Maroon_issue4_spring2025 by Loyola Maroon

' at is not equitable'

University seeks raises for all faculty members

By Alana Frank and Callie Honeycutt

anfrank@my.loyno.edu

cbhoneyc@my.loyno.edu

At one of Loyola’s recent faculty senate meetings, concerns were raised by faculty members about raises given to the university’s law school faculty, but not to any faculty members in other colleges at Loyola.

Loyola faced a nancial struggle in 2018, with frozen salaries and reduced retirement bene ts until 2021. Full-time and associate professors were making 25% below the national average, according to a faculty senate meeting in September 2023.

Questions about faculty wages arose as members expressed concerns over raises exclusively for faculty members at the College of Law.

Isabel Medina, a professor at the College of Law, said she felt positive and supported by the raises for law faculty, but noted that much remains to be addressed for other faculty members.

“ e last two salary studies Loyola conducted consistently showed that College of Law faculty compensation re ected more

compression than other colleges, particularly at the professor level,” Medina said. “What that means is that, due to the lack of raises for over 10 years, law faculty salaries simply did not keep up with other law schools. When entry-level law faculty salaries in 2025 exceed what many of our most accomplished professors currently make, that is a problem for Loyola.”

e university recently raised the salaries of some professors across the community. e rst recent raise for academics and sta was distributed to all colleges, but not all faculty members received it, according to Medina.

During the Senate meeting, President Cole responded to some of the concerns by assuring that the university is working to improve the situation at the law school.

“We will continue to do what we can when we need to give raises,” Cole said.

However, for Medina, while the raises for law professors are a victory, she says the work is not done.

Medina said administrative salaries have kept up with the median/mean of their respective markets, but faculty salaries have not.

“ at is not equitable,” she said.“I am com-

mitted to advocating for cost-of-living raises for all faculty and salaries that are competitive across all disciplines.”

Cole cited that the College of Law has seen strong enrollment growth in recent years, including growth in its redesigned evening juvenile defense program, as the reason faculty there received the raises.

“ e growth resulted in signi cant added net revenue, which helped the university balance the budget, given the drop in undergraduate enrollment we’ve experienced over the last three years,” Cole said. “While the increased revenue wasn’t enough to give salary increases to all faculty and sta , it did provide the opportunity to continue salary adjustments, supporting the growing law programs this time.”

In response to faculty concerns about the disparity in salary increases between the law school and other colleges, Cole said although the increases weren’t universal, the university would continue working toward salary adjustments for all employees.

PUZZLES

Across 1.Kendrick Lamar and SZA ___ down at the half time show!

3. “I’m a ___, not a ghter”

7. “Bye ,bye miss american ___” sung by Don McLean

10. Another term for 75 down

11. Where to get lingerie for this friday abbr.

13. Get a __ of chocolates for your valentines

14. A one night stand AKA a casual __, abbr.

16. A student who aids the professor in teaching, abbr.

17. A phrase with 40 across to signify friends over relationships

19. ___ Rose Depp

21. Most famous saying in weddings, “I __”

22. What your date says when they see your beautiful face this friday

23. Homecoming __ rally

24. Used to express a ection

25. Ouch!

26. February 15th is” _____ Awareness Day”

28. Travis Kelce needed a better __ manager for the Super Bowl

30. A stereotype

32. is team won the Super Bowl last Sunday

35. “He's got a __ ___ by the media, but he's really a great guy”

39. e birds and the ___(s)

40. Gardening tool

41. Remy the __

43. Look out for some Loyola rappers who have new ___(s)

45. Its a __ week for Kansas City Chief fans

47. e O’s meaning in XOXO

48. Answer to “Quieres salir conmigo el día de los enamorados?”

49. “___, that feels so good”

51. A luxurious __ coat

53. Cupid has good __ with his bow and arrow

54. Anime Music Video, abbr.

55. “You ___ what you sow”

57.”Don’t go breaking my ___”

59. Take yourself out on a date to the movies friday and get a coke ___

60. “Be Mine” ___ hearts

62. Polka __

63. Mexican Painter Frida ____

64. “You __ I should go out some time”

65. “You’re hot __!!”

66. Hello

67. ___ on the shelf

69. “___-less”

71. A strong romantic desire

73. A bad grade on an exam

74. HAPPY _____ ____

Down

1.Along with 2 down, Spanish phrase for showing a ection.

