Maroon Nov. 14 2014

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For a greater Loyola University • New Orleans • Vol. 93 • Issue 11

THE MAROON NOV. 14, 2014

We the . . . people?

Student Government Association held a constitutional convention for students — but no students showed up

By Lester Duhe laduhe@loyno.edu @lester_maroon

Zero students took advantage of Student Government Association’s attempt to form a more perfect union.

SGA held a Constitutional Convention that gave students the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns, but only SGA senators showed up.

The convention was held on Nov. 7 in the Audubon Room. SGA’s intent was to have students attend the meeting and present their concerns and opinions about the new constitution after looking it over on OrgSync.

Despite SGA’s efforts to get the word out about the convention through emails and flyers, no students attended the meeting.

“Although attendance at the convention was low, senators came prepared with concerns raised by their constituents and were able to speak to students’ interests,” Nate Ryther, SGA vice president, said.

Ryther said that SGA senators do not think the lack of student support

at the meeting was due to a lack of preparation.

“We sent out a campus-wide email, advertised on social media, tabled to talk about the event and put flyers up around campus to inform the student body when and where the event was happening,” Ryther said.

Ryther wanted to make it clear that their preparation did start some conversations with the student body before the meeting took place.

“Students talked to senators, executive members and among themselves about the new constitution, and that insight from students was reflected in the convention,” Ryther said.

W.H. “Butch” Oxendine, executive director of the American Student Government Association, compared an SGA constitution to a U.S. constitution.

“It is critical that the student body is involved,” Oxendine said. “Once they input changes to the Constitution, it should come to a vote from the students.”

When last year’s members of SGA attempted to impeach Blake Corely as vice president, they had no im-

peachment procedure in the constitution to guide them through the process.

Due to this error, SGA President Budd Sheppard and Vice President Nate Ryther ran their campaigns with a promise to draft a new constitution.

Ryther said that SGA has been drafting the constitution since this summer. However, Oxendine said that the energy and time it took to re-write it was a mistake.

“The time they spend amending the Constitution should be used to help the students instead,” Oxendine said.

Allison Rogers, SGA’s communication director, said that it is SGA’s mission to represent the student body to the best of their ability.

“We would never want to put out a document that the student body couldn’t agree with us on, because that would just be counterintuitive to what our purpose as SGA is,” Rogers said.

Oxendine said that Loyola’s SGA is a part of the 50 percent of student governments amending their constitutions each year.

For Rogers, these changes are

quite frequent. She said that since she’s attended Loyola, every administration that has come into office has wanted to change the constitution.

“What they’ve done is just create these amendments that contradict one another — that contradict the constitution as a whole — and kind of made this document that doesn’t really make sense anymore,” Rogers said.

Despite the lack of students at the Constitutional Convention, Ryther said he is excited with the interest SGA received in regards to the constitution.

“While that interest wasn’t reflected in physical attendance at the convention, it was seen in the emails and meetings that occurred prior to the event and the concerns that senators raised on behalf of their constituents,” Ryther said.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the Senate passed the new constitution unanimously. It will now move towards a campus-wide referendum where it will require a two-thirds majority vote by the students. Voting is set to take place from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21.

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November 14, 2014

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NEWS

November 14, 2014 THE MAROON

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Photo illustration by EMILY ANDRAS/Design Chief

Loyola to sell last of its property in Kenner

By Nia Porter naporter@loyno.edu @NiaPorter

Loyola’s location along St. Charles Avenue may play a role in attracting out-of-state students, but 54 years ago, plans were made to say goodbye to New Orleans and hello to Kenner.

After announcing that the university would be buying a Dominican Sisters of Peace convent on the Broadway campus, the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. said that Loyola would sell the remainder of land the university owns in Kenner for $3 million to pay for it.

Bernard Cook, history professor and Loyola historian, said that many people aren’t aware of the land Loyola acquired in the 1960s.

“The fellow who became president of Loyola in 1952 was Patrick Donnelly, and he had the idea that Loyola could grow to a university of about 8,000 students by 1974,” Cook said. “He didn’t think the land we had was sufficiently large.”

The Very Rev. Patrick Donnelly, S.J. teamed up with Loyola benefactor, J. Edgar Monroe in 1960 to make

his dream for Loyola a reality.

“Monroe was developing land in Kenner, and he offered to give Loyola $750,000 worth of it,” Cook said. “He also said he would give Loyola $1 million to put up a few buildings out there.”

The nearly 500 acres of land that Monroe gifted to Loyola was located near the Moisant Airport, which is now known as The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

It was described in the 1961 issue of Wolf Magazine as being “larger than the whole country of Monaco”.

Situated near Lake Pontchartrain, Loyola’s campus would have been circumscribed by East Loyola Drive, West Esplanade Avenue and Joe Yenni Boulevard.

Cook said that Donnelly was so adamant on moving Loyola to Kenner, the only addition to the campus he allowed to be made was the building of a temporary athletic center in the back of campus, where Loyola’s current recreational center and Freret Street parking garage lie.

“Donnelly didn’t want to build any permanent buildings because he was going to get rid of the university Uptown,” Cook said. “In fact,

the Danna Center was very much designed to be on the lakefront facing Lake Pontchartrain. That’s why it looks the way it does.”

He was given permission by the Jesuits to sell the Uptown campus with the exception of Holy Name of Jesus Church, Marquette Hall and Thomas Hall.

Loyola then offered Tulane its campus with these exemptions, but they were only willing to sell it for $10 million.

“Tulane balked at the price. They didn’t want to pay that much,” Cook said. “I’m sure Tulane is very unhappy that they didn’t buy it then.”

When Donnelly stepped down as president of the university in 1961, his plans for Loyola’s future in Kenner were abandoned.

“Loyola has been selling the land parcel by parcel at least since the 70’s. It was an important addition to Loyola’s endowment,” Cook said.

“This is something Loyola has profited from for over a period of 40 years or so.”

The land is now the home of an Ochsner Medical Center, Kenner City Park, subdivisions, luxury apartments and a Wal-Mart Super-

center.

For Gyasi Gomez sociology senior, Loyola’s location on St. Charles solidified her decision to attend the university.

“I’m from Washington D.C., so I really wanted that New Orleans experience,” Gomez said. “Loyola would definitely not have been on my radar if it was in Kenner.”

Alex Ricchiuto, music industries senior and a native of Cleveland, Ohio said that Loyola wouldn’t attract out-of-state students.

