Nov. 8, 2023 | The Reflector

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS • FOUNDED 1922 • INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA VOL.

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NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Undergraduate programs ranked nationally

UIndy's psychology and engineering programs have been ranked by U.S. News and World Report

By Connor Mahoney STAFF WRITER

The undergraduate psychology and engineering programs at the University of Indianapolis appeared in the 202324 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges national rankings. UIndy Associate Professor of Psychology and Program Director for the Department of Psychological Sciences Kathryn Boucher said it was important to see the program reach this distinction.

“Looking through the rankings,you see a lot of the schools that are around us in

terms of the rankings are schools that are larger,that have more resources for research, have more faculty, and to just really see that our students and our instruction were showcased in a way that put us in a similar space with some of the larger programs is really great.”

Boucher said the program has continued to grow through the relationship students can have with their professors. The undergraduate degree allows for flexibility within the program which allows students to pick psychology up as a second major or transfer into the program from other universities.

“We really try to have courses that

are offered in many different formats,” Boucher said. “It allows for students to have the flexibility to add psychology as a second major, or to be able to transfer in and complete within their four year timeframe for an undergraduate degree, which means that we have more students graduating, which then probably raises our name amongst other people in the higher ed space.The other part too, is that we have research as a big focus of our program.

So, we have places in which students can volunteer in the lab,they can take a research practicum for course credit, and because of that, we have more students that are going on to graduate programs.”

Photo by Breanna Emmett

Junior Jordan Ankey and graduate student Dylan Hillger work on getting their car ready to participate in a racing event in Milwaukee, WI on Saturday, Nov. 3. Participating in engineering-based events like this contribute to student experience and program growth.

Associate Dean and Program Director According to Reid, having smaller class for Engineering Kenneth Reid said the sizes can help students in their progress opportunity for engineering to appear toward their degree in engineering. In in national rankings helps promote the the future, Reid said he hopes to continue program for those looking at the list. Reid growing the program by spreading the said the program is younger, has only word. been offered for the last seven years and “A lot of it is going to be word of was built on the DesignSpine experience. mouth, especially in Central Indiana, but According to the DesignSpine page on also doing some marketing, working with UIndy’s website, DesignSpine is a unique, companies in the area, especially in other multidisciplinary experience that focuses Indiana companies to spread visibility,” on creativity, problem-solving and more.

Reid said. “We have to get people out “What’s really unique with us is the there to know UIndy engineering is out DesignSpine curriculum, so students are there… We're writing about the successes. doing projects for real clients in second So we're writing about designs, finding through fourth year,” Reid said. “In the some of the things we're doing right, and first year, they're learning a bunch of publicizing those, trying to get out in project management tools that usually different conferences.” undergrad engineers don't learn at all. So, For the psychology program, Boucher these all play into the said the plan is professional skills to increase aid to that you need when students who need you're employed, it, whether they are We have to get people project management, coming into college out there to know UIndy a lot of focus on or currently within c o m m u n i c a t i o n engineering is out there…" the program. She and teamwork. So said she wants DesignSpine is built t h e p r o g r a m’s into the curriculum.” curriculum built to After graduation, Reid said students support students however they need. have better opportunities to find jobs “I would really like to be able to quickly. As a result, students have learned showcase, as the program director, how from real-world experiences such as our program is able to support all students, communicating and working with others. not just in terms of their interests, but what The engineering department is housed they want to do post-graduation, but also in Annis Hall with workspaces allowing students who might be the first in their students to be hands-on. family to go to college,students who might “If you walk through the building, have different financial needs, to be able we have an ideation space, which is a to think about how our curriculum and design studio that's owned and run by the our program is built to be able to support students,”Reid said.“They're in there when students wherever they're at,”Boucher said. they need to be. We've got a wood shop, Along with the engineering and metal shop; we've got all these production psychology programs, nursing secured a facilities. We'll train the students on how spot on the list having been featured there to use everything… And then we have a before. Additionally, UIndy was ranked as massive project space, where they come one of the top institutions in the country, in and work on DesignSpine projects, but according to the 2023-24 U.S News Best also other projects.”

Colleges.

2024 study abroad programs announced

By Michael Harrington FEATURE EDITOR

The University of Indianapolis announced this year’s study abroad programs for the 2024 Spring Term, according to the Christel Dehaan Center for Global Engagement.

Spring Term will see destinations in Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, England, Japan, South Africa, Scotland and Spain, according to the Center for Global Engagement.

The trips var y in length specific focus of study.

UIndy Director of Global Engagement Ghina S adek said that this school year offers a record number of travel programs for students to sign up for. According to Sadek, the programs cater to a variety of majors in order to focus more on student interest. “ You have a record of seven Spring Term international travel courses open for undergraduate students of all majors this year, which speaks to, yes, the interest of the faculty, but also the interest of the students that they want to participate,” Sadek said.

According to Sadek, planning the programs is a lengthy process that requires multiple aspects and levels of approval. Sadek said she

recommends that the planning process for a travel program is at least a year, in order to properly plan for said program.

“Usually that starts from the faculty members themselves. It's not something that I or the university comes and tells them, ‘Hey, you need to do this program.’ It's really what the faculty's passionate about, what they're researching at the moment or the area of the world that they're interested in,” Sadek said. “… Facult y will plan the course that they're offering—This is a study abroad course, so they'll have to plan that course and each department has its own process of approving those courses.”

Sadek said that there is a mix of both new and recurring travel programs offered this year.

According to Sadek, while trips to Cyprus, England and Scotland have happened before, students also have the opportunity to visit new destinations like South Africa. “ There's some destinations that we've never offered before and those are kind of the most different, but it's been a long, long time since we've gone to Japan, and so, for the first time in multiple years, we have a spring term in Japan, which is ver y exciting. I am not sure that we've ever gone to South

INSIDE: OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 8 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5 FEATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . . . . 7

learning about interpersonal Africa on a Spring Term and we c om mu n i c a t i on , i n t r a p e r s on a l have one this year,” Sadek said. communication and mediated “So in terms of destinations, group communication.” there are a couple that are G re e n a n s a i d t h a t s i n c e brand new. The nice thing is a scavenger hunt in which that there's a few that are students find historic sites recurring and we love seeing during her Spring Term in those because we know it's Italy was the most popular faculty who've loved the activity, she is bringing same trip before.” it back for her 2024 trip.

According to UIndy The activity involves going A s s o c i a t e Pro f e s s o r o f on a scavenger hunt with Communic ation K atie three to four people Greenan, her facultyand writing about their led travel program findings in a blog post, will visit England and according to Greenan.

Scotland. Greenan “ We will be going said that the trip is to places such as c o - l e d by h e r a n d Edinburgh Castle, Assistant Professor Royal Mile and Castle of Practice for Blackness. There will Communication be a lot of group tours Rick D unkle. and excursions, which is “I am teaching very cool,” Greenan said.

Communicating in “ T h e y w i l l a l s o h a ve a Global Context, some free days to kind which is Spring Term of go around Scotland 299, and it's open to all or London on their students on campus,” own or with people. In G re e n a n s a i d . “ I t ' s L o n d o n , w e ' re g o i n g going to take place in to Westminster Abbey, the United Kingdom, Kensington Palace and specifically L ondon the Tower of London.” and Scotland, in According to Sadek, May, for two weeks.

S tudents wil l be Graphic by Alfredo Guerrero Alonso she helps ensure that

the trips are successful and wellprepared. She also said she helps guide trip leaders when they have any questions regarding setup.

“My role is to make sure that the trip leaders are well equipped and they know what they're getting themselves into,” Sadek said. “I can answer their questions, help guide them in what they need to prepare and what could come up.”

Sadek said that she functions as a person for emergency contact when students are traveling abroad.

Students who have any questions regarding applying for financial aid, navigating the process or deciding which program to use can reach out to her, according to Sadek.

There are digital and paper flyers across campus that have QR codes that students can scan to see more information. “ The fastest, easiest thing they can do to express their interest in any of our multiple programs is to scan that QR code. There's a QR card on that digital flyer or physical flyer and sign up that they're interested through that. Or they could also email the contact person for that check,” Sadek said.

“That's going to be the fastest, most direct way to get more information about that. They're also always > See Study Abroad on Page 3

UINDY APP: PRO VS. CON

NEW LACROSSE HEAD COACH

DíA DE LOS MUERTOS

Two writers weigh the pros and cons of the UINDY app’s value to campus. Flip to Page 2 to read all the details!

The 2022 National Championship winning women’s lacrosse team welcomes back Peyton Romig as head coach. Head over to Page 5 for the story.

UIndy’s Day of the Dead celebration: “Grieving and Celebrating Life” goes virtual! Check out Page 6 to read more!

