For a greater Loyola | Loyola University New Orleans Since 1923 | Sept. 20, 2024 | Issue 4 | loyolamaroon.com as a result, a lack of training,” Flint said. dissolution.
By Christopher Nesbit cwnesbit@my.loyno.edu
Loyola has dissolved its University Board of Appeals, a move that has ignited concern over the fairness of the disciplinary process on campus.
Isabel Medina, a professor and former chair of the university senate, voiced concern about the decisionmaking process that led to the UBA’s
The 15-member UBA, composed of faculty, staff, and students, was responsible for hearing appeals, recommending sanctions, and suggesting policy modifications. It operated under a strict code of ethics, requiring members to be fair, impartial, and maintain confidentiality according to the Board of Appeals
“The board was removed due to lack of use since before COVID, lack of knowledge of board members and, as a result, a lack of training,” Flint said.
“The university had unilaterally,
Director of Student Conduct, Dallas Flint, cited several reasons for the board’s disbandment.
“The university had unilaterally, without notice to or consultation with the university senate or other relevant faculty bodies, disbanded or done away with the University Board of Appeals,” Medina said. Medina, who teaches due process in her law classes at Loyola’s law school, asserted that the UBA ensured fairer treatment and impartiality than a single administrator deciding both charges and guilt. She believed faculty inclusion was essential under shared governance principles and should have included faculty in this decision.
, p.3
17. Opposite of before
been naughty or nice
19. __ Phil
20. On your hands and knees
22. _,E,I,_,U
23. Least favorite sight on a road trip
27. Feeling stressed from school? Talk a walk around this park
31. Biggest country in the world
32. Mr. Slim Shady
33. Greeting in the Sims
34. Actor Cutkosky who played Carl in Shameless
35. Short for repetition; often used in fitness talk
37. Opposite of bye
38. Love interest in Mulan __ Shang
39. “__ heavens!”
42.
47.
50.
52.
54. Your motivation after the first two weeks of class
55. “____ Point” Amusement park in Erie Country, Ohio
56. Another word for work
58. Royal Yachting Association, abbr.
60. Initials for Nigeria
61. Position in football
62. It’s subjective
65. Billie Eilish song about someone “tryna cop my glamor”
68. Harbor city that was once Sicily’s capital
71. How to find the cause of a death
72. Red lettuce DOWN
1. Dance music that emerged in the late 1960s
2. Economic Development Administration, abbr.
3. Very ______, very mindful
4. Initials for Rwanda
5. A,_,_,O,U
6. Usually a baby’s first word
7. Essay format type 8. Next month is 9. Relative Standard Error, abbr.
10. These creatures would lure pirates into the sea
13. She bit the apple
16. Main character in Divergent
18. Half-human half-goat
20. Charli XCX’s new album
21. Greek goddess of Earth
24. Another way to reference if someone is gay 25. Major involving computer networks and software
26. McDonald song lyrics before the O
28. “Do you have alcohol in your dorm?” “__… __”
29. Prefix for two
30. Orleans Room offers this dish for breakfast
33. Feeling you get after putting a fork in the toaster
36. You should not be seeing this from doing Across 71
“____ Dreams” by Juice WRLD 40. Head covering worn by some Muslim women 43. Variant spelling of “a” before a vowel 44. “Check out my sweet new ___!” says a Kia
CAMPUS
New Danna, who Dis?
Loyola Dining anticipates full renovation of Danna Center
By Callie Honeycutt cbhoneyc@my.loyno.edu
Loyola’s food service and dining areas will receive multiple stages of upgrades using a $23 million fund from Sodexo, including a full renovation of the Danna Center.
• a Chick-Fil-A to replace Bird and Brine
• an expansion of the Orleans dining room with additional dining space and new furniture
• an overhaul of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
Writers: Pharrell Every, Alexandra Martinez Ramos, Carmen Tonry, Samantha Guillotte, Myles McWilliams, Dominique Campbell, Ruby Neider, Lonniesha Carroll, Maggie Lewis, Chris Maldonado, Gavin Crehan, Janssen Van De Yacht, Chiara Faircloth, Sydney Piglia, Natalie Thomas, Alexandria Partin, Anna Therapondos, Eleanor Boucher-Ferry, Kaitlyn Gress, William Shepard, James Wyrtzen, Deja Magee, Alana Thompson, Volodymyr Lukianenko, Mary Ella Hastings, Lucy Cromwell, Alyria Pierre, Lily Bordelon, Valentina Russel, Macee Fielding, Mary Ella Hastings, Elise Beck, Adriana Escobar, Em Bay, Christopher Pouncy
Photographers: Rodrigo Delgado Jr., Carmen Tonry, Ryan Talley, Ashlyn Bobb Collins, Sophia Renzi, Sunny Bedford, Gana Mohamed, Sophia Santos, Zoie Jones, Olivia Sanyal, Adriana Escobar, Maria Olivera Arbona
Videographers: Carmen Tonry, Spencer Cody, Jenaleyse Waterman, Daniela Martinez, James Hufnagel, Cecilia Calderin, Gana Mohamed, Macee Fielding, Mary Ella Hastings, Olivia Sanyal, Christopher Pouncy, Maria Olivera Arbona
The funding came from a contract renegotiation with Sodexo last year, according to Carol Markowitz, senior vice president and chief operating officer. Markowitz said part one the renovations will include:
• a relocation of Starbucks to the ground level of Francis Family Hall
• a new food service kitchen with new equipment
• upgrades to the retail food court
• and a Jimmy Johns to replace Subway in October.