“I wouldn’t have come if Loyola was in Kenner,” Ricchiuto said. “The only time I ever want to be in Kenner is if I’m headed to the airport to go home.”

Cook said he shares this sentiment.

“I think it would have been a terrible move for the university, and I’m happy it never came to fruition,” Cook said. “In fact, what I think is one of the most important events in the history of Loyola is what didn’t end up happening.”

Wildes said that he expects the rest of the land in Kenner to be sold by the end of this year.

KENNER PROPERTY 500 ACRES

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Students and school officials say OrgSync is underused

By Starlight Williams slwillia@loyno.edu @Star_lightw

After nearly a year and a half of being used as a communication portal for student organizations, Loyola students still struggle using OrgSync effectively.

In the spring of 2013, the Office of Student Affairs and the Student Government Association purchased a three-year contract with OrgSync

for $41,800, Heather Seaman, director of Co-Curricular Programs, said.

Although Co-Curricular Programs has conducted trainings at council meetings, offered oneon-one consultations for student organizations and introduced the program to students during the technology sessions at the new student orientation, Seaman said she believes students are not using OrgSync to its full capabilities.

“Students are using some of the

main features of OrgSync, including the student organization directory, updating organization profiles and communicating with student organizations,” Seaman said. “However, there are still numerous features that are available to students, such as e-portfolios, websites for student organizations and more that can be used.”

While students visit OrgSync occasionally when active organizations push messages to their mem-

bers’ email, many students such as Amelia Seidel, English sophomore, never even login to their accounts.

“I don’t really use OrgSync. It’s just kind of there,” Seidel said.

Even though Orgsync is designed to be the core of student organization communication, looking through the OrgSync page, less than half of the organizations on OrgSync actively use and update their pages.

“It’s a cool program. I just wish people used it more,” Jordan Foun-

taine, physics sophomore, said.

Seaman said she remains hopeful that OrgSync will become more incorporated into campus life.

“We believe that as people become more familiar with the system and the technology continues to integrate into campus life, that organizations will be able to take more advantage of tools available to them,” Seaman said.

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WORLDVIEW

November 14, 2014 THE MAROON

Tulane offers Uptown shuttle

By Jessica Molina jgmolina@loyno.edu @jmolina217

Photo Illustration by Zach Brien

Social media’s role in activism impacts participation in causes

By Tiffany Kudiwu tmkudiwu@loyno.edu @tiffany_kudiwu

Social media has become a tool for individuals and organizations alike to spread their message with the aid of one particular symbol — the hashtag.

The term “hashtag activism” refers to the use of Twitter hashtags for Internet activism. Notable examples in recent news include #BringbackourGirls, #WhyIstayed, #YesAllWomen and #ALSIceBuck-

WORLDVIEW BRIEFS Tulane student dies from second-story balcony fall A Tulane student died from blunt head trauma resulting from a fall from the second-floor staircase balcony rail of a residence hall.

The university released a message from Mike Fitts, Tulane University president, on the university’s website confirming the student as Benjamin Burlock, school of liberal arts sophomore. The Tulane University Police Department said the incident occurred at Phelps House and classified the incident as an alcohol offense and underage alcohol consumption, according to Tulane’s student newspaper The Hullabaloo.

NOPD detectives under investigation The New Orleans Office of Inspector General released a report investigating five detectives from the Special Victims Section of the New Orleans Police Department.

NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau identified 1,111 of the 1,290 sex crime related calls assigned to the detectives as not containing reports documenting any additional investigation.

etChallenge.

Andrew Nelson, visiting professor in the school of mass communication, said the use of social media brings a sense of solidarity to a cause.

“People use the power of social media to conglomerate their causes.

The benefits of it are that it shows a lot of solidarity with a lot of people, and by using a hashtag, you can search and see how other people have defined their giving or helping,” Nelson said.

Terri Zehyoue, criminal justice and sociology senior, often posts on social media about social problems.

Zehyoue said she believes the importance of social media in activism is that it creates the ability to give voices to individuals who typically

go unheard.

“What I found to be most powerful about social media is that gives a voice to people who might not be heard otherwise,” Zehyoue said.

“When you post in a trend, it gives you power to express themselves.”

As a result of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson, #iftheygunnedmedown was created to lead the social media outcry over images of Michael Brown chosen by news outlets.

Nelson said that social media activism stemming from Ferguson, Missouri was fascinating because it was reactionary commentary to societal injustice and prompted individuals to contribute to the conversation.

“Hashtag activism starts to get

interesting when it addresses social problems with spontaneous messages and unsolicited comments from people who feel very strongly about those issues,” Nelson said.

While the death of Michael Brown ignited outrage via social media, the ice bucket challenge sparked interest in altruism. Celebrities, world leaders and many others flooded news feeds with videos dousing themselves with buckers of ice water in an effort to raise money and awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

ALS Association Spokesperson James Craig said the #ALSIceBucketChallenge campaign differs from

See HASHTAG, PAGE 8

Legislation threatens ‘Hollywood South’ future

By Andrew Leach atleach@loyno.edu

It may still be a year away, but the Louisiana film industry will soon face a challenge that could ultimately decide whether the term “Hollywood South” could actually apply to Louisiana.

Both Legislation 2015 and tax incentive-rivaling states are challenging whether or not Louisiana can remain on the radar as one of the nation’s leading production spots.

Louisiana currently offers a 30 percent tax credit for film production, which is the highest rate in the nation. As states like Georgia and California fight to compete with Louisiana’s 30 percent incentives, the state also faces intense legislative battles on the homefront.

The Louisiana Budget Project aims to reform the state budget and is the biggest threat to the Louisiana film industry, according to actress

and activist Suzie Labry.

Labry, who has been involved with over 300 movies and is actively involved in the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association said that if the Louisiana Budget Project gets its way, it would be “just enough to kill the industry.”

Jan Moller, director of the Louisiana Budget Project, said that the money going towards Hollywood producers should be redirected to vulnerable Louisiana citizens.

Labry said she thought killing the tax incentives would hurt the local industry tremendously.

“It’s too early to end the program,” Mike McHugh, business agent for the Local 478 International Alliance for Theatrical Stage Equipment, said.

Although the current tax laws will likely need to be adjusted, McHugh said, “Tweaks and changing the program could make the industry more sustainable and affordable.”