2.See 1 down

5. Oath taken at a wedding.

6. Make sure to post this friday and make your __ jealous

8. Movie with Pennywise

9. 1 across but it’s present tense

11. Abbreviation for a type of reality that’s not real

13. Gravity Falls character that wears shirt with a “?”

14. “____ don’t lie” by Shakira

17. What a present wears as a hat

18. What you do when saying cheese.

19. Futurama character Turanga ____

20. What one with a big mouth might do

21. Flying animal sometimes found at weddings

22. Word for grinding your teeth together

23. A newly entered cadet in military school

29. “Loyola __ me, I have so many white hairs”

31. You better __ about your bae to your homies

33. Train this for spring break

34. A covering for Adam and Eve

36. “I hear your heartbeat to the beat of the ___(s)” by Ke$ha

37. Meet me __ Iggys

38. A nice place to get valentines brunch is ___ cafe on freret

42. “She ___(s) __ bad vibes”

44. A song of praise or triumph

46. “Of course”

47. “If he’s acting weird, __ him with his own car”

48. “Stop and ___ the roses”

50. Hold ___(s) on friday

52. e color to wear for Valentines

53. __(s) and crafts

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54. Your body after a loyola gym session

56. NO-__ helped keep the Super bowl safe

58. Website before the WWW

59. Iowa State University, abbr.

61. University with a bulldog mascot

63. Smooch

66. “Your cheeks turned another __”

69. Element symbol for Chlorine

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70. 1982 lm about an alien trying to go home

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CAMPUS NEWS

Loyola University strives for faculty pay increase

By Alana Frank anfrank@my.loyno.edu

During the last scal year, Loyola University provided increases to some faculty and sta . ose salary increases were not given universally, but the university continues to work toward salary adjustments for all employees.

Loyola has been implementing changes to address stagnant faculty salaries. In fall of 2022, the university increased faculty retirement by 2%. In 2023, university President Xavier Cole announced adjustments to faculty wages, including a 50% permanent salary increase for faculty who had only received one raise the previous fall.

Although faculty members were in support of College of Law faculty getting raises, others were concerned about other colleges' faculty getting raises.

In response, the Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of A airs, Maria Calzada and President Cole, said the university strives to be good stewards of its resources, as expected by its accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges

and Schools Commission on Colleges.

“Our operations must result in balanced budgets with su cient revenue to support raises,” Cole said. “After many years of nancial concerns, Loyola has had six years of balanced budgets, but with no available margin for across-theboard salary increases. We are hopeful that with strong existing and new programs, we will be able to attract and retain students in a way that produces additional margins, which can be reinvested in salary increases for all faculty and sta .” e administration and Board of Trustees have prioritized faculty and sta compensation, which is also a key focus in the university’s strategic planning. While increasing compensation is urgent, scal constraints require Loyola to boost revenue rst, which depends on the number of enrolled students.

To achieve this, Loyola is continuing to develop competitive degree programs, enhance student support services, upgrade residence halls, and improve campus facilities. ese initiatives are designed to improve student outcomes,

ultimately enabling further investment in faculty and sta development.

“When providing pay increases, Loyola must rst boost revenue, which depends on attracting, supporting, and retaining students,” Cole and Calzada said. “To that end, we are actively developing competitive degree programs and academic partnerships, expanding student support and academic success services, upgrading residence halls, and enhancing campus facilities like the Danna Student Center and University Sports Complex.”

ere haven’t been any raises since the last senate meeting in January, but Cole said they are continuing to do what they can to better compensate their faculty members.

“Faculty and sta compensation is a strong priority for the institution,” Cole and Calzada said. “We will continue to work on developing and implementing programs that respond to the needs of students in a way that contributes to healthy budget surpluses that can be invested back in compensation.”

Students respond to Trump's immigration executive order

By Lily Bordelon lmbordel@my.loyno.edu

Loyola University students have a variety of perspectives on Donald Trump’s executive order to enforce immigration laws and the recent arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some are fearful, confused, saddened, or in support of the executive order.

Mass communications freshman Adriana Escobar is a child of Latin American immigrants, and she expressed her worries about multiple friends and family members being a ected by the enforcement of the order.

“I hope people within Loyola’s community can understand that Latino immigrants, at least from my experience, are vibrant and respectable people who have encountered many challenges outside of racism,” Escobar said.

Escobar said the mass deportation of immigrants stems from a stereotype given to them by U.S. citizens when, in fact, many Latino immigrants have little relation to the accusations.

