The Maroon April 12, 2024 Issue

100 Years of

Twins (and triplets) conquer college

By Violet Bucaro vabucaro@my.loyno.edu

Before choosing a university, identical twins August and Em Bay wanted to flee New Orleans. They presumed they’d choose different universities, but they separately fell in love with Loyola without disclosing it to one another.

August Bay, a religious studies freshman, and Em Bay, a sociology freshman, are mirror twins. They have several mirrored features including opposite dominant hands. They were hesitant that it would be difficult to find themselves apart from one another.

“A large part about being a twin is you

lose a large part of identity,” Em Bay said. Challenges come with attending college with your twin. August Bay said they can question if they are in an independent stage of life and development into adulthood.

“Sometimes I am scared I am not branching out far enough because I still have a safety net with me,” August Bay said. Though it is a fright night at times, they are thankful for it.

They appreciate the support they receive from each other, like a built-in best friend they can count on.

“When I am getting stressed out they are the first one to call it, before I can,” August Bay said.

It is common for students and faculty

to confuse them with one another. Depending on the conversation, they may go along with it, August Bay said. People have assumed they were the same person. “Ms. Karen, who works in the OR, found out we were twins today [and] she was very shell shocked,” August Bay said. “It is a weekly occurrence.”

Several sets of twins on Loyola’s campus have a shared experience of finding independence apart from one another, despite going to the same college.

Margaret Powell is a sophomore double majoring in mass communication and English, and her fraternal twin, Allison Powell, is

a Tulane student double majoring in neuroscience and environmental science.

They decided not to go to the same college for multiple reasons, Margaret Powell said.

“We have been connected to each other for our entire lives and we wanted to see what it was like without each other,” Margaret Powell said.

Margaret Powell loves living close to her twin and they hang out often, she said. People sometimes confuse their names with one another; however, people know them by face.

Top from left to right: August Bay and Em Bay Violet Bucaro/The Maroon Bottom from left to right: Allison Powell and Margaret Powell Courtesy of Margaret Powell

Top from left to right: Sunny Bedford and Annabelle Bedford Laci Barrow/The Maroon Bottom left to right Maxwell Mendez and Matthew Mendez Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

e solar eclipse party is going to be totally __________. As you get your __________ solar glasses, you get __________ about seeing the eclipse. Once __________ onto the ResQuad, you put on your __________ and try to look at the __________. You can’t __________ a thing! You take o your sunglasses and try to take a peek at the eclipse. BIG MISTAKE, your __________ is completely burned. Trying to help heal them you put __________ into the sockets and it __________ them. Havoc always __________ you to put on protection to make sure you are being safe! e next eclipse in 2044 you will make sure to have your glasses and it will be__________!!!! Puzzle Answers on the Loyola

only visible in North

37. Wile E ______

38.After Easter, all the candy was _____ in stores

41. You only live once, abbr.

42. “____ ___!” nals are fastly approaching 44. One bin is for trash, the other is for _______

Student raises funds for medical aid in Palestine

By Elinor Upham esupham@my.loyno.edu

Criminology and justice sophomore Sawyer Castle said she got the idea to table in the Danna Center to raise money for medical aid in Palestine after Israel increased its violence against Palestinians in October of 2023.

Castle and fellow Abolition Book Club members table in the Danna Center hallway on Tuesdays and ursdays in an e ort to raise money to send to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, a humanitarian organization providing health services to Palestinians in Palestine.

Castle said, “It's been really enjoyable to see people care so much.”

According to Castle, donors receive a receipt when they donate directly to the Palestine Red Crescent Society verifying that the funds are in transit to the Bank of Palestine where the Palestine Red Crescent Society has an account.

“I think it is important to not just be performative and actually contribute to something right. So I'm really excited to be seeing people do that,”

— Sawyer Castle Criminolgy and justice sophomore

Castle collects money via payment apps and direct donations to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

e receipt ends with a message from the Palestine Red Crescent Society that reads: “Your contribution will save lives and assist those a ected to be protected and provided with life support including health, shelter, and psychological services.”

Despite Castle’s positive feelings about the people who stop to talk with her and donate, she experienced trouble with maintaining and proving permission from the university to table in the Danna Center.

According to the assistant vice president for student life and ministry Dale O’Neill, HowlConnect experienced a glitch in the system in late February that impacted several campus events registered through them, including the medical aid for Palestine.

O’Neill said initially, Events Coordinator Raven Evans was alerted about a double booking of a table in the Danna Center hallway.

Evans checked for a double booking issue in HowlConnect/Ad Astra and found none, she said.

According to O’Neill, Evans talked in person with Castle on February 29 and asked for proof of her approval to table. O’Neill said Castle showed her approval and was allowed to continue tabling that day.

After discovering the glitch, O’Neill said that Evans talked in-person with Castle and con rmed that tabling was approved.

Castle said, “ ree people from the administration came up to me and said,

‘You're not allowed to be here.’ To which I said, ‘Yes, I am. Here's my registration.’ And they said, ‘You're gonna have to move out.’”

According to Castle, she felt this was more than just a system error, and she felt targeted because of the cause she was championing.

O’Neill did not respond to these claims and discussed only the system error.

According to Castle, when Evans approached her, she did not tell Castle that she could continue tabling for that day.

Castle said she had to go back to Student Life and Ministry and ask for her spot back.

Despite these setbacks, Castle remained optimistic.

“We’ve made about $3,000 so far,” Castle said. Her goal is to reach $5,000 by the end of the semester.

“I think it is important to not just be performative and actually contribute to something right. So I'm really excited to be seeing people do that,” she said.

LUPD sees success with new dispatch system

By Maria DiFelice mldifeli@my.loyno.edu

After a month with the new dispatch system that the Loyola Police Department implemented this semester, Chief of Police Todd Warren said it’s going well. LUPD was previously partnered with Tulane University Police Department’s dispatch and, according to Warren, there were issues with the system put in place.

