University News No. 1 (Sept. 30, 2021)

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THE UNIVERSITY NEWS

Photo By Andrea Porter

VOL. C No. 1 / September 3oth, 2021

Saint Louis University: A community in Mourning

COver design by Grace Dunlavy

NEWS

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SLU: A COMMUNIT Y IN MOURNING

By GABBY CHIODO Associate News Editor

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n Sept. 23, a crowd gathered at the clocktower in the middle of SLU’s campus. A passerby asked a student, “What’s going on?” The student responded quickly: “mental health town hall.” The passerby nodded knowingly.

The town hall was held as an emergency response from administration after two SLU students, a freshman and an upperclassman, passed away within nine days of each other.

Both deaths were cases of suicide.

At the mental health town hall, many students shared their experiences struggling with different mental illnesses. Most felt they had not been supported by members of SLU’s faculty and staff. The most alarming reports were the ones that came from students who had poor experiences with the University Counseling Center on campus. There were reports of long wait times, insensitive comments and insufficient resources.

Some of these testimonials came from the days following the two suicides, but many were from months or even years ago. Senior Alyssa Cook said she has not felt supported by her

University in her mental health journey for years. In an interview with The University News, Cook disclosed that beginning in the fall of her freshman year, she had been feeling depressed and anxious, so she decided to take advantage of the ten free counseling sessions at the University Counseling Center.

“Basically what I was told was that the counseling center didn’t have the tools needed to help me,” Cook said.

Suggesting she seek psychiatric help, Cook attempted to make an appointment at the Student Health Center. She was informed that the waitlist for the University’s psychiatrist was extremely long and she was not able to get an appointment until December.

Following the first tragic death at Saint Louis University, students received an email from Sarah Cunningham, Ph.D., the Vice President of Student Development, informing the SLU student body of a death on campus.

Many students, however, criticized the administration for a lack of transparency and communication. Members of Active Minds, the mental health awareness group at Saint Louis University, felt the community hurting and asking for answers.

“I definitely feel like the way that we’ve had a delay in communication

(Andrea Porter/The University News)

has been difficult,” Julia Lansfreick, president of Active Minds, said. On the administrative side, Cunningham responded to the difficulty of offering the student body transparency and closure while respecting the wishes of the family. “It’s not uncommon for an institution to work really close with a family and they are really going to drive how and when and what we share,” Cunningham said.

Administrators, though, say that mental health has and will continue to be at the top of their priority list. SLU President, Fred Pestello, Ph.D., echoed this sentiment in a recent interview.

“Mental health is a tremendous concern, and there’s been a concern that that has been increasingly an issue for our students and on our campuses,” Pestello said.

Cunningham corroborated this statement and shared several different avenues the University is pursuing. One new effort she recently announced was SLU’s partnership with Medical Family Therapy, housed in SLU’s School of Medicine, to add capacity to the University Counseling Center. Cunningham also noted that she has been trying to assess the wellness of students on campus and allocating different mental wellness resources to the University since she began her job in Feb-

ruary 2021.

After the second student suicide on Sept. 20, a petition began circulating among students, family members and the community at large. Signed by over eight thousand people, the petition called for fourteen free counseling sessions, more highly trained counselors and an extension of Counseling Center hours to allow additional accessibility for students.

SLU’s student body also vocalized through social media and emails the need to have time away from class to mourn the loss of the two Billikens. The University’s Provost, Michael Lewis, Ph.D., canceled all undergraduate classes on Friday, Sept. 24.

“I spoke with students and listened and had my mind changed, to be frank,” Lewis said. “That’s why you listen. You don’t listen to stand your ground. You listen to evolve.”

The decision to cancel class was initially met with criticism from some in the SLU community. According to Lewis, parents complained that a lack of structure would make students feel more isolated and anxious. To try and combat this, the SLU administration worked to schedule all-day wellness programming, providing a space for students to grieve with each other.

Lewis stated “I’d say the intention and thought that went into continuing classes on Wednesday and Thursday was the idea of programming. And what could we do to not just have it be an empty day for students.”

The Friday classes were cancelled, students had the opportunity to attend various events, including trauma-informed yoga and spending time with therapy dogs.

“It was clear from what we saw on Friday that many, many students did not want an empty day and they appreciated what happened [the programming],” Lewis said.

Still, the SLU community is and will continue to grieve the devastating loss of two young students. Students and administrators alike emphasized resources for those struggling to cope, both with these tragedies and in general.

“This is the time to raise your hand and ask questions if you see your friends acting in a different way, or maybe showing up in a different way,” Cunningham said. “This is the time to be intrusive and get in someone’s busy and ask how they’re doing.”

03 News CORE CURRICULUM PILOT SLU STUDY ABROAD CAUTIOUSLY

RESUMES

LAUNCHES

By ULAA KUZIEZ Staff Writer fter nearly three years of planning, the University is piloting its newly developed Core Curriculum to approximately 270 freshmen students this semester.

Previously, there was no cohesive curriculum that connected the different schools, leading to difficulty in transferring across programs and a lack of shared experience between students.

The Core, which is a minimum 32 credit hour experience, aims to foster collaboration and reflection to transform student learning. Associate Professor of English Ellen Crowell, Ph.D was appointed the Director of the University Core in May 2018 and has been working alongside a committee of other faculty, staff and students to develop the curriculum.

“The most exciting thing about this job was the ability to ask teachers to put aside what they have been doing and think creatively,” Crowell said. “In those early stages [we were] dreaming big and we built a lot of enthusiasm.”

This semester, two out of eight sections of the Core were launched: Ignite First Year Seminar, which uses a small-group approach to inquiry, and the first sequence of Cura Personalis, Self in Community, which focuses on self-discovery and questions of history or identity. Director of the Applied Behavior Analysis Program, Natalie Parks, Ph.D, is teaching the Behavior Analysis of Social Justice course for the Ignite Seminar requirement of the Core.

“My hope is that I will ignite some passion inside my students in whatever social justice topic that they’re interested in and give them a set of tools for how to start approaching that,” Parks said. “I [also] saw this as a great opportunity to introduce students to behavior science before their junior or senior year.”

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Senior Antron Reid applied to become an Undergraduate Core Fellow last semester and began in his role in August. As a student representative for Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation, he attends faculty meetings and helps approve, deny or edit course submissions for that section.

“In light of recent events that occurred on campus, I think this new Core is a way of integrating the idea of building up the whole person,” Reid said. “It will help us relate to each other a lot better and it’s going to reinforce [a] sense of community.”

Unlike other universities, Crowell explains that SLU is unique in involving students in the creation and review of core classes. This decision to create the University Undergraduate Core Committee (UUCC) came in large part out of the 2020 Scholar Strike, in which some students demanded they have a say in the development of courses.

“It makes you think, ‘Why haven’t we done this sooner?’” Reid said. “This education will be a lot more beneficial to students [when] they feel like they have a say in what they get to learn.”

Freshman Marquis Govan opted into the pilot program this semester to experience this new academic endeavor. He is taking two pilot courses, The Power of Communication and Cura Personalis 1.

“I haven’t had much homework in either of these classes so far because the emphasis is on developing the person and character,” Govan said. “The [Power of Communication] class I am taking has made me more well rounded in just a couple of weeks about how I can support and be more inclusive to people with disabilities.”

Crowell is looking forward to the implementation of the full Core next year and the impact it will have on individual students and on the campus as a whole.

“When we were creating the Core, we doubled down on student wellness,” Crowell said. “Cura Personalis, or care for the whole person, is the hallmark of Jesuit education. We said let’s make sure the Core lives SLU’s mission by making our Cura Personalis sequence both required for all students and credit-bearing.”

By ZOË BUTLER News Editor

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s of Fall 2021, most of SLU’s study abroad programs have officially reopened after travel was suspended for multiple semesters due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the semester prior, in Spring 2021, around 45 students were able to study at SLU Madrid with restricted access to travel after a full year of suspended study abroad programs.

Margaret Kessler is a study abroad counselor at SLU who works primarily with students interested in non-Madrid programs, as well as faculty and staff who are looking to lead shortterm programs. She shared that out of the more than 40 abroad programs SLU offers, only two are still suspended this semester: Australia and Vietnam.

“The Australian borders are closed, so students wouldn’t be allowed into Australia. There are also some programs that we work with where the host institution is no longer supporting students going,” Kessler said.

One of these institutions is Loyola University Chicago, who has suspended their program in Vietnam for the Spring 2022 semester due to the pandemic. Though these programs remain temporarily suspended, many others are becoming increasingly relaxed on COVID-19 restrictions.

