August 25, 2017 by Loyola Maroon

Loyola University • New Orleans • Volume 96 • Issue 2 • August 25, 2017

THE MAROON FOR A GREATER LOYOLA

Purchasing rules lack faculty buy-in

HAYLEY HYNES / The Maroon

By Sean Brennan shbrenna@my.loyno.edu @sean_themaroon

Unprecedented spending rules for Loyola’s departments and clubs went into effect earlier this month, putting new purchasing restrictions on everything from staff meals to office supplies — changes that faculty and students will have to adjust to this semester. On Aug. 1, Loyola’s Office of Finance and Administration released the school’s new purchasing policies, outlining the constraints that departments now have when spending university money. For the Loyola community, those rules mean no more lunches or holiday parties and limited travel on the university’s dime, all in an effort to save $5.1 million in the coming years. The new restrictions on what can and cannot be bought with university funds are detailed on the university website, such as the decisions not to reimburse any tip over 20 percent on a food purchase by Loyola faculty, and terminating monthly cell phone plans for most faculty, as well. The rules came after months of analysis from what is called the “Optimizing External Expenditures work stream,” headed by Robert Nelson, Director of Purchasing at Loyola. The committee designated with creating the “work stream” was one of 14 the university created under Project Magis, Loyola's latest financial sustainability plan, which Nelson said aims to cut unnecessary

“The issue really is about budspending, increase enrollment and retention rates and introduce new get accountability and financial academic programs to add $20.9 sustainability,” Borofsky said. “We million to Loyola's budget by the want this place to be here for a long time, so when we give people 2018 fiscal year. “We found that there were a lot the budget, they’ve got to manage of ways we could spend our money that budget just like you manage more intelligently without having your budget at home. We don’t have to cut services,” Nelson said. “An any more money sitting in a pot for example of this is by moving from when people run out.” In accounting for department separate administration software systems in the Monroe and Law budgets, Nelson and Borofsky libraries to one system, which will both cited the significant amount save Loyola over $50,000 on an an- of money spent on business travel and food, expenses that departnual basis.” ment heads like Under NelNaomi Yavneh son’s supervi- "If I told you how much Klos, director of sion, the work the University stream’s goal time we've been spending is to save the talking about food, it would Honors Program, worry will affect school $5.1 students’ learnmillion. To do blow your mind," ing experience at this, the comLoyola if cut. mittee spent — David Borofsky “Food is an months ana- Interim Provost important part lyzing expensof honors. I have es with over 40 Loyola faculty, staff and admin- spoken with the Provost and we istrators to find potential savings will be able to continue the tradition of our senior lunch, where we wherever possible. “The main focus of Project Magis recognize each one of our graduis to invest. However, as we wait for ating students,” Yavneh said. “But these exciting initatives to be im- we want to bring students to NCHC plemented, we have an immediate (National Collegiate Honors Counneed to tighten our belts. Speaking cil) and the AJCU (Association of as a two-time alumnus and having Jesuit Colleges and Universities) worked at Loyola for over a decade, Honors conference, which this year I think we are striking the right bal- is in Omaha, an expensive city to fly to but a 17-hour drive from New ance,” Nelson said. David Borofsky, Interim Provost Orleans.” Beyond potentially missing these and Vice President of Academic Affairs, said the immediate result events under the new purchasing of Nelson’s work stream initiatives policy, the University Honors Prowas a budget cut of roughly $1.7 gram is more significantly battling a decreased annual budget in the million.

face of an increase in the number of honors students, resulting in certain faculty teaching seminars as unpaid overloads and every seminar above the usual maximum number of students. “I am trying to figure out ways to be extremely frugal, but that, in and of itself, is time-consuming, especially when my attention could be better directed at advising students,” Yavneh said. Daniela Marx, chairwoman of the Department of Design, worries that her department’s first forum, which is usually a meal to break bread with faculty and new students, will not be possible under the purchasing rules. On top of this, since the department’s office manager was let go in July’s round of faculty cuts, Marx is currently taking on the duties of the office, as well as chairwoman and professor. “I’ve been here for 18 years and never have been told what we can or can’t spend money on. I’m a rule follower, so I’m fine with rules, but I need clarity on how to follow them,” Marx said. “Our first forum is how we bring in the new year together. It’s important to have this meal together.” According to Borofsky, the rules are a small piece of Project Magis, which focuses on growing online programs and recreating Loyola’s continuing education program for adults, but they still need to be implemented to achieve sustainability — especially with food. “If I told you how much time we’ve been spending talking about food, it would blow your mind,” Borofsky said. “There are some

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absolutes that are just not going to happen, like alcohol. We’re definitely not paying for alcohol with university money. But for the most part, we’ll loosen it up a little bit so people can spend their money the way they need to, but within some constraints.” The purchasing rules will not affect the Student Government Association, whose funding comes directly from student fees. According to Student Government Association President Ben Weil, the cuts may be tough for some areas at first, but are necessary in the long run to get the university back on track. For other student organizations, however, such as Loyola’s rugby club, the rules pose new questions on funding, club president Alex Le said. “As clubs, we are already limited to apply for certain allocations. I’m not sure how these cuts will affect our team, but without adequate funding, we can’t afford to compete against other teams as much as we’d like,” Le said. Exceptions to these purchasing policies can be applied for and signed off by the Interim Provost. Time will tell the impact of these rules as the semester gets started, with food and beverages at the front of the plate. “We’re making sure we have the money in the right places to make sure students have the best experience possible, and that doesn’t always mean pizza and soda and water,” Borosfky said.

August 25, 2017

THE MAROON

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Residence Burglary 2500 Block of Jefferson Ave

Aug. 16

1:37 p.m.

Simple Burglary Vehicle Jefferson Ave and Prytania St

Aug. 16

3:36 p.m.

Theft 6800 Block of St. Charles Ave

Aug. 16

3:57 p.m.