She said the misconception that immigrants steal jobs from Americans is a detriment to immigrant families.

“I’d say a huge misconception about immigrants from Central and Latin America is that many immigrants come to work in jobs that ‘take’ away opportunities from other Americans when all of these immigrants commit to it in the best interest of their families and are willing

to sacri ce their needs for their other family members,” Escobar said.

In response, President Xavier Cole recently sent out a letter to the university explaining that as a private institution, Loyola is able to protect students’ personal information and documents.

“We want to reassure students and the entire Loyola community of our steadfast commitment to their well-being and to the legal protections that safeguard their rights,” Cole said in the letter. e letter included a list of resources for students to access regarding the situation.

Public relations freshman Lorenzo Barbagelata-Miller said he agrees with Trump’s policies and believes they are needed to maintain the country’s dominance and power against other countries.

Barbagelata -Miller stated that immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally should face repercussions but does not fully support all the methods Trump and ICE are using to address the issue.

“I’m not in support of raiding houses and taking people from their homes with no notice,” he said.

Barbagelata-Miller said many people believe immigrants are not hard workers and use resources that become unavailable to people born in the U.S.

“It sucks because there are a lot of criminals and cartels that enter our country with harmful substances and illegal weapons, but most illegal immi-

grants who enter are looking for a better life and are extremely hardworking,” he said.

Public relations freshman Eryn Goines said she is saddened by how forceful and disrespectful some people are during the deportation process.

“I don't like how they go to people’s houses and take them,” Goines said. “I think everything needs to be way more structured and give these immigrants notice before uprooting their lives.”

Goines talked about the letter President Cole sent out to ease students' worried about the recent deportation changes.

“I like that he is keeping people aware of what is happening and comforting those that may feel a sense of uncertainty,” Goines said.

Criminology freshman Axel Aguilar said these deportation strategies are seen as very sudden and abrupt.

“ ings are not being thought out in terms of economic change, and I feel that things are way too rushed and not really thought out or processed,” Aguilar said.

He said he sees students becoming more aggressive toward each other and unwilling to listen to di erent perspectives or have tough conversations with others.

Aguilar, who is of Latino descent, feels that labeling the majority of immigrants as criminals while ignoring their economic contributions is saddening.

University is on track to meet enrollment target

By Valentina Russell varussel@my.loyno.edu

At the Spring 2025 President’s Convocation for Loyola University, one of the topics discussed was the update on Loyola’s student enrollment. President Xavier Cole said they may achieve their Fall 2025 goal of 850 rst-time undergraduate students.

“Our recruitment data suggests that our goal of 850 may be achievable, but there is still much work to be done”, Dr. Cole said on January 28.

During the convocation, Cole mentioned the amount of applications that have returned to pre-pandemic levels. It is 10% more than the number of students from 2024. Enrollment deposits are two times more than last year's de-

posits, according to the data. When being compared to 2018, the 2025 applications are 21% above. e enrollment deposits are 31% higher as well.

Over 5,500 students have applied for transfer and freshman admission. ese gains result from strategic investment in the Enrollment Management Division, as well as aggressive re-

He said his biggest concern regarding immigration policies is the disruption of order.

“For them to go into these schools is a big disruption, along with the economic impact that people and businesses face when you remove a large chunk of employees who have been working for decades,” Aguilar said.

He talked about how these immigrants are hardworking and aren’t entering the country illegally just for them-

vision of the outreach and recruitment program.

Dr. Cole said the reason the university used the enrollment data from 2018 was because it was a very di cult year that had a lot of external and internal things a ecting it.

One of these in uences that impacted enrollment in 2024 was a delayed roll-out in Federal Student Aid. is created a decline in applications, bumping numbers down by around 100 students compared to 2023. is created an esti-

selves but for their children and loved ones, to create a better future.

Aguilar also advised students on what to be aware of regarding immigration changes.

“Students should stay attentive, listen to others, always look at social media, and nd accurate information,” Aguilar said. “We should nd out what we can do to help one another as a community.”

mate of 600 incoming students.