“This construction project scheduled for completion by next fall of 2025 is only the first phase of what we envision for a fully renovated student center building
for our main campus,” Markowitz said. Jimmy Johns will open and replace Subway, expected by the end of this September, and Smoothie King will reopen. The Orleans Room dining hall will undergo renovations starting in October and throughout the Spring semester. The construction will not change when and where students can eat, Markowitz said. According to Markowitz, there will be three temporary construction walls in the Danna Center from October until the Spring semester:
• one around the corner of the Danna Center closest to Biever Hall
• one encroaching on a small por-
tion of the St. Charles Ballroom
• and one encroaching on a small portion of Satchmo’s Lounge directly below the St. Charles Ballroom. The Danna Center will close for renovations for the summer of 2025, according to Markowitz.
A second phase of the Danna Center renovations will expand the second floor of the building and fully renovate the building’s exterior, Markowitz said. This exterior renovation will include a “newly envisioned” main entry facing the Peace Quad, Markowitz said. The building will also gain a new plaza facing the Res Quad. The timing of the second phrase
has not yet been determined. Some students have expressed concern with the construction, including political science junior Ella Jupiter. Jupiter said she was confused by the addition of the Danna Center construction wall. However, she said she was grateful that the administration had listened to students’ feedback.
“Once I realized that there was construction happening, I was both excited and disheartened,” Jupiter said. “I was disheartened because the campus has been filled with construction since my freshman year.”
“Part of the essence of due process is that the cases be decided or presided over by a neutral, objective decision maker," Medina said.
Under the current system, appeals are routed to the vice president of student affairs or trained designees. Flint noted that the process has been in place for over 10 years and is clearly stated in the Student Code of Conduct.
Patrickus stated that Loyola’s current system, where appeals go directly to adreinstate the University Board of Appeals, among other requests. Dr. Sarah Allison, the current chair of the university senate, is working with Student Affairs and the President’s Office with hopes of reinstating the appeals board, according
Kristi Patrickus is co-chair of the Public Policy and Legislative Issues Committee for the Association for Student Conduct Administration. Patrickus provided insight into the role of appeals boards in university conduct processes.
Cruse alleges the university’s disciplinary process lacks transparency and fairness.
“Appeals boards serve one major function: to provide an aggrieved party with the opportunity to get a second look at their case,” Patrickus said.
Carson Cruse is an economics senior and a former Students for a Democratic Society leader. Cruse received a one-year academic probation and was banned from all student organizations following his involvement in campus protests.
“It’s ostracizing,” Cruse said. “Going from high-level involvement to being barred from participating in any student life feels really weird.” Cruse accuses the administration, including President Cole, of dismissing student activists’ concerns.
We’ve just been met with stonewalling, complete silence.
“We’ve never been met in good faith to talk about these demands,” Cruse said.
“We’ve just been met with stonewalling, complete silence.” Students with concerns about the appeals process are encouraged to consult the current Code of Conduct or contact the Office of Student Conduct at studentconduct@loyno.edu.
BREAKING PHOTOS
A march to the president's house
Pro-Palestine students and community members gathered in front of Loyola before marching to president Xavier Cole's home to call for university disclosure and divestment.
By Eloise Pickering ewpicker@my.loyno.edu
Loyola's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, along with other students and community members marched to the residence of university president Xavier Cole.
The rally, held on Sep. 18, began on St. Charles at the front of Loyola's campus. After 30 minutes of chanting, around two dozen protesters walked through the streets of uptown New Orleans until they reached Cole's home. This protest was held as students continue to put pressure on Loyola administration to disclose their investments and subsequently divest from companies that hold ties to Israel.
Shortly after Cole left his residence by car, protesters walked back to campus before peacefully disbanding.
