revelations of her husband’s infidelity and her sentiments of isolation with the twist of a new love interest coming into her life.

Since the play’s inception, critics have said that “The Rose Tattoo” encapsulates both the nature of a classic tragedy and comedy because of the main character, Serafina. Her risqué

qualities, hilarity and personal situations equate to traditional flaws typical in tragedies, while the play focuses on crude humor and other comedic forms that are characterized by sexuality.

Some critics also believe that Serafina’s relationship with Alvaro, the new love interest, is a crucial lens used to understand Tennessee Williams’ relationship with partner Frank Merlo before Merlo died of lung cancer, tossing Williams into a decade long depression.

As a play, it stands out amongst

others because the love is real.

There isn’t really a perfect ending for those at love’s mercy. Thid makes it s more realistic love story since there isn’t a magical reversal of fortune to save the day or a spell to be broken by true love’s kiss.

Instead, it’s just a woman who’s faced with her own flaws and the complexity of life in the face of delicate relationships. However as a life lesson, it encourages the viewer to keep fantasy at bay and hold reality close to the heart because – in spite of even the

most magical moments – the truth is all that matters. Without the realistic part of relationships, it turns into a fairytale which is something that Williams left out of the play and something that Fitzgerald admires as the director of the show.

On the press release for LMU’s production of “The Rose Tattoo,” Fitzgerald states, “The kind of love depicted in ​‘The Rose Tattoo’ isn’t neatly wrapped in a pretty bow, the heroes don’t ride off into the sunset, and they don’t necessarily live happily ever after. It’s uncertain. But we hope they do. For them. And for us.”

It’s exciting to see if Fitzgerald’s vision captures the complicated nature of Serafina’s situations and the realistic nature of love as portrayed by Williams. Without this aspect in the plot, I believe that “The Rose Tattoo” wouldn’t have won the awards that it did.

The show will be held every night on March 17-19 and 22-25 at 8 p.m. in the Barnelle Theatre in the Foley Building. There will also be a matinee showing on Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets for students or faculty members are $10; general admission is $15.

Tickets are available online or at Gersten Pavillion on campus.

Be sure to support the cast and crew of LMU students and dare to be entranced by an incredible tale of love, lust and life.

This is the opinion of Cory Hutchinson, a freshman sociology major from Palm Desert, California. Tweet comments to @ LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@ theloyolan.com.

On-campus events you won’t want to miss Young & Jaided

Doors open at 8 p.m., but those who show up early are hinted at getting to meet Justin before the show starts – who would miss that?

Jaida Macklin

3.

Play with Puppies, Program Assistants, Sullivan Lounge, 3/23/17, 8-10 p.m.

The all-favorite Play with Puppies event is back again! Proven to destress students, come lay with these adorable pups and eat snacks in Sullivan Lounge. The line usually gets long so try to show up early.

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LALoyolan

E

ven though spring break has ended, the fun can still continue on campus.

In the upcoming weeks, there are a variety of events hosted by different organizations throughout campus with the sole purpose of entertaining bored students.

Check out the list below to see how you can get lit with your friends without spending a dime.

10. Dinner & A Movie, Out of State, Malone 301, 3/16/17, 6-7 p.m.

If you weren’t already aware, First Year Experience has been hosting dinners for students who aren’t originally from California every Thursday since the beginning of the year. The meals have ranged from In-N-Out to Hawaiian food, and now the Out of State team is back again, but this time with dinner and a movie.

9. Hear M.E. Roar: DJ Competition, Mane Entertainment, Malone Student Center 115, 3/15/17, 8-10 p.m.

Are you musically inclined and in the need of a little pocket cash? Well, every year, Mane Entertainment hosts a student DJ competition. The free event takes place this Wednesday, and the winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card. To compete, all you need

Ava Arshadi | Loyolan

to be is a student with skills in the DJ department. Also, all students are encouraged to attend to watch the competition and cast votes at the end to decide the winner.

8.

Empowerment Poetry Slam, Marians, U-Hall 1000, 3/16/17, 8-10 p.m.