Disturbing the Peace 5700 Block of S. Claiborne Ave

Aug. 17

8:29 a.m.

Disturbing the Peace, Fight 00 Block of Rosa Park

Aug. 17

1:58 p.m.

Disturbing the Peace, Fight Hillary St and Maple St

Aug. 18

1:45 a.m.

Auto Theft 1100 Block of Leotine St

Aug. 18

8:13 a.m.

Sexual Battery 400 Block of Burdette St

Aug. 18

1:44 p.m.

Residence Burglary 7800 Block of St. Charles Ave

Aug. 20

4:38 p.m.

Simple Burglary Vehicle 00 Block of Audobon Blvd

Aug. 21

4:59 p.m.

Bicycle Theft 500 Block of Lowerline St

Aug. 21

5:26 p.m.

Residence Burglary 2300 Block of Octavia St

Aug. 21

5:26 p.m.

Bicycle Theft 7000 Block of Freret St

Aug. 21

6:22 p.m.

Residence Burglary 7100 Block of Freret St

Aug. 22

7:17 p.m.

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news

August 25, 2017 The Maroon

Loyola welcomes class of 2021 By Erin Snodgrass eesnodgr@loyno.edu @erinsnod

ERIN SNODGRASS / The Maroon

Brianna Daniel, history junior, writes a message on Brittany Webb, biology sophomore, for the Dear World event held in The Danna Center. Dear World is a photo storytelling project that has visited hundreds of college campuses.

Students share personal stories at Dear World event By Madison Mcloughlin mmmcloug@my.loyno.edu

Loyola students shared their personal stories on campus on Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the Danna Center through Dear World, an internationally recognized storytelling project that encompasses portraits and photographs. Students were able to write meaningful messages on their bodies to communicate their messages through the medium. Charlotte Coughlin, graphic design sophomore, wrote “2 Continents, 1 Bike” on herself. She explained that biking across both

North America and Europe was an eye-opening experience which gave her a more worldly mindset. “Many Americans don’t realize how fortunate they are to have healthy options and plenty of clean water,” Coughlin said. Elizabeth Keating, co-director of student involvement, helped direct the event and offered students advice. “It is totally life-changing to see all of the students open up with their experiences and be vulnerable,” Keating said. For Keating, the event was all about looking for unique stories and

embracing personal stories, even if not everyone can understand what the words mean. Elizabeth’s words are, “Together we watch the sunrise.” To many, this is just a simple sentence, but to Keating, it is part of her story. The students who have previously chosen to write stories on their body inspired other students to step up and share. Brenna Gilliam, criminal justice sophomore, was inspired and decided to write out her own story. She wrote “Girls can not do STEM” as her way to resist those who hold that view. “We live in a world where you

can do whatever you want, and my gender does not stop me from doing what I want to do,” Gilliam said. For Keating, the photo reveal and storytelling session after all of the photographs were taken was the most rewarding part of the experience. “I’m really excited to see everything come together as a collective Loyola story and experience how diverse Loyola really is.” Later that evening, participants gathered in Roussel Hall to view the final photos and share the stories behind them.

Two new faces at Loyola — Interim Provost David Borofsky and incoming Student Government President Ben Weil — both had a chance to introduce themselves to Loyola’s largest freshmen class in four years as the class of 2021 met for New Student Convocation at Holy Name of Jesus Church on Friday, Aug. 18. Weil gave his keys to success for life at Loyola as advice for freshman, encouraging them to be selfish when thinking about their future and selfless when interacting with others in the community. “The Loyola wolf den is an example of what the world should be. I challenge you during your time here to bring the love found in the wolf den into the real world,” Weil said. Interim Provost David Borofsky followed with emphasizing the diversity of the freshmen class. The class of 2021 comes from 47 states and 38 countries, with 30 percent from the greater New Orleans area and 30 percent also part of the First in the Pack program, a mentoring program which supports first generation college students. Borofsky encouraged students to get involved on campus and off and assured students failure was necessary for growth. “The best learning comes from failing. It’s okay to fail,” Borofsky said. The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., then led the convocation remarks. He congratulated the class on their academic successes already. The average grade point average for the class of 2021 is 3.6. This incoming class also has over 100 honors students, making them the largest honors class ever. There are also 18 Ignatian Scholars and 83 student athletes. After the ceremony, the class of 2021 took their class photo and then proceeded to the Peace Quad in their very own second line.

Borofsky: “There are no more planned employee cuts”

news briefs

By Grant Dufrene

Loyola restates weapons policy

gmdufrene@loyno.edu

Changes to Loyola, including recent buyouts, the search for a new university president and the newly instated purchasing policy were among the topics of discussion as Interim Provost David Borofsky spoke at a faculty senate meeting on Thursday. The meeting began with the release of the names of faculty members involved in the most recent round of buyouts that took place in July. Those faculty included: Luis Miron, Anthony Ladd, Georgia Gresham, Lydia Voigt, Lawrence Lewis, Lynn Koplitz, Elizabeth Beard, William Grote, Connie Rodriguez and William Thornton. Later, Borofsky assured the group that “there are no more planned employee cuts.” Borofsky also said that no decisions have yet been made regarding President Kevin Wildes’ successor, saying, “The board is putting together their search process.” Borofsky also used the opportunity to defend the university’s

updated purchasing policy, which places new spending guidelines on everything from plane tickets to birthday cards. “The truth is that we have spent money at this university in ways we probably shouldn’t,” Borofsky said. Borofsky citied the new purchasing policies as a way to “get people to think about what they really need to do their jobs.” But he also assured the group that departments could still, for example, purchase pizza for events as long as it was contributing to retention. He also announced two upcoming chances for in-depth discussions of Project Magis, the university’s plan to eliminate the deficit and put money back into the endowment in the next couple of years. The first town hall was held on Aug. 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Nunemaker Hall and the second is scheduled for Roussel Hall on Aug. 28, also from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sidney Holmes contributed to this report