Mia McGrath is a junior who is currently studying on SLU Madrid’s campus, something she’s been hoping to do since beginning college. While she originally wanted to go during the Spring of 2021, she’s grateful she waited an extra semester for the city to open up more.

“When I decided to go, I thought even if COVID is still bad, I’ll either be in lockdown in Missouri or Madrid, and I’ve already done it once in Missouri, so I might as well go,” McGrath said. “I set my expectations super low because I thought I might not be able to travel at all.”

So far, though, McGrath has been able to travel every weekend she’s been there, which she credits to her being vaccinated.

“It’s strange because other than the masks, it pretty much feels normal,” McGrath said. “For most countries you just have to show your vaccination card.”

According to Kessler, SLU has an international travel advisory committee, which has been in place since before the coronavirus pandemic, to assess proposals made by students or faculty wanting to travel to countries that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has deemed a restricted region. The committee is composed of members across the University, including faculty for the Dean of Students’ Office, members of the public health sector on the medical campus, the general counsel and risk management “Before COVID-19, it was mostly about safety and security,” Kessler said. “So, if there was crime or an epidemic within that country.”

Although travelling is still not guaranteed due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, Europe’s travel restrictions have relaxed significantly since the Spring 2021 semester, which McGrath hopes to take advantage of.

Currently, she’s looking forward to weekend trips to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Paris and London. During the week, McGrath looks forward to hearing about other students’ travels during her Latin Rhythms class.

“You dance with all the guys, and you rotate partners,” McGrath said. “So in Tuesday’s class, you’re like ‘How was your trip last weekend?

Where did you go?’” McGrath said.

“And in Thursday’s class, you’re like ‘So, where are you going this weekend?’”

While McGrath loves the aspect of being able to travel relatively freely throughout Europe, she’s also grateful for the time to practice her Spanish and learn about the culture of Madrid.

“It just totally changes your perspective on everything, just being around people of different cultures every day,” McGrath said. “I think that’s like the coolest part so far is constantly being reminded that the world is bigger than you, and there’s so much to learn from everyone.”

News

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(Abby Campbell/ The University News)

Students with dietary restrictions Share their Experiences at SLU While students with food allergies struggle to find a variety of oncampus dining options, DineSLU works to build communication to accommodate student needs.

By BRIAN GUERIN Contributer

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ith twenty different places for students to eat across campus and six separate meal plans, DineSLU residential and retail locations are committed to serving thousands of students every day. Students with food allergies or dietary restrictions are welcomed as part of that population.

The feedback from students with dietary needs is a valuable way to assess and improve an essential part of the experience at SLU. Lia Basden, a sophomore communications student, shared her thoughts on DineSLU and eating with dietary restrictions. “My junior year of high school I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disease in which your body can’t digest gluten,” said Basden.

Basden is also lactose intolerant and vegetarian and said that the reputation of the dietary accommodations at SLU was a major part of her college decision. Basden struggled to find dining options last year and explained that the Simple Servings station was often the only place she was able to eat, due to cross-contamination and allergens. “They didn’t even serve breakfast at Simple Servings. Last year I was all on my own for breakfast, and I was paying for an unlimited meal plan but I can only use two swipes a day.”

Basden said she would have also liked to see more vegetarian options, especially protein-rich vegetables. Sophomore Drew Gibson,

who has Crohn’s disease, echoed the sentiment. “DineSLU has a lot of options for students and makes sure students have enough options each day.

However, they don’t always have the best options for those with dietary restrictions or don’t give enough food, which makes it tough on certain students.” Gibson said that while he feels DineSLU service is always exceptional, delivering consistent options for these students should be a priority.

Another area for potential improvement was flexibility with meal plans and disability accommodations for residential students, as Basden said it took multiple tries to get accommodation without an apartment.

“I think the most frustrating part is the fact that these other colleges would have been worse. And I know, again, part of it was COVID because when I met with the dietician before [the pandemic] she showed me the dining hall they had all kinds of prepackaged gluten-free meals. The most important part is that I never got sick from the food, so obviously they do a good job training the workers and it was safe. However, I always felt like it could’ve been better.”

DineSLU Director of Operations Myron Bridges has supervised collegiate dining in nine separate universities across five states and said that his experience of nearly two decades in the industry has given him perspective.

“As time evolves, the allergies become more complex. So you can’t just say a person with a gluten-free

allergy or gluten-free need is in the same basket with everyone” Bridges said.

DineSLU has been steadily increasing the variety and availability of its offerings, with the goal of communicating with students and prioritizing safety measures.

DineSLU has a wide range of allergen-free foods and employs stringent food delivery, meal preparation, and utensil cleaning measures to avoid cross-contamination. “We build meals before they even touch population in a secluded area in the kitchen, so it’s not over where everybody’s cooking everything else,” Bridges said. “Everything is color-coded as a measure because we’ve got thousands of people going through daily.” Currently, DineSlu is working to increase vegan and vegetarian options by loading plant-based foods into retail locations.

Bridges said that the DineSLU team is actively working on establishing relationships and lines of communication with students who have dietary needs. An important part of the process for these students is meeting with the dietician Donna Foy and himself to create custom meal planning. Meeting with parents and students gives DineSLU the ability to make meals on request weekly for students with dietary needs or food allergies.

DineSLU offers flexible weekly schedules for these students to pick up meals in between classes. Bridges often shops for the ingredients himself, buying groceries or ordering foods to fit any food allergy or dietary restriction. “When I’m in the dining hall, I want to feel like I’m at home. We probably have about 14 students, who all have menus built and we build the meanings for them” Bridges said. “We have a couple of students that will text me and give me a list of things for dinner and then our culinary team puts it together for them to pick it up at the Simple Servings counter.”

COVID-19 was an added challenge to serving students with dietary restrictions.

DineSLU’s supply chain and staffing requirements were put to the test during the height of the pandemic. Bridges said multi-state shipments and acquiring delivery drivers were difficult at times, but these were tests DineSLU was determined to overcome - particularly when it concerned students with dietary needs. “One of the last things I want is for dining services to be a negative experience as a part of the college experience,” Bridges said.

“I want students to feel free to reach out by text, in person, or virtually. We’re happy to meet and make sure that we’re aiding and assisting our students.”

NEWS

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Remembering Dr. Jonathan Smith

By ALEX ROZAR Staff Writer hen over a thousand Black Lives Matter protesters assembled on Saint Louis University’s campus in October 2014, many of them expected to be met with tear gas and riot shields, like had happened just weeks before in nearby Ferguson, Mo. Jonathan Smith, Ph.D came armed with cups of coffee, and, seeing it was raining, umbrellas.

Smith, the late Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement and Professor in African American Studies, passed on June 19, 2021 at the age of 61. He was a titan for change both on and off-campus, according to those who knew him, including SLU President Fred Pestello, Ph.D. “He was warm, gentle and kind,” Pestello said. “He was smart and effective. He loved the work. He moved us forward.”

Smith kept a delicate balance in a difficult climate, maintaining mutual respect among activists and administrators alike. But he also held on to other lifelong passions.

As the son of a minister, Smith’s faith was very important to him. He wrote poetry. He played the piano.

As an adult, Smith ran marathons.

He loved literature, frequently quoting from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin and W.E.B. Du Bois.

Smith’s father had been arrested with Dr. King during protests in Selma, Alabama—a fact Smith took great pride in, Pestello said.

“His orientation with music and with art intensified his sense of empathy, and I think that’s why he connected so well with people and could listen to people,” Gerald Early, Ph.D, the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters in African and

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(Andrea Porter / The University News)

African American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, said.

Early taught Smith as he was studying for his Master of Fine Arts and later served as his doctoral advisor.

Smith’s interests manifested in the world around him. He served as the Board President of the St. Louis Black Repertory Company and as his church’s music director. He helped establish a photo gallery depicting the Ferguson protests, which are currently displayed in the Busch Student Center. And Smith, a former literature student who had taken up poetry in college, kept writing as an adult, finding inspiration in religion, family and music.

“He was devoted,” Pestello said.

“His faith was a part of his blood.

He was a poet at heart, and he was a true humanist. All of these things informed his worldview.”

Most of all, Smith was remembered by friends for his ability to bring people together, even in times of struggle. Now, following his death, the many communities he affected are coming together again.

“I considered him a close personal friend, as many did,” Pestello said.

“His death is an enormous loss.”

The Black Rep will perform “Do I Move You?” a poetry, music and dance collection written by Smith, in the Global Citizenship Center on Oct. 13, 2021. The event comes amid a weeklong commemoration of OccupySLU, the protest Smith helped

mediate in 2014.