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OPINION

2

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

THE REFLECTOR

UINDY App's pros and cons to campus

Two writers weigh benefits and detriments to campus community from UIndy-sponsored app

By Anika Yoder

beta stage, but over the past four years since its launch, the app has been used MANAGING EDITOR & for students to ask questions publically CO-ONLINE EDITOR and let the student body and staff know about events on campus. Things like Lecture/Performance and campus events The University of Indianapolis were, and still are, posted on the UIndy launched its community-exclusive Channel. The app is simply used as a way mobile app in 2019, according to UIndy for people to learn what is happening on 360. The app had only been around for campus as it applies to them. a year during my time as a freshman, Being a new student on but what is now the UIndy Channel campus is something that on the app was used as every college kid experiences, a way for students where they must navigate to introduce entering into a new social and themselves to academic environment. But campus and make with tools like a universityconnections with exclusive app to help locate people outside or basic information literally within their majors. in their hands, students As a student coming in are able to not only fresh from quarantine, find their way around one of the only ways campus, but also find to connect or access any information they information about things might be looking for was by posting or scrolling to answer a schoolthrough the forum. The related question. I UINDY app is beneficial for personally have had the Greyhound community pton a Gu to look on the UIndy because it allows for students n n a i y Arr Channel a number of times to interact with one another hic b p a r G to figure out where an event is being and keep up-to-date with what held, or if there was any particular is going on around campus. discourse over something happening According to UIndy 360, the app was on campus. launched on August 20 in 2019 in its

By Arrianna Gupton EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Before starting my freshman year at the University of Indianapolis, I did all I could to fully immerse myself in the college experience. I researched different clubs on campus, learned about the different dorms and scoured UIndy’s web pages in order to find out all I could before arriving for my first semester. Somehow or another, I found myself downloading the UINDY App on my phone. I thought the app would be a great way to discover more about the university and, potentially, find new friends. Although I thought the app was useful at first, it pretty much goes ignored and collects metaphorical dust on my phone now. The UINDY App is not very useful and is a breeding ground for drama and division.

According to the Apple App Store,

the UINDY App is a convenient way for students on campus to connect with the UIndy Community via notifications about events such as Watchdog safety announcements. As far as being able to connect with the UIndy community goes, I find the app to be sort of counterproductive in the sense. Every now and then students do post about conversational topics, but more often than not, I find some of the posts to be “spammy” or pointless. My biggest issue with the app is that posts about events or announcements coming from the university tend to get drowned out due to the sea of random and non-helpful posts. The Apple App Store description of the application also states that the inapp calendar is designed to help students keep track of assignments, classes, important dates and deadlines. I wish that there was a way to automatically have Brightspace and the UINDY App to link so that due dates automatically

However, with open discourse often comes an opportunity for escalation, and this is an understandable and important discussion to have about online forums like the UIndy Channel. Debate is an important facet of not just learning, but a valuable component of what it means to attend an institution of higher education. In a 2020 Opinion article from The Reflector titled “Student feed on the UIndy app breeds toxicity, affects community at large” a student responded to tension surrounding the campus community on the UIndy feed at the time. Then-Feature Editor Lucy Fields said,“Social media is just as much a public forum as face-to-face conversation and requires just as much care, if not more,” and I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment. Going into the school year right out of global lockdown, along with the mass tensity Black Lives Matter movement protests of the summer, into the heat of a national presidential election was definitely an unforgettable experience amplified by social media for many people.

I would argue, however, that despite the discourse and truly problematic content produced on the platform (which was not exclusive to the UIndy app) people were showing the campus exactly what their thoughts were. This is not to say that any of the hate speech

and harassment and harmful flooding of comment sections was justified, but like the article was discussing, you may see student users on campus or in class as their “usernames” are just their names with the school. I think that is a crucial part of the argument when it comes to the people who are posting and talking about hot-button topics. Particularly in times like these, discourse must happen to effect change, and of course, moderating through an administrative entity when it comes to a school-specific platform is important and needs to happen to dissuade hateful speech and harassment.

It is also important to remember the UINDY app serves as more than just a forum to post anything students want to. It also serves as a portal to the online learning system Brightspace, allows access to a student’s schedule for the day and provides class registration and information. Opening the app you can see an icon for the campus map, and then another button for a student concern form through the Student Solution Center.To the top left corner of the home page is an icon for scanning QR codes at L/P events to check in and out and at the top right corner is a badge icon for emergency contact information as well as a call button. Going to the pavilion icon at the bottom of the screen leads to what is labeled as Helpful Links which

provide links to the academic calendar, events, departments and offices, the Student Counseling Center, the UIndy Directory and more.

The app also provides dining information as well as a link to Handshake if you want to look into campus or community job openings all from the app. The notifications section shows not just what students have posted but announcements from IT, the Office of Student Affairs and the UIndy police department. On top of that, a student’s personal profile shows their billing account balance and their academic records for the terms they have attended.

Overall, the app is a more useful tool than it is a nuisance. Respectful discourse as well as consolidated, important and personal information for students on a university app t is an asset to students.

Being able to see the opinions of your peers and the people you are seeing around campus every day is beneficial for many reasons. We can not just sit around talking to walls about issues that affect campus, we have to encourage conversations whether in person or on a place like the UIndy Channel. And if all else fails and you have to turn off the notifications, at least you can access a job application in a little over 30 seconds.

Give or take.

populate the calendar. The way that the calendar works feels extremely barebones and simplistic right now. I do not think that inherently makes the feature bad though, I just think that there are planners out there that better suit my needs. I also can not personally recall a time when I received a Watchdog notification through the app. In fact, when I searched the term “Watchdog” in the app, the results were mostly posts about students complaining about the system.

On top of it all, the app tends to be buggy, especially when the app sends me several notifications about a single post.

This was the “nail in the app’s coffin” for me, as once the app started spamming me with repeat notifications, I slowly started paying less and less attention to it. The app has also crashed several times when I have tried to use it.

The only time I find myself using it now is when random campus drama

is suddenly plaguing the app. Every semester—like clockwork—since I began my time at the university, there has been at least one or two incidents of gossip or drama on the app.

For the most part, the drama is usually petty gossip outpouring from friend group infighting, but every now and then there are much larger blowouts on the app. I have personally seen racist and inflammatory Grap hic b y Arr comments on iann a Gu pton the app. Also, whenever there is something big going on in the world—like the recent changes

to abortion laws in Indiana—the app seems to become a place of division where hate and animosity quickly become the norm.

I wish the UINDY App lived up to what it was designed to be, but in my opinion, the app just falls short. I do not think the app is all bad, though, as there have been plenty of times I have found out about something important on campus. For the most part, the app just tends to be a jumble of memes, notifications about mini fridges for sale and other vague posts about seemingly random things. I think if the app were a bit more refined, organized and drama-free, I would definitely be willing to use it more. However, as it stands right now, I am completely fine without it.

SPARK: on the Circle should stay

By Hannah Hadley OPINION EDITOR

Editorial Cartoon by Breanna Emmett

Corrections The Reflector acknowledges its mistakes.

When a mistake occurs, we will print corrections here on the Opinion page.

If you catch a mistake, please contact us at reflector@uindy.edu.

In our Oct. 11 Issue: - The incorrect university was listed as having an experience design program in the Experience Design Program story on Page 1. It was listed as being the University of Kent while the correct school is Kent State University.

- "Raccoons" is spelled incorrectly in the Preview Box on Page 1.

- "Vision" is spelled incorrectly in the pull quote on Page 6.

- The "K" in Professor Rebecca McKanna's last name is not capitalized in an instance in the article about her new novel on Page 6.

- "Restaurant" is misspelled in the Open Kitchen Karaoke Night picture on Page 7.

The opinions in this section do not necessarily reflect those of "The Reflector" staff.

What do you think?

Send your letters to the editor or other correspondence to: reflector@uindy.edu

When I first visited SPARK: on the Circle at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, the first thing I noticed was the lively buzz of conversation and movement in the park. People were sitting down chatting with friends, walking their dogs, sipping coffee, playing games with friends and more. As a native Hoosier and an Indianapolis college student, I genuinely have never seen such pure joy downtown. However, the public attraction is currently expected to end in early November per schedule, according to Downtown Indy ’s website. Cr itics such as Indianapolis mayoral c andidate Jefferson Shreve believe the park does a disservice to downtown by negatively affecting traffic and local businesses, according to WFYI Indianapolis. However, as a citizen of Indianapolis and a passionate art history student, I believe SPARK: on the Circle brings positive change to the city of Indianapolis through fostering community and creativity.

I was brainstorming local examples of social practice art in my “Socially Engaged Art” class at the University of Indianapolis when a few puzzle pieces connected in my brain: SPARK: on the Circle is a work of art. Art institution Tate defines social practice art as including,“... any artform which involves people and communities in debate, collaboration or social interaction,”and SPARK is an exact fit to that definition. Created in a joint effort by the city of Indianapolis, local art organization Big Car Collaborative and others, the park provides a free, publicly designated, local, equipped, accessible, modern and area for patrons to enjoy. It hosts events nearly every day of the week that promote public participation in the arts such as free concerts, art classes, dance parties and more, according to SPARK’s website.There are even some installations that allow visitors to participate in artistic and entertaining endeavors 24/7.

Additionally, the park has acted as a

public forum in “Ask The City'' events it, much like citizens sustain a city? If where the Indianapolis Department of businesses along the circle street truly Metropolitan Development was at the are suffering, then they should express Circle to answer questions the public may their concerns outwardly to the public, have about Indy. When art, community, media and the government—not just conversations and politics collide, a better privately to political candidates. The democracy ultimately rises. point of a socially engaged art project is As previously mentioned, Shreve to support the local community, including has claimed the partial closure of the businesses, anyway. street on the circle has damaged local As a Hoosier, it is tough to hear those businesses (according to meetings he not from your home state talk about how has had with “downtown community boring Indianapolis is as a big city. It is leaders”). However, almost worthless I see the closure of to mention racing, the street around conventions and Our future success Monument Circle football to those as a huge benefit who have already as a community to downtown. Mr. decided that depends on it.