Faculty Who Accepted Buyouts Include: Luis Miron, Sociology Anthony Ladd, Sociology Georgia Gresham, Theatre Arts and Dance Lydia Voigt, Academic Affairs Lawrence Lewis, Psychology Lynn Koplitz, Chemistry and Biochemistry Elizabeth Beard, Biology William Grote, Arts and Sciences Connie Rodriguez, Classical Studies William Thornton, Criminal Justice

David Borofsky, interim provost, sent out an email to the Loyola community Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 23) as a reminder of the campus policy on firearms regarding police officers, reiterating that campus is a gun free zone, according to Louisiana state law. However, the email explains that weapons are permitted to be carried on campus by all law enforcement officers. “As such, it is the general policy of the university to welcome and trust those officers who arrive on our campus in their respective department uniforms and are visibly armed,” Borofsky said in an email. Last semester, there was an incident on campus where a police officer brought his weapon to class and a student reported him to a professor, causing what the university called “a misunderstanding,” an incident that notably resulted in the officer making a televised appearance on Fox Business.

WORLDVIEW

August 25, 2017 The Maroon

Associated Press

FILE - This July 28, 2017 file photo distributed by the North Korean government shows what was said to be the launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. America’s annual joint military exercises with South Korea always frustrate North Korea. Some experts say North Korea is mainly focused on the bigger picture of testing its bargaining power against the United States with its new long-range missiles and likely has no interest in letting things get too tense during the drills. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

North Korean nuclear threats could hit close to home By John Casey jecasey9@gmail.com @J_E_CASEY

A year ago most Americans would’ve laughed off the idea of nuclear war with North Korea, but as threats and missile tests have increased in frequency, the issue has become far from a laughing matter. The United States and North Korea are currently at a nuclear standoff, one that parallels the Cold War that consumed American politics for almost half of the 20th century. According to a recent Washington Post article, the nuclear threat could hit far closer to home for Loyola

University students than most would expect. According to the article, a photo released in 2013 in association with a media report threatening the United States could offer details regarding potential targets across the country, one of which analysts at the Defense Intelligence Agency say is in the state of Louisiana. The photo in question shows four missile trajectories into the United States, two of which are clearly visible. Those two targets are Honolulu (home to U.S. Pacific Command) and San Diego, the Pacific Fleet’s home port. A third trajectory is slightly obscured by a North Korean official blocking the map, but ana-

lysts have safely assumed that target is Washington. The fourth trajectory is entirely obscured, but analysts are confident that the fourth target is Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. The base in rural northwestern Louisiana seems like an odd choice at first, until one considers that the base is home to Air Force Global Strike Command, which controls U.S. bomber missions around the globe — including recent flyovers near the Korean Peninsula. The question is, then, if Barksdale was hit by a nuclear missile, would New Orleans be at risk? The answer is yes, but not directly. According to the Defense Intelli-

gence Agency, military officials estimate that the largest North Korean nuclear weapon is no more than 30 kilotons. To put that in perspective, the largest nuclear weapon possessed by the Soviet Union was roughly 100 megatons, which is over 3,300 times the size of the North Korean weapon. The immediate radius of a North Korean nuclear detonation is roughly 1.5 miles, versus 46 miles for its USSR counterpart. The immediate damage would be catastrophic, but not nearly as widespread as a Soviet weapon, and it certainly would not be able to reach New Orleans. With all of that said, the radioactive fallout of the explosion would

impact the city. Fallout is when the radioactive particles that are dispersed high into the atmosphere as a result of a nuclear explosion return to the ground, sometimes spreading out for hundreds of miles in every direction. Radioactive fallout can have long-term impacts on health and can lead to the development of cancer in those who have been exposed. As of right now, Barksdale is on the edge of the range that U.S. Department of Defense officials estimate North Korea could reach with their intercontinental ballistic missiles but could be a legitimate target for the isolationist country.

Catch basins, oversight discussed at hurricane preparedness town hall By Jamal Melancon jmmelanc@loyno.edu

@Jam_M_Mel

The city’s recent flooding events served as a backdrop for featured officials and community members to discuss the state of the city’s storm preparedness at a meeting earlier this month. The town hall, organized by Senator Jean-Paul Morrell, focused on clogged catch basins and $22 million for future oversight granted to the Sewerage and Water Board. In light of the flooding that occurred July 22 and Aug. 5, Morrell prefaced the meeting by asking what the city’s flood protection would be like if a hurricane were to come. “I realized the public has not been as educated necessarily on a regular basis, as far as what is the current status of our coastal restoration, flood protection,” Morrell said at the meeting at Lakefront Airport on Aug. 17. “I reached out to the various authorities that are cast in those roles.” Ignacio Harrouch, the operations chief of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and Rob-

ert Turner, director of engineering and operations for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, both gave brief presentations regarding how their agencies work to maintain the city’s flood and hurricane protection system. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is a state entity that oversees inspections, operation and maintenance in projects aimed at Louisiana’s coastal protection. Harrouch explained that they can inspect maintenance protocol during construction and provide technical assistance to partners. Turner spoke about the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East’s commitment to an ever-evolving levee system, mentioning their plans for levee lifts and armoring. After the presentations, audience members focused their questions to the cleaning of stuffed catch basins and the Sewerage and Water Board’s oversight future. One audience member questioned the planning process of drainage placement in neighborhoods in Gentilly and Lakeview. Morrell answered that those catch basin placements are more frequently involved with individual

scenarios between property owners and developers. “The answer to your question isn’t a great answer because, though there was some input by city agencies, where those drains were put in, they were put in by developers,” Morrell said. He described the process as becoming “willy-nilly” as years went by. The woman who asked the question responded that the system isn’t working anymore to which Morrell agreed that the catch basin placement process could evolve. During the meeting, a Sewerage and Water Board representative announced the City Council’s decision to approve the spending of $22 million to address the flaws of the city’s drainage system, such as repairing 15,000 catch basins. In response, a Pontilly (a combination of Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly) Neighborhood Association board member brought up the intense clogging of catch basins in her neighborhood, to which a Sewerage and Water Board representative responded by assuring her that an official could attend their next monthly meeting in September to investigate.