“He had this natural, paternalistic aura about him that was so quaint and humble, yet effervescent,” Aric Hamilton, the Student Government Association’s Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, said. “He just had this way of making everyone feel valued and loved and respected, while also still staying true to his values and the point he was trying to communicate.”

A scholarship has been established in his name, supporting area high school graduates attending SLU with a “commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.” In addition, Pestello announced at Smith’s memorial service this summer that the amphitheater at the Joseph G. Lipic Clock Tower Plaza, where protesters had congregated in 2014, will be named after Smith in an official ceremony this fall.

“The amphitheater was a place where Jonathan often was,” Pestello said. “We were often there together: talking, praying, listening.”

While his most visible actions were in times of protest, Smith worked heavily behind the scenes to change the world in the name of equity. He led a push to make SLU test-optional, a switch implemented this semester. Smith worked to diversify the Cortex, a Midtown innovation district that has recently become a hub for technology startups and led the

University to join the Anchor Action Network, a coalition of colleges and companies promoting community investment in impoverished neighborhoods.

Smith was a founder and co-director of the Jesuits’ Slavery, History, Memory and Reconciliation Project, created to dignify African Americans who had been enslaved by the Society of Jesus and hold often emotionally fraught discussions with their descendants.

Smith died on the holiday Juneteenth, celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans following the Civil War. He had worked for years to get the University to recognize the holiday, which they did for the first time in 2021, weeks ahead of a Congressional act doing the same at the federal level.

“He was one of the finest men to ever work at this University,” Pestello said. “I considered him a close personal friend, as many did. His death is an enormous loss.”

In a 2020 Juneteenth address given at the University’s clock tower, Smith reflected on the progress he had witnessed and the state of things to come.

“While I am quite proud of the work that we have done and the steps that we have made, I know and fully understand that it is not enough,” he said.

Arts and life

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SLU’s Performances for Fall 2021 SLU’s Performing Arts Department has a show for everyone this semester, each with a message for students to walk away with.

By JORDAN MILLER Contributor heatre is a form of connection that has proved vital to people and groups whose voices ache to be heard, whether that be exposure to foreign circumstance or a simple story that fosters a sense of shared experience. Especially within our SLU drama community, each production is carefully planned and rehearsed, in hopes of giving the audience a memorable performance.

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This semester, University Theatre is putting on three productions.. SLU’s Theatre staff have chosen entirely different works: “The Wolves” by Sarah DeLappe, ‘This is Our Youth” by Kenneth Lonergan, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare.

“The Wolves” is fairly recent in its release, published only five years ago.

Although DeLappe is a young writer, her play received much attention after its off-Broadway debut. This show delves into difficult, coming-of-age topics in a way that is real and relatable to issues students at SLU face.

From teamwork to empowerment to sex and depression, this play works to show that through community, no challenge is insurmountable.

Another upcoming production is This is Our Youth, directed by Thomas Martin. This play encompasses the lives of troubled children in 1980’s New York City. The play’s lead steals a massive sum of money from his distant father. The characters of the play work through “growing pains” and let go of their innocence. Martin chose this production because of its authentic quality involving characters described as “hyper-realistic, incredibly flawed, and totally lovable.” Martin emphasized that the actors fit into their roles like a “second skin,” bringing “such life and believability,” to their roles. This production will be held in Xavier while featuring a Thrust Stage - giving the audience both a closer look at the hand-made set and a setting that allows for closer immersion into the show as it progresses. This show will run the weekend of October 1st - October 3rd and tickets are available here.

Lastly, actor, dancer, playwright, and producer, Lucy Cashion will direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Featuring 21 students from Earlier this fall, Nancy Bell, a profesdifferent grade levels, masional actress, playwright, director, jors, and theatrical backand a professor at SLU, organized a ground knowledge, this show reading of “The Wolves” open to any is an immersive experience student regardless of experience or into mystic affairs and powmajor. Bell explained in an interview erful friendship. Rehears(Photo Courtesy of Andrea Porter / The University News) that she wanted to “give students a als begin mid-October with way to express themselves and get involved in the arts without having shows spanning from November 18th-21st. Tickets are available here. to commit to a huge [time] thing.” Students were cast from the draw of a hat, rehearsed for three days after classes, and performed for an au- Although these shows contrast each other and range in diversidience of friends, family, staff and students. Bell is projected to direct ty, there is guaranteed to be something for every person to enjoy. another “laid-back” reading in the spring semester to provide artistic exposure and outlets for students. Bell hopes that this opportunity will provide a sense of community and belonging for participants.

Arts and life

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Fun SLU STUDENT Food Blogs to Follow Today

By FATEMA REHMANI Contributor

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rguably the epicenter of campus culture is finding the best places to eat and discovering which dining experiences one enjoys most.

Luckily, there are several food blogs on campus dedicated to helping students on with this journey. Meet SluFoodEatz, Spoon_ SLU and ConversationalEats.

SluFoodEatz Who runs the account? Five people run this account. Our names are Mary Leonardi, Zoë Mical, Skylar Rapp, Megan Woods and Liz Golinski. All of us are freshmen.

What was the motivation behind starting this blog? The account started our second night [on campus], the first time we went to Grand dining hall. Whenever we would eat around campus we would rate the foods from different places and thought it would be fun to make an account about it. We like trying new food and it’s a great conversation starter and a way to meet new people.

What is the focus of the account? We just like to rate the food we eat on campus.

We like to post the really good things there are to eat but also like to inform people what to stay away from.

What’s your favorite Photo courtesy of @Spoon_SLU

food that you’ve featured so far? Anything from Fresh Gatherings [is] definitely such a win. Fresh Gatherings provides an experience similar to a coffee shop with nice workers and real, fresh food. It has lots of healthier options and is a fun adventure off of main campus. But, we also love the ice cream in Grand Hall.

What was your worst food experience on campus? The mac and cheese place [at Grand Market in the Busch StudentCenter] was not pleasant and has “Costco brand nacho cheese.” Also, Swirl: both times we went we wanted smoothie bowls but they were out of them and the smoothies we got were watered down.

How would you describe your account in three words? Our account is fun, creative and informative.

More about SluFoodEatz: We would like to start exploring eateries around the Saint Louis area! We also want to start taking submissions, so give us a follow @slufoodeatz on Instagram.

Spoon_SLU Who runs the account? Junior Nicolette Schnettgoeke (Editorial Director), Senior Catherine Cline (Marketing Director), Senior Lizzy Payne (Photography Director), Junior Madison Campbell (Video Director) What was the motivation behind starting this blog? Our page is part of a nationwide blog called Spoon University. The inspiration was to create a food blog that was relatable for students. For SLU specifically, our inspiration comes from supporting local STL businesses and sharing our own food nerd ideas.

What is the focus of the account? We like to cover recipes, local restaurants and food spots and random views on specific foods or cookbooks. For most of our contributors, this is a fun outlet to share our food photos and unique food experiences, and get to know more foodies. How would you describe your account in three words? Our account is fun, approachable and community-focused.

What is your favorite food that you’ve featured so far?

My personal favorite food that we’ve featured is @ beastbbqstl. They’re such cool people and they make insane food.

To read the rest of the interviews and learn more about the other blogs, scan this QR Code.

(Diana Jakovcevic / The University News)

Five Fantastic Restaurants

by SLU

By MATTHEW CHAMBERS Arts & Life Editor

s college students, many of us do not have cars to get ourselves around town, making grabbing food difficult. However, there are many places around SLU’s campus that are easy to walk to and a great meal with friends. Here are five fantastic food places around SLU that are worth checking out.

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Gramophone While a further walk away, it is worth mentioning the gems found in the Grove. One of those gems is Gramophone, a sandwich shop that serves up over a staggering 40 varieties of sandwiches to choose from. In addition, Gramophone is open until 2:30AM, giving you the chance to rely on them even when the late-night cravings hit.

City Foundry Being the most recently opened locale on this list and one of the closest to SLU’s campus, the City Foundry has a wide variety of offerings that can easily meet the many cravings of a large friend group. Be sure to try the southern-Indian dishes of Tamil Nadu at Tumeric Street Style and the Asian-Mexican fusion at Kalbi Taco Shack.

Juniper Looking for a place to take the parents to show them you’ve been exploring life in Saint Louis (or, at least two blocks off campus)? Take them to Juniper. Describing themselves as “new Southern rooted in the traditions of the region,” Juniper offers a fresh spin on classic Southern grub that is sure to please everyone in the family.

Northwest Coffee Roasting Co. This coffee shop features great outdoor seating, fantastic coffee, and a wide variety of breakfast foods to get you going on your day before classes.

Whether you need a place to study before a big test or just want to grab a coffee and catch up with friends while enjoying the weather outside, Northwest Coffee Roasting Co. is the place for you.

