W W W. L A LO Y O L A N . C O M
Los Angeles LOYOLAN The
MARCH 20, 2019
Lif
E. OM . H ICE UR YO R VO S. W U YO R NE U YO
V O LU M E 9 7 ISSUE 23 s Art e+
Read an interview with two underclassmen who produced a feature film. Page 15
EST. 1921
LMU Jesuit accused of sexual harassment The allegation is the most recent addition to LMU's history with sexual harassment and the Church. Austin Woods
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
As revealed in a March 11 article by the Catholic News Agency, retired Bishop Gordon Bennett, a former LMU Jesuit, has been accused of sexually harassing a young adult. As a result, he is now restricted from engaging in any priestly or episcopal ministry. These restrictions were announced after months of investigations into the allegations led by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore. It was revealed that the allegations were initially filed in May 2006. Shortly after, Bennett retired from his position as bishop of Mandeville, Jamaica, before moving to California for the purpose of receiving medical treatment and assessment for depression and fatigue, according to the aforementioned article. Bennett started at LMU in August 2008, and continued to work for LMU for 10 years. During his time at the University, he was featured voicing over promotional videos, headlining lectures and more. It is important to note that Bennett has not faced any allegations of sexual harassment from anybody in the LMU community since he began his position. Similar allegations were made against a former LMU Jesuit, Brother William Farrington, in September 2012, as mentioned previously in the Loyolan. Farrington worked at LMU from 1987 to 2003.
The accusations of sexual abuse at the hands of Farrington came to light via a letter sent out to graduates of Bellarmine College
LMU reorganizes DPS after shooting hoax These department changes come after last November's shooter hoax. Jacob Cornblatt Editor-In-Chief @LALoyolan
LMU announced a multitude of major changes to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Tuesday, including a new chief of DPS and the creation of a new position, vice president for campus safety and security. These changes are effective on March 20. Danny Martinez (‘82) is filling the role of Chief of DPS. Since Nov. 13, 2018, Martinez has been interim chief. Devra Schwartz is the first VP for campus safety and security. This job entails “campus-wide planning, implementation and monitoring of safety and security operations,” according to Lynne Scarboro, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, in an email sent to all students. In an exclusive interview with the Loyolan, Schwartz said, “Our goal isn’t just to keep the campus safe, but to help it feel safe.” A school shooting hoax last November left the LMU community lacking confidence in DPS. Students were outraged by DPS' s failure to communicate in a timely manner. Martinez, appointed interim chief
after this November incident, is aware of the community’s skepticism towards his department. In light of this, he has been working to prove DPS’ abilities and ensure that such an event never happens again. “We do monthly test alerts,” he said. “Every member of DPS has done the alert. We can do it through phones, laptops and desktop computers.” Martinez is also changing the system DPS uses. In addition to this, DPS constantly does impromptu, tabletop scenarios—such as an unknown person having a knife in the Habit—to prepare for events in the future. Schwartz said DPS wants to “shift from a model of performance based on predictability to one of adaptability.” VP of Campus Operations Michael Wong said, “We are making sure staff is aware of protocol. We know how to and are ready to reach out faster.” One problem that came up in the report on the school shooter hoax, according to Martinez, was that there were limited DPS staff members, which left those onduty stressed and overwhelmed. Hiring more staff is a priority for the new chief. Martinez will report directly to Schwartz, who in turn reports to Scarboro. The reorganization of leadership moves DPS from under the Campus Operations umbrella to become its own body under Scarboro. See DPS | Page 4
Preparatory, a high school in San Jose, California, where Farrington worked prior to working at LMU. No accusations against
Farrington pertaining to his time at LMU have been made. See Accusation| Page 3
This award was given by the College Media Association at a recent conference in New York.
yearbooks and magazines, to attend workshops and hear featured speakers. The purpose was for attendees to learn more about the world of college media and improve their publications. Staff from 157 public and private colleges, as well as two-year and four-year colleges, were invited. “It was great meeting people from other schools around the country who are having the same problems we are. Hearing how they have succeeded gives us ideas on how we can succeed too,” said Loyolan Editor-in-Chief Jacob Cornblatt. “It’s great knowing that we’re not alone in this.”
Loyolan wins best newspaper Sofia Hathorn News Intern @LALoyolan
The Los Angeles Loyolan has won the College Media Association (CMA) award for "Best Newspaper" in the category of schools between 5,000 and 10,000 students. The award was handed out at the annual CMA conference, which was held in New York City on March 9. This conference invites staff and advisers from different college media publications, such as newspapers,
See CMA| Page 2
Alyssa Reece | Loyolan
The Loyolan won "Best Newspaper" in the category for schools with a population between 5,000 and 10,000 at the College Media Association conference.
laloyolan.com Page 2
Reverend Albert Koppes to be honored by community Founder of the School of Education died March 12, 2019 at 85 years old. Isabella Murillo News Editor @LALoyolan
Rev. Albert Koppes, retired associate chancellor of the University, former academic vice president and founding dean of the School of Education, passed away from pneumonia on March 12, 2019. He was 85 years old. Reverend Koppes founded the School of Education at LMU and held a position at the University for 43 years. He also worked as interim director of Campus Ministry and as an associate professor for many years. “Of his many accomplishments, he was most proud of founding Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education Corps, which helped teachers earn a master’s degree and teaching credentials while working in underserved Catholic schools to give back to the community”, said President Snyder. “Before anything he was a priest and he was always concerned with our spiritual well-being,” said Mary McCullough, interim dean of the School of Education. “To put it simply, he was just a great person.” McCullough also remembered Koppes’s clear vision for the school and how he encouraged all those who worked for him to try new things and grow as people, like when she wanted to start the first ever doctorate
program for the school, the Ed.D in Educational Leadership for Social Justice. “He was a mentor to each one of us [at the School of Education] ... We all loved him,” McCullough said. During his time as dean of the School of Education, the graduate college was able to expand from only 350 students
to the 850 students they have today. He was also recognized in the Faculty Hall of Fame, which honors faculty members who left a lasting and profound impact on the University. A funeral to celebrate Koppes’s life will take place in Sacred Heart Chapel. Specific details have yet to be released.
NEWS
Loyolan wins CMA Award CMA from Page 1
The attendees of the conference from the Loyolan were Cornblatt, News Editor Isabella Murillo, Managing Editor Kayan Tara, Managing Editor Shannon Tormey, Digital Editor Jack Noble, Copy Chief Lucie Bolzan, Photo Editor Alyssa Reece and former Editor-in-Chief and current Senior Editor, Kellie Chudzinski. During the conference, the staff learned more about how to connect with students, especially in the form of social media, according to Cornblatt. “Instagram is a difficult social media platform to use for people who have a website and are trying to link to other sources. It’s challenging, but we learned a lot on how to use it,” he said. The Loyolan staff was paired up with an adviser from another student publication to critique the paper. “You always get a lot of really good ideas at the conference, so it’s always good to go in with thick skin,” said Chudzinski. “[My biggest takeaway] is to look for the
angle that most affects students. We want to prioritize that.” This is the first time the Loyolan has won this award. According to Chudzinski, the Loyolan was in a very different place when she came in as editor-in-chief two years ago. During this time, the Loyolan worked on improving its accuracy, relevancy and responsibility, as well as making its content more focused on the LMU community. “Like every student organization, [the Loyolan] has had its good years and bad years. So I’m really lucky my two years ended on a high note,” said Chudzinski. “It makes me very proud.” As the new editor-in-chief, Cornblatt hopes to build upon this high note. “[We’re going to] keep the foundation we have and improve in ways we learned at the conference. It’s a years-long process, so you can’t do everything at once. But as long as every paper we produce is increasing in quality, I’m going to be happy,” he said.
via William H. Hannon Archives
Founder of the School of Education, Koppes was a mentor to many. His funeral services will take place in the LMU Sacred Heart Chapel. The specific date has yet to be released.