The Louisiana Budget Project may be the largest threat to Louisiana industry, but the state must also compete with Georgia, which has a comparable 30 percent tax incentive ,according to an economic study put out by Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. There is no doubt that the current tax incentives have skyrocketed productions in Louisiana, according to McHugh.

McHugh said that on average, two to three films were filmed annually in Louisiana in the 1990s prior to the incentive laws. The current laws were passed in 2002 and since then, roughly 50-60 productions, excluding independent films, visit each year.

“Legislation 2015 will be the biggest fight we will have ever have,” Labry said.

According to Labry, the local industry will either “make or break.”

This semester, Tulane is giving students a free way to get around Uptown without relying on the city’s public transportation through The Uptown Loop.

The shuttle is picking up students at both Loyola campuses and is offering service to more than 70 restaurants and businesses in the Uptown area.

The shuttle route begins outside of the University Sports Complex on Loyola’s main campus and ends on Loyola’s Broadway campus.

Brian Lowe, director of transportation for Tulane shuttles, said the Department of Shuttles and Transportation designed the route to provide safe transportation for students to a variety of Uptown locations.

The shuttle vans are currently in the process of receiving a new reflective-vinyl wrap displaying the Tulane shuttle logo for easy identification. These are the same shuttles currently used on the Gold Zone line, which provides rides to residences or vehicles within a one-mile radius of Tulane’s uptown campus.

Lowe said he is hoping to have shuttle stop signs on both Loyola campuses in coming weeks.

Theresa Solenski, biological science sophomore, Cabra resident and shuttle frequenter, said she appreciates the inclusion of both campuses.

“The Uptown Loop is great because sometimes it seems like the Broadway campus gets forgotten,” Solenski said.

Lowe said his ideas are for the shuttle to be used as “a safe alternative to walking from campus at night.”

The Uptown Loop can be tracked on a free app called SmarTraxx to help riders better plan their evening.

“The tracking app feature makes me more likely to use the Loop shuttle,” Perry Linares, psychology sophomore, said.

Solenski said he plans on using the app to make sure the bus is on time and to check the schedule.

“The app makes it convenient because I don’t want to get ready for dinner and be waiting outside in the Louisiana weather for 20 minutes,” Solenski said.

The shuttle runs Thursday to Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Specific restaurants are available on the Tulane shuttle website.

SHUTTLE INFORMATION RUNNING TIMES Thursday to Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

LOYNO PICK & DROP-OFF ZONES St. Charles Campus: Sports Complex Broadway Campus: Cabra Hall

SHUTTLE WEBSITE shuttles.tulane.edu

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Life &Times

November 14, 2014 THE MAROON

Film • Arts • Food • Music • Leisure • Nightlife

LIFE AND TIMES BRIEFS Art gallery hosts ‘Guns in the Hands of Artists’ Guns in the Hands of Artists is a national art project, exhibited at galleries across the country. The social activist artistic project distributed decommissioned guns that have been taken off the streets of New Orleans to 30 internationally known artists to use as raw materials in their works. The exhibition is part of Prospect 3.

‘Guns in the Hands of Artists’ will be held at the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, located at 400 Julia St., and will run until the end of January.

Curing the wintertime blues Also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD is a type of depression that typically strikes in autumn and continues through winter. It is an ailment directly associated with the changing of seasons. Often this condition leaves people feeling moody, sad or lonely. No Loyola student should have to experience such devastating emotions since academic focus is particularly critical as we close in on finals. That being said, here are 10 things that will hopefully warm you right up.

Renaissance Festival comes to Louisiana The Louisiana Renaissance Festival will be taking place Saturday, Nov. 15. The festival is on 46468 River Rd. in Hammond, Louisiana. The event holds a cast of 300 costumed actors, live stage shows, jousts, craft, demos, food, music, falconry, games and much more. The times of the festival are 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Literary Festival heads to New Orleans The Faulkner Society is hosting the Word and Music: A Literary Festival in New Orleans on Thursday, Nov. 20 at Hotel Monteleone. The festival includes a Sunday night gala, masterclasses, book sales, panel discussions with noted authors, literary luncheons and more. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cartoon by Katie Richard

From Cameo to Close-Up: Louisiana lives in Film On Friday Nov. 21 the Williams Research Center for The Historic New Orleans Collection is hosting the From Cameo to Close-Up: Louisiana in Film exhibit. The exhibit shows posters, lobby cards, photographs, press books and other items from the silent film era in the mid1990s. The event is from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The ‘World Goes Round’ for two more nights The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance production, “The World Goes ‘Round,” will have two more showings on Nov. 14 and 15.

“An audience takes the show to a whole new level,” Emily Rose Gyan, theater senior and performer in the revue, said. “Their energy and responses fuel our performance.”

The musical revue features songs from Kander and Ebb’s more famous works like “Chicago”, “Cabaret” and “Funny Lady,” but also musical numbers from their more obscure shows like “The Happy Time,” “The Rink” and “Flora And The Red Menace.”

“I thought it was throughly enjoyable,” Oliver Blackstone, music education freshman, said. “I enjoyed every moment of it.”

The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Marquette Theatre.

By Samantha Eroche seeroche@loyno.edu

LET THERE BE LIGHT Especially natural light. Numerous studies have shown that fluorescent lights, though far more cost-and-energy-efficient, tend to leave us feeling sick, tired and anxious, and these symptoms only worsen with the coming of winter.

What to do? Twist open your blinds!

Throw open your curtains, or even replace them with lighter-colored curtains; this can completely alter the look of a room. As creatures of the sun, we want and need this natural light, so greet the day as often as you can.

GET CREATIVE Whether it’s the cold or your stereotypical college budget, sometimes you just can’t get out, which might mean you’re stuck in your dormroom more than you’d like to be. If your space is bumming you out, re-vamp. Rearranging furniture, hanging posters or family pictures and working on small craft projects can be a huge pick-me-up for an otherwise dull space.

BABY STEP TO-DO’S So it’s November, right? For college kids, that basically translates to “Less than a month until Thanksgiving and only about a month until winter break!” Then you remember that you’ve still got a billion things to do before then — papers, projects, presentations,

work-study, laundry... Sigh... But your list of to-do’s doesn’t have to crush you, and you don’t have to be a taskmaster, either. Instead, break up your big responsibilities into little, more manageable tasks. Have to write a huge paper? No worries.

Divide your time accordingly so that you have a full day to brainstorm, another to outline and draft and another to revise and edit so that you won’t be overwhelmed.