On March 1, LUPD announced they would no longer be using TUPD’s dispatch system and instead implementing a new system run by Campus Dispatch, a private company that helps small uni-

versities with their dispatch.

“I think it’s working great; I really do,” Warren said.

According to Warren, before the new system was implemented, LUPD had a slower response time to emergencies. Warren said this new system has helped with response time and accuracy for his team.

Warren said that students no longer get put on hold, which was a big issue for many community members.

“ ey'll answer and then any one of them can dispatch Loyola,” he said.

Cathy Rogers, public relations professor, has been a part of the Loyola com-

munity since the ‘90s and said that she has seen a lot of changes to the systems over the years.

Rogers said she used the old dispatch system to help her get to her car late at night. She said that she never realized there were o campus dispatchers until one time the dispatcher didn’t know what campus she was on.

“It was the rst time I realized that we had somebody o campus taking care of things,” Rogers said.

Rogers said she is happy to hear there is a new dispatch system to help keep the community safe.

Ty Wooten, director of government

TWINS: Twins share college experience

Continued from page 1

Now that they don’t go to the same college, life is more di cult, Powell said.

“I don’t always have her to fall back on,” she said.

Delaney Mathis, a biology junior, is a triplet and neither her brother nor sister go to Loyola. Emma Mathis, Delaney’s sister, used to go to Loyola until she left to pursue her career.

“Before college, my sister and I had done almost everything together,” Delaney Mathis said.

Her and her sister purposefully chose to go to the same university.

“ e transition into college in general can be di cult, so when she left it was very hard for me and very lonely,” she said. “I have less anxiety when I am with her.”

Although they no longer share the same college, her sister’s departure was better for their relationship to grow as individuals, Delaney Mathis said.

Emma Mathis agrees with this sentiment of nding greater individuality with a separation.

“But I think the separation created a greater appreciation for each other in the moments we all got to be together. It also created a bigger sense of independence, like I can go about my day without having someone holding my hand through it,” Emma Mathis said.

While it was an adjustment to separate, Emma was able to see her siblings grow into themselves.

“I’m also so proud of them. I think being away was a nice way to watch them ourish in their own, new ways which is a really cool thing, like seeing the people u grew up with become adults,” Emma Mathis said.

Although the Mathis triplets found solace in going their separate ways, juniors Matthew and Maxwell Mendez applied and chose to attend Loyola together.

“We knew that we wanted to go to school together; we've been pretty much inseparable since birth,” Maxwell Mendez said. “And it helped that we got into a lot of schools together. When we both got accepted to Loyola, we knew right away; it was perfect.”

e twins are both psychology majors and often take classes together.

“I de nitely like having my twin in my classes,” Matthew Mendez said. Every now and then, professors do get us confused, but I'm used to that, and I don't really have a problem with that. It's part of being a twin.”

a airs for the international academies of emergency dispatch, said that it is important for small communities like Loyola to establish a system that makes everyone feel safe. Wooten, who has been a dispatcher for 30 years, said it's important for dispatchers to care and get all the information correct, so they can ensure a quick reaction time for the emergency response.

“If they do all the right things, then it will be a very good thing for all of you, as students and faculty, and even those who have come to visit your campus,” he said.

Beyond being classmates, the pair are also roommates and hold campus jobs at the Monroe Library.

“We have our disagreements every now and then, but we always settle them, and overall, we're able to live with each other easily,” Matthew Mendez said.

He continued, “I think when you live together and you've known each other for so long, it's even easier to work together.” hey twin

(L-R) English senior Abby Lewis and criminology sophomore Sawyer Castle speak to mass communication senior Avanni Joseph about donating for medical aid in Palestine in the Danna Center on March 26, 2024. Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

"Lisa Frankenstein": "Heathers" but make it camp

By Christina Sterling cmsterli@my.loyno.edu

In the 1980s, teen comedies had taken over American cinemas by storm. Filmmakers such as John Hughes gave audiences beloved teen comedy classics from “Sixteen Candles” (1984) to “The Breakfast Club” (1985).

When the 1989 black comedy, “Heathers,” hit the big screen, audiences were more than less thrown for a loop. The film, which depicted a more dark and cynical style from the usual lighthearted comingof-age genre, came with mixed reactions.

Nevertheless, several viewers found themselves enthralled by the experience. “Heathers” is now highly regarded as a cult classic and even one of the greatest coming-of-age films of all time. With the recent release of “Lisa Frankenstein,” I believe that it is safe to say that it desperately attempts to follow in its footsteps, but let’s dig a little deeper.

“Lisa Frankenstein” is a comedy horror film directed by first time director Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams, and written by Diablo Cody, known for 2007’s “Juno.” The film stars Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse as the two leads. Set in the year 1989, the story follows Lisa Swallows, a lonely teenage girl grieving over the loss of her mother who was axe murdered two years earlier. Now living with her oblivious father, narcissistic

stepmother, and bubbly stepsister, Taffy, she tries to find joy in her life. She hangs around the local cemetery in her spare time and becomes infatuated with the grave of a young Victorian man. One night, lightning strikes his grave, bringing him back to life and uniting him with Lisa. They start to bond and set out on a journey to bring themselves happiness at the expense of others.

I’ve never encountered a film trying its best to resemble the likeness of “Heathers” more than this one. Without the incorporation of its “Frankenstein” element, it’s almost a spitting image.

The main plot point of the film is that Lisa and The Creature embark on a killing spree in exchange for body parts. There’s an interesting parallel here. “Lisa Frankenstein” prides itself on its bold and outlandish storyline sprinkled with a bit of ‘80s nostalgia. After watching the trailer and reading the film’s synopsis, it seemed quite promising. The Creature’s character is, without a doubt, heavily influenced by the monster from Frankenstein with its mute and disfigured state.

