The city of New Orleans saw its first measurable snowfall since 2009 on Jan. 21. Some parts of the city recorded up to 10 inches of snow, breaking a record that had stood since 1895. Due to the weather Loyola announced that the university would be closed Jan.21-22 and held virtual classes on Jan. 23-24. The closure allowed for members of the Loyola community to make lasting memories during this historical event and flip to page 6 to see some of the highlights from the snow-filled
Statue of St. Ignatius covered in snow holding a snowman on Jan. 22,2025. James Hufnagel/The Maroon
PUZZLES
ACROSS
1. What season are we in?
7. For a short time
13. Your aunt’s daughter is your mom’s?
14. Paper with money on it
16. Introduction word
18. Monk’s say this word often
19. Criminal investigation, abbr.
20. Yes, in Mexico
21. Frozen drink from gas stations
22. Jennifer Lopez’s nickname “J-__”
23. Heartwarming movie about an alien
24. Frat boys scream this phrase when attempting to do something stupid
25. ey live on your dorm oor
26. Contact them when you’re having technology issues
27. Gym class, also known as
28. Expressing hesitant word
29. Playing in the snow is fun until this drops out of your pocket and you’re stuck trying to nd it for an hour
33. You know you’re alive when you feel this
36. Shot at someone from a far place
37. Symbol for nitrogen on periodic table
38. ere are 12 ______ in a year
39. Symbol for “Saturday” in SNL
40. Fourth vowel in the alphabet
41. Wear these to protect your hands from the cold
46. Letter used to indicate a win
47. Young people are described as this term when speaking on human rights issues
53. Helpful sta ers
56. It’s recommended to submit
this nancial form by February 1st in Louisiana
57. __;DR
58. Sound made at spa
59. Louisiana initials
61. Symbol for technetium on periodic table
62. Use this to slide down a snowy hill
64. Serious bodily harm can land you in the
65. University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s initials
66. Run away from
67. “Walk on __” (1964 hit)
68. Symbol for Group 1 on periodic table
69. Romania initials
70. Roundtrip, abbr.
71. Roman emperor whose name means “grandson” in Latin
73. Hitler crossed over this to invade France
76. Follow someone in order to catch them
77. God name of the Old Testament
DOWN
2. Antonym of out
3. Naughty or ____ 4. “__ amo”
5. Bacterial infection you can get from bu ets
6. Zoom or ___ classes for Sneaux days
7. ___ or decline
8. e color of New Orleans snow!
9. Element symbol for balloon gas
10. Bourbon street was so ___, people could skate on it
11. Lion King, abbr.
12. e birds in the morning do this…
15. Areas with speci c climates
17. American businessman known as the corporate rider
20. Melted snow on Nola streets
30. Call for attention shout
31. No Problem abbr.
32. __k!!! (excitement from the snow)
33. Main character’s name in the movie Kung Fu Panda
34. Organization for Peace abbr.
35. Lieutenant abbr.
41. is classic novel will be celebrating 100 years, “ e Great _____”