Baby steps will get you through!

ORGANIZE One important thing to keep in mind as we approach winter break is the fact that we’ll be going home soon and will need to know where all of our stuff is. If you rented textbooks, do you know where all of them are and when they’re due back? Have you been keeping track of important dates on your calendar for finals? Do you have unnecessary papers lying around that you could throw away? The moment you rid yourself of the clutter in your life, the better you’ll feel about the challenges ahead.

WORK IT OUT Often when nippy weather strikes, some of us tend to want to hibernate indoors. Instead, encourage yourself to go for a walk on the grounds or in the park. The fresh air and sunshine will do you some good! If you really can’t bear the cold, however, the Loyola Recreation Sports Complex offers a variety of free classes to students and

faculty and staff. From belly dancing to zumba to yoga and so much more, there are no restrictions as to how you can get physical.

HEALTH-KICK THOSE BLUES Be sure to take care of yourself as you approach the final weeks of the semester. Yes, the occasional all-nighter is unavoidable, but you shouldn’t make a habit of it. Be sure to get adequate rest and exercise as well as plenty of fluids and nutritious food in your system, especially if you feel as though you’re coming down with a bug. It’s easy to fall into the Pumpkin Spice/Peppermint Mocha kick or to snuggle up in your jammies with a bowl of Ramen and Netflix, but consume in moderation. With finals just around the corner, you need all the energy and rest you can get in order to finish strong.

THERE’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR DORM And you don’t even need a magic carpet to get there. Non-Louisianians in particular should be aware that this cool, blustery weather won’t stick around for too long. Before we know it, it’ll be scorching once more. Take advantage of this perfect weather to go for a walk in Audubon Park across the street, or perhaps take a ride on the streetcar along St. Charles. Maybe just enjoy the Peace Quad. Whatever you decide to do, try to incorporate the outdoors into your plans.

CONNECT WITH YOUR POSSE Always be kind to yourself. If you’re feeling frustrated from work, school or weather, give yourself a little reprieve from your studies and connect with loved ones. You’ll feel less lonely and more sane afterward. Get a group of friends together for brunch at Camellia Grill or Café Du Monde one weekend, or host a gathering in your dorm one night to watch American Horror Story (popcorn a must!). It could even be as simple as calling mom and asking her about her day.

DO GOOD It’s easy to feel down when the weather changes. Luckily, you can channel that negative energy into something positive by doing goods deeds. At this time of year, numerous festivals abound, seeking volunteers in order to run smoothly.

Perhaps you and your friends could help out at the Fringe Festival or, if you watch your Wolfmail, ResLife will occasionally ask for helpers with Loyola’s community partner The Edible Schoolyard, a program which maintains five NOLA gardens and teaches students about kitchen and garden education.

The next volunteering event is Nov. 21 from 12:30 to 4:00 at Samuel Green, but you need to reserve a spot through OrgSync. Doing good could even constitute baking a cake and leaving it anonymously on your lounge floor. Maybe you slip a note underneath your resident chaplain’s door wishing him a good day. It’s the little things, too.

November 14, 2014 THE MAROON

THE W RKS The Maroon's section of student art. Contribute at letter@loyno.edu

FICTION

Sam is transported to a mental Manhattan

PART ELEVEN

By Adam Albaari akalbaar@loyno.edu

A cold wind suddenly whipped my face. I saw that Dr. Wright and I were standing on top of a tall building in Manhattan. Below us were countless cars stuck in traffic bordered by the swarms of people.

“I can see the whole city from up here!” I exclaimed over the violent wind. I realized that in the distance, dark clouds were gathering and gaining strength. A storm was approaching.

I took a moment to try to grasp the complexity of the picture I saw before me. It was Manhattan, but like I’d never seen it before.

“Why are we all the way up here?

Why is Manhattan in my subconscious?” I asked.

“This only looks like Manhattan to you,” Dr. Wright’s voice was raised high enough for me to hear her over the roiling wind. “This is a representation of the collective images that create the world you see in your waking life. Think of it as a sort of dimensional cache.”

I walked to the edge of the building. The skyline was shining with a sheen of crisp clarity. I asked Dr. Wright how any of this was possible.

“You don’t have to experience something to imagine it,” she replied without looking away from the glowing city sprawl surrounding us.

“This isn’t some daydream,” I said as I stepped away from the edge and walked toward her. I needed more than just her vague explanations to convince me that I wasn’t already in some mental hospital imagining all of this. “This is more than imagination.”

“Everything you experience is the sum total of sensory information that your brain is able to capture at any given moment. The way you see the world is always translated through your subjective mind’s eye.

Everything is imagined, Sam.” “Yes, but...”

For the first time, I noticed Dr.

Wright getting slightly annoyed.

“I’m surprised that after all I’ve shown you, you still doubt me.” She sounded a bit disappointed.

“I don’t doubt whether or not this is real,” I tried to elaborate, but then I threw up my hands and shrugged.

“Real doesn’t seem to matter much anymore.”

Dr. Wright smiled. “Then what good does it do you?”

“What?”

“Explanations. They only exist to prove the validity of something. But this is clearly real, and you are clearly experiencing it. What good does it do you if I explain how it is happening?” Dr. Wright seemed genuinely curious, as if she wasn’t just trying to understand something about me, but perhaps something about people in general.

When I thought about her answer, it occurred to me that she could tell me anything as an explanation and I would’ve accepted it. It didn’t matter if it was any more or less fantastic than what I was experiencing, but a part of me still felt like having some sort of explanation would help me prove to myself that I wasn’t crazy.

But then again, who was I trying to kid?

“Explanations. They only exist to prove the validity of something. But this is clearly real, and you are clearly experiencing it.”

POETRY

Green Mosaic

By Alex Kolpan

amkolpan@loyno.edu

I came home to a dark room Casually lit to my mind set.

I thought things couldn’t be so bad So I emptied the trash out And turned all the lights on Called my mom, said “I love you” She responded with her voicemail.

I went outside to my car The sun fell, the moon raised.

I thought things could be worse off So I turned my car on And switched on the car lights And drove to the liquor store And when I tried to enter They said, “Sorry sir, we’re closed now.”

So I drove back to my house All of the lights were off.

I tripped on the staircase But made my way up.

I thought maybe things are terrible I can’t see in the darkness.

Then I got a headache And I started to think straight.

The pain was so intense.

I threw a Heineken bottle on the ground.