LOCAL & WORLDVIEW
Loyola community calls attention to the “Red Zone”
By Abigail Schmidt acschmid@my.loyno.edu
More than 50% of college student sexual assault cases occur in August, September, October, or November. The most common targets of these crimes are freshman girls, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. This is a phenomenon known as the “Red Zone.”
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. The organization has reported statistics that have left some Loyola students feeling “unprotected.”
“Obviously we have good resources,” said nursing freshman Samantha Bradbury, “but it’s just so hard to already have to go through all of that as a woman.”
After experiencing assault, she said, many people do not want to go through the legal trauma or potential backlash that comes with reporting their cases.
“It’s hard to feel protected when we have to deal with that,” Bradbury said. Risk factors for freshman females include being new to the area, having less parental supervision, and participating in alcohol and drug use as they try to meet new people, RAINN states. But this is never the victim’s fault, the organization emphasizes.
The “Red Zone” is a term coined by Dr. David Lisak, a clinical psychologist who researched rape prevention programs on college campuses. It refers to the time between the beginning of the semester and Thanksgiving break when reported sexual assault cases spike for college students.
niment in law enforcement interviews, advocacy services, and regular checkins and assessments with survivors. According to their hotline call log across all three of their offices in New Orleans, Alexandria, and Baton Rouge, their call numbers drop in the summer and pick back up in August and September. These three cities are home to multiple universities.
"Sexual assault can happen to anyone by anyone."
Maya Jammulapati, Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response organization advocacy coordinator.
“Across the board, these months are some of the highest hotline calls,” Jammulapati said. While these numbers are not specific to just students, she said they “reflect a trend that the Red Zone indicates.”
To feel more protected, many Loyola students take steps to ensure the safety of themselves and their friends when going out.
“If go out with my friends, we’re always in groups,” said nursing freshman Ilenia Capassa. She said that making sure everyone is accounted for and knows their alcohol limit is the most important thing to keep in mind while going out. “You have to hold each other accountable,” she said.
Loyola freshmen are informed of consent every year at orientation. They are reminded that consent is a mutual and enthusiastic agreement, can be revoked, and cannot be given under the influence. However, college campuses experience sexual assault cases more than other crimes, according to RAINN. it reports that in all women, there are around five robberies for every four sexual assaults. But for college women, there are two sexual assault cases for every single robbery.
According to RAINN, many college students who are sexually assaulted are victimized by someone they know.
Maya Jammulapati is an advocacy coordinator for the Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response organization. Jammulapati said this phenomenon could be due to an existing trust between someone and a friendly acquaintance, so some boundaries may be blurred.
“Sexual assault can happen to anyone by anyone,” Jammulapati said, and including people a survivor may already know by proxy. “It’s not on the survivor to be expecting to have their guard up all the time,” she said, “but it’s unfortunate that it does happen so often and that that trust is broken so often.”
“STAR is an organization that works to “create a world free of oppression,” Jammulapati said.
The awareness and response organization offers free counseling, accompa-
"If I go out with my friends, we're always in groups."
Ilenia Capassa Freshman nursing major
Psychology senior Mia-Hope Bertot said she always feels the safest when she is accompanied by one of her guy friends.
“I never go out without at least one of them,” Bertot said. “If they have to step in and pretend to be one of our partners in an uncomfortable situation, feel safer.” Sexual violence and other sex related crimes do not stop at young women. According to RAINN, 23.1% of transgender, genderqueer, and gender-nonconforming college students have been sexually assaulted. One study by organization End Rape on Campus suggests that 73% of LGBTQ college students experience sexual harassment or abuse and more than 6% of LGBTQ college students change their school or major as a result.
The organization also reported that most LGBT students of color reported feeling unsafe at school, with the majority of Native American students at 74%.
“Prevention and response can’t fall on one person,” Jammulapati said. “It cannot fall on vulnerable populations. It takes everyone, truly.”
Louisiana enforces new regulations on THC-hemp
By Emma Iseman eniseman@my.loyno.edu
A new House bill enforces new regulations on THC-hemp products in Louisiana. The new law calls for age restrictions, reduces portion sizes, restricts where products are sold, bans the sale of THC in gas stations, and enforces new restrictions on who can obtain licenses to sell THC products. The regulations will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025. Current laws allow products to contain up to 8 mg of THC per serving. However, new regulations would lessen the serving size to 5 mg per serving. Cans or bottles will be limited to packs of four drinks maximum. Under the law, restaurants and bars will be prevented from obtaining new licenses to sell THC products. This restriction won’t apply to locations with existing licenses. Additionally, the age requirement to purchase these products has been raised from 18 years of age to 21.