JAMAL MELANCON/The Maroon

Senator Jean-Paul Morrell speaks at a town hall meeting hosted at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, located on 6001 Stars and Stripes Boulevard.

Morrell followed up saying that the city has a problem with hired contractors illegally littering into catch basins. He said this happens with frequent grass cutting and that this is an issue adding to the flood protection problem. “People sometimes forget you can only really clean the top of your catch basins. When certain stuff gets clogged below a certain point, you

can not clean it yourself,” Morrell said. Catch basins are the top priority in the effort to improve flood prevention measures across the city, according to Morrell. There are 65,000 catch basins that exist in New Orleans. Local or state legislation is Morrell’s suggestion for a solution to the drainage problem.

August 25, 2017

C R O S S W O R D

THE MAROON

ACROSS 1. DEA agent 5. Traveller in London’s Tube 9. With 15-Across, Apple media player since 2005 13. Over the hill 14. Colorado-based brewery 15. See 9-Across 16.*Feature of gated community entrances 18. Sprouted 19. Like checks, when splitting the tab 20. Dungeness and Alaskan king 21. *GEICO product 24. “I got a great break!” 27. ID card picture 28. Adam’s grandson 29. “... disguised as Clark Kent, mild-__ reporter” 32. Hoopla 33. *Plaything for a backyard swimming spot 36. Fifth month 37. Warns of 39. Batman’s hideout 40. Donna Summer’s music 41. Spun, as a baton 44. *Source of showroom shock? 47. The Stones’ “__ Tonk Women” 48. Subscribers’ continuations 52. And others, in Lat. 53. Abundant farm yield ... and what the first words of the answers to starred clues comprise? 55. Past the deadline 56. Foreign relief org. created by JFK 57. Pac-12 sch. 58. Hotfooted it 59. Curve in a road 60. Easier said __ done

DOWN

1. Badgers 2. Fever with chills 3. Garner from the fields

4. Music media holders 5. Infant foot warmer 6. City where Joan of Arc died 7. Tax form org. 8. “The Waste Land” poet’s monogram 9. Thankless sort 10. Like “X-Files” cases 11. Year before AD yrs. started 12. Wield a divining rod 14. Captivate 17. Low, sturdy cart 20. Close friend 22. Quarrel 23. “Sorry, that’s not happening” 24. Jump 25. “Go back” computer command 26. Match, as clothing colors

29. Chicago Fire’s org. 30. Roof projection 31. Colored like Easter eggs 33. Bothersome 34. Fairy tale start 35. Skunk’s defense 38. Got giggles out of 39. Close-cropped hair style 41. Apprehensive 42. __ and dined 43. Cake decorator 44. Bookcase unit 45. Sum 46. Image maker, briefly 49. Curved foot part 50. 1970 Kinks hit 51. Stretch across 53. Fella 54. Employ

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Life &Times

August 25, 2017 THE MAROON

Film • Arts • Food • Music • Leisure • Nightlife

Decadence no longer a ‘boys’ club Dykeadence sets itself apart from the Decadence celebrations as a place for lesbian and transgender members of the LGBT community

Upcoming events 8/25 Fraternity and sorority welcome back cookout Description: Join Loyola’s 13 fraternities and sororities for free food and to learn about becoming a member of Greek Life. Food will be provided by Lucky Dog and Plum Street Snoballs. Every attendee has the chance of entering a raffle to win an Apple Watch. Price: Free Location: Peace Quad

8/26 Vox and the Hound, Midriff, Naughty Palace at One Eyed Jacks Description: Vox and the Hound, Midriff and Naughty Palace perform at One Eyed Jacks (18+). Price: $12 Location: One Eyed Jacks at 9 p.m.

8/26 New pride pageant 2018 Description: See Sister Glory Bea and Sister Eileen Eulick host this “Once Upon a Time” themed pageant. Price: Free Location: Cafe Istanbul at 6 p.m. Courtesy of Dykeadence

A pair of revelers walk through the French Quarter at Dykeadence in this undated photo. Dykeadence will be marching in Decadence’s parade later this month.

By Jules Lydon and Shannon Garrety jmlydon@my.loyno.edu sbgarret@my.loyno.edu @julesmadethis

Each Labor Day weekend, Southern Decadence, the largest gay event in the south, commences and welcomes the gay community from around the United States and the world to New Orleans. However, the event hasn’t always been geared toward those that identify as lesbian or transgender. Southern Dykeadence was created in 2009 as a response to the lack of diversity celebrated within Southern Decadence, which was established in the 1960s and was comprised of primarily gay men. “Gay, white, cisgender men have typically been the face of the LGBTQIA+ community, so bringing in diverse perspectives and identities is a big step in creating a more open and

inclusive queer community,” Marisa Jurczyk, LGBT activist and sophomore sociology major, said. In 2015, analytics company Gallup found that out of every city in the country, New Orleans had the fourth-largest gay population (5.1 percent). Last year, Southern Decadence broke all previous attendance records with over 200,000 attendees and brought an estimated $250 million into the city, according to the official Decadence page and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. Even though Decadence is in its 46th year and is now the fifth-largest annual event, standing in line with the likes of Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Festival and French Quarter Festival, many members of the larger LGBT community felt that the celebration needed to include a more diverse cast of LGBT community members. Similar to its male-centric counter-

part, Dykeadence started as a small, grassroots celebration. With a dedicated group of 300 people, Dykeadence has grown to include and provide a space for more than 1,000 men and women. Their annual party during the Dykeadence festivities, Fleurt, has gained national recognition and has grown into one of the largest lesbian events in the south. This growth will be visible once the festivities begin on Aug. 30 and continue until Sept. 4, but it fills a need larger than a six-day festival. Despite its large and vibrant LGBT community, New Orleans lacks regular and consistent spaces for people who identify as lesbian and transgender to gather. Prior to its closing in 1999, Charlene’s was a bar where community members met to plan and enact legislation affecting LGBT people, including writing the first New Orleans Gay