Alyssa Reece | Loyolan
Kellie Chudzinski, former Editor-in-Chief, poses with the award.
NEWS
laloyolan.com
Page 3
Tan France talks about handling success
not easy for France to keep up with: “It was hellacious ... I was working 14-hour days.” All France’s hard work paid off when “Kingdom and State” caught the attention of major retailer Forever 21, which picked up the brand for a line. France was able to retire at 33. When asked what he misses most while he is away from the other “Queer Eye” cast members France said, “Antoni.” France admitted that he did not like Antoni for the first couple weeks of filming. “I thought he was just too innocent and sweet,” said France. France initially had no interest in being a part of Queer Eye and did not think he would be that important to the show, but he kept going because his husband wanted him to. “You know how Jonathan Cheban is on the Kardashians? That’s how I thought I’d be,” said France about his expectations for “Queer Eye.”
Tan France, a star of Netflix’s ‘Queer Eye’, discusses the show’s impact. Grace Mccauley News Intern @LALoyolan
Tan France, a fashion designer, businessman and star in Netflix’s “Queer Eye” came to speak to students about growing up, his overnight success and the show’s impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Carlie Doll, a sophomore communication studies major, moderated the event. She began the night by asking about France’s roots. France grew up in a predominantly white area in the north of England in a “very strict Pakistani family.” As soon as he could, France went to college hoping to major in sociology. However, France realized that sociology was not his true passion. “I had much more fabulous dreams,” said France. He dropped out of college without his parents’ knowledge and went to fashion school. France realized that working in fashion was the path for him after working retail.
Maeve Sullivan | Loyolan
Tan France, ‘Queer Eye’ star, talks to students about his life and career experiences.
Want to read more stories? Visit us online at LALoyolan.com
“I was the guy folding clothes at Zara,” said France. Ultimately he realized he wanted “to encourage people to dress better.” Doll asked France about his first fashion
See Tan France on Page 4
brand “Kingdom and State,” which he founded in 2011. France admitted that he created the business so he could receive a green card and live in the U.S. However, the business was
LMU releases statement about Bennett, will not investigate Accusations from Page 1
In 1987, Farrington was barred from working with minors, prompting his transfer to LMU. According to the aforementioned article by the Loyolan, this was a common practice in the Catholic Church in the face of allegations against members, which entails moving the accused to a different location where he is unknown. An investigation into Farrington’s time at LMU was launched by the University shortly after the accusations came to light, as detailed in another article by the Loyolan. The investigation was conducted by two lawyers hired by the University and involved numerous interviews with various people in the community. There was no evidence found of sexual misconduct on
Farrington’s part during his time at LMU. According to Thomas Poon, executive vice president and provost, the University does not plan on launching an investigation
“The University does not plan on launching an investigation into Bennett’s time at LMU as they did for Farrington” into Bennett’s time at LMU as they did for Farrington. “LMU is not currently conducting such an investigation, as the University has no record
of allegations of misconduct against Bishop Bennett during his time at LMU,” Poon said. “Students, faculty and staff are always encouraged to report any incident of sexual misconduct to the University and to law enforcement.” In December 2018, Jesuits West Province published a press release containing the names of various priests and brothers who have been accused of sexual abuse. Eleven of these priests and brothers had worked at LMU within the last 50 years. Jesuits West Province released the statement because “the People of God demand and deserve transparency,” according to the press release. “We do so because we hope that this act of accountability will help victims and their families
in the healing process,” it reads. Out of the 11 names, Farrington had most recently worked for the University and is one of the only ones still alive. The other is Eugene Maio, who worked for the University from 1962 to 1967. The list only includes the names of people who have been accused of sexually abusing minors, which is why Bennett was not included. Following this press release, LMU sent out an email to students encouraging those affected by the news to seek support through university resources such as LMU CARES. Poon said that the University learned of the allegations only once they were publicly disclosed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Prior to the allegations being made public,
the University was informed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore that they planned on releasing information about Bennett’s status, but they did not reveal anything specific. A statement was sent to students upon the recent accusations against Bennett. “LMU stands with those who may be affected by this new disclosure,” the statement said. “LMU CARES, Community of Care and the Employee Assistance Program provide resources and support for survivors of sexual misconduct. Students, faculty, and staff are always encouraged to report any incident of sexual misconduct to the university and to law enforcement.”
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NEWS
laloyolan.com Page 4
DPS begins to implement new programs
DPS from Page 1
Other new changes focus on dialogue between DPS and the LMU community. First, the Emergency Management Committee will become a Public Safety Committee. Second, DPS will create the Public Safety Student Ambassador Program. The Emergency Management Committee aims to “identify goals and enhance emergency management and campus readiness,” according to Scarboro. The committee is made up of “academic and administrative representatives.” This will transition into the Public Safety Committee, “will focus on public safety concerns and allow for the pool of participants to be expanded to include more faculty representation,” according to Scarboro. The Public Safety Committee differs from the ambassador program, which consists of
undergraduate and graduate students meeting monthly to create dialogue between DPS and the student body. The ambassadors will give feedback to DPS about how the student body views them. They will also assist in crafting and implementing upcoming public safety ventures. There are no details about when these programs will begin, nor about how students/ faculty can become involved. More information will likely be released in the coming weeks. “I believe this leadership reorganization and these new community-partnership opportunities will continue to evolve our safety, security and preparedness initiatives as we strive to create the world we want to live in,” said Scarboro. She emphasized her confidence in Schwartz and Martinez to make this belief a reality.
Schwartz served as LMU’s assistant chief of emergency management and administration from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, she was director of emergency
management and strategic initiatives from 2011 to 2014. She has been the VP of operations at the L.A. Homeland Security Advisory
Council since 2017. Martinez worked as an operations supervisor for the FBI for 23 years, according to his LinkedIn. He is both an LMU graduate and LMU parent. Scarboro says he “understands the needs of the University and how our officers engage with the LMU community.” This large-scale reorganization of DPS is evidence that the University saw the need for change after the shooter hoax incident. The new positions, leaders and organizations are steps forward for a department that failed at its job last semester.
via LMU This Week
Danny Martinez (left) has been named the new chief of the Department of Public Safety and Devra Schwartz (right) is the first vice president for campus safety and security.
Want to read more stories? Visit us online at LALoyolan.com
Tan France talks minority representation in media Tan France from Page 1
France admitted that when he realized how large his role was, he was unhappy. “I cried every day for the first three weeks of the show ... I was gonna quit the show,” said France. After deciding to stay on the show, France remarked how surprised he was at its popularity. “I truly thought some of the girls and gays would watch,” said France. France recalled the moment he realized how big the show had become when Bon Jovi asked for a picture backstage for his wife at the Today Show. Doll asked France about the “Fab Five,” the name given to the five men on the original show. “Queer Eye” is a reboot of a show from 2003 called “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” “Those guys were pioneers, they really did change the landscape,” said France. He elaborated on how much respect he has for the original Fab Five being open about their sexuality on television in a time when that was not the norm. Doll segued into a discussion about the impact of “Queer Eye” on the LGBTQ+ community and how France feels about that.