42. Pharmaceutical giant Eli
43. Overdose abbr.
44. Venezuela initials
45. Emergency services, abbr.
48. George Santos said he’s never heard of this porn site abbr.
49. Kappa Alpha in letters
50. El Salvador initials
51. I’m not done! Let's go to the _____ party!
52. Faces/angles
54. Express
55. I want an Oreo Mc_____
58. e vowels except Y
60. Hawaiian greeting
63. ___ hunting season is on Feb. 2
66. “For what it's worth” in text
71. Greek letter for N
72. Gta6 will come out on the __-5 console
74. When things are mid you say…
75. State with the capital as Lincoln; abbr.
STAFF LIST
Editorial Board
Editor in Chief - Matthew Richards
Managing Editor - Eloise Pickering
News Director - Violet Bucaro
Dep uty Campus News Editor - Alana
Frank
Deputy Local News Editor - Mary Ella
Hastings
Worldview Editor - Ecoi Lewis
Life & Times Editor - Isabella Castillo
Assistant Life & Times Editor - Emma Iseman
Sports Editor - Alana ompson
e Wolf Editor - Taylor Falgout
Copy Editor - Kloe Witt
Production
Front Page Designer - Daniel Garces
e Wolf Creative Director - Taylor
Falgout
Photo Director - Heidi Herrera-Wanke
Assistant Photo Directors - Sophia Renzi, Ava Dufrene
Chief Illustrator - Daryl Audrey Casas
Distribution Manager - Eloise Pickering, Sophia Renzi
Advertising Coordinator - Emily Keller
Digital & Outreach
Digital Director - Frankie Esteves
Video Director - James Hufnagel
Video Coordinator - Christopher Nesbit
Lead Anchor - Mabel RegaladoHernandez
Social Media Coordinator - Alondra Juarbe
Content Strategist - Andrea Arroyo
Content Strategist & DEIB - Camila
Faraudo
UI/UX Coordinator - Daniel Wong
Podcast Anchor - Anna Seriot
PR/Outreach Director - Julia Bueno
PR Manager - Asia Riddle
Crisis Comm Manager - Camila Torres
Contributors
Abigail Schmidt, Alyria Pierre, Anna erapondos, Ashlyn Bobb Collins, Cecilia Calderin, Christopher Pouncy, Dominique Campbell, Eleanor BoucherFerry, Elise Beck, Gavin Crehan, James
Wyrtzen, June Fernandez, Lily Bordelon, Macee Fielding, Maleigh Crespo, Mark Michel, Morgan Matteson, Myles McWilliams, Natalie Albers, Olivia Sanyal, Samantha Guillotte, Valentina Russell, Lily Haggard, Rodrigo Delgado, Callie Honeycutt, Janssen Van De Yacht, Alaina Coleman, Jada Mills, Sophia Santos
Student Media Adviser: Michael Giusti
Assistant Media Adviser Gabriella Killett
US
CONTACT
Main O ce - (504) 865 - 3535
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CAMPUS NEWS
Loyola hires new Vice President of Marketing and Communications
By Alyvia Pierson atpierso@my.loyno.edu
Aariel Charbonnet, a New Orleans native, has returned home to begin her new position as the vice president of marketing and communications at Loyola. She graduated from Ben Franklin High School before obtaining her bachelor’s degree from Hampton University in Virginia.
“Growing up, I knew I wanted to tell stories,” Charbonnet said. “I had a knack for writing, and I enjoyed learning more about people. I listen more than I talk, so this led me to a career in the journalism and communications eld.”
It wasn’t until graduate school at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge that Charbonnet realized she loved being on a college campus. She enjoyed working in the academic eld and wanted to combine her passion for storytelling with communicating the value of academics and college students.
After receiving her master’s in mass communications, she went on to earn her PhD in higher education administration.
As the director of communications at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communications, Charbonnet was involved in everything from media relations and website development to news releases and donor relations.
“I was surrounded by public relations, journalism, digital advertising, and political communication students and faculty who knew a lot about the eld we were in, so my job was really exciting,” Charbonnet said.
In October 2024, Charbonnet was promoted to assistant dean of strategy at the LSU Manship school. ere, she expanded her expertise to cultivate strategy initiatives, conduct assessments, and manage accreditation reports, among other responsibilities. She oversaw every aspect of the school’s internal and external communications.
When Charbonnet was a child, she attended a summer camp at Loyola and was moved by the campus. Last year, when her current position at Loyola became available, she thought it would be a great opportunity to combine her love for both Loyola and New Orleans while giving back to the place she loves.
“I plan to approach this with fresh eyes,” she said. “Although I have experience and higher education knowledge, Loyola has a unique identity that I love, and it’s what drew me here. My approach will be to understand Loyola from an insider’s perspective.”
Charbonnet said she felt an immediate connection with Loyola’s marketing and communications team. e sense of belonging means a lot to her, especially when there is mutual respect and expertise.
In her new position, Charbonnet intends to lead with kindness and clarity.
“One of my favorite quotes is ‘Clear is kind,’ by Brené Brown,” she said. “I never want someone I’m working with to not be fully present. I try to always give everyone the bene t of the doubt.”
Charbonnet is eager and excited to begin her position and bring a new perspective to the Loyola community.
“I am approaching this position with the gravity it warrants,” she said. “I take my work seriously, and I plan to do my best to tell Loyola’s story in the most robust, powerful, and engaging way that allows Loyola’s identity to shine.”
Loyola’s new residence hall sparks controversy from students
By James Wyrtzen jawyrtze@my.loyno.edu
e new residence hall on the corner of Freret and Calhoun streets has sparked a variety of opinions from students on campus. It is one of several construction projects underway this year, with the building nearing completion and scheduled to open in early 2025. Room selection and applications opened on Jan. 15.
e new residence hall will stand seven stories tall, making it the second-tallest building on campus, second only to Buddig Hall. e dormitories will feature exposed brick walls, large windows, and modern laminate ooring and furniture. More than 600 students will be able to move in starting fall of 2025, and the building will open up the northeast corner of campus for more student activities. e university has invested in a new community center on the rst oor of the residence hall, which will be able to host more than 200 guests for events.