Shreve, have you Indy is stuck in ever tried to walk its ways. However, across the street SPARK poses an from the Soldiers & Sailors Monument opportunity for the city to reinvent to the sidewalk on the other side? In my its greater public image by embracing experience, it is quite dangerous trying to community and the arts. If accepted dodge oncoming traffic that is not quite and expanded, Monument Circle’s park sure how many lanes are present. The can be a greater hub of entertainment same goes for drivers attempting to avoid and neighborhood. To the City of pedestrians darting back to Meridian Indianapolis, the local businesses, Street. Additionally, SPARK provides a politicians, community members and venue for local businesses and artists to sponsors of the park: I urge you to keep gather more exposure through advertising supporting SPARK: on the Circle due to and foot traffic. Yes, Monument Circle is the immense amount of societal benefit the “heart” of Indianapolis, but what is it brings to our city. Our future success a heart without the blood that sustains as a community depends on it.

Photo by Hannah Hadley

SPARK: on the Circle offers free seating and entertainment opportunities for the Indianapolis community and visitors. The park is in Indianapolis' Monument Circle.

NEWS

UIndy welcomes veterans THE REFLECTOR

By Hannah Biedess

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Editor's Note: This stor y also received assistance f rom News Editor Olivia Pastrick and Editorial Assistant Arrianna Gupton.

Across the United States, many

3

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Americans will be obser ving Veterans Day this week, and it is no different at the University of Indianapolis. According to UIndy Head of Veteran Affairs Kathy Elliot, there are currently at least 63 students who are veterans on campus, but this number could be a lot higher as veterans could just not be using their benefits. She said the

current number of veterans is about half of the number that have been enrolled in previous years. Elliot stated that the enrollment process for veterans is the same as for regular students except that, once admitted, the Admissions Office refers veteran students to her in order to begin receiving their benefits.

There are resources available to

Graphic by Breanna Emmett

veterans including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33, Elliot said. Chapter 33 includes anyone who served for at least 36 months after 9/11, Elliot said these benefits can be used by spouses and other dependents. She explained that the eligibility is based on how much time they served and that if a veteran is 100% eligible, the VA pays for 100% of tuition and fees.

Elliot stated that Chapter 33 is not the only benefit that the university accepts.

The VA also accepts Chapter 1606, which is a benefit for the National Guard and Army Reserve that goes directly to the student as a monthly allowance, she said, which can go toward tuition and fees. In addition to this, according to Elliot, the school also accepts Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits. Freshman engineer ing major T.J. Berchtold said Veteran Affairs was ver y helpful to him i n p ro v i d i n g a s s i s t a n c e i n t h e transition in going from the military to UIndy. “ When I applied, they gave me a lot of scholarships, and I appreciate that,” Berchtold said. “ They've been very nice towards me being a vet and facing the things that I'm facing currently.”

First-year graduate student in

the psychology program Michael Chambers said being in the military shaped how he approaches and how he sets goals as well as his general attitude toward attending UIndy. He said his experience in the military helped him frame his time at UIndy through a lens of gratitude.

“I tr y not to take things for granted, ” Chambers said. “ The fact that I'm sitting in a classroom, rather than being, you know, out in the field doing a training exercise or deployed to a combat zone or something like that.”

Chambers said it is easy for people to think all veterans are in combat-related jobs, which is not true. He said it can be difficult for veterans to know how to respond when people thank them for their ser vice because ser vice means something different to ever yone who was in the military.

“Understand that there's nothing necessarily frightening or scary about thanking a veteran,” Chambers said.

“So if that's something that someone feels inclined to do, especially as we get c loser to Veterans Day, just understand that we're just people like everyone else. We're no different from you.”

A c c o r d i n g t o U I n d y ’s Website, if veteran students have questions they can reach out to

UIndy land acknowledgement statement

UIndy's statement recognizes the importance of the land campus is built on to Indigenous peoples

By Olivia Pastrick NEWS EDITOR

The University of Indianapolis released its official land acknowledgment statement, according to an email sent by the Office of the President. The email said a land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.

Professor of Anthropolog y Christopher Moore said it is important for UIndy to have an official land acknowledgment statement to give ever yone the opportunity to educate themselves on the importance of the land to different tribal nations. He said the statement serves as a constant reminder for facult y, staff and students of the people who came before us on the land where UIndy was built.

“As an educational institution, we should not only be educating our students, but educating ourselves,”

Moore said. “Part of the importance of land acknowledgment is to not lose sight of where the institution is and the broader history of our nation.”

According to Moore, there is also a social justice aspect to the universit y ’s statement. He said it is important for people to not only recognize and understand the removal and other injustices done to Native Americans but also to make an effort to repair the relationship with these tribal nations.

“The other part of it is more focused on the social justice aspect of it, that different indigenous groups were removed from this territory in different ways,” Moore said. “ There's a complex history for how that removal process took place, but all of that took place after a long drawn out period of warfare and legal practices on the part of the United S tates government, and treaties, many of them that were, which were broken, that kind of cloud our broader history. So there's a social justice aspect of it of acknowledging those injustices of the past so that we do our best not to repeat them, but also we want to

do what we can on this campus to try to repair the relationships that were damaged by them.”

Assistant Professor of Sociology C o l l e e n Wy n n s a i d t h e L a n d Acknowledgment Task Force wants U I n d y ’s l a n d a c k n o w l e d g m e n t statement to be an ongoing process of collaboration and learning. She said she hopes that as new ideas and initiatives are incorporated into UIndy’s land acknowledgment, the

We should not only be educating our students, but educating ourselves." university will be able to strengthen relationships with tribal nations. “ They are a way that we can recognize those people and recognize their contributions and then hopefully, they also come with some action that allows us to kind of embody the spirit of the land acknowledgment and so that was really important for us in drafting the acknowledgment in putting that

together,” Wynn said.

Wynn said the land ac knowledgment statement has been in the works since last year when the Land Acknowledgment Task Force was brainstorming and drafting it. She said the task force contains faculty, staff and students who worked together to build the statement. Associate Professor of English Leah Milne said while the focus of the task force last year was to write UIndy’s land acknowledgment statement, this year there is more attention to implementing and gaining awareness for the statement. “ The land acknowledgment statement itself was just the first step and so now that that's been done, really the plan from here is to just gain more awareness,” Milne said. “I think the first thing that we actually did to do that is the statement was read by Dr. Singh at the Celebration of the Flags. But from there, we're hoping to do more things, like bring Indigenous speakers to campus, partnering with organizations like the Eiteljorg Museum and so on, as well as continue our involvement with tribal nations in the area.”

Milne said students and faculty can

begin reflecting on the importance of the land to Indigenous people t h ro u g h s m a l l s t e p s . S h e s a i d br inging diverse representation into coursework can help build the foundation for students to learn more about indigenous cultures.

“So there's a lot of small things that we can do in the classroom, you can kind of incorporate Indigenous scholars and they exist in all fields,” Milne said. “… You don't have to transform a course in order to make it serve a purpose of bringing awareness to an issue … I always tell people to start with the small things.”

According to Moore, it is important for people to adopt this land acknowledgment statement so that it becomes part of the everyday language at UIndy. He said that eventually, it would be ideal if the statement was read at every major event on campus so that it becomes a staple of what it means to be UIndy.

“I think it's important for us to do the work of making it clear to our Indigenous students, faculty and staff that they are welcome here, that we acknowledge the history that brought us here,” Moore said.

Study Abroad from Page 1 welcome to come speak with me.

Obviously, I have the full list and can tap a leader in or convey their questions to a leader.”

Sadek said that there are multiple ways for students to help fund their trips through financial aid. The UIndy-sponsored scholarships are most important, Sadek said, as they fall within the time frame.

“There's a couple of internal ones.

One of them is through the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences, they offer a study abroad grant of up to $3,000. It's open to all students whose major is within the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences,” Sadek said. “They offer that in three cycles,

the first one is in early November and they offer that to three applicants that they decide qualify.”

According to Sadek, students should know that UIndy is here to make studying abroad an option for them. Sadek said that it is a great experience and there are resources available to help them. “ We can help get you grants and scholarships externally,” Sadek said. “ We can help find you an affordable program that fits with your schedule and your major. I don't want anybody to think that, ‘Hey, traveling internationally is not an option for me.’ I'd want you all to know that it's an option.”

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SPORTS

4 THE REFLECTOR

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Wrestling hopes to win GLVC once again

UIndy wrestling began their 2023-24 with being ranked number one in the GLVC conference

By Elyssa Merrill

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER & BUSINESS MANAGER The University of Indianapolis wrestling team steps into the 2023-24 season with some new predictions.

According to UIndy Athletics, the team won their first ever Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament last season, and is projected to win this year’s GLVC Tournament again.

In the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s projections, the team is expected to place seventh in the nation, being led by reigning GLVC Coach of the Year Jason Warthan. In his 15th season as the head coach, Warthan says the predictions are more reason to improve.

“Last year we were conference champs,”Warthan said. “We were second in the regional to Central Oklahoma who were national champions, and then we finished seventh in the country. So you know that’s kind of the goal to improve on those things. But it is a long season and you know injuries and illness and it never goes the way you write it up, so you kind of have high expectations, but I don’t necessarily focus too much on results but the process and being our best.”

According to Warthan, it is nice to see where they are being projected to place, but he says it does not mean much in the grand scheme of things until competition starts. The wrestling team had their first competition on Nov. 4. According to Warthan, the team was eager to start the season once more.

