Los Angeles Loyolan September 13th 2017

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Bannon criticizes Catholic Church’s support of DACA program

Jason Munoz | Loyolan

LMU students and faculty alike march down Palm Walk in support after Trump announced his plan to rescind the program. The Catholic Chuch also showed support for DACA recipients. unlimited immigration, unlimited illegal country, the majority coming from the during evening news segments aired immigration.”

Americas. Additionally, one out of three on KCBSTV-LA and KCAL 9 News to Steve Bannon question’s the Bannon ­— a catholic — said that the American Catholics identify as Latino or speak on this topic, expressing concern Catholic church’s support of Catholic Church’s support of the Deferred Hispanic. A majority of documented and for the misrepresentation of Catholic Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) undocumented immigrants who come to teaching Bannon may be causing with his DACA. program is an economic strategy aimed at the United States identify as Christians, statements. the institution’s need to gain more active according to Pew Research. Of the legal “[Bannon’s comments regarding the Jackie Galvez members in the church, according to CNN. immigrants, 61 percent were Christian in Catholic Church’s support of DACA are] Managing Editor Bannon made these comments during 2012, a number that can be compared to plainly, logically, wrong,” Gonzalez@LALoyolan a “60 Minutes” interview which aired 83 percent of undocumented immigrants.

Andrieu said in her interview. “Because Sunday evening, five days after the Trump As reported by CNN, the Catholic Church when you care for the vulnerable and you administration formally announced the has never implemented special treatment care for the maligned people of society “[The Catholic Church] needs illegal rescinding of the DACA program. or policy to benefit immigrant members of — which is what the Church is doing aliens to fill the churches,” Former White According to a study done by the Pew their community. throughout the world — that does not fill House Chief Strategist, Stephen Bannon LMU theology professor Cecilia your coffers; it drains them.” said in his “60 Minutes” segment. Research Center, over a quarter of American “They have an economic interest in Catholics immigrated from another Gonzalez-Andrieu appeared on television See DACA | Page 4

DeVos to review Title IX giudelines DeVos plans to change the way sexual assaults are handled on college campuses.

Kellie Chudzinski Editor in Chief @LALoyolan

Megan Karbowski| Loyolan

In Case You Missed It A panel focused on the presence of Confederate monuments in America was held by the departments of African American studies and history on Sept. 6. Additionally, a discussion was hosted by the political science department, in collaboration with Jewish studies and African American studies, about the violence and hate in Charlottesville on Sept. 7.

For the full graphic, see Page 4.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced her intention to eventually rescind current Title IX sexual assault guidelines, in an interview with CBS News.

The interview came after DeVos gave a speech at George Mason University on Sept. 7 to announce her department will be reviewing the Title IX guidelines. In her announcement, DeVos said she believes both the victims and the accused lose in the current system and that “the era of rule by letter is over.”

DeVos referenced the 2011 “Dear Colleague” letter that, provided universities with guidelines and examples of “Title IX requirements and how they relate to sexual harassment and sexual violence,” Title IX Coordinator Sara Trivedi told the Loyolan via email.

DeVos announced that the current policy will be reviewed and replaced. The process

will involve a public input process, according to the Washington Post. DeVos alleged that the current definition of sexual assault was too broad and shared stories from victims and accused, who she referred to as “victims of due process.”

Of the many factors DeVos mentioned in her speech, the “Dear Colleague” letter lowered the burden of proof of sexual assault to a “preponderance of the evidence,” rather than clear and convincing evidence. Title IX investigations therefore only needed to prove the sexual assault occurred by 51 percent, according to VOX. Supporters of reform such as New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz said that the Obama-era process was unfair, citing the lack of lawyers provided to student defendants in a process that affects their academic future.

Title IX, as part of the Education Amendment of 1972, requires universities, in order to receive federal funding, to not discriminate on the basis of sex. The “Dear Colleague” letter served to reenforce the understanding that Title IX’s ban on sex discrimination included sexual violence among students. discrimination included sexual violence among students.

See DeVos | Page 2

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Title IX changes proposed by DeVos DeVos from Page 1

Gage Skidmore via Flickr CC

Betsy DeVos announced her plans to revisit Title IX policies during a speech she gave at George Mason University on Sept. 7. The above photo is from a speech at the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference.

In an interview with CBS News, DeVos did not specify on what changes will be made but that the Education Department plans to create a “better way.” DeVos denounced any assault or rape and said that the current policies have treated the accused unfairly.

“LMU remains committed to addressing sexual and interpersonal misconduct, regardless of future actions taken by the Department of Education,” Trivedi said.

Sofia Beroud, a sophomore theater major, believes the proposed changes will have an impact on the reporting of sexual assaults, “which is really bad because it is already something that isn’t reported enough,” Beroud said.

Trivedi reaffirmed LMU’s commitment to a “fair, thorough and impartial investigation ... that protects complainants and respondents,” Trivedi said, when asked of DeVos’ proposed changes for a “both sides” approach.

DeVos has previously come under fire for rolling back Obama-era Title IX protections for transgender students, as reported by CNN. The Department revoked the guidance that required schools to allow students access to bathrooms

and locker rooms that align with their identifying gender.

Title IX cases are investigated by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), within the Department of Education, for possible violations.

As previously reported by the Loyolan, OCR opened two Title IX investigations into LMU in 2016. The investigations are still ongoing and have not been affected by proposed changes in policy, according to Trivedi.

It was widely reported that the new OCR Head, Candace Jackson, told the Times that “90 percent” of campus sexual assaults were due to both parties being drunk.

James Pratt, a senior biochemistry major, believes that programs like LMU CARES are important for providing students with resources and information regarding campus sexual assault. “[LMU students] will rise to the challenge and continue to show support for all those affected by these possible changes,” Pratt said.

Despite her stance, DeVos shared the experiences of some survivors and accused students who said their cases were mishandled under the current system. “We know this much to be true: one rape is one too many,” DeVos said.

Irma leaves behind wake of destruction Hurrican Irma wreaks havoc in the Caribbean and Florida.

Babak Abrishamchian Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan

Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane, passed through the Caribbean and Florida, causing massive infrastructural damage.

First landing in Barbuda last Tuesday, Hurricane Irma has proven catastrophic to infrastructure as it passed through the Caribbean into Florida, according to TIME magazine. Islands like Barbuda,

Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are in ruins.

Barbuda, which was first hit by the hurricane last Tuesday, lost approximately 95 percent of infrastructure. The Prime Minister of Barbuda, Gaston Browne, told TIME Magazine that it will take more than $100 million and many years to repair the damage caused.

The Florida Keys ­ — which according to the New York Times was hit the worst in the U.S. — has only just begun disaster assessment. As of Monday morning, over 6.5 million customers were without power, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Eric Silagy, president and chief executive of Florida Power

& Lights, told the Washington Post that he suspects over half of Florida’s population is out of electricity.

After being downgraded to a category 4 hurricane, Irma made landfall in the Keys. The storm moved upwards through Florida, missing most large cities but hitting Jacksonville hardest. The National Weather service estimated about 14 inches of precipitation in the area, and is currently issuing a flash flood warning in the area due to record surge flooding in Jacksonville.

The National Water Service in Jacksonville is still conducting water rescues.