When discussing their feelings about the new dorm, some students expressed excitement and eagerness to experience the space.
Popular and commercial freshman
Carl Stanton said the new dorms are a great addition to the campus, and provides more variety for students.
“I’d live in the new dorms if I got the chance because they’re brand new and nice,” said Stanton. “It’ll be nice to have a bigger living space.”
e suites will come with refrigerators, ovens, sinks, and stoves whereas the current dormitories didn’t have this option. Each suite will have private bedrooms with living areas connecting them.
“It would be nice to have a kitchen in my private living space to have an alternative to the on-campus dining options,” said freshman business analyst major Zach Spangler.
Spangler pointed out that students who may not prefer on-campus options could enjoy these new resources, giving
them the ability to prepare their own meals and o ering more individualized diet options.
Room sizes will vary from singles to six-bedroom, three-bathroom suites, providing a range of living options. Students will have the opportunity to share living space with more people than in other campus residence halls.
Freshman neuroscience major Alex Pritchett said he is concerned over the current style and design of the building.
“ e brick of the building doesn’t match anything else on campus architecturally, and it’s o -putting,” Pritchett said.
Freshman psychology major Jacqueline Graham said she is optimistic about the new dorm’s potential for fostering collaboration among creative students and providing more study spaces for academic students.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I think it’s a new era for Loyola, and we’re stepping up our game.”
Loyola’s Provost search narrows down nal candidates
By Alana Frank anfrank@my.loyno.edu
Recently, representatives from the Provost’s O ce, Faculty Senate Executive Council, the deans, and the president’s cabinet have been meeting with potential candidates for the next university provost. e criteria they have prioritized during the provost selection process include the ability to articulate an academic vision, an understanding of Loyola’s Jesuit mission, experience as a leader with the ability to work with constituents, and the capacity to communicate decisions in an honest and transparent manner.
e provost is a key leader at Loyola, serving as second-in-command to the university’s president, Xavier Cole. eir primary responsibilities include overseeing academic programs, supporting
student success, fostering faculty development, and ensuring the university meets its strategic goals.
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic A airs Maria Calzada, Vice Provost Erin Dupuis, and the search committee chair have met with and evaluated a large number of applicants, carefully reviewing their applications.
“Each candidate wrote cover letters addressing the provost search pro le, and the committee considered these very carefully, in addition to their experiences and quali cations,” members of the search committee said. “Eight applicants were invited for short interviews, and the nal three were selected from this smaller list for the campus interviews.”
When discussing the role of students in the selection process, the search com-
mittee emphasized their importance.
“Diamond Dixon, the student government association president, serves on the search committee and is able to ask interview questions related to student concerns,” members said. “She is also helping to run a student group interview session for each candidate.”
e committee’s top priority is student achievement and academic success, which they prioritize when reviewing the candidates.
“ e provost, as the academic a airs leader, needs to work with the deans, faculty, and academic support areas, including the Pan American Life Student Success Center, to ensure our students are successful in the classroom and beyond,” the members said.
Members of the committee also said they are currently working on their re-accreditation process, for the South-
ern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges review.
ey will welcome a visiting committee in spring 2026, ensuring a successful re-accreditation process that happens every 10 years.
One initiative linked to these e orts is the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan. e QEP is a university-wide initiative required by SACSCOC as part of accreditation, aimed at enhancing student learning.
“Academic A airs is currently developing our next QEP, which will center around the nancial literacy of our students,” members said. “ e QEP will be implemented in the next three to ve years, and the new provost will play an instrumental role in its implementation.”
Members of the search commitee also said the university is in the process
of developing its next strategic plan with Academic A airs, through the provost and in collaboration with all of its stakeholders.
e provost candidates are aware of these initiatives and have been vetted for their ability to support and enhance all aspects of them.
After the nal candidate presentation on Feb. 6 and the conclusion of the nal candidate’s campus interviews, the search committee will gather additional feedback from the community.
e committee’s feedback will then be provided to President Cole and members of the search committee expects to make a nal decision and announce the chosen candidate between February and March.
e new residence hall construction site captured with the Loyola University of New Orleans sign. Rodrigo Delgado/ e Maroon
Photo of Aariel Charbonnet. Courtesy of Lorraine Chotin
ompson sisters reunite for one last season
By Samantha Guillotte slguillo@my.loyno.edu
Could you imagine playing the sport you love with your sister? For Loyola basketball players Kate and Libby ompson, that dream became a reality for them this season when Kate , a fthyear transfer from Louisiana Tech, came to Loyola in the fall to join her younger sister on the court.