Still, the film manages to pull its character influences from popular horror and gothic films of the ‘80s and early ‘90s. The monster of the film takes a caring and introverted personality similar to “Edward Scissorhands,” and blends it with the violent and aggressive tendencies of J.D.'s character from “Heathers.” Paired alongside Lisa Swallows, the typ-

"Loss of Life": An experimental effort

By June Fernandez jaferna3@my.loyno.edu

Since the success of their first album “Oracular Spectacular,” MGMT has been an experimental group. The iconic indie band has become known for their use of various instruments, sounds, and themes to create exciting, psychedelic music. Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, the duo behind the project, are always trying to expand their horizons as musicians.

These efforts have brought the band quite a large amount of success among the indie rock scene and beyond. Some of their songs have become global hits; even if someone doesn’t know MGMT as a band, I’m sure they know the melody and lyrics to “Kids” or “Little Dark Age” by heart. Making music since the mid 2000s, MGMT is a band that has been able to exist and grow across different eras and genres, finding success and popularity in the age of TikTok, Spotify, and Apple Music.

While some may argue that the band never truly maintained the stardom that “Oracular Spectacular” gave them, it can totally be said that the band’s sound has only improved since those days. My personal favorite album from the group, “Congratulations” released three years after “Oracular Spectacular,” and both of the albums that came after were also well received by fans and new listeners alike

Needless to say, MGMT is an iconic duo. So, when I heard that they were releasing a new album, I couldn’t help but feel excitement and yearning for some new indie rock.

With “Loss of Life” now being officially released, what new sounds does the band have to offer? There are plenty of songs on this new album that allow

ical lonely teenage girl who became his “savior,” it was an oddly great pair of playful and horror archetypes that I thought was rather enjoyable to watch on the screen.

One thing I can give this film its flowers for is its production design, including costuming and hair and makeup. Honestly, this is what initially drew me in. It’s goth and camp. What screams ‘80s goth and camp more than big hair, red lips, and a puffy black dress? It’s jarring and off-putting, yet bold and whimsical.

Lisa’s dramatic wardrobe transition to this aesthetic was a bit over the top to the point where it ridicules the fashion trends of the ‘80s. But I’d like to think this actually worked in favor of Lisa's character arc. Unruly wardrobe paired with unruly behavior.

“Lisa Frankenstein” does its best to pay homage to horror and teen comedies of the ‘80s. One could argue how well it will stand against its influential predecessors. Can it become a cult classic? Maybe...

Is it iconic and original enough to hold it to that status? Who knows. Not to mention, the film did not perform exceedingly well at the box office, but then again, “Heathers” was a flop until years later.

Perhaps, “Lisa Frankenstein” may have to make its way to the grave and wait for its resurrection.

aaaa

Courtesy of Focus Features

MGMT to do what they do best. While this album obviously takes inspiration from the classic rock sounds of the ‘80s, there is still plenty of room for the band to put their own spin on things.

Songs like “Bubblegum Dog” and “Mother Nature” have simple but effective melodies that allow the listener to focus on the lyricism and instrumentation in a way that doesn’t feel lopsided; both the lyrics and instruments are equally important to making these songs sound the way they do.

There are also songs like “Dancing in Babylon,” which are faster while also having lots of build up. There are some beautiful vocals on this track that is mostly because of the featured artist, Christine and the Queens. In fact, the vocals on most of the songs on “Loss of Life” stand. I found myself listening closely to the lyrics and vocals more than the instruments themselves.

Interestingly enough, I do think that the most engaging track on the album is its title track. “Loss of Life” as a song is melodic and slow, fitting in short verses in between instrumental breaks. This song features lots of the electronic sounds that MGMT are known for, but it also opts for a calmer sound that again focuses on the vocals and lyrics. This song was my favorite off of the album, and I always find it interesting when title tracks are the best and last songs on a project’s tracklist. As an album, “Loss of Life” has a mostly peaceful and mellow sound. There are no songs that remind me of poppy, hard hitting tracks like “Electric Feel” or “Time to Pretend.” This album almost feels like something you would listen to as you watch the sun set, and, in my opinion, it’s not exactly an album that you would listen to while driving around with your friends on a summer day.

But I think this album’s unique sound illustrates the diverse discography that MGMT has created in the 20+ years that they have been active. Every album is different, and, while I do think that “Loss of Life” is far from the duo’s strongest album, I do think it is a great experimental project. In a way, you can say that “Loss of Life” is kind of boring, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. This is definitely one

of the band’s more serene and beautiful projects, with a lot more acoustic guitar and less percussion. This album certainly feels different from the band’s other projects, which I think is a sign that MGMT is still capable of experimenting and making new sounds. The songs were more or less the type of songs you would fall asleep to rather than dance to, but the band’s talent still shines through regardless. “Loss of Life” is

worth listening to more than once, and I recommend it to those looking for some new psychedelic sounds to relax to.

“Loss of Life” is now available on streaming services.

Courtesy of Mom + Pop Records

New Orleans Public Library eliminates late fines; student urges Loyola to follow suit

By Maleigh Crespo macrespo@my.loyno.edu

The New Orleans Public Library system announced that it would be operating fine-free beginning April 1 after operating on a temporary fine suspension plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The news comes just in time for National Library Week, which is April 7-13, 2024.

The change in policy will eliminate late fees for books, but the fines for interlibrary loans, which are loans from other library systems facilitated by NOPL, will still apply. Late fines on interlibrary loans are $1 per day.

Fines for lost items will also still apply. Any materials that are not returned after 30 days will be considered lost, and these fees vary based on the cost of the item and can be waived if you find the item later and it is in good condition.