Irma, now a category 2 storm, hit Georgia and South Carolina with

winds that peaked at 50 mph, but higher gusts were reported by South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division. On Twitter, meteorologist Greg Diamond reported gusts as high as 64 mph at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson international airport.

According to the National Weather Service, rainfall in Georgia is expected to cause a maximum of

6.6 inches of precipitation through Thursday. The National Hurricane Center expects the storm to continue into the mainland U.S. Wednesday afternoon, passing through Alabama and moving up towards the midwestern states.

The strength of the storm is expected to remain a tropical storm for the next three days, but the size is unknown.

via Department of Defense

Dept. of Defense shared a photo of a helicopter being used to rescue civilians after the recent Hurrican Irma.

NEWS

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North Korean threat escalates

BURNING QUESTIONS

The U.N. passes further sanctions to restrict North Korean assets.

A week after North Korea continued the expansion of their weapons program with their largest nuclear test yet, the U.N. unanimously agreed to pass a U.S. drafted resolution that imposes new sanctions on North Korea. The sanctions aim to cripple the North Korean economy as they continue their nuclear testing in the face of President Donald Trump’s threats

said. “The Trump administration is learning on the go how to handle this threat. But this goes for any administration; had Hillary Clinton won the election, they would have been learning on the go as well.”

The U.S. Energy Information Agency reported that the textile ban and oil cap will deduct roughly 10 percent of what North Korea currently gets from China, but will reduce total imports by 30 percent. The original bill submitted by the U.S. was stricter in its limits; it specified a full ban on exports of oil to North Korea and an asset freeze on Kim Jung Un, the Worker’s party and the government of North Korea.

Bertucci believes that the

through in its entire history.”

South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Kang Kyung-wha, has condoned the actions taken by the U.S., saying that the nuclear arsenal North Korea is attempting to build is “the biggest challenge to our foreign affairs and security front and will continue to be so for many years to come”, as reported

by CNN. “I’m a very verbal person, and I don’t think we need to go the physical road to prove a point,” Cheyenne Taylor, freshman biology major, said. “I think we should be human enough to form a meeting and talk about problems and what we can do to fix them. I know it’s kind of basic and probably never going to happen, but that’s my

and other international objections.

It is the ninth resolution unanimously approved by the U.N. since North Korea’s ballistic missile tests in 2006.

Specifically, the resolution will “cap North Korea’s oil imports, ban textile exports, end additional overseas laborer contracts, suppress smuggling efforts, stop joint ventures with other nations and sanction designated North Korean government entities,” according to CNN. North Korea’s nuclear tests have escalated from 10 kilotons of TNT to 160 kilotons in the past year, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry. They claim to have the capability to launch an attack on the continental United States.

“There’s definitely a threat that was not there a year ago,” Dr. Mariano Bertucci, a professor in the political science department,

sanctions will not make much of a difference in the way North Korea’s economy works, especially regarding its nuclear program, and that Russia and China may not fully implement the sanctions.

“It does signal that the United States and the international community are continuing to put pressure on North Korea and the Kim regime,” Bertucci said.

Russia and China, both allies of North Korea, approved the final, weaker draft of the bill, but continue to express skepticism over the restrictions, with China specifically concerned about a full oil cutoff leading to North Korea’s collapse.

North Korea responded to the first bill by saying in a statement on state media that their actions in response to the resolution will “cause the U.S. the greatest pain and suffering it had ever gone

opinion on it.”

President Trump has tweeted many times on the increasing pressures between North Korea and the U.S., saying that “North Korea has conducted a major nuclear test.

Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States,” in one tweet and “Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!” in another. Perhaps the most infamous is his statement against North Korea in which he said, “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United states.

They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.”

Bertucci said that finding out what North Korea’s national security concerns are could open a pathway to negotiating a way out of the stalemate in a way that satisfies both ends.

“The number one reason they are trying to arm themselves is because they are fearful of something,” Bertucci said. “The United States has been able to deter and detain way more powerful nuclear actors, like Russia and China, for 50 plus years now, and in principle there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to contain and deter North Korea from engaging in nuclear war.”

Sami Leung

Asst. News Editor

This week, News Intern Silvia Velasquez sat This issue, Intern down withNews Alfredo Silvia Delasquez sat Hernández (AH), Aison King (AK) and down The Old Ways, Thomas Pribyl (TP), the opening act for the three out of five members bands that played for of The Old Ways band, fallapalooza. which performed at Fallapalooza.

How did the band get started?

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(AH): I formed this band in high school but we never had a singer ... So I found John Darrouzet, who’s our lead singer and lead guitarist. But since it was too impractical to keep that band going, we just decided to form one here. So we got Aison. We asked him if he knew anyone who could be on drums and he said that Tom [Pribyl] lived relatively close by in Doheny. Then we were like, “We should get a keyboardist,” and we asked Charles [Berg], who’s also in the honors program. And that’s the band!

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How did you come up with your band name?

AH: There’s an actual book called “The Old Ways” by Robert Macfarlane. It talks about how early Christian songs were kind of roadmaps for pilgrimage, and in the songs themselves, they outlined paths and routes for pilgrims to take.

(AK): Interestingly enough though, I would say that the way [John] writes music… if you know him and know the stories [the songs] are based on they’re also kind of maps of specific moments of his life and things that have happened. They’re all basically about John.

TP: And all his girlfriends.

Aside from Fallapalooza and Open Mics, what shows have you played?

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AH: We kind of saw Fallapalooza as our make or break moment it’s like if we can do this then this is something we should actively pursue with a lot of time and effort ... So this is kind of our beginning point; Fallapalooza was our first show [played] loud—full drum kit, full amps, everything cranked up. So it was definitely our first show but hopefully not our last.

AK: Where it goes after this semester we’re not entirely sure.

Alfredo is going abroad in the spring, and then in the fall John might be going to Germany. We’ll see where it goes from that cause after it’s [Alfredo’s] last semester in the spring. So we’re kind of going full speed ahead right now and doing as much as we can while everyone’s here and then pick up the pieces from there.

TP: Hopefully we get a few tracks recorded so we have that saved.

AH: And if I go to grad school in L.A. then there’s not an issue but until that moment I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

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Where can we find your music?

AK: We don’t have anywhere actually with just music ... Our Instagram is @theoldwaysband and Facebook and Youtube are just The Old Ways.

TP: We uploaded videos of our set from the other day on YouTube so if anyone didn’t catch it they can go and watch it.

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What do you think makes your sound so unique?

AH: Each of us has the music, we play it in our way, and that combination of us playing the music to our own taste is what gives the band its sound.

AK: Sometimes we have to tweak some things, or change the style of some sections ... Most of the time we keep whatever comes naturally and then make a few small alterations if we need to.

More questions?

Want to hear more from The Old Ways? See the full list of questions on laloyolan.com

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LMU community reacts to Bannon on DACA DACA from Page 1

After serving as CEO of President Trump’s election campaign in its latter months, Bannon was hired as White House chief strategist for the Trump administration.

He served this position until midAugust of this year, upon which he was released from the White House and immediately returned to his former position as executive chairman of Breitbart News — an online, far-right media platform which has been criticized by many large media publications such as the Los Angeles Times for promoting racist, nationalistic and alt-right stories and opinions.

