The Maroon Sept. 22, 2023 Issue

BOMBINO

Nigerien guitarist spreads message of peace through Desert Blues'

See page 8

100 Years of

would

loved to be a teacher”

Students voice difficulties in Loyola’s teacher education program

Despite good intentions and comprehensive coursework, Loyola’s teacher education program has left students wanting more.

Students within the program feel that its small size and lack of flexibility has denied them the support necessary to be truly successful.

One such student is Rose LaBay, who has worked toward becoming an education professional for the past two years. However, when this goal fell apart, LaBay was left without a clear professional direction.

The time and energy LaBay spent in this program was ultimately lost when she was unable to pass her teacher certification exam, which was a result of what she claims were failures within Loyola’s teacher education program.

LaBay, now entering her senior year at Loyola, had to shift focus and solely pursue an English degree because, she said, Loyola lacks the resources she needed to complete her teaching certification.

“I would have loved to be a teacher,” LaBay said. “But this has kind of turned me off from it in a sense. It’s so many hoops to jump through, and no one wanted to even help me with it.”

Difficulty in program completion

According to the program’s director, Glenda Hembree, students take the Praxis II teacher certification exam as juniors and then enter a student teaching position as seniors, where they gradually learn to teach a class independently through a mentorship program.

However, LaBay found her biggest obstacle in passing this initial exam.

She said her professors did not inform her of the exam date until a couple months before she would be required to take it. She added that she was not initially informed there would be a deadline to submit score results, which made retaking the exam difficult.

Loyola does not offer specific courses to prepare students for the exam, she

“I

have

STAFF

Assistant Editors: Chris Maldonado, Sunny Bedford, Grace Knight, Eloise Pickering, Taylor Falgout, Sophia Maxim!

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Associate Producer for The Maroon Broadcast: Chloe Caudle, Sunny Bedford, Matthew Richards,

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Adviser: Michael Giusti

SGA confirms budget for 2023-24 year

pend for the year. This increased $200$400 from last year, depending on the position.

According to Diamond Dixon, director of finance, cabinet members' stipend increased $200 from last year in order to meet the work study hourly wages of $10 per hour.

“We work approximately 24 weeks for 10 hours a week,” Dixon wrote in the budget.

The homecoming chair received $200 more this year compared to last, evening out to $1,000 for the year.

The homecoming chair makes less than other cabinet members due to the position holder only working from October to December of the fall semester, according to Dixon.

The total cabinet member compensation will be $15,400 this year.

The senator at large will earn $2,000 in compensation this year. This is the first year this position has been paid, according to the budget.

The total compensation for SGA members this year equals out to $42,950.

Last year, it totaled to $28,987.

SGA Initiatives

Executive initiatives are initiatives the president and vice president carry out.

Two-week long courses help students gain credit

January Term is an optional twoweek learning experience for Loyola students looking to earn more credits or travel abroad without leaving for an entire semester.

Each of these courses are worth the three-credit hours of most semester-long courses, but they are more fastpaced due to being condensed into a two-week timeframe.

There are six available J-Term studyabroad programs this year to travel to London, Sicily, India, Spain, Costa Rica, and Thailand. These programs will offer different credits to fulfill necessary courses in students’ Loyola Core, including writing about literature, philosophy II, religious studies, or special topics in international business, depending on the program.

Philosophy instructor and Catholic Studies Director of Faith Formation Joshua Hinchie, S.J., will be teaching “In the Footsteps of Ignatius” as a religious studies requirement.

Loyola’s Student Government Association released their budget for the 2023-24 academic year, cutting funding in some areas and increasing in others.

Every year, SGA receives a certain amount of funding from Loyola in order to perform their duty of serving the Loyola community. This year, their total budget is $129,800, a decrease of almost $6000.

Loyola advocates against death penalty

The Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola, in association with the Catholic Mobilizing Network, organized a week of events to promote advocacy for death penalty abolition, in honor of death penalty awareness week

A series of events were held both at the main campus and the law school, featuring a variety of speakers and educational programs dedicated to the idea that the death penalty has no place in modern society.

Kicking the week off on Sept. 7, there was a showing of the film “Dead Man Walking,” a movie based on the book of the same name by Sister Helen Prejean, one of the nation’s leading advocates against the death penalty.

The following Tuesday, after the movie’s showing, Prejean came to speak to students at a faith, work, and ethics luncheon, and at the Catholic Studies dinner.

“Can a family who is grieving and has lost someone to violence, actually be healed by sitting in a front row and watching as the state kills the one who killed their loved one, they witness this act of violence, and that’s supposed to heal them,” Prejean said, while speaking to the attendees at the Catholic Studies dinner.

See PENALTY, page 13

On Wednesday, Sept. 13 in a senate meeting, the 2023 budget was proposed and passed through a vote by members.

SGA members compensation

Each year, a portion of the SGA funding goes toward payment of their cabinet members, along with the senator at large.

This year, SGA President Makayla Hawkins, received $6,270 to pay for housing and meal plan and a $1,750 sti-

pend. This stipend was $230 more than last year.

The total president compensation will be $8,000 this academic year.

Vice President Sydney Randall received $5,917 to pay for her housing and meal plan with a stipend of $1,633, which was an increase of $133 from last year.

The total vice president compensation will be $7,550 this year.

Each cabinet position, besides homecoming chair, will receive a $2,400 sti-

“We want these initiatives to be beneficial for the students so we provide information as well as tangible items like handouts and food,” Dixon wrote.

This year, this funding stayed the same as the last two years with $2,000.

The University Programming Board received a $1,000 increase for a total of $36,000.

UPB is in charge of funding university programming, such as Wolfpack Wednesday or Sneaux in December.

See SGA, page 6

Hinchie said this is a faculty-led study abroad course in Spain, in which students and faculty will be walking 150 miles of the Camino Ignaciano, the pilgrimage route St. Ignatius of Loyola traveled as he discovered his calling from God.