In honor of LMU EXP’s Women’s Herstory Month, the women of the Marians Service Organization have decided to host a poetry slam featuring your fellow Lions. Whether your passion is creating moving works of poetry or you simply enjoy a good haiku every now and then, come down to Ahmanson Auditorium (U-Hall 1000) and support your peers. The performers definitely deserve your snaps and love, so come out and see the slam.

7. “Luck of the Irish” Movie

Night, Mane Entertainment, DejaView Movie Lounge, 3/17/17, 7-10 p.m.

In order to celebrate the upcoming St. Patty’s Day, Mane Entertainment is screening the Disney Channel classic “Luck of the Irish” at DejaView. Watch the movie while enjoying a bowl of Lucky Charms or other free food.

6.

Sisters in Solidarity (SIS): Women’s Banquet, SIS, St. Rob’s Auditorium, 3/17/17, 7-9 p.m.

This banquet is being hosted to honor the excellence of women of color on LMU’s campus.

Celebrating the numerous achievements that women of color have made in the past and present, the event is said to be a semiformal event with free food, great people and even performances.

Make sure to show your support!

5. Spring Spa Day, FitWell, Bird’s Nest, 3/19/17, 12-4 p.m.

Now that school’s back in session, students are already in need of a break. Join Fitwell Center for a day of self-care and pampering. For only $5, you can get a 15 minute massage by a certified masseuse. Along with that, there will be aromatherapy, a manicure station, paraffin hand treatment, seasonal snacks and drinks and DIY spa treatments. Make sure to take advantage of this amazing event.

4.

All Access Q&A: Justin Baldoni, Mane Entertainment, The Living Room, 3/21/17, 8-10 p.m.

You probably remember him as the male lead from the hit TV show “Jane the Virgin.” Join him in the Living Room for an all access Q&A hosted by Mane Entertainment.

2. The Groundlings Improv, Program Assistants, Meet at Hannon Field, 3/30/17, 5:45-10:45 p.m.

If you like to laugh until you pee your pants, join the Groundlings Theatre for a night of laughter.

The Orgsync page states that the event is to be “based entirely on audience suggestions and the comic daredevils invent custommade satire and song.” Also, each show features a new surprise guest.

1. Consuming Beyoncé, Dr. Amina Humphrey, U-Hall 1000, 3/21/17, 7-10 p.m.

Also in celebration of Women’s History Month, Dr. Humphrey and her class, Consuming Beyoncé: The Politics of Representation and Respectability, are hosting a courageous conversation about race and racism in America. This semester is the class’ first ever and has been popular among the students taking the course.

This is the opinion of Jaida Macklin, a freshman English major from Chicago, Illinios. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@theloyolan. com.

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 16

Local, lowkey and low-budget Spring Concerts Shani Like A Melody

Anthony Somebody. This is a general admission show with tickets that are only $25.

Shani Hogan

13. Vanessa Carlton “A Thousand Miles” will always be an iconic song, and next month will be your chance to see it performed live. The very talented Vanessa Carlton released her latest EP last month, and she is currently on tour. The show will be on Wednesday, April 12 at the Largo at the Coronet. Purchased tickets wil be held at the venue and once you arrive, you will be assigned a seat depending on what order you arrived in. This event is all ages and tickets are $39. Get there early because this is likely to be a great show.

Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

F

eeling the No-Chella blues?

Whether you can’t go because Yoncé not being there was a deal breaker or because it was just too expensive for the college student budget, there’s no need to fret. Here are 15 concerts under $50 taking place from now until the end of the semester.

15. Passenger Whether you’re more familiar with the original ballad or any of the popular remixes, you probably know the song “Let Her Go” by the man who goes by the name Passenger. The concert is Saturday, April 1, 2017 at The Wiltern. It’s all ages, and tickets start at $29.50. This show is general admission, so get there early if you want a good view.

14. 21 Savage Speaking of The Wiltern, all the modern rap fans out there will not want to miss this one.

Monster Energy is sponsoring the Issa Tour featuring 21 Savage as the headliner on April 12. The openers include Young M.A, Tee Grizzley, Young Nudy and

12. Desiigner I still might not know half of the words to “Panda,” but that doesn’t mean it will stop me from checking out this show. On Monday, April 10 the 19-yearold rapper known as Desiigner will have an all ages show at The Fonda Theatre. This show starts at $22 and is general admission.