Rights Ordinance. Today, Charlene’s, along with all of its sister bars, are gone. “The majority of the time, when something is labeled LGBTQ+ in New Orleans, the reality is that it’s actually only for certain kinds of gay men. And if you’re not in that population, there’s nothing for you. Which is why spaces like Dykeadence are so important — they give voices to people who feel rejected from the mainstream, male-centric events,” Kourtney Baker, recent Loyola graduate and LGBT advocate, said. Dykeadence events start during Decadence this Labor Day weekend from Thursday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 4. Groups representing Dykeadence will also walk in a Decadence parade on Sunday, Sept. 3.

8/29 Student involvement fair Description: Learn how to get involved in Loyola’s communities at this fair. Price: free Location: Peace Quad from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

8/31 James Quick (Full Band) with Tristin Sanders Concert Description: James Quick and his band perform with Tristin Sanders at Gasa Gasa. Price: $5 Location: Gasa Gasa from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Burlesque challenges pop culture through ‘The Princess Bride’ By India Yarborough iayarbor@loyno.edu @iayarbor

Add a satirical twist to a nationally recognized film and you get what one Loyola alumna describes as a show that pushes boundaries. The Society of Sin — a New Orleans-based burlesque troupe founded over three years ago by 2012 graduate Xena Zeit-Geist — plans to perform an original burlesque rendition of the 1987 classic film “The Princess Bride” at The Willow on Friday (Aug. 25). The burlesque review, advertised as “inconceivable” will include “dancing, tasteful striptease and drag, all in the characters relating to ‘The Princess Bride,’” Zeit-Geist said. “When it comes to Society of Sin, I’m hard-pressed to think of another troupe in the city that’s as dedicated to nerdlesque (burlesque based on cult classics, superheroes and such),”

Dede Onassis, New Orleans drag queen and the show’s host, said. “It is the troupe that’s dedicated to exploring pop culture — just taking these pop culture icons like ‘The Princess Bride’ or ‘Harry Potter’ or ‘Star Trek’ and deconstructing the context, looking at it from a different angle.” Onassis has spent close to three years as an emcee for burlesque shows and over seven months as a drag queen and said she is excited to see “The Princess Bride” come to life. Zeit-Geist said the show, which she expects to sell out, will consist of 3-5 minute acts full of costumes and theatrics. Zeit-Geist will break from her normal hosting role Friday to play Inigo Montoya, the movie’s fencing Spaniard intent on avenging his father’s death at the hand of a six-fingered man. “I’m still planning exactly what I’m going to do with [Inigo] because I think he’s a lot of people’s favorite

character,” Zeit-Geist said. “I know he’s mine.” Nine-year New Orleans resident Tim Dickinson has frequented Society of Sin’s burlesque performances since 2015. He is also a fan of “The Princess Bride” and said he looks forward to seeing the two merge. “I’ve always loved ‘The Princess Bride,’ ‘Star Wars,’ all that kind of stuff, so it’s neat to know they not only love the same stuff but love to perform it and put their own spin on things,” Dickinson said. He particularly awaits to see how the society portrays scenes of his favorite character, Westley, the romantic lead and hero of “The Princess Bride.” “I’m not quite sure what they’ll do with all the battles between [Westley] and the giant, but they always have really creative ways to not just bring out somebody dressed as the character,” Dickinson said. “They really do a little more.”

According to Dickinson, always striving to “do a little more” is what defines The Society of Sin’s shows. “They really try to do better each time, and it’s amazing to me that they do,” he said. “Xena is working constantly, and all the performers are working every day. And it’s amazing that they find the time to improve.” Zeit-Geist said she has attended classes at the New Orleans School of Burlesque because the artform is something to which she devotes ample amounts of time. According to Zeit-Geist, devoting time to her performance is important, especially because of burlesque’s history in the Crescent City. According to Onassis, a key component of burlesque is the layering of gender and how gender is represented. She said Friday’s show will be no exception. “There are a lot of women playing men’s roles,” Onassis said. “Andre the

Giant is being played by one of my drag sisters.” “It makes you go ‘what is gender?’” she added. Dickinson went to his first Society of Sin show because he knew one of the troupe’s members. He didn’t know what to expect but said he has since learned how supportive the burlesque community is. “The troupe itself is very body positive and tries hard to empower and let people know that everyone is beautiful,” Dickinson said. “It’s one thing to say that you’re for empowering women and everybody and that you’re inclusive of all body types but it’s another thing to actually do that and have people of all body types on stage. And not just body types, but different performance types, too.” For Zeit-Geist, that component — diversity — is exactly what allows her troupe to do “big things.”

August 25, 2017

THE MAROON

St. Charles | S. Claiborne | S. Carrollton | Riverwalk

SPORTS

August 25, 2017 The Maroon

Sports briefs UPDATE: sports complex renovations The University Sports Complex may push back their reopening date this this fall. According to Assistant Athletic Director Courtnie Prather, while the athletics program does not yet have an official reopening date for the sports complex, First NBC Court will receive a name change in the future. The sports complex was originally scheduled to reopen on Aug. 28, students might have to wait a little longer to enjoy all the new renovations and upgrades to the University Sports Complex.

Preseason polls are in for the men’s and women’s golf team

The Maroon

Johnny Griffin Jr. finsihes in traffic against Dillard University in a regular season game last year. Griffin will begin his professional career with the Windsor Express this October in Canada.