Six Flags to be demolished
By Lily Bordelon lmbordel@my.loyno.edu
After 19 years, Bayou Phoenix will demolish the abandoned Six Flags amusement park in New Orleans East and replace it with a $1 million sports complex. The demolition is expected to improve the local economy and decrease crime, according to a market feasibility study from 2022. The market study found that the location of the former Six Flags would be ideal for a sports complex. Bayou Phoenix also reported an increase in demand for regional indoor and outdoor facilities.
Bayou Phoenix proposed their plan at a city council meeting. Council member Oliver Thomas said reusing overgrown land is one of the most practical methods toward boosting New Orleans’s economy.
“All we wanna do is offer where we’re from to save this city,” Thomas said. “If we had done it before, we wouldn't be riding the one-trick pony called tourism. But guess what? We’re doing it now.”
Mpox resurgence poses public health emergency
By Ecoi Lewis ealewis@my.loyno.edu
Mpox has made a comeback in Africa. This time, it is far more deadly. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, comes from the same virus family as smallpox. The virus was found in monkeys in 1958 but was renamed mpox to correct the false association with monkeys as the source of the virus. It can pass from animals to humans and person to person through physical contact. Since 2016, transmissions have been mainly from person to person. There are two types of mpox: clade and clade II. Clade I is Aboriginal in central Africa, while Clade II is in West Africa. The virus causes rash and skin le-
sions, among other symptoms,\ including fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can be severe or fatal.
People with current health conditions, such as HIV, are at greater risk, which is a concern for some parts of Africa where mpox is spreading. Children are also at considerable risk. Kids under age five accounted for 39% of cases and 62% of deaths in Congo.
Mpox was declared a global health emergency in May 2022 when cases increased. The World Health Organization formally ended the state of emergency in May 2023, but it has remained a severe problem in Africa.
As of August 2024, there have been over 17,000 recorded cases and 500 deaths from this disease, primarily in Congo. The virus has been recorded
in multiple countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, and the Central African Republic, according to the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Africa CDC declared the current upsurge a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, the highest alarm level under international health law. Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya called for the world’s help.
“We call on you to stand with us in this critical hour,”
Sophia Maxim/The Maroon
Chris Granger/AP Photo
Above: Protester chants outside of Loyola president Xavier Cole's home. Below: Cole leaves his residence via car as protesters chant outside.
Pro-Palestine protesters begin marching down St. Charles Avenue on Sep. 18, 2024. Eloise Pickering/The Maroon
Left: Pro-Palestine protesters stand outside of Cole's residence. Below: Two protesters chant from the bed of a truck after leaving Cole's residence. Right: Carson Cruse raises his fist at a rally in front of Loyola.
Photos by Eloise Pickering/ The Maroon on Sep. 18.
The Francine Scene
Students find creativity, community in lockdown boredom
By Anna Seriot abseriot@my.loyno.edu
As thehurricane approached, students faced
By Matthew Richards mlrichl@my.loyno.edu
Grammy nominated artist Big Freedia debuted a new song at Loyola’s music industry and theater forum.
The New Orleans native performed pieces from her newest project, a Gospel album titled Pressing Onward, alongside students from the music program.
Big Freedia named Pressing Onward after the church in the Central City neighborhood she grew up singing in. “I keep God first in everything do,” she told the students. “Church was my safe haven growing up. I grew up singing in the choir and this project is about paying tribute to the roots where started and giving God the glory for having my longevity to be in this game for such
a long time, staying relevant, and being able to provide for me and the people around me. So I just had to make sure I gave God my praise.”
Big Freedia, who has been named
“The Queen of New Orleans Bounce music” and is known affectionately by her fans as the “Queen Diva”, has gained international fame for her original work and collaborations with artists like Drake, Beyonce, and Lil Wayne.
“I’m very fortunate to be able to work with artists like Freedia and be able to share her with the world and Loyola and our students here,” said music industry professor Tim Kappel, who also serves as Big Freedia’s lawyer. Kappel said he hopes his students will take away valuable lessons from the career of an artist like Freedia.
“Freedia is like the living embodiment of what can happen when you stay in the game long enough to have success,” he said. “So I hope that they can look at her and see that it’s going to take some resilience to succeed. It’s a long journey, it’s not just about, you know, going viral on Tiktok and being an overnight sensation. That can happen, but it’s much more likely that you have to grind it out for years and eventually be able to achieve something.”
Big Freedia’s manager Reid Martin a Loyola music alum. Martin hosted the event with the College of Music and Media to commemorate the 25 year anniversary of the music and theater forum. The forum brings students from all of the various musical and theatre disciplines offered on campus a chance to come
together and exchange ideas with one another.