“My hope is that by experiencing firsthand the steps of Ignatius's spiritual journey, students will be helped in their own spiritual journey,” Hinchie said.

See J-TERM, page 13

Loyolans win big in LaunchU competition

Loyola graduate students and alumni had the chance to win $5,000 to $10,000 in the second annual LaunchU entrepreneurship competition.

Eight teams of an original 49 applicants pitched their ideas at the final competition to a panel of judges and were scored on a rubric. Four of the finalists were selected as winners, two teams earning $10,000 and the other two winning $5,000 to help start up their idea on Sept. 7, 2023.

Assistant Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development, Sam McCabe was happy with this year's competition and their improvement throughout the entire LaunchU pitch process.

“I don’t think it could’ve gone any better. I was blown away by the work these teams have done, even between the first and final round of pitches,” McCabe said.

Applicants applied during the spring 2023 semester. Of the 49 who applied this spring, 20 were selected to move on to a two-week bootcamp in May, where 19 speakers and over 30 mentors spoke and worked with the teams to prepare them for the first pitches in August.

Only 15 teams made it to the August pitch competition. Of those, the final eight teams were chosen.

McCabe said this year, a wide variety of applicants applied among the Loyola community, bringing a diverse pool of ideas.

“We had alumni from as early as the late 80’s to folks who just graduated in the spring. We had some faculty and staff,” McCabe said. “We just had a wide diversity of alumni, faculty, staff, and students and it really just was a great group of people we got to work with this year.”

This variety in teams and ideas from Loyola is something McCabe said the Center for Entrepreneurship is proud to show off to the world.

“We get to work with this really diverse group of members of the Loyola community and show off to New Orleans and beyond the exciting entrepreneurs we have on campus,” he said.

The two $10,000 winning recipients were Marcel's, a company of cocktail syrups made from a family recipe, and Dependent Care, a platform that simplifies and modernizes Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account to make childcare more affordable for parents.

HandOffur, an app that makes the Tulane Classifieds on Facebook safer and reachable through a student email, and Newrospace, a supplement to relieve menopause symptoms, were the two $5,000 winners.

Aubin Duchier, a spring 2022 Loyola graduate and owner of HandOffur, said the environment created within LaunchU’s competition, especially with the students, was something he adored.

“It’s so great,” Duchier said. “They created this kind of community and you have all those students that want that looking up to you.”

What LaunchU does for students is something Duchier finds admirable,

especially after feeling as though there weren’t as many resources for entrepreneurs during his time at Loyola.

“What they’re trying to create is like there’s no fear to say ‘I want to be an entrepreneur,’” Duchier said.

Although Duchier said the $5,000 was only a portion of what he needs to fully get his idea of a more sustainable Tulane Classifieds app, the experience of the competition made it worth continuing to pursue the app.

“It helps a lot to get started. It’s the validation that this is an actual need and solution that we have to push and make things happen,” Duchier said.

Although the LaunchU competition

is only for graduates, the Center for Entrepreneurship hosts several smaller competitions for current students, including the Side Hustle fair in the spring where students can present their side hustle for a chance to win scholarship money.

With this year's competition wrapped up, the center is now working to prepare for these competitions and applicants for next year's LaunchU competition, which will also open in the spring.

“We are constantly trying to provide as many resources as we can for our students,” McCabe said. “We’re excited to be able to help our Loyola entrepreneurs anyway that we can.”

Across

1. Mascara site

5. Pointed ends where two curves meet

10. Apple cousin

14. It’s all around you

15. Playwright Chekhov

16. Daughter of the evil queen in Descendants

17. Young beef

18. Male arabic name for good

19. 20th century art style that challenges social norms in confusing manners

20. Fiery felony

22. Common abbreviation for “please” in text messages

23. Famous street in french quarter known for its shopping scene

24. Left to personal choice

27. Minty Cuban cocktail

31. Finger friction sound

32. Type of aircraft

35. Commonly known as Candytuft

36. Movie by spike Joinz on AI love

37. Solar Energy Industries Assoc. Abbr.

38. Canada’s largest city

40. Resident or inhabitant

42. Group of identical cells or organisms derived from some kind of asexual reproduction 43. 33rd president’s initials 45. Genus of ladybugs 46. “If only ___ listened!”

47. Biblical ark 48. Large seahole 49. Edge of a billiard table

Humanities majors are often taking classes in this building 54. Pre-Gmail 55. Food poisoning bacteria 60. Pungent smell 61. Japanese word for struggle or to act violently 63. Uttered at the end of prayer

64. Alumni of this university include Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche

65. Mathematical relationship

66. Jenny, the “Swedish Nightingale”

67. Oxford bottom

68. Big name in chicken nuggets

69. “_____ bitsy spider” Nursery rhyme

Down

1. Cool magma

2. Violinist Leopold

3. Short-Run Agg. Supply Curve abbr.

4. Beyonce’s famous song released in 2008

5. Grumpy ___

6. Not t

7. Tres chic

8. Snow White’s apple

9. Swiss national bank abbr.

10. “Put the ____ to the metal!”

11. Dear ___ Hansen play

12. Elton John-Tim Rice musical

13. ____ Housewives of ….

21. “ ___ __ any hurry”

23. Colloquial slang for lying

25. Logical fallacy of believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation

26. ey’re swimming in the ocean because they are so awesome

27. Senator McConnell that often freezes up

28. Silver coin of France in the Mid-

dle Ages

29. New England Patriots’ inside linebacker coach Mayo

30. Element FE on the periodic table

32. Portable gelatin

33. Refrain from the children's song "Old MacDonald"

34. Actor Killam in River Wild (2023)

37. Coal mining waste

39. A bay in western Japan

41. Romantic Zoom meeting

44. Anatomical location of uvulas

47. L-O-V-E singer __ King Cole

49. Capital of Switzerland

50. River in Mexico

51. Within bubble tea

52. Strong smell

53. Bon__

56. West coast state, for short 57. Redact

58. Focusing glass

59. “___ 500”

For

Crosswords by Max Schweikarth & Kira Phillips

Efforts continue to appease Doubles-to-Dorms

“Stop Doubles to Dorms” is a lobbying slogan that has gained popularity throughout Uptown New Orleans, as houses built for families are being converted to accommodate large amounts of college students.

