Issue 4 / Volume 76
College Living the Housing Issue
MARDI GRAS TRADITIONS...4 THROWBACK TO BIEVER...7
Editor’s Note
Wolf magazine
D
ecember 2017 marked my first official “adulting” anniversary, where I celebrated living alone, off campus for the first time ever since leaving home for school. I learned a lot (like how to relight a pilot light and flip breakers in the rain) and cried a lot (cooking for one was an unexpected challenge), and more importantly, I grew a lot. Being on my own was scary, and I’ll admit a panicked call for help was made to my parents more times than I can count, but I did it, and I can’t even begin to tell you how satisfying it is to say so. Eventually, I found my groove, fewer and fewer calls and Google searches were made, and I became confident rather than helpless in my own home. My main goal when I started college four years ago was to learn how to be independent, and wrapping up my final year, I can definitely say I both met and succeeded that goal. So this issue pulls together what it means to live that college life, a.k.a. the “adult” life. For us, it’s laughing with friends on porches, making the most of unexpected weather (pg.3), surviving freshman year (pg.6), considering that first lease (pg.7) and enjoying the traditions that surround us (pg.4).
STAFF
Wolf Editor PAULINA PICCIANO Editor-in-Chief SIDNEY HOLMES Managing Editor for Print PAULINA PICCIANO Managing Editor for Electronic Properties ERIN SNODGRASS Maroon Minute Executive Producer AMY NGO Photo Editor OSAMA AYYAD Copy Editor ROSE WAGNER Design Chief HAYLEY HYNES Contributor SEÁN BRENNAN Contributor CALEB BECK Contributor EMMA GILHEANY Contributor MONICA RUIZ Distribution Manager ANDRES FUENTES Advertising Art Director HAYLEY HYNES Faculty Adviser MICHAEL GIUSTI
ABOUT US
Wolf Magazine is a publication by Loyola University New Orleans Student Media and does not necessarily reflect the views of Loyola’s administration. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyright to the Wolf Magazine. The first copy is free to students, faculty and staff. Every additional copy is $1.00.
CONTACT US
Paulina Picciano Wolf Editor
Horoscopes
Visit Wolf Magazine online at loyolamaroon.com/ category/the-wolf/ or follow us on our Facebook or Instagram at @loynowolfmag
COVER PHOTO by Cristian Orellana
For the month of February For entertainment purposes only
You’re the perfect middle ground of malts, barleys and spices. The keg is half full.
Stop going so hard at the sports. Your legs will thank us. So will your anger management.
Have fun in Korea! We’ll miss you!
Please relax your heart beat. We’re worried about you.
Maybe you should ask for rides instead of expecting them.
We’re also worried about you. Remember, you’re not a trainwreck. You can do this. Ron (or is it Frank?) would be proud.
You have found happiness and security when before we thought you’d drift uncharted forever. Kudos, dude.
Your time has passed, but you can still run vertically up cliff sides.
Careful to tend to your mane. It’s looking a little unruly.
The Pantone color of the year looks like an amethyst and it is Aquarius season. It’s your time to thrive and shine.
Ergo, chill out.
It’s a Mardi Party, baby! Time to dance and make bubbles!
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When the North Comes to New Orleans
Students share their experiences and advice for dealing with unusual New Orleans weather By Monica Ruiz
While the Loyola campus was covered in ice, off campus students experienced issues like frozen pipes during New Orleans’ January freeze. PAULINA PICCIANO /The Maroon.
