Loyola University • New Orleans • Volume 94 • Issue 1 • August 21, 2015
THE MAROON FOR A GREATER LOYOLA
Ten years ago, on Aug. 28, 2005, Mayor C. Ray Nagin called for a mandatory evacuation of the city of New Orleans, an order that sent the Loyola community packing.
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Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans the following day, Aug. 29. After that day, Loyola was closed for the entire fall semester, and students, along with the rest of the city, were scattered across the country. Kaydee Nenninger, A’06, remembers the time well.
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By Kristen Stewart and Lauren Saizan
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NAASHA DOTIWALA/ The Maroon
girl,” Nenninger said. While Loyola was shut down for the fall 2005 semester, University President the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. travelled to different cities where the Loyola community was stationed in Her initial plan was to ride out the midst of the storm. One of his the storm with her brother, who was visits brought him to Loyola Unialso attending Loyola at the time, versity Chicago, where he addressed and their mother. Once her moth- students, faculty, staff and alumni er insisted that the group of them who had taken refuge in the area. evacuate, her first destination was to In that speech, Wildes spoke to Houston, Texas. Normally a six-hour the “resurrection of Loyola.” trip, it took 16 hours for Nenninger “I want to go back and make it as she was one of the thousands of better than it was,” Wildes said. people trying to escape New OrleOn Aug. 17, 2015, Wildes gave a ans and Loyola University. similar speech at the 2015 Facul“We tried to enroll at LSU, but it ty and Staff Convocation, but this was full, so we time, it was 10 headed back “The smell of death was years later. to Tampa, our “New Orleh o m e t o w n , still present in the air and ans is a resilwhere we all en- will probably stay with me ient city. It has rolled at the Uninot returned to versity of South- forever.” what it was beern Florida,” fore Katrina; it Nenninger said. — Kaydee Nenninger, A’06 has become bet“I remember ter,” Wildes said. sobbing in the car ride back to Flor- “This is what Loyola strives for.” ida because I felt so guilty leaving.” Resilience is something that NenLike Nenninger, when the Loyola ninger felt in the aftermath of Hurcommunity realized that the univer- ricane Katrina, saying that Katrina sity would not be in session for the has strengthened her love for the fall of that year, they found them- city and her experience at Loyola. selves displaced from their homes “Katrina taught me so much and their university. It wasn’t until about the human condition. What later that year that many were able stays with me is the people, our to return to the world they had left community, the resilient nature of so abruptly. New Orleanians. I am so very proud “The smell of death was still pres- to call this city my home,” Nenent in the air and will probably stay ninger said. with me forever. The lower level At the convocation, Rector of of my apartment had completely the New Orleans Jesuit Community flooded. Cleaning out my apart- Francis W. “Bill” Huete, S.J. spoke of ment with my mother was probably how we’re always living out of our one of the most emotionally dis- present viewpoint, and back then turbing and physically taxing things it was difficult to envision where I have ever done. I had to throw out Loyola would be in the future. so many things that meant so much “But here we are,” Huete said. to me that were completely ruined “Ten years later.” by the flood waters, such as high school yearbooks, pictures and journals I had kept since I was a young
knstewar@loyno.edu lesaizan@loyno.edu @kstewart818 @Lauren_Maroon
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Campus Box 64, 6363 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 The Maroon is published every Friday. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyrighted by The Maroon. All rights reserved. First copy free to students, faculty and staff. Every additional copy is $1.00. The Maroon is printed on 30 percent postconsumer recycled content.
NEWS
August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
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REMEMBERING KATRINA
Loyola’s story a decade later
Loyola’s alumni reflect on the storm 10 years later By Lauren Saizan lesaizan@loyno.edu @Lauren_Maroon
Emily Carlson, A’09, from Evanston, IL, was a freshman when it happened. “I moved into the dorms and spent my first night in Buddig on Friday, and I went out with the new people I had just met, had a great time and then woke up Saturday morning to a call from my mom saying we needed to get out and evacuate,” Carlson said. Thinking she would return in a few days’ time, Carlson didn’t anticipate what would come next. “I packed enough for a few nights thinking we would be back and I would fly back to New Orleans and everything unfolded. Everything kind of went down, and we realized we weren’t going to be back anytime soon,” Carlson said. Aug. 29, 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans, and Loyola students were left to find a university to attend in the days after the storm. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of colleges and universities hosted Loyola students for the fall 2005 semester when Loyola was temporarily closed. Elizabeth Thorton, A’08, initially evacuated to Jackson, Miss. before moving to New York to spend the fall semester at Fordham University. “When I found out that Loyola would be closed for the fall semester, I started looking at other options for where to go to school. Everybody at Fordham was very supportive. They had student volunteers pitching in, calling us the ‘Katrina refugees.’ They gave us dorm rooms and meal plans, and were very accommodating and welcoming for everyone visiting from New Orleans,” Thorton said. Returning to Loyola in the spring of 2006 and reuniting with her classmates was an exciting yet bittersweet experience because the city was in “recovery-mode,” Thorton said. Carlson, who attended Loyola University Chicago for the fall 2005 semester, recounted returning to Loyola New Orleans in the spring as a bizarre experience. “It was a warzone still. It was surreal. There were still military police everywhere with the National Guard using Loyola as a home base. We would go out and there would be military police with machine guns at the bars just kind of hanging out and keeping track of people. Then there was a curfew and we had to be in at a certain time. Sometimes they even followed me home to make sure I was okay,” Carlson said. Emanuel Ohlsen, A’06, who was a senior when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and went to Louisiana State University during the semester Loyola was closed, decided to come back to Loyola for the remainder of his senior year, but did not graduate on time. “I had to take another semester for one class. It was challenging times, it really was, but in a way that last class that I took at Loyola kind of fostered where I am now in terms of my career,” Ohlsen said.
See ALUMNI, page 11
ZACH BRIEN / The Maroon
Loyola’s new green space takes the place of the former library and will remain until construction on the new Tom Benson Jesuit Center begins. Remnants from the former library are displayed in the center of the green space, where the walkways converge.