More information regarding student enrollment statistics and dropout rates will be discussed and nalized by the Ofce for Institutional Research and E ectiveness, after the o cial stats day meeting on Feb. 28, said Assistant Provost of student success, Liz Rainey.

e Loyola College of Law on Broadway, Feb. 12. Alana Frank/ e Maroon

ICE agents detain suspect. (Photo by Gregory Bull/ AP)

The Maroon

Feb. 14, 2025

LOCAL & WORLDVIEW

Protest against Trump at Super Bowl

By Eloise Pickering ewpicker@my.loyno.edu

As football fans from across the nation gathered to watch and attend Super Bowl LIX on Sunday afternoon, a march took place through downtown New Orleans protesting President Trump’s presence in New Orleans for the game, as well as his policies and administration.

Over 200 students and community members met in Armstrong Park for speeches before marching to Poydras Street and circling back to the park, peacefully dispersing around 6:30 p.m. Football fans and tourists observed the protesters from the sidewalks, and some joined in chants against Trump, Elon Musk, and their policies.

“ is protest was to make it clear that Donald Trump is not welcome in New Orleans,” Samantha Cuellar, Loyola junior political science and Latin American double major, said.

Cuellar spoke at the protest for Liberate and Unite New Orleans Students for a Democratic Society as a rst generation college student and a child of immigrants.

e protest was organized by groups such as LUNO SDS, New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and Queer and Trans Community Action Project.

“We are a city of immigrants, people of color, queers and marginalized groups, and we are ghting against Trump’s hatred agenda.” Cuellar said.

As the protestors marched through the streets, they called out a variety of components of Trump’s administration, and they advocated for transgender and immigration rights, Palestinians in the Gaza strip, and more.

“Trump is not welcome in New Orleans,” New Orleans local Lindsey Wiggins said. “ is is a city of diversity, of color, of culture, of all di erent types of peo-

ple. ese are people who love hard and strong, and he is against everything we stand for.”

Protestors and speakers also highlighted the United States Capitol build-

ing attack by Trump supporters in 2021 and the swift involvement of Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk in governmental a airs.

“I hope he sees all these wonderful

people out here that are saying no to his causes, to his supporting of hatred, of illegal overtaking and overthrowing of our government.” Wiggins said. “ is is a group of people who are here to stand

up for the rights of the human beings of America, and he needs to hear that. Kloe Witt contributed to this report.

e New Orleans Walk of Fame unveiled

By Nicholas Gonzales nbgonzal@my.loyno.edu

At Canal Place and Harrods Casino, nearly 100 family members, visitors, press, and esteemed recipients waited for the unveiling of the New Orleans Walk of Fame.

e New Orleans Walk of Fame is aimed to honor notable people from New Orleans who have made signi cant contributions to the spirit of the city in securing itself as an outstanding element to American culture. Following the ceremony and ribbon cutting, engraved eur-de-lis on the walk will present the names of New Orleanians who have succeeded in a wide variety of roles from artists to sports and to entertainers. New Orleans has had the privilege of not only welcoming prominent cultural icons not native to the city but also producing its own totems of excellence with essential gures who have received recognition through the Walk of Fame.

At the event, Louisiana State Representative Sylvia Taylor introduced her great-nephew Percy “Master P” Miller for his work in acknowledging “those born and bred” in the city of New Orleans.

“It was Percy’s dream to honor those most impactful to New Orleans…his

work speaks for him,” Taylor said.

According to those who spoke while accepting the awards, the Walk of Fame is the brainchild of New Orleans native and renowned rapper and entrepreneur Percy Miller, who accentuated his a ection for New Orleans in his opening remarks. Recently named the city’s Entertainment Ambassador, Miller addressed the memory of Tom Benson, who directly in uenced him when he served popcorn at the Superdome in his youth, and Al Copeland as a trailblazer.

“God has spared our lives to help others,” Miller said.

e ceremony for the New Orleans Walk of Fame occurred on Feb. 6., after Pastor Alvin Mulder Jr. of e Cathedral of Faith conducted an opening prayer, the master of ceremonies, Mark Romig, brought his famous booming voice to Canal Street. Romig announced the 50 New Orleanians to be honored had brought “deep signi cance” to a city celebrated for its “rich tradition, culture, and spirit.”

He added that the Walk of Fame would inspire generations to inspire excellence.

“New Orleans is a way of life,” Romig said.

e Walk of Fame recipients includ-

ed Leah Chase, Big Freedia, Al Copeland, the Manning family, former mayor Ernest Morial and his son Marc Morial, Tom and Gayle Benson, Wendell Pierce, and Jon Batiste, a Loyola graduate who recently performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl.