Rise Coffee House Rise Coffee House offers up incredible breakfast food and coffee along with an incredibly welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy. This spot is the go-to for outdoor brunch in the Grove with its incredibly spacious outdoor areas, located on the side and back of the building.

Arts and life

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Met Gala 2021 Red Carpet Review

By CLAIRE LYONS Contributor

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n September 13, the Met Gala took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The gala’s theme was in acknowledgement of the Costume Institute’s newest exhibition: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” The Met Gala Red Carpet has a history of Hollywood stars making statements and this year was no exception. Reviewed below will be eight of this year’s most controversial and intriguing looks by noting the creativity, how well the outfit embodied the theme, the designer, and the star who wore it:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Brother Vellies gown by designer Aurora James played with politics being expressed through fashion. “Tax the Rich” bluntly plastered in bright red letters emphasizes that it is very American to openly express political beliefs at any given time.

(Photos Courtesy of Getty Images)

Kim Kardashian One of the most controversial looks of the night was another Balenciaga design, this time modeled by Kim Kardashian. Head to toe in jet-black fabric, Kim referenced her inspiration via Instagram stating “what’s more American than a T-shirt head to toe?!” This monochrome plain design does not appear too innovative or creative, but it did make a statement.

Frank Ocean While Frank Ocean’s outfit may have appeared ordinary, his accessory was not. To match his green shaved hair, Ocean showcased a neon green moving and blinking animatronic baby robot. Ocean did not provide much explanation as to why he chose this prop, however, interviewer KeKe Palmer quoted Ocean saying “he’s starstruck, I’m starstruck,” referring to the robot. This Balenciaga collaboration left the audi- (Photos Courtesy of Getty Images) ence to ponder its uniqueness on the runway.

Pete Davidson Seemingly always smirking, Davidson arrived at the Gala in a suit dress with dark shades . While still keeping a playful tone, he worked to defy gender norms with designer Thom Browne. Davidson referred to his look as a “slutty nun,” and joked that he wore the sunglasses so he could “people-watch comfortably.” He fulfilled the American theme by exemplifying individuality and democracy of gender choices.

Iman Irman floated down the carpet dressed in thousands of feathers and surrounded by gold glitter. Designer Harris Reed executed glamour and creativity while still standing by their belief that fashion has “to spark conversation in relation to the injustices that are happening within society today.” Irman seamlessly emphasized Reed’s message through her confidence in the outfit.

Rihanna Balenciaga designed a dramatic and sophisticated gown for Rihanna who has an equally brilliant explanation about the idea behind the look: “the thing we’re usually incriminated by as Black people… I wanted to empower that. I wanted to take [a black hoodie] and make it mine and make it fashion.” Rihanna’s look was evidently inspired by the American theme while putting a personal twist on it.

(Photos Courtesy of Getty Images) Cara Delevingne Much like AOC’s white dress with red writing, Delevingne took to the runway in a Dior designed sleek white bulletproof vest, with the phrase “Peg the Patriarchy” embellished on it.

Delevigne expresses, “it’s about women empowerment, gender equality — it’s a bit like, ‘Stick it to the man,’” she offered.

Lil Nas X Versace created a three part outfit for Lil Nas X. The singer-songwriter explained, “It’s like I built this shield around myself [...] I came out, and this year, I feel like I REALLY came out,” he emphasized to interviewer Emma Chamberlain. His outfit and attitude was gold, bold, dramatic, and screamed “American.”

(Photos Courtesy of Getty Images)

With the orginal Met Gala date being postponed due to the pandemic, designers and participants were itching to let their creativity shine. This year’s Met Gala theme created a platform for celebrities to show the world what America means to them through fashion. Glamor, controversy, and head-turning looks were presented at the Met Gala in the debut of the Anna Wintour Costume Center. For those who missed the show there is a part two on May 5th, 2022, this time called “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.”

Arts and life

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“By the Time I Get to Phoenix” Review: Injury Reserve Talks to the Elephants in the Room On “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”, Injury Reserve reflects on loss and asks some of life’s hardest questions.

By DANIEL BERNAS Staff Writer he word “harrowing” is typically reserved for genres of music with the most violent payoff, be it extreme forms of metal or harsher avant-garde genres like power electronics. But rap duo (if you can call them that) Injury Reserve’s latest album embodies that word through their twisting of familiar sounds past their points of recognition.

Where fans of the group are used to experimental production hidden behind traditional song structures, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” has lost all of the band’s accessibility and knack for hooks that made popular tracks like “Jailbreak the Tesla” and “Oh Shit” so memorable.

An impromptu DJ set from their 2019 tour laid the groundwork for this new sound, and it maintains that improvisational feeling. To the untrained ear, it may feel less like traditional music and more like eavesdropping on something you wish you could unhear, like a rare glimpse into a musical womb, a fetal state between feeling and song.

Group member and producer Parker Corey’s instrumentals feel cut off

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Photo courtesy of Injury Reserve from the final steps between sound construction and song assembly.

The result is a sound as dizzying as its themes of loss, social upheaval and mental unrest.

But before fans get used to this ground-breaking style and fusion of genres, they have to grapple with the band’s shorter lineup after the death of key member Stepa J. Groggs in 2020, a topic remaining rapper Ritchie with a T is upfront about. However, it doesn’t consume the despondency of the album by itself. As the band states, much of this album was started with Groggs before his passing, and these themes were present on the album before then. They also decided to fully lean into Groggs’ constant insistence to “make some weird shit” in his honor.

So, while Groggs is gone, his voice is present if you know where to look for it, most notably on the lead single “Knees.” Over five minutes, a warped sample of noise rock band Black Midi’s “Sweater” repeatedly crashes into itself. Ritchie and Groggs use this cushion of havoc to rant ramblings between resemblances of a hook, repeating “knees

hurt when I grow, and that’s a tough pill to swallow.” Their vocals sound as broken as the instrumental, consumed in the bottles they “keep killing.”

Though the vibe is destructive throughout, its impact ranges from harrowing to haunting. The performers are manic, and many listeners’ attempts to make sense of the music are reflected by the band’s attempts to make sense of their crumbling world. When they’re not trying to find the elephant in the room, as they state in the opener, “Outsider,” they’re already talking to it, from addressing our society’s widespread paranoia on “Wild Wild West,” through allusions to 5G towers, to the self-obsessed aspects of growing up on “Postpostpartum.” It’s most haunting moments are found on “Top Picks For You,” where minimal synth lines paint a backdrop for Ritchie finding Groggs through the algorithms on the technology he left behind: “Grab the remote, pops up something you would’ve watched… your patterns are still in place and your algorithm is still in action.”

Every theme explored carries the weight of being dropped into the

middle of a conversation between the band and the elephants themselves, grabbing them by their tusks and staring into their eyes. As it is often said, “the first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one.”

Injury Reserve shows us the fixing before showing us the problem. After all of this one-sided discussion, the haunting closer, “Bye Storm,” comes to an anticlimactic conclusion that has as much impact as everything that came before: “it rains, it pours, but, damn, man, it’s really pourin’.”

As the record closes, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” successfully takes listeners into this distressing place and lets us watch from a close distance as they toss these ideas around, pleading for their meaning. These questions barely find answers, but the uncertainty might be the very thing that keeps the record from failing. It beautifully reminds us that the hardest times breed the hardest questions, and sometimes the most logical thing to do is to let them consume you for however long it takes.

University News 9/30/21 Crossword

University NewsPuzzleJunction.com 9/30/21 Sudoku

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photography

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HARD TIMES CALL FOR SOFT LANDINGS

By LEXI KAYSER Copy Editor

Photos Courtesy of Lexi Kayser n the wake of COVID-19, The Great Forest Park Balloon Race lifts eyes and spirits skyward.

One year ago, Forest Park’s Central Fields were barren. For the first time in 49 years, the annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race was called off due to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases in the area.

So when the event returned on September 18, thousands flocked to the fields to relish in a sense of renewed community.

Since Forest Park’s first balloon race in 1973 (which drew about a dozen spectators), the event has become a hallmark of St. Louis culture—with local organizations like St. Louis Children’s Hospital, KMOX, and even Purina Farms launching balloons into the blue.

Now, the race has become a family-friendly festival, featuring music, pre-race entertainment and a slew of local food and drink vendors.

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The return of the race was bittersweet for many attending businesses, since several of their counterparts never resurfaced from pandemic lockdowns.

“Many [local businesses] didn’t make it through COVID, so seeing everyone out like this has meant a lot to the city,” said Greg Hayes, the Director of Parks for the City of St. Louis.