Junior Ana Colón has lived in a double-to-dorm house since May, with her two roommates. The house is divided into three units. Colón’s unit has less than her peers that live in a double-todorm home. Still, she has concerns.

“I don't love the idea that we live kind of up in the attic because it used to be one whole house.” Colón said.

One of the most pressing concerns among neighbors who live near doubleto-dorm houses is the parking. These houses do not have the proper parking spaces to accommodate the amount of people in the house, despite zoning regulations put in place, according to New Orleans’ District A Councilman Joseph Giarrusso.

To combat this issue, Giarrusso passed an ordinance, in which development companies must create parking spaces for each bathroom built in a house. However, developers have been finding loopholes within the regulations to continue the practice of cramming as many rooms into one house as possible.

“Developers found another … loophole, where they put a toilet in one closed off room, and then the sink in another closed off room, and then like a freestanding bathtub in the third room,” said Claire Byun, the communications and land use director for District A.

At the end of September, Giarrusso will be putting another ordinance to vote in the hopes of answering the residents' grievances, and closing the loopholes that developers have created.

“This is an attempt to stifle what is a cottage industry of taking residential homes, and then converting, not only in

the sense of the figurative, but also the literal homes so only college kids can, or want to, live in them,” Giarrusso said.

Uptown residents take issue not only with the parking congestion but also with the lack of housing for families, and the culture that large amounts of college students bring into neighborhoods.

Rafe Rabalais, a New Orleans home-owner, said that having more people means more noise, late nights, trash, and partying.

In an effort to relieve pressure on local neighborhoods and housing in the area, Tulane is constructing a new series of residential halls called The Villages. The first of five on-campus residences, River and Lake, opened just prior to the start of the fall semester, providing nearly 700 beds.

“We respect and highly value the importance and uniqueness of every New Orleans neighborhood,” said Michael Strecker, Tulane’s Assistant Vice President for news and media relations.

The construction of The Villages further provides space for juniors to live on-campus, as well as freshman and sophomores, with a total of 700 additional beds for students, according to Tulane’s website and news.

“By increasing our on-campus housing, it may be less desirable for developers to create doubles-to-dorms, which would improve the quality of life for neighbors,” Strecker said.

Similar to Tulane, Loyola has a new residential hall under construction. While not geared towards aiding the residential stress of doubles-to-dorms issues, the addition of new dorm beds is a response to student concerns regarding affordability and availability of off-campus housing.

“Loyola is building a new residence hall to address student feedback, both in terms of the availability of on-campus housing and the preference for apartment-style living,” said residential life director Chris Rice.

Homeowners face rising insurance rates as climate change makes wildfires, storms more common

A growing number of Americans are finding it difficult to afford insurance on their homes, a problem only expected to worsen because insurers and lawmakers have underestimated the impact of climate change, a new report says.

A report from First Street Foundation released Wednesday says states such as California, Florida and Louisiana, which are prone to wildfires and damaging storms and flooding, are likely to see the most dramatic increases in premiums. First Street estimates, factoring climate models into the financial risk of properties in its report, that roughly 39 million properties — roughly a quarter of all homes in the country — are being underpriced for the climate risk to insure those properties.

"Some places may be impacted very minimally, but other places could see massive increases in insurance premiums in the coming years," said Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications at First Street and a co-author of the report.

First Street, a New York-based non-profit, has been a to-go researcher on the financial implications of climate change for years. Their research is used by Fannie Mae, Bank of America, the Treasury Department and others for understanding the potential risks to properties.

There are several signs that climate change is taking its toll on the insurance industry. The U.S. homeowner's insur-

ance industry has had three straight years of underwriting losses, according to credit rating agency AM Best. Losses for the first half of 2023 totaled $24.5 billion, which is roughly what was lost in all of 2022.

"(Climate change) is a problem that is already here," said Todd Bevington, a managing director at the insurance broker VIU by HUB. In his 30 years of doing insurance, he said "I've never seen the market turn this quickly or significantly."

There are likely to be more insurance market failures in the future, Porter said, as more insurers simply refuse to underwrite policies in certain communities or go property by property. Comparisons to the National Flood Insurance Program, which is now $22.5 billion in debt, have become common.

Even the backstop programs are buckling under tremendous losses. Louisiana's insurer of last resort, Citizens, raised its rates for 2023 by 63.1% statewide to cover higher costs.

This summer, reinsurance companies such as Swiss Re and Munich Re raised their property catastrophe reinsurance premiums in the U.S. by an average of 20% to 50%. Reinsurance brokerage firm Guy Carpenter & Co. said it was the highest increase for reinsurance rates since the year after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

"It's a global problem. Virtually every geography is seeing a repricing of risk," said Lara Mowery, global head of distribution at Guy Carpenter, in an interview.

Reinsurers step in to help cover losses

resulting from a catastrophe, so regular insurance companies do not take on all of the risk. In one example of a typical reinsurance contract, a $20 million contract could require the insurance company to cover the first $10 million in claims and the reinsurer to pick up the other $10 million.

Mowery added that many reinsurance firms now have resources dedicated to studying the impact of climate change on how to price catastrophes.

There have been other factors impacting the insurance industry as well. Inflation has made the cost of repairing

homes pricier and home prices remain near record levels. A labor shortage means getting damaged homes repaired may take longer, requiring insurers to pay for temporary housing for policyholders longer.

In short, an industry whose business model is calculating risk based on what happened in the past is increasingly unable to do so.