“They’re eager to get going, and some of the older guys almost are continuing to evolve,” Warthan said. “And they’re eager to kind of show the younger guys

what the next level looks like, so we have a good mix of old and young. And I think our starters, at least to start the year, are going to be a very veteran group.”

The NWCA predicts four returning UIndy wrestler’s to perform in the top 12 of their weight class. Owen Butler, who is entering his fourth year of wrestling for UIndy, was ranked sixth in his weight class on Oct. 30. Even though he has been ranked as one of the top in his class, he said he still holds the talent of the room extremely high, mentioning the fact they have elite athletes training with them to push them harder as a room every day.

“I think we have a great room,” Butler said, “… I mean our coaching staff is awesome. …I think it’s very uncommon to pick up a guy and wrestle with them and say ‘Hey I’m wrestling with a national finalist or All-American’ so I think we just really push ourselves as a room and make each other better every day.”

Butler, along with 14 other members of the team, were nominated to the Division II Scholar All-America Team by the NCWA according to UIndy Athletics. This placed the team second in the number of nominees and third among Division II wrestling programs ranked by the team’s combined GPA, according to UIndy Athletics.

“I think sometimes one of the things that gets overlooked a little bit that we’re super proud of is our academic success,” Warthan said. “Our midterm grades came out, and we have some high performers in the classroom as well, so something that we’re trying to build in all aspects of the student athlete, not just the conference, national or regional championships.”

Butler said that self-improvement

Graphic/Photo by Name

Photo captions should be in Avenir Next Italic 8.5 pt font with 10.2 pt leading, -10 tracking. All captions must be two lines long.

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics

Junior Owen Butler’s arm is raised after his victory on the mats in Nicoson Hall on the University of Indianapolis campus. The Greyhounds will be back in action in the Bob Del Rosa Ohio Intercolligiate Open on Sunday Nov. 12 to begin the 2023-2024 season.

is key in their room and something he worked on during the pre-season, being honest with himself about any shortcomings he has and working his hardest to improve them.The culture and tradition is something both Warthan and Butler think are important to their team and integral to success moving forward.

“I think it’s very important,” said Butler. “I think we have a great culture here at UIndy. I think that we always try to be good wrestlers, but we try to represent something too. Wrestling is hard, it’s a very honest sport…. It’s a sport where you can be humbled very easily, so keeping humility and dignity for winning or losing.”

Butler looks forward to the season ahead. The team hopes to win the GLVC title again this year and aim even higher for the national title as well, said Butler.

“It should be a great season,” said Butler. “I think we have a really unique team this year. It should be exciting I think–really big things are going to come.”

Women’s basketball season begins

By Olivia Hogsett

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics

Senior Ilani Williams-Harris goes up for a shot against the Hillsdale Chargers last season in a home court game on Nov. 16 2022. Last season, William-Harris dished out 83 assists and 30 3-pointers in her senior campaign last year.

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics

Senior Ilani Williams-Harris brings the ball up towards the top of the key against Hillsdale College last season on Nov. 16, 2022, in a UIndy win 68-53. The Greyhounds first game of the season is against Malone University on Friday Nov. 10 at 8:30 p.m..

lot more connected at this stage in this season.”

STAFF WRITER According to Mitchell, in order to continue to build on the team culture, The University of Indianapolis the team has been able to have a bit of women’s basketball team will kick team bonding. The team enjoys getting off their season away against Malone out and having fun together outside of University, according to UIndy Athletics. the basketball court,” Mitchell said.

UIndy ended their 2022-23 season “Just on fall break we went laser with an 18-12 overall record per UIndy tagging,” Mitchell said. “We had a Athletics’ website. The team went 10-4 competitive game of laser tag, which at home, which is the best at-home was fun. I’m upset my team lost that record they have had since their 2012- one. We played some video games, had 13 season where they also ended 10-4 in a good outing, had fun. Went out for a home games, according to their website. team dinner. Things like that. Just really The 2023-24 season will commence on having to see each other outside of the Nov. 10 at 3:30 p.m. according to UIndy lines. We get out there and have a good Athletics. time with one another.”

UIndy Women’s Basketball Head Mitchell said Coach Marc UIndy has some Mitchell said the key new players team is working “We’re just working hard that fans can look hard to prepare forward to watching every day, trying to get for the upcoming on the court. Some season. He said that include guards Jada incrementally better.” preparation for the Haines, K aleah season is not only Toomer and Sanaa physical.

Thomas, he said.

“We’re just working hard every day, Jada Haines transferred to UIndy from trying to get incrementally better,” the University of Northwestern Ohio and Mitchell said. “Working together is was fourth in the National Association of paramount. Pushing each other. Inspiring Intercollegiate Athletics in points during each other. All those things go into the 2023 season and the Wolverine– preparation for the season.”

Hoosier Athletic Conference leading According to Mitchell, he is only scorer during the 2023 season, according entering his second year at UIndy, and the to UIndy Athletics. players are still figuring out his coaching “Jada Haines is a grad transfer,” style. He is still discovering the team Mitchell said. “She’s from Akron, Ohio. dynamic and is hopeful that this season She’s going to be a major part of what will help the team continue to build a we do this season. We also have a couple culture of togetherness. of freshmen that are integral parts of “Last year was my first year,” Mitchell what we’re doing here. They’re both said. “So, it was kind of a feeling out Indianapolis kids. One from Ben Davis process. I guess the players were feeling High School, Kaleah Toomer and the me out, I was feeling them out. But this other is from Warren Central High year’s team is kids that I recruited to come School, Sanaa Thomas. Those young in, and having a year experience with the ladies should come in and really provide other young ladies that returned, kind a different look UIndy this year.” of understanding that the culture we’re Mitchell said that fans can expect to trying to build here is togetherness. And see a fast paced team with more scoring as you know, our motto and our saying than last year. He stated that the UIndy is ‘As one’. Everyone’s really buying into women’s basketball team works hard that. Much more than last year… It’s a for each other, but also for the UIndy lot different. It’s a lot more together, a community.

SPORTS

5 NOVEMBER 8, 2023

THE REFLECTOR

and Women’s Lacrosse gets new coach Track field season

By Michael Harrington FEATURE EDITOR

The University of Indianapolis Women’s Lacrosse Team saw UIndy alumna Peyton Romig returning to the university as their new Head Coach this month, according to UIndy Athletics. Romig led the team to its first-ever championship last season as a player and soon after was hired as head coach, according to UIndy Athletics.

According to Romig, working for a school post-graduation was something she knew she wanted to do in the coaching world. Seeing a job posting for not only a school’s coach, but also for a lacrosse coach at UIndy was an offer she could not pass up, Romig said.

“It ’s a unique thing for me to go through, to win the national championship and then eventually a year later come back and be the coach of it,” Romig said. “I think it ’s really cool to be able to connect with the girls on the team and really show them what I have done by example of how to get there and by my experience of the playing side of it. Then now in a coaching role being able to shift it into more of me coaching onto them about all of these experiences I’ve been through and teaching them how to get back to the national championship.”

Romig said her previous experiences as a team captain on the women’s lacrosse team have transferred over to her position as head coach. Her journey from

team captain to head coach shows always been a great leader. She the girls on the team opportunities does so verbally and by example available in their own journeys as in ever ything she does. And so I players, according to Romig. was really happy when she got the “I was a four-year captain, so I coaching position.” already had that leadership role as Romig said the current season a captain leader on the team, not has shown the current team of a team but on the team,” Romig embodies the characteristics she said. “So that translated over ver y had during her time on the team. wel l, having that respect, that The team’s players are there for kind of leadership role the team and work for between the girls and the future, according to then coming back here as Romig. the head coach fit right “They definitely want in again. They obviously to work hard,” Romig know that I played said. “ They ’re here to here and that I was get back to where we’ve able to be on the team al way s gone and just that won the national continue the program’s championship, so being goals they have the past able to show them that couple years and they all where I started when I definitely really want to came in as a freshman to get there and they ’re all where I ended is totally working hard and they ’re ROMIG doable and to show them here for the ride.” that we can do that again.”

According to Grogan, seeing According to senior marketing Romig take the team to their first major and women’s lacrosse team championship made her realiz e defender Olivia Grogan, working that she had the qualities of a with Romig while she was on the head coach. Grogan also said that team showed her the leadership Romig is knowledgeable in both qualities present in Romig. Grogan mentoring and lacrosse as a sport, said Romig leads by example, which which highlights her qualities as made her one of the best leaders head coach. she has worked with.

“She definitely had and still “She was on the team at the same does have a really high lacrosse time as me when I was a freshman IQ,” Grogan said. “So she always and a sophomore,” Grogan said. can see the field at all different “And both of those years she was a points, whether it ’s the midfielders captain and one of the best leaders working on the draw, the defenders I ’ve e ver worked under in any guarding the cage or the attackers type of company or organization shooting. She’s been able to bring or team for that matter. S he ’s her knowledge and that real l y

high IQ into all different parts of the field and teach us stuff that we didn’t even know was capable before.”

According to Romig, the current season is a chance for her to take what she learned last year in order to help the players develop their skills. Romig said this year is big for her as it is her first year as head coach. “ I ’m r e a l l y e x c i t e d f o r t h e upcoming season,” Romig said.

“Obviously it ’s going to be a big one my first year as a head coach, but I’m really excited that it ’s with this group of girls and being able to work with them. To mesh well and to ride out what we’ve been doing for the past few years, getting back into the NCAA a and hopefully getting back as far as we can go.”

Romig said going from a team captain to head coach is a unique experience that has shaped her relationship with the current team.