In her opening speech, Mayor Latoya Cantrell welcomed the attendees by recognizing the importance they have on the city.

“You just mention New Orleans,” said Cantrell, “and it’s only because it’s right back to the people who make this city who she is. And that’s why the city of New Orleans is worldwide.”

Latoya said she is grateful for Gayle Benson’s contributions to the Super Bowl and credited Percy Miller for the Walk of Fame.

Latoya was applauded as an integral part of the ceremony’s planning and inductee as the city’s rst Black female mayor.

Todd Graves, CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and rapper Lil Wayne were awarded eur-de-lis before the ceremony. e uer-de-lis is the traditional coat of arms of France since the High Middle Ages and serves as an emblem of the unique essence of New Orleans and its abundant history since its occupation

Woman stands in Louis Armstrong park on Feb. 9, 2025 to protest President Donald Trump's presence in New Orleans. Eloise Pickering / e Maroon

Mayor Latoya Cantrell stands behind ribbion as red carpet unfurls Feb. 6. Nicholas Gonzales/ e Maroon

A Residency for the People: Bad Bunny's Historic Homecoming

By Julia Bueno @my.loyno.edu

Bad Bunny is making history once again, this time with a 30-date residency at Puerto Rico’s most iconic venue, the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, affectionately known as El Choli. The residency, titled "No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí" ("I Don’t Want to Leave Here"), is not just a concert series—it’s a cultural statement, a love letter to his island, and an undeniable flex of his massive influence in both music and politics.

After selling out 125,000 tickets in Puerto Rico alone, Bad Bunny expanded the residency from 21 to 30 shows, accommodating overwhelming demand from both local and international fans. The first nine shows are exclusively for Puerto Rican residents, with in-person ticket sales at local spots to ensure the community has first access. The remaining dates, stretching from August to mid-September, are open to global audiences.

The residency isn’t just about performing—it’s a deeper extension of his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. Often described as his most Puerto Rican project yet, the album merges traditional folk sounds like plena and bomba with modern reggaeton, all while weaving in messages about gentrification, displace-

ment, and the struggles of Puerto Rican identity. His single Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii paints a stark parallel between Puerto Rico and Hawaii, two places that have faced exploitation under U.S. control. Through his music and residency, Bad Bunny is amplifying the fight to preserve Puerto Rico’s culture, land, and history.

“ Benito is not leaving Puerto Rico anytime soon, and Puerto Rico isn't letting him go either.”

Julia Bueno, Mass Communications senior

Selling out 30 shows at El Choli is an unprecedented feat. Over 2.5 million people registered for online pre-sale, with his team actively blocking scalpers and bots to prioritize real fans. By the end of the sale, over 400,000 tickets had been sold, making this one of the most significant live event moments in Puerto Rican history.

But it’s not just about the numbers— Bad Bunny’s commitment to Puerto Rico runs deeper than just music. His

residency is taking place at a time when concerns about tourism, foreign real estate investors, and local displacement are at an all-time high. His decision to limit ticket access for the first shows to locals ensures that the residency remains, first and foremost, a celebration for Puerto Ricans, rather than a spectacle for outsiders.

This isn’t just another tour—it’s a homecoming, a statement, and an act of cultural preservation. Bad Bunny is proving that his success doesn’t have to come at the cost of his island, and he’s using his platform to make sure Puerto Ricans have a front-row seat to their own history. Whether he’s breaking records or breaking barriers, one thing is clear: Benito is not leaving Puerto Rico anytime soon, and Puerto Rico isn’t letting him go either.

Bad Bunny performs a medley on stage at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

New Orleans Takes Super Bowl LIX Under Its Wing

Fans attend the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New Orleans. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Horseback riders carrying flags for both teams. Miranda Jervis/ The Maroon

Sidequest, comprising of Cale Saurage and Hootie Hurley, DJing in downton New Orleans. Heidi Herrera/ The Maroon.

Cardi B throwing whip cream shots to the public. Heidi Herrera/ The Maroon.

A family gathering and throwing beads on a French Quarter balcony. Isabella Castillo/ The Maroon Crowds dancing to a band throughout Bourbon Street. Courtesy of Scarlett McLoughlin.