Bannon expressed his personal distaste for DACA during his segment, saying that upholding it would cause division within the Republican party and may even lead to a loss of the GOP’s control over the House of Representatives.

Bannon described the potential for a “civil war” within the Republican party during the midterm elections of 2018 if the White House had decided to uphold DACA, a prospect

Bannon described as “extremely unwise,” according to CNN. Bannon voiced his respect for the authority figures of the Catholic Church, he said that the issue of DACA is not about religious doctrine, but “about the sovereignty of a nation; and in that regard, [the Church is] just another guy with an opinion.”

Bannon’s comments have been met with much dissent from people of Roman Catholic faith, particularly within Los Angeles — home to the largest Catholic archdiocese in the United States.

Many people of this religious tradition believe the Church’s support of DACA lies in the faith tradition’s tenet to “love thy neighbor as thyself,” according to CBS Los Angeles.

James Rogers, the chief spokesman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, accused Bannon of “presenting a false choice between compassion and security,” according to CNN. Marco Ramirez, a senior mechanical engineering major and vice president of spirituality for Magis service organization, said that he believes Bannon’s comments surrounding DACA do not line up with LMU’s promotion

of Catholic and Jesuit values.

“What I took from the report

by CNN is that Bannon only has the success of the Republican Party in mind and is viewing the individuals as numbers rather than human beings,” Ramirez said. “Part of LMU’s mission statement is ‘the promotion of service and justice for all’ ... I find that LMU intends to serve all individuals in need regardless of their background. We stand for and with others and strive to lift humanity.”

Catholic tradition is reflected throughout LMU’s mission statement and all University programing, from educational programs to student organizations to career and professional development. As stated on the LMU website, LMU’s purpose is rooted in three Jesuit principles: “the encouragement of learning, the education of the whole person, and the service of faith and the promotion of justice.”

Father Allan Deck, S.J., Rector of the LMU Jesuit Community and

Distinguished Scholar of Pastoral Theology, believes that Bannon’s claim that the Church’s support of DACA is not related to religious doctrine is highly misleading. “[Pope Francis] said that someone should point out to Mr. Bannon that the Church considers the care for refugees and immigrants to be a life issue,” Deck said. “The Church is very much concerned about human dignity and life … We’re concerned with those who are vulnerable.”

Jason Munoz | Loyolan

LMU students stand in protest in front of Sacred Heart Chapel after the Trump administration rescinded DACA.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

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LMU students march in support of DACA

“Corn Stalks” For many centuries Those with sun-kissed skin Loud accents And tilted last names Whose eyes rise before the sun does Have had to walk barefoot across muddy streets Jump from feet to bus To get to classrooms filled with fluorescent lights Where they could temporarily escape the candle lit campo shacks Campo Sounds like camp Like internment camp Like indentured servitude Like a legal loophole for slavery Ernie Hernandez is 12 years old And has been working on farms since he was 4 Living in Nicaragua When Ernie was 2 His family started the ruthless backbreaking job of picking corn That barely provided them with enough food for a day They never dared to ask any questions Until a foggy Tuesday night When Ernie’s parents finally grew the courage to fight Pesticide had slowly been Invading his lungs Killing the beautiful soul growing within him At midnight Ernie’s parents sneaked into their landlord’s kitchen Grabbed a week’s worth of potatoes and rice that was meant to last them a month

And headed to America The land of the free But only arrived to face the same vicious cycle When Ernie was in Elementary School in Arizona His teachers always asked him “Why don’t you ever take a break and go play during recess?”

He was always too embarrassed to admit that after school he wouldn’t have time for homework because he had to help his parents plant crops American kids were supposed to have toys and backpacks But the only toy a migrant worker had were the tools he used to dig inside soil And the only backpack he had ever had was the plastic bag he stole from a customer After so many years of this routine Ernie grew tired Up by 5 am Out of school by 3 Work until 10 pm Blisters in his fingers Swollen toes from walking so much A lack of vitamins And safe oxygen Ernie was slowly dying One day He decided to finally go out and play during recess Allowing his lungs to freely loop through the monkey bars Until they couldn’t hold it any longer And they finally collapsed on the ground The doctors said asthma was the diagnosis

But Ernie’s parents knew that the cause of his death was the campo The country that once gave his family hope Is the same country that took their son away The same country that has killed 113 migrant kids every year by picking the food that we eat The same country that considers these kids criminals The same country that has never seen the sun rise For centuries People like Ernie have been suffering alone in silence But those with cracked knuckles and bloody toes are the ones who have never stopped dreaming Dreamers We’ve fought so hard to get to where we are Some have even died chasing these broken promises But it’s time we reclaim our dream It’s time we redefine the future we so desperately want My people’s stomachs are empty Their knees are shattering And their lungs have darkened But our seeds will grow to be taller than your corn stalks And you will realize That our lives are far more valuable Then the fields that have been killing us for so long

-Brenda Quintanilla, political science and Chicana/o studies double major and ASLMU Senator at Large, at the DACA rally.

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Jason Munoz | Loyolan

“A way has to be found to enable everyone to benefit from the fruits of the earth, and not simply to close the gap between the affluent and those who must be satisfied with the crumbs falling from the table, but above all to satisfy the demands of justice, fairness and respect for every human being.”

“Social justice is about fulfilling our duties to the various societies of which we are a part...The state has a role to play in social justice, but must respect the proper authority of society—a society of societies—as it does so...A natural law account of social justice suggests policies that empower more people to engage for themselves in the market and flourish.”

-Pope Francis

-Ryan T. Anderson, Ph.D, Senior Research Fellow in American Principles and Public Policy (Heritage Foundation)

(At the 38th Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

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Board Editorial Kellie Chudzinski Editor-in-Chief

Elliot Britt

Managing Editor

Isabel Ngo

Managing Editor

Jackie Galvez Managing Editor

Matt Gaydos Managing Editor

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

OPINION

Remembering 9/11 is more than just remembering those who died For many young people and children growing up today, 9/11 looms as the defining act of terrorism of this era. We continue to mourn and honor the victims of this tragedy, and we must also continue to educate others about the attacks and its connection to current events today. The LMU community paid their respects to the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 when they walked past the flag memorial on Lawton Plaza. In many ways, America has continued to come together after the tragedy of 9/11.

But in other ways, it has become more divided.

As we remember the 2,753 people who were killed at the World Trade Center and the on-site responders who risked their lives to save the injured and trapped, we must also remember the Muslims living in the U.S. whose lives were never the same. People are still unaware today that with the events of 9/11 came a surge of anti-Muslim sentiment and hate crimes, many of which remain unreported and ignored by the media.

In 2001, the FBI reported that there were 93 anti-Muslim assaults committed, a major spike compared to previous years. What’s worrying is that in the past few years, this number has been on the rise once again. The Pew Research Center reported that there were 91 reported antiMuslim physical assaults in 2015, a number nearly equivalent to that immediately following 9/11.

These did not include 257 other hate-motivated incidents such as intimidation, vandalism and theft “a 67 percent increase from the previous year,” according to FBI data and the Pew Research Center.