“I was so excited when Kate decided to come to Loyola,” Libby said. “It was something our family had been talking about for a while, but I wasn’t sure it was actually going to happen, so when she told Coach Kennedy she was coming, we were all kind of shocked but really happy.”
ough Kate and Libby grew up playing the same sport, they have only played on the same team a few times, making
this experience so much sweeter. eir friends and family are also delighted to have them on the same team and try to make every game that they can.
“Our family and friends were very excited to learn that me and Libby would be playing together,” Kate said. “ ey have always been so supportive of us when it comes to basketball, and they were very happy for me to end my basketball career playing with Libby so close to home.”
Although the ompson sisters play di erent positions on the team, they give each other pointers on how to improve each other’s game. For Kate, her little sister Libby has motivated her to work on her shot and picked up shooting techniques from her. For Libby, her older sister Kate has taught her how to not let the pressure stop her.
“She has helped me to get out of my
head when I start to think about things too much and realize that I just need to have fun,” Libby said.
Head coach Kellie Kennedy said the
“ We've gotten to go on trips and live together, and it's been something I'll chersh forever.”
Libby Thompson, Sophomore forward
ompson sisters bring chemistry and the togetherness to the team and onto the court. According to Kennedy, Kate also brings a level of maturity and experience to the team as a grad student.
“ ey are both great people who both work very hard,” Kennedy said. “ ey are competitive and really care about the success of our team. Kate is more of an
Upcoming matches and games
Men's & Women's Tennis
Friday, Jan. 31 | New Orleans, La.
vs. Nicholls University @ City Park Tennis Center @ 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Baseball Men's & Women's Basketball
Friday, Jan. 31 | Westwego, La.
vs. LSU Alexandria @ Segnette Field @ 3 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1 | New Orleans, La.
vs. Life University @ e Den @ 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
inside presence where Libby can just really shoot the ball from the perimeter, but they can both play inside out.”
With this experience sharing the court together, the ompson sisters have made some memorable moments.
Both sisters said that they have loved sharing the success of their team with each other.
“For example, Libby is really good at passing me the ball inside because she knows where I will be able to catch it best to be able to score,” Kate said. “I also think it is cool when I am able to kick it out to her on the perimeter for a three pointer. It is always really cool to see her succeed on the court and it is fun when I am able to help or she is able to help me.”
Despite this being Kate’s last season, she is excited to nish up her schooling while sharing the season with her sister and the team.
Men's & Women's Swimming
ursday, Feb. 6 | Ocala, Fla.
“I am hoping to nish my prerequisites and get all of my coursework done to start pharmacy school in the summer,” Kate said. “I am also hoping to enjoy my nal season of basketball and form relationships with my teammates and coaches. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I am excited to see how we nish this season!”
While Libby is hopeful to go back to the national tournament and win the conference tournament this season, she has enjoyed getting to play with Kate and spend this year together.
“We’ve gotten to go on trips and live together, and it’s been something I’ll cherish forever,” Libby said.
e Sun Conference Championship Women's Tennis
ursday, Feb. 6 | Mobile, Ala.
vs. #24 SCAD-Atlanta @ 1 p.m.
Sophomore forward Libby ompson runs down the court. ompson contributed ve points, two rebounds, and one steal to the Wolf Pack's 70-55 win over Point University on ursday, Jan. 16. Ava Dufrene/ e Maroon
Fifth-year center Kate ompson advances up the court. ompson transferred from Louisiana Tech for her last year of eligibility. Ava Dufrene/ e Maroon
e New Orleans community welcomed a record breaking snow fall this past Tuesday, January 21st. e Crescent City was adorned in powdery snow, with some parts of the city getting as much as 10 inches.
Although Loyola ceased operations during the storm, students still found ways to enjoy the record snowfall at places like the residential quads, Audubon Park, and e Boot.
Sneauxla takes Loyola
Loyola alum, Snova Kayfetz ('24) skied down Calhoun Street. Isabella Castillo/ e Maroon.
Students played in the residential quads. Heidi Herrera-Wanke/ e Maroon.
Students gathered at e Boot. Isabella Castillo/ e Maroon.
(Left to right) Wildlife and people Audubon Parke enjoyed the water. James Hufnagel/ e Maroon. James Hufnagel/ e Maroon.
Families geared up to sled with boogie-boards. James Hufnagel/ e Maroon.
e Horseshoe blanketed in snow. James Hufnagel/ e Maroon.