Former Loyola basketball star goes pro By JC Canicosa jccanico@loyno.edu @JCcanico

This year’s volleyball season for the Loyola Wolf Pack was highlighted by team improvement, program development and the departure of one of the most accomplished players in school history. The team was able to increase their total wins by four this season and were also able to land a berth in the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament. According to Allison Hartman, biology freshman, even though the team was eliminated on the second day, the experience their core group of younger players gained will serve them well in years to come.

“As a freshman, it was an amazing experience. To play in the most important tournament of the year was outstanding. The fight and drive my team and I had to push through even the toughest of games is astonishing. Obviously we would’ve liked to have made it further, but being a young team, we have a lot to look forward to next year,“ Hartman said. Eva Allen, mass communication senior, will leave the program this year ranking fourth in program history in overall kills. She said that former Wolf Pack great Gina Gill was her motivation for her success throughout her career. “My goal was to continue her legacy and establish myself as a powerful hitter and a leader on our

team, and I think I accomplished that. I hope that even after my time comes to an end at Loyola my memory will continue to have an impact and influence on the Loyola volleyball team and especially on the next person that wears my jersey,” Allen said. Though she is graduating this upcoming May, Allen believes the future of the program is headed in the right direction. “I believe that the team will continue to be successful after I leave. There is a lot of talent on our team. Many of the younger players just need to find their confidence,” Allen said. The coaching staff and returning players also appear to be confident in the strides they have made as a

team and the impact it will have on the future of the new program. Angela Franke, head coach, believes that the team can only get better. “The growth I’ve seen in my younger players is their commitment and becoming more disciplined with improving and perfecting their skills. They know where their strengths and weaknesses are and they realize they will need to keep working on improving their skills because every year we’re getting better and so is the talent we’re bringing in,” Franke said. The team will see 16 of their 18 players returning next year as they look to build upon the foundation of success they laid down this season.

Both the men’s and women’s golf teams have moved up in ranking after one of the best all-around years in the program’s history. In last week’s Southern States Athletics Conference women’s golf coaches’ preseason poll, Loyola was ranked fourth overall while the men’s golf coaches’ preseason poll ranked the men’s golf team fifth overall. Eight golf teams compete in the Southern States Athletics Conference. The golf team will start their season on Sept. 10 at the Coastal Georgia Invitational on the Pines Lakes Course in Georgia.

The quidditch team will begin holding open practices Monday One of Loyola’s most popular club sports will start holding open practices on Monday, Aug. 28 in the Residential Quad. The quidditch team practices every Monday and Wednesday on the Residential Quad from 4-6 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m. in Audubon Park. Quidditch practices are open to all students looking to try out the fantasy-inspired sport.

Preseason poll ranks Loyola men’s cross country team No. 5 in conference By Andres Fuentes aafuente@loyno.edu @af_nola

According to a poll done of coaches in the Southern States Athletic Conference, the Loyola men’s cross country team is in the fifth spot in preseason rankings. This ranking comes in a conference where only seven schools compete for cross country. However, for Head Coach Nick Dodson, the polls do not reflect what his team is prepared to accomplish this season. “Rankings are usually based off what your team did the year before, and additions made to the team aren’t taken into consideration,” Dodson said. “Our team is focused and looking very strong so far in the preseason, and we are prepared to make some noise at the conference and national level.” The strength this season will have to lie in the leaders and veterans, as the team of eight runners will fea-

ture five freshman. “We have a lot of freshman in the lineup for us, but we have a very talented group of freshman. I’m confident in this group, even though we are young, because they are a very mature group, and hungry,” Dodson said. Two runners that are bringing a sense of maturity to the squad are juniors Brian Davis and Hernan Espinal. Last season, both were named to the All-Academic team, and Davis was named an SSAC Champion of Character. As for the preseason polls, Espinal sees it as a motivational tool for his team. “It will be a motivator for the team and a great benchmark to put us in the mindset of where we are and how we can strive to do better,” Espinal said. Davis also believes in his coaching staff to help push his team past the finish line. “Numerous athletes have shat-

tered their personal bests, broken school records, qualified for NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Nationals under the guidance of Head Coach Dodson and Assistant Coach Livia Mahaffie. They have revitalized our program by recruiting an immense number of high-caliber student-athletes while cultivating the talent of returning athletes,” he said. As for the main goal for the team, Espinal said, “To do better and break personal records. We are going out to compete, not just run. We are going out to make the Loyola name heard when it comes to athletics.” The Wolfpack opens its season on Friday (Aug. 25) at the Xavier Big Easy Opener in City Park. The women’s cross country team, who ranked fifth in the SSAC preseason polls themselves, will also open their season at the Xavier Big Easy Opener.

The Maroon

Anthony Rizzi. enivornmental junior, competes in the NAIA National Championship on November 19, 2016. The team is looking to build on last year’s record-breaking season and continue to improve as a team.`

August 25, 2017

The Maroon

SGA shares initiatives for new year By Sidney Holmes smholmes@loyno.edu @sidneymajee

Student Government President Ben Weil addressed the SGA senate with his initiatives as the group met for their first official meeting of the 2017-2018 academic year. Weil was joined by SGA Vice President Blaine Mader, along with Cissy Petty, Vice President of Student

Affairs. “Let me be clear. The work starts now,” Weil said, taking the podium to address the senators. He informed the senate of the six initiatives he has for the school year, which include “finding your Loyola,” campus diversity, going green, professor grading accountability, post-grad test programs and athletic programs. Weil said that the senators’ help

is needed more than ever to fulfill their goals. Mader then made his presentation to the senate, announcing his “Triple A goal set.” “I don’t want you to associate this with the car insurance company, however I see these goals as a form of SGA insurance,” Mader said. Mader’s goal set called for the senators to be apparent in their presence, assertive in their actions

and accepting of accountability. Mader acknowledged that he is new to student government, and that despite being trained for the position, he is bound to make mistakes. “I ask that you have patience with me, but I also ask you to hold me accountable for these mistakes so I can actively improve upon them,” Mader said. Mader also did not hesitate to

show a more assertive side of student government, saying that they are like a machine. “If one of us is not performing at the same level as all of the other parts, the machine is doomed to fail, and let me say that if a piece keeps breaking, we won’t hesitate to find a replacement part.”