Here's the history of the big game in the Big Easy

By June Fernandez jaferna3@my.loyno.edu

e Glory, the Lombardi Trophy, e Big Game. All of these terms are synonymous with what we know as the Super Bowl, a national sporting event so large that some think Super Bowl Sunday and the following Monday should be national holidays. As a culmination of the long NFL season each year, many cities have had the honor of hosting e Big Game. Out of all these cities that have hosted the game in the nearly 60 years since it started, only Miami has hosted more times than New Orleans. With Super Bowl LIX in the books and the city successfully hosting its 11th game to tie the record, it would be nice to look into the tight knit relationship between the Big Game and the Big Easy.

New Orleans is a city with such a rich culture and history. Within this history

lies the culture of its people and the city itself. Within this history lies a neat little piece of sports knowledge that has always been tied to the Big Easy. It had been 12 years since New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl, with the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens duking it out in the 2013 “Blackout Bowl.” Aside from Beyonce performing at halftime and the Harbaugh brothers coaching against one another for the rst time in Super Bowl history, this game became notable due to the blackout that occurred shortly into the third quarter. A substantial moment that suspended play for over 30 minutes, people remember the game not only as a weird one but as the last time the Ravens won the Super Bowl. is game went down in history for both positive and negative reasons, but the “Blackout Bowl” is still an integral part of New Orleans’ Super Bowl history.

e Big Game is not only important to the city’s history, as many people have created wonderful memories and experiences over the years that the city has held the game. Albert Dupont, Loyola’s own technology coordinator and Instructor for the mass communications department, has quite the history in sports broadcasting, having worked in the industry for over 10 years and experiences working at the Super Bowl.

Dupont worked as a sideline videographer for WVUE-TV during both Super Bowl XXXI in 1997 and Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. For these Super Bowls, he shot game footage and post game interviews that were used on Fox Sports.

In the Crescent City’s 11th time hosting e Big Game, Dupont attributes the city’s walkability and culture as reasons why New Orleans is a popular pick.

“New Orleans is very popular because the Super Dome is within walk-

ing distance of the French Quarter and Downtown,” Dupont said. "Plus New Orleans is a city with a great vibe and history and knows how to host a party.”

“ New Orleans is very popular because the Superdome is within walking distance of the French Quarter Downtown.”

Albert Dupont, Loyola Technology Coordinator and Instructor

In his experience working the Super Bowl, Dupont shared a personal memory about Super Bowl XXXVI between the New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams that he cannot forget.

“I remember just trying to soak in the moment and how cool it was to be there and stand on the sidelines,”” Dupont said. “Seeing former President Bush, U2 perform at halftime and Mariah Carey singing the National Anthem was pretty awesome in person. It seemed like a time when America was united and not the crazy political divide we have today.”

Like Dupont, the Super Bowl has a special place in the hearts of many New Orleanians. Whether it be hearing about the celebrities in town, meeting new people, and celebrating the city’s rich culture, the Big Game’s connection to New Orleans has continued to grow in positive ways.

Cars drive past the Caesars Superdome on Saturday, Feb. 8. is was the 11th time the Super Bowl was held in New Orleans. Alana ompson/ e Maroon

Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate in the French Quarter after the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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New Orleans Walk of Fame honors local artists and performers

Continued from p.8

by France in the 17th century.

In addition to the celebrity inductees, the victims of the New Year’s Eve terrorist attack were named during the opening prayer, with family members in attendance.

e Walk of Fame, since the ribbon cutting led by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, serves as a monument to New Orleans icons directed “at preserving and promoting New Orleans’

dynamic history by honoring its most in uential gures” according to the Mayor’s O ce. e diverse and impressive list of people honored now serves as exemplars to future generations seeking their personal success to support the city and acknowledging their backgrounds.

Four inductees spoke, including Rapper Mia “Mia X” Young, whose family has resided in the seventh ward for nearly 160 years. Mia X said she is grateful for

her success.

She said she represents New Orleans with her accent that she will never lose.

“I don’t just live in New Orleans, New Orleans lives in me.”She said.

University students clean the city

By Lily Bordelon lmbordel@my.loyno.edu

Loyola University, Tulane University, Xavier University, and University of New Orleans students met at La tte Greenway to participate in the Love Your City Clean-Up Initiative, which New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called a city-wide e ort to restore and enhance the beauty of New Orleans. e o cials running the event hope that by starting to clean up the city, it will encourage others to keep New Orleans and surrounding areas from lling up with litter.

Ana Beatriz Paz, an environmental science freshman, volunteered for the initiative and signed her name on the pledge. She decided to help remove the stickers on signs and plant trees, she said.