11. MØ We’ve all heard her featured on some of the biggest hits from the last couple of years, but this time she’s doing a solo show.

The show is rescheduled from November, so you can bet there will be tons of energy and a

couple of surprises to make it up to the fans. The concert wil be at The Novo on Thursday, March 23 and tickets start at $25.

10. We The Kings Even though they are at Warped Tour almost every year, We The Kings is also performing at The Troubadour this Friday, March 17.

They put on a great live show; the audience is always entertained and it’s bound to be a good time.

The tickets were originally $25 before they sold out, but get yourself on Stubhub and buy a ticket.

9. Bastille Plot twist: “Pompeii” isn’t their only song. This British pop band is having a show at The Novo on Wednesday, March 19. This show is one of the more expensive ones on the list at $34.50.

That shouldn’t steer you away, though, from a night of dancing and having a good time.

8. Isaiah Rashad If you know who he is, you know why you should be at this concert.

If you don’t, I would check out his stuff and get a ticket to this show. The double header concert is Sunday, March 26 and Monday, March 27 at The El Rey Theatre, and tickets are only $20.

7. Simple Plan One of the ultimate bands of the

2000s is currently on tour. I’m not even going to hype them up because you already know who they are. Simple Plan will be playing at The Wiltern on Friday, April 14 and tickets start at $30.50.

6. Yellowcard Sunday, March 19 and Friday, March 24 will be your last chances ever to see Yellowcard live. The pop punk band is on its farewell tour with the Friday show being their final gig ever.

The group will be performing all of their hits and the “Ocean Avenue” album in it’s entirety.

Why would you not go? Get yourself to The Novo and go to this! Tickets start at $32.50.

5. Lupe Fiasco For all the people who have been following Lupe’s career for a while but haven’t seen him live: Now is the time. On Wednesday, April 12, Lupe will be taking the stage at The Novo for an all ages show.

This show is general admission, and tickets are starting at $29.50.

4. Clean Bandit If you’re up for a night of dancing and good vibes, find a way to this Clean Bandit show on Wednesday, April 5.

The show is taking place at The Fonda Theatre. and one of my favorite new vocalists, Zara Larsson, is one of the openers. Tickets start at $30,

and it’s not a bad way to spice up a Wednesday.

3. Sampha If you do not know who this glorious man is, go on Spotify right this minute, and listen to his latest album.

Sampha has magic in his voice, and he’s worked with a lot of your faves on their music. He is having an all ages show at The El Rey Theatre on Tuesday, April 11. Tickets were originally $25 before they sold out, but find a way to get a ticket. This could very well be a religious experience.

2. The Internet Over the last year, The Internet has become one of my favorite groups.

These talented humans will be having two shows on March 19 and 20, and there is nothing on this earth that will keep me from this show. It will be incredible. The show is happening at The Fonda Theatre and the resale tickets start at $50.

1. DMX, Too $hort, The Yin Yang Twins You can see thesw artists perform for tickets starting at $40. These tickets aren’t even sold out by some crazy miracle. The concert will take place at The Novo on Wednesday, April 26. There’s nothing more to say. Get there (and feel free to let me know if you’re down to go with me).

This is the opinion of Shani Hogan, a junior Theatre major from Long Island, New York.

Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to tgage@theloyolan.com.

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Above Lupe Fiasco, MØ and Bastille rock out as their individual concerts.

laloyolan.com

Page 17

Applicant rejected by job, becomes salty AF This hopeful job seeker got rejected, so he started throwing media shade.

Casey Lee

Asst. Bluff Editor Hiring season just passed, meaning that unemployment is at an all time low! Many people have begun their new jobs, excited to try new things or continue learning new skills on their desired path.

Except for one applicant who was rejected from a job.

Being rejected never feels good.

Trust me — this writer recently got shafted.

The hopeful applicant wanted a job at Salty Dreams, a local burger shop specializing in adding way too much salt to their food.

After being rejected, the applicant showed them just how unfit they were for the job by giving Salty Dreams “bad” publicity by posting pictures, linking to the

menu and overall giving Salty Dreams unpaid advertisements.