“I very much valued my time here at Loyola and it was really meaningful to my journey to both becoming an adult and working in the music industry, so I try to give back as much as possibly can,” said Martin. “I think it’s good for the students to hear real world stories about what life is like when you get out of here and be able to help apply those lessons to your life as a Loyola graduate, so I’m really happy to be here.”
Freedia debuted the song with the help of some Loyola students as her background singers and band, who relished the chance at being able to play with such a successful artist.
“It was really special,” said senior jazz studies major Arnold Little III. “Especial-
ly being from New Orleans, you grow up hearing Big Freedia’s name all the time and she’s this bigger than life figure in New Orleans culture and it was just great, really.” Senior jazz studies major Jordan Bush was also thrilled to be able to work with an artist of Big Freedia’s
of
about
when you’re working with someone who’s so detail-oriented and competent, so it makes my job as a musician so much easier.”
(Left to right) Jonathan McHugh, event organizer and music professor, Tim Kappel, Big Freedia's lawyer and professor, Big Freedia, and Reid Martin, Big Freedia's
Sophomore Sophie Schnapp looks to the residential quad during the lockdown. A sign warns students against leaving, stating they may be able to return inside. Eloise Pickering/The Maroon.
Students distract themselves from the storm playing cards in Francis Hall. Matthew Richards/The Maroon Students gather to monitor Francine's impact on campus. Eloise Pickering/The Maroon. A student passes the time with crafts in Cabra Hall. Heidi Herrera/The Maroon
Ball gazes out the Buddig 12th floor window. Eloise Pickering/ The Maroon
(Left to right) Sophie Schnapp and Aria Norman-Gesuelle pass the time on their phones in Francis Hall. Eloise Pickering/The Maroon
(Left to right) Oliver Ball, Nicholas Oliver, Katt Amaro, Hannah Grimley, Will Shepard, Steven Rijpma play card games in Buddig Hall on Sept. 11. Sophia Renzi/The Maroon
professor Jonathan McHugh speaks at the forum event. Laci Barrow/The Maroon
REVIEWS SPORTS
"My Lady Jane": gone but never forgotten
By Elinor Upham esupham@my.loyno.edu
Sometimes a piece of media comes along that looks innocuous at first – silly, even unworthy of my time – but that turns out to mean more to me than could have possibly known. “My Lady Jane” is that piece of media. The premise of “My Lady Jane” stems from two of my favorite places: a book (always better when turned into a series rather than a movie), and a historical event. “My Lady Jane” chronicles the reimagined days that lead up to Lady Jane Grey’s brief stint as Queen of England after her cousin Edward’s death. In real life, Jane, along with her husband
Guildord Dudley, was executed for treason on February 12, 1554. My Lady Jane takes a different approach. I love a good metaphor, so when I realized that the Ethians (shape shifting people) and Verity (normal people) were fantasy versions of Catholics and Protestants, became even more engrossed in the series.
With this fantastic 16th century backdrop, “My Lady Jane” introduces the audience to the loveable, formidable, intelligent Jane Grey. Jane’s father has just died and she is being forced to marry Lord Guilford Dudley, much to her constant anger and disappointment. A chance meeting in a bar one night draws Jane and Guilford closer together until the
fateful day of their wedding. What follows is a classic will-they-won’t-they as Jane and Guilford try to navigate the pitfalls of marriage when your husband is a horse half the time and you are apparently the new Queen of England. While the (eventual) love story between Jane and Guilford is sickeningly adorable and frustrating at times (just kiss please), the supporting cast of characters is what truly made me fall in love with this show.
The majority of the cast belong to three major families: the Grey’s, the Dudley’s, and the Tudor’s. There is much overlap, and it’s the aristocracy of 16th century England, so of course everyone’s related. Everyone has a crazy, violent
sister; or a dumb, overconfident son; or a domineering parent hellbent on controlling their child's life; or a best friend (or lover) who turns out to be Ethian.
The rich landscape of character’s only serves to better the story, to make the plots even wackier, and to make the culmination that much more satisfying. Sadly, “My Lady Jane” was canceled by Amazon after only being out for two months. “My Lady Jane” became the most recent in a long line of television casualties of the increasingly faster consumer age, and with it left a wonderful show where women have agency, people of color play historical roles, and a queer relationship blossoms naturally on screen.
"Challengers": Lust, tennis, and everything in between
By Ashlyn Bobb Collins abobbcol@my.loyno.edu
“Challengers” is a challenging movie to watch for those with a lack of imagination.
One of summer’s blockbusters is not for viewers with morals. Director Luca Guadagnin managed to create a film that takes tennis and turns it into a match about relationships.