Emily Painton, executive director and city librarian, said eliminating fines has not impacted the library’s operating budget or resulted in fewer items being returned.

“We’ve been effectively operating without fines for almost four years with no adverse effects to our budget or circulation,” Painton said.

History senior and aspiring librarian Leila Jones said coming from her hometown of Denver, Colorado where many libraries are fine-free, she already knows the benefits of not having fines on books and is excited to see this being implemented in New Orleans.

“It removes barriers,” she said. “Oftentimes, I have trouble with being able to complete a book by a certain date, so it's helpful for me as someone who’s ‘good for it,’ like I will return my books.”

Jones said it takes a lot of pressure off and encourages her to return her books on her own accord.

“I know I want to return a book by a [certain] date, so that it will be able to go back into circulation, and if someone needs it, they can have it,” she said.

Instructor and Interim Chairperson of the English department Tracey Watts oversees a free “little library” on the third floor of Bobet Hall, in which students are able to take books with the expectation of

returning them.

Watts said she relies on a system of “karmic debt” instead of a check out or fining process. “Hopefully, all of the books will eventually find their way back,” she said. “That’s how an honor system works. And if not, perhaps students will pay it forward someday by feeding someone else who is hungry for knowledge.”

However, Watts said that when books aren’t returned, it can place a financial burden on herself or the department to replenish the shelves.

“I enjoy curating the little free library, and it’s a noble goal to provide knowledge for a community. But supplying the books can get a bit pricey, especially when books don’t come back,” she said.

Jones believes that people aren't perfect and placing a financial burden on them is counterproductive, no matter how low the price may seem.

Without the fear of fines, Jones said she’s even more encouraged to turn books in, even if they’re late, because there’s “nothing to lose.”

Although the public library is operating with a fine-free system, the Monroe

Library on Loyola’s campus does not.

With this, Jones does not agree, as she believes Loyola should also be fine-free.

“The whole point of the library is to access free resources,” she said. “If you wanted to buy the book, you would buy the book. A library is meant to be a resource that is able to provide you with books and information without having to feel pressured to keep it because you're paying for it.”

Outreach Librarian Iriana Lonon said that eliminating late fees is something the Monroe Library could explore.

She said, “Unlike NOPL, the Monroe Library also lends high cost equipment –including laptops – that we are not able to replace without collecting replacement fees, and all money generated from fines is used directly to replace lost or damaged materials and equipment.”

Lonon said she created a Student Library Advisory Board as a place for students to get engaged and make recommendations on what they would like to see happen in the library. Interested students can reach out to her at iglonon@ loyno.edu.

“Don’t Dump, Donate!” allows students to donate unwanted dorm amenities

By Marcela Baez mbbaez@my.loyno.edu

At the end of the semester, students can donate items they don’t need after moving out as a way to help local charities and reduce items from ending up in landfills.

From May 7 to 10 in the residential quad, a donation drive will be held on the main campus and on May 9 and 10 on the Broadway campus.

Towels, linens, cleaning supplies, hangers, bikes, school supplies, clothing, and unopened non-perishables can be donated by students, according to Aimée Thomas, assistant professor of Biological Sciences.

Meg Allison, founder of Greening Nola and Loyola alumna, partnered

with the university in hopes of making a difference in reducing waste on streets and in landfills. It was important for her to recollect items that were once d used or given away for free and find a new home for them through local organizations.

“Being sustainable within our community is essential for building a more resilient, equitable, and flourishing future for all.”

“I really hated the waste on the streets. I hated seeing all the usable items going into the storm drains, especially in a city that has so much need,” Allison said. “ I really wanted those items to be put back into use.”

— Katie Buc Political science sophomore

Greening Nola strives to help communities within New Orleans. They focus on collecting usable items and they distribute them to their community partners, which includes STEM Library Lab, The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Unity of Greater New Orleans, and Gladewaves. These organizations focus on providing items and resources to communities in need, according to Allison. This initiative also gives back to the Loyola community, fostering a sense of

Café con Inglés helps Spanish speakers learn and improve English

By Daniela Martínez dcmartin@my.loyno.edu

Editor’s Note: Quotes from Julian Son Ramos were translated by Daniela Martínez

Café con Inglés is a free weekly tutoring class where immigrant Spanish-speaking students can learn or improve their English. Held in the St. Anthony of Padua Church cafeteria after the Spanish Sunday morning service, Café con Inglés opens its services to all with the help of volunteers from the church and students from Loyola.

Founded 13 years ago by professor in the Jesuit Social Research Institute Susan Weishar, Café con Inglés has helped the students handle simple day-to-day tasks, like talking to a cashier while shopping, and more challenging tasks, such as finding work.

“This has helped me a lot with my job. I can go to stores, I can fill out an application in English, I can have conversations with people on the streets, in the stores, or wherever else. It is really important and it has helped me a lot,” Julian Son Ramos, who has been taking classes for two years, said.

The Loyola University Community Action Program has partnered with Weishar to help run the program every weekend by providing volunteers. The class starts with introductions and is later separated into groups of students and teachers depending on the skill level of each. The teachers use books and whiteboards provided by Weishar to help the students learn grammar, proper conjugation, and pronunciation.

“It's so much fun to come and practice my Spanish because I do not know that much Spanish. It challenges me, and I always tell the students you are teaching me and I am teaching you,” LUCAP project leader for Café con Inglés Grace Lalomia said.

Weishar said the student volunteers help provide individualized attention to learners.

“There is an eagerness to connect and support and we are so grateful for the Loyola student volunteers in both LUCAP and service learning,” Weishar said.

The program has changed throughout the years, but their main goal of helping immigrants learn English so that they can connect and be successful in a new country is the most important one.