It smashed into tiny little pieces.

I picked them all up from the ground And turned them into a green mosaic .

Alone, I bursted out in laughter.

It was terribly constructed.

And I thought, ya know, I’m okay with that.

And I thought, ya know, I like that.

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7

8

NEWS BRIEFS Communication office welcomes new director Francie Davenport A’92, will now serve as the acting head of the Office of Marketing and Communications with the departure of former Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Terry Fisher A’76.

Fisher left the university to pursue different opportunities, according to a university announcement.

Davenport said Fisher is a “marketing genius” and stated that she “personified the benefits of a Loyola education.” She said that she is “thrilled to represent our supertalented team during this transition.”

The university has also hired freelance PR professional Lori Lyons A’87 to work in the Office of Public Affairs and Lindsay McLennan, Loyola’s new Director of Web Communications.

University holds Fall Open House this weekend Prospective students and their families will visit campus on Saturday, Nov. 15 for Loyola’s annual Fall Open House.

Beginning at 8:00 a.m., prospective students can attend a breakfast, go on tours of the campus and learn about Loyola’s programs.

The event will also include music from Loyola’s faculty and students.

Loyola puts on National Day of Service Wolves on the Prowl, a day of service for Loyola’s students and alumni, will be Saturday, Nov. 15.

The day is meant to encourage students and alumni to live the university’s Jesuit mission by serving their communities.

Current students and local alumni will work at KIPP Central City Primary School.

Students can register through OrgSync.

Professors host panel about Ferguson The African and African American Studies Committee is holding a Fergusons Across America panel on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Room.

Panelists will include former NOPD Superintendent and Loyola professor Ronal Serpas, Psychology Professor Charles Corprew, Assistant Professor of History Ashley Howard, Law Professor Mitchell Crusto, President of Black Student Union Mathew Holloway, and Alex Mikulich, assistant professor at the Jesuit Social Research Institute.

The panel will examine racial issues in the legal system as well as the psychology of hypermasculinity and violence.

Law school hosts class of 1979 reunion The Loyola Law Class of 1979 is celebrating its 35th graduation anniversary by holding a weekendlong reunion from Nov. 14 through Nov. 16.

The Celebration begins Friday, with a cocktail reception. It continues Saturday with a picnic on the Greenville Hall lawn and a cocktail party at Galatoire’s.

On Sunday, there will be Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church followed by a farewell brunch at the Audubon Clubhouse Café.

THE MAROON

HASHTAG, continued from page 4 other campaigns because of its origin.

“What sets this campaign apart is that it was not a campaign that was conceived by an organization to raise funds,” Craig said. “It was a grassroots effort from people living with ALS to raise awareness.”

The #ALSIceBucketChallenge campaign has raised $115 million in donations for the ALS association for research since its launch. Craig said that the challenge gave the disease unprecedented attention.

“ALS has never experienced this

level of visibility. Before the ice bucket challenge, maybe half of the general public even knew what ALS is. The awareness has been so valuable to our fight. And, of course, the money that has been raised is unprecedented,” Craig said.

Nelson said that social media is a beneficial tool for activism because it presents a cause to a wide audience, but it can also detract from an issue when interest is lost in favor of the next trending cause.

“We have an awareness of it. It jogs our memory or tugs our conscience, and then we forget about it because they next new thing starts to trend,” Nelson said.

November 14, 2014 Although hashtag activism can result in individuals taking action in the real world, Nelson said some might only be participating in “slacktivism.” The term “slacktivism” refers to individuals who only portray concern for a trending cause through posting to social media.

“It is very easy to like some sort of activist’s statement on Facebook, or retweet and use a hashtag, but it’s another thing all together to either contribute money or your time to the very same cause,” Nelson said.

Zehyoue said some activists think that a presence on social media makes no real world impact.

“I know a lot of activists in general

who feel like social presence is not important because they think that people just post a status they have changed the world,” Zehyoue said.

Despite the pattern of causes losing popular interest when something else trends, Zehyoue said she doesn’t see social medium activism losing popularity.

“I don’t see social media activism going away because the Internet is one of the most powerful things we have to connect to people all over the world especially when people start to care about the same issues,” Zehyoue said.

10

THE MAROON

SUDOKU

ACROSS

1. Jeweler’s concerns 9. Coke product 15. Passed 16. “Top Hat” dancer 17. How Dickens’ novels were first published 18. Is wild about 19. Backwash creator 20. Montreal Canadiens’ all-time leading point scorer 22. Toon shopkeeper 23. Signals one’s presence, in a way 25. Highly visible septet 27. Year in Clement VIII’s papacy 28. Piquancy 29. Silly sorts 30. Jump back into the fray 32. Clingy husk 33. Paper fatteners 34. Flips 38. Hot air ballooning watchdog: Abbr.

39. Almond confection 40. About 1% of the Earth’s atmosphere 43. Engine once known as Live Search 44. Abbey section 45. Gig at the brig 47. Your alternative, at times 48. Taper off 49. 1974 top ten hit for Carole King 51. Kenyan export 53. Green Giant morsel 55. Dietary practice 57. Efface 58. Sea along the Balkan peninsula 59. Letter closing 60. Buoys up

DOWN

1. Underwhelming 2. She played Principal McGee in “Grease”

November 14, 2014

3. View providers 4. Prefix with athlete 5. Right-leaning type?: Abbr.

6. Bourbon Street city, informally 7. Drivers can be seen in them 8. Broad view 9. Mountebank 10. Five-time A.L. home run champ 11. A BMOC may have a big one 12. Colorful cover-up 13. Brunch order 14. Guarantee 21. Whisking target 24. Miss badly 26. Blofeld’s cat in Bond films 27. Picture of health?

28. “I’m off!”

31. Baryshnikov move

32. Wimbledon five-peater 34. Largest moon of Jupiter 35. Fondness 36. Submits, as an exam paper 37. Topeka-to-Peoria dir.

39. Bar __ 40. Handout from a chair 41. 40th anniversary symbols 42. Unintelligible talk 43. Sawyer of old comics 46. “Antiques Roadshow” expert 47. Booth warning sign 50. Onetime capital of the Mughal Empire 52. Pacers and Ramblers 54. Bk. of the Torah 56. Baseball’s Ryan Zimmerman or Jordan Zimmermann, briefly

Puzzle answers for November 7, 2014

November 14, 2014 The Maroon

RELIGION

11

BILAL HUSSEIN / AP Photo Lebanese Muslim Shiite men, stained by their own blood from self-inflicted wounds, chant in memory of Imam Hussein during a march to mark the Ashoura holiday in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon on Tuesday, Nov. 4. In Lebanon, where sectarian tensions are high over the civil war in Syria, tens of thousands of supporters of the Shiite Hezbollah rioted when Imam Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed in present-day Iraq.