Although the reactions and efforts to denounce these crimes have been limited, the American public has recognized that Islamophobia is

growing in the country — most likely the result of a misinformed but popular skewed social perception of Muslims. According to another Pew Research Center study conducted in early 2016, over three-quarters of Americans (76 percent) believe discrimination against Muslims in the U.S. is increasing. Muslims aren’t the only ones to feel the increase of hate crimes after 9/11, though. Racist caricatures and stereotypes of what a terrorist looks like has made other Middle Eastern, South Asian and Sikh Americans the target of abuse. Sikhs in particular are targeted because of their turbans that assailants confuse with traditional Islamic clothing.

For most people of our generation, it is hard to grasp the ongoing discriminatory impact of this event, especially when many of us were younger than six years old when it occurred.

Throughout most of our lives, we were only told about the tragedy 9/11 inflicted upon the American public as a whole, rarely stopping to think about its impact upon people of Muslim and Middle Eastern descent — people just as American as those who wrongly associate these ethnic groups with terrorists. This idea that ‘Muslims’ and ‘terrorists’ are synonymous terms is not only hurtful to an entire group of people, but also dangerous in a political age where every idea becomes polarized to either a left or right extreme.

As members of American society, and especially as members of the LMU community, we have a responsibility to reframe discussions that favor a single side and ignore the perspectives of entire communities. We must protect and uphold our First Amendment rights and we must combat unjust racial bias — and in this case, when it interferes with religious freedom.

“...we have a responsibility to reframe discussions that favor a single side...”

A step in the right direction A Cup of Joe Joseph Bellavia

Asst. Opinion Editor

I

@LALoyolan

n 2012, just more than two weeks from today, my house was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. My family and I did not evacuate, and I saw everything. I saw the ocean flow into my backyard. I trudged through four feet of water, trying to save whatever I could. I woke up the next morning to see a part of my childhood ripped apart. Most importantly, I spent the next year of my life watching absolutely nothing happen to my house. My parents would spend hours on the phone with FEMA, insurance companies, and the Small Business Administration (SBA), just trying to get construction started. Just trying to get back into our home. It was a slow and frustrating process, and it depressed all of us beyond belief.

I wouldn’t wish that situation on anybody, and the actions of President Trump, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi suggest that they wouldn’t either.

In the days following Hurricane Harvey with Irma heading to the Florida mainland, President Trump made a deal with the Democrats that many Republicans have found questionable. The deal, according to the N.Y. Times, will “increase the debt limit and finance the government until mid-December.” It also allots $7.4 billion dollars to FEMA and $450 million to the SBA. Many Republican leaders felt that Trump’s bypassing them in congress has created a level of distrust within the party; however, they misunderstand the importance of the decision President Trump has made.

By raising the debt ceiling and pushing off another vote for three months, our government is now able to focus on far more pressing issues at hand. Hurricane Harvey wreaked

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In a move of bipartisanship, Trump made a deal with Democratic leadership to bring aid to Texas. havoc on Texas, and Irma has just made it’s way ing thing about politics in the last decade has through Florida. Experiencing the disastrous been the inability of both parties to function work of FEMA personally, I can assure you together, but that could hopefully change soon. that this relief plan — while still not enough “[This bill] gives Americans the certainty — is crucial to the people who have been disthey deserve and we look forward to findplaced. And while some Republicans may not ing a permanent solution in the months to like the way that President Trump handled come,” a White House official said. According this situation, as White House spokeswoman to President Trump, that solution may be to Sanders said, “We’re a lot less focused on what abolish the debt ceiling entirely, something makes Congress happy and [on] what makes many have argued to be a good idea for years.

Americans better and stronger.”

Perhaps the nightmarish beginnings of the That is something that I think America has Trump presidency are beginning to subside not seen from this leadership since the elecand people can begin expecting better things tion. And it is important for the people of Texas from the maligned president. and Florida to know that their government This deal was an important move for Trump, isn’t going to waste it’s time fighting about the but above all, it was an important move for debt ceiling while they are fighting to rebuild America. It’s something that will allow the their lives. people displaced by these hurricanes to have Another aspect to take from this deal is some faith in their government, something President Trump’s willingness to work with that I never had.

Democrats. I can’t remember the last time I saw real bipartisanship in Washington, and This is the opinion of Joseph Bellavia, a junior English even if it takes a couple of natural disasters to major from Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. Tweet make it happen, it is a step in the right direction comments @LALoyolan, or email sdavis@theloyolan. for the Trump presidency. The most frustrat- 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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A different reflection on 9/11 after 16 years A Sam Dunk

Samantha Davis

Interim Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

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onday was the 16 year anniversary of 9/11.

Sept. 11, 2001 changed a lot in our country — our views on patriotism, religion, immigration, privacy, security and so on. I was only four when 9/11 happened. The only memory I have of that day was of my grandmother picking me up early from pre-school and trying to explain what happened to me, despite my inability to understand. For myself and my peers, pretty much all of our conscious lives have taken place in a post-9/11 world, in a country perpetually at war in the Middle East, policing the bad guys at every border – all in the name of national security.

A study conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute stated “More than 6 in 10 have seldom or never had a conversation with a Muslim…

Most Americans also say they know little (57 percent) or nothing at all (26 percent) about Islam,” according to an article published by CNN. The percent of Muslims in the United States is a mere one percent. Most

Kevin Chan | Loyolan

Post-9/11 America has become a scary place for Muslims, in part due to a significant rise in hate crimes.

Americans don’t have much experience with Islam at all, yet still hold strong opinions about the religion and those who practice it. I think my having family members who practice Islam puts me in a unique position to view our country post-9/11 differently.

When I think of 9/11, I don’t think of patriotism or national unity. I think of how the morally abhorrent actions of a few radicalized Muslims has in turn created a nation hostile against an entire religion, and how negative the consequences have

been.

According to the FBI, hate crimes against Muslims rose from 28 in 2000 to 481 in 2001, which is a 1,617 percent increase in an incredibly short amount of time. The data shows that, while hate crimes decreased to 155 the next year, they continued to stay around that number, never returning to the pre-9/11 numbers. Such hate crimes are usually quite violent — they include physically and verbally attacking Muslims in public, in their own homes, threatening Muslim families, vandalizing

and destroying Mosques and cemeteries, among many others.

Islamophobia has partially become engrained in the culture of the United States.

When I think of 9/11, I think of a country that abandoned its values in a time of crisis.

We abandoned our tolerance for people different than us, for religious freedom, our commitment to personal privacy, and to all people being treated as equals. I think of Muslims in the United States who feel scared to go out in public or ashamed to wear

in the blink of an eye, my chance encounter. My friend told me not to look now, but I was being watched. I remember the way my body tensed as I turned and our eyes met. They said hummus memes are cliche, but when I saw that bowl of hummus from Hummus Yummy, I knew the burning passion I felt had to be love.

Love comes in all different shades, depths and trends even, and it’s not always fair. You could, for example, pine after your coworker’s roommate for months only to find out that he is dating a really sweet girl who is perfect for him. Or you could dream about the girl who lives two floors above you, only to find

out that she and your roommate are having a secret fling. Cupid is a mischievous little devil.