The movie is not about tennis at all. Tennis is a distraction that Luca uses to keep your eyes tracking the movement of the relationships between “Tashi” played by Zendaya, “Art” played by Mike Faist, and “Patrick” played by Josh
Women's Golf opens fall season with win
By Matthew Richards mlricha2@my.loyno.edu
The Loyola Women’s Golf participated in their first two events this past week, an exhibition match against Spring Hill College on Sept. 3 and the Skyhawk Invitational hosted by Point University on Sept. 7-8.
To open the season, six Loyola golfers competed as individuals against Spring Hill. Finance junior Catherine Singletary finished first in the event with a threeover par score of 75, while business junior Sarah Meral and business sophomore Sydney D’Avella finished in a tie for second place with scores of six-over 78.
“I’m extremely grateful to have been able to win that event and help contribute to our team’s success,” Singletary said. “The exhibition was a great opportunity for our team to get tournament experience and competitiveness early in the season.”
Next, the team headed to Lanett, Alabama for their first team competition of the season as they started the season with the No. 16 ranking in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics preseason polls and are projected to finish in third place in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
The Wolf Pack would hold a 19-stroke lead after Day 1 of the tournament after carding a total team score of 305 (+17) and saw both Singletary and digital filmmaking senior Blair McKenzie both in
the top three on the leaderboard.
“We played pretty well on a challenging course,” said head coach Cory Amory. “The players had to be very accurate off the tee or they were almost guaranteed a lost ball. Overall, they were smart, tough, and played at a fairly high level. I am especially proud of the attitudes and resilience shown by the team throughout the tournament.”
The team maintained their lead and earned their 14th victory in program history the following day and saw three golfers finish in the overall top 10 of the tournament, with Singletary and McKenzie finishing tied for second place and Meral finishing in eighth place in her team debut.
“It was super exciting to start the season out with a team win,” said Singletary, who was named SSAC Women’s Golfer of the Week for her efforts. “I’m extremely excited for us to build on this momentum and continue to grow and excel as a team.”
McKenzie agreed that starting the season strong bodes well for the team’s future.
“The first tournament of the season is always about setting the tone and seeing what works and what we need to improve on,” she said. “I felt like this tournament was a positive stepping stone for the season and my personal performance was a nice start, but still have some things to work on to further the success of my team.”
The team will be back in action on Sept. 30 when they travel to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for the Carey Collegiate Tournament, hosted by conference foe William Carey University before concluding their fall season at the end of October in Athens, Alabama at the Firehawk Invitational.
“In the fall we only play in three tournaments, so it is important to get the most out of each of them, and continue to grow as a team,” said McKenzie.
And that growth is crucial to helping the Wolf Pack achieve its goals for the season.
“Everything we try to do revolves around creating habits and attitudes to give ourselves the best chance for success,” Amory said. “At times in this tournament we played a little tight and needed to trust ourselves more when facing challenging situations. I want us to play with conviction and just let it rip. But this was a strong step toward the ultimate goal of finding out how good we can get.”
The journey to answering that question will be one that the team hopes they can crack as they prepare for the spring season, too.
“With golf being such an individualized sport each person has different needs at tournaments, so the quicker we identify what each person needs to be successful, the better we can help one another,” said McKenzie. “This team is talented and if we work hard, we know great things are in store.”
Upcoming matches and games
O’Connor.
But why is this movie not for those with a lack of imagination or those with extreme relationship morals? The movie is toxic. “Challengers” has a very hard foundation based on toxicity between the players, the game, and themselves. For those who “don’t believe in that kind of thing,” they might have a hard time processing the intense messy moments between the main characters. Now, did the marketing team entirely fool us into believing that the movie was just about tennis and threesomes? It definitely did, but the movie is about what it looks like to direct all of your feelings towards a sport and sex and never actually resolve them over normal conversation. Tashi wasn’t necessarily good at tennis because she was just good, but because her inner emotions kept her driven, at least up until she couldn’t play anymore. Even then, she directed her emotion to coaching her now husband Patrick. At first, you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for the spectacle of Zendaya having a threesome but instead given the spectacle of a spectacular ending. It’s a resolution of emotion in the most indirect way ever. absolutely adored “Challengers” and thought it was one the most adrenaline-filled, imaginative movies I’ve seen in a while.
Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studio
Re ecting on Lousiana's Civil Rights Legacy
Terrilyn O'quinn
On a rainy fall day, several university students like myself, professors and event organizers gathered for an event that sought to bring the lessons of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement into the present day. Sponsored by the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University New Orleans (JSRI), the Amistad Research Center, the School of Professional Advancement at Tulane University, and the Center for Racial Justice at Dillard University, the event brought together students from each of these institutions to honor the contributions of local civil rights leaders. Among the most notable participants was Civil Rights activist Dr. Ronnie Moore, whose stories from the movement provided vivid insights into the struggles and triumphs of the fight for racial justice in Louisiana. Through a blend of tours, lectures, and discussions, the participants were immersed in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, with particular emphasis on the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott of 1953, the Amistad Slave Ship, and the enduring impact of local activism.