"You can no longer rely on 100 years of wildfire data to price risk when the unprecedented has happened," Mowery said.

While the intensity of wildfires, floods

and storms can vary from year to year, the trend lines in these models point to more wildfire activity as well as more intense storms, all likely to result in more catastrophic amounts of damage that insurance companies will have to cover.

Factoring in climate models and acres estimated to be burned, First Street estimates that by 2050, roughly 34,000 homes will burn down because of wildfires every year. That's roughly the equivalent of losing the city of Asheland, N.C., every year.

TEACH: Students dissatisfied with Loyola's education program

Continued from page 1

Loyola does not offer specific courses to prepare students for the exam, she said.

LaBay said she was repeatedly told by Hembree that she shouldn’t worry about the exam because she was attempting certification in a supposedly easier area of focus.

LaBay chose to retake the exam but was concerned that she would not receive her results until after the necessary deadline to qualify for student teaching.

When LaBay voiced these concerns to Hembree, she said she was told to “be positive.”

According to Hembree, the classes which students take junior year are taught with this exam in mind, and the department has test practice books available.

Ultimately, LaBay chose to leave the teacher education program because she would have to complete another year at Loyola in order to graduate with her certification, which wasn’t feasible financially for her.

She also added that the combined cost of practice exams, as well as taking and retaking the exam, cost almost $300. Hembree said that, although the department does not directly fund exams, Loyola’s student government has a stipend available for students who apply.

Ayana Cormier, a senior English writing major, is currently working on her student teaching residency. Cormier said she feels there is a failure in communicating the requirements necessary to begin student teaching, which include background checks, the certification exam, and direct contact with the schools at which they are teaching.

Cormier also said she had difficulty finding an appropriate way to study for the exam.

“There was a lot of stress, not only with me,” Cormier said.

Mentorship and student teaching

Comier said coordinating and planning student teaching opportunities was essentially up to students, and Loyola faculty seemed uninvolved outside of officiating location assignments.

All four current seniors in the pro-

gram were sent to complete their student teaching at Morris Jeff Community School, a K-12 charter school with multiple campuses in New Orleans.

Cormier said before being assigned to Morris Jeff, she and other students were told to compile a list of potential schools at which they would want to teach.

However, she questioned if this list made any impact on her actual assignment, as all students were sent to the same location.

Hembree said there are many schools in the area available for student teaching, but Cormier felt that assignments were dictated by convenience rather than best individual fit.

According to Hembree, Morris Jeff is well suited to the needs of student teaching. She said Loyola has one alumni from the teaching program who currently works there.

Additionally, Morris Jeff is roughly a 20-minute drive from Loyola’s campus. Cormier said this raised another issue, as she now had to provide her own transportation.

“I had to hurry up and get a car this summer, which was a lot of money,” Cormier said.

History senior Savannah Charette said she has also had difficulty traveling to Morris Jeff in order to complete her residency for the teacher education program at Loyola. Charette said that while she is able to use public transportation, the commute requires her to take two buses, which takes roughly an hour and a half.

Charette added that, originally, she would wake up at 5:45 in the morning in order to make it to school on time. But, she has since decided to sacrifice punctuality for the sake of a better commute.

Charette said that traveling to and from Morris Jeff is a tedious, but doable, adjustment to her schedule.

“I’ve gotten used to it for the most part, it’s just still really, really annoying,” Charette said.

Charette added that, early in the residency process, Loyola seemed more flexible in finding teaching locations that accommodated student’s locations. But, this was before the program reached a partnership agreement with Morris Jeff.

Loyola also holds a partnership with the Holy Name of Jesus school, located next to Loyola’s campus along Calhoun

St.

Potential for growth

system.

Hembree said student transportation needs are taken into account when determining the location of their student teaching residency. But, all current seniors said they were comfortable providing their own transportation, she added.

Cormier added that, although she is thankful for mentorship opportunities that Loyola offers, she does not feel that much effort was put into finding a mentor which shared her background. Cormier said she has had two mentors so far, neither of which share her race or gender.

While Cormier has been able to learn from and connect to her mentor, she still said it was not an entirely natural process.

“I thought, this is such a weird person that is going to take me a while to get comfortable with,” Cormier said. “It's confusing how they thought that us two would match well together.”

Charette also had difficulty with her mentor, but said this was not the fault of Loyola’s program. Her original mentor quit unexpectedly, and without notifying Loyola of the change. Charette ended up working with another mentor, who she said she essentially found independently of Loyola.

Charette’s new mentor was approved by Loyola, but she found him through working at Morris Jeff.

Despite these issues, both LaBay and Cormier made note of the quality of the classes they have taken, particularly those taught by teacher education professor Julia Miller.

However, Cormier said that she felt Loyola does not provide the necessary support for the teacher education program due to its small size.

According to Hembree, the program was eliminated as a result of decreased enrollment following Hurricane Katrina. It was only recently revised in 2013. Currently, the department has only two professors, Hembree and Miller.

Cormier said the program’s size is a mixed bag, as on one hand it can be incredibly beneficial to have a close-knit group committed to educating future generations.

But, on the other hand, the program lacks resources to be as powerful as it could be.

She added that students are supported “to the best of the teacher's abilities,” and that this is shown by the material taught in courses.

Charette said the educational system in place in New Orleans is also to blame for a lack of cohesion in the program. She said it can be difficult to effectively communicate due to the charter school

“It was a nightmare to even try to get in a classroom to do observation,” Charette said. “Either you wouldn’t get a response or they would be like, here's these mountains of paperwork to get done.”

She added that Hembree and Miller also faced similar difficulty getting in contact with schools. But, Charette said, that these difficulties do not reflect the quality of coursework taught within the program.

“I feel like [the program] does what it basically has to do,” Charette said.

She further said that the program is successful in educating on base teaching theory, but classroom experience is more difficult to achieve since it only really starts with senior year residency and student teaching.