Loyola by storm
Students spread "Blessing Bags" on MLK Day
By Nadir Benslimane nmbensli@my.loyno.edu
Loyola students embarked on a pilgrimage to distribute “blessing bags” to the homeless community in the French Quarter on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Student volunteers for the event gathered in the Magis Lounge on Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. to assemble small backpacks known as “blessing bags”. e bags were lled with essential items such as toiletries, non-perishable foods, socks, gloves, emergency blankets, ponchos and a resource page with a list of temporary shelters for the homeless community to lodge before the winter storm hit and then distributed these bags to the homeless until 3 p.m.
Juleea Berthelot, a senior sociology and psychology double major, said that the best part of volunteering was seeing the solidarity of the community, “ ese are the moments when the community is brought together and you really get to see who the real ones are, who really dares to struggle for a better and more just world,” Berthelot said.
Minister of Social Justice and organizer of the event Lindy Brasher said the outreach from Loyola and its students is a signi cant step to addressing poverty and uplifting the most vulnerable in society and the wider community.
With the upcoming Super Bowl LIX and Mardi Gras parades, Gov. Je Landry utilized police sweeps to relocate the homeless from their encampments near the Caesars Superdome into a temporary shelter with a capacity of 200 people. According to e Associated Press, New Orleans city o cials have requested $6 million from the state to provide long term housing and services to the unhoused. Gov. Landry, however, has opted to use $16.2 million to fund this temporary shelter and its amenities. ose who did not accept Gov. Landry’s o er expressed their frustration as many lost their belongings and shelter to these sweeps.
“With all the political changes happening in our country, there’s a feeling of powerlessness,” said Sarah Meraugh, a graduate assistant to Student Life and Ministry, “I wanted to take action to actually feel like I’m doing something positive for the community.”
Brasher hopes to establish the pilgrimage as an annual tradition at Loyola to honor. King’s legacy of social justice and advocacy while giving aid to the homeless or those experiencing hardship.
“I also believe we shouldn’t limit our acts of service to one day each year.” she said. “Dr. King’s message calls us to a life of continuous service, to care for brothers and sisters and all members of creation each moment, each day, and in every season.”
e St. Ignatius statue, often called Iggy, decorated in a snowman. James Hufnagel/ e Maroon.
Trees in Audubon Park covered with snow. Isabella Castillo/ e Maroon.
James Hufnagel/ e Maroon.
James Hufnagel/ e Maroon.
People pushed eachother on makeshift sleds. James Hufnagel/ e Maroon.
Homeless camps relocated to "clean up" the city
By Callie Honeycutt cbhoneyc@my.loyno.edu
According to a January survey by the Unity of Greater New Orleans, about 1,450 homeless people currently reside on the streets of New Orleans and Je erson Parish. Ahead of the three night Taylor Swift concerts in October, about 75 of these homeless people were relocated to a new location in the French Quarter. ese relocations continued in January, with the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras season fast approaching and tourists pouring in. Many of these civilians were placed in a temporary warehouse facility that costs millions. e city of New Orleans has requested $6 million from the state to assist in these e orts.
Judge Lori Jupiter, who has served New Orleans for four years believes this is an attempt to ‘clean up’ the city in light of big events.
“However, my perspective is that this is a temporary x in order for the city to ‘look good,’” Jupiter said. “It is ultimately to hide the forgotten, our most vulnerable.”
A spokesperson for Gov. Je Landry said the e ort was meant to address homelessness and safety issues, speci cally linking the push to the series of concerts and February’s Super Bowl, which will take place in the city. Landry warned in November that if the city did not comply, he would intervene.
In November, Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Ethel Julien issued a temporary restraining order blocking state police from evicting homeless people from their encampments. Although, at the beginning of January, the Louisiana Supreme Court overturned it.
“I think this is horribly detrimental to all of us with human rights. is is a temporary x to put ‘lipstick on a pig’, so to speak,” Jupiter said. ”While we host events such as the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras and knowing that the unhoused will be returned to their prior living conditions without much advancement to make a permanent change.”
On Jan. 15, state police arrived at encampments and told residents to pack up their possessions as they were being moved to a “transitional center” at a fenced-in warehouse owned by the Port of New Orleans. According to the president of Workforce Group, the center can house up to 200 people and is currently housing 113.
“ is is the unfortunate reality. is is not a singular case. ese are lives, as we've known them, for years,” Jupiter said. “Unless we continue to advocate for the unhoused, not just when important events are hosted in our city, there will never be true change. e city cannot become better if we do not do our best to better every one of our people.”