The grass is greener on the other side By Jamal Melancon jmmelanc@loyno.edu @Jam_M_Mel
The new green space taking the place of Loyola’s former library is planned as an attractive site to stabilize the campus’ appearance, be utilized by students and display remnants from the library. The green space will have walkways to the newly renovated Monroe Hall and Palm Court. As part of the University’s Master Plan, the site will eventually be home to the Tom Benson Jesuit Center. “Because construction of the new Benson Jesuit Center will not begin immediately, and in keeping
with our tradition of maintaining an attractive campus, the decision was made to provide temporary walkways and grass in what would otherwise be an unattractive site,” Thomas J. Raymond, assistant vice president for administration, said. Raymond reported Loyola to have no specific timeline for the construction of the new Tom Benson Jesuit Center. The new green space will be maintained until that construction begins, possibly sometime after 2016. “I think that if we are focusing on constant construction and image of the school, we aren’t focusing on the students, which is what Loyola should be doing,” Andrew Potthast,
music industries senior, said. There is not a specific name for the green space, and the same rules that apply to open areas of campus apply there, according to Raymond. The green space will also have a portion included to display salvaged items from the library. “If I were to utilize the space, it would simply be for reading books and hanging out with friends,” Potthast said. “I would want the space to have a purpose besides being for the students if I were to utilize it completely.” Samuel Ravelo, theater and political science senior, feels that other spaces on campus are already underutilized and that demolishing
Loyola recognizes same-sex marriage By Jessica Molina jgmolina@loyno.edu @jmolina217
Loyola University’s insurance policy will now include benefits to all legally married, same-sex spouses, a decision that came in light of a nationwide ruling. On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the decision to require the country to license a marriage between two people of the samesex, and also to recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in other states. A study by the Public Religion Research Institute found that, although the Catholic Church officially does not support same-sex marriage, about 60 percent of followers support allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally. University President the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. issued a letter to all
faculty and staff on July 24 which explained the insurance policy extension. “In light of the decision by the Supreme Court and existing provisions of Loyola’s benefits policy, the university will continue to offer health care coverage to all legal spouses,” Wildes said in the letter. The current policy on eligible dependents for medical, dental and vision coverage includes the spouses of faculty and staff memebers. Loyola did not change their policy but is extending the offer to the now legal spouses of same-sex faculty and staff members. Ross Matthews, director of human resources at Loyola, saw this policy as a positive improvement, one that is crucial for the Loyola community. “The decision was important so that all employees and their spouses are treated with fairness under our
policies,” Matthews said. M. Isabel Medina, Ferris Family Distinguished Professor of Law, said she is glad that Loyola responded in this way. “I think it’s great that the University reacted promptly to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision denying states power to treat same-sex couples differently than opposite sex-couples, and limiting the states’ power to deny the right to marry to same-sex couples,” Medina said. Sara O’Doherty, digital filmmaking junior, said that including samesex marriages in Loyola’s benefits plan is something that should have been done a long time ago. “I am very proud of Loyola for making the change. Hopefully Loyola will inspire other institutions to do the same,” O’Doherty said.
the library was unnecessary. “I think that the old library could have been refurbished, probably,” Ravelo said. “Constructing new facilities is expensive, and I’m annoyed with so much of the academic court being taken up by the demolition.” Loyola’s new green space is intended to create an attractive appearance rather than the construction zone appearance the campus has seen in recent years, Raymond said.
Advisory group reveals preliminary program review By Lauren Saizan lesaizan@loyno.edu @Lauren_Maroon
The Presidential Advisory Group to Develop a Long-Term Financial Equilibrium Plan has announced their review of more than 200 academic and non-academic programs. The Advisory Group evaluated each program and assigned them to one of four categories: invest, maintain, reduce university funding or under review for discontinuance. Because these recommendations are preliminary, the Advisory Group will have a chance to hear from program leaders and then develop a second set of recommendations before making any final decisions.
See GRAPHIC, page 8
WORLDVIEW
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Monumental problems
ACT scores rise in Orleans Parish since Katrina By Nicholas Ducote naducote@loyno.edu @naducote89
ACT scores in Orleans Parish Public Schools are one of the highest scores in Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina. According to the Louisiana Department of Education, ACT scores in Orleans Parish Public Schools have increased to 20.9 in 2015, which is a 3.9 percent increase from 17.0 before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The average ACT score in the entire state has also risen by 0.2 percent to 19.6 in 2015. However, this is a decrease of 0.2 percent when compared to the average ACT score in 2004 which was 19.8. Alexina Medley, principal at Warren Easton Charter High School, tells her students who take the test every year that the ACT opens a lot of doors and opportunities to students of all backgrounds. “It means that the kids in public schools here actually rely on the value of this test. It can bring them scholarships and opportunities, they know that now. We push for them to get scores higher than a 19 or 18 on the ACT,” Medley said. Woddy Copel, an Orleans Parish school board member, said that the city has come a long way since Hurricane Katrina in which many thought that New Orleans public schools would take up to 20 years to fully recover from the storm. “This shows that we’re going in the right direction, and that teachers and parents are working hard to get our kids prepared. This is truly the fruits of our labor,” Copel said. The ACT is the first step in showing colleges what knowledge a student has learned in high school. It helps students with scholarships and gaining attention from universities. Harold Clay, principal of Edna Karr High School, said that sticking with school should be the main goal for future college students. “We’re doing great when it comes to getting our students to compete and make it to college, but we want them to get there and finish,” Clay said. “We work on making sure that when they get there they don’t just go for a couple semesters, but that they graduate and get their degrees”.
August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
Photos by RODRIANA EDWARDS and ZACH BRIEN / The Maroon
The Robert E. Lee monument (left) is one of the monuments that is under consideration for removal along with the Jefferson Davis statue (far left) which has been discussed for relocation in the city. The P.G.T. Beauregard statue (top) in front of City Park is one of the four statues under evaluation as well. The City’s Human Relations Commission, the Mayor’s Welcome Table initiative, City Council and residents of New Orleans will debate the future of the statues. The final decision is scheduled to be resolved after a 60-day consideration in September.