Vendors received plenty of support from a vast crowd of spectators, all looking for “We’re finding really great ways to be outside, really building community,” said Alderwoman Heather Navarro of the 28th Ward (which includes Forest Park).

“We’ve had to be isolated so much and so it’s really inspiring and hopeful to see people out here.”

Navarro emphasized the importance of outdoor events in a post-pandemic world saying, “It really shows me how important our parks are, and especially Forest Park, that we have a place that can hold tens of

thousands of people safely to enjoy a beautiful event like this.”

Even with all the festivities, the hot air balloons remain the epicenter of the event.

“I think it’s just really cool to watch them go into the air,” said Sophia, age 9, who had attended the event in 2019. Despite spending the summer traveling in her family’s RV, the third-grader still deemed the balloons a dog-days highlight.

Melinda, 55, traveled two hours from Waynesville, MO to watch the balloons take flight for a third year.

“I’m just happy to be outside, watching the balloons, enjoying the beautiful weather,” she said.

All eyes were glued to the sky as the balloons took off—sending with them the fear and uncertainty of the past year—wishing soft landings for pilots and peers alike.

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CONOR DORN Ed itor -inCh eif

Conor Dorn, originally from River Forest, Illinois, is majoring in History. He joined The University News as an freshman. Throughout his four years with the UNews, he has met a great group of people and has learned a lot from interacting with various people when working on articles. Dorn first started as a staff writer for the News Section and has since written 30 articles.

He currently has an editorial position and serves as Editor in Chief. His favorite UNews memory was dressing up for Halloween, even though he didn’t wear a costume. Everyone was kind enough to give him bits and pieces of their costume so he could have one and be a part of the group. In his free time, he loves reading, running, going to metal concerts, and trying out new recipes in his kitchen. When he was younger, his dream job was to become a rock star just like Ozzy Osbourne, who he was deeply obsessed with. Before he graduates, he wants to eat at Fresh Gatherings on South Campus. His mantra for senior year is, “just try to be present and cherish the little moments with your friends.”

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Grace Dunlavy, originally from Carmel, Indiana, is majoring in Integrated Strategic Communication. As a sophomore, she was looking for an organization to give her the opportunity to explore her passions in a unique and meaningful way, and The University News gave her that opportunity. Since sophomore year she has made well over 60 graphics to go along with each article. Dunlavy currently has an editorial position and serves as Managing Editor which oversees and coordinates the implementation process of the publications of online and print issues. The UNews has allowed her to explore her creativity and love for graphic design.

Her favorite UNews memory is going to production night—she always has fun and loves to hang out with everyone while creating our print issues and making them come together. In her free time, she loves exploring new coffee shops in St. Louis while reading and sipping iced coffee. When she was younger her dream job was to be a professional ballerina. Since then she has found a love for art, media and brand marketing and as of today, she hopes to pursue a career as a publicist. Before she graduates she wants to jump in the Business School fountain to cross it off her SLU bucket list. Dunlavy’s mantra for senior year is “whatever happens is meant to be.’’ In addition, a song that best describes her senior year would be “Sheesh!” by Surfaces and Tai Verdes.

Zoë Butler, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, is majoring in English and minoring in biology. As a junior, she first joined The University News as a staff writer and has written nine articles for the Arts & Life, News and Opinion sections. Butler is currently serving as one of the News editors for her final year at SLU. From being a staff writer to an editor she has learned a wide range of techniques from interviewing to collaborating with other editors. The UNews has a great culture and she loves being able to talk openly about different story ideas to help each other out. When she is not writing she loves riding her bike, traveling, finding new shows and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. When she was younger her dream job was to be an astronaut. As of today, her dream job is to make documentaries with her friend, Julia. Butler loves being able to combine the things she loves such as interviewing, history and storytelling. Even though her dream job has changed since she was younger, both involve learning new things and a certain level of exploration.

Before she graduates she wants to get on the big screen at Chaifetz Arena in hopes of crossing it off her SLU bucket list. Butler’s mantra for senior year is “friends over everything.”

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Matthew Chambers, originally from Omaha, Nebraska is majoring in English. At the beginning of his junior year, he joined The University News as a staff writer for the Arts & Life section. For his last and final year on The University News team, he is currently serving as Arts & Life Co-Editor on the editorial board. Being a part of the UNews has been a great experience for Chambers and he has loved being surrounded by a great group of people. One of his favorite UNews memories is having wonderful conversations and spending time with other editors. In his free time, he loves reading, watching films, listening to music and spending time with friends. When he was younger his dream job was to become a doctor just like his grandparents, aunts and uncles. As of today, he has steered away from that dream and now hopes to find a career working behind the scenes in the music industry. Chambers’ senior year mantra is, “It’s senior year, I should say yes to as much as I can!” In addition, a song that best describes his senior year would be “To see the Next Part of the Dream”

by Parannoul. Before he graduates, the one thing he wants to crossoff his SLU bucket list is hanging out with his friends on the roofs of the academic buildings.

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Andrea Porter, originally from Eureka, Missouri, is majoring in Integrated Strategic Communication as well as minoring in Visual Communication and Marketing. Going into junior year, she wanted a place to allow her to do what she loves: photography. There was an opening on the editorial board for Photo Editor and she took the opportunity to apply.Ever since she has loved her time with The University News. As Photo Editor, she oversees the photography that appears in the newspaper and online. Being able to be in-person for our meetings and have face-to-face conversations has been her favorite UNews memory thus far. Whenever she is not taking pictures, she loves to travel, go to concerts, watch “Jersey Shore” and spend time with friends and family. When she was younger her dream job was to be an elementary school teacher. As of today, her dream job is to be an event planner and to explore her creative vision and see how an idea can be turned into reality. As we are almost halfway through the first semester, her senior year mantra is “just say yes!” In addition, a song that best describes her senior year is “I Lived” by OneRepublic. Before she graduates, she hopes to cross off “running through the Clocktower” from her SLU bucket list.

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Lexi Kayser, originally from Lake St. Louis, Missouri is majoring in English and Communication. As an incoming freshman, she wanted a place to share her thoughts and a way to stay up-to-date on local and global news, which is why she chose to join The University News. Kayser started as an opinion writer her freshman year and has since written 15 articles to date. Going into her senior year, she has now taken an editorial position as Copy Editor. One of her favorite UNews memory is walking around campus seeing other students, staff, and faculty looking at the print issues and thinking to herself “Oh s**t, I helped make that!” In addition to writing, in her free time, she loves reading, running, and making her friends go on elaborate “adventures.”. When she was younger her dream job was to be a writer—which hasn’t changed as of today.

She has spent the last four years chasing her childhood dreams. Before graduation, Kayser wants to cross off “swimming in the fountains” on her SLU bucket list. In addition, her mantra for her senior year,as sung

by Troy Bolton is, “I’m not gonna stop, that’s who I am, I give it all I got that is my plan.”

Along with Troy Bolton’s song lyric being her senior year mantra, his song “Bet On It” would be the best song to describe her senior year.

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Kateryna Gehlhaar, originally from San Diego, California is majoring in Nursing. Though this is her first year on The University News team, she currently has an editorial position and serves as Social Media Editor. Although this is very different from her future plans to become a nurse, she finds that writing, social media and marketing bring her joy. She loves being a part of media organizations and it has become a hobby of hers. Even though she has only been a part of the UNews for a little over a month, her favorite UNews memory is meeting the editors, staff and incoming freshmen while also making new friends. Whenever Gehlhaar isn’t posting, writing or taking pictures for social media she loves to read, watch “Friends” and go to Cyclebar. When she was younger her dream job was to become a professional ballerina; this has changed dramatically as she now wants to become a NICU nurse. Before she graduates, her number one SLU bucket list item is to run through the Clocktower fountains.

A song that best describes Gehlhaar’s senior year is “Nineteen” by DYLAN. In addition, her mantra for senior year is “finish stronger than you started.”

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sports

15

BACK TO THE RACK Welcome back - take some time for yourself!

By SYDNEY ALTEMOSE Sports Editor

W

“ Wellness is synonymous with fitness...”

training. Doing such can reduce risk of injury and encourage health on a larger scale rather than simply specializing in the muscles and skills. needed for a specific sport. It is also important to know that cross training is much different than CrossFit. While CrossFit has developed into a sport in its own right, cross training is an extremely useful tool in order to reduce stress on overworked muscles while encouraging the strength of others that while may not be commonly used but could be potentially beneficial in preventing injury.

As you step into a new semester, we want to encourage you to givnew things a try, and start the semester on a high note. Here is a circuit you can try at your next visit to the Rec’s racks!