“It has created allies across the world,” said France. France spoke about how he appreciates the support from fellow Pakistanis. “I never thought that this would happen in my lifetime,” said France. Doll finally asked France what details he could share about the newly released season three of “Queer Eye.” France spoke about how his relationship has developed with his co-stars throughout the filming of the upcoming season. “Now I know those idiots so well,” said France. “This season is wicked ... you see me cry for the first time this season.” In a bit of advice for college students, France advocated practicing self-love. “I brush my teeth in my underwear ... I spend two minutes telling myself ‘Yes, I don’t like my stomach, but I love my arms [and] my brown skin,’” said France. In a question and answer session, France spoke about the inclusion of minorities in television. “There is not enough ... I feel very lucky to be in a position where I get to represent my community,” said France.
Maeve Sullivan | Loyolan
During his talk, Tan France encouraged representation of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color in media, as well as the practice of self-love.
Vigil for New Zealand shooting
Alyssa Reece | Loyolan
The LMU community held a vigil to mourn the lives lost at the shooting in a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was held on Monday, March 18 at 9:30 p.m. on the steps of the Sacred Heart Chapel.
CONGRATUL ATIONS to students presenting at the
ELEVENTH ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM! Ahmad Khalifeh Aira Wada Aison King Alden Lundy Alejandra Vasquez Alejandro Zapata Acosta Alex Gavia Alex Stamas Alexandra Horvath Alexandra MacLean Alexandra Meek Alexandra OHara Alexia Filler Alexis Hadjarpour Alfredo Hernandez Alison King Allison Sarbaum Allyson Trakas Amanda Moore Amelia Jay Andre De Leon Andrei Pineda Andrew Brown Andrew Narag Andrew York Angela Abarquez Angela Cardamone Angelica Ortega Anna Savage Anna Yager Annabelle Chardonnet Annie Heckman Anthony Avaylen Anthony Lopez Anton-Luigi Picazo Ariana Albiar Ariel Pruyser Ashley Naliwajko Ashwarya Sharma Aurora Crum Aurora Occelli Ava Lekander Avery Dillon Avery Dillon Barbara Velasco Betssy Jauregui Blake Colton Brad Callas Brandon Nam Brenda Quintanilla Briana King Bridger Caicedo Brooke Duplantier Brynn Bodair Brynne Weed Buddha Elkenani Calvin Foss Cameo Brown Cameron Rehmani Seraji Camila De Pierola Camila Rivera Camryn Barker Candice Cross Carlos Mesa Baron
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OPINION
laloyolan.com Page 8
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.
America needs to learn from New Zealand’s PM The topic of gun violence has re-emerged on an international level following a horrific mass shooting in New Zealand. A gunman killed 50 worshippers at two mosques on Friday in Christchurch, New Zealand, the biggest mass shooting in the country in 30 years. The Loyolan believes the U.S. should be inspired by New Zealand’s quick response to change gun laws after the massacre. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has handled the crisis with unparalleled grace, paying for funeral services for the victims of the attacks and wearing a traditional Muslim headscarf (a hijab) to mourn. She has been utterly respectful of the grieving Muslim community, while being firm in her stance against white extremists. Ardern stated, “While work is being done as to the chain of events that lead to both the holding of this gun license and the possession of these weapons, I can tell you one thing right now: our gun laws will change.” In comparison, U.S. President Donald Trump wasted no time in painting himself as the victim, tweeting, “The Fake News Media is working overtime to blame me for the horrible attack in New Zealand.” At the time of publication, he has not condemned the white nationalist ideals that led to this attack, nor does he consider the rise of white nationalism to be a threat to the country’s stability, according to the Washington Post. In a lukewarm extension of support, Trump tweeted out “warmest sympathy and best wishes” and that “the U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do” on Friday. The White House released a statement condemning the shooting. While Trump is not directly encouraging the shooting, the damaging
rhetoric he perpetuates has far reaching consequences. The shooter sent a manifesto minutes before the attack to Ardern and within the 74-pages of terrorist writing, he mentions Trump as “a symbol of renewed white identity.” While this manifesto’s purpose is most likely to spread violence and fear in the wake of his attack and shouldn’t be taken seriously, the fact that Trump is mentioned at all is appalling. In the face of a clearly racist attack that led to the deaths of 50 people, and a reported connection to the shooter, Trump is still reluctant to denounce white supremacy and gun violence. New Zealand is already on the path to change gun laws in the face of tragedy, but America seems unable to do this despite having the highest number of shootings per year in comparison to other nations. The almost immediate response by Ardern and her cabinet is the sort of approach we can only hope is an example to our country’s leadership. While both New Zealand and the U.S. are among the few nations without universal gun registration rules and persistent gun lobbies, Ardern and her cabinet did not let this stop them from working towards reforming their gun laws immediately. Ardern said “our gun laws will change” less than 24 hours after this mass shooting. The U.S., however, has yet to offer more than limited gun control over a year after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the largest mass shooting in the country’s history. The U.S. needs to follow in Ardern’s footsteps. Year after year, this country faces mass shootings on increasingly large scales. Yet, outside of banning bump stocks, the federal government has done very little. These problems are not going to go away until we do something. Ardern knows this. It’s time our government wakes up and joins her.
“The Loyolan believes the U.S. should be inspired by New Zealand’s quick response to change gun laws after the massacre.”
The Catholic Church continues to fail Steven’s Reasons Steven Nassif
Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan
W
hy do we keep hearing this story? That is the question that so many of us have been trying to answer in light of more recent revelations about the Catholic Church’s widespread cover-up of child sexual abuse by the clergy. This far-reaching scandal has even reached LMU with recent reports of sexual harassment by a former LMU Jesuit, Bishop Gordon Bennett. Though we still do not know the precise nature of the allegations, they were deemed credible enough to bar Bennett from performing any priestly or episcopal ministry. One can argue that the expulsion of Bishop Gordon Bennett is evidence of the Catholic Church taking their policies more seriously. After all, the event reportedly took place 13 years ago, and the Church could have continued to ignore it. But unfortunately, the Catholic Church is too large and decentralized to take any meaningful steps toward addressing this problem. Nothing will change on a large scale until the Church itself makes a much greater effort toward standardization of its policies. The Catholic Church has 1.2 billion followers. If it were a country, it would be the third largest in the world, right behind China and India. The idea of regulating behavior by clergy-people in dioceses spanning the globe is an impossible task for the Catholic Church under their current organizational structure. There are hundreds of Catholic
Archdioceses worldwide, and each one is responsible for their own approach toward sexual misconduct. Policies and responses to scandals often differ depending on location. For example, the Archdiocese of Boston agreed to engage and potentially settle with any alleged victim, while the Archdiocese of New York spent years lobbying aggressively against legislation to extend the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims.On top of that, members of religious orders are required to report not to bishops, but to heads of
their organizations instead. As a result of this de-centralization, the Church has difficulty creating standards and policies that its clergy can reliably implement and follow. This is why it is so important to standardize and enforce policies and responses toward sexual assault throughout all dioceses and orders within the Church. Yes, it is a large undertaking, but it is an even larger problem that needs to be addressed immediately. See Catholic church | Page 10
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Abby Pollak | Loyolan
The accusations against Bishop Bennett reflect a continued failiure from the Catholic Church.
The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.