Confederate monuments in New Orleans are under review for relocation By Sidney Holmes smholmes@loyno.edu @sidneymajee
Mayor Mitch Landrieu is calling for the relocation of Confederate monuments around New Orleans. On July 9, Mayor Landrieu submitted a formal request for the City Council to relocate The Robert E. Lee monument at Lee Circle, the General P.G.T. Beauregard statue on Esplanade Avenue in front of City Park, the Jefferson Davis monument on Jefferson Davis Parkway, and the Battle of Liberty Place Monument at
Iberville Street. Landrieu also requested for Jefferson Davis Parkway to be renamed after Dr. Norman C. Francis, who served as president of Xavier University for 47 years. In an address to the City Council, Mayor Landrieu provided reasons behind his initiative to have the monuments removed. “This is about more than the men represented in these statues,” Landrieu said. “This discussion is about whether these monuments, built to reinforce the false valor of a war fought over slavery, ever really belonged in a city as great as New Orleans whose lifeblood flows from our diversity and inclusiveness”. The city is in the middle of a 60day period of deliberation with New Orleans residents, the City’s Human
Relations Commission, the Mayor’s Welcome Table initiative and the City Council to decide the fate of these monuments. The 60-day period is a part of a process that is required by the city code when public property structures must be removed because they are suspected to be nuisances. Landrieu said that this process is important because the people of New Orleans did not get a chance to be heard when the statues were first erected in the 19th century, but today citizens have a say in the fate of these monuments. However, there are people on both sides of the issue. Governor Bobby Jindal released a statement in support of preserving history and keeping the statues in place. “Governor Jindal opposes the
tearing down of these historical statues, and he has instructed his staff to look into the Heritage Act to determine the legal authority he has as Governor to stop it,” Doug Cain, Governor Jindal’s spokesperson, said. Others, like Jamie Elizabeth Johnston, english sophomore, believe that leaving the statues up sheds a bad light on New Orleans. “Those people do not represent the values of this city. Plus, there are actual New Orleanians who have actually contributed to benefiting and helping to shape this city for the better,” Johnston said. The final vote will be determined in September, after which the fate of the monuments will be released to the public.
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Minumum wage increases for contract workers
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Orleans Parish NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A new minimum wage in New Orleans guarantees workers under city contracts a 44 percent increase in pay. The move was the culmination of years of effort by City Councilman Jared Brossett. Multiple news outlets report with Brossett and other council members standing by, Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed into law Monday, the new living wage ordinance that guarantees all workers under future city contracts $10.55 an hour. “Today is a great day as we reverse a trend that we won’t condone poverty wages in our city,” Brossett said. The law also provides that workers under city contract will get seven days of paid sick leave each year. “When they don’t get that seven
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days of sick leave, they get a 30 percent increase in their wages, which goes up to 13 plus dollars,” said higher wage advocate Latoya Lewis, with the group Stand With Dignity. The law takes effect Jan. 1 and it won’t be cheap. The move will cost taxpayers about $60 million. Landrieu said the new higher wage is an economic strategy. He says, when it comes to salaries, “a rising tide lifts all boats.”
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ZACH BRIEN / The Maroon
Alfred Marshall, a protester with Stand With Dignity, calls for a living wage on the steps of City Hall. New Orleans’ Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed an ordinance into law, effective Jan. 1, 2016. This will establish a $10.55 minimum wage for certain companies that do business with the city.
August 21, 2015
THE MAROON
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RELIGION
August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
Courtesy of Emily Mastin
Twelve Loyola students pose for a photograph on the recent Iggy Vols trip to Jamaica. The group travelled to the island to help the impoverished and learn about the culture of the place.
Iggy Vols travelled to Jamaica this summer By Jordan Fountaine jtfounta@loyno.edu @forrjordan
Jamaica was the summer destination for a select few Loyola students. They visited the island through the Ignacio Volunteers program to help those who are in need and to learn about the culture there. The program selects 10 to 12 students each year to serve the underprivileged communities in various parts of the world such as Jamaica,
Belize and South Africa. According to Heather Malveaux, coordinator of the international immersion program at Loyola, this volunteer trip creates an experience that helps both the people being served and those who are serving. “We all have an unlimited capacity to love and to be compassionate,” Malveaux said. The volunteers served at the Riverton City Early Education Centre where they aided the teachers in educating young students. They also
worked with elderly at The Home for the Destitute and Dying, and Bethlehem Home, an orphanage for the physically and mentally challenged children. “Over there, we became teacher assistants. We helped with clothing, we changed diapers, and we offered personal help,” Malveaux said. The program gives students, like Kenneth Singleton A’15, an opportunity to pursue their passion: to helping others. “It was the best thing I could have
ever done,” Singleton said. India Gregory, political science senior, said she learned how to be patient. “While on the trip, I found myself thinking a lot about my place in the world, and how small it is. I learned that everything is connected through love and that if we do not unplug ourselves from the monotony of life, we will miss what really matters,” Gregory said. She said she was overwhelmed with the joy that this trip brought to
Festival celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters By Rebeca Trejo rdtrejo@loyno.edu @rtrejo_maroon
Dr. Pradeep Vaitla’s sisters begin the spiritual commemoration of Raksha Bandhan by tying a sacred “knot of protection” around his right wrist. In return, he vows to provide them with life-long love and protection. “We tie the Rakhi to you,” his sisters chant. “O brother and we wish that may you live long.” Each year since the age of three, Vaitla honors the traditional Hindu festival, which takes place on Aug. 29 this year, by celebrating the bond of love and care he shares with his two sisters. Vaitla spends his days caring for the life of others as a physician at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. For the past nine years, he’s been countering the geographical gap by sending his sisters “Rakhi” bracelets back home to India to re-
inforce the vow of eternal care and protection. “Spiritually speaking, Raksha Bandhan, Purnima day, or simply Rakhi, is the covenant between a brother and sister, where the sister wishes for good health and wealth to her brother, and the brother promises to preserve his sister’s honor and dignity for the rest of his life,” Vaitla said. Bharatkumar N. Joshi, Vedic Priest at the Hindu Temple Society of Greater New Orleans, believes that the only major change Raksha Bandhan faces is the divide between families due to living in different parts of the world. “This vibrant holiday and its core essence remains unchanged, and as new generations advance their knowledge in this scientifically evolving universe, they will continue to be taught, first and foremost, to honor and respect their rituals and traditions,” Joshi said. Munkund Rao, member of the International Society for Krishna Con-
sciousness in New Orleans, thinks that one of the reasons why the festival has gained such a social value increase is due to the Indian Independent Movement in 1947, where members of the Hindu community shared Rakhi bracelets as a sign of solidarity and friendship. “Since then, the developing Indian culture and its regional variants have inevitably integrated themselves into countless cultures and religious practices,” Rao said. According to Vaitla, within the Indian community, the festival holds the same significance that Mother’s Day or Father’s Day holds in America. “It’s the Sibling’s Day. The festival remains as one of the most important holidays celebrated by the Hindu community around the world, mainly because it teaches it’s followers about the value of unconditional love, solidarity and kinship,” Vaitla said.