New Orleans recycles christmas trees to restore wetlands
By Lily Bordelon lmbordel@my.loyno.edu
New Orleans annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program took place this January in an e ort to aid the restoration of Louisiana’s wetlands, which Mark Tobler, a member of the biology department and the interdisciplinary environment program emphasizes is important to the protection of the environment.
“ e trees from Orleans parish residents are used to stabilize the shoreline within the Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge in the east,” Tobler said.
He said the program avoids throwing these trees into the land ll where they will take years to decompose.
“ ey help wetlands to stabilize shorelines by creating a bu er that helps slow erosion from wave action, trap sediment that helps to build land and
provide soil for plant growth. And all of that has long lasting e ects on the city by reducing storm impacts,” he said.
Additionally, the wetlands provide natural protection from hurricanes. Tobler also said, so the protection of these marshes prevents water from ooding into numerous homes.
Christmas tree recycling isn’t the only e ort the city has made towards sustainability. Tobler lists many other initiatives on campus that work towards protecting the environment.
“ ere is glass recycling that so far has prevented over 8,000 lbs of glass from going into the land ll and is crushed into sand for reuse, we recently eliminated single use plastic bottles from vending machines across campus through our partnership with Pepsi, and there are a number of electric vehicle charging stations across campus.”
Title IX updates struck down
By Elise Beck erbeck@my.loyno.edu
In 2024, the Biden administration attempted to update the Title IX laws created in 1972. e original laws were created to prevent sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. For example, it would protect a female student in a public school from being rejected from a school team on the basis of her gender.
Biden’s new rules for the laws were proposed on the 50th anniversary of Title IX’s passing in 2022. e proposal was created to replace Title IX rules set in place by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos under the Trump administration and added regulations to prevent
discrimination against LGBTQ+ students.
DeVos’ rules were implemented in August 2020 and required the de nition of sexual assault to be narrowed. e regulations only mandated schools to investigate allegations if they were made to speci c school administration members. It was controversial as it allowed students to question each other via representatives during sexual assault hearings. Biden claimed DeVos’ rules would “shame and silence survivors.” Others argued it was a victory for accused students, as they were given more opportunities to respond to allegations against them.
Biden’s Title IX update proposed to
“ e single stream recycling program collects paper, plastics and aluminum, the Food Recovery Network student organization is very active in packaging up the leftover Orleans Room food and donating it to local shelters, the Wolf Pack Move-Out at the end of the spring semester helps to repurpose or donate items that student’s leave behind and prevent them from going to the land ll, and the new Mercy Dorm will be partially powered by solar panels on the roof,” Tobler said.
Tobler also stressed that small actions can make a major di erence in making change.
“Protecting our environment that we all depend on can be accomplished by all of us in small daily actions or large group initiatives,” he said. “We just need the collective will.”
end DeVos’ requirement of live hearings for sexual assault cases. e update allowed for hearings, yet also permitted campus o cials to question students separately. It also allowed more campus employees to inform o cials of suspected cases.
Biden’s new rules speci ed that protections against discrimination based on sex also applied to discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. It also aimed to protect pregnant students and faculty from inequity by allowing for modi cations, lactation spaces, and break time. It also ensured that schools were open about their nondiscriminatory policies. Protections were also put in place in case of retaliation against those who exercise their Title IX rights.
Many of these updates required prompt action to claim Title IX viola-
tions and prevent their recurrence.
“ ese proposed regulations demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting educational opportunities for all students, including LGBTQ students.”
Janson Wu, executive director of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, said.
While being hailed as a victory for protecting LGBTQ+ students, attorneys general in 18 Republican-led states expressed concern that it would allow transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina claimed the rules would “demolish due process rights and the safety of young women and girls across the country.”
In June 2024, U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty called the new rule an “abuse of power” and a “threat to democracy.” Doughty created a prelim-
inary injunction that blocked the rules from taking e ect in Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho.
Days later, Kentucky Judge Danny C. Reeves granted a preliminary injunction requested by representatives from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Ultimately, the rule was halted in 26 states.
On January 2, 2025, Reeves scrapped the proposed revisions altogether, calling them “fatally” tainted by legal shortcomings.
President Trump had previously promised to end Biden’s Title IX rules “on day one.” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti called the shutdown a rejection of the Biden administration’s “relentless push to impose a radical gender ideology.” e education department has not commented on the decision.
Candice Allison, 63, sorts through her possessions on Wednesday, jan. 15, 2025, after Louisiana state authorities ordered her and others to leave an encampment near the stadium where New Orleans will host the Super Bowl next month.