This also makes her relationship with the team different from other head coaches relationships with their teams. “ The girls came in wanting to get better, wanting to work with me, wanting to work hard and ever ything,” Romig said. “So that kind of helped build the rapport and the relationship and I think it honestly is super beneficial because they didn’t have to fully go from being strangers to building trust in a relationship. It went straight from they already knew me, they knew me as a person. So now it was me coming in and being their coach.”

UIndy men’s basketball tips off their season

Men’s basketball team begins 2023-24 season with first game on Nov. 8

By Caroline Krauch SPORTS EDITOR

The UIndy men’s basketball team will start their season playing against the Parkside Rangers in Kentucky, according to UIndy Athletics. The game is set to be played Nov. 8 at 5:45 p.m. according to UIndy Athletics.

The team is ranked the highest they have ever been in the NABC Preseason Division II Coaches Poll, according to UIndy Athletics. The team is currently ranked number five, according to the article.

Head Coach Paul Corsaro has been with the team for four years now, and he said the theme for the year was going to be living in the moment. His goal for the team, he said, is to make it further in the postseason, but also not dwelling on the past.

“If we focus on getting better daily and being in the present moment,” Corsaro said. “Not focused on the past, not looking at the future, just, you know, being focused on the present day, each and every day. I think we have a shot when that time comes to do that.”

According to Corsaro, most of their summer was spent focused on their foreign trip in which they traveled to Canada in August. The team played Dalhousie University, Acadia University and the Nova Scotia All-Stars, according to UIndy Athletics. Corsaro said the trip was beneficial to the team chemistry and giving them an opportunity to play together.

Corsaro said that although the

one of team his favorite parts of did graduate some key coaching is seeing the players, the y brought men he interacts with in new athletes as well. d a i l y g row n o t on ly Instead of focusing on as athletes, but also as what went w rong last year, Corsaro said he is Graphic by Hannah Biedess human beings.

“The favorite part is focused on what could go definitely the relationships I grow right this year. with my players and, you know, “ We have different opponents helping them develop and grow as and I tell our players last year no men seeing their maturation from the longer matters that has no bearing time they get here on how this to the time they season is gonna l e a ve. ” C o r s a ro go,” Corsaro said.

I think we have a shot said.

“We need to create One of these our own destiny when that time comes to players he has been a n d , yo u k n ow, c o a c h i ng since do that.” w e ’r e z e r o a n d the beginning is z ero r ight now.

J e s s e B i n g h a m .

We need to go out Bingham is a senior guard from there and do something.”

Indianapolis who is ranked 25th Corsaro, while now entering his in the program for points, with a fourth season at the helm, is excited to total of 1,216 during his collegiate watch the guys he has been coaching career, according to UIndy Athletics. since their freshman year. He said

Bingham said the goal for the team this year is to finish with a championship, whether conference or national. He said the team has grown offensively and worked to become an overall better team.

“I feel like we did a real job with our recruitment class,” Said Bingham. “And so I feel like that just with the more weapons you have I feel like we’re able to stretch people out more than we did, than we did last year.”

According to Bingham, when the team is hopeful that with more weapons on offense, it will make their opponents have a harder time locking down their attack. To go along with the attack, Bingham says that defense has always been a major focus for the team and something they pride themselves on.

“We try our best to get so caught up on offense because our identity is on the defensive end,” Bingham said.

“Sometimes when on the offensive end, when things aren’t working, right? We always tip our hats on the defensive end knowing that we’re not gonna let a team score on us.”

Students should be on the lookout for game day promotions, according to Corsaro. Corsaro said that students should reach out if there is anything in particular they would like to see at their games. His goal, he said, is to make it the best environment possible.

“And I wanna make this a fun a t m o s p h e r e w h e r e , y o u k n o w, students look forward to coming to our games,” Corsaro said. “I want to be an entertaining venue for them, a social experience for them and I love having the students at the game.”

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics

Senior Jesse Bingham goes up for a shot. The Hounds first game of the regular season takes place on Friday against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Senior Jesse Bingham drives towards the hoop with a tough finish against the Missouri S&T Miners in the Greyhound’s home court. The game took place on Jan. 23 2023.

begins for 2023-24

By Caroline Krauch SPORTS EDITOR

S cott Fangman had been t h e t r a c k a n d fi e l d c o a c h f o r University of Indianapolis for 27 years before he retired from the position this past fall, according to UIndy Athletics. The UIndy Track and F ield team will now begin their first season without Fangman at the helm, according to UIndy Athletics. The 202324 indoor track and field season will begin Dec. 3 at home in the Athletic & Recreational Center (ARC), according to UIndy Athletics.

Fangman’s retirement went into effect Sept. 30, but the program is succeeded by UIndy Alumni Brad Robinson, who is now ser ving as inter im head coac h, according to UIndy Athletics. Robinson has been head coach for the cross countr y team since 2016, according to UIndy Athletics.

Af ter Fangman stepped down, Robinson was named the head of both the cross countr y and track and field teams, according to the UIndy Athletics website. The biggest difference for the season is the coaching change, according to Robinson. Robinson said that h e i s a q u i e t e r p re s e n c e t h a n Fangman, but plans on applying his managerial methods to help plan the season.

“I may not be as loud all the time having round meetings but I’m gonna do things that challenge the team to get out of their comfort zone in any way that we haven’t done things yet, so it will look different for sure,” Fangman said.

W hen speaking with Brad Robinson about taking over as h e a d c o a c h , Fa n g m a n s a i d h e was excited for what is to come during the upcoming season. He said although the team got a later start than normal this year given the changes, he is still hopeful to do well. The team, which usually starts training beginning in September, but did not start training till the beginning of October this school year. He said the goal for this team is to win the conference and have people place nationally like they did last year. “ We’ve got some returners that went to nationals last year,” said Robinson. “ We hope to have at least all those athletes qualify again and then hopefully adding to new athletes that did not come, did not qualify for nationals last year.”

One of the individual athletes who did qualify for nationals last year was S abrina Robison.

Robison is a senior on the team and competes in pole-vaulting and occasionally the triple jump, she said. Robinson said the biggest difference for the team is going to be the coaching change, but she is still excited for what is to come in the season. “ I ’m m o s t e x c i t e d f o r t h e traveling because it does seem we are traveling more this year than we did in the past,” Robison said. “I’d say traveling to all those different places will be my most exciting thing.”

Josiah Adams is a junior on the team and said that the team does have a lot of young athletes.

Despite this, Adams says this also means a lot of depth for the team, which makes him hopeful for what is to come in the season. “ We have a lot of young athletes in each area and I think with our leaders that ’s in place like myself and Sabrina,” Adams said, “ We can just, each event group can build each other up to hopefully win conference. I think both teams have a great opportunity to win conference because we just have a lot of depth unlike years in the past.”

Adams said that Fangman lef t an imprint on their program especially in how they carr y themselves. Something Fangman emphasized was the importance of leadership from the upperclassmen, and the team is prepared to continue the path of success that he had started the program on.

6

FEATURE

THE REFLECTOR

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Día de los Muertos ceremony goes digital

Student Counseling Center hosts virtual ceremony embracing the cultural differences in grieving

By Olivia Hogsett STAFF WRITER

The University of Indianapolis Student Counseling Center held a virtual Día de los Muertos event, for students to learn more about grieving processes in different cultures . This synchronous event was titled “Día de los Muertos: Grieving and Celebrating Life,” and was held Thursday, Nov. 2 according to an email sent by The Office of Student Affairs on Nov. 1. As of The Reflector’s press time, the UIndy Events Calendar offered a link to register for the event in advance as well as a virtual conference link. The event has since happened and is no longer available on the webpage; however, it was advertised in an email sent to students on Nov. 1.

According to the UIndy Events Calendar, students were provided with information about grieving in Latinx culture. There was a discussion on the importance of grief and the differences in grief between cultures. Students were encouraged to think about their grieving processes, regardless of whether they had recently experienced a loss or not.

University of Indianapolis Director of Institutional Belonging and Title IX Coordinator Cari Freed said these cultural events open up a space for people to appreciate Latinx culture. Freed said

that these events help people experience and learn from a new culture that they may not be familiar with.

“Having an event like Día de los Muertos, not only is it building and re-establishing our community for [Latinx] students, but it's also educating, informing and allowing people that aren't in that culture to partake and participate in a way that isn't appropriation. It's more appreciation,” Freed said.

Not only did the UIndy counseling center hold a Día de los Muertos event, but the Student Organization of Latinx did as well, according to President of the Student Organization of Latinx Francisco Gomez. SOL held an in-person event the same day that included food, music and cultural activities. Gomez said not only did the event give an opportunity for students to feature their family members on an altar but it also highlighted important members of the Mexican and Central American community.

Freed said that events like this help to foster a community on campus, however, these cultural events were not always so prominent at UIndy. Freed said she can recall some of the cultural events that took place when she was a student here, or lack thereof.

“I am a two-time alum and I started in the fall of 2015… I remember diversity

being important on our campus. The flags were always here,” Freed said. “ We've always had these student organizations. I don't remember there being this high amount of other students of color, there definitely were other students of color, I know SOL existed, but I didn't know what all they did.”

According to Gomez, cultural events provide people who may be in the minority a safe place where they feel belonging. These events help foster identity and belonging, according to Gomez.

“For students and individuals who may be living in areas where they don't have a large community here, it may be a great way for them to strengthen their own sense of self-identity here on campus,” Gomez said. “It's a great way for our community, Which is a very small minority, here to be able to say, ‘Hey, I recognize something.’”