OPINION
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RHA needs to improve communication with residents Vejas’ Reflections Vejas Vasiliauskas Staff Writer @LALoyolan
R
esidence Hall Association (RHA) is a nationwide organization that serves as an opportunity for students living on campus to participate in their dorm’s student government. While it is understandable that RHA members are busy with activities such as service organizations and Greek life, I feel that those who have signed up to become involved should remember their commitment to their dorm and fellow residents. According to the LMU Student Affairs web site’s page, “About RHA,” “The mission of the Residence Hall Association is to promote student leadership, to actively engage the residential community and to advocate as representatives of the residential community, operating in conjunction with the Student Housing Office.” The application process is the same for all the dorms and suites; since I am the first-floor senator of Rains Hall, I have focused specifically on this building. Prospective applicants express their interest to become involved during the second and third weeks of the first semester. They fill out a simple form on LEO, LMU’s events page. Once they submit their application and it has been approved, they are then free to create campaign posters or flyers before elections at the end of September. RHA positions include president, vice-
president, marketing chair, activities chair, advocacy chair, operations chair and floor senators. RHA meets once a week for an hour, working to plan their events for the upcoming month. In addition to organizing our events, they are also responsible for making sure that residents can come and talk to them if they have a roommate issue, have a complaint about other services on campus or just want a chat. While I am grateful for the valuable opportunity of participating in RHA, I can see many areas in which we really need to improve. One such area is that many students get RHA events confused with the ones put on by the RAs (residential advisors), which are weekly, rather than monthly. When asked whether she had attended an RHA event before, Alex Farrell, a sophomore biology major, replied, “I have gone to a cookie-baking event with my RA, Patrick, a few times.” Farrell is not alone in her confusion about the role of residential advisors compared to those in student government. Some residents are uncomfortable sharing information with RHA. “Personally, I know that some members of RHA have exhibited kindness and openness, but I feel like I would only go to the members of RHA to talk about school stresses and problems,” said Haley Bulen, a sophomore film and television production major. The final and most important issue concerning RHA is the time commitment needed for those on the board to attend weekly meetings, create posters, order food and perform other actions that are meant for events. For some, it is fairly easy: “RHA is a time
commitment, and one which I care about,” said Co-President of Rains RHA, Atomic Thorson, a double major in recording arts and screenwriting. “If I didn’t want to put 100 percent of my energy into RHA, I would not have joined, because I believe that if you’re going to do something, you should do it fully.” For others on the board, it is more difficult. Third-floor senator Katie Kessler, a sophomore film and television production and theater arts major, said, “I find the hardest part of being a member of RHA to be overlapping commitments. It feels like I always have things going on at the same time as RHA events or meetings, so I have to carve out time specifically for RHA some weeks.” Kessler’s sentiment is very understandable,
and shows the challenges that come with the desire to be involved in so many activities. Of course, it would be both unrealistic and unreasonable to expect students in RHA to be so invested in it that they have time for nothing else. However, we might be able to increase communication with students if we have more accessible bulletin boards. There could be a board located on each floor, listing information for the monthly events. Despite the fact that it is important to acknowledge that RHA has much to work on, it should not be too difficult to do if everyone on the team is willing to participate and put these changes into place. This is the opinion of Vejas Vasiliauskas, a junior English major from Manhattan Beach, California. Tweet comments to @laloyolan or email comments to editor@theloyolan.com.
Jacob Johanson | Loyolan
RHAs should remember their commitment to their dorm and fellow residents.
Let politicans flip-flop Steven’s Reasons Steven Nassif
Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan
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n May of 2018, presidential candidate Kamala Harris supported Senator Cory Booker’s push for marijuana legalization nationwide, and last month she opened up about her own marijuana usage on The Breakfast Club radio show. But back in 2010, when running for Attorney General of California, she opposed the legalization of marijuana, according to campaign manager Brian Brokaw, speaking to Sacramento newspaper Capitol Weekly. Last November, Kirsten Gillibrand, another of the many presidential candidates, expressed her frustration with Congress’ inaction on gun control on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, claiming that “it is because of the greed of the gun manufacturers and the greed of the NRA.” The only problem: Gillibrand received a 100 percent rating from the NRA as a Congresswoman in 2009, according to Slate, while representing a conservative district in upstate New York. According to the same article, she now has an F rating from the NRA. These examples may come off as politicians changing their beliefs in order to pander to a group of voters, but whether or not candidates actually believe in what they are fighting for is practically inconsequential. A politician’s first responsibility is to represent the wants of his
or her constituents, and their own personal views should not interfere with those of the people they are representing. Back in 2008, legalization of gay marriage was an unpopular issue nationwide, and as a result, “both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama believe[d] the act of marriage should be between a man and a woman,” according to The New York Times. Most Democrats at the time opposed gay marriage, but in the years since, public opinion on this issue has evolved and as a result Obama, Clinton and most other Democratic politicians have evolved on this issue as well.
“The most important thing for a politican to be passionate about is representing their constituents.” “After the high court said there is a right to same sex marriage, lots of politicans changed their minds on this issue, because their constituents were saying that they would hate to take away those rights,” said LMU professor of political science Evan Gerstmann. Some might say that we have a representative democracy instead of a direct democracy for a reason, because we do not want to be ruled by, as James Madison described in the Federalist Papers, “the tyranny of the majority.” There was a time when racist policies
represented the will of the people, for example,and in cases like those, politicians should not succomb to that pressure. But I believe that a vast majority of situations do not reach this point. In most cases, the government ignoring the will of the people will only result in an unhappy populous and a restriction of democracy. An example of this can be found in one of America’s most historically unpopular politicians, President Herbert Hoover. Hoover presided over the beginning of the Great Depression and famously refused to offer extensive government aid, even at a time when the unemployment rate was 25 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In his mind, Hoover was sticking to his own convictions, not wanting to compromise his beliefs for votes. But the reality was that his policies greatly worsened the effects of the Depression and were extremely unpopular with the public. This led to a historic landslide defeat by Franklin D. Roosevelt and a reversal of most of Hoover’s economic policies. I know we all want our politicians to be genuine and passionate about certain issues, but I think the most important thing for a politician to be passionate about is representing their constituents. The best way to do that is to mirror the view of their constituents. This is the opinion of Steven Nassif, a junior entrepreneurship major from Santa Clarita, California. Tweet comments to @ laloyolan or email comments to editor@ theloyolan.com.