(AP Photo/Jack Brook)
Graphic shows truck taking christmas trees to recycling center. Margo Weese/ e Maroon
OPINION 10
OPINION
e Audacity to be a Dreamer: A nontraditional student's story
REVIEWS
By Dominique D. Campbell ddcampbe@my.loyno.edu Journalism junior
Have you ever wondered about the journey that your classmates have taken to get to where they are?
It has truly been a journey on all fronts to take the steps to obtain my journalism degree and make a shift in my career path. I am not alone in the educational process. Not only am I a student, but I’m also a teacher, a freelance creative, a lifestyle blogger, and a podcast co-host. Of the many hats that I adorn, a student is the most important to me.
I was prompted to get personal with my story as a nontraditional, full-time student. My best friend and I decided to go back to school. Not only to change our current careers but to live more fullling, creative lives. We’re both talented, creative people. I am the writer with the ideas for so many stories and she is the photographer/graphic designer. In our friend group, all of us are in our early to mid-30s attending undergrad or graduate programs again. In fact, the average age of today’s undergraduate student is
older than twenty- ve years old. It's apparent that we’re not alone in this. ere are a few things that I wish that were a tad bit di erent though.
I sometimes wish that I had more time to attend on campus events and participate in fun things on campus. It feels weird sometimes interacting with other students who may be in my same program but are a bit younger than me. I know that as I get closer to graduation, my school schedule will change and there will be more opportunities to go to class and hang out on campus but for now, it’s one chunk that I miss from this college experience.
My nontraditional experience also had ushered in a nancial di erence. Sure, I applied for loans, because that’s how I got through my two-year program at Delgado. I also was eligible for a little bit of Pell Grant to start school but because I had to switch to the online program, I had reached my lifetime amount limit. I was also o ered an academic scholarship but again, because I have to “attend” the on-line program, my scholarship wasn’t included. Paying for school out of pocket was not in the plans or the
budget. I still must take care of my home that I share with my partner but…I also must nish my degree.
Another part of my nontraditional experience is the time. I literally have had to carve out time to complete assignments and even to complete this article with heart and soul. Before the semester started, I saw my potential schedule for the fall, sat at my desk in my home and got to work on how I was going to make this happen. Because I used some time management skills that I’ve managed to garner over the years, I’ve been able to still attend networking events and school of communications events to make the best of each opportunity and interaction in my soon-to-be new career of journalism. I even got to nally meet classmates and colleagues from e Maroon for the rst time last semester, which was refreshing.
To be completely honest, I felt self-conscious about being an older student. Once I really sat down and thought about it, I decided to let the doubt go and go all in. I changed my mind set and channeled what eighteen-year-old, freshman Dominique would do. I dove
into the journey head on. I said to myself, “What’s the BEST that can happen?”—instead of dwelling on all of the things that could have stopped me pursuing this dream of mine to become a world-class journalist with a degree from Loyola that can take me places that third grade writer me couldn’t have even dreamed of. I keep pressing with the goal in mind. e experiences that I sought will eventually come before it’s all over in Spring of 2026. I will always be thankful for my Loyola experience no matter what! Geaux Pack!
Where ya eatin'? An international student's guide to dining in New Orleans
By Zac Lester zolester@my.loyno.edu
New Orleans is trademarked as being one of the food capitals of America. From po-boys to gumbo or fried chicken, food is undoubtedly central to the city’s heart and soul. Studying at Loyola on an exchange year from the UK, I came with an eagerness to try and experience a whole range of food that the city o ers, understanding the true roots of Creole and Cajun food and avors dating back a few hundred years.
Here is an uno cial, opinionated list of some seriously good spots to hit up in e Big Easy.
Camellia Grill is old-style Southern diner just on the hook of South Carrollton Ave is a pillar of NOLA’s culinary soul. Authenticity is at the center of this establishment, Camellia Grill is over 75 years old and has kept true to its roots with the same style since its opening.
Diners old and young sit next to one another in a ‘W shaped’ stoolseating arrangement around the bar and kitchen all strung into one. Orders are taken down on a sheet you hold onto as your receipt to pay at the end and your order is yelled down the line by bow-tied servers to the chefs by the griddles making anything from burgers with grits to omelettes and hashes or pancakes. I’m a fan of e Doc Special, a double cheeseburger in a wholemeal bread sandwich served with fries and red beans.
Guys Po-Boy’s Guy’s is your local po-boy spot on Magazine St. to grab a quick, always
shrimp po-boy is a classic staple too.