Post-flood shakeup of New Orleans agency underway By Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The head of a New Orleans agency weathering heavy criticism since flash floods swamped buildings and streets in sections of the city this month officially retired Tuesday, an accelerated departure that cleared the way for a new emergency management team named by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Cedric Grant had already announced plans to retire from the city’s Sewerage and Water Board at

the end of hurricane season in November. He had acknowledged that public confidence in the agency was low after flooding Aug. 5 exposed problems with manpower and equipment. The problems included inoperable pumps and damage to power systems instrumental in removing storm water. City Hall announced in a news release that his retirement was effective Tuesday. The management team named by Landrieu is headed by state govern-

ment veteran Paul Rainwater. Rainwater has experience in state disaster recovery efforts, including heading the Louisiana Recovery Authority formed after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Other team members include: — Terrence Ginn, the Deputy Commissioner for Finance & AdB:8.375” ministration with the Louisiana T:8.125” Board of Regents, the state’s top S:7.375” higher education board. —Renee Lapeyrolerie, a public relations expert who, the city said,

“will work to strengthen S&WB relations with governmental entities and improve communications efforts, including the distribution of timely and accurate public information.” It’s a crucial role because early statements from the city that the pumping system was operating at maximum capacity turned out to be false. — Ehab Meselhe, an engineer with the Water Institute of the Gulf, who will provide scientific and engineering support to the board.

—Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit of the Louisiana National Guard, who will provide engineering, contracting and procurement support for the emergency repairs at the S&WB. — Robert Turner, an engineer with the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, who will provide technical expertise on stormwater management and drainage operations.

T:10.5”

S:9.75”

EDITORIAL

August 25, 2017 THE MAROON

OUR EDITORIAL

The majority opinion of our editorial board

HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to a president with indestructible eyes GROWL to debbie-downers about the eclipse HOWL to the end of syllabus week GROWL to an SGA meeting without Canes HOWL to oxford commas GROWL to there being no holidays in August HOWL to ostrich and camel racing at the Fair Grounds this Friday

EDITORIAL BOARD Nick Reimann

Editor-in-Chief

Paulina Picciano

Managing Editor for Print

Sidney Holmes

Managing Editor for Electronic Properties

Lily Cummings

Maroon Minute Executive Producer

Hayley Hynes

Design Chief

Barbara Brown

Photo Editor

Erin Snodgrass

News Editor

Davis Walden

Life & Times Editor

Caleb Beck

Wolf Editor

John Casey

Worldview Editor

JC Canicosa Grant Dufrene

Sports Editor Opinion and Editorial Editor

Katelyn Fecteau

Copy Editor

Jamal Melancon

Senior Staff Writer

Marisbel Rodriguez

Senior Staff Photographer

EDITORIAL POLICY The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Loyola University. Letters and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of The Maroon’s editorial board. The Maroon does not represent the opinion of administration, staff and/or faculty members of Loyola. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Please limit submissions to 400 words. Submissions are due no later than 4 p.m. the Sunday before publication. Please send all submissions — The Maroon, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Box 64, New Orleans, LA 70118. Email us your letters — letter@ loyno.edu. Submissions may also be made online at www.loyolamaroon.com.

DAVIS WALDEN/ The Maroon

With Interim Provost David Borofsky announcing new purchasing policies as part of Project Magis, the question many are now asking is not what the long-term impact on the university will be but rather: “Will there still be pizza? And if so, who’s going to pay for it?” On July 27, Borofsky released an email to faculty announcing the new policies. Initially, these programs were received with confusion as they were not accompanied with much clarification. The new policies put new restrictions on bid thresholds, meals, travel, university credit cards, parties, catering, gifts, office supplies, honoraria and university cell phones. Obviously, catering is a big con-

cern amongst faculty and students who are used to all events coming with food, complimentary. This bread breaking is a part of the culture of New Orleans and our school and this change will be felt all around. The Interim Provost’s reason for these new restrictions is that there are about 40 departments, each having events or meetings almost weekly, which begin to add up, and that doesn’t even take into account the numerous events for student organizations. For most, these changes came as a shock, especially because such policies, especially not to this degree, have been implemented at Loyola in recent memory. But that could

be part of our problem. Loyola has a deficit that needs to be dealt with, so there must be some cuts — but a clear line must be drawn. This brings up the question: How much can we cut before we are cutting from the students’ experience? None of these new purchasing rules seem absurd when looked at separately, but when implemented together, they are bound to affect students and staff. Understandably, the new purchasing policies have not been without push-back. The new purchasing policies state, “Professional development travel limited to one trip per year per staff member.” For most staff members this seems unreasonable considering

many attend conferences all over the country and also have to travel abroad for research. Though the idea behind it is that professors need as much class time with the students as possible, it should also be noted that limiting the growth of our professors may also stunt the growth of our students. Travel should be looked at on a case-bycase basis. There’s no doubt these new policies will change the landscape of our campus, but we might not be able to tell how it’s changed until it’s too late.