New Orleans is known for plenty of things, but cold weather is most certainly not one of them. So on Wednesday, Jan. 13, when snow was in the forecast, it was difficult to be sure how to handle it. Many problems arise with freezing temperatures, something few southerners are equipped to deal with. “The night we got some snow and rain, my car literally froze shut. I’m from Boston, so this had happened before and I knew what to do,” Az Troenkrasnow, sophomore marketing and accounting major, said. “I needed to open and crawl through the trunk since that’s the only part that doesn’t freeze shut, then I had to warm the car up for 45 minutes until it was thawed enough to see through the windows and open the doors.” This is something unfamiliar to many people living in the South. After calling several mechanics in the New Orleans area, it became astoundingly clear to me that they too didn’t know how to handle freeze related car trouble. On the issue of frozen car doors, Shelby Pojawa, sociology freshman, said, “There’s honestly not much you can do. If you can’t even open the doors to turn the defroster on, you’d just have to scrape the ice off. Once in the car, turn the defroster on and wait a few minutes.” In all these cases, it seems as if patience is key. Stephanie Adams, a history freshman, also suggested not to pour hot water on your
car, either. “Some people think that works but it’ll damage the car,” Adams said. Another issue that seemed to arise during the frost was the freezing of sidewalks and steps after it snowed. For many on-campus students, it became hazardous to simply go get breakfast. The sidewalks became extremely icy during the freeze, and students had to be careful not to slip. “It’s all about being prepared before it happens. Like at home, we put kitty litter on our stairs and walkways so snow and ice melts,” said Maddy Mulder, a French language freshman, on handling icy ground. A third common issue with a freeze is the possibility of pipes freezing, which can be a very serious problem for students living off campus, as there is a possibility that those pipes could burst. According to Michelle Villatoro, a representative of Earl’s Plumbing and Heating, “Be sure to keep water moving in pipes if it is below freezing. Also, insulate all exposed pipe and hose bibs. If your house is raised, block the winder under the house. However, keep in mind, if it has been over four hours below 28 degrees it is very difficult to prevent damage.” Hopefully with this in mind, the entire Loyola community can be better prepared for the next time the North comes to New Orleans.
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Getting Ready for Mardi Gras A guide to some of New Orleans’ most common traditions By Emma Gilheany As I am sure you can tell by the purple, green and gold everywhere, Mardi Gras season has arrived. This may be your first experience with Mardi Gras, or maybe you are a seasoned parade goer with strong opinions about the neutral ground side versus sidewalk side. As a New Orleans local and an avid parade goer, I’m here to share some tips for the Mardi Gras season, as well as give explanations for some traditions that may seem a little odd to those not from here. One of the best ways to get prepared for Mardi Gras is to eat a lot of king cake. King cake, a cinnamon pastry, is a Mardi Gras tradition that is popular throughout the season. Inside each king cake is a small plastic baby, which represents baby Jesus. The tradition is that whoever gets the piece of king cake with the baby is supposed to bring a king cake to the next party or gathering. Many locals have strong opinions about where to get the best king cake, varying from Randazzo’s to Haydel’s to Rouse’s (I would recommend either Dong Phuong, Caluda’s or Marguerite’s). Though many may disagree about which king cake is best, few would say that it’s not an essential part of Mardi Gras. One of the most important tips I can give with regards to Mardi Gras is the importance of picking one’s spot to watch the parades, a simple but essential part of Mardi Gras. First,
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there is the timeless debate of neutral ground side versus sidewalk side. For those who don’t know, the neutral ground is what the median is called in New Orleans. Watching the parade from either of these sides is quite different. Try out both at different parades and see what you prefer. However, as someone who definitely prefers the smaller groups that tend to be on the sidewalk side, I can’t help but recommend the sidewalk side as the better choice. Mardi Gras is tons of fun, and if you have never experienced it before you are in for quite the treat. There is nothing quite like finally catching that coveted Muses shoe you’ve tried to catch for years. Lauren LeCompte, mass communication sophomore, said, “Last year was my first time going to Muses, but I didn’t catch any shoes. But I’m confident that this is my year.” Many parades have highly coveted, unique throws that are individual to that parade. Look out for Muses shoes, Zulu coconuts and Tucks toilet brushes, as these are just a few examples of big throws. These throws have become Mardi Gras traditions as people have proudly shown off their hauls. However you choose to spend your Mardi Gras, I hope you enjoy this New Orleans holiday and all of the quirky traditions it has to offer.
The Krewe of Muses is an all-female krewe well known for their high heel throws. The Krewe of Muses was established in 2001 and rolled on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. ANGELO IMBRAGUGLIO /The Maroon.
Behind the Scenes: Shooting a Cover Photo
Cristian Orellana captures models Maggie Vallone and Hayley Hynes in a relaxed porch scene for the front cover. (Left) CRISTIAN ORELLANA/ The Maroon. (Top and bottom right) PAULINA PICCIANO/ The Maroon.
“It’s an interesting background, interesting lighting, interesting people and interesting angles. Once you have all that, you have the recipe for a good portrait.” – Cristian Orellana, Senior Staff Photographer
OK, Loyola We're in the mood
for some new tunes. Good thing we've got so many talented musicians on campus.