“One of the things that is critical, especially in the design of the program that we have, is communication,” Hembree said. “We don’t know if there is a comment or issue, or needs or questions that you have, if you don’t communicate.”

Additionally, Jay McGrath, a student in the program, is chartering a Future Educators club with the program’s support to increase communication within the program.

Hembree added that both herself and Miller do what they can to address student concerns.

SGA: Annual budget receives decrease from past years

Continued from page 3

Dixon wrote that this was increased due to inflation.

Homecoming initiatives were increased from $8,000 last year to $9,000.

Dixon wrote last year, homecoming costs approximately $18,000. This year, the budget for initiatives increased to allow for more homecoming events and for the homecoming committee to plan ahead and purchase more, according to Dixon.

Equity & Inclusion Initiatives have continuously decreased funding for the past four years. In the 2020-21 school year, these initiatives received $5,000 in funding. The next year, funding decreased to $3,000, then to $2,500. This year, these initiatives received $1,500.

According to Dixon, this decrease was due to the Equity and Inclusion officer, Stephanie Oblena, requesting a lower budget.

“The Director of Equity and Inclusion

has determined that she can fulfill her initiatives with a smaller budget. Some of her tentative initiatives are a salsa dance class and a drag show,” Dixon wrote.

Previously, Court of Review initiatives were responsible for funding Iggy’s Cupboard, however, the cupboard received a grant that has allowed SGA to spend funding for Iggy’s and Court of Review in other areas.

$1,000 of SGA funding will go to Iggy’s cupboard. Court of Review initiatives will receive $700, which will go towards other needs.

Dixon wrote that they are planning to use this money to table for Iggy’s cupboard, a voter registration drive, and revisions of student organization bylaws.

First Year Council, a branch of SGA which allows freshman or first-year students to become involved in the organization, received a $100 increase from previous years, totaling to $1,600 for this year.

This was increased to help retention

for SGA, according to Dixon.

Last year, Senate initiatives did not exceed $4,000 for the year when $4,500 was allocated. This led to a decrease in this funding to $3,700.

Finance initiatives increased from $300 to $500 this semester to compensate for more social media initiatives.

Dixon wrote that the in-person events receive less attention, leading SGA to focus more on social media. Through this, they plan to do quizzes with themes where winners will have a chance to receive Wolfbucks.

Communication efforts received $3,000, the same amount it was given last year. Dixon wrote that this was for a new camera and to help fund the merchandise drop later this year.

“The goal this year is to increase the visibility of SGA among the students. Better photography will benefit both the visibility to the students and increase the portfolio of the students working on the communication committee,” Dixon

wrote.

The Grace of Ignatius Award received funding again after not having it last year, however, the award was cut in half from what it was in 2021, the last time it was funded. Now, the award is $2,500, split between two students.

The Pursuit of Excellence Textbook Scholarship, for the first time, has its own funding of $1,500.

SGA initiatives totals out to be $63,000, an $800 decrease from last year.

SGA Allocations

Allocations request funding decreased by $4,000 this year, leaving $28,000 available for request.

Dixon wrote that this decrease was to put “more line items to use” and specifically pointed out the Social Justice Grant.

“This will help increase more initiatives towards Social Justice, which goes in accordance with our Jesuit value of [being] with and for others,” Dixon wrote.

However, the Social Justice Grant was cut in half from last year, making only $2,500 available.

This was due to only $2,887.86 being used in previous years when $5,000 was available, according to Dixon.

The Richard Frank Research Grant, a grant which helps fund students research, also no longer has its own budget like previous years. Instead, SGA has decided to add this grant to the allocations request funding.

This means students can still apply for this grant, but funding will be pulled from allocations. This was due to only two students applying last year.

Club sports also received a $1,650 cut this year, making only $3,350 available for the year.

Dixon wrote that this was due to their funding through the Campus Recreation budget.

SGA’s total allocations totaled to $33,850, a decrease from last year’s budget of $43,000.

“[The program] does what it has to do.”

— Savannah Charette Education student

@patthamilton

The Broadside music venue was the scene of a sensational concert by one of the greatest living guitarists, the Nigerien (not Nigerian) Omara Moctar, better known as Bombino. On a memorable Saturday evening, Sept. 16, the city’s music scene came alive as Bombino and his band graced the stage, drawing a crowd that stretched out the venue’s doors. The Broadside itself, a newcomer since 2020, is rapidly growing into a local favorite, sitting just across the street from the historic Broad Theatre. The Maroon got an exclusive interview with Bombino and his band during their one-night stop in New Orleans – at the beginning of their two-month tour across the globe.

Bombino, born in Niger and belonging to the Tuareg ethnic group, is widely regarded as one of the world's most talented guitarists. The Tuareg people, known for their nomadic pastoralist lifestyle in the challenging Saharan and Sahelian deserts and mountains of West Africa, are often recognized by their iconic blue indigo dyed clothing and their storied

BOMBINO : " The Sultan of Shred"

"Nigerien guitarist spreads message of hope and peace through 'Desert Blues'

reputation as formidable warriors. Often romanticized, the Tuareg people live and move freely through a desert that is divided among more than twelve countries, and feel at home in a place that is often misunderstood and thought of as lifeless. Political events of the last several decades, and now the past few months, have highlighted the poverty and violence in this Saharan land, which many see as a barrier, and the Tuaregs see as backroads connecting communities. Bombino's life journey has been remarkable. He evolved from a rebellious young child who skipped school, and was at the throes of political instability that caused his family to often move, to become an internationally acclaimed artist, due to his passion for the guitar. His music, often described as a captivating fusion of traditional Berber rhythms, rock and roll, and blues, known as Tishoumaren or Desert Blues, serves as a powerful call for both peace and the preservation of Tuareg culture. Bombino has since earned taglines like “The World’s Best Guitarist” and "The Sultan of Shred," for his unparalleled ability to seamlessly meld sound and soul, solidifying his status as an icon in the world of music. Roll-

ing Stone has described his innovations as “Tuareggae.”