OPINION
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College bribery is a systemic issue Smiling Sally Sally Dean
Opinion Intern @LALoyolan
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etting into college can be a very long and difficult process. College applications often require multiple essays, lists of your extracurriculars, SAT/ ACT scores and an application fee. Putting all this effort into an application only to get rejected isn’t fun, and it is made worse knowing that other people only had to have their face photo-shopped onto a stock picture of an athlete. The college indictment scandal was just that, along with other fraudulent activities such as cheating on the SATs and bribery to officials, coaches and advisors. What does this say about the college admissions process in the U.S.? The college cheating scandal perpetuates classism and reinforces the problems within college admissions in the United States. Students from low-income families are often barely able to afford to take tests like the SAT or ACT and then have to pay a fee for the application itself. According to Vice News, low-income students are also not encouraged to apply to top schools, and they are told their chances are low either based on their background, race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status. The college cheating scandal reinforces the false idea to low-income students that they aren’t good enough and that they don’t belong in the world of higher education. This is discouraging because, according to The New York Times, many low-income students have amazing potential to do great things, but students with wealth and often less academic achievement are awarded spots at top colleges. The college cheating scandal furthers the socioeconomic divide in America. Students who are from well-off families often go to college not realizing the gift it is, while low-income students are unable to attend college because of
the lack of financial means. College admissions in the U.S. are intense, and that is shown through the extremely low acceptance rates at Ivy League schools. Along with these acceptance rates, some admission spots are reserved for legacy students. In a video from Vice News about the scandal, a former admissions officer from the University of Pennslyvania spoke to how many spots were reserved for legacy students and students whose parents have donated to the university. This culture of rewarding students for nothing other than their parents’ wealth prolongs a cycle of botched admissions, as students should be accepted on what they have done rather than their parents’ pockets. Admissions officers should select students based on their ability and
Church abuse is still an issue Catholic church from Page 8
Furthermore, what the Church should do is make greater efforts to work with local law enforcement whenever a complaint is received. We know that the Church is not very well equipped for handling investigations, so it makes sense to try and work with those who are. Any allegation should be immediately handed over to local law enforcement and the Church should provide as much help as possible toward the investigation. LMU has taken steps toward addressing this problem of sexual abuse within the Church, according to theological studies professor Dr. Michael Horan. The theological studies department of LMU will hold a program intended on addressing the question of why one would stay active in the Church after these scandals. Also, the theological studies faculty has contributed the LMU Laband Art Gallery exhibit, “Confess,” by installation artist Trina McKillen. The exhibit addresses sex abuse by clergy and is on campus until the end of March. But the reality is that LMU is acting under its own volition and this is not a mandating act from the Church. Also, Bishop Bennett was only disciplined because the Archdiocese of Baltimore announced a new policy regarding sexual misconduct allegations against bishops. If he had been
with another Archdiocese, it is possible that he would still be working as a minister within the Church. I applaud the approach taken by LMU and the actions taken by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. I believe this level acknowledgement of and tenacity toward investigating sexual misconduct should be standardized throughout the Catholic Church. The Church recently met for the first time at the Vatican on the issue of sexual abuse, and they took very few concrete steps to solve the problem. Survivors were dissatisfied with the results. Though many Church leaders may not currently believe it, a lack of transparency and accountability works against their own interest. The Catholic Church currently has an enormous reputation problem and recent developments like the revelation about Bishop Gordon Bennett only continue to add distrust among its followers. The Church needs to rebuild trust between it and its followers if it wants to survive, and the only way to do that is to implement not just incremental, but drastic changes in the way they handle sexual misconduct. This is the opinion of Steven Nassif, a junior entrepreneurship major from Santa Clarita, California. Tweet comment @LALoyolan or email editor@ theloyolan.com.
projected success at a university rather than their parents’ wallet. The admissions process for colleges in the U.S. is flawed, and the college cheating scandal demonstrates the power of money and the ways it can be abused through bribery and fraudulent activity. Why did these parents decide to go through all this effort to fake their children’s way into college? The obvious answer is that they wanted the best for them, and by getting them into the best colleges they were offering them that. From that perspective one can see the motive, but it is also questionable, as there are perfectly legal ways to guarantee your child’s acceptance; for example, through connections at school boards or actually investing in tutoring for your child during high school.
The scandal demonstrates how the current admissions structure is fallible and emphasizes the need for change in the college admissions system in the U.S. It also focuses on the influence of classism in the college admissions process and convinces to low income students that they don’t have what it takes to get into a top college. These misguided ideas need to be eliminated and through the aftermath of the scandal, I hope that we will see reform in colleges to help heal the broken admissions system in America. This is the opinion of Sally Dean, a freshman political science major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tweet comments to @LAloyolan or email comments to editor@theloyolan.com.
See College scandal | Page
OPINION
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SEAVER SPOTLIGHT:
Electronic Health Records: Past, Present and Future Trends TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019
5:30 p.m. – Networking | 6 p.m. – Panel Discussion Reception to follow
LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING AUDITORIUM
Data make up the fabric of modern life. Yet, the promise of electronic medical records as a key to improving health care quality still leaves much to be desired. A decade later, we ask: How did we get here? What improvements can be made? Where is the future of technology in health care headed? A panel of executives from San Diego Health Connect, Salesforce and UCLA Health will explore these questions and future developments.
RSVP: cse.lmu.edu/spotlight
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Back in class, off of grass Spring break’s amazing, Holding on until Easter. Summer, where art thou? Andrew Dazé
Post-Spring Break Spiritual Leader Welcome back to the Bluff everyone. Wipe that crust out of your eyes and dust the cobwebs off of your medulla oblongata because it’s time to get back to class. Upon arrival back to campus there may be a palpable sense of stress in the air — this is due to the tremendous procrastination that occurred during the week off of school. Backpacks may be heavier than you remember. Physics professor Dr. Blake Whole explains this phenomenon saying, “Untouched books and binders accumulate dust at a remarkable rate. The weight of your backpack can increase 12 percent over just a week long break.” Dr. Whole says the best way to combat unwanted backpack weight is by “washing your books thoroughly: taking
a shower with your text books is proven to improve the mood of your books as well as give you, the owner, a greater sense of fulfillment.” There’s a good chance you haven’t looked at your planner since the break started. I mean why would you? If you haven’t, there is an even better chance that you have a quiz on your first day back. This was the case for a senior overheard in the gym. He said, “I had a quiz in my first class and I bombed it. Turned in 20 pages of homework and had no idea what I wrote on it. [I have] less than two months left and I’ve been saving up my silicone-based grease just to skid by during this time.” This tactic usually does not work out. Coming back from Spring break means the remainder of the semester will be more summer than spring. This is a perfect time to get cracking on those tans. The Bluff’s top recommendation for getting tan is to sprawl au naturel on the Sunken Garden from around 3-5 p.m. daily. The sun’s beams will be able to tan you with a reduced UV output and I will be out of class to supervise.
Ellen Na | Loyolan
Forgetting to bathe your books will surely lead to back pain.
The American dream coming true Working hard might get you somewhere, but cash definitely will. Jordan Boaz Cashless
Welcome to America: a world where success is hard-earned, where those at the bottom can emerge on the top and where the path from dreams to reality is no more difficult than having a willingness to try and try again. It’s a world where those who don’t make it just haven’t worked hard enough, a place that brings about equal opportunity for all. Peek now at a recently discovered to-do list of a formerly hard-working high school student named Lolivia Kade, who exemplifies how working hard can help one to achieve the American dream: To Do: • School?? • Edit & post selfie • Edit & post other selfie • Venmo the guy who does my homework • Ask him to take my SAT ($12,000 in budget) Photoshop crew pic Hit up club & after-party • •
• Drink champagne after hard day And ladies and gents, there you have it. This is what dreams are made of. Hard, hard work that’ll get you where you want to be. In the land of the free, there are no limits. On the other hand, there are those who don’t work quite so hard. See here a to-do list from a high school student named Iams Leepless who recently received a rejection letter from USC (there was just under enough room for her to attend): To Do: • School (remember to bring soccer clothes and work clothes) • Lunch (start AP homework) • Back to school (have essay finished) • Soccer practice • Work until 11 (goal = $100 in tips) • Homework / SAT study • Bed by 2?? • Also call Grandma Clearly hard work prevails. While Kade made sure she was set up for success, Leepless just didn’t make it happen. With perhaps a little less sleep (or a little more cash), maybe
Leepless could have secured that spot at USC. But instead, today she continues to waste 50 weekly hours of her time as a
waitress. She uses the tips to pay for her car, which she uses to get to the restaurant where she can get those tips. If only she used
her time in more productive ways (like getting friendly with her SAT proctor) then, maybe, she could rise to the top.
Harrison Klein | Loyolan
A student stays in to study while his friends go out to party. Who will make it into college?