According to Freed, events like Día de los Muertos: Grieving and Celebrating Life foster a community of diversity, inclusivity and make people feel like they belong. UIndy wants this to translate into the curriculum, programming, and in the faculty and staff, Freed said.

“Inclusion is making sure that those diverse identities are able to show up as their full selves, and show up as the people that they are and that they have

that seat at the table… You should still be able to see yourself reflected in that curriculum,” Freed said. “You should still be able to see yourself reflected in the programming that’s put on on campus.

You should also be able to see that reflected in your faculty and staff community.”

Gomez said because the Latinx c om mu n i t y i s a minority on campus, this event is an opportunity for people to learn about their culture. The events are an opportunity to celebrate culture, regardless of your ethnicity, Gomez said.

“Our [Latinx] population is only around 9 percent at the University of Indianapolis,” Gomez said. “And with that, SOL's main mission over the last three years that I've been here has been really to try to create not only a place of education for students who aren't part of our community, but also foster that sense of community and to really

Local historic site sees updates

Photo by Alfredo Guerro Alonso

The Madam Walker Building is located at 617 Indiana Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. “It is a four story, tapestry brick, building with a triangular 'flatiron' plan.”

By Brid Peoples STAFF WRITER

The Madam Walker Legacy Center is planning to bring the organization to greater prominence after wiping their debts, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The Center announced last month that they had sold the Walker Plaza building located at 719 Indiana Avenue to the Indiana University Foundation.According to the Indy Star, after combining with the previous sale of another building at 501 Indiana Ave., the Legacy Center has generated more than $10 million.

The Legacy Center also completed a $15 million renovation project in 2021.

According to the Indy Star with refurbished and modernized facilities, the Legacy Center will now be able to set high

aspirations for the future, with planning already underway to host the 2024 NBA All-Star game’s programming. Other recent successes include a Gladys Knight concert and the taping of Mike Epps’2021 Netflix stand-up special, according to the Indy Star The non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Walker and aims to promote social justice, inspire youth and provide cultural education to the public, according to the Madam Walker Legacy Center website.The organization also uses the Center to promote cultural tradition and diversity through art from the AfricanAmerican perspective.

Director of Institutional Belonging and Title IX Coordinator CariAnn Freed said she sees the creation of a new endowment fund and the refurbishment of the Center as a huge opportunity for University of

so close, or Butler, or even Wabash…just Indianapolis students due to its close work with the schools to show ‘Hey, we location. According to Freed, since a large see you guys, we're supporting you guys,’” percentage of students at UIndy care about Mosley said. “Even though it is Black music, art and the culture of Indianapolis, history, it is still the history of the United they have the perfect opportunity to get States of America. I feel like it should be involved with the Center. normalized.”

“Having a place that celebrates Mosley said that since students of culture, through music, through arts, color do not make up a large percentage through performances,through important of students on campus,providing members gatherings, that's huge,” Freed said. of the community feel comfortable and According to Public Relations Chair included is essential. According to UIndy, of the University of Indianapolis’ Black 33% of students are POC from minority Student Association and sophomore and international enrollment,meaning they Addison Mosley, the Center can create a are not a majority. learning experience for students. Mosley Mosley said all UIndy students should said there is a lot of Black history that has familiarize and educate themselves on the potential to be explored. the history the Madam Walker Center “It would definitely open their eyes and represents for the open the community African-American to see the history of o m m u n i t y.

Indianapolis and the We could work with IUPUI cHowever, according Black community, to to Mosley, there is really bring us more since it's so close, or still work to be done. together, city-wide, Butler, or even Wabash."

“I would say be not just focused on willing to learn, be this campus,”she said. willing to listen, be “I feel like it will willing to just be open, to accept learning,” definitely reach out to the people of color Mosley said. “... By showing up and going on our campus because there's not a huge out to any Black artists.” pool of us.”

In terms of what the Center and Freed said the Legacy Center is a key Indianapolis already offers students and piece of Black history in Indianapolis, the wider community, Freed said there stating that Madam C.J. Walker’s legacy are opportunities out there for artful and is especially important for Black women musical experiences. According to Freed, in the city. According to Freed, Indiana students should keep an eye on upcoming Avenue still holds as a place for Black life events. in Indianapolis.

“We already do a pretty good job of Mosley said she would love to see some giving young people, older generations sort of collaboration between UIndy and and everybody in between opportunities the Legacy Center to promote further to engage in the music and arts, but I engagement and support. According to would really love for this Center to give Mosley, there is an opportunity for local us even more of an excuse to to do things colleges to support the Legacy Center and in a way that like brings us to the larger engage with Black history. stage,” Freed said.

“We could work with IUPUI since it's

Campus revs engines with UIndy Racing RSO

By Anika Yoder

MANAGING EDITOR & CO-ONLINE EDITOR The University of Indianapolis can start its engine for the UIndy Racing registered student organization. The RSO is led and done by students to investigate and do types of racing events on campus and off campus, according to Associate Professor of Engineering and Faculty Adviser for UIndy Racing Paul Talaga.

UIndy Racing was originally established in 2020, according to junior mechanical engineering major and President of UIndy Racing Jordan Ankney. Though the RSO was created in 2020, Talaga said that last year students who were at the time seniors conducted their senior capstone projects around racing and picked up the club again before pausing to complete their coursework.Those who picked the club back up included students who were not seniors last year but are now running the RSO. Though it is not the first year for the club, this school year is the first time for UIndy Racing that events have been planned and advertised, Ankney said. The RSO had its

first event on Oct.21 where UIndy students and employees as well as those outside of campus were able to pay to show their cars in the parking lot of Martin Hall.

“Nothing was really ever done with it much until now,”Ankney said.“For a while, it was just a bunch of people meeting up to play on a racing simulator. So this, I guess, is its official year where stuff is happening.”

The RSO plans to continue interacting with the community outside of the university as with events like its last car show, the organization was able to engage with more people besides those within the UIndy campus,according to Ankney.Students who might be interested in racing or cars but who might not be interested in necessarily showing a car are able to still attend the car shows and participate in activities.

“The plan is for us to continue with engagement outside of the university, but also the car show had a lot more outside engagement than with students,” Ankney said.“And there's a lot of students on campus I know would love to show their car, but some of them didn't find out about it in time.

So hopefully, we can find a good balance of engaging with the community, but we're also engaging with other students,and even students that may not want to show a car

Photo by Breanna Emmett

Several cars were presented for participants to view at the Car Show held by the UIndy Racing RSO on Saturday, Oct. 21. The Car Show was held in the Martin Hall parking lot.

and may just want to come look at cars or do some fun activities during the car show.”

UIndy Racing is looking to expand its membership as well, Ankney said.The club is open to those who are not just engineering majors and is looking to branch out to other kinds of racing as well as sponsorship opportunities.

“We'd love to have more people involved in just engineering,especially business,other related or other and other majors, other

than engineering,”Ankney said.“So we can also kind of expand what all UIndy racing is about, more than just building go-karts and racing.”

According to Ankney, students have expressed interest in quadcopter racing as well as other activities like boat racing that the club would like to dive into. UIndy Racing meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the fabrication space at the R.B. Annis Engineering Building.

create a place of strength and identity for our community.”

The Día de los Muertos event is not just for the Latinx community.

This event was open to anyone and allowed for a space to educate and promote a better understanding of the culture, according to Freed.

“Not only does it allow our [Latinx] community to celebrate something that is important to their heritage, but it also allows other people who might not be exposed to things like Día de los Muertos, to understand what it means. It might even be something that helps de-stigmatize.”

Freed said. “Like, the sugar skulls that people talk about and wear. A lot of people take on that heritage and wear them as costumes during Halloween and things like that without really understanding the implications or what it really means for people.”

Graphic by Hannah Hadley

Music department hosts workshop

By Hannah Biedess

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The University of Indianapolis hosted a workshop to help high school students with their auditions for the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-State Band, according to UIndy 360. The workshop was held on Nov. 4 where, according to UIndy 360, high school students got to work with UIndy faculty to make their All-State Band audition a success. Director of Bands and Instrumental Activities Jon Noworyta said that this workshop gave the students the opportunity to work with collegiate-level musicians.

“Our goal this year is to help more students have a stronger audition to be a part of that group… So half of our teachers are in the Indianapolis S y m p h o n y. T h i s w i l l g i v e t h e opportunity to high school students to work with an internationally renowned musician and teacher to prepare for the IBA. All State auditions in January,” Noworyta said.

Chair of Music Rebecca Sorley said this was a free service and that they had a great turnout for this being the first time. Noworyta said that this allows the high school students and faculty to make connections with UIndy faculty who are also professional musicians and encourages them to continue their study of music at UIndy.

“This gives the opportunity for the teacher as well as the student to get to know each other and possibly connect in such a way that the student will want to come here and study and be a music major,” Noworyta said.

Sorley said that these students go above and beyond what is expected and required of them. Their band directors have likely encouraged them to audition to the All-State Band, she said.

“Even the preparation for it, though, is a good experience for the students, ” S or ley said. “S o they're going to get better at their instruments by working on this repertoire.”

According to the IBA website, this is an exciting opportunity for high school students. The audition requirements, according to the website, are to play the chromatic scale so the judges can hear the full range of the instrument and two etudes.

Sorley said that etudes are technical exercises that allow the student to practice certain technical elements that may be hard in music pieces. The auditions are being held in January, according to Sorley, and the students will perform at Purdue University in March.