“I thought it was really important that the schools join up with other organizations around Louisiana to clean it up and to really make a positive impact for the communities around the area and for the school itself,” Paz said.

Paz would continue to explain how bypassers would show their gratitude towards the volunteers, and she emphasized that these interactions showed her that the experience not only bene ted her, but it also did bene t the community.

“It really shows that people do care about things that you're doing and that people do appreciate the e ort that you're putting into helping their community. And it honestly is just a matter of whoever starts it to kind of get the ball rolling, because there are people who are going to support what you do,” Paz said.

Groups were assigned separate tasks to tackle multiple issues in the Greenway, some of these including removing stickers from signs, picking up trash, and planting new trees. After breaking into these separate groups, each individual then worked for two hours in an e ort to better the city.

After the e orts wrapped up, volunteers were encouraged to sign a pledge promising to advocate for a litter-free Louisiana.

A person signs their name at Love Your Cleanup initiative. e event was held to cleanup the city Feb 1, 2025. Lily Bordelon/ e Maroon

Hundreds gather for the unveiling at of e New Orleans Walk of Fame. Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and Gayle Benson among others stand with awards attributed from the event/ Feb 6, 2025. Nicholas Gonzales/ e Maroon

OPINIONS 14

OPINION

Censorship of healthcare information is violence

Public health senior mlkarnes@my.loyno. edu

A digital book burning is happening right under our noses, and the alarm bells don’t seem to be ringing loud enough.

In the midst of a tidal wave of executive orders by Donald Trump, government-associated health agencies scrubbed their websites of any mention of diversity, equity, and inclusion, women’s health information, and information pertaining to the health of the LGBTQ+ community. ese orders came barely two weeks after the inauguration. e heavy censorship necessary to purge digital resources paves the way for the violent use of misinformation against people who already experience health disparities in the United States. Lack of access to health data is an irrefutable danger, and the censorship of healthcare and medical data to t a political agenda will undoubtedly lead to higher rates of preventable morbidities and mortality.

In his two weeks as president, Trump has enforced his radical ideology through a slew of executive orders. In Executive Order 14168, he a rms that the government only recognizes two sexes and two genders, and that the two are inseparable from each other. Preceding this order was Executive Order 14151, which ended DEI initiatives. Both of these executive orders are deeply awed, dangerous, and misinformed. ese two executive orders in tandem wreak havoc on academia as a whole, the ability to conduct research,

and the ability of institutions to keep vital resources available to the public.

Health researchers, students, and professionals watched in shock as the Centers for Disease Control were ordered to scrub their website of vocabulary relating to the LGBTQ+ community or gender diversity. Many important resources used for research, outreach, and care have been removed in the wake of this order. is includes valuable datasets used worldwide as well as vaccination and medication guidelines for diseases such as Mpox and HIV which have been shown to disproportionately a ect the LGBTQ+ community. As of early February, the CDC website is currently still under review to “comply with President Trump’s executive orders.”

e National Science Foundation has also fallen victim to these executive orders, and caused the reevaluation of active research in addition to retroactive removal of published works. Because of the speed at which this is happening, it is impossible to know exactly what has been removed from the NSF, especially because focus remains on the CDC. However, as with the CDC, we know this includes valuable resources for already vulnerable populations because of the words that are triggering review. Words that can trigger review and erasure reportedly range from ideas about race to discussions about gender and even to pregnancy and women’s health.

e demonstrated disregard for science and repression of academics is a bright red ag for how Trump exes his oligarchic power further into the farright.

e majority of academic media is digital and the current administration is relying on extreme censorship to purge the government of media they deem

undesirable rather than physical removal of books and materials. is extreme censorship now replaces what would have been a burning of the books. is is where violence has the opening to take root.

e repression of experts in favor of protecting a political agenda is a tactic used to consolidate power, foster uncertainty, and promote misinformation to in uence the general public. e attack on intellectuals and rise of anti-intellectualism under this administration is a concerning development that, at its extreme, would completely discredit researchers and academics.

is discreditation along with ooding the news are tactics used by the Trump administration to create confusion and evoke a feeling of powerlessness in order to prevent organization of both the general public and academics against actions taken by the federal government. It simply feels as though there are too many things to focus on. is development indicates that the United States is headed in a concerning direction that values loyalty to the government and adherence to political agendas over scienti cally proven facts. It is so vitally important in this moment, as students especially, to continue to pursue truthful knowledge and stay informed.