Religious minorities in Syria feel threatened

By Syed Abidin saabidin@loyno.edu

Minorities are being mistreated and victimized at a rapidly increasing rate in Syria, according to Congressman Chris Smith. This is due to a civil war that has devastated Syria for the past two years and has now claimed the lives of at least 100,000 people.

Christian Today magazine described how people in different minority groups are being killed on a daily basis by opposition forces upon the supposition that they are the supporters of the current regime. This has resulted in increased numbers of kidnapping, looting, rapes and en masse murders of in-

dividuals minority groups.

The increase in lawlessness has caused many Syrian minorities to fear for their lives and religious freedom, which are, at the present moment, in great danger.

All different ethnic and religious groups lived in peace and harmony in Syria before the start of the Arab Spring, a wave of protests in many different Arabic countries against authoritarian regimes, political corruptness and violations of human rights, which eventually resulted in brutal civil wars in many of these countries, including Syria.

64 percent of the Syrian population is made up of Sunni Arabs, while Sunni Kurds make up 10 percent. Christians make up another 10

percent. Three percent are Druze and the Alawites, which are Shia Muslims, comprises of about 13 percent of the Syrian population.

Mohamad Al Halabi, Imam of the American Islamic Center in Florida and a Syrian himself, believes that the reason why minorities are being threatened and killed by opposition groups like ISIS is because these groups are being funded and supported by the United States, who he said he believes has its own agenda and wants to change the regime in Syria.

“When the U.S. support the rebel groups like ISIS, unfortunately they give them a lot of power to destroy the country. If this continues and these groups take over, then there

will be no freedom for the minorities in the future and they will have no choice but to follow them,” Al Hababi said.

He said he believes that the U.S. should stop supporting them.

Some others, like Hiba Elasaar, biochemistry senior, believe that it is the corruption of the Alawites, the ruling party in Syria that has given rise to extremists groups like ISIS who want to retaliate against the regime and are responsible for the destruction of the country.

Elasaar also said she thinks that the Alawites are being supported by the West, leading to the West ignoring many of their “illicit activities.”

“The Alawites are a more progressive or Westernized sect of Muslims.

If they are the head of the government, the Muslim threat to the West is kept in check. The Ba’ath party has a history of corruption since it was founded but for years, the West turned a blind eye,” Elasaar said.

Adil Khan, assistant professor of Islamic Studies, said he believes that Syria’s issues take root in the power struggles occurring in each locality.

Khan describes this as authority members in Syria trying to “fill the vacuum of lawlessness.” On how the problem should be solved, he added that there is a “need to take a humanistic approach to the crisis instead of a simplistic one that preferences one group over another.”

Jesuit Volunteer Corps is a popular option for Loyola graduates

By Katie Collier kacollie@loyno.edu

The holidays are rapidly approaching, which for seniors means an overwhelming amount of questions from family and friends about post-graduation plans.

However, it is not essential to jump right into an office job. Rather, many seniors consider doing a year of service before settling down to an official job.

Jesuit Volunteer Corps is a yearlong commitment that volunteers make to serve in alignment with Jesuit values. Volunteers are placed in a location that works with their interests and skill set. They live with fellow volunteers for a year, doing service at a site five days a week.

With JVC, volunteers are placed in a house with five other volunteers all doing different jobs in the same area. All of the jobs in the household have a common thread of engaging and serving marginalized people, such as with local nonprofit organizations and schools for low-income

families.

Katie Sloan A’14 is currently working as a caregiver at L’arche in Spokane, Washington. The L’arche houses adults with disabilities, which Sloan said she was interested in.

“I’ve had a passion for much of my life for working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in some capacity, and I read that JVC, specifically in the Northwest, had a lot of opportunities for placements with this population,” Sloan said.

Assistant Director of University Ministry Laura Alexander agrees that JVC is a great opportunity for Loyola graduates to give back and engage in social justice work.

“JVC is based on four principles: spiritual growth, building community with other JVs and those they serve, living simply and the pursuit of social justice. I know that for many of our recent graduates, living and working for a year or two as a JV has helped them integrate the ideals and values they encountered at

Loyola into their post-graduate lives and worldviews,” Alexander said.

Bridget Kratz A’13, Carissa Marston A’13, Mar Trujillo A’13, Margaret Leiderbach A’13 and Jordan Harbaugh A’13 all completed their JVC year this past July. Kratz is currently doing a second year with JVC in Sitka, Alaska.

Terri Zehyoue, criminal justice senior, is considering applying for JVC. “I’m considering applying to JVC for many reasons. I’ve heard great reviews about it and I want to do as much service as I can while I’m still young!” Zehyoue said.

The deadline for JVC applications for the 2015-2016 year is Feb. 1. For those looking for a way to give a year of service, fulfill passions, explore and learn in a new community and state, JVC could be considered as an option for post-grad life.

“I wanted exploration, community and experience, and JVC had all of these things,” Sloan said.

Photo courtesy of Katie Sloan May 2014 alumni Katie Sloan at a weekend event at the L’Arche house for disabled adults. Sloan is a volunteer for JVC Northwest in Spokeane, Washington for one year.

SPORTS

November 14, 2014 THE MAROON

SPORTS BRIEFS Women’s Basketball trumps SUNO Loyola’s women’s basketball team beat local rivals, Southern University of New Orleans, on Monday night 95-74. By the middle of the first half, the Pack gained a strong lead and continued in their rhythm for the rest of the game. The players left the court at halftime, 45-33. In the second half, with ten minutes left, the Pack took the lead once and for all and remained at least 15 points ahead until the buzzer.

Meghan Temple, biological sciences sophomore, recorded career highs in points and rebounds, 26 and 14 respectively. Janeicia Neely, mass communication senior, came close to Temple with 21 points and four assists.

13

FACE DOWN ON FRERET

Two Track athletes win SSAC awards Haley Milsark, environmental history junior, and Paul Freese, history senior, have been named to the 2014 Southern States Athletic Conference All-Conference Team.