Warm Up: 10 Minute Jog - Perfect conditioning for when you have a 9-9:50 in Ritter, and a 10 in Beracha!

Lift: At the Rack 3x10 Front Squat - To prep your form for all that sitting you’ll be doing this semester.

3x10 Barbell Shrugs - Get those lats ready for a bookbag full of textbooks.

3x8 Deadlifts - To practice picking up around your dorm / apartment.

3x8 Shoulder Press - To prep for answering all your professor’s questions.

Free Weights 3x10 Bicep Curls - To practice picking up all those books you’ll be reading.

3x8 (Each Arm) Single Arm Bench Press - So you can punch out your frustration on your pillow with purpose.

3x8 (Each Leg) Single Leg RDL - For picking up around the apartment / dorm.

3x10 Good Mornings - To strengthen your back for those walks to class with a heavy backpack.

Core 20 Sit Ups- For when you wake up late to class.

30 Medicine Ball Twists - For when you need to find that spot in bed that’s perfect for a nap.

3 Reps Each Side Farmer’s Carry - To practice carrying groceries most efficiently.

1 Minute Plank - To center yourself and remind yourself how strong you are!

Diana Jakovcevic / The University News

elcome back, Billikens! If you frequent Simon Recreation Center, you will quickly notice that SLU encourages an active campus. Just two years ago, Simon Rec underwent construction to accommodate updated equipment and a renovated look. At certain times of the day, it can be nearly impossible to claim a weight rack. There are wellness clubs, club and intramural sports teams, group fitness classes, and countless other wellness opportunities that can be found in the Rec. Not everyone on campus is interested in sports - and that’s fine!

There certainly is plenty of interest in physical wellbeing outside of team sports, which has promoted the opportunity to step away from an entirely sports section and provide a space to get the latest on wellness trends.

Wellness is synonymous with fitness in modern terminology. Therefore, both words fit into the world of sports. Many people argue that mental wellbeing correlates directly to athletic performance. Health seems to fit seamlessly into the world of sports. An important part of training, as is becoming more popular, is cross

sports

16

FBI INVESTIGATION LANDS 0/10

By SYDNEY ALTEMOSE Sports Editor here will never be another Simone Biles. As the most prolific gymnast of all time, it would take an entire article to detail why she is so important to American gymnastics, Team USA, and the country proper.

Her name frequents headlines, even in the off season. She is an outspoken advocate for many prominent cultural and sociological issues. In the past week, her moves have been watched by the country yet again.

Only this time, they would watch Simone in a courtroom, rather than in competition.

Surrounded by previous teammates Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols, the ladies took to the stand to detail the pedophelic abuse they suffered at the hands of the team doctor, Larry Nassar.

Only, this time, the focus is not on Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in prison in 2017. This time, the women stood in front of the country and told them about the miscarriage of justice they suffered at the hands of the FBI and the investigators of their case.

The four thoroughly detailed exactly how the system failed them. Initially, by permitting the abuse to continue, and then, by sitting on their testimony. For over a year, the FBI had enough evidence and testimony by the girls to make an arrest and failed to do so, thus allowing for the breadth of Nassar’s abuse to expand rapidly.

Raisman even detailed that after she had cried on the phone while telling the FBI investigator of her abuse, there was silence at the other end. While the FBI has fired the lead investigator on the case, Michael Langeman, the Justice Department has yet to bring charges against him, or his previous (now resigned) supervisor, Jay Abbott. Additionally, Maroney made a point to expose the fact that Lisa Monaco, Deputy Attorney General, had failed to appear at the hearing.

As a fellow woman, the gymnasts felt that her both her silence and her lack of pres-

t

ence spoke volumes. The Justice Department also released findings that the FBI neglected to properly investigate the situation after being informed of the abuse.

After three years of courtroom testimony, the four women at the forefront of the case are ready to close. The proposed settlement is $425 million. However, if insurance agencies do not allow the funds to go through, both the survivors and USA Gymnastics might not see that money. The women also want to make clear that this is a solution, rather than a settlement. After all, the money is mainly intended to bring USA Gymnastics out of bankruptcy and the remaining will be distributed among the survivors.

This case will surely be a landmark for gymnastics both nationwide and internationally. As

Grace Dunlavy / The University News

part of the agreement, USA Gymnastics is mandating that member clubs provide visible information on how to report sexual assault in the institution. Safeguards are rolling out in order to help investigate claims more efficiently, and reporting measures are being instituted in an attempt to mitigate corruption or abuse. Since Nassar was the team’s physician during multiple Olympic games, the women are calling on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to acknowledge their part in the abuse and provide part of the payment in the settlement.

Team USA Gymnastics is an international sensation. They prove as much every time they perform on the world stage. Competition becomes elite from a young age. Learning the routines and skills require hands-on coaching. Gymnastics is famous for intense discipline and sincere dedication. This atmosphere has allowed generations of cyclical abuse and misconduct. Children are the victims of opportunity in this case. Raisman, Maroney, Nichols, and Biles, now women, are doing their part to make sure that the tainted reputation can be restored. Though three of the four are now retired, they will battle with their abuse daily.

They managed to become international superstars despite the sexual assault they faced and the mental trauma that induced. In answering the call for justice, the FBI fell flat. While these female athletes have been scrutinized relentlessly throughout their careers, they contend that the investigators they trusted have not been scrutinized enough.

While the US will anxiously await another Simone Biles (if this off season truly does herold her retirement), a Biles retirement will hopefully mean the end of an era.

Not in terms of her skill and expertise that has defined a new era for gymnastics globally, but rather an end to the thousands of stories of abuse that young gymnasts endure. Gymnasts are known for their strength and discipline. The four Team USA vets are fighting to make sure that discipline is reflective of their skill in competition, rather than their skills in suppression.

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DORM ROOM DELICACIES

By JENNA KLAERS Associate Sports Editor

a

s many college students can attest, when living in a dorm, it can be difficult to find food they love and that fuels their body in the right way. Although Saint Louis University does have good options for on-campus dining sometimes all students need is a little meal made to go. Here are some ideas for different meals or snacks to make in the dorm in a quick pinch.

Breakfast is an important start. One staple in a dorm refrigerator is greek yogurt, and yogurt bowl is a quick, simple way to get key nutrients in the morning. Heres what you need: 3 scoops of greek or regular yogurt 1 sliced banana 1 teaspoon of honey As much crunchy granola as you want.

You can always add some toast with peanut butter or nut butter on the side to get additional protein.

Snacks are also important. Keeping something in your backpack to whip out and eat in between classes can make a huge differ-

ence. Recently, Perfect Bars have become more popular. They are a protein bar that is refrigerated and can last up to 12 hours on the go. They have many flavors such as peanut butter, almond butter with coconut and a pumpkin season bar. They are filled with natural ingredients that replace typical processed ingredients in bars. Another snack that can enhance energy and promote better brain function is some sliced fruit. The night before a busy day is typically a great time to cut up some fruit or veggies, put them in a tupperware and pull out of the fridge in the rush of the morning. Having snacks around can be key to a healthy day. As students, we are typically rushing from place to place and healthy snacks are key to replenishing the energy we expend in our daily lives.

Lunch is next, which means a wide variety of foods we can choose from. Something easy to throw together is turkey/ham and cheese roll ups. Sandwich meat is easy to fit into the fridge in the dorm and is a great source of protein. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can substitute pre-marinated tofu, which is another great source of protein. To add

Grace Dunlavy / The University News

some flavor, include some type of dipping sauce, hummus or veggie dip, with your meat and cheese. A great addition can be crackers or popcorn. Both crackers and popcorn are a great carb to fuel you in the middle of the day.

Lastly, for dinner, it is important to close the day with a full meal of protein, starch and vegetables. For an option that is both easy and quick (and you have a microwave) a great option is to warm some premade grilled chicken. To get your carbohydrates in you can add rice or some instant noodles. To round out the meal, add green and red bell peppers with some ranch dip as a side. For those who like to end their day on a sweet note, you can still do so! Carrying small chocolates around all day works great for a quick treat. An easy recipe for a healthy dessert is peanut butter protein balls. The ingredients needed are rolled oats, peanut butter (or almond butter), honey, 2-3 scoops of protein powder and some chocolate chunks or chips. Put all of the ingredients into a bowl, mix it up, put about a scoop into your hands, roll it out and leave them to freeze overnight.

Finding ways to fuel one’s body is key in a productive day. Even though it is tough to eat healthy in a dorm, it is possible. Finding food that you love is important; fuel your body to fuel your life.

“...healthy snacks are key to replenishihng the energy we expend in our daily lives”

sports

18

ST. LOUIS BATTERS THE RAMS What the lawsuit means for the city

By SYDNEY ALTEMOSE Sports Editor n downtown St. Louis there sits an empty stadium called The Dome.