Hot Stu is Southern-style meat and three
changes daily, with a lunchtime cafeteria style; you walk in, grab a tray, and get served a meat or other main, a roll, and as many sides as you want. It stays true
reliable po-boy. A personal favorite is the gravy-loaded roast beef po-boy, and the
spot, located on the corner of Maple and Cherokee, recently opened its doors Uptown and has instantly become a local lunchtime stop of mine. e menu
to Southern dishes such as fried chicken, smoked pork ribs, stewed tomatoes and okra, collard greens, and cornbread. Creole Creamery
e Creole Creamery is an ice cream spot that’s perfect for any sweet tooth. With a huge variety of avors to pick from, it’s a pretty perfect spot to hit up with friends for some of the neighborhood's best ice cream. You’ve got to try a scoop of the 'Lavender Honey' or the Saintsinspired 'Black and Gold Crunch'.
Dat Dog
As far as dogs go, Dat Dog hits it pretty clean on the head for a classic or eccentric hot dog. e restaurant also hosts trivia nights in their eclectic multicolored painted patio weekly on Tuesdays.
Pizza Delicious
Awarded a spot at 38 in the U.S. 50 top pizza joints of 2024, best believe Pizza Delicious lives up to its name. Pizza Delicious (located in the Bywater) is serving New York-style pizza by the slice in a whole handful of topping choices and rotating specials. Test a slice of their $3 cheese pizza then go more adventurous with one of the special slices on o er.
Honourable mentions for nonfood spots
NOLA Mix Records
Local record store on Magazine, small but has a huge selection of records old and new.
Low Timers
Located over in the Bywater Neighbourhood past the French Quarter, hit up Low Timers for vintage Americana, with a specially curated collection of one-of-one 70s era pieces.
Photo courtesy of Dominique Campbell.
Comic drawn by Camila Faraudo/ e Maroon.
Jan. 31, 2025
The importance of reaching out to non-traditonal students
Look, college is fun. It’s a lot of fun. It’s like summer camp, especially in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a blur. But the one thing that students, like I and many others, forget is that it’s also the last real place that we go to for a well-rounded education. Loyola has a lot to be proud of, specifically its Jesuit ideals which call upon its professors to not just inform students on how to be the best in the world, but also to be the best for the world.
One of the most important values that our Jesuit institution holds close to its heart is a non-judgemental atmosphere. And this is important- it’s important to not judge people on the basis of their gender, sexuality, race, academic record, good or bad, or any other aspect of our persons. And I’m sure that we all understand that this is something that is very different at Loyola then in the world outside, we came here because the student body does not look like that of a larger school, and we can wear the clothes we want, listen to the music we want, and express ourselves as individuals in a
non-judgmental atmosphere.
And part of what forms this non-judgmental aspect of our campus is the central idea of why we’re here: to get an education. Whether or not you’re paying your own way through college, you just always knew you had to go to college after high school because that’s just what you do, or your parents told you they wouldn’t keep paying your car note unless you had a bachelor’s degree by the time you turn 22. We are all here to learn, not just from our professors but also from each other. And it is much the same for non-traditional students. Including those of us who come to college late and might have more life experience than most other students.
Many of these people couldn’t attend college when they were our age for a variety of reasons, either financial, or simply because they had too much going on in their life at the time. Many of us give that latter excuse for our late assignments so imagine it being true enough that we could not attend this institution.
And we need to understand that as much as we learn from our professors, we also learn from each other. There’s a reason we’re all here on the same campus, in classes, hallways, lounges, offices, libraries, and other places rather than just having online classes on Zoom. It’s because the knowledge we gain from meaningfully interacting with others on a day to day basis is just as valuable as learning about neoclassical economics or Derrida or Lacan from our professors. We learn from each other, and that is why non-traditional students form such an integral part of every college campus. Because their life experiences often far outreaches our own, and while it may seem often that we have nothing in common with these students, it is often the opposite.
In fact, these people who sacrifice their careers in order to attend college often have more in common with us than we may believe, and their life experiences are often more applicable to the things we learn about and discuss in
class. This is why it’s important to know that non-traditional students help us to learn more about the real world, and also help us to value our education more because the value that they, as adults, hold of their own education inspires us to take our education into our own hands, and put in the work necessary to truly succeed and meaningfully interact with each other in a classroom setting and in a personal setting.
HOWLS & GROWLS
HOWL to SNOW!!!
GROWL to the snow melting
HOWL to Marooners at the Presidential Inauguration
GROWL to Chiefs in the Super Bowl
HOWL to Lunar New Year
GROWL to mean Philadelphia sports fans
HOWL to welcoming nontraditional students
GROWL to small Orleans Room portions
HOWL to the start of Loyola's baseball season
GROWL to road construction detours
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