Both athletes competed in the championship races last weekend in Mississippi, where Milsark finished second and Freese came in ninth. Milsark not only beat her career best time, but also took the Loyola’s women’s record for the 5k, taking 16 seconds off the last record. Her time qualifies her for the NAIA National Championship on Nov. 22. Freese, who ran the 8k, tied his personal record, as well as the record for sixth fastest time in Loyola’s history.

Men’s Basketball falls to Xavier University Loyola’s men’s basketball team fought hard against No. 13 Xavier on Tuesday night, and sent the game into over time, but ultimately fell, 72-66. Xavier jumped off to a quick start, and it wasn’t until 12 minutes into the first half that Loyola took the lead. After a foul with 20 seconds left of the first half, McCall Tomeny, finance senior, made one of two free-throws, giving them a 27-26 lead going into the half. With three seconds left, Nick Parker, general studies freshman, made a three-pointer that tied up the game. In over time, Xavier took over, closing the game with a series of free-throws. Tomeny and Robert Lovaglio, management senior, both led the Pack with 15 points each.

Haley Milsark named Athlete of the Week Loyola’s women’s cross country runner Haley Milsark, environmental history junior, was named Kentwood Springs Student Athlete of the Week. Milsark finished second in the 5k in the SSAC Championships, leading her to qualify for the NAIA Nationals.This is the second time she has been named Student Athlete of the Week.

Women’s Golf ties for third in NAIA Preseason Poll

Loyola’s women’s golf team was voted into the 2014-2015 NAIA Women’s Golf Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll. The team also tied for third in the SSAC by an NAIA poll.

The women competed in three tournaments during the fall season and received a total of 77 points in the NAIA poll.

LINDA HEXTER / Senior Staff Photographer

As is tradition, Tulane hosted Loyola in the annual Battle of Freret. Also keeping with tradition, the Pack fell to the Green Wave 89-43. LEFT: Jalen Gray, management sophomore, jumps in an attempt to save the ball but fouled against a Tulane defender; TOP RIGHT: Daniel Kuhl, management senior, sets up an offensive play; BOTTOM RIGHT: The Pack watches their teammates face the opposition on the court.

Loyola defeats Carver in season opener, 101-81

By Mark Robinson mtrobins@loyno.edu @mtrobins

For a team operating under new head coach Stacy Hollowell, there are few things that could have gone better in the Wolf Pack’s first game against Carver College.

For the first time since 2009, the men’s team reached the century mark in their first game of the season with a 101-81 victory over Carver College.

“We played with good pace in that game. We created some easy opportunities. When their backs were against the wall they pressured us a little bit but our guys handled the pressure well,” Hollowell said.

In the games following the victory

over Carver College, the Pack faced consecutive losses to opponents Lafayette and Southeastern, games in which the team gave up an average of 92 points per game. Although they are exhibition games, it shows that the team is still improving on both ends of the floor according to Coach Hollowell.

“In the Lafayette game, we looked very timid. We didn’t play with the same kind of aggressiveness on offense that we played with against Carver College. We’ve gotta continue to get better defensively,” Hollowell said.

Along with getting used to a new system under a new head coach, freshman Nick Parker is also trying to get used to the pace of a college

game.

“The most difficult part of playing college ball is adjusting to the speed of the game,” Parker said.

In his four years at Port Allen High, Parker averaged 20.6 points per game and 6.0 assist while leading his team to the class 3A quarterfinals. But Parker has shot a combined 2 for 16 in the last two games, which has led him to want to spend more time in the gym.

“I’ve got to get in the gym on my own time and work on the things I’ve been struggling with over the last couple of games,” Parker said.

The men’s team is made up of a group of freshman, sophomores and a handful of juniors. To anchor the bench unit, Daniel Kuhl, man-

agement senior, has accepted the role of coming off the bench.

“We’re so deep this year that I think coming off the bench is a vital role. I do whatever I need to do to help the team win,” Kuhl said.

Kuhl started a series of games last season. Although moving to the bench has been an adjustment of its own, Kuhl, as a senior, is most concerned with winning.

“It’s our last go ‘round. We might as well give everything we’ve got now because the seniors aren’t going to be here next year. We’re just trying to win,” Kuhl said.

The men’s team will face conference rivals Brewton Parker and Coastal Georgia on the road wbackto-back.

OPINION

14

November 14, 2014 THE MAROON

IN MY OPINION

Don’t let your politics get in the way of your humanity

Students sharing their opinions on various topics

ZACH BRIEN Zach is a Mass communication junior.

PEOPLE ARE NOT ACCESSORIES

zjbrien@loyno.edu

KATIE RICHARD / The Maroon

HANNAH GOMEZ FARIAS Hannah is a Mass communication senior. hrgomezf@loyno.edu

My first gay friend was a severely closeted, hip-hop dancing Bible-thumper who came out to a few friends at a party. From that day on, his popularity grew exponentially.

To this day, he still stands as an unthreatening connection to all hot women and the perfect shopping partner.

This disgusts me.

So often I hear people — mostly women my age — say things like, “I want a gay best friend!” with the same kind of desire they normally reserve for an expensive pair of boots. We treat being friends with a gay man as some sort of “cool” thing to be.

But this kind of thinking dehumanizes gay men. When we think like this, we have to recognize that we are part of the problem. I sat down with a few of my gay male friends to talk about this problem only to realize that I was way behind. With so much incredible support for gay rights, it is hard to begin criticizing, so I’d like to advocate.

If you try to make friends with gay

men because they are gay, your ignorance is propagating a stereotype as much as the Westborough Baptist Church protester with the picket sign.

One stereotype isn’t better than the other: you are still classifying a large group, making grand assumptions about who they are based on one minute aspect.

By glorifying the stereotype of the sassy gay bestie, you are contributing to the treatment of your “friend” as a person devoid of intellectual substance and an object of ridicule.

You are reducing a human being to an object, something with about as much value as that trendy crop top you bought at Forever 21. This will never allow them the equal rights you so claim they deserve.

So, the next time you think about going to a gay bar because you want to meet a new shopping buddy, or you ask your hairstylist out to drinks or for advice on relationships under the presumption that he is gay, just don’t.

Develop real connections with people and treat them like the multi-layered and complex beings they actually are.

Stand up for what you believe in, not because you want to be the first bridesmaid at a gay wedding but because you believe it is right for people to have equal rights.

Act like Facebook is watching and fight for equality, daily.