On Salty Dreams’ social media, they found one from Thanksgiving about Salty Dreams being closed for the holiday but blamed forgetfulness as the true reason. The applicant linked to their announcement with a caption that they hoped to “one day achieve the memory capabilities of Salty Dreams.”

Salty Dreams said they admired the applicant’s burger flipping skills, but the applicant lacked the personality required for the cash register.

Managers at Salty Dreams have noticed an unusual amount of shade around the store recently.

Meteorologists say the shade may stem from the applicant being unable to handle rejection.

Let this be a lesson, don’t get salty over a job rejection because it’s not you, it’s me. No really, I got the job at Salty Dreams.

Cameron Woodard | Loyolan

Social media is this rejectant’s platform for shade and retaliation.

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.

SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 18

The future looks bright for women’s basketball Matty Light Matt Rodriguez Asst. Sports Editor @LoyolanSports

T

he women’s basketball team ended their season in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference (WCC) this year. Their season was marked with spectacular play as the Lions finished fifth in the conference with a 14-16 overall this season and posted 9-9 record in conference play. This is a vast improvement from the 2015-2016 season, where the Lions went 11-20 overall and tied for seventh place in the conference with a 6-12 record.

The Lions’ improvement was displayed through some of their statistics. Last year, the Lions recorded a field goal percentage of .378 while allowing their opponents to record a .399. This year, the Lions increased their field goal percentage to an exemplary .393 percentage while limiting their opponents to a .384 percentage. The Lions have achieved this feat by playing a tougher defense and achieving a better-flowing offense.

In the 2015-2016 season, the Lions allowed their opponents to score an average of 72.5 points per game throughout the entire season. They reduced it this season to a respectable 68.3 points per game. They also had a slight increase in blocks per game from 4.3 to 4.6.

The decrease in their opponents’ productivity can be attributed to the Lions offense, as it seems they decided to slow the game down. Although the Lions scored more per game last year, with an average of 69 points per game compared to this year’s 66, the Lions have seen an increase in their assists per game and a decrease in their turnovers per game. The Lions recorded nearly 16 assists per game while holding their opponents to only 14.3 assists per game.

This increase in assists per game displays the team slowing the game down and looking for good shots rather than settling for tougher shots. This directly affects the amount of turnovers per game. With the increase of assists per game and thus better shots, the Lions only turned the ball over 15 times per game while last year they turned the ball over nearly 17 times per game. This decrease in turnovers would decrease the amount of opportunities for easy points on fast breaks the opposing team could have.

Of course a team is nothing without its players, and the Lions have had an abundance of high impact players this year. In the off-season of the 2015-2016 year, the Lions acquired redshirt senior forward Jackie Johnson, who would end up leading the Lions in nearly every category. Johnson averaged team highs of 17.4 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, 1.7 steals per game and 2.9 blocks per game.

Johnson led the team by also

Loyolan Archives

Senior forward Jackie Johnson (43) led the Lions in nearly every category this season in her final year.

Some of those young players, season and the increase in playearning WCC Newcomer of the including sophomores forward ing time has definitely allowed Year award. her to flourish as a player.

Johnson was not the only se- Cheyanne Wallace and guard Andee Velasco have emerged as Although they did not prognior leading from the front this rising stars for the team. Walress that far in the post season, year; senior guard Leslie Lothe Lions overall had a good seapez-Wood also led the team with lace had a breakout freshman season and has done even better son and their future rests in the her for years of experience playthis season. In 28.3 minutes per good hands of head coach Charing at LMU. Lopez-Wood avergame, she averaged 12.6 points ity Elliott. She has worked with aged 12 points per game which the seniors of the team to build allowed her to further her ca- per game, 7.2 rebounds per game reer total to 1362, making her and 1.5 steals per game. Velasco an atmosphere of success and the seventh most prolific scorer has been doing the same since it has definitely showed this she has gotten to LMU, being the season. in LMU women’s basketball history. Since she has been starting major ball facilitator every good basketball team needs. She avfor the team since her freshman This is the opinion of Matthew Rodriguez, year, she continuously has been eraged a team high of 5.9 asa sophomore political science major from sists per game, 8 points per game providing knowledge from her Milpitas, California. Tweet comments to and 3.5 rebounds per game. She experiences to the younger play@LoyolanSports, or email tdevries@ started in most of the games this theloyolan.com. ers on the team.