The Broadside was transformed from an old scrap yard only a few years ago. The stage sits outside and looks out into an open lot of Adirondack chairs and fine gravel. The concert was opened by an innovative French-speaking Louisiana band, Louis Michot, with whom Bombino has recorded in the past. The Nigeriens took the stage a little after 9 p.m. to a diverse array of concertgoers, from old hippies to young enthusiasts alike, all converging to witness Bombino’s virtuosity.

The band is composed of Bombino, Mauritanian Youba Dia on bass guitar, fellow Nigerien Kawisan Mohamed on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Corey Wilhelm from Vermont on drums. They have played together for many years and do not rehearse, instead following one another through the repertoire. Bombino opened the set with melodic and soft acoustic songs, with his band in the background, focusing the attention of the large audience. Then, in a beautiful shock, Corey Wilhelm moved from the traditional African hand drums to his full drum kit and kicked off a rollicking jam.

Dia punctuated in between the tunes with commentary in somewhat imaginative English, receiving cheers and laughter as his bandmates beamed. The band plays in traditional clothing, to convey, they said, a reminder to the world of where this music originates and its often-forgotten cultural roots. The show was a smash, and received two roaring encores, with a large crowd remaining after to buy albums, talk, and take pictures with the friendly band.

The Maroon received an exclusive interview with Bombino and the band members, starting before the show and continuing after. We began with the good fortune of making contact with Bombino

through mutual friends in Niger. Upon arrival, venue management appeared somewhat dubious and uncooperative, but Bombino’s gracious demeanor prevailed. He personally ushered the Maroon staff backstage, giving a behindthe-scenes glimpse into the world of this desert marvel.

An hour before he took the stage, Bombino exuded an air of tranquility as he layed back on a plastic mat to take a nap, despite the bustling chaos unfolding

all around him, reminiscent of the daily rhythms of life in Niger. Bombino’s band was quick to get up and offer away their chairs as our staff arrived, typical of their cultural hospitality, choosing instead to sit on the floor. In our interview, Bombino elaborated on the importance of preserving the culture of the nomadic people of the Sahara. Much like his own music, Tuareg culture emphasizes a strong sense of identity and pride in their rich history. Bombino

discussed his efforts to promote education and the valuable lessons he believes younger generations can glean from preserving their heritage.

“When we get up on stage to perform in our traditional clothing, that is to preserve our heritage, that's to show our tra-

ditions to the United States, from where we've come - and that's very important to me. With music, we always hope to 'push further,’” he said. Through music, Bombino and his band aim to bridge cultural divides, ensuring that the vibrant tapestry of Tuareg heritage continues to thrive. He firmly believes that through education, individuals can build a stronger connection to their roots and ultimately foster a deeper appreciation for their cultural legacy. "Education is the foundation, fundamental to everything,” he remarked.

According to Bombino, education transcends the confines of traditional schooling; it's a process of immersing oneself in the unfamiliar and expanding one's horizons. He underscored that true education encompasses not only formal learning but also the journey of self-discovery, where individuals gain wisdom and understanding that goes beyond their origins.

“Education is to expose yourself to the unfamiliar, beyond where you're from - it's not just going to school, it's there getting out and really within yourself that you are educated, as such,” Bombino said.

Bombino went on to emphasize the pressing issue of the Tuareg people being dispersed across numerous countries, including Libya, Algeria, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. He underscored that his band's music serves as a powerful tool for preserving their sense of self and their cultural identity amidst this dispersion.

When asked about his hopes for people's reactions to his music on this tour,

Bombino said that while Tuareg music in the US has been progressively gaining recognition, it is essential to clarify the intent and message behind his music as a medium of self-expression and cultural representation.

He said that through music, even if individuals don't share a common language, their hearts can connect, resonating with the emotions and sentiments embedded in the melodies. For Bombino, the unifying force of music transcends linguistic boundaries, fostering a deep and shared understanding among all who lend their ears to the harmonious sounds he creates.

Bombino’s influence extends far beyond his musical prowess; he is also a dedicated advocate for equal rights and

education within his community. His commitment to the well-being of his people mirrors the same passion he brings to his distinctive musical beats. As a result he has been compared to legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana, for being both a remarkable artist and activist for his community’s welfare.

For Bombino and many artists who are working to preserve their culture, they must balance a creative tension between preserving heritage and tradition, and innovating it. For instance this genre of “Desert Blue”' has only been around since the 1980s. Bombino said they must maintain the delicate equilibrium between tradition and innovation, emphasizing their objective to continue evolving as

artists while remaining true to the style of his homeland, striking that harmonious balance, and ensuring that people keep listening to their music and messages.

Ultimately, New Orleans attracts these high quality – if less-than-mega-commercial artists because it appreciates art, authenticity, and quality, and embraces the unusual and intriguing. Our city benefits from rich contributions of artists like Bombino who contribute to our quality of life, and strengthen the endless struggle to preserve – and simultaneously create –our own rich cultural tapestry.

Editor's Note: This interview was conducted in French and translated into English for the benefit of the reader.

Following the success of her debut feature “Shiva Baby,” writer and director Emma Seligman blesses the masses once more with her sophomore queer comedy, “Bottoms.”

Best friends PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) are the token lesbian losers at Rockbridge Falls High. e duo decides the time has come to put their involuntary celibacy to rest while discussing their crushes on popular cheerleaders Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber). Unintentionally, the pair concocts a

"Superbad"

plan to pursue their crushes in the name of self-defense by starting a ght club with the help of their fellow queer friend Hazel (Ruby Cruz).

First and foremost, there’s no denying that “Bottoms” draws inspiration from multiple fan-favorite lms, such as Greg Mottola’s “Superbad,” Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart,” and of course, David Fincher’s “Fight Club.” However, what is cinema if not the implementation of innovation?