REBECA TREJO/ The Maroon Hindu Temple Society of Greater New Orleans welcomes many Hindus all year long for different festivals. In August, the Hindu community will celebrate Raksha Bandhan at this temple.
her. “I was able to take away a lot of gratitude for the life I lead and wanted to smack myself for taking advantage of so much when others have so little. I enjoyed every bit of the trip and wish that such an experience could be recreated,” Gregory said.
RELIGION BRIEF Loyola welcomes new and old students Loyola will greet its new and returning students during the annual Welcome Mass, set to take place on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 9 p.m. The Mass will wrap up the Wolf Pack Welcome, a four-day program that kicks off the fall semester for new members of the Pack. The Mass seeks to bring the Loyola community together, in accordance with the Jesuit identity. Ken Weber, associate Chaplin of Liturgy and Music, said it is the university’s way of welcoming the new and returning students to what Loyola is all about. “It is a joyful reunion for those returning and a joyful invitation to those celebrating for the first time,” said Weber.
August 21, 2015
THE MAROON
ACROSS
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1. Lord & Taylor competitor 2. Departure notice? 3. Bone involved in Tommy John surgery
4. Weight training exercise 5. Pontiac muscle car 6. Spheres 7. Dining faux pas 8. Reply offering hope 9. Rental car feature, briefly 10. Fancy spread 11. Standing order? 12. Harbor after a heist, say 13. Gullible sorts 18. Scorch 22. Native plants 24. Post-Breathalyzer-test charge: Abbr. 25. Dancer’s deg. 26. Colleague of Elena and Ruth 27. Not reliable 28. “August: ___ County”: 2008 Pulitzer-winning play 29. Pro sports VIP 30. GUESS material
W O N K U O Y D I D The Office of Disability Services (ODS)
provides support and advocacy for all Loyola students who are affected by a disability. Take some time to browse through our website http://www.loyno.edu/success/disability-services, to find information on how to register with ODS, guidelines for documentation, and information about our accommodations and services.
Contacting us is an easy process. We are located in Marquette Hall, Room 112. You may also reach us by phone at (504) 865-2990, email ods@loyno.edu, or confidential fax at (504) 865-3543. When you meet with a representative of our office, your needs will be addressed individually and confidentially. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we may be of service!
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Party supplies Pro shop pickups Buzzed Kind of question Like Kung Pao chicken Drying-out hurdle Subtle acknowledgment Wine holder Docs using cones Son of Leah “Terrible” ruler [Air kiss] Wave maker Lady __ Water conduit Home port for the USS Niagara 59. Peony part 61. W. Coast airport 62. Huge number
SUDOKU
For the weekly puzzles answers, check out our website or download our app!
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THE MAROON
August 21, 2015
Preliminary Program Recommendations
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To see the full list, including programs that are being maintained and those with reduced funding, visit www.loyolamaroon.com or scan here:
GRAPHIC, continued from page 3
CE UNDER REVIEW FOR N A D I S CO N T I N U NAASHA DOTIWALA/ The Maroon
August 21, 2015
THE MAROON
Bold Sphere Music at Champions Square presented by Bud Light
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SPORTS
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August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
SPORTS BRIEFS Saints fall to Ravens in first pre-season game The New Orleans Saints kicked off their 2015 season with a pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 13. As is customary with opening pre-season games, both first units from each team saw limited action. It was a tight game down the stretch with the Ravens eventually winning the game 30-27. The Saints will try to avenge their loss from last week with a matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots this upcoming Saturday, Aug. 22.
Volleyball ranked sixth in pre-season poll
ZACH BRIEN/ Photo Editor
The women’s volleyball team talks with head coach Angela Franke (center) during an afternoon practice in the Den. The women’s volleyball team welcomed nine freshmen to the team this year.
New wolves join the Pack By Taylor Ford tcford@loyno.edu @TaylorCFord
The Loyola Wolf Pack is adding nine new recruits to the team this year. The Loyola University women’s volleyball team is looking to bounce back strong from a subpar season last year. The team went 13-21 (6-13 in conference) last season. This year’s team will feature a mixture of both returning players as well as a large recruiting class of nine new players. Many sophomores and juniors were thrown into the fire last season and saw a lot of court action, something that may bode well for this year’s team as they try to improve upon their success from last season. “I think it’s going to make them a lot hungrier to win and, with that experience, they’re going to know what to expect on the court,” Angela
Franke, head coach of the women’s voleyball team, said. Along with their returning players, the team will also see an influx of new talent as they look to rebuild behind the strength of its nine member recruiting class. “The most important thing they can learn as a group is to work together and just find ways to push through tough matches, tough practices, and conditioning. With all these new players I expect them all to step up and really want to earn their position on the court and, if they do that, I think they’ll be very successful,” Franke said. Breanna Stevenson, accounting senior, has also expressed confidence in the new group of freshman joining the team this season. “I think they’re eager to play and very hungry, so they’ll do fine,” Stevenson said. Though the team’s record will not be totally dependent on how
this year’s recruiting class does in its first year, the freshmen appear to be confident that they contribute to the team’s success. “I know the freshmen class does have height and, as I can tell already since I’ve been here, everybody’s so strong and we can be a big asset to the team,” Allison Hartmann, kinesiology freshman, said. Contrary to last season, the team has made major strides in both depth and experience, according to Franke. She also says that the team is returning with more enthusiasm and leadership. The Wolf Pack will begin what they hope to be a very successful season on Aug. 26 as they face Mid -American Christian Jarvis Christian College.
VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
AUG. 26 at Mid-American Jarvis Christian College
AUG. 29 at Xavier University
SEPT. 4 at Kieser University
SEPT. 5 at Kieser University
SEPT. 9 THE DEN
SEPT. 11 THE DEN
SEPT. 12 THE DEN
SEPT. 18 at Coastal Georgia
New Orleans Voodoo say goodbye to the Big Easy By Mark T. Robinson mtrobinsl@loyno.edu @_mtrobin
The arena football team, the New Orleans Voodoo, are leaving the Crescent City due to years of financial woes. Though the team predates the days of Katrina, the Voodoo have played their final season in the Graveyard. Since being acquired by owner Dan Newman, the team has struggled to maintain a consistent fan base. Chip Merritt, former communications manager for the New Orleans Voodoo, believes that one of the biggest reasons for the financial woes of the franchise was the lack of advertising from the front office. “Fan turnout has been low because, quite frankly, we didn’t advertise. We had two billboards and we didn’t have any television commercials anywhere. The previous owner felt that cold calling and word of mouth would get the job done,”
Merritt said. According to Merritt, those tactics would normally be more effective in smaller markets such as Shreveport where the team originated. However, in a city like New Orleans, the tactic proved ineffective. According to arenafan.com, a site that lists in-depth information on players and teams, this marks the 28th time in 29 seasons that a team has folded or moved due to financial difficulties. Throughout the year, the Voodoo, as well as the Las Vegas Outlaws, have been seized by the league. Adam Markowitz, editor of arenafan.com, said that this is a leaguewide issue. “The Arena Football League as a whole was setup poorly in 2010. The owners actually own shares of the AFL. Teams are responsible for their own operations, but if they fail, the other owners must pick up the slack,” Markowitz said. As of 2010, 10 teams have either folded or moved, and seven have
been discontinued due to financial reasons, according to Markowitz. It has also been a trying year for the team, as they finish what could be a final season as a franchise at 3-14-1. Though the Voodoo have only managed two successful seasons as a franchise, fans are still lamenting the loss of their team. “It’s heartbreaking to me, personally. I always had fun during the game and on the field afterward,” Greg Pittman, an avid arena football fan, said. Pittman, who has been a fan of the Voodoo for over 10 years, said that even with the lacking fan base, the experience was unique. “It had some aspects that you couldn’t find in the NFL. I’ll miss them,” Pittman said.
The Loyola Wolf Pack volleyball team will open this upcoming season as the sixth ranked team in the Southern States Athletic Conference Volleyball Pre-season Poll. Last season, the Wolf Pack finished with an overall record of 13-21 (6-13 in conference), good for eighth place in the conference and an appearance in the SSAC Conference Championship Tournament. From the 2014 squad, the Pack will have 11 returners as well as 10 new recruits. The Pack will try to live up to their pre-season ranking when they open their season against Mid-American Christian Jarvis Christian College on Aug. 26.
Men’s basketball team earns NABC Excellence Award From their academic performance during the 2014-15 season, the Loyola Wolf Pack men’s basketball team has been awarded the National Association of Basketball Coaches Team Excellence Award. The award has been given each of the past three seasons to teams who showed academic excellence during that respective season. In order to be eligible for the award, teams must maintain a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the season. They are one of over 175 colleges and universities to have received the award this past season.
New Director of Communication joins the Pack The Loyola Wolf Pack Athletic Director Brett Simpson has added Robert Christe to its staff. Christe will serve as the Director of Athletic Communication for the Pack. Prior to joining the athletic program, Christe served as the sports information director and the multimedia coordinator for NCAA Division III Alma College. Christe was responsible for designing, shooting, editing and producing videos for their department website. This is part of a plan initiated to expand the athletic department, which will add competitive dance and swimming in 2016-17. The program is expected to grow from 150 to 300 student athletes by 2018-19.
ZACH BRIEN / Photo Editor
The Voodoo mascot, Bones, sits alone at center field following the team’s last home game in the Graveyard. The Voodoo finished their final season 3-14-1.
NEWS BRIEFS Wildes addresses faculty and staff at convocation At the 2015 Faculty and Staff Convocation on Aug. 17, University President the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. addressed important issues affecting the Loyola community. The convocation opened with an official welcoming of faculty and staff new to the Loyola community. Wildes then spoke about the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the announcement of the Presidential Advisory Group’s preliminary program review, and the new school year, which will welcome 664 first-year students. “This is a very challenging time for all of us,” Wildes said, regarding the preliminary program review. “We will emerge a stronger and more sustainable university.”
Obama in town for Katrina events President Obama will be making a visit to New Orleans on Aug. 27 for the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Obama will be touring the city with Mayor Mitch Landrieu to visit some of the most devastated neighborhoods and speak with members of the local community. He will listen to their stories and learn how they rebulit in the aftermath of Katrina. In addition to this, Obama will share his thoughts on New Orleans 10 years later, the rebuilding of the city and the city’s economic growth for the future. Other appearances from members of the Obama administration are scheduled, and officials will attend events on education, small businesses, restoration, economic growth and more.
Urban League holds Katrina conference The Urban League of Greater New Orleans is holding a Katrina Commemorative Conference on Aug. 26-29 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans. The conference will unite experts to examine post-Katrina New Orleans and issues affecting Black New Orleans. Topics of discussion will include education, housing, criminal justice, healthcare, disaster preparedness and post-Katrina New Orleans civic engagement, among other things. Members of the community, as well as civic and industry leaders, will come together for a series of commemorative events. At the start of the conference, a report titled the “State of Black New Orleans: 10 Years Post Katrina” will be released. It will include essays, editorials and research to develop recommendations on the recovery and sustainability of New Orleans. Loyola University was one of many research partners for this publication. Other events will follow the theme “RISE: Katrina 10,” such as a luncheon where a panel of journalists will share their Katrina experiences, the Urban League Annual Gala and a Youth Town Hall to close out the conference.