“It has changed my life, and I feel very happy. Additionally, I want to help others like siblings or neighbors so that they can also get better at English. With dedication and patience everything can be learned,” Ramos said.

community responsibility and encourages a culture of giving back among students, according to Jay Davis, the associate director of Residential Life.

“Not only do donated items help those in need in the New Orleans community but also fellow students as some items are given to Iggy’s Cupboard or offered to incoming students during a ‘move in, pay what you want’ sale,” Davis said.

Political science and environmental studies sophomore Katie Buc believes that this event is important because it promotes sustainability at Loyola.

“Being sustainable within our community is essential for building a more resilient, equitable, and flourishing future for all,” Buc said.

Renters Rights Workshop

As the end of the semester approaches and students begin to look for off-campus housing for summer, the Center for Public Service, along with Jane Place Sustainability Initiative will be hosting a Renters Rights Workshop at Tulane University.

This workshop will cover topics such as evictions, security deposits, and uptown slumlords. The event takes place in Tulane’s Race Conference Room in the Lavin-Bernick Center on April 22 at 6 p.m.

Entry is free and dinner is provided.

Sign in front of Milton H. Latter Memorial Public Library. The New Orleans Public Library system has gone fine-free. Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

"a girl called maya"

writes, produces, and performs in new song

By Maleigh Crespo macrespo@my.loyno.edu

Music industry studies junior Maya Davis known as “a girl called maya” on social media and streaming platforms released her debut single “begin again” with sophomore Corey “CJ” Sanders.

gives me room to mess up, and I'm not thinking about ‘what do people think of what I'm doing right now,’ she said. “I can just focus on me going through the weeds and really getting through to like the final product.”

“I just hope people can relate to it.”

— Maya Davis

Davis said the song was inspired by one summer that was particularly hard for her with the passing of a friend and facing racial and gender discrimination at her job.

“I just was so fearful that I would experience a time period like that again,” she said. “I'd always be like, ‘Please don't let this summer be like last summer.’ So that's kind of what I wrote that about.”

Not only did Davis write the lyrics for “begin again,” she also produced the track.

She said the song began with a few chords before she added drums and lyrics.

Davis said the production process happens in her own bedroom.

“For me, personally, I like to produce in my own confines because I feel like it

Disabled Student Assembly forms on campus

By Sydney Piglia snpiglia@my.loyno.edu

The Disabled Student Assembly is a recently chartered organization Loyola that aims to end stigmas and cultivate community for students with disabilities and their allies.

“Everyone needs people they can relate to on a deeper level.”

According to Delker, disabled students may receive aid in classes and housing, but other areas of need such as transportation to and around campus, or access to student events that are held in inaccessible places or contain loud music and bright lights.

Loyola meets federal regulations, but those are the bare minimum, she said.

“All of that responsibility is put on the students, which can be incredibly difficult for students transitioning into college,” the history junior said.

And it was during this intimate production process when the artist realized she wanted a rap verse, and she said Sanders, known as Kimbv Svuce (pronounced Kimba Sauce), immediately came to mind.

“I immediately thought about CJ because he's just so versatile. And he's so talented. Like definitely one of my favorites.”

When he sent over his verse, Davis said it was amazing. After some minor tweaks, the duo was ready to release their collaboration, which is now available on all streaming platforms.

“I just hope people can relate to it,” she said. “And understand that if [they’re] going through a rough patch that – this sounds kind of corny – but things will get better and not dwell on the past.”

Davis is looking forward to releasing a second single in May and the “full project” over the summer.

DSA President Kaley Delker said, “As a disabled person, I can speak to the importance of community. There are very few people who can truly understand the disabled experience other than disabled people themselves.”

— Mia Nieto DSA secretary

“Institutions have a hard time addressing systemic issues that they think they effectively handle. Student advocacy is a necessary way for disabled students to get the accommodations and understanding they need to thrive at Loyola,” Delker said.

For DSA membership secretary, Mia Nieto, the DSA is important because of the community it provides for disabled students, along with the ability to educate and spread awareness about the disabled community

Nieto said, “I have arthritis and wanted to connect with people who experience similar struggles that I face. Everyone needs people they can relate to on a deeper level, and DSA is a community that has people I can do with.”

Theatre showcases modern-day Joan of Arc in reading series

By Aaron Covin ajcovin@my.loyno.edu

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Joan of Arc existed today? This concept is brought to life in Ryan Cambell's play, "A New Saint for a New World." The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance presented this work as a scripted reading on Saturday, April 6, in the Lower Depths Theater.

DSA

"A New Saint for a New World" is part of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance's Lower Depths series. This collection also includes other new works, such as Jenny Rachel's "Horse Girls."

The Lower Depths series aims to introduce students to new and

In Cambell's story, God provides Joan of Arc with an unusual opportunity: a second chance at life in the physical world. The only condition for this offer is that she refrain from inciting any further revolts. Joan finds it difficult to complete this seemingly simple request.

innovative theatrical works. It also gives students a platform to demonstrate their talents and develop as performers.

Helen Jakcsh, a professor of practice in theater arts, highlights the value of this hands-on experience for theater students. "It's important to me that theater students have the opportunity to perform the work," she says. "There's a role for everyone at Loyola. If you're hungry and want to perform, design, or stage manage, we have it here."

Students prepare to perform at French Quarter Fest

By Sophia Maxim svmaxim@my.loyno.edu

Loyola student musicians are gearing upforFrenchQuarterFestthisweekend.