Before 2016, it was the home of the NFL franchise the Rams. The team was beloved by the city; as a matter of fact a statue of a ram still stands proudly downtown. If you bring up the team and their move to a local, they will probably express bitter sentiments. A visit to any local thrift store will allow one to find plenty of now retro St. Louis Rams gear. When the Rams left, the city was not sure what to do with the newly vacant stadium. So, they chose to leave it alone. Every once in a while, a convention or concert will roll through that demands the size of The Dome. But the bottom line is that the once bustling stadium is now abandoned.

St. Louis and its taxpayers fought desperately to keep the NFL franchise. Upon building the stadium, they agreed to a lease with the Rams that stipulated the amenities of the stadium would need to be in the top fourth of all NFL stadiums in order for the team to remain in St. Louis. By 2005, those rankings had dropped. Instead of dropping the lease altogether or reverting to a year-by-year agreement, the team allowed owners to pump $30 million in renovations into the stadium. The renovations

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“But the city was not ready to let go of their beloved team just yet”

were completed by 2009. However, The Dome still did not meet NFL standards. By 2016, the Rams had filed with the NFL to relocate to Los Angeles. That filing was quickly approved.

But the city was not ready to let go of their beloved team just yet. After all, it was the taxpayers who were going to bear the $144 million left in debt from the constant renovations on the stadium.

Many felt that the franchise owed them the chance

to break even. In 2017, the city filed a lawsuit on its former franchise.

The Rams owner, Stan Kroenke, has been fighting to keep the case in the settlement stage.

Many speculate that should the case move into the hands of a jury, little leniency will be afforded to the franchise; experts put a billion dollar price tag on an adequate settlement from the Rams to the city of St. Louis at this point in time.

The charges the city has levied against Kroenke’s team are massive, ranging from breach of contract, to fraud, to illegal enrichment, culminating in interference with business that resulted in public loss. The city has cited over $100 million in losses from ticket sales, hotel rentals,

sales taxes, and more. If Kroenke’s settlement of a billion dollars works, it will be a steal for his franchise, as he has managed to bring the team’s net worth from $1.45 billion to a startling $4.8 billion.

Kroenke and his legal team have attempted to move the case from the St. Louis court system with complaints that the judge is too biased to the case. In response to this, case Judge Christopher McGraugh emphasized that one of the main reasons they cited for relocation was a lack of public support. If the public did not support the Rams to the point they felt they had to seek sanctuary elsewhere, why would they hold resentment against the team for leaving?

Of course, then, they would be able to litigate without bias. The trial will remain in the St. Louis court system.

The Dome still has its perks. Being a covered stadium allows it to serve as a home and hub for various events that pass through the city.

St. Louis XFL team, the Battlehawks have claimed it as their home.

While it has sat empty for years, the new buzz surrounding the stadium will hopefully bring life back into its stands and pride back to the people who helped build it. All in all, the Rams settlement would be huge for the city as well as its residents. The settlement could perhaps even give St. Louisans a long-awaited economic boost. The City of St. Louis will certainly not give up the fight against Kroenke’s Rams. Kroenke’s lawyers will do everything they can to stop the case from sitting in front of a jury.

However, if the case does not get settled before the court date approaches, the franchise could be looking at serious losses in reparation for their unfaithfulness.

Diana Jakovcevic / The University News

20

not enough

Opinion

Mental Health at SLU

By KATERINA SUPER Contributor

hen I was fourteen years old, I attended my first therapy session. My mental health had been deteriorating over the past year and I was exhausted. Depression can devour you.

It’s difficult to describe the mental distortion. The best I can do is this: imagine a painting drying when a cup of water spills over. The water runs down the canvas, dripping at first and then streaming. Colors begin to bleed together and wash away. The painting remains, but some sections are unrecognizable. You’re unsure how everything blended together before. This is what it feels like to struggle with mental health. Therapy is the process that helps repaint the picture. You work carefully and thoughtfully until the color comes back. Reconstruction is possible.

And yet, the reality of mental health is that sometimes the tools you need to improve it are difficult to find. I was privileged enough to have access to adequate mental health resources and a therapist who met my needs the first time I asked for help. This is not always the case. Many people struggle to find a therapist they can connect with and trust. It takes patience and time; for someone who is already struggling, the process of finding a therapist can be enough to halt their search. Still, some people do not have access to the mental health resources they require.

At Saint Louis University, we are provided mental health resources. There are counselors available and mental health hotlines to reach out to. However, our student body is saying this is not enough. A Change.org petition created by current SLU students is campaigning for a change in university policies surrounding mental health in our SLU community. Mental health

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Andrea Porter / The University News assistance is not a category where “available” should be the bar. It must be exceptional. It must be inclusive. It must be comprehensive. And it must be prioritized.

Today, college students are struggling with mental health at unprecedented rates. A 2020 survey of college students conducted by the University of Michigan found that around 40% experienced depression and 34% struggled with anxiety. 1 in 7 students seriously considered suicide. Moreover, statistics show that people of color, LGBTQIA+ students and women are more susceptible to anxiety and depression. Yet, access and availability to resources has not increased to match needs. A Pennsylvania State University study concluded that while demand for mental health services on college campuses increased 30-40%, there was only a 5% increase in enrollment.

Specifically at SLU, there are around 13,000 students enrolled. While the University is in the process of hiring new counselors, there are currently four counselors taking appointments.

This is a ratio of 1 counselor to 3,250 students. I do not believe I have to elaborate further on the staggering impossibility of each student who re-

quires mental health assistance receiving it adequately. Furthermore, SLU offers 10 free counseling sessions a year. Research shows that therapy is most effective when attended weekly for 12 - 16 weeks. That being said, the amount of time one spends in therapy and the frequency of their sessions is completely subjective; each person who enters therapy requires different methods of counseling to suit their specific needs. If counseling is being provided, it cannot be the same for everyone. Counselors should work with students to create a comprehensive plan that promotes a healing process with room for adjustment. Compressing the process into a set number of sessions is ineffective and assumes all students heal in a linear manner. Moreover, if a student feels that their needs are not met with the current counselor they are seeing, there should not be paperwork required to explain a switch of counselors. Students should have resources available to report an issue they have with a counselor if they believe it constitutes being addressed by administration; however, the requirement of explaining a request for a switch of counselors can deter an already hesitant student from seeking help.

The work to address and improve

our campus mental health resources is complex and will take time to be constructed with consideration and concern. It should not be rushed. But it should take precedence. A campus is not thriving if its students are struggling. It is my expectation that SLU will participate in an open dialogue with students, faculty and staff to improve the ways in which we address mental health and its services. The mission of Saint Louis University is to create men and women for and with others; to participate in this mission of love, we must first be empowered to find our own peace.

“A campus is not thriving if its students are struggling.”

Opinion

21

THE LACK OF GUN CONTROL IN MISSOURI AND ITS IMPACT

By JORDAN BAILEY Staff Writer

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quadruple shooting occurred in downtown St. Louis during a vigil. Two women and one man were severely injured; one man died. “Our city mourns last night’s attack on those who came together for a peaceful vigil,” Interim Public Safety Director Dan Isom said. “One homicide is one too many, and any efforts must take into account the needs of these communities and address root causes of crime - poverty, housing instability, and more - across St. Louis.”

The recent shooting generated criticism of Missouri’s gun control policies. 2020 marked the deadliest year for gun violence in Missouri, with approximately 700 Missourians shot and killed by a firearm.

According to Kaitlin Washburn and Humera Lodhi, reporters at The Kansas City Star, more than 250 of those homicides happened in St. Louis. By the end of 2020, Missouri had the third-highest per-capita rate of gun deaths in the United States.

According to Michael Sean Spence, community safety initiatives director at Everytown for Gun Safety, part of the reason for the increase in firearm homicides is the lack of state-wide gun laws.

In 2007, Missouri removed its permit-to-purchase requirement. Since then, the state has seen a 25% increase in firearm homicides.“Missouri has among the weakest gun laws, no background checks, permitless concealed carry, domestic abusers can have and keep guns and there’s no prevention to keep children from accessing guns,” Spence said.

According to The Trace, more than 77,000 guns were sold in Missouri in the month of June alone. Subsequently, gun violence has occurred daily in St. Louis. According to a SLMPD Homicide Analysis, more than 78% of homicide victims are African-American men. This illustrates not only the significant racial disparities in crime, but also insight into the implications of institutional racism. “Black families have systematically lower household wealth than white families, including lower home values,” Dylan Small said, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

“In addition, there tends to be less public and private investment in majority-Black neighborhoods.