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THE MAROON
August 21, 2015
Honors participates in Katrina service day The Loyola University Honors Program is commemorating the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by participating in a day of community service. As a part of the citywide Katrina 10 service day on Saturday, Aug. 29, a group of honors students will join a larger group of volunteers to aid in areas like landscaping, painting and site beautification. The Katrina 10 project includes special events, such as the day of service, to remember Hurricane Katrina while also looking to the future of New Orleans.
Loyola community invited to Interfaith Katrina service The Loyola community will be gathering to pay tribute to the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina at an Interfaith Prayer Service at St. Louis Cathedral on Monday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. The service will be led by Archbishop Gregory Aymond and other religious leaders and will have Rabbi Edward Cohn of Temple Sinai as the principal speaker. Members who attend are encouraged to wear maroon and gold to express support from the university community.
ALUMNI, continued from page 3
Alumni remember Katrina Ohlsen said that Hurricane Katrina brought a lot of change, both good and bad. “Change is the only thing that’s constant. Some people welcome it, some don’t, but it’s really the thing that defines life,” Ohlsen said. Carlson said that she’s in awe that it has been 10 years since Hurricane Katrina, and in a way she’s proud to have been a part of the “Katrina class” at Loyola New Orleans.
“I think we were a large part of the rebirth of New Orleans and we decided to go back when we didn’t know what it was going to be like or what the future held for us. The people that I met that second semester, all these things for better or for worse add up and are a part of our story,” Carlson said.
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Life &Times
August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
Film • Arts • Food • Music • Leisure • Nightlife
Courtesy of The Orpheum
MONICA ZENGEL/ The Maroon
The Orpheum theater (left) in downtown New Orleans is undergoing renovations for its grand opening Aug. 28. Additions such as an adjustable orchestra floor (right) have been incorporated into the new design. The historic theater, which was first built in 1918, has been closed since Hurricane Katrina hit in August of 2005.
Orpheum proves the show must go on By Chasity Pugh cmpugh@loyno.edu @chasitypugh_
After nearly a decade, the historic Orpheum Theater will reopen its doors and bring a new sense of hope back to New Orleans, one show at a time. With a purchase price of 1.5 million, Tipitina’s owners, Roland and Mary Von Kurnatowski and Dr. Eric George, bought the Orpheum Theater in 2014 and spent $15 million in renovations to bring the theater back to its former glory. As Hurricane Katrina’s 10 year anniversary approaches, the owners will host a private grand opening on Aug. 27, 10 years since the Orpheum last closed its doors. Jim Atwood, Loyola University New Orleans instructor of percus-
sion and timpanist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, said that the restored theater is a major step towards the recovery of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. “The Orpheum is a source for music and live entertainment but is also historic to the city. The renewal is important. It is the last example of a theater of its capacity,” Atwood said. Atwood has been playing for the LPO for over 20 years and will join the orchestra on Sept. 18 for their first perfomance since the Orpheum closed its doors. “It will be great to be back in there,” Atwood said. “The acoustics on stage are great and we are all very excited to be playing there once again.” Kristen Shannon, general manager of the theater, said that while
they updated some of the theater’s features, the core of the Orpheum remained the same. “We’ve made many great changes to the theater while still preserving much of its original state,” Shannon said. According to Shannon, upgrades included new state-of-the-art audio and lighting systems to compliment the theater’s original acoustic layout, a film projector to accommodate new releases and film premieres, an adjustable orchestra floor with removable seating that allow for shifting floor plans, and additional restrooms to the first floor. Moreover, renovations such as the terra cotta ceiling in the lobby and the ornate plasterwork throughout the space were all restored by hand. The notable 1921 paint scheme and the theater elevator, which gives the
theater the same look and feel for guests, have been restored. “A unique fact about The Orpheum—it was one of the first theaters in the American south to have an elevator, which has also been fully restored and is now in working condition,” Shannon said. Shannon believes the reopening will bring locals as well as tourists together to engage in live entertainment experiences. “We know many are excited to return to the theater—locals and tourists both,” Shannon said. “Because our grand opening is taking place during Katrina’s 10-year anniversary, we are expecting many visitors from out-of-town to visit the city and the theater.” John Reeks, a founding member of LPO and instructor of clarinet at Loyola, said returning to the theater
feels like getting a missing part of his life back. “The Orpheum was the backbone of New Orleans’ cultural life for so many years before Katrina filled it with water,” Reeks said. “But now she’s back and even improved over how we remember her.” Atwood is grateful to the owners for restoring the theater and encourages others to recognize their efforts. “The owners who chose to buy it and those responsible for the renovations deserve a big thank you from the city of New Orleans,” Atwood said. “This project holds a sense of commitment that the city deserves.”
There is a new wizard behind the curtain
By Skyllarr Trusty sitrusty@loyno.edu @skyllarrtrusty
It looks like the gay and powerful New Orleans dance club, Oz, will only be getting a makeover with its recent change in ownership. Declaring bankruptcy last October, Oz was put up for auction on July 22. After a vigorous bidding war, Kishore “Mike” Motwani, local developer and t-shirt mogul, purchased the bar in bankruptcy court for a reported $8.175 million. While many patrons of the club are optimistic, they are still in the dark about what changes the new ownership could bring. Adrian Claveria, A’14, entertainment and promotions assistant for the club, said that she believes that the success of Oz will continue despite the unclear plan for its future.
“We’re basically just waiting for those changes to happen,” Claveria said. “I feel that if Oz continues to stay as Oz, as the gay bar that everyone in this community has come to know and love, attendance won’t change.” Eli Thomas, one of Oz’s new staff members, said that he hopes Oz will contiune to be as warm and welcoming as its always been. “It’s just the excitement, the fun, the love that you feel. When you walk past the building, everyone is happy. They’re hugging each other; they’re smiling. It’s the opposite of hate. It’s what I would call love,” Thomas said. Greg Jones, the general manager, said that while management has not hashed out the details of what will occur to the club, most of the modifications will be cosmetic. “We’re planning on making a lot of changes,” Jones said. “We are re-vamping the whole bar, and look-
ing at adding lots of new fun things like lights, etc.” Madeline Schwartz, one of the new owners, furthered Jones’ thought by adding that the changes made to Oz will be for the betterment of the club. “We would be silly to change this place. Everything will stay the same, but Oz will be bigger and better,” Schwartz said. Persana Shoulders, director of entertainment, publicity and promotions and Loyola alum, spoke on behalf of her employees about the future. “We’re very excited that we’re all still going to be here and that its still going to be Oz,” Shoulders said. “Certainly we’ll always love our previous owners, but we are about to embark on a new journey, and we all are very very very excited to see what the new future holds at Oz.”