It’s been a while since a recently released comedy left me satis ed. While most can come to the unanimous agreement that comedy is the most di cult genre to achieve, I’d argue that

all it really takes is authentic writing and acting. Ultimately, comedy is subjective, so what might be humorous to one is humorless to another. While I can see how there were moments in “Bottoms” that were derivative and trope-tailoring, its compelling components made it a worthwhile watch. Sennott and Edebiri are truly a force to be reckoned with. eir ability to deliver ludicrous lines and excel comedic timing in such an e ortless manner makes “Bottoms” the hit it’s been. On the other hand, some performances were lackluster, such as Gerber’s Brittany. I think it’s safe to say that Gerber should stick to modeling,

for I fear she cannot act even if her life depended on it. en again, she’s the daughter of famed supermodel Cindy Crawford, so exceptions are bound to be made for nepotism in Hollywood.

Several factors made “Bottoms” palatable and laughable. For instance, a prevalence of satirical callouts to unrealistic standards set by high school lms, such as class time being worth no more than a single minute of screentime (the bell rings and PJ makes a comment about class just starting). Additionally, “Bottoms” manages to make discourse that could easily become distasteful rather comedic. In particular, I couldn’t help but chuckle during a scene where

Mr. G (Marshawn Lynch), the girls’ teacher and club supervisor, projects his personal marital problems onto his class by writing on the board; “Feminism and why every US president has been a man”. All in all, “Bottoms” was a sight for sore eyes in the sense that it's rejuvenating to see a queer comedy with femboy jocks, Gen-Z witticisms, and preposterous violence. I can say without reservation that “Bottoms” has become a favorite comedy of mine, along with the cultclassic “Superbad.”

“Bottoms” is now playing in theaters.

Rating: 9/10

"Unreal Unearth": A divine journey through life and love

Since 2013, Irish singer-songwriter Andrew “Hozier” John Hozier-Byrne has graced the music world with his complex, entrancing music. Known for adding elements of folk and blues to an already soulful indie-rock sound, Hozier continues to evolve as both an artist and a performer. Over the last decade, his songs have told stories of loss, hope, love, and other human experiences. His latest record, "Unreal Unearth", is no exception to this pattern. However, it succeeds in being a beautiful and refreshing experience that proves Hozier’s growth and passion as a musician.

Released on August 18th, 2023, "Unreal Unearth" is best described as a sort of musical voyage, one that traverses the pain and pleasure of human existence. With the album’s major inspirations being Dante Allegheri’s “Inferno” and Flann O’Brien’s “The Third Policeman”, this analysis is much more fitting than it initially sounds. Hozier tells his story through thoughtful lyricism, near-impeccable instrumentation, and the tracklist itself.

Take, for instance, the opening track and its subsequent companion: “De Selby (Part 1)” and “De Selby (Part 2)”. While these songs are certainly enjoyable on their own, it is the connection between them that strengthens the im-

pression they leave. Beginning with soft vocals and a calming acoustic guitar, "De Selby (Part 1)" saw Hozier discussing the encroaching darkness that inevitably comes with loneliness, with love often being sought as a solution to solitude. These themes are cemented by Hozier’s Irish singing at the end of the song. The emptiness in Hozier’s voice during this part of the song evokes a strong feeling of being lost in the dark and trying as hard as you can to find the light.

“De Selby (Part 1)” is a prelude to the dark journey that Hozier is about to embark on. Fitting to the track’s lyrics and themes, the following song completes this overture; adding drums, synthesizers, and exchanging the acoustic guitar for a groovy and aggressive electric counterpart, “De Selby (Part 2)” represents a brave step into the unknown. Hozier elevates his voice, singing about the fervor he feels for his new lover and professing his desire to face adversity with them. This track takes that feeling of being lost in the dark and adds excitement and curiosity to it. Hozier’s proclamation is that lovers inevitably become one person as they share passions, desires, and the darkness around them. These two tracks are an excellent opener to “Unreal Unearth”, and they only become better when they are listened to one after the other.

Hozier maintains this feeling throughout the entirety of the album, and he

does so in an unique and clever fashion. The more somber tracks like “I, Carrion (Icarian)” and “Son of Nyx” give listeners time to rest and reflect before Hozier hits hard with heavier tracks such as “Who We Are” and “All Things End”. “Eat Your Young” in particular is a fun and suggestive pop track that draws upon the circles of Hell from Inferno to convey the hunger that is present alongside desire, whether that be for a person or for money and power. While this order of songs does cause there to be some sudden shifts in tone, the contrast doesn’t take away from the album’s imagery of a journey and, ultimately, a relationship.

While “De Selby” Parts one and two are certainly the most impressive tracks on the album in terms of how they are used to convey Hozier’s vision, the album ends on a fantastic and arguably more memorable note with “First Light”. This ode celebrates the artist’s return to the light after traveling through the darkness, both with and without his lover; his voice sounds bittersweet, as if he is both grateful and disappointed that he finally found peace after a long period of sorrow. The slow buildup of instruments and the realizations expressed through Hozier’s verses culminate in a brilliant chorus that evokes a simple but profound message: The sooner you embrace the truth of the past and the uncertainty of the future, the sooner you’ll find happiness.

“Unreal Unearth” is Hozier’s most powerful record yet, and it is a testament to his evolution as a musician and storyteller. Exploring the complexity of relationships and desires, this album also touches on the struggles that simply come with being human. While some may say that Hozier relies too much on his inspirations to convey his message, the passion he evokes through his songwriting is undeniable. Whether

you’re entering a new relationship, going through a breakup, embarking on your own journey of self discovery, or simply looking for some good music to listen to, this album is bound to resonate with you.

“Unreal Unearth” is now available on all streaming platforms.