Without further ado, here are my lessons of lovvvvve:

can’t date them. Those people aren’t for you, unless perhaps they aren’t happy in their current relationship — in which case you should wait until they end it to swoop in.

their religious garments, even though they have just as much a right to do so as the white, Judeo-Christian man next door. I think about how I, being white and blonde, have never been randomly searched at an airport, while my best friend in high school was stopped nearly every time she traveled because she’s Persian. These changes don’t make for a country that we should feel proud to live in.

The horrors of 9/11 don’t just include the lives that were lost in New York: the lives of civilians, first responders, etc.

The horrors extend into every Muslim household, into the homes of people who simply look stereotypically Muslim, and most importantly, into the way we operate as a free nation. So, when reflecting on 9/11, don’t just think of the atrocities at ground zero — think also of the fear that Muslims in the United States live with everyday, and how we can return to a nation committed to values of freedom and tolerance.

This is the opinion of Samantha Davis, a junior philosophy major from La Canada Flintridge, California. Tweet comments @ LALoyolan, or email sdavis@theloyolan. com.

Don’t Be Fooled: dating and relationships Jenny from the Block Jennifer Lee Opinion Intern @LALoyolan

S

o let me tell you about the time I went on a little adventure down the tunnel of love. It was a breezy Sunday night. All true lovers meet on Sunday, aka God’s day. I had in my hand a boba tea from The Coffee Cart and under my feet, a scraped up old skateboard that I stole from a nearby prop room.

My pals and I were perusing a bevy of food trucks parked along alumni mall. Indian, Thai, Mexican, American, Fusion, BBQ and Vegan (yuck). It happened

1. Most People Who Are Worth Dating Are Taken It’s a pretty well-known rule that nearly every human being on the planet who is funny, smart and attractive has been dating someone other than you since birth. We all know that one person who is nearly perfect in every way and is therefore crushed on by everyone and breaks up with one girl, only to be dating a different one in two days. Don’t stress because you

2. There is Usually a Reason Single People are Single I, myself, am single and can assure you that there is a reason.

I am just too fun and exciting, which can be very intimidating for people, you know? It’s not their fault, it’s mine for being so great. Just kidding, haha. We have fun here on the column.

Honestly though, I wish I could use this platform to brag about myself, but it’s not really winning the game if you cheat.

3. There is No Right Time or Place Love can spring up in a restaurant, a garage, a classroom, a coffee shop or even office hours.

It’s usually not something we can see coming. This is why online dating can be so frustrating.

The people who appear perfect on paper might be serial killers or have bad breath. The people you can date don’t seem right, and don’t even get me started on “Game of Thrones” Syndrome.

4. It’s Probably Best to Not Date Your Friends

Christian Boggs | Loyolan

Take it from Jenny from the Block: Love is messy. It’s not worth it. End all current relationships now.

We have all been at the dinner

table with our families, when your mother decides to politely inquire as to why you are not dating your best friend Nick. “He is such a handsome, nice young man,” she pleads. Not only that, but she knows that he can make you happy and will treat you right. Thanks mom. You’re right.

Let me compromise years of friendship to try to make a move on a guy I have no interest in and who has no interest in me. When she tries to seal the deal by saying that Nick and I would have cute babies is usually when I jokingly remind her that I am the one who decides if she will get put in a home.

5. Love is BS

Here is what I learned in my science core class: Love is basically the release of neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain triggered by seeing and engaging with other humans. The people who trigger such chemical responses vary for person to person depending on who was depicted to them as attractive during childhood.

Some of us are triggered by Shawn Mendes or ASAP Rocky, while I am triggered by Steve Carell.

Love is a biological process.

There is no magic. Unless we are talking about Tinder love.

This is the opinion of Jennifer Lee, a junior screemwriting major from Sacramento, California. Tweet comments @LALoyolan, or email sdavis@theloyolan.com.

OPINION

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What we can learn from the Oregon fire Dilemma Lane Emma Lane

Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan

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rowing up in Portland, Oregon, it’s almost a given that you love the outdoors.

You’ve probably spent summers attending nature camps, learning the names of native plants. In the sixth grade you most likely went to Outdoor School, a state-funded program that shuttles students into the wilderness to engage in outdoor education. You slept in cabins and studied water, soil, animals and plants, enjoying hands-on learning.

By the time you reached high school, you probably spent every weekend making the drive to the Columbia River Gorge and hiking its countless trails.

As of this past week, Oregonians have had to come to grips with the devastation of their beautiful landscapes. A massive fire erupted in the Columbia Gorge after a 15-year-old boy set off fireworks in the forest surrounding Eagle Creek, a popular hiking and camping spot in the area. Flames have consumed up to 33,000 acres of forest, forcing hikers, campers and residents to evacuate the area. Some of Oregon’s most treasured landmarks have been threatened by the rapid burn, including the 92-year-old Multnomah Lodge, located by

The Oregon Department of Forestry | Flickr Creative Commons

A scene from the Rabbit Mountain fire in Oregon in 2013, reminiscent of the damage in the Columbia Gorge.

Multnomah Falls. Firefighters were able to contain the flames and protect the lodge, but other popular destinations had a different fate.

The fire has sent Oregonians into a period of mourning. People have taken to social media to lament the loss of their natural home, posting images of the gorge’s stunning views and majestic vistas. “It’s nothing short of heartbreaking to see a place so close to home, and so present in my best childhood memories, burn to the ground in an instant,” says senior film production major Clara Hill. A common sentiment is expressed by Oregon natives: they never thought something so significant — both beautiful and imposing — could possibly

be destroyed. The lesson here is obvious; the natural world is fragile even if it feels permanent, and it’s often human actions that trigger its demise.

Many of us have places that are particularly special to us. Maybe your family has a lake house that you visit every year or a particular campground that you head to each summer. These natural settings often become as important to our childhoods as our closest friends.

We think about these trips with warmth and comfort, as nature provides a sort of innocent fun that is difficult to find within city limits.

We remember lengthy card games and ghost stories, minor injuries and secret adventures we had to

hide from our parents. It’s easy to feel present without all the bustling distractions we experience in our daily lives.

I know these feelings towards nature are common — people feel a fondness for it or a connection to it. But it’s rare that these childhood memories spark the necessary drive to protect our natural homes. Even large scale tragedies like the Eagle Creek fire might grab our attention momentarily, but after we shake our heads at a teenager’s recklessness we move on with our lives.

We don’t recognize that there’s a threat to the places that we value so much. When we think of threats to the natural world, like climate change or resource depletion,

we don’t assume that its effects will impact our beloved lakes and mountains. But the Eagle Creek fire is a giant metaphor — human thoughtlessness and naivete is exactly what will destroy the natural world and our homes within it. How can we claim to love nature and all it provides for us without committing to protect it? But we struggle to see the connection between our consumption and the negative impacts it has on the earth.

The reality is, our everyday habits have serious consequences. Glaciers are shrinking in Glacier National Park as global temperatures increase due to climate change. Drilling and fracking in national parks has always been a hot-button issue. Most recently The Trump Administration has considered loosening regulations, seeking greater access to limited resources that we use every day. These are tragedies too, just like the Eagle Creek fire. While mindless consumption may not feel as reckless as lighting fireworks in a forest, it’s still careless, and it’s far more prevalent. Ultimately, if we want to do the earth justice and protect our second homes in the natural world, we need to analyze our own habits and seek change.

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

CAREER EXPO

September 21 Noon - 3 p.m.