The event was structured as a combination of lectures, tours, and group discussions, all aimed at deepening the participants’ understanding of civil rights history in Louisiana. The day began with a tour of the Amistad Research Center, an institution dedicated to preserving the historical records of African American life and culture. Here, students learned about the Amistad Slave Ship, the famous 19th-century event where African slaves revolted against their captors and ultimately gained their freedom after a lengthy legal battle. This was followed by a tour of the jail where Dr. Ronnie Moore was held, a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by activists in the struggle for civil rights.
Dr. Moore himself led the group in a discussion about his experiences during the 1960s, particularly his role in organizing protests for African American voting rights. He recounted how he and hundreds of others were arrested for protesting, and shared the extraordinary story of his escape from a church in the back of a funeral hearse, an act that speaks to the ingenuity and determination of the movement. In addition to his personal stories, Dr. Moore provided critical historical context, linking local efforts to national struggles for equality. His stories were supplemented by a tour
of the Rosenwald School, a historic institution built to educate African American children in the segregated South, and a visit to the Donaldsonville City Hall, where the group was met by the mayor.
The topics covered during the event spanned the history of civil rights in Louisiana, with a particular focus on the 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, a seminal event that predated the more famous Montgomery Bus Boycott. Often overlooked in mainstream accounts of civil rights history, the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott served as a blueprint for later actions in the Civil Rights Movement.
The boycott, led by Rev. T.J. Jemison was the first large-scale bus boycott in the South, and its success inspired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to implement similar strategies in Montgomery. During the event, I learned that Dr. King himself had traveled to Baton Rouge to study the boycott, delivering a sermon at Mount Zion Baptist Church and meeting with local leaders to discuss their strategies.
One of the most moving aspects of the event was the opportunity to connect the history of civil rights activism to contemporary issues, particularly mass incarceration. The Civil Rights Movement, while successful in securing many legal rights for African Americans, did not fully dismantle the systems of racial oppression that continue to disproportionately affect Black communities today. Learning about the systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans during the Jim Crow era resonated with the ongoing struggle against mass incarceration. In many ways, the struggle for voting rights and civil rights has evolved into the fight against the prison-industrial complex, which continues to devastate Black communities.
This event strongly connected to our class because it highlighted how the fight for civil rights is far from over. Just as activists like Dr. Ronnie Moore were arrested and jailed for protesting racial inequality, today’s Black communities continue to face disproportionate levels of incarceration. Mass incarceration can be seen as a modern-day extension of the racial oppression that civil rights activists fought against in the 1960s. The prison system, much like segregation laws of the past, disproportionately targets Black and brown communities, contributing to cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement. Understanding the legacy of civil rights activism helps us see how today’s justice system continues to perpetuate racial inequality through policies like mandatory minimum sentences, over-policing, and the school-to-
prison pipeline.
Personally, the stories of Dr. Ronnie Moore and the historical events we discussed did not surprise or shock me, though they certainly reinforced a deep sense of frustration. Growing up Black in New Orleans, I have long been aware of the ways in which systemic racism affects every aspect of our lives, from education to housing to criminal justice.
Learning about civil rights history often feels like hearing a story that you are already living, and the patterns of oppression repeat in ways that feel all too familiar. While the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement are undeniable, the fact that so many of the same issues persist today can be emotionally exhausting. It is difficult to feel surprised or upset by the injustices we learn about when those injustices continue to shape the reality of life in Black communities. Reflecting on my personal experiences growing up in New Orleans, I cannot help but see the connection between the civil rights struggles of the past and the challenges facing my generation. In middle school, was part of a large friend group, filled with bright, ambitious young people. But as the years passed, that group dwindled.
Some friends dropped out of school, others became entangled in the criminal
justice system, and a few tragically lost their lives. Only a handful of us finished high school, and even fewer went on to college. The reality is that the systemic
“ Learning about civil rights history often feels like hearing a story that you are already living, and the patterns of oppression repeat in ways that feel all too familiar.”
inequalities we face, poverty, underfunded schools, lack of resources create an environment in which many young people never get the chance to fulfill their potential. Like the activists of the 1960s, we too are fighting a system that seems designed to keep us down.
The event was a powerful reminder of the need for continued activism. While the struggles of the past were different in many ways, the fight for justice remains ongoing. As I continue my education and prepare for the future, am commit-
ted to using what have learned from this experience to advocate for change.