MONICA ZENGEL/ The Maroon
Anastacia Davenport performs at the Oz night club on Bourbon street, Wednesday, Aug. 12. The club was recently purchased for $8 million after its previous owners declared bankruptcy.
THE W RKS
August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
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The Maroon's section of student art. Contribute at letter@loyno.edu
POETRY Original stories written by Loyola students
“A Bar in Dublin”
“Dust Almost Enough”
She had a smudge of lipstick on one Of her teeth, but it did not bother me. The more I saw it meant I had her Smiling. I liked making her smile. I had drank just enough, for the prices, My night consisted of only her. With Close minded attraction to one thing At a time, the bar and all of its noise And its people were no longer there. We talked for a time. Of this And of that, but mostly of our futures. What else do you talk about to one who Wont see it? I hope she makes it to LA. She was nice and kind and buoyant. “We’re leaving.” “You Coming?” (Ok.) I was the one to leave. I left love at Its infant stage and decided when it Was to end. And yet here I am at the End of the page and she is still At a Bar in Dublin
“A Bar in Dublin” Roland Corwin, English digital media senior
I’ve waited ten months. for what, I can’t be sure anymore. I guess a lot of things, used to be just her face, in profile, that’s all I could get. Then the hem blowing dust in my direction, her shadow cast on my foot. Reach—no. Satisfied for a while but bound to get greedy (how could you not when it never stopped coming but it never came) sometimes I stare so hard, oblivious wind blowing debris across the filter fleeting peripherals of everything becoming hopes unexpected (stop expecting). My eye itches, I want to scratch it but it’d only get worse, so much dust crouched in moist backs of hands, I scratch anyway. Can’t complain since I put myself here—well, at first but not anymore. It’s the endless road gives no choice but this rippling sea of gravel that I slowly collect grain by itchy grain stinging whites, the trance of another mile-long journey unfurling in a second every thousandth of a sec ond. I wonder how many days it’d take to soak up all the dust. Maybe then she’d walk on me. I have stay at least until the fabric flaps at the bend (blue today? maybe the sunflowers), the whip that crashes the dust I need. “Dust Almost Enough” Alan Pham, English writing senior
EDITORIAL
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August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
OUR EDITORIAL
The majority opinion of our editorial board
HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to the new green space in front of Monroe Hall GROWL to construction all over Uptown increasing HOWL to the beginning of college for freshmen GROWL to the financial instability of our university HOWL to seeing friends for the first time in months GROWL to the return of deadlines HOWL to The Maroon getting ranked fourth best college newspaper in the US by The Princeton Review
EDITORIAL BOARD Mary Graci
Editor-in-Chief
Emily Branan
Managing Editor
Rebeca Trejo
Managing Editor
for print for Electronic Properties Naasha Dotlwala Kristen Stewart Lauren Saizan Gabe Garza Starlight Williams
Design Chief Senior Staff Writer News Editor Worldview Editor The Works Editor Life and Times Editor Wolf Editor
Mark Robinson Zayn Abidin Gage Counts
Sports Editor Religion Editor Opinion and Editorial Editor
Zach Brien Raymond Price
Photo Editor Maroon Minute
Freedom of thought without fear College is a time where students should be free to explore different ideas, and their ability to do that is severely limited when students and faculty fear hostility or retribution. Trending across the United States is the view that censorship and ostracism are appropriate responses to controversial speech or expression. While not unique to Loyola, it’s a tendency among students, faculty, and administrators to make pariahs out of people with alternative views. This is a situation that cannot be tolerated in any university that pursues “truth, wisdom, and virtue,” as Loyola claims it does. This tendency is not informed by one ideology. Be it from social justice advocates on the left, attempting to make Loyola a more sensitive community, to Catholic traditionalists on the right, attempting to preserve the doctrines of the Church, this inclination is shared by many. While shared by many, it should be rejected by all. An institution of higher learning acts as a “marketplace of ideas,” in which ideologies, faiths, and worldviews compete for the hearts and minds of students. When this marketplace is controlled through censorship or ostracism, free thinking suffers. The identity of a college should not determine the conversation on campus. Since Loyola is a private, Jesuit university, respect should be given to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Respect is not the same as absolute deference, and no conversation that calls Church teachings into question should be discouraged.
In the same way, the Jesuit tradition is one of social justice. However, students and faculty should be free to criticize this tradition without fear of condemnation or censureship. This freedom is anathema to some. Recently, The Princeton Review named Loyola University New Orleans as the second best college for race and class interaction in the country. This did not happen because of intrusive speech codes or internal thought police. Loyola was acknowledged for its diversity because it offers a safe environment for self-expression. Racism and classism were at one point a product in the marketplace of ideas. By asking questions and challenging orthodoxies in a free and uncontrolled way, they have been rendered intellectually (but not structurally) obsolete. A university that values preserving feelings and dogma over pushing the frontiers of thought will find itself intellectually stagnate. This is something that the Loyola community should be careful to avoid. In such an intellectually diverse time in history, Loyola can ill-afford to be perceived as intolerant of dissent. Such a perception would hamper the university’s ability to attract talented students who could change the world for the better. Whenever a university draws a distinction between high speech worthy of being privileged, and low speech worthy of censorship or ostracism, the result is homogenous thought among the student body. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 70 percent of high school graduates enrolled in a college
or university in 2014. With such a large number of people getting a higher education around the country, it would be a mistake to train them to be afraid of speaking freely. While free speech on campus is of the highest importance, so is having a discourse that is productive. Part of having a constructive debate is making real attempts to understand the opposing arguments. Basing dialogue on out-of-context comments or straw men is not an ethical debate tactic. Dismissing an argument based off the assumption that it lacks depth is disrespectful. Loyola is not just an institution; it is a community. If members of our community attempt to undermine each other, we will not thrive and grow. Organizational blacklists, public condemnations, and subtle insults in the classroom have no place in our university. Students should constantly agitate for an environment that allows ample opportunity for free expression, regardless of personal ideologies, faiths or worldviews. Whenever students feel unable to express themselves, the greater mission of the university is lost. If university faculty and administrators want to create a culture where students are unafraid of expressing their thoughts and testing their ideas, they should be the most vocal advocates of the uncontrolled freedoms of speech and expression - not the students. Loyola students, faculty and administration have to commit to providng a campus where the freedom of thought is respected.