TAX REFORM

SPORTS

SCORES UPDATE SOFTBALL

LION

8-2 L

BASEBALL

vs. Texas

SPORTS

BCH VOLLEYBALL 3-2 W vs. Stetson

16-1 L

@ Cal Poly SLO

M. BBALL

89-81 L

vs. BYU

Follow us on Twitter @loyolansports for up-to-date scores.

Page 20

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | March 15, 2017 | laloyolan.com

Men’s Basketball finds success amidst struggles Big Time Timmy Jim Tim De Vries

Sports Editor @LoyolanSports

D

epending on the lens through which one chooses to view LMU men’s basketball’s 2016-2017 season, one might be led to interpret it in a number of different ways. Some will claim this season as an outstanding accomplishment, and some will be left wondering what could have been if only a few mistakes had not been made, or had the ball bounced the other way once or twice more.

Certainly, there was unrealized potential for the Lions this year. LMU finished dead last in the West Coast Conference (WCC) in free-throw shooting, and squandered double-digit leads on more than one occasion. The Lions lost a number of games in the final minutes — some in the final seconds. Against some of the top teams in the conference, the Lions found themselves on the wrong end of big scoring runs and/ or droughts, often relying on the threepoint shot and their full-court press to try to recover. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t. Their 15-15 overall record proves just that. However, these shortcomings pale in comparison with the forward strides made by the program. In a relatively subtle way, the Lions managed to put together their best campaign since the 2011-2012 season.

LMU finished the season with a a WCC record of 8-10, a two game improvement over last season’s 6-12 mark. This year marks the first season since 2011-2012 that the team has finished with a .500 record, and is the best record the program has posted since head coach Mike Dunlap took over the position.

LMU finished in sixth place in the regular season standings, earning a bye into the quarterfinals of the WCC Basketball Championships. The Lions fell by a final

score of 89-81 to Brigham Young University, coming back from a 14-point deficit and brought the score as close as 69-67. Senior guard Brandon Brown — who was selected second-team all WCC for his performance this year — scored 14 of his 22 points in the comeback. While the result was unwanted for LMU, who certainly could have won the game, it proved a poetic ending to a season that was defined by close games, comebacks, and buzzer-beaters both for and against the team.

The Lions began their season with 12 of their first 30 games being decided by just five points or less. LMU won six of those games, including three wins coming on the final play of the game. Twice, LMU saw would-be game winners fall just short.

The close-game experience paid dividends late in the season for the Lions, who found themselves contending for an allimportant sixth place spot with two games to play in the WCC. In the final week of conference play, LMU earned wins against University of San Francisco and University of the Pacific by scores of 53-51 and 67-66, respectively, in both instances behind an aggressive defense that became the calling card for LMU’s success this season.

The Lions’ 137 steals were the most by any team in the conference, besting NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed and WCC Champion Gonzaga by seven. LMU also led the conference in turnover margin by +2.39. Opponents averaged 14.9 turnovers per game against the Lions this season.

Brown as well as senior All-WCC honorable mention guard/forward Buay Tuach each finished in the top five in the conference in steals, and both emerged as stars on the offensive end for the Lions as well. Brown finished his senior season 10th in the WCC in scoring at 13.9 points per game (ppg), 6th in assists with 4.1 assists per game (apg), and 3rd in steals at 1.35 steals per game (spg). Brown came to the team as a junior, and has been the team’s primary starting point guard since the beginning of the 2015-2016 season. His exceptional quickness — both with his feet

Megan Karbowski | Loyolan

Senior forward Kelvin Amayo (2), proved to be a key addition to the 2016-2017 roster, bringing energy, athleticism and toughness to the starting lineup and off the bench. and as a ballhandler — his toughness, and his poise in late-game scenarios made him a leader on the court for the Lions in each of the last two seasons, and gave them a closer run down the stretch.

After averaging just 3.4 points as a junior, Tuach averaged 11.4 points on 50.2 percent shooting for the Lions as a senior.