UHall Atrium

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, as well as alumni, are welcome. Professional attire is recommended.

Join us on: lmu.joinhandshake.com Download ‘LMU Career Fair Plus’ in the app store.

Learn more at careers.lmu.edu/careerexpo Stay updated and share experiences using #lmucareerexpo

LMU LA

Career and Professional Development Charles Von der Ahe Building, Suite 135 1 LMU Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659

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SNARKY SNYDER

CURSE POWER

By Christian Boggs, Cartoon Intern

By Cameron Woodard, Staff Cartoonist

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life+arts

The Neighbourhood headlines Fallapalooza

Jason Munoz & Lauren Holmes | Loyolan

life+arts

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Graphic by Ava Arshadi | Loyolan

life+arts

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Logan Metz: Roaring off the Bluff and beyond Glass half Phil Philip Brazelton Life+Arts Intern @LALoyolan

A

lumnus Logan Metz ‘09 is pursuing his musical dreams and playing on stages with big names, “fending off a 9-5 in the name of my music,” as he puts it. In July, Metz played on stage with Willie Nelson and sons at Summerfest, one of the biggest annual music festivals in the United States, which takes place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Metz went to LMU with Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson, and Metz is good friends with the Nelson family. This performance marks a huge milestone in Metz’s career; after all, he was serving food at Summerfest when he was about 16, and 14 years later he’s the one on the stage.

Metz couldn’t have gotten this far without LMU and the opportunities presented to the students here.

“My time at LMU comprises without a doubt the most formative musical years of my

life,” Metz said.

Despite spending a majority of his time in college writing and playing music, the one professor that stands out in Metz’s memory doesn’t even work in the music department. Her name is Dr. Theresia de Vroom, who is currently a professor of English literature, director of the Marymount Institute for Faith, Culture and the Arts, and editor of the Marymount Institute Press.

“Beyond her direct support of my music and me, she also cultivated in me a love and knowledge of literature that continues to inspire my songwriting profoundly.

Shakespeare, Plato, Marvell, Dante, Steinbeck and Vonnegut have all found their way into my music and I have Dr. de Vroom to thank for it,” Metz said.

Metz actually went on to teach high school music and English in L.A. before fully pursuing a career in his music.

Apart from his professors, his friends were a huge part of his shoeless college days too. Metz wasn’t in a serious band and had never played actual gigs until he became a student at LMU. Metz fondly writes, “I met a bunch of like-minded artist friends and

via loganmetz.com

Logan Metz ‘09 passion for singing and songwriting has been part of his personality since he was a teenager. we all pretended it was the 1960s for four years. Heaven!” One of Metz’s favorite memories of LMU is “sitting barefoot beneath the cork tree on the small knoll by the lion statue smoking cigarettes and singing songs.” He lived his life as a Lion to the fullest.

via loganmetz.com

Metz also had his first recording sessions in LMU’s Studio L, giving him the experience needed to continue creating his own music. His debut album, “The Last Remaining Payphone in L.A.” came out a little under a year ago, and it’s available to purchase on Amazon, Spotify or cdbaby.com. Metz recorded the entire album live in just three days. It is a soul-jazz, folkrock album — and based on the snippets I’ve listened to — it is full of energy and enthusiastic sound, coupled with profound lyrics and powerful delivery.

Metz’s smoky vocals convey lots of emotion and adjust to the music and lyrics masterfully. It is absolutely worth a listen, and it is a testament to his success and growth as a musician over the years. He certainly has grown out of a few things—Metz reflects, “I’m pretty happy with where I am… I’ve made a few good records, met some of my heroes, and played all over the world.

Though if I am being honest, I do feel my whimsical disposition has, sadly, subdued a bit since college. For instance, I do wear

shoes now. Like, every day.”

In the name of great music and great literature, Logan Metz is a notable alumnus, if not for his successes, then for his passion and pursuit of musical expression. He is an inspiration to all creative peoples at LMU, including myself. Check Logan Metz out on Facebook, and go buy his debut album, “The Last Remaining Payphone in L.A.” Unfortunately, Metz doesn’t have any upcoming L.A. shows seeing as he’s a Chicago based artist, but he’s worth keeping an eye on for new releases.

As it should be, the last word goes to the artist, who has some shoutouts to give. Logan Metz writes, “I’m grateful for my time at LMU, especially the friendships I forged there. Here’s to Lincoln, Theresia, Tommy, Lukas, Micah, Devin, Donovan, James, Gerry, Tom, Megan, Kedzie, Brycen, Casey, Natalie, Rebecca, Sam, etc. etc.”

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

life+arts

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Actual neighborhood performs at Fallapalooza Students were surprised to see middle aged adults perform at Fallapalooza.

Casey Lee

Asst. Bluff Queen LMU students got together for our annual Fallapalooza concert on Sunday to see The Neighbourhood.

The Neighbourhood is famous for their song “Sweater Weather,” which was the only reason most students decided to go.

However, the disappointment in Sunken Gardens was immense when The Neighbourhood was announced to come on stage and a group of middle aged men and women stormed onto the stage.

Absolute chaos ensued once students realized that ASLMU had deceived them into thinking it was The Neighbourhood that was headlining, rather than an

actual Westchester neighborhood.

Homeowners of the LMU area all had the opportunity to show off their musical talent in front of the biggest crowd LMU sees each year.

The Department of Public Safety was called to the concert after getting numerous reports of excessive noise volume from LMU. Their records show that the surrounding community members were calling in their fellow neighbors for being too loud.

After getting over the initial shock, students began to enjoy the concert when the Community Table Old Man band came on stage to close out Fallapallooza.

Freshman biology major Amanda Wagner said, “I was really excited for ‘Sweater Weather’, but I guess I’ll just wait until November for that.”

We went to the beer garden to ask some of our third and fourth year Fallapalooza goers what their thoughts were compared

Kevin Chan | Loyolan

The crowds of LMU warmed up to the confused looking group of adults who showed up on the stage to perform. to previous years. Senior yoga studies major Wendy Twist said, “They were, they were soooooo good, I…I…I already bought a

ticket to, uh… comm table to hear them again.” She was then escorted to the EMS tent for drinking too much.

Rumor has it next year Chance the Wrapper will be headlining with another unknown person opening for him.

How to sound cool around your pothead friends Here is some reliable advice for those looking to get into some light drugs.

Silvia Velasquez Green Queen

With recreational marijuana now legal in California, pot use is on the rise in California. With so many members of the LMU community partaking in the lifestyle, we wanted to reach out to some of the most experienced marijuana users for tips on its use and etiquette so even the most inexperienced druggie can hang with the cool kids.

Jason Munoz | Loyolan

Confused about what your friends are offering you? The Bluff is here to help.

5. Smelly weed is a no-go.

Jahnne Keefer, a senior majoring major, said, “I’m telling you, if the weed smells bad, throw it out.

That skunky weed is trash. If your weed doesn’t smell like mint or oregano you got ripped off.”

4. Sharing your weed with the cops is guaranteed way to avoid getting a ticket.

If you get caught with weed and you’re not 21, sophomore bro studies major Joey Johnson has some advice: “If you get pulled over and you have weed in the car, offer the cops some. They’ll always hit that.”