That can translate into fewer resources in the neighborhood, especially relative to need. For example, a lack of resources for programs for adolescents and young adults that might help them to stay away

from gangs and street conflicts.”

St. Louis City filed a lawsuit in June that sought to block new state legislation that bans local police officials from imposing federal gun laws. This bill was introduced by Representative Jered Taylor, a politician who has served in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2015. “I think anything on the federal level as it relates to the second amendment is an infringement,” said Representative Taylor. “If anyone were to pass gun legislation, it should be on the state level…We’re just telling the federal government we’re not going to help you enforce your federal gun laws.” Under the bill, law enforcement officials who enforce any federal gun law can be fined up to $50,000.

However, the United States Constitution’s Supremacy Clause states that federal law is superior to state law. “Valid federal law will always displace a state law, even a state constitutional provision that is

inconsistent with that federal law,” Laura Wamsley reports, a journalist for NPR’s News Desk. As a result, the lack of gun legislation has contributed to gun trafficking, changes in poverty and unemployment rates and racial disparities in life expectancy for men. “Homicide accounts for 5% of the Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) in the United States and is the second leading cause of the racial disparity in life expectancy between black and white males,” Daniel Webster , a researcher at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, writes. According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, African

Americans in Missouri are 14 times more likely to die from gun violence than their white counterparts.

Many Missourians advocate for strict gun regulation, while others argue that regulating firearm sales will do nothing to help solve mass shootings. Nevertheless, a lack of policy and strategy on a regional level continues to affect communities state-wide.

Even at SLU, students have been impacted by the lack of gun safety, with two people robbed at gunpoint on campus less than two weeks ago.

“In 2007, Missouri removed its permit-to-purchase requirement. Since then, the state has seen a 25% increase in firearm homicides.”

22

Opinion

Sisterhood: A Process of Friendship through service

By JULIETTE CALLAHAN Contributor

he stereotype of the blonde, blue-eyed, wealthy and contemptible young women in sororities is anything but the reality of women in Greek Life.

While this is the stereotype, the sorority experience at SLU represents more worthwhile values.

This is reflected at SLU where women with values, philanthropic attitudes and national recognition advocate for women’s equality. Sororities were founded when women were first allowed to attend universities. Although it’s unclear which sorority was founded first, Alpha Delta Pi, Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta and Gamma Phi Beta were among the first. Although sororities’ goals do not solely include advocating for women’s right to attend college, twenty-first-century sororities promote feminism in academic and cultural senses. At Saint Louis University our seven sororities chapters include Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu and Zeta Tau Alpha.

Saint Louis University’s mission for scholarship, service, intellectual inquiry and equality are represented in each sorority’s philosophy and values. Philanthropic partnerships include Ronald McDonald House, Girls on the Run, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Think Pink and my personal favorites, Girls on the Run and Prevent Child Abuse America. Each sorority engages in philanthropy through fundraisers and local community service, fostering the values of our university locally and nationally, and advocating for women’s rights by building groups of young women that are respectful, responsible and kind. So, how does an individual become part of a sorority at Saint Louis University?

After registration each potential new member (PNM) fills out a bracket in which one’s top core values are chosen. At SLU, sorority rush lasts five days, with the last day being bid day.

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Bid day is a ceremony in which a sorority will extend an invitation for a PNM to be a member of their chapter. Anyone can participate in rush, and each PNM is paired with a group of girls led by two or three recruitment counselors, also known as a Pi Chis. Pi Chis are members of sororities that are disaffiliated from their organizations to serve as mentors throughout the recruitment process. Prejudice and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated during rush, and being who you are is encouraged by the active members of sororities and the Panhellenic council.

The Panhellenic Council is a group of women who represent SLU’s sorority chapters, each chapter having two delegates that attend executive meetings.

The council presides over recruitment at the beginning of each academic year while providing resources for potential new members. I may be biased, but my Panhellenic council for 2021 recruitment was beyond gracious and accepting. Especially with the recent tragedies of two SLU students, I was touched by each sorority’s thoughtfulness and solace in offering sympathy, as well as being advocates for mental health awareness.

Recruitment began with online rotations over two days. PNMs met with all seven sororities and upon being invited back for philanthropy day, girls learned about each sorority’s philanthropic work. Every sorority I have talked to speaks and acts on Panhellenic love by speaking highly of their counterparts and truly encouraging each PNM to choose the sorority which will serve them most. After a two week pause which allowed for a period of reflection and mourning with the SLU community, PNM’s had preference and bid day. Preference day is where each remaining PNM learns about sisterhood, service and the community that constructs each sorority through hearing active members’ experiences within their sororities. After preference came bid day, which was when I received an invitation to Kappa Delta

(Diana Jakovcevic / The University News) sorority. Upon opening my bid card, I ran with a group of active members where my pledge class and I received a bid day t-shirt, a dousing of glitter and more smiles than I have ever seen. The moment I joined Kappa Delta, I knew that I belonged in their chapter because of our shared values of respect, service and responsibility. I’m excited to represent the Saint Louis University and our city’s community by teaching the chapter’s values to young children through their philanthropies Girls Scouts of America and Prevent Child Abuse America. Every sorority on our campus institutes service for their

philanthropy, offers leadership positions that prepare members for life beyond college and collectively cherishes womanhood. I would recommend to anyone that going through SLU’s rush process and becoming part of a sorority will lead you to better yourself individually and communally, form friendships that transcend your four years of college, and serve with young women for the greater good.

Opinion

23

LEAVE IT ON THE RACK

By KATERINA SUPER Contributor oday is looking sunny with a chance of … loose-fitting jeans? How about chunky sneakers or oversized tees?

We’ve all heard of the weather forecast but what about the fashion forecast?

Fashion trends may appear random but there is a third party that shapes the threads you wear.

The fashion industry revolves around trend forecasting: a type of analytics that predicts the future of a market. Trend forecasting is used to predict colors, patterns, materials, etc. that will soon be in demand. Short-term forecasting predicts “micro trends” that are apparent in seasonal fashion, while long-term forecasting focuses on trends that will be popular for more than two years. Examples of “micro-trends” are the funky patterns and uneven cuts of this past summer that were popularized by social media and fast fashion brands like Shein and NastyGal. With these short-term trends being eye-catching and readily available, issues of ethics and sustainability are introduced as the conversation of fast fashion comes into play.

Fast fashion is a recent phenomenon emerging from technological advances that can increase output while decreasing costs to manufacturers.

This enables companies to produce new styles at a low cost, keeping up with microtrends produced by social media and popular culture. As a result, clothes have become cheaper and their quality has deteriorated. Everyone is able to obtain the latest trends which will later be discarded, as these clothes are not made to last and new styles quickly emerge. This cycle has catastrophic effects on the environment. The fashion industry is responsible for one-tenth of the water use in industrial processes worldwide and produces ten percent of annual carbon emissions - more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. As our value of building a durable wardrobe diminishes, so does our environment.

So what’s the fix? In the last couple of years, a new trend has emerged in the fashion realm: thrifting.

Most people, including myself, have thrifted and the feeling of finding your next staple piece, be it a pair of vintage jeans or some sneakers is enough to keep coming back. At its best, thrifting is an environmentally friendly way to develop one’s wardrobe without the expense of retail shopping.

At its worst, it’s upper-middle-class teenagers raiding racks of clothing to flip pieces for a profit, leaving those who depend on thrift stores and their low pricing at a serious disadvantage. The

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rise of consumption in recent years combined with constant trend switch-ups is increasing thrift store pricing and decreasing the clothing options for those whose only options are stores such as Goodwill, Village Discount and Savers. The result?

Thrifting is gentrifying fashion.

In the past, people bought clothes intentionally.

The rise of social media, fashion blogging and influencer culture has convinced society, most notably younger generations, that outward appearances must be tailored to perfection.

Overconsumption is encouraged, and what better place to start than the wardrobe? As a result, fast fashion industries are booming, while thrifting - once dismissed as something for “poor people’’ and the “uncool” - has now become popular. As a result, the idea of conserving clothing and

appreciating longevity has diminished.

So is there a middle ground? Can we keep up with the trends while preserving the environment and not overtaking a market that many of our fellow humans depend upon?

I think the answer is yes, and it starts with reflection.

Instead of focusing on the quantity in our closet, we should focus on the quality and duality. A place to start is building a wardrobe of pieces that will last for several years, not trendy pieces that will deteriorate and leave us feeling like we have nothing to wear the next month. Separate the concept of shopping from fashion. By all means, hit up Goodwill with your friends this weekend, but be mindful of the intentionality of your shopping choices. Stay stylish, Billikens.

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