Rating: 9/10

J-TERM: Student weighs in on January term courses

Continued from page 3

According to Hinchie, J-Term courses abroad often provide a more affordable study abroad option than semester-long programs. He added that students get a more intense, immersive experience in one particular topic than they would if they were taking five different courses at once during a semester.

Hinchie previously taught a full term course on St. Ignatius, but believes the course will be more beneficial now as an abroad J-Term.

“It was fine, but the trouble is, St. Ignatius' ideals and spirituality aren't meant to be taught in a classroom; they're meant to be lived,” he said.

History junior Andrea Norwood took Asian pop music and global culture online in January 2023.

Norwood said they really enjoyed the J-Term course they took due to their interest in the subject, even though it only counted as an extra elective for them instead of part of their core.

Abroad courses mostly fulfill the Loyola core, unlike other J-Term courses, which fulfill elective or major-required courses. This year, new classes will be available, such as beer brewing, a class previously only offered in the summer.

The variety in courses was something Norwood noted as a plus with J-Term offerings.

“The fact that the classes are very short and specific can allow students to really dive deep into topics that interest them,” Norwood said.

One drawback Norwood said they had with their course was the Zoom meetings.

Some J-Terms do not spend the en-

Your Fingertips

No two people have the same fingerprints

But I indeed am relieved that I get to live with yours

All over my body

For the rest of my life

While you use your time

To chase moths and butterflies

I think of how you wasted mine

Trying my best to avoid your lying

Gently I grab your hand

And I press it against mine

Just to feel that your fingerprints

tire allotted time in a Zoom meeting, but theirs did. That means that they were in class from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday for two weeks.

“It didn’t end up bothering me too much, but I definitely see how that can become a problem for some people,” Norwood said.

They added that even after four hours in class, they still had to spend an hour or more working on the homework for the next day, making the course a time commitment.

“Be aware of the amount of time you may have to spend in class and decide if that is a learning environment that works for you. Sometimes it’s impossible to be picky, but make sure you are able to dedicate a significant chunk of your day to just learning about the topic of the class,” Norwood said

Norwood also noted that the fastpaced class was challenging and could be for other students as well.

“The fast-paced nature of the class might also be difficult in a more academically rigorous class — the final exam definitely sneaks up on you,” Norwood said.

Price was another issue Norwood faced with the J-Term courses.

J-Term courses have a rate of $740 per credit hour, with most courses filling 3 credit hours, totaling $2,220 per course.

The only free J-Term courses Loyola offers are in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and these classes are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Norwood said that while J-Term courses are beneficial, due to the cost, Norwood only recommends them for students who need to earn credits quickly to graduate.

PENALTY: Prejean speaks out against death penalty

Continued from page 3

Following Prejean’s talks, Shareef Cousin, who served years on death row following a false murder conviction, came to speak to two Catholicism classes, and on a panel with law school professors Andrea Armstrong and Samantha Kennedy.

Kennedy is the executive director of the Promise of Justice Initiative, an organization committed to helping create positive change for people in the criminal legal system.

“For us, at Promise of Justice Initiative

along with all the others who are fighting for people on death row, we believe this is a critical issue because the death penalty harms everyone in the system,” Kennedy said.

During the panel, Armstrong mentioned that 80% of death penalty decisions in Louisiana have been reversed.

“There is no one that wins, and Louisiana has shown itself to have a really egre-

gious rate of reversals and isn’t reliable in terms of its prosecution and we have innocent people on death row,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy believes Louisiana is one of the states most affected by the issue of the death penalty, and its abolition is an urgent need.

“The Death Penalty is a barbaric act and it’s unreliable and we need to change,” Kennedy said.

“The Death Penalty is a barbaric act and it’s unreliable and we need to change.”

— Samantha Kennedy Law professor

Loyola needs to better prepare future educators

We stand at a time in our history when education is continuously targeted and teachers are being stripped of the ability to properly educate students. e teacher education program at Loyola is actively failing to ensure that students understand the program and adequately prepare them for graduation and for teaching as a career.

e right-wing media and political machines have been targeting teachers for the better part of ten years, blaming them for a whole host of fantastical issues that Republicans conjure up as scare tactics. ey blame teachers and the school system for being “woke” when they choose to teach the truth of America’s history. ey ban AP courses for mentioning gender expression and gender identity when every serious and honest psychologist says that gender is a spectrum. rough a slew of homophobic, transphobic, racist, and revisionist laws, the Republican Party has sought to squeeze out any facts present in the school system, which they falsely accuse of being wrong or “indoctrination” e ectively revising history to suit their own agenda.

Here in Louisiana, with the upcoming gubernatorial election, the leading candidate Je Landry has taken an o ensive stance against teachers who believe that we should teach the truth in schools.

Spewing racist, sexist, homophobic,

and transphobic rhetoric into the echo chamber of the Louisiana Republicans, Landry has made clear that if he wins the election this November he will make a crusade against honest education his highest priority.

Teachers continuously face issue after issue, including underpay, lack of respect for their profession, lack of tangible or monetary support for school and school supplies from state and local governments, and as mentioned before the massive right wing misinformation campaign and their labeling of teachers as villains and honest education as villainy.

Teachers need support more than ever, and students who strive to be educators of future generations need support from their institutions more than ever. Yet, Loyola is failing to support its students enrolled in the teacher education program.

rough failed communication, properly preparing students for required programs and exams, and failing to provide diverse schools for these future educators to ful ll their teacher residency requirements. Students within this program have also taken notice of the aws within course o erings, and the way it is organized because of its size. But Loyola, as a Jesuit institution, needs to hold itself to a higher standard in regards to providing for students involved in the teacher

education program. It is unacceptable that a school founded, funded, and run by the Jesuits is failing its student teachers in so many ways.

In the centuries long Jesuit history, one of the greatest positive e ects they’ve had is the world-class education they provide at hundreds of secondary schools and collegiate institutions across dozens of countries and six continents. One of the main tenets of their educational philosophy is Cura Personalis - care for the whole person. It