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.
laloyolan.com Page 13
Darn Things Kids SAy
CHARACTERS WITH CHARACTER
By Ellen Na, Staff Cartoonist
By Gabrielle Ouellette, Staff Cartoonist
life+arts
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KXLU fundraiser kicks off Thursday KXLU’s annual fundraising event supports the studentrun radio station year-round. Donna Borges Life+Arts Intern @donnaborgess
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XLU’s annual fundraiser—stylized “FUNDRAZOR”—kicks off this Thursday, March 21 at 9 a.m. Fundrazor runs 24 hours a day for the entire week, ending on March 30 at 6 p.m. Donations from listeners and fans of the station, many of whom have been tuning in for decades, can be made either online or by calling the Fundrazor pledge line, which is in operation 24/7 throughout the week of the drive. Donors have the option of purchasing merchandise—including KXLU t-shirts, crewnecks, hats, beanies, skate decks, lighters, blankets, Nalgene water bottles, etc.—or giving a monetary donation. The pledge lines are operated by KXLU DJs who volunteer their time to take donations for their station. KXLU operates as an independent radio station, even though it is technically part of LMU. The station is run completely on donations, most of which are made during the Fundrazor drive, and which go straight to KXLU’s budget that funds all aspects of the station’s operations. KXLU’s current general manager, Ricky Barocio, a senior business management major and Chicana/o and Latina/o studies minor, explained where the donation
via KXLU
KXLU radio station’s annual fundraiser event — FUNDRAZOR — runs from March 21-30. money from the event goes: “Our Fundrazor dollars go directly toward our operating expenses such as our FCC and FM licenses and online streams via our website and online app.” KXLU also uses the funds raised at this event to host two annual music festivals, “KXLU indie and salsa festivals are free to the public and take place on campus,” Barocio said. This year’s Fundrazor is a little different, as it is taking place in the spring semester rather than in the fall. “With this change, we expect more people to contribute as it will be springtime in Los Angeles and people will generally be happier,” Barocio explained. “We will also be offering special premiums that the director team and I have been working on,
so people will definitely jump on those.” The station celebrated its 60th anniversary during the 2017-2018 school year with the goal of raising $100,000 during Fundrazor. “Our last drive actually took place in October of 2017 which was a really great year as we surpassed our goal on the seventh day,” Barocio said. KXLU is a commercial-free and studentrun radio station with a commitment to representing lesser-known artists and genres. According to the station’s website, “KXLU is committed to maintaining consistently high programming standards throughout its schedule by striving to give under represented artists and musical genres, who do not have a voice on the traditional mainstream circuit, an
alternative and supportive forum in which to showcase their talent.” The station also broadcasts LMU sports games, which began with the broadcast of men’s basketball games in the 1950s. KXLU is also considered the flagship station to LMU Athletics. KXLU is unique in that it is one of the only opportunities for students in Los Angeles to learn all aspects of radio, including broadcasting, programming and production. Freshman film studies major Lauren Cassiano has only been a KXLU DJ for a few months but has already seen how many doors the station has opened up for her, including connecting with new friends and learning about LMU’s new Music Industry Society. “All of my experiences have been positive at the station and hopefully throughout my next few years I can get more involved and use my resources at KXLU to the fullest potential,” Cassiano said. LMU recently approved a request to replace the station’s transmitter and antenna. The project will be completed in May 2019 and will only affect the FM broadcast for a few days, and the online stream will be unaffected. The station also recently rolled out a new and updated website, designed by junior film production major, studio arts minor and KXLU’s social media and web director, Nate Rynaski. Donations can be made online at kxlu. com/donate, or by calling the pledge line (310) 338-KXLU. The station’s programming schedule and DJ bios, as well as the live stream, can be found on their website.
SUGARFISH serves up spectacular sushi Sammi Side Up
Sammi Su
Life+Arts Intern @laloyolan
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ithin a small, bustling plaza just a short drive away from the Westchester campus, an L.A.based Japanese chain restaurant, SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa, serves authentic Japanese food of the freshest quality. “Simply great sushi” is their motto, and they serve a variety of
nigiri sushi, ranging from classic sushi staples such as tuna to NZ Sea Bream. Their founding chef, Kazunori Nozawa, follows the philosophy of the Nozawa style of cooking, where clients trust the chef’s judgment by selecting a combo rather than ordering specific items from a list menu. The menu highlights three main sushi combinations: the “Trust Me Lite,” the “Trust Me” and “The Nozawa Trust Me,” ranging from the least amount of items to the most (lunch prices are $19, $27 and $37 respectively).
When I visited their Marina Del Rey location for lunch, I ordered their classic set, the “Trust Me” combination. There are additional items that can be ordered individually, such as their Blue Crab Cut Roll and their Uni Sushi. Although most of the items are fairly standard for a traditional Japanese restaurant, I found the freshness of their seafood to be impressively undeniable. The Blue Crab Cut Roll is cut into four even pieces and lightly salted to bring out the natural flavor of the crab.
Meanwhile, the uni glows with a vibrant golden-orange color, demonstrating its freshness. As for the main course, the “Trust Me” combination came with Organic Edamame, Tuna sashimi, two pieces of Albacore sushi, two pieces of Salmon sushi, one Toro Hand Roll, a piece of Yellowtail sushi, a piece of Sea Bass sushi and a Crab Hand Roll. Japanese restaurants are generally judged by the fish’s quality, the ingredients’ freshness and sushi chef’s technique and overall execution. SUGARFISH notably checks all of these boxes, especially focusing on freshness. They import a limited quantity of a number of items, listed under a special category, “Limited Availability Items” to ensure the freshness of their products. On their homepage, their owner, Kazunori Nozawa, elaborates further on the Nozawa style that he developed for the SUGARFISH chain restaurants. The Nozawa style of sushi is modeled off of the traditional Japanese omakase style, most often seen in local restaurants throughout Japan. Omakase is essentially the “Trust Me” method, where the head chefs of the night determine the dishes, and the customers place their full trust (and their wallets) to the hands of their sushi masters. Each item is then served on delicate platters, usually one to two pieces of nigiri sushi at once, as the customers either chat with the chefs or with their friends or colleagues at meals. Another fun factor of this place was the overall architecture and design of the restaurant. Tucked in the center of a plaza
of cool shops and restaurants, the Marina Del Rey SUGARFISH location stands out with its beautiful wooden and creamcolored aesthetic. Simplistic and clean, the environment reflects the plating of the dishes served and gives it a comfortable atmosphere. Usually bustling with people during mealtimes, they have an outdoors waiting area that is carved into their restaurant lot, and the entryway into the restaurant is one large majestic gate-like door which opens up to the rest of the restaurant as you walk in and gives it a sense of grandeur that adds to the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. Additionally, the service is very friendly; waiters are neatly dressed and ready to help with any request. One final notable factor is that SUGARFISH accepts Flexi on the OneCard for the convenience of LMU students. Additionally, they are also available through Postmates, so students without transportation could reach the restaurant through a tap of their phones through the Postmates mobile ordering app. For students living nearby or on campus that are looking for a change of pace from standard campus dining options, SUGARFISH is a convenient alternative for those looking to try authentic Japanese cuisine. SUGARFISH is located at 4720 Admiralty Way in Marina Del Rey. They are open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is the opinion of Sammi Su, a freshman marketing major from West Covina, CA. Tweet comments to @twitter or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.