“That's what they're preparing for.

And it's an honor for them to get to do that,” Sorley said.

ENTERTAINMENT

7

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

THE REFLECTOR

Graphic by Hannah Biedess

By Caroline Krauch SPORTS EDITOR

Romance readers can now get in the mood for love with Barnes and Noble’s new romance book club at the Greenwood Park Mall, according to their Instagram. The book club was started by Senior Bookseller Meghan Decatur after she had noticed an advertisement for one on a poster at another Barnes and Noble.

“The next time I went into work, I asked my boss if we could have one as well because pre-COVID we had an adult book club, but we had to stop it, obviously, and hadn’t done anything since,” Decatur said.

According to Decatur,they plan to continue to meet monthly, with a break

in December due to the holidays. The club has only had two meetings thus far, one on Sept. 13 and on Oct. 25. Decatur also said the club is open for anyone to join and there is no set schedule to the meetings—it is meant to be a free space.

“It’s honestly just a lively discussion,” Decatur said. “It’s not too terribly structured, minus a couple of questions.

But other than that, …we’ll get coffees and we’ll sit around and just talk about how we liked it.”

According to Decatur, the size of the group is small, as of now, but that makes it easy to have more in-depth conversations. She said there is no need to sign up—people can just show up if they please.

Junior communication major and Bookseller at Barnes and Noble Emma Foutz said that although the club is

strictly romance, they are going to try to cover a wide variety of romance novels including Victorian, contemporary, historical and more. Foutz said, in order to choose the book for the month, the group votes on which one they want to read. The goal of the book club is to bring together and build a community of people who love romance novels, according to Foutz. Readers are people who love a community, Foutz said, and this gives them an opportunity to have a place to share thoughts and ideas. She also said the club plans on doing them for the foreseeable future.

“We just love community, there’s groups like BookTok where people share suggestions and recommendations and have whole communities online,” Foutz said.

The book they most recently read,

which was the topic of discussion at their Oct. 25 meeting, was “You Again”by Kate Goldbeck, Foutz said. This is a modern romance novel and is Goldbeck’s debut book, according to the Kate Goldbeck website. This was one of five options offered to the previous group that met in September. The group is given a chance to vote on the book they want to read, and then everyone is expected to have read it by meeting time the next month, said Foutz.

According to Foutz, this particular club will exclusively read romance books, but if customers express interest for a different variety of book clubs, they would consider adding more genres.

Decatur said that students can look on the Barnes and Noble website or on their Instagram account for updates as to when the meetings will be.

The next meeting will be discussing the book “ The Nanny ” by Lana Ferguson, said Decatur. This is a contemporary novel that focuses on the life of a woman who nannies for a man who recognizes her from the content subscription service OnlyFans, according to Goodreads.

The next meeting will be on Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble located in Greenwood Park Mall, according to Decatur. All are welcome and encouraged to attend and should stay tuned for more updates on what is to come at this Barnes and Noble, according to Foutz.

“We’re gonna have our holiday stuff coming in soon.”Foutz said.“We’re going to have, during the holidays, it’s 50% off all hardcover books. So that’s a big sale that we are gonna be doing.”

‘Goodbye to the Moon and Stars’ recital

Stephen Avilez and Elizabeth Enderle perform songs ‘Constellations’ by Oh Hellos and more

By Olivia Pastrick NEWS EDITOR

Students, faculty and staff can say, “Goodbye to the Stars and Moon” with junior music education major Stephen Avilez and senior music and theatre major Elizabeth Enderle on Nov. 4 in Ruth Lilly Performance Hall. According to Avilez, he and Enderle wanted the performance to go beyond what was required of them.

“Long-stor y-short, we just decided to do it together because it’s more efficient, and they encouraged us to do that,” Avilez said. “We went on a trip to Italy over the summer

and decided to make a bit of a show instead of just a homework assignment.”

Enderle said this recital has been an opportunity to test herself and try some new things that she has not had the chance to do before. She said the recital is a combination of songs that she considers ‘old friends’ as well as songs that are new and have challenged her.

“This recital has been a really nice opportunity to try some different things I didn’t understand, and was also a good experience where I got to figure out and kind of test some of the boundaries,” Enderle said.

Both Enderle and Avilez said

t h e i r f a vo r i t e s on g f rom t h e i r performance is “Constellations” by The Oh Hellos. Avilez said he arranged the piece for the recital, which was a challenge for him, but one he enjoyed.

Another song in the recital that has connections to both Ender le and Av i l e z i s a p i e c e from “Phantom of the Opera.” Enderle said “Phantom of the Opera” was one of the fi r s t mu s i c a l s s h e e v e r watched as a kid, and she would

often watch it on repeat. Avilez said the song is for his mother, who was in a production of the musical. “ I c o m e f ro m a background of musicians and such, and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ is very dear t o m y m o t h e r, ” Avilez said. “The reason I’m doing i t s p e c i fi c a l l y i s because she would sing these high notes from ‘Phantom of the Opera’ as punishment or [to tell me] I needed to move

faster, she would unleash this whistle register. So I’m doing this for my mother.”

According to Enderle, they did unique things with the way they staged the recital. She also said they are doing duets and an encore at the end of the recital called “O Sole Mio.” Avilez said another unique thing about their recital is that they are able to do it together.

“My favorite thing about this is that I get to do this with a friend,” Avilez said. “Not everyone gets to do it with someone. I hope to make this a recital that we can both be proud of.”

Graphic by Breanna Emmett

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’play

Photo by Allison Cook

From left to right Zac Schneider, Sloane Townsend, Dee Woods and Evan Rohlfing rehearse ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ out of costume in the basement of Esch Hall.

By Brid Peoples STAFF WRITER

The University of Indianapolis Theatre Department will be performing “The Importance of Being Earnest” in the Studio Theatre on Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 16-18 at 8 p.m. each night. According to Assistant

Professor of Theater and Director of “The Importance of Being Earnest” Grant Williams, the play is a classic piece of theater written by Oscar Wilde that has been modernized for contemporary audiences. “[Oscar Wilde] has a very specific style of humor. I’ve tried to modernize it as much as possible, whereas he was kind of satirizing the upper class of

the late 19th century,” Williams said.

“That kind of satirical take might be lost on the contemporary audience. So I’ve tried to just make it a satirical take on upper class elitism.”

Williams said his adaption is set in the 1960s and that he was inspired by the aesthetic of the films directed

by Wes Anderson. He added that the “quirkiness” of Anderson’s film style was his creative vision.

Junior theatre major Dee Woods will be playing one of the lead roles, Jack Worthing. Woods said his character hides a deep secret and lives a double life, which leads to a major plot twist at the climax of the play.

“The thing I’m most excited about is people finding out what happens in the big reveal,” Woods said.

Woods also said audience members will enjoy Williams’ adaptation, due to his creative portrayal of some characters.

He shared his confidence that the audience will be in for a remarkable experience. As with the production of “Taming of the Shrew” in 2021, the gender identities of some characters were reimagined. Woods added that he believes this reimagining will have the same positive impact among audience members in a similar way as “Taming

of the Shrew.”

Woods said that he thinks audiences “[Dr. Williams] plays around with should learn from this production to be gender fluidity, which I think is very more straightforward with themselves cool, especially with older pieces… it and their identity and live their truth. helped a lot of people in a lot of different He said he believes a lesson “Earnest” ways,” Woods said. conveys is the need to embrace Williams said how he was enthusiastic authenticity. to see the project unfold, as “The “I feel like a lot of [students] would Importance of Being Earnest” is the most definitely like it. You definitely get first production that has been done as a laugh out of it,” Woods said. part of the theatre major’s curriculum.

Williams also emphasized the Theater used to be comedic aspect to an extracurricular, Wilde’s work, and however this that the students ... I’ve tried to just make production of enjoyed the process “Earnest” is the first of production and it a satirical take on class production. putting it together. upper class elitism.”

“This was the He said that a lot of first time that we’ve Wilde’s work does done plays as part not translate to the of the curriculum, so that all the actors stage in the same vein as literature, but who were in this production were part that he has tried to capture Wilde’s of a class. And so this is kind of the satirical, irreverent spirit. fruition of that experiment that I’ve “It’s a fun piece. I think it’s fun to started,” Williams said. direct and I think it’d be fun on stage…

Williams added that he believes [Wilde] has little clever quips always UIndy students should support the littered throughout his works, because production and encourage their he’s a clever individual,” Williams said. classmates in their artistic pursuits.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” “I think supporting the arts and opens Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. in the supporting the endeavors of fellow basement of Esch Hall in the studio students in their creation of art is very theatre. Admission for UIndy students valuable,” Williams said. is free with their UIndy ID.

a loud and powerful dance song, but the mixing in the song makes Poppy’s voice not only quieter than the instrumental, but also hard to understand. It can also be seen on the song “Prove It,” yet another song that could be great if not for the lackluster mixing.

I am not going to spend the whole review complaining as the album is still decent. In fact, the good songs on the album are not just good, they are great.

My favorite song,“The Attic,”sees Poppy exploring a whole new genre by playing with drum and bass. Her lyricism has also improved, despite how difficult it can be to hear her soft voice at times. One of my favorite lyrics is present in the song “Linger” where Poppy touches on the feeling of obsession. The chorus says, “At the night’s edge, you know that I’ll follow/ Anywhere your blood flows red,/I’ll make you just like me/And you let it linger, linger, linger.”To me, the metaphors and imagery present in the album show her

growth as an artist overall.