Tuach’s greatest asset is his athleticism, and he thrived this season when playing in transition or above the rim, often delivering highlight-reel finishes. His athletic prowess served him on defense as well, finishing just behind Brown with 1.33 spg. His 38.1 percent career three-point shooting is good for 9th-best all-time at LMU. Going beyond the numbers, Tuach was able to provide LMU with someone who can create their own shot and who can score without playing within a rigid system. Tuach has

been dynamic for the Lions, who were in dire need of a scorer to complement Brown, who naturally plays more like a true point guard and facilitates as much as he scores.

Undoubtedly, LMU possessed the potential to finish above sixth place in the WCC this season, and showed at times that they have a chance to win every game when the defense came to play. In the grand scheme of things, a sixth-place finish and a quarterfinal exit is a less than glamorous ending to a college basketball season.

However, for the Lions in 2016-2017, the result fails to do justice to the many forward strides made by the program this year.

This is the opinion of Tim De Vries, a sophomore engineering major from Lake Oswego, Oregon. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email tdevries@ theloyolan.com.

Lions earn four wins behind pitching and timely hits Can You Dignum?

Andrew Dignum Sports Intern @LoyolanSports

T

his past week, the LMU men’s baseball team played games against Arizona State, UC Irvine and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The Lions used a combination of impressive pitching and timely hitting to finish the week with a record of 4 wins and 3 losses.

In their first road trip of the season, the LMU baseball team travelled to Arizona State for a three game series against the Sun Devils. To begin the weekend series, the Lions sent senior right-hander Blake Redman to the mound. Despite a sharp pitching performance by Redman, who recorded a career-high tying eight strikeouts, the Sun Devils inched past the Lions with the final score of 2-1.

The second game of the series featured another pitching duel, albeit with a different outcome, as the Lions walked away with a 3-2 victory. Led by the timely hitting of Phil Caulfield and Nick Sogard, the Lions staged a ninth inning comeback against Arizona State. Right-hander Brenton Arriaga performed well in the contest, recording seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings of two run ball.

In the rubber match of the series, the Lions’ bats woke up. A six run fourth inning, keyed by Billy Wilson’s two-RBI double, secured an 8-5 triumph for LMU. Crucial in the series-clinching win was the performance of Niko Decolati, who finished the day with a home run and an RBI double at the plate and a 1-2-3 ninth inning on the mound.

Following their first series win at Arizo-

na State since 1987, the men’s baseball team returned home to Page Stadium to host UC Irvine. Toppled by a comeback in the ninth inning, the Lions lost a game where nine LMU batters were issued free passes. Brandon Shearer contributed with a pair of RBI’s in the loss.

Travelling up the coast to San Luis Obispo, the Lions took on the Cal Poly Mustangs in a three game set. The first game of the series witnessed the continued dominance of senior pitcher Blake Redman. He pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out a career-high 10 hitters en route to LMU’s 4-0 victory over Cal Poly. In the decisive fourrun eighth inning, Billy Wilson and Brandon Shearer provided key hitting with runners in scoring position.

Despite facing a 5-2 deficit in the second game of the series, the Lions forced extra innings in a comeback win over the Mustangs.

Once ensured extra time after Jamey Smart cracked a two-out two-RBI single into centerfield in the 9th, tying the game, the Lions prevailed over the Mustangs in the 10th. Lost in the frenzy of LMU’s fourth consecutive win was LMU’s Brandon Arriaga’s steady performance, as he threw a quality start.

Unfortunately, the Lions’ winning-ways ended in the third game of the series, as the Cal Poly Mustangs rattled off 16 runs on 16 hits in the journey towards their 16-1 victory. Despite the loss, second baseman Phil Caulfield turned in another productive day at the plate, recording three hits.

Up next, the LMU men’s baseball team (8-8) faces Southern California rival USC (10-5) at Page Field Tuesday, March 14, at 6 p.m. They then travel up the coast to play the University of San Francisco for three games at Benedetti Diamond from March 17 – March 19.

Megan Karbowski | Loyolan

LMU baseball split their spring break with a 4-3 record. This past weekend the Lions took on Cal Poly in a three game series in San Luis Obispo, in which the Lions won 2-1.