life+arts
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Underclassmen create feature film Cormac ‘n Cheese
Cormac Dolezal
Asst. Life+Arts Editor @cormacdolezal
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olton Van Til, sophomore film and television production major, and Sophia Hoefle, sophomore film and television production major, created the feature-length film “Aberdeen” the summer after their freshman year. “Aberdeen” tells the story of Mia, a sports journalist who uncovers a dark secret in her home town of Aberdeen, Washington. The film has screened at several film festivals around the country and a viewing party for LMU students was held on Thursday, Feb. 28 in Mayer Theater. Van Til wrote and directed the film while Hoefle served as producer and assistant director. Cormac Dolezal (CD): So let’s start this off with the inception of the project, what made you want to make a film of this scale? Colton Van Til (CVT): I think when the idea came to me, it came to me as a short film. In the summer before freshman year, I was kind of playing around with different ideas. My oldest brother is a sports journalist up in Washington and a lot of the stories he told me about his experience at his first job at a small town paper, kind of similar to Aberdeen, inspired what I wanted to write about. It wasn’t really in my mind when I was just toying around with the idea that I should make a feature, but then I got here and met a lot of people who were really passionate about filmmaking in SFTV. People were wanting to do bigger things and I was definitely one of them. So me, Sophia and a few other people teamed together and one night were just like, “let’s just turn this into a feature.” I’m not sure how serious we were at first, but
via Cloudstar Pictures
Van Til and Hoefle present their feature film “Aberdeen” to a group of LMU students. we just kept saying it so many times that we director of photography (DP) and several of eventually did it. our locations a few weeks before production. CD: Sophia, when was the first time For me, it was all of these things at the last you heard about the project and what second where I realized what we were getting made you want to be so involved? ourselves into. It wasn’t all of a sudden Sophia Hoefle (SH): I think it was one something we were gonna do in the spring, afternoon, Colton called me and was like, “Hey it was “this is the spring, and we have to do can you come over and look over this idea for this now.” me?” So, I went over to his room, and he had all SH: I don’t think I ever doubted that we of these Post-its on his desk, and he was like, were gonna make this happen. I think I just “here’s a rough idea of what I have going.” It doubted the quality of the film. was literally just “journalist is named Mia”and CVT: And I think that the mindset Sophia “Pat was the bad guy originally and the team is had was that we were going to make it one way also bad,” and I was like “okay umm.” But after or another. I think that there’s this perfection talking about it, he seemed like he was really mindset and if you always listen to that into it. I mean it’s cool, he’s got a female lead, perfectionist voice, you are not going to finish it’s sick that he’s super progressive. Part of me a project. was also like, “why not?” I asked if I could also CD: So this is obviously a movie about be assistant director as well as producer and journalism — what makes this story so he said, “well, why not?” important to tell, especially today? CD: Was there ever a point in time CVT: I think what I’m most passionate where you guys weren’t sure if it was about with this story is the role that journalism going to happen? has within our society right now. There’s CVT: I think along the way there are always this idea that people don’t have to pay for a hundred different points where you’re journalism and it’s really hurting a lot papers. like, “why should I keep going?” We lost our Journalists are so underpaid to begin with and
people expect to get good journalism for free, and that’s just not how it works. We didn’t have the money to tackle big budget journalism. I would have loved to make a movie about the New York Times or the Washington Post and what they go through on a day-to-day basis, but smalltown journalism is super interesting as well because they are getting paid even less than those people. CD: For the people who were not at the screening, how would they go about seeing the film in the future? What’s the next step? CVT: Right now, it’s unfortunately a waiting game as we wait to hear back from other festivals. We’ve also signed with a sales agency, and they are taking it around to different buyers. My hope is that they can figure something out, and we can release it by late summer. But, that’s why we wanted to do this cast and crew screening because there were so many people here at LMU who wanted to see the project as well. We will update everyone via our social media, but unfortunately right now it’s a waiting game. CD: Then what’s next for you guys as filmmakers? SH: We have a couple projects going on. We have an animated short that is in preproduction, and we will make it over the summer. And then in the summer, we will probably begin pre-production on another animated project, as well as a feature film if Colton can finish writing it. CVT: That’s something where we are hoping to a get a first draft of that script by early April. What’s nice is that all of these connections we are making through distribution right now with “Aberdeen” are people that we are able to follow up with about this new script. I think the best thing right now is just to not lose the momentum and “Aberdeen” has already served its purpose as a great learning experience.
life+arts
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Places to see the 2019 super bloom Ally Cat Ally Boulas
Life+Arts Editor @allyroseboulas
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f you’ve been anywhere near Instagram lately, chances are you’ve seen photo after photo
of the super blooms happening in Southern California right now. But what you might not know is that the super bloom isn’t limited to the cheerful orange poppies dominating our social feeds or how to track these beautiful blossoms down. Here are the best places in Southern California to catch the
spectacular 2019 super bloom in all its glory. Anza-Borrego State Park Ironically, this massive state park located in the deserts southeast of Los Angeles is a place where you can see hundreds of blooms and colorful wildflowers sprouting from the sands. The town of Borrego Springs is popular
among super bloom seekers, and is a gateway to the state park. Walker Canyon Walker Canyon is a total poppy paradise and is most likely the spot you’ve seen all over social media. While the beautiful orange flowers are a spectacular sight and it’s conveniently closer to L.A., traffic heading there is pretty heavy, so come prepared. Diamond Valley Lake, Hemet This picturesque lake about two hours away from LMU offers spectacular views of poppies, bluebells and other wildflowers. Trails opened in early March, and you can even rent a boat on the lake to get a unique view of the blooms. Antelope Valley Reserve This wildflower reserve about an hour and a half away from campus boasts hundreds of poppies, as well as forget-me-nots. According to their website, the best time to see the poppies is when they begin to open up mid-morning.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy This reserve in Irvine has free guided wildlife tours that offer views of the blooms and is in a convenient location, close to the LMU campus. Catalina Island Conservancy If you want to get off the mainland, check out this conservancy on Catalina Island, just off the shores of Long Beach. Their website suggests taking a guided open-air Jeep tour to truly take in the beauty of California’s native wildflowers. Wherever you decide to go, or however you decide to view the spectacular super blooms, be sure to do your part in conserving the sites for future visitors by not taking any flowers as souvenirs and sticking to the marked trails. This is the opinion of Ally Boulas, a senior theatre arts major from Sacramento, CA. Tweet comments to @allyroseboulas or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.
via Public Domain Photos
The California super bloom attracts photographers and visitors alike.
SPORTS
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SPORTS
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Lions look to make history on the beach this season Volleyball from Page 20
Mayer is entering his fourth year as the head coach of this team. Mayer comes from a playing background, which includes a college career at Pepperdine and playing professionally on the USA national beach volleyball team. He retired from professional volleyball in 2018. This season is especially significant for Mayer and his team, as this is his first season with a senior class he has coached since their first seasons at LMU. Kovac and senior Veronica Nederend are two freshmen from Mayer’s first season who now face their final seasons on the beach with the possibility of achieving real success. “They’ve been with me all four years. It’s been fun to see them grow,” said Mayer. “It’s kind of my first senior class, so I’d love to be able to send them off and thank them for all that they’ve done for our program.” Kovac and Nederend are viewed as leaders of the team by their teammates. Their leadership qualities, along with their strong play on the beach, have rubbed off on the other players, inspiring them and bringing the team closer together. “They have a strong presence on and off the court. Although they are amazing volleyball players, they are even better
people,” said Prichard. Kovac is one of seven Lions to also play indoor volleyball this season, along with Prichard, freshman Ella Boehle, sophomores Sierra Bartley and Bo Culo and juniors Megan Rice and Savannah Slattery. The indoor team had an overall successful season—including a 21-10 overall record and giving then-No. 1-ranked BYU their only regular season loss of the season—and Kovac looks to continue this success on the beach. “I think the motivation and work ethic that our indoor team had this fall really helped us achieve what we did, and we have brought that into our beach season as well,” said Kovac. “Everyone on our team has the same goal. We want to get better every single day and that’s really evident in our practices.” The players use their motivation to perform in game action, as well as to get better in practice. Nederend said that practices with her teammates are times where the team can grow and make each other greater in game action. “We view mistakes as opportunities to grow and get better, and also to really celebrate the success we have had working at a skill and improving upon it,” said Nederend. “Our team is an awesome group of friends going out to the beach everyday to support and challenge one another.
via Loyolan Archives
Savannah Slattery (3) is one of seven members of the beach volleyball team to play on the indoor volleyball team as well. We play a sport that we love.” While the Lions hope to achieve their ultimate goal of going to the national championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama, one of their big hopes is for fans to come watch them play in their matches. With
the team’s high expectations for themselves and the “best team ever” title given to them by their coach, they want fans to come out and support their pursuit of a championship. “I think people should realize
how fun it is to come out and watch games,” said Nederend. “We literally play at the beach right along the boardwalk, so come with a bathing suit and go lay on the beach while cheering on your Lions.”