Win up to $500!
loyNO Songwriting
contest Loyola Fight Song poster 10.25x7 matron ad v5.indd 1
If you're a current undergrad student (any major), and you've got the chops to write Loyola a new school song, check out the contest rules (and pRIZES) at loyno.edu/songcontest
Submissions due by midnight February 23, 2018. Finalists will perform at 7 p.m. on 3/18 in Roussell Hall.
1/30/18 3:40 PM
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CRISTIAN ORELLANA /The Maroon.
The Legend (and Future) of Biever Hall It can be said that living in Biever hall is one of the more iconic and memorable experiences a student can have at Loyola. Only time can tell what effect a growing freshmen class can have on this experience By Seán Brennan It was Michael Olausen’s first weekend of classes as a resident assistant for the university when Hurricane Isaac cut a destructive path over New Orleans in August 2012. Anyone on campus who could not evacuate before the storm was sent into lockdown in Biever Hall, Loyola’s freshmenonly residence hall, where the sophomore RA was just learning to navigate a building full of recent high school graduates. For three days, the dormitory, with a maximum capacity of 510 people, was a mandatory home to nearly 600 students — most brand new to college. “I probably got a combined three hours of sleep,” Olausen said, A’15. “The walls would literally sweat. It was absolute insanity.” The doors stayed locked even when the power went out on the second day. Aging backup generators provided flickering lights for half that time, and the only food available was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for every meal. On the first night alone, Olausen and the barebones residential staff broke up both a rave in the halls of the sixth floor and an orgy
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on the third — with only a half-full bottle of Abita Amber sitting in the middle of the empty room by the time he arrived. On the second day, a student smoking in his dorm room set off the fire alarms and prompted a full-scale drug-bust in the middle of a hurricane, officers combing through the whole building to the tune of blaring alarms for hours. By the time Hurricane Isaac passed and the doors to Biever Hall were unlocked, Olausen said he could have quit that job and not looked back. Instead, he remained an RA for freshmen until he graduated in 2015. Years later, he still looks back at his three years in the hall as some of the most valuable in his life. “Biever is the toughest place at Loyola to RA, but it’s also the most fun place to RA, and that’s why I never left. I loved it there,” Olausen said. “Beyond a shadow of a doubt, it’s an extraordinarily unique place. That means many positives and negatives with it.” It’s nearly impossible to explain Loyola’s freshmen dorms to those who haven’t lived there. The building itself was built in 1964 and renovated in 2000 and named after
Loyola’s first president, Fr. Albert Biever. The experience within its halls, however, is much less straightforward. Biever Hall is a melting pot of teenagers from across the globe, all of them leaving home and living alone in one of the most indulgent cities in the world. When asked to look back at their time in Biever, former residents seem always to jump to the same vulgar laws of the land: bodily fluids in excess, communal everything — bathrooms, sleep schedules and sicknesses — reoccurring hallway vandalism and a hedonistic definition of the weekend. “It’s the best time that I would never do again,” said Camille Didelot, mass communication senior, who lived on the second floor in 2014. “It’s everything that college is supposed to be and a whole bunch of what it’s not supposed to be tightly packaged in one gross, sweaty box,” said Alex Asdourian, A’14, who was a freshman in 2011. “Then, take that box and soak it in alcohol and leave it in the bathroom overnight. That’s Biever.” The hall is ground zero for “Biever fever,” which can be defined by (but is not limited to) a mutated contagious illness or the
distinct melancholy that comes from a mixture of homesickness, a poor diet and a lack of sunlight. “It’s simultaneous mono and pneumonia, but you just think you’re partying too much,” said senior Hannah Kraker. Every class that spends time in Biever Hall manages to create their own bizarre, bonding folklore — from fecal phantoms and homeless squatters to the “Bed, Bath & Beyond” room and farm animals raised in secret. Doors are set ablaze, songs and stories are written, fights arise and fall and friendships are forged that carry on long after people leave those mundane brick walls. Also, every year seems to have a vendetta against keeping water fountains in the wall — just ask the classes of 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Biever Hall has been a deadly place, a hilarious experience and much more. Every batch of students that passes through is
connected by the same circumstances, struggles and victories that make it unlike any other college dormitory in the world. In the words of English junior Kiera Reeves, it’s, “...having all your friends right down the hallway, and a perverse sense of community that comes from suffering through your own stupid choices together.” As the university continues to emphasize enrollment growth and increased class size, the Biever experience will become more and more exclusive. “The goal of the university is to build upon the strong enrollment of the class of fall 2017. With this, we have a goal of increasing firsttime freshmen enrollment by 4.5 percent from last year,” said John Head, vice president of enrollment. The Office of Residential Life is no stranger to accommodating larger class sizes in Biever Hall. In 2010 and 2011 they used triple occupancy rooms and even had students shuttle from the University of New Orleans
residence halls. According to Amy Boyle, director of residential life, tripling up rooms in Biever is an option for next year’s first-year class, an action that has not shown negative effects on retention in years past. For now, the two-year live-on-campus policy will remain. While class sizes are set to increase in the coming years, the circumstances that define the Biever experience will help freeze the charm of the hall in time — a permanence that Olausen, who now lives in Hawaii, enjoyed every moment of. “That was Biever; that’s the beauty of it,” Olausen said. “You might get puked on, there’s going to be some bodily fluids involved, but after you’ve done the experience and get through, you’re set for life in conflict management and sharing space, all these great skills in your life that are forged in this place in New Orleans when you’re 18.”