The history of civil rights in Louisiana is not just a history of the past; it is a story that continues to unfold, and it is up to my generation to continue the march towards equality. Whether through community organizing, policy advocacy, or education, we must honor the legacy of activists like Dr. Ronnie Moore by continuing to fight for a more just and equitable society.
In conclusion, the event sponsored by the Jesuit Social Research Institute and other academic institutions served not only as a history lesson but as a call to action. By learning about the civil rights struggles of the past, we are better equipped to engage with the challenges of the present. The legacy of the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, the Amistad Slave Ship, and the activism of individuals like Dr. Ronnie Moore provides a roadmap for how to challenge injustice and build a better future. As we reflect on the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before us, we must also recognize our responsibility to continue the march for civil rights and social justice.
Loyola's injustice isn't appealing
By LoynoStairMaster
The University Sports Complex is truly embarrassing.
I think the biggest issue is the lack of a StairMaster. As @LoynoStairMaster on Instagram, I think a StairMaster is a critical piece of equipment for any gym, and find the stair stepper we have to be atrocious.
A real Stairmaster is amazing cardio as well as being beneficial in increasing core muscle strength, glute, and hamstring growth and can also help relieve knee pain. want our student body to have access to those benefits. If you were to ask me my thoughts on the Loyola StairMaster situation, which you did, I'd say we need one desperately.
Doesn't have to be on brand, it just needs to be from this millennium, preferably within the decade as well. think Loyola could do a better job at prioritizing the health of their students and making the gym a better, newer, and cleaner place would be pivotal in showing us as a student body that they care.
This is all part of a bigger issue of Loyola continually not updating the campus in ways that
To call the University Student Board of Appeals a "broken system" would be to overstate its existence. At Loyola, there is no longer any such system to break. What passes for an appeals process now is, in fact, little more than a formalized plea — an act of asking, with remarkable politeness, that the very individual whose role it is to find fault reconsider their decision, perhaps out of an unexpected sense of benevolence. It’s a setup that, unsurprisingly, does not inspire confidence in its fairness, let alone its sustainability as a credible approach to justice.
In Louisiana, the process following a criminal conviction grants defendants 30 days to file an official notice of appeal, allowing a higher court to review the case for legal and procedural errors. With this current system, Louisiana has a higher rate of exonerations per capita than almost any other state, and New Orleans has often been dubbed the “wrongful conviction capital of the U.S.” Let's now remove the higher court and
replace it with the person who initially got you convicted in the first place. Let's now have the only way you get your appeal heard is if your prosecutor feels like hearing it. As you can imagine, if you believe you didn’t commit the crime the state says you committed, this does not bode well for you.
At Loyola University, this is the reality for students accused of violating the student code of conduct. The absence of an independent review mechanism means that the authority responsible for the initial judgment also has the final say, leaving students with little recourse and undermining the fairness of the process.
But it wasn’t always this way.
This abrupt change from a formal appeals process to the lack thereof appears to have happened without prior consultation — perhaps because such discourse would swiftly reveal the absurdity of lacking an appeals process for what is essentially a rerun of the trial. It’s natural to wonder what the rationale of removing such a measure would be in the first place, or if there’s any rationale at all. Loyola owes it to its students to be forthcoming. After all, those at risk of academic probation — or worse, expulsion — should have something to offer their parents as an explanation, particularly when it becomes clear that the right to appeal was an illusion. The disbanding of the appeals board, as it turns out, was not without its own logic — if one can call it that. The official reasoning was: a lack of cases brought to the board, a lack of knowledge of its members, and as a natural consequence, a lack of training. In other words, because so few students sought to challenge decisions — presuming they were told the appeals board was an option — the University quietly abandoned the mechanism for doing so. The board operated without any clear record of who its members were, leading to a failure to provide the necessary training, which, of course, could not happen if no one knew who to train. Incompetency may be the obvious conclusion, but as ever, it’s the
students who will pay the price for Student Affairs’ oversights. There have been efforts to reinstate the appeals board, and hopefully, those efforts will be rewarded. The University Senate has already passed a resolution urging President Cole to restore the board, and Dr. Sarah Allison, the current senate chair, has been working closely with student affairs and the president’s office to advance this. But to be frank, this issue should never have been an issue. The disbanding of the appeals board was a misstep, plain and simple, and Loyola University owes its students an explanation — no matter how tenuous — as to why their rights were quietly revoked. Institutions of integrity don’t operate this way. Institutions genuinely invested in the well-being of their students don’t operate this way. But institutions looking to shield themselves, to smooth the path for their own convenience? They do it all the time.
Illustration by Daryl Audrey Casas/The Maroon
Students visit a Donaldsonville Prison with civil rights activist Ronnie Moore. Courtesey of Annie Phoenix