OPINION

August 25, 2017 The Maroon

Response to Block’s “Biology, not free enterprise, at fault for pay gap” Dr. Naomi Yavneh Klos Director of the University Honors Program yavneh@loyno.edu

First, I’d like to applaud the editors of The Maroon for publishing Professor Walter Block’s editorial. Publishing such a controversial and “politically incorrect” piece at a time of tension and pain over systemic inequity and racism demonstrates what we are committed to teaching here: that is, to listen, respectfully, to others with divergent opinions. And so I respectfully respond to Dr. Block that his opinion, “Biology, not free enterprise, at fault for pay gap,” ignores a key factor: the systemic oppression of women. Historically, in this country and elsewhere, women were denied access to education, employment and suffrage on the basis of their gender. Indeed, in an irony probably unnoticed by The Maroon staff, Dr. Block’s editorial was published on August 18, 2017, 97 years after the so-called “Susan B. Anthony” amendment (the 19th) finally granted women the right to vote, 240 years after suffrage was granted to white, propertied men by the constitution and almost 50 years after the 15th amendment affirmed that “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.” The historic lack of access to education for women, I would argue, is a far more important factor than biology in the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Although New Orleans’ own Ursuline Academy was founded in 1727, the first public schools for girls did not open until 1826, in New York and Boston. And while institutions of higher learning existed in the United States long before the revolution (my own alma mater, Princeton, was founded in 1746), women – even white ones – were denied access to colleges and universities until the 19th cen-

MCT Campus

Two women stand in a pose reminiscent of Rosie the Riveter, an iconic display of American Feminism.

tury. Oberlin College, originally an abolitionist institution chartered in 1833, accepted men and women, including African-Americans. Vassar College, the first women’s college and my mother’s alma mater, was founded in 1861, at the beginning of

the Civil War. That doesn’t mean that access was available to all or that women’s education was considered acceptable. Often, it was considered antithetical to the mission of motherhood. My grandmother, an immi-

grant from Romania raised in New York City, told me of the party they held for her second-grade teacher, who had to resign because she was getting married. Grandma went on to attend Hunter College, a public women’s college in New York orig-

inally founded as a teacher-training institution, where she majored in math because they only had a physics minor. Already married and seven months pregnant when she graduated in 1932, she was terrified that she would fail the physical examination required of all graduating seniors, because being pregnant was cause for dismissal, regardless of marital status. (Fortunately, she was assigned to the one female doctor, who simply ignored the baby bump that was my mother.) But irked as she was that she couldn’t study her preferred major, my grandmother, a poor, Jewish immigrant, was privileged by her access to college, and, indeed, by the encouragement she received to pursue the “masculine” fields of math and science. Is it surprising that we have more female beauticians than construction workers when, even in the 1960s, it was still a norm to require “shop” for boys and “home ec.” for girls? And one of our current female physics pre-health majors told me that she chose Loyola because it was the only school that didn’t assume she wanted to become a nurse. Not only has access been denied, the accomplishments of women in the sciences have often been hidden, as the recent film “Hidden Figures” reminded us, uncovering the forgotten but essential role of NASA’s African-American female mathematicians. And Walter Block is right that more men have won Nobel prizes, but many students of biology would agree with me that Rosalind Franklin should have been acknowledged for the double helix, along with Watson and Crick. Physiology does control many parts of our lives. While my husband, at 6’7’’, has strength to lift double my weight, I have given birth to four children, a miraculous (and quotidian) physical accomplishment limited only to women. But it is specious to mistake the historic, systemic conceptions of what our physical abilities and limitations entail for a biological imperative of inequality.

Cuts to Loyola’s philosophy department threaten Jesuit identity OAnh NGUYEN Philosophy/ Psychology Junior olnguyen@my.loyno. edu

During my freshman year, I was lucky to be able to take the course “Philosophy of the Human Person.” In the course, we talked about many topics, including the meaning of life, mind-body dualism and God. This pushed me to think outside the box and wonder about the world around me. The next year, I took the course “Ignatius Loyola.” It was life-changing to learn about the determination of St. Ignatius and how his Spiritual Exercises inspired people to reflect deeply. I learned so much about my-

self in the course by thinking deeper about what I want in life. I decided to minor in philosophy with the hope that I could live out the mission of the school and find meaning in giving back to others. However, the courses that made me reflect in this way are under threat. Beginning in fall 2016, there was a significant reduction in philosophy course requirements in the new common curriculum, the “Loyola Core.” Dr. John Sebastian, who proposed the Loyola Core for approval, said the “primary concern is whether or not we have the curriculum that will enable students to graduate in a timely fashion.” He also said that students thought there were too many common curriculum requirements and that needed to be trimmed down to ensure they had time to focus on their majors. The resulting targets were, in part, philosophy courses, because peo-

ple thought there were already too many humanities courses. Philosophy and theology studies are one of the three central tenets of the Paris Method, the 450-year tradition on which Jesuit education is based. St. Ignatius chose this method because he believed that students could make their lives and other people’s lives better by learning about great thinkers and then developing their own philosophies. St. Ignatius believed that a good education was not only about learning skills, but about learning values and finding meaning. So, while graduating on time is important, philosophy is a vital part of the Jesuit tradition, and students know when coming here that they’ve signed up for the whole Jesuit package. Cutting philosophy courses contradicts the Loyola vision statement and the tradition of Jesuit education. My favorite part of the vision

statement is the first sentence, “education of the whole person,” which includes “head and heart, intellect and feelings.” Philosophy courses help students use these faculties to make responsible, value-oriented and principled decisions. Critical thinking is an important aspect of Jesuit education because it helps students “to embody the Ignatian ideals of faith, truth, justice and service.” I believe that people must reflect on who they are and their passion before they can learn how to best give back to others. Furthermore, critical thinking is an important skill for students of all majors. Therefore, there should be more philosophy courses in the Loyola Core, to allow students the opportunity to learn this skill and be educated as the “whole person”. I read the vision statement before applying to Loyola and reread it before I paid my deposit and commit-

ted myself to a Jesuit education for the next four years. I did not fully understand the Jesuit ideals at first, but I learned that Loyola is the place that would give me the opportunity to find myself and my passion. Taking philosophy courses pushed me to ask more questions about my life. However, it concerns and saddens me that philosophy requirements are being trimmed down as incoming classes are enrolled in the Loyola Core, yet it seems the number of objections toward philosophy on this campus is going up. It breaks my heart when people make negative comments when I proudly tell them that I am minoring in philosophy. I wish that they could understand more about its importance to our Jesuit education and be proud that they are a part of it.

THE MAROON

August 25, 2017