Be Careful, First Time Renters By Caleb Beck Imagine leaving the confines of student housing to sign off on a bigger jail than you just got out of. Try idealizing your first legitimate apartment and the ways you’ll accent it, the place you’ll cohabitate with friends you’ve made, only to be plagued with rat infestations, roaches, broken pipes, inadequate heating/ cooling units and shoddy appliances for a year. This is the reality that besets too many students naively renting sub-par apartments from apathetic “slumlord” companies, eager to sign a lease before realizing that rustic charm advertised is really just chipping paint and water damage. It’s a reasonable expectation that a proprietary landlord would work with students to avoid code violations, hear concerns and work to cooperate over the course of their lease. Problems don’t need to be addressed the day of, but an open dialogue is a reasonable expectation for early renters. Now stretch that expectation taut over 400 apartments in Uptown and the Garden District of New Orleans, and put one person on the phone in case anything should come up. It’s not hard to imagine where glaring problems arise, and negligence becomes a baseline for how bad these leases can get. Lilly McGill, local educator, said renting affordably from a company like this reared its ugly head her first year living in New Orleans. She said her landlord double booked her, and knowingly rented her apartment out to a family for Mardi Gras before the terms of her lease had ended. “It’s just sad because these prices attract many young, new people in New Orleans and they get burnt out within the first year of being here, that’s not what it’s about in New Or-
Students may run the risk of getting stuck in a bad renting situation leans,” McGinn said. Jacqueline Cook, a Tulane art senior, said any attempts to request repairs on her fixtures fell on deaf ears, and she currently is waiting for a fruit fly infestation, rats and moldy shower leaks to be addressed by her apartment company. We needed a new fridge for months, they kept pushing the date back and eventually they were just ignoring our calls and emails, we had to go in person and show them photos of our fridge drawers filled with water for them to finally change them out,” Cook said. Still, others argue that frustration with a first lease comes from the young age demographics these companies attract. Tom Whelan, Loyola economics senior, said that his experience with the same companies were mostly agreeable. “They always had a handyman or plumber ready to respond, I think these companies get a bad reputation because they haven’t had many other renting experiences,” Whelan said. Even if these experiences vary across the board, it’s still advised to use caution and ask questions when touring your first apartment. Do not rush to sign your lease because you’re overjoyed you’re not in your accustomed student housing. Beyond aesthetics, pay attention to fixtures like doorknobs, faucets, lights and smoke detectors and make sure everything is working properly. Try outlets, ring doorbells, make an itemized list of everything not working. Next, make sure to talk to the current tenants of an apartment and ask them honestly, perhaps away from the company representative’s earshot if there are any problems they encountered over the course of their lease.
A recently rented home sits near the intersection of Calhoun Street and Freret Street. Many first time renters find themselves stuck in a bad lease if they’re not careful during the renting process. PAULINA PICCIANO /The Maroon.
It’s possible the same problems they faced could become yours with a few signatures. Initial renting experiences are often reflected on as a mixed bag, particularly with student budgets and university proximities, but there’s no reason to settle for substandard conditions because of a lack of foresight. Be patient and exercise caution when choosing your first apartment, or even your second and third.
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