For the second year, the music department will sponsor the Esplanade in the Shade Stage at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Loyola musicians will perform four setsfromApril12-14:

• Friday, April 12, from 12:201:35 p.m. – Loyola Alternative Set, with Kissing Disease; D.P.M Javi, featuring Ben Delgado; and, Planet of Little Green Men

• Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m.12:15 p.m. – Loyola University Contemporary Ensembles

• Saturday, April 13, from 12:35 to 1:55 p.m. – Jazz/R&B Set, with Read the Room featuring Rene, Aaniyah and Noa Jamir

• Sunday, April 14, from 12:20 to 1:35 p.m. – Loyola Hip Hop Set, with Dami, Abstract and flow mvnny; and DJs Sleepyhead and Deven

The festival also hires Loyola students to work behind the scenes at the festival, according to music industry professor Johnathan McHugh.

“To be able to offer these once-in-alifetime opportunities to our students is what our Loyola program is all about,” McHugh said. “As New Orleans is truly the live music center of the universe, our goal is to make sure students have the chance to perform onasmanystagesaspossibleandlearn what it takes to put on a festival of this caliber.”

McHugh and Kate Duncan, the di-rector of the music and theater school, worked with Emily Madero, president and CEO of the festival, to create the part-nership between Loyola andthefestival.

“We’re proud of our partnership with Loyola and excited to see this high-im-pact collaboration expand to feature world-class Loyola talent – both per-forming on a major festival stage and joining our crew behind the scenes to produce and promote French Quarter Festival 2024,”Maderosaid.

Duncan said opportunities like these offer student real world experience in theirindustry.

“Students are truly seeing all of the facets and skill sets that need to come to-gether in order to build a life around their creative ideas,” Duncan said.

Courtesy of Maya Davis; Photos by Akilah Toney

president Kaley Delker speaks to members Pharrell Every and Sophia Renzi during assembly meeting on April, 2, 2024. Christopher Nesbit/The Maroon

(L-R): Amanda Greenbaum (Wall), Mika Litton (Archangel Gabriel), and Will Irvine (Archangel Michael/Okun) perform in "A New Saint for a New World" on Saturday, April 6, 2024 in the Lower Depths reading series. Heidi Herrera/The Maroon

Student musician Maya Davis works on her laptop in the CMM on January 26, 2024. Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

'Persevering

and competitive'

Micaela Ponce reflects on tennis'

By Isabella Castillo ivcastil@my.loyno.edu

Over a tennis career that has spanned more than 15 years, Micaela Ponce, sophomore, was awarded Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC)’s “Player of The Week” twice in row. Introduced to the sport at the age of four, Ponce said she has persevered in the athletics world due to one factor: love.

Ranked No. 1 in Ecuador since she was 14, Ponce now plays in rotation between No. 1 and No. 2 for doubles (partnered with senior Ariana Salguiero) and plays No. 2 for singles–all while majoring in graphic design. Her balance of athletics and academics has existed since she can remember, Ponce said.

Better known as Mica by her close friends, Ponce grew up surrounded by tennis. “Two of my three siblings play tennis,” Ponce said. “Our success was our

central

whole family’s effort. No matter what was happening, I could always play at any tournament.”

Despite her closeness to her siblings, Ponce mentioned competition with her siblings. “It’s always been like one wants to be better than the other,” Ponce said “It was good to grow like that, but it wasn’t always. I put a lot of pressure on myself at times.” Despite that pressure, Ponce said her family is what drives her. “It was about pushing each other,” Ponce said. “My older brother went to college first. Seeing him do that meant we could also get a tennis scholarship, it meant we could be there.”

The hardships she has endured have been overcome by her family’s support and her mentality, Ponce said. From frightening knee surgery as a teenager to constant traveling, Ponce said she can see how her mental strength supports her.

role in her life

“Dedicated, persevering, and competitive,” Ponce said. “That’s who I am, on and off the court.”

According to Ponce, there are specific ways that she has realized tennis has influence her. “I have a lot patience—especially with people,” Ponce said. “And it’s weird, I can read people a lot. When you have an opponent in front of you, you can tell when someone has had a good day. You can tell when someone is injured.”

There are some differences between the Ponce with a racket in her hand and the one without, Ponce said. “I’m a lot more emotional on court,” Ponce said. “There’s so much more in jeopardy and it all happens so fast. I'm more vulnerable. I’m tough, but it’s hard to digest things on the court.”

Ponce said she couldn’t execute her design classes without the support of her team and coach, Matthew Lewellyn. “I’m so grateful my coach understands my

Beach volleyball season ends

By Alana Thompson anthomps@my.loyno.edu

The women’s beach volleyball team finished their season with a 7-3 conference record in the team’s third year of competing.

Under second-year head coach Robert “Robbie” Pitre, the Wolf Pack displayed growth from last season, in which the team only won four conference games. Both the players and coaches noticed the shift that the team went through this year.

Pitre said that experience and having returning players were aspects that made a difference for the team.

“We only lost one senior,” Pitre said. “A majority of the girls who are on the team right now didn’t have a lot of beach experience when we first started playing. And so going through all of last year and the past two seasons, we had a young team. Now we’re in an upperclassmen situation, and the experience has shown.”

The players said that they saw the progression in the team’s performance. In her second year on the team, business management senior Emily Sheperis said coaching was important in the team being able to improve.

“I believe Coach Robbie is a big factor in our success 100%,” Sheperis said.

“Without him, I don't think this program would be so successful so fast.”

Like Sheperis, business administration junior Rosemary Vanney said that Pitre’s dedication and care made a “huge

passion, and trusts me to take my classes and handle fitness.”

Tennis is about relationships, Ponce said. “It is about your relationship with your coach, your team, and your teachers,” Ponce said. “Communicate. It changes everything.”

Ponce said how the relationship she has with the girls on the team have changed her perception of tennis. “Playing in high school meant I was playing for my ranking,” Ponce said. “In college, your team depends on your wins to have the whole team’s ranking. It’s not your win, it’s the team’s win. It’s hard, but I do like college tennis better.”