Another stand out track is the song “Church Outfit,” the first single for the album. I enjoyed this song as it is the one metal song on “Zig.” It makes an excellent album opener because it mixes industrial pop with metal guitar riffs and screams. Perhaps it is a sendoff to the Metal Poppy I knew, or maybe it is a reminder that she will always dabble with the genre. For some reason she tends to be best when she contrasts her cutesy image with dark lyrics such as “This is the dress I want to be buried in” that are seen in “Church Outfit.”

Yet even with the songs being good, something just feels like it is missing.

Perhaps it could be a result of the short tracklist, the poor mixing or maybe Poppy has just finally reached a slump in her artistic career. In “Hard,” Poppy may say “Only shoot to hit the mark, shoot to hit the mark,” but here, she narrowly missed it.

Review: ‘Zig’ by Poppy nearly misses the mark

By Michael Harrington FEATURE EDITOR

Poppy, born Moriah Periera, has been one of my favorite artists since she released her 2016 EP “Bubblebath.”

Over the years she transitioned from a pop singer with “Bubblebath,” to a metal artist with her 2021 release “Flux.” Now, Poppy seemingly went back to pop with her Oct. 27 release of her fifth album, “Zig.” As a major Poppy fan, or a “Poppyseed,” I was very excited for the album’s release. However, I was kind of let down during my first listen.

With her recent singles from the album such as “Church Outfit” and “Knockoff,” I knew the album was going to be more pop-focused compared to her last album. However, I was not expecting it to affect the quality of her work. Normally, she nails every song

she puts out, but with songs such as the title track “Zig,” I was left scratching my head. The song felt disorienting, unfocused and unfinished. This led me to my first major issue with the album—the length.

“Zig” has a whopping length of roughly…30 minutes. This is incredibly shocking as the album has 11 tracks.

For comparison, her last album “Flux” had a length of 32 minutes with just nine tracks. This length makes some songs feel shorter than they should be. For instance, “Hard” is a song that builds up to the end when Poppy begins screaming at the end of the song, but out of nowhere it is cut short with an unfulfilling ending.

The mixing in the album is also an issue as well. It seems as though Poppy was trying to go for a distorted effect on her voice, but at times it feels like she is speaking through a tin can. The song “Motorbike” feels like it should be

Ratings • Tone: 4/10 (I really can NOT get over the mixing) • Sound: 7/10 (Some songs cut off as soon as they start to get good) • Lyrics: 9/10 • Flow: 8/10 (Album starts heavy and slowly gets softer) The Good • S tandout Tr ac ks suc h as “Church Outfit”, “The Attic” and “Linger” • Poppy’s development as a writer • The exploration of new genres such as drum and bass The Bad • The audio mixing • How shor t the album is (11 tracks in 30 minutes… seriously?)

• Songs getting cut off so soon • Songs such as “Motorbike”, “Zig” and “Prove It”

NEWS

8 THE REFLECTOR

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Changes made to FAFSA form The FAFSA Simplification Act will change the application process for the 2024-2025 award year

By Olivia Pastrick NEWS EDITOR

Several changes have been made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form for the 2024-25 academic year. According to Director of Financial Aid Nathan Lohr, there are three main changes that will affect students.

The first change, Lohr said, is that the form will now be available sometime in December, when in the past it has been available on Oct. 1 of the year prior to the applicable academic year. An official date has not yet been determined by the U.S. Department of Education. “ Tr a d i t i o n a l l y, t h e FAFSA is available online on October the first of this year. It won't be available until sometime in December,” Lohr said. “The Department of Education hasn't given us an official date yet when it will be available, other than to say sometime in December, students will be able to start filing their FAFSA online.”

According to the Federal Student Aid Office of the Department of Education website, there is a prototype of the 2024-25 form available.

According to the website, the prototype simulates the new process of filling out the form but has limitations because it does not collect data in the same way the official FAFSA does.

Lohr said the second big change being made to the FAFSA is the way in which students can fill out the

form. In the past, students have been able to fill out every section of their application, including information about their parent or guardian’s income.

This year, students will only be able to fill out information about themselves.

“In the past, a student or a parent could log in and answer ever y question that was on the FA F S A ,

both f o r themselves and for the other person,” Lohr said. “This year, students will only be able to provide personal and financial information about themsel ves, and parents will only be able to provide information about themselves. When students start the FAFSA, they will need to complete their section and then invite a parent to access the FAFSA to complete their part of it.”

According to Lohr, another big change is t h e w ay i n which the form

calculates how much financial aid a student is eligible to receive. He said in the past, the number had been referred to as the estimated family contribution, while

it is being called the student aid index in the new form.

“The Department of Education has made some changes to the final number that comes from the FAFSA,” Lohr said. “In the past, when a student completes the FAFSA, they get an expected f a m i l y contribution or EFC. That's the number

that's calculated at the end of the FAFSA that we use to help determine what federal and state financial aid a student is eligible for. The EFC is going to be replaced by the SAI, or Student Aid Index. It will work in a similar way to help us determine a student's financial aid eligibility but the number itself is going to be different and the calculation behind is going to be different also”

According to the Department of Education’s website, the new FAFSA form expands access to Federal Pell Grants.The new form will link eligibility to family size and the federal poverty level, incarcerated students will become eligible and lifetime eligibility will be given to students whose school closed while they were enrolled or if the school is found to have misled the student.

Lohr said that although the process of filling out FAFSA will be different for students, he hopes that the changes will make it an easier and quicker process. He said that he is hopeful that even more students at the University of Indianapolis will be able to receive federal aid to help with the costs of school.

“I do think that even though there will be changes to the way that the FAFSA looks and feels for students, the number of questions that they have to answer and the amount of information they have to provide will be less, so we're hopeful that it will make completing the FAFSA a little quicker for students and a little easier to complete,” Lohr said.

Lohr said he encourages students to fill out the FAFSA application as soon as possible once it is available. He said the Financial Aid office will be in contact with students as the application opens and more information becomes available.

“We encourage students to file the FAFSA as soon as they can, and then monitor their email because we’ll be in touch if there's any additional information that we need from them to process their aid,” Lohr said.

Graphic by Hannah Hadley

Biden offers $334 million for crime crackdown

By Justin Sink

BLOOMBERG NEWS (TNS) The White House announced $334 million in new funding for state and local governments to hire additional law enforcement officers, as President Joe Biden looks to combat perceptions of growing violent crime in U.S. cities.

“These grants, which support the hiring of more than 1,700 new officers and make critical investments in school safety and crisis intervention efforts will help provide local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to keep their communities safe, support officers, and build public trust,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Thursday.

States and cities will receive $216 million for hiring new officers, $73 million for preventing violence in schools and $43 million to fund community policing, crisis-intervention programs and deescalation strategies, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told reporters.

Five new cities will join more than 50 jurisdictions participating in a Justice Department program to reduce crime and improve homicide clearance rates: Knoxville, Tennessee; Minneapolis; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; and Vallejo, California.

The Justice Department will host a violent crime reduction summit in Indianapolis from Dec. 11 to 13, bringing together 1,500 local and federal partners from across the country, the White House announced.

Polls suggest crime is a potential liability for Biden, even as the White House has sought to highlight his calls for providing more funding for law enforcement. GOP political advertisements routinely criticize the president and other Democratic lawmakers over their ties to advocates who call for defunding the police and instead boosting social services in response to a spate of high-profile killings of Black Americans by law enforcement.

Almost six in 10 Americans said they disapproved of Biden’s handling of the issue in a Harvard Center for American Political Studies/Harris Poll released last month.

Homicide and violent crime rates

Photo by Yuri Gripas

U.S. President Joe Biden discusses retirement security and junk fees in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS)

in major cities declined in the first half of 2023, according to statistics compiled by the Council on Criminal Justice, but remain elevated compared to before the coronavirus pandemic.

In cities, including Washington and New York, local officials have begun offering residents in some high-crime areas Apple Inc. AirTags to track their vehicles amid a spate of carjackings.

In San Francisco and Chicago, worries about violent crime threaten efforts to keep businesses in the city and convince workers to return to downtown areas hard hit by the pandemic. San Francisco has also struggled with population loss and

record commercial vacancy rates, leading business leaders to roll out a new ad campaign to repair the city’s image. Ken Griffin, the founder of hedge fund Citadel, cited crime in Chicago to explain his decision to move his company to Miami.

Cities have also grappled with a postpandemic surge of asylum seekers, with some local officials saying illegal immigration has stretched budgets and made it harder to deal with rising crime.

A coalition of Democratic mayors, including New York’s Eric Adams, Chicago’s Brandon Johnson, and Denver’s Michael Johnston are in

Washington on Thursday, and will meet with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, senior adviser Tom Perez and other officials, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The mayors had requested a meeting with Biden to discuss additional funding and speeding work authorization for migrants. Adams and others have criticized the White House’s handling of the migrant influx, imploring Biden to provide more resources to their cities.

The Biden administration is also seeking emergency funding to address the fentanyl crisis as part of a sweeping

request that includes assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and allies in the IndoPacific.

The White House has asked for $1.2 billion for additional Department of Homeland Security officers and inspection systems, as well as $23 million for Justice Department testing and tracing programs. Biden is expected to raise the issue of fentanyl trafficking when he meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month in San Francisco. ___ ©2023 Bloomberg L.P. V isit bloomberg.com. Distr ibuted by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.