3. Natural weed is the only way to go.

“I grow my own weed in my dorm, I just invented a new strain that I’m really hype about,” Kyle Ekswhy, a freshman botany major, said, “It’s called Underwear OG, so you can guess what that smells like.” Bianca Ortells, a macro-fashion major, says she like to sprinkle raw weed on her morning bagel, as long as its natural and organic.

Some random guy in Huesman, however, disagrees: “Heroin is better.” It is unclear whether or not he even goes to LMU or where he’s from.

2. Never inhale the weed.

Gilbert (A$AP Smoky) Royginald, junior cat history major and conspiracy theory minor, has some tips on what to do for beginners: “Don’t inhale it! It makes you cough really hard, dude.”

1. Remember: Weed is good for you. There are also students who believe that weed can be healthy and can provide a spiritual experience for those looking to find themselves.

Senior Sissy Gadzooks, who doesn’t know what her major is yet, said: “I only smoke gluten free weed now ever since my cousin’s friend’s sister died from smoking a blunt.”

Now that you’re all weed experts, spread the knowledge to all your friends and family.

Your parents will especially appreciate the advice and may even financially support your wonderful weed habits.

Concern rises about army of the undead Growing numbers of students have some worried about future casualties.

Sami Leung

Bluff Empress Supreme As each new class at LMU slowly rises in number, students are worried that this will only translate to more fresh meat for the undead Whitewalker army coming in from the North this winter.

“Honestly, look at all these tiny freshmen,” Jon Harrington, a senior theatre arts major, said. “They don’t have any weapons to defend themselves.

All they’ve known is summer.

Winter is coming, and all these new freshmen will just be free additions to the Night King’s whitewalker army.”

The new freshmen class is larger than previously expected, and people are questioning if LMU is prepared to defend its students against the oncoming hoard.

“A lot of people around campus kind of seem undead anyways,” senior communications studies major Sam Williams said.

“They’re going to be easy pickings for the huge undead army. Really, we don’t stand a chance. Why the University would agree to bring this many noobs onto campus, I have no idea.”

The undead army has been numbered to include almost 100,000 straight up zombies heading down from the North.

If they were to get to LMU, there is very little defense in terms of any kind of wall or protective barrier. Experts have agreed that license plate scanners and 5 foot tall fences will not keep out

Megan Giorgi | Loyolan

Students are worrying about the incoming hoard and what LMU plans to do to combat the problem. thousands of zombified wildlings.

“We’re prepared for certain on campus calls, but just the basics, like a noise complaint or driving an injured student around

campus,” Chief Mormont, head of Public Safety, said. “Anything off campus though is not really our problem.”

With DPS a so-so bet for actual

defense, some students have started stockpiling weapons and rallying around President Snyder to lead them through the long winter.

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

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LMU Volleyball aims to prove it still belongs Big Time Timmy Jim Tim De Vries

Sports Editor @LoyolanSports

I

n his first season as LMU’s women’s volleyball head coach, Aaron Mansfield has been presented with what some would call less than desirable circumstances. Former Head Coach Tom Black left the program for the head coaching position at the University of Georgia at the end of the team’s 2016 campaign, directly or indirectly causing the departure of four members of the roster via transfer. One of these four included senior All-American outside hitter Sarah Sponcil.

Aside from sweeping personnel changes, Mansfield inherited a schedule — created by Black and his staff — that features seven opponents currently ranked in the Top 25 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches’ Poll. His young team will gain on-court experience against some of the nation’s best, while some of his players are still adjusting to the pace of Division I play.

Mansfield, however, sees something in his team’s challenging circumstances besides potential stumbling blocks. While the stumbling blocks exist — and there have already been some growing pains for the Lions — Mansfield sees a unique opportunity in the cards he’s been dealt, and is excited about his team’s potential.

“We’re taking these challenges on as opportunities to grow,” said Mansfield in regards to his team’s difficult schedule. While the team is currently 0-3 against the Top 25, Mansfield is pleased with his team’s competitiveness against topflight programs, specifically citing their matches against University of Southern California and University of Oregon.

The Lions fell 3-1 to the No. 18 Trojans in their season opener, but

managed to win the first game. While it was a small accomplishment in terms of an entire season, Mansfield said it gave him and the team confidence in where they stood after weeks of training camp. Two weeks later, they battled No. 11 Oregon through five sets on the road, finally falling 15-8 in the final set. This week, the young Lions side will add two more ranked opponents to their resume, taking on UCLA on Wednesday, Sept. 13 before heading to University of North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 15.

“Our team reflection after each match has been really positive,” said Mansfield. “We’ve gained a lot of confidence from being able to play those teams so well, and to play a brand of volleyball where we were really stubborn defensively and really efficient offensively… the teams that beat us had to earn it.”

Here, Mansfield gives some insight into his vision for his team’s identity. If the Lions are going to win big matches and accomplish their annual task of making the WCC Tournament, there needs to be a defensive revolution within the program. A year ago, LMU finished 10th out of 10 teams in the WCC in floor defense, and second-to-last in blocking. For Mansfield — a former libero at UC Santa Barbara and AVPtour veteran, this needs to change.

In his eyes, things are already moving in the right direction, but the team still has a long way to go.

Mansfield believes that if his team continues its current approach, “it’s going to happen for us sooner rather than later.”

The numbers seem to support this, despite the limited preseason sample size. A year ago, LMU averaged 13.5 digs per set. This season, that number has risen ever so slightly to 13.9 digs per set. For reference, the national leaders manage as many as 20 digs per set. The same is true for the team’s blocking, up from 1.7 blocks per set in 2016 to 2.1 blocks per set in 2017.

The nation’s best tally nearly 3.5 blocks per set. Again, the increase is minimal, but it appears to be a

step in the right direction for a team that many would have expected to step backwards as a whole. While acknowledging the thorough preparation his staff provides for each match, Mansfield credits his players’ approach to each match for this improvement.

“Our girls are really dialed in to the learning process they have in front of them every single day at practice,” said Mansfield. “[They understand] we’re trying to get one percent better every day.”

Without a doubt, the overwhelming impression is that Mansfield is excited about his opportunity here at LMU, an optimism and a conviction which he hopes to instill amongst his players. Despite the obvious challenges surrounding the program, the Bluff seems to be a fitting destination for him.

Mansfield takes over as head coach of the Lions after five seasons as associate head coach and beach volleyball head coach for Santa Clara. There, Mansfield made three NCAA Tournament appearances under head coach Jon Wallace, who has built what Mansfield called a “legacy of success,” with the Broncos, reaching the NCAA tournament 14 times in 18 seasons.

There, and at Loyola High School, where he coached before joining the Broncos, the former UC Santa Barbara libero learned about the Jesuit philosophy of educating the whole person — something he thinks can directly apply to volleyball.

“We talk a lot about the psychology of the sport, how important nutrition, sleep, taking care of your body is,” said Mansfield. “We have a holistic approach to coaching here, which I think is right in line with the University’s mission.”