“The team has felt like family and their support can change anything in a match,” said Ponce. Senior Lucy Carpenter precede’s Ponce in seniority and is an inspiration for Ponce. “It’s hard having seniors who leave,” Ponce said. “Being right there behind Lucy truly is inspiring.”

When Carpenter notified Ponce of her award for SSAC, Ponce couldn’t believe it. “I loved reflecting upon it,” Ponce said, “I felt better last season. For a second I thought, ‘is the system messed up?’, but I learned that there are multiple ways to succeed.”

There are factors that determine Ponce’s success, according to her. “Whatever it takes–you have to be tough whenever you’re out there,” Ponce said “Determination, motivation, and love. You have to love what you do.”

When playing her first South American Championship at age 12, Ponce said she knew this was for her. She does not plan to stop soon. “I think about my parents; I think about my little sister going to college. I think about the past 16 years I’ve dedicated to this. I can’t stop now. It’s not the time to stop pushing.“

Loyola fútbol club continues to strive for success

impact.”

“Coach Robbie spared no effort in creating the best conditions for this team,” Vanney said. “Whether it was spending his weekends making sure we had dry courts for the week, arriving an hour before practices to rake courts, or even staying after to offer an open space if any player needed to talk. He does it because he genuinely cares.”

The players’ ability to work through varying circumstances contributed to their growth. Throughout the season, the Wolf Pack faced adversities such as injuries, illnesses, and weather delays. However, Pitre said that they approached those moments with the intention to improve.

“Every week, it’s something new,” Pitre said. “We just have this mindset that it doesn’t matter what situation that we show up in. Whether it be 40-degree weather, 40 mph winds, or we have someone sick, our mindset is to focus on getting better even if it’s just 1% better.”

Although the team put together a strong season, the Wolf Pack was unable to make it past the quarterfinals in the Sun Conference Championship tournament. After sweeping the Truett McConnell University Bears 3-0 in the first round on Friday, the Wolf Pack fell in their final two games of the Sun Conference Championship. The team was defeated 2-3 in games against the Ave Maria University Gyrenes and Mobile Rams.

By B. Welch bawelch@loyno.edu

Beginning as a few Loyola students, kicking a soccer ball around the Res Quad, Loyola’s Fútbol Club has come a long way.

Now, with 20 players, an executive board, two coaches, a full media team, and jerseys,the club’s next goal is to continue to move up in the ranks.

“I think we are heading in the right direction, slowly but surely the interest in soccer is increasing at our school and it helps that we have many individuals who are able to put forth their best effort for the well being of our team,” player Chris Herrera said.

The soccer club currently competes in the Southern Louisiana Adult Soccer Association in Division III. This season, the team is currently ranked No. 1, going undefeated for five games straight.

The team is currently being coached by campus ministers Hunter Darrouzet and Jacob DeRusha.

Co-presidents Hector N. Garcia and Victor Griego work alongside the executive board which is made up of vice president Alejandro Garcia, treasurer Carlos Villalobos, secretary Andre Hoyuela, and event coordinator Jonathan Presson.

“My favorite part of Loyno FC is the amount of love each team member has for the beautiful game. We have learned to become a family in these few months and it has shown in our games, where we are undefeated in this season,” Villalobos said.

The team has also had two scrimmages against Tulane's soccer club this season, losing the first 3-0, but coming back on Monday with a 3-2 win under the lights of Yulman Stadium.

“We just took a W against Tulane after a hard fight, but we have proved that we can work just as hard as any other college team out there,” Griego said.

According to Presson, the team has faced many challenges in getting the club off the ground, including a lack of places to practice and a lack of resources.

“Despite all of the challenges we’ve overcome, we’ve built a strong team,” he said. “I think this shows the Loyola way, showing that with scrappiness, heart, and determination, anything is achievable to create a strong team that is proud to call each other family.”

The team currently has five games left in the SELASA league for this season and will face off against the Gamblers on Sunday at 8 a.m. at Lafreniere Park on field three.

Micaela Ponce poses on the court. Courtesy of Selma Fereres

Gabby Masiello jump serving. Courtesy of Brittany Cooper.

Micaela Ponce hits a shot on a City Park tennis court. Ponce plays for Loyola's tennis team. Courtesy of Wolf Pack Athletics

Fact:DidyouknowthatLUPDcan escortyouifyoufeelunsafeor unwell?

Tolearnmore,scanhere!

Greer Jines/The Maroon

AI detectors are NOT the solution

Since their creation, AI generators have posed a problem for educators. With students able to generate essays with only a short prompt and a click of a button, it’s understandable how worries about originality surfaced.

Here at Loyola, the o cial policy is that students should only use AI generators, like ChatGPT, if there is speci c permission from an instructor and if they pertain to the course. In my experience, most classes have a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of AI for assignments. But how do you tell the di erence between work that is automatically generated and work that is written by students?

For many of my professors, the solution has been AI detectors, which may seem like a good response to academic dishonesty. After all, haven’t teachers also been using plagiarism detectors for years and haven’t those been successful? But while detectors might be an e ective solution for plagiarism, for AI they are nothing more than a band-aid solution; one that simply does not work as well as many want it to.

makes it possible for them to determine, with close to absolute certainty, whether a submission is original or not. AI detectors, on the other hand, work by using a language model to guess whether a response could have been automatically generated. ey do so by detecting patterns of predictability, the more predictable and common the text, the more likely that it was written by AI. ey can also detect changes in words and sentence structures, so a response with a more varied and unpredictable style is more likely to be original.

However, these detectors can’t know with 100% accuracy if something was written by AI because every model is going to have its limitations. ere are a multitude of factors that can cause false positive or negative results.