Hannah BanDimere 9, 2019 vs Western GAME STATS: March Carolina University
5 innings pitched 0 hits 2 strikeouts 0 walks 1 runner allowed on base (on an error) 1 st career no-hitter
NO-HITTER Senior pitcher Hannah Banimere pitched a no-hitter on Mar. 9, the first of her career. For her preformance, she earned WCC pitcher of the week.
SEASON STATS:
90.1 innings pitched (best on LMU pitching staff among pitchers with 2.39 ERA significant innings) 9-7 57
wins and losses strikeouts (best on LMU pitching staff)
Information compiled by Zach Johnson, sports intern; Graphic: Aurora Schnurr | Loyolan
SPORTS Basketball continues familial bonding postseason laloyolan.com Page 19
Hut Hut Hutton Alex Hutton
Asst. Sports Editor @LALoyolan
A
t the start of the LMU basketball season, the Loyolan previewed the men’s and women’s basketball teams by discussing the role that family plays in both programs. This was addressed in the literal and the figurative senses of the word. Yes, there are an unusually high number of interesting familial connections and relationships within the teams, particularly on the women’s side. But throughout the season, both the men and the women have preached the importance of building a metaphorical family within the team. They have preached of forming bonds with their fellow Lions; of building a culture of trust and support; of creating an atmosphere in which the members of the team would enjoy each other’s company and enjoy playing basketball with one another. This, the players and coaches argued, would be the key to successful seasons for both teams. Those family ties helped the teams play well and win throughout the season. Now, with both teams being selected
for postseason tournaments, those family ties have a chance to continue. The men’s team was selected for the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), while the women’s team was given a berth in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). This is the first season that both teams are making the postseason. The tournament appearances for the two teams come after seasons with a remarkable number of similarities. Both are snapping notable postseason droughts (seven years for the men, 15 for the women). Both saw players get named to the All-West Coast Conference (WCC) First Team (senior guard James Batemon from the men’s team and sophomore guard Chelsey Gipson from the women’s). Both got major contributions from young players and veterans, both won games at a level rarely seen at LMU. At the same time, however, both had the talent and potential to achieve more than they did. But both are happy to be where they are at this point in the season. When their selection to the WNIT was announced, the women’s players cheered, jumped up and down and hugged one another. Watching them celebrate like that, it would have been easy to believe that they had made the Big Dance.
via LMU Athletics Communications
Chelsey Gipson (3), a WCC First Team member this season, was one of the leaders for the team offensivley as the LMU women’s basketball team looks to make a run in the NIT tournament. But they hadn’t. They were just excited to continue their season. Furthermore, it is important to remember the recent history of LMU basketball. The men’s team just posted the program’s first winning season since 2012. The
women’s team has now posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. When a program is marked by consistent struggles and the winning seasons are only
intermittent, the key is not to focus on what could have been. Instead, the key is to focus on what worked, where the team succeeded and how to maintain that success. See Basketball | Page 20
SPORTS
SCORES UPDATE 3-2 W
SOFTBALL
LION
vs. Harvard
SPORTS
BASEBALL
7-3 W
vs. Santa Clara
W WATER POLO
10-7 W
vs. Princeton
M TENNIS
0-6 L at TCU
Follow us on Twitter @laloyolan for up-to-date scores.
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LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | March 20, 2019 | laloyolan.com
Self-motivation key for beach volleyball The Lions' championship aspirations have led them to a No. 13 ranking in the nation. Miles Thomas Sports Editor @LALoyolan
Located near many beaches, the LMU beach volleyball team (6-5 overall) is positioned for a successful season. This season’s beach volleyball team was hailed by head coach John Mayer as “the best team we’ve ever had in LMU history.” The team has backed up this high praise by ranking No. 13 in the nation in the NCAA polls, as voted by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Beach volleyball differs from indoor volleyball in its rules and regulations. For starters, beach volleyball consists of only two players on the court as opposed to six in indoor volleyball. The outdoor elements also play a role in the sport, including the sand, sun and wind. Prichard described beach volleyball as a very intimate and crafty game in comparison to indoor. The team has used their motivation to fuel their championship aspirations, where the beach volleyball team has been led by the strong performances of doubles tandem senior Sara Kovac and junior Jessie Prichard, who remain undefeated as a pair this season for the Lions. Kovac found beach volleyball to be different
Jacob Johanson | Loyolan
The LMU beach volleyball team believes being located near the beach is an advantage. They are led by fourth-year head coach John Mayer, a former professional volleyball player himself, who looks to send off his senior class with a championship. in how the players must focus and engage during each match. “You can also go through an entire rally and never touch the ball [in indoor volleyball]. In beach, both you and your partner are very involved in the game, so it brings a completely different kind of intensity,” said Kovac. Last season, the beach volleyball team finished 22-14. Now in the program’s eighth
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year, the Lions are motivating themselves to reach heights the program has not seen yet. “They’re self-motivated. Through film sessions and statistics, we can show them things. It’s really about getting the girls to be motivated. They're really the ones who do it, not the coaches,” said Coach Mayer. Mayer also sees advantages for the Lions with them being located close to the beach,
where the team can practice for the beach conditions they face in their games. “LMU is right on the beach, so we’re in the perfect spot for the sport,” said Mayer. “We've got a lot going for us.”
See Volleyball | Page 18
Both basketball teams reach postseason Basketball from Page 19
After all that has happened this season, the primary answer is clear: chemistry. The players of both teams like each other and enjoy each other’s company both on and off the court. They want the team to succeed and place team success above individual success. They have played for each other the entire season. And after a year filled with ups and downs, both teams know what the 2019 postseason is about. The postseason is about giving the seniors an opportunity to extend their college careers, even if for just a few games. It’s about gaining postseason experience to benefit the team in future seasons. It’s about the potential to bring a basketball championship to the school, even if
it may not be the big one. It’s about the opportunity to continue playing with the teammates, coaches and fans that have been a part of the journey the entire time. But more importantly, it’s about the family. The men’s team opens the CBI with a road matchup against the California Baptist Lancers on Wednesday, Mar. 20 at 7 p.m. The women’s team’s first WNIT game will be on Thursday, Mar. 21 against the Idaho Vandals at 7 p.m. at Gersten Pavilion.
This is the opinion of Alex Hutton, a sophomore journalism major from Oakland, California. Tweet comments to @ LALoyolan or email comments to mthomas@theloyolan.com.
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Senior guard James Batemon has been the centerpiece of the men's basketball team's trip to the postseason College Basketball Invitational.