The challenges facing the Lions could prove difficult for any roster, let alone one that is not only a young roster, but a relatively small one as well. The Lions list just 12 active players on the 2017 roster, as opposed to 15 players a season ago. Only three players have more

Megan Karbowski | Loyolan

Sophomore setter Tess Reid winds up for a serve in LMU’s Thursday night victory over Long Beach State. The Lions took the match in three sets. than one year of varsity experience, while seven will be playing college volleyball for the first time. Six of the Lions’ top eight rotation players are underclassmen. Whether or not this will result in a lack of depth as the fatigue of a season begins to accumulate is yet to be seen.

For now, Mansfield sees it as a unique opportunity to communicate and connect more efficiently with his players, imparting his knowledge of the game as both a player and a coach in a more focused manner.

In short, this should — at least as far as Mansfield and his staff are concerned – mean less wasted time in practice and more time addressing important focal points.

Right now, the Lions are a relatively meager 5-3. They’ve won the matches they are supposed to win, and have showed the ability to

dig deep and compete regardless of the caliber of opponent. Mansfield, his staff and his players undoubtedly have their sights set on more.

Heading into Wednesday night’s match with UCLA, the Lions will be riding their best wave of momentum of the preseason. The team has won three straight matches, winning nine out of its last 10 games. During that time the offense has proved prolific and the defense shows how Mansfield wants it: stubborn and competitive, albeit imperfect.

Eventually, Mansfield hopes to take leaps and bounds forward. For now, it’s all about getting “one percent better” each day.

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

LMU is a haven for basketball’s best NBA at LMU from Page 22

Dunlap mentions playing with professional players improves the confidence of his players and acclimates the new members of the team — and with a team boasting four freshman and three transfers, anything will help them gain chemistry.

Many players agree with Dunlap, such as senior forward Petr Herman. He mentions that when he came to LMU, he knew there was a chance that he could play with NBA players outside of LMU in places such as the Drew league and other summer circuits, but he benefitted most from the time he has had playing with them at LMU. “It’s a mental game, [the] first few minutes you’re like what the hell is going on and after a while you can play against them

and it raises your confidence.

Eventually when you play against college players again you say ‘oh I can definitely guard you I have played against way better players,’” Herman said, regarding his level of confidence after playing with some of the pros.

This in and of itself is huge for not only development, but for recruitment as well. Dunlap says that young players are drawn to LMU because they not only have a chance to prove themselves in front of the scouts and general managers that visit, but they can improve their game by playing against some of the best.

“I didn’t know it was going to be like this. I knew that it was L.A. and there was a chance but I didn’t know it would be this crazy. I have seen darn near every NBA superstar this summer.

Either worked out or played with

them. It’s an experience you’re not getting anywhere else,” sophomore guard Cameron Allen said.

Allen is right, the only other place to get the experience to play against the reigning NBA Finals MVP, a five-time All-Star and one of the best point guards in the game right now, is in the NBA. This experience not only challenges the young players but it gives them an opportunity to learn from some of the best.

Dunlap has helped his team by creating his own little Drew League where NBA players come to get away from the cameras and just play ball, and college players come to learn.

This is the opinion of Matthew Rodriguez, a junior political science major from Milpitas, California. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan, or email tdevries@theloyolan.com.

via Ryan Ducar

Junior finance major Ryan Ducar grabbed a picture with Chicago Bulls guard and 12-time All-Star Dwyane Wade after a workout in August.

VOCARÉ:

A Retreat for Sophomore and Transfer Students Friday, October 13 – Saturday, October 14, 2017 Camp Alonim in Simi Valley, CA

What is your calling?

The retreat will provide you with: Opportunities for career insight and exploration Small group discussions led by junior and senior students Panels featuring recent LMU alumni and faculty members Clarity surrounding your personal and professional goals, interests and values

Free to attend!

Register at careers.lmu.edu/vocareretreat Questions?

Email: careers@lmu.edu Call: 310-338-2871

LMU LA

Career and Professional Development

Charles Von Der Ahe Building, Suite 135 careers.lmu.edu | careers@lmu.edu 310.338.2871

Follow us on social media:

@lmucareers

SPORTS

SCORES UPDATE W. SOCCER

2-0 W

VOLLEYBALL

3-0 W

vs Long Beach

at. SDSU

2-1 L

WATER POLO 15-8 L

M. SOCCER

a Sacramento State

at UC Irvine

Follow us on Twitter @laloyolanfor up-to-date scores.

Page 20

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | September 13, 2017 | laloyolan.com

Why are NBA Players coming to LMU? Matty Light Matt Rodriguez

Asst. Sports Editor @LoyolanSports os Angeles is one of the greatest basketball cities in the country. With products such as James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan and numerous others in recent years, L.A. has a rich history in basketball.

Summertime basketball is a major staple to every NBA player’s offseason conditioning.

With the perfect summer weather and organizations such as the Drew League, many professional players come to L.A. to push their game to the next level for the upcoming season. Sometimes, they even go to college campuses to practice with their team and train the new generation of basketball as well. This is where LMU comes into the equation.

For the past few weeks, many NBA players have visited the Bluff — and it’s not just journeymen of the league. It’s big name stars such as Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler and most recently Chris Paul, James Harden and Kevin Durant. Many wonder why professional players choose to come here rather than go to bigger schools such as UCLA

L

and USC. These schools have rich basketball history, but what advantages does LMU offer that draws them here?

“It’s quiet, [and the] location, they’re all in the Marina [Del Rey], so it’s convenient more than anything else,” Head Coach Mike Dunlap said when asked why NBA players choose LMU as a place to practice. “And also it’s the connection to the NBA as a former coach and we understand that they do not want to be bothered by a lot of people.”

It makes sense that these high profile players do not want to deal with the press and others during their vacation from the NBA. If you were on vacation would you want your boss to be breathing down your neck, constantly badgering you with questions? It’s safe to assume the answer would be no. When your life is under a microscope, with paparazzi following you around wherever you go, it makes sense to come to a smaller campus to get away from the glitz and glamour. NBA players would much rather just play the game they love so much and try to teach some young bloods how to really play.

For many who follow basketball, playing with some of the best is all but a childhood dream. Fortunately, the LMU basketball team gets to live

out this dream, as these NBA players train with the Lions, and ultimately end up playing a few games of pickup basketball with them.

“It’s a personal dream; we all want to get to where [the professionals] are at and it’s an honor to be able to play with them,” redshirt freshman guard Donald Gipson said. “Playing with them is going to motivate us to get better and [work] on stuff to get to where [the professionals are] at. Playing with them is a dream come true.”

Gipson believes that the main improvement to his game will be the confidence he gains from knowing that he can compete with the best players in the world.

While many universities have alumni who currently play in the NBA, such as University of Kentucky, Duke University and other big-name basketball schools, LMU has no alumni in the NBA. This leaves a hole in the development and recruitment of players. The advantage Kentucky and Duke — or even small schools similar to the size of LMU such as Georgetown University and Wake Forest University — have over LMU is that they have alumni that were or currently are in the NBA return to help train the team.

Dunlap tries to remedy this situation by bringing in professional players, scouts and

via Malik Adeniji

The five-time all-star, James Harden (left) poses for a picture with sophomore international relations major Malik Adeniji. general managers to help his team improve. He says that he brings in 140 scouts and general managers to visit the facility due to the proximity to the Marina.

With those scouts and

general managers, there is also the chance that big names such as Durant and Harden come along with them to train with the Lions.

See NBA at LMU | Page 18