From the point of view of a public health student, the erasure of extremely important health information that serves vulnerable populations is a form of violence. A lack of access to health information puts people at unnecessary risk, and may cause an increase in medically preventable illness and death. In addition, prevention of studies that aid vulnerable populations will cause the United States to fall even further behind in the healthcare eld, and gaps in access will grow

into chasms.

ere are many populations that may feel the e ects of violent censorship in the United States. Two of the most visible right now under the censorship of gender are women and transgender people. Already, these two populations make up just over half of the total population of the United States.

Transgender people as a whole are under a healthcare siege, and may have to face the terrifying reality of living in a healthcare desert that spans the whole of the United States. Preventing transgender people from accessing gender afrming care, a medically proven and safe solution for gender dysphoria as de ned by the American Psychological Association, is an explicitly stated aim of this administration. e elimination of access to gender a rming care disregards the research and opinion of experts and only serves to possibly lower the quality of life of one million transgender Americans.

Women also nd themselves in crisis. Bill H.R. 722 has already been introduced to congress with the aim of establishing legal rights of personhood for the human fetus. Not only would this implement a national abortion ban with no exceptions, but women could nd themselves under increased surveillance while pregnant and those who experience miscarriage could nd themselves in legal trouble. Without expert advising, bills that defy medical fact will continue to be introduced at the state and federal level.

With a lack of ability to publish research about issues that may defy the political ideology of the Trump administration, the crises that may arise from censorship would be more easily blocked from public view. is violence is less obvious because of its indirect nature, but is violence nonetheless.

Because of the possibility of dangerous outcomes, government censorship of scienti c research should be considered a direct attack on the American people. Violent use of misinformation is a real risk that we nd ourselves on the precipice of.

Maeve Karnes

e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is shown Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

14, 2025

Professors should seek unity through unionization

Professors need to unionize. That’s it. It's not rocket science. This is a case that is most likely clear to educators on our campus, who likely know the working knowledge of unionization in America. Unions give us power in our workplaces. If we never had unions in this country, we would have far less rights and benefits in our workplaces. As a student body, we have some power through the SGA, and as the faculty senate, professors have some power, but this power is mostly one of recommendation. The faculty senate can recommend resolutions all it wants,but it is at the power of the president to decide where those resolutions go. Louisiana is a fire at will state. If the Board wants you out, you’re out. A union is job assurance, in a way. And unlike managerial positions, being in a union gives you voting power, and genuine power over your job. Management and the administration have proven that they don’t really care if professors keep their jobs or not. There are many other teacher assistants or professors they can bring in and feel that they’ve made a decent temporary replacement. The unfortunate truth is that educators on campus are replaceable. Make yourselves irreplaceable by unionizing!And this is not a selfish thing either. With a union, you are actively going to better the lives of every professor you know!

Without a union, you don’t have much negotiating power. You might think you do, but you don’t. Your negotiating power as an individual is practically nonexistent in your place of employment, even at a private university, compared to a union.Your strength is in numbers, as has been true since time immemorial.

You come to the classrooms here every day, and teach things about people who, no matter how hard it seemed, did what was necessary for the benefit of their fellow man, who in the heat and the struggle, didn’t give up, and knew that anything worth doing is going to be incredibly difficult. Show that in your actions here. Give yourself a voice that isn’t just a suggestion of action to the president or the board. Show your students what you’ve been teaching them in classrooms for years, that sometimes the only way to make change in the world is to take it into your own hands.

Look, every argument that is against a union is probably supported by the people who approve the contract you sign, give yourself some power.

The Board of Trustees don’t walk this campus every day, form curriculum, teach classes, or play a part in the everyday working of the school

Sodexo has been trying to unionize because the Sodexo workers know that they’re the ones who keep the school

HOWLS & GROWLS

HOWL Valentine's Day

GROWL

Valentine's Day

HOWL

$500 million in Super Bowl Revenue

GROWL Censorship

HOWL Scrim

GROWL

The bridge's lights

HOWL King Cake Season

GROWL Dead laptops

HOWL The library

EDITORIAL POLICY

The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Loyola University. Letters and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of The Maroon’s editorial board.

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running. Everyone who works on this campus should be seeking unity through unionization. They keep us divided so they can keep us scared and confused. Make a stand. We’re in it together.

A Loyola sign sits bathed in sunlight outside Marquette Hall.