Coordinator Lawson Box
Copy Editor
Zach Brien
Photo Editor
EDITORIAL POLICY The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and do 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.
MARY GRACI / The Maroon
OPINION
August 21, 2015 THE MAROON
ON THE RECORD
IN MY OPINION
Faculty speaking on important topics
Students sharing their opinions on important topics
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Community overcomes storm’s legacy ALICE CLARK Professor of Music History avclark@loyno.edu
When I was asked to write a column reflecting on the tenth anniversary of Katrina and the subsequent levee breaches, my first reaction was that someone else should do it—a New Orleans native, or someone who works on local issues, or even someone who lost more than I did. All of us who lived in the area, though, were affected, all of us were exiled, all of us had losses. And there are those who say that all of us are to this day just a little bonkers as a result. At the time I tried to explain to distant friends that everything they read, heard, and saw was true—all the good stuff, all the bad. Loyola students were taken in for the fall semester by over 400 other colleges and universities, all over the U.S. and beyond. Similarly, children from Louisiana and Mississippi attended schools at communities across the country. My niece told me of New Orleans area students in her high school, and some of you can probably tell similar stories from your childhood, whether you were the exile or the host. The forced entry into new communities for some who may never have been out of Louisiana at first seemed even to open up new insights—say the fact that in some parts of the country, public schools can work. There was great hope for real change when we all returned, but in too many ways that promise has still not been realized. So our story is for me a kind of paradox: great recovery and even improvement, but at the same time, myriad lingering problems. I haven’t experienced anything quite like that elsewhere. At least I hadn’t until an immersion trip to the Dominican Republic earlier this month. I was asked to write this column while on the way to Santiago, so perhaps inevitably what I saw there has colored how I approached the task. The juxtaposition of good and bad, poverty and generosity, and the power of the human spirit even in circumstances that would seem to put it at risk, was surprisingly similar to me. With my colleagues (faculty and administrators from other Jesuit universities), we thought about what the Jesuits call consolation and desolation—if you prefer, think of the presence or absence of God, or of the uniquely human spark. As one of our group noted, in some ways, consolations and desolations are sides of the same coin. Difficulties can force us to question what we thought we knew and to find a new path through the seemingly intractable road before us. When I look back on both the aftermath of the storm and my immersion trip, what I see most of all is a challenge, to do what can be done, even if it doesn’t seem to be enough, and to allow ourselves and our communities to be changed in unforeseen ways.
The different Greek organizations work on homes during Greek Week. They partnered with Habitat for Humanity in the 9th Ward.
Courtesy of Gamma Phi Beta
Courtesy of Kieron Oliver
Max Heimberger, a brother of Pi Kappa Phi, collects signatures for the Erase the R-Word campaign as part of his philanthropy. The signatures are displayed on the window in the Dana Center.
Courtesy of Loyola University Greek Life
The Gamma Phi Beta sorority spending time with with the girls who participate in Girls on the Run. Their day was spent making tutus and getting to know each other.
Loyola offers an uncommon Greek life JUSTIN CALLAIS Econonmics and Business Management Sophomore jtcallai@loyno.edu
Greek life is one of the most highly criticized aspects of the college culture. Many critics claim Greek organizations only care about drinking, drugs and sex, which from an outside perspective, is superficially plausible. People have heard stories like of the West Virginia freshman who was force-fed enough alcohol to register a BAC over six times the legal limit and eventually died, or the numerous instances of rape and have the presumption that all of fraternity life follows suit, but would be surprised to know the tremendous im-
pact Greek life has on its school and community. Sororities are given very similar stereotypes. There are occasional stories like one where new members were forced to take various pills in a freezer until they puked. Stories like this often overshadow the good things sororities do for their communities. Unfortunately, Loyola’s Greek organizations are affected by these stereotypes by being put under the umbrella of horrendous acts students around the country commit — but Loyola doesn’t provide the typical Greek life. Loyola is the exception to the negative stereotypes and it doesn’t take one from within the Greek community to see this. Greek life at Loyola strives to make a notable impact on the campus and community alike. Every Greek organization participated in Loyola’s annual Take Back the Night, a march across St. Charles Avenue in order to demonstrate a stand
against sexual assault. Fraternities and sororities alike on Loyola’s campus are also heavily involved in our Student Government Association and other various organizations. Philanthropy certainly sets Loyola’s fraternity life apart from many other organizations. Pi Kappa Phi was nationally recognized for Best Philanthropy Event. The event, called Tour de Pi Kapp, broke its own Loyola record from the previous year by raising over $2,000. The Phi Kappa Psi Chapter at Loyola raised over $500 to advocate for prostate cancer by participating in “No Shave November.” Sororities at Loyola have also made a tremendous impact. Delta Gamma raised money for eyesight cures by hosting their annual Anchor Slam. Gamma Phi Beta has raised money for their own philanthropic causes, including Girls on the Run, which is dedicated to helping young girls build confidence and self-esteem.
Many are curious as to why Loyola, a small private school in southern Louisiana, has such a significant Greek Life. When realizing that it’s the students that make Greek life great, the mystery fades away. By having the open-minded and mature individuals that Loyola does, its Greek organizations become more welcoming to different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs. Since accepting my bid to become a founding father of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, my life has forever changed for the better. My brothers and I have pushed one another to become more motivated and well rounded individuals in all aspects of life. Though Greek life may not be for everyone, it is truly one of the best things about this school. This is why I challenge those who wish to better themselves to look past their preconceived ideas of Greek life and see what it truly has to offer them.
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THE MAROON
August 21, 2015
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