Even a response written entirely by a human will contain some level of predictability, even more so when written within an academic context. Detectors will unfairly punish students who write in a more concise, predictable style for this reason. And the shorter the response, the harder it is to accurately analyze its originality, making it pointless to attempt to detect responses under 1,000 words.

“But how do you tell the di erence between work that is automatically generated and work that is written by students?”

Traditional plagiarism detectors work by comparing a student’s response with other written material available and seeing if they match word-for-word. is

Additionally, since the models used for most AI services are usually trained with texts written in English, anything written by someone with a di erent rst language will be more likely to be detected as AI. And even something as small as checking your grammar or using synonyms can be enough to set o speci c detectors.

With this much potential for detectors to come back with false results, it’s

a wonder that they were trusted by so many in the rst place. Even big names like Open AI have discontinued their detection services due to repeated inaccuracies.

Not only do these detectors simply not work most of the time, but they can also lead to larger problems. If professors are so focused on making sure that every assignment turned in is original when a student’s response is determined to be AI, even if it’s a false result from a faulty generator, they are guilty until proven innocent. Even if they prove their work is

There is never a quiet morning in Francis Family Hall anymore

President Cole, if any of these words cause you a grievance, please allow us to provide you with the pair of earplugs given to us by Residential Life sta . ough Residential Life thinks these little foam earpieces can block out loud decibel construction, it will not block out the noise of the students who are inconvenienced by the lack of respect from Loyola.

Francis Hall residents are well aware of the construction noise that has been waking us up since the rst week of school. As a heavy sleeper myself, I can sleep through the noise and wake up perfectly ne. However, this semester is di erent; it's worse.

Construction was banging directly into the wall at promptly 7 a.m., during the rst week of the spring semester. Between that and the people above us who were also “banging” loudly, my whole suite could not sleep. I’ve slept through re trucks, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, so to be woken up by this noise is ridiculous.

at’s not all!

It seems like every week students are emailed about incoming construction at 3 a.m.!

inconsiderate choices.

e worst part is that Francis dorms are one of the most expensive on campus, yet we are paying to never have a good night’s rest.

“Though Residential Life thinks these little foam earpieces can block out loud decibel construction, it will not block out the noise of the students who are inconvenienced by the lack of respect from Loyola.”

We’re going to have to modify our sleep positions, so we can wear our headphones to try and drown out the volume. Most students have classes bright and early and with this comes exams and other class activities that require energy.

Sleep is one of the most important necessities for the day; however, with the lack of sleep, issues are bound to arise: lower grades, decreased mental health, lack of determination in classes, and ultimately, indignation to the school and its

Sending out a formal email to students that 3 a.m. construction will be happening for a dormitory that will not bene t any of the students currently attending Loyola is outrageous.

It seems outside the control of the students to stop any construction on campus, including the blocked path from Bobet to Monroe Hall. Despite that, I draw the line at disturbing the beauty of sleep for students; it is our right to have deep sleep and be comfortable in our dorm with the amount of money we cough up to the university for housing.

I invite President Cole and everyone from ResLife to sleep in our dorm for the night and hear those trucks come. Maybe then, they will gain a better perspective of our frustrations.

original, the extra stress and burden put on them due to these policies isn’t worth it. When students and teachers can’t trust each other, no one is able to learn.

ese detectors aren’t solving a problem, only contributing to a negative learning environment.

AI isn’t going to stop being a problem. But AI detectors are far from the perfect solution. Surely, we can nd di erent ways to approach the problem that allow teachers to work together with students rather than needlessly punishing them. Some other solutions could be having

students show their work using a medium that’s hard to generate, having students do work in class, grading based on discussion rather than essays, breaking assignments down into sections, so students can show each step of their work, or even incorporating AI into the course however it suits.

ese solutions might not work for every class, but once we eliminate the false notion of the usefulness of AI detectors, we can continue experimenting and coming up with new ideas to tackle the problem of AI in higher education.

Kaitlyn Gress English freshman kegress@my.loyno.edu

Daniel Wong /The Maroon

Lizzy Hadley/The Maroon

Kira Phillips Chemistry sophomore kmphilli@my.loyno.edu

Max Schweikarth English sophomore mschweik@my.loyno.edu

Loyolans should get more engaged and be more informed about their community

With a discerning eye and an open mind. Question what you read, challenge assumptions, and exercise critical thinking skills. Let every article serve for discussion and debate while enriching your understanding of the world around you.

app. The Maroon isn't just a newspaper; it represents Loyola and sparks critical thinking within our community.

It’s easy to get lost in class stress and be unaware of your surroundings. That's where The Maroon steps in. We're here to guide you through the news and campus events, ensuring that you stay informed without misinformation. But our mission goes beyond mere reporting; we're here to empower you, the student body and the administration, to raise your voices and be heard.

So, how should you read The Maroon?

Being more aware of your surroundings isn't just about navigating physical spaces — it's about understanding the community.

Becoming more informed extends beyond The Maroon. You must seek out knowledge from various sources, engage with different perspectives, and understand the world. Stay up to date and aware of everything around you from event flyers to .

The Maroon serves as a mirror reflecting our campus’ diverse community and a lamp shining a light on the aspects of campus deserving to be seen. We strive to connect students from all walks of life through our various sections, and

we want no voice to go unheard.

Remember, The Maroon isn't just another newspaper. It's your voice in student media, your platform for expression, and your gateway to community. If you have something to say, don't hesitate to reach out. You can reach us at maroon@loyno.edu, on any of our socials, and at our office on the third floor at the end of the hall of the Communication/ Music Complex.

Whether you want to commend, criticize, or question, we listen. Let's foster a culture of informed discourse where every voice matters and opinion is respected.

So, talk to us! Share your thoughts, your concerns, and your stories. The Maroon isn't just a newspaper; it's a conversation waiting to happen.

Let's make it happen — together.

Laci Barrow/ The Maroon