“If you try to make friends with gay men because they are gay, your ignorance is propagating the stereotype as much as the Westborough Baptist Church protester with the picket sign. “ — Hannah Gomez Farias Mass communication senior

After Tuesday’s midterm elections, a seismic change rocked U.S. politics. Republicans took control of the House of Representatives, giving them control of the Congress. The so-called “do-nothing” congress is now in control. A great deal of gridlock in Washington D.C. is likely to come, which is a frustrating possibility for Democrats everywhere.

This seismic change speaks to the hyper-partisanship in America. Republican ideologies will take a stranglehold on national politics.

This will result in more political tension nationwide, from the state level all the way down to a personal level.

In light of this drastic change, we the American people must do a great deal of self-reflection. We can’t let this change in Washington change how we view one another.

We must learn to separate a person’s personality from their political affiliation. It’s difficult, but it’s necessary. If we keep this mindset, we close ourselves off from fun we could have and laughs we could share.

Take this for example: Suppose you are a staunch liberal. Now suppose that you and Bill O’Reilly — or some other politician or pundit whose politics you despise — root for the same football team. This team is playing in primetime and you want to have a bunch of people over, including Bill O’Reilly.

Can you lay down your political prejudices, invite Bill over to watch the game and see him as Bill the football fan and not Bill O’Reilly the bombastic conservative pundit?

Liberals, if we were all honest with ourselves, we would have a hard time doing so. Admit it.

I’m not saying we should all be friends and hold hands while singing “Kumbaya.” That’s unrealistic.

What I’m advocating for is our humanity; our sense of community.

You should not despise someone or write someone out of your social circle because of who they voted for on Nov. 4.

Don’t let the hyper-politicized world we live in muddy the way you see people. When we were young children, we liked or disliked people based on who they were and how they treated us.

This is how we should view all people. If they’re genuinely unpleasant people to be around, don’t spend time with them; don’t have them over for the ball game because of the party they affiliate with. If they’re good people, have them over regardless.

But you should probably think twice about wearing your “I hate Glenn Beck” t-shirt.

EDITORIAL

November 14, 2014 THE MAROON

OUR EDITORIAL

15

no way!

The majority opinion of our editorial board

the power of

HOWLS & GROWLS

“no”

HOWL to registering for your classes without LORA crashing.

GROWL to thinking that catcalling is a compliment.

HOWL to campus events that offer free food.

GROWL to not being able to schedule that one class that you absolutely need to graduate.

No?

HOWL to choosing to spend your money on liquor over food.

Don’t be afraid to let go of commitments that no longer bring you happiness or satisfaction

GROWL to dwindling Wolf Bucks.

HOWL to the School of Mass Communication’s drone.

EDITORIAL BOARD Topher Balfer

Editor-in-Chief

Nia Porter

News Editor

Karla Daniela Rosas Kat O’ Toole Melanie Potter

Editorial Editor Managing Editor

Wolf Editor Life and Times Editor

Linda Hexter

NO

Senior Staff Photographer

Daniela Garcia Schulz Maroon Minute Coordinator Asia Alvarado

Copy Editor

Emily Andras

Design Chief

Katherine Collier

Religion Editor

Lauren Stroh

Copy Editor

Whitney Woods

Social Media Coordinator

Alexandra Kennon

Senior Staff Writer

Sarah Szigeti Devinn Adams

Sports Editor Worldview Editor

Zach Brien Burke Bischoff

Photo Editor The Works Editor

Hannah Gomez Farias Katie Richard

Web Master

Resident Cartoonist

EDITORIAL POLICY The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Loyola University.

Letters and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of The Maroon’s editorial board.

The Maroon does not represent the opinion of administration, staff and/or faculty members of Loyola.

Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Please limit submissions to 400 words. Submissions are due no later than 4 p.m. the Sunday before publication.

Please send all submissions — The Maroon, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Box 64, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Email us your letters — letter@ loyno.edu.

Submissions may also be made online at www.loyolamaroon.com.

umm.. no.

We’re in the middle of November, and suddenly everything seems like it’s about to cave in around us.

We say this because we know the feeling all too well, and we know that it’s likely you’re suffering from some mild case of the November blues yourself. You’re stressed.

School is in high gear with projects, papers and extracurriculars.

Meanwhile, life shows no signs of slowing down for you. Before you know it, you’re going through the motions just to keep yourself afloat.

You wake up, go to school, work, sleep and then, repeat. At some point, you have to stop and ask yourself: Am I happy?

If your answer is anything short of an emphatic “yes,” then it’s time to reconsider your life and the things you’ve committed to. Think of it as “Spring cleaning,” except it’s Fall and no one is asking you to do the dishes.

What we’re suggesting is that you take the time to reconsider the things you’re currently engaged with, be they work or relationships or some kind of extracurricular activity.

So often we’re told to find pride in our consistency and to involve ourselves in as many things as possible. And so often, we’re expected to stick through with these commitments, not for the sake of our own happiness or for the commitment itself, but merely because anything less than full participation is seen as quitting, and quitting is a failure.

But we’re here to call that mentality into question. If something in your life is no longer bringing you happiness, fulfillment or helping you to achieve something you desire, then we

. h a NAa

no thanks.

Photo illustration by Karla Daniela Rosas

suggest that you say goodbye to it.

There’s nothing wrong with walking away from something that makes you unhappy.

It certainly doesn’t make you a failure.

Think of it this way: If your friend were unhappily involved in a relationship destined for disappointment, would you encourage that friend to remain there? Would you call them a quitter?

We hope your answer would be a resounding “no.”

So why should you force yourself to stick around in a relationship that makes you unhappy — be it romantic or academic?

Unhappiness doesn’t manifest itself so obviously. If you find yourself simply going through the motions of your daily routine — doing things because you’re so used to doing them and because they bring you some kind of satisfaction — then we hate to break it to you, but it’s time to bid that commitment adieu.

You’ll be amazed at how empowering this can be: the act of saying “no” to something that doesn’t make you happy. Don’t worry so much about disappointing others or feeling guilty.

At some point, we have to step back from a situation and take ourselves into account. Are we happy?

If we aren’t, then how can we expect to make others happy?

If we aren’t in a good place ourselves, then we are in no position to try to do the same for others.

Don’t expect to lie yourself through the rest of the semester.

Bad faith can only take you so far.

Now is the time to let go of whatever it is that no longer brings you happiness.

Seriously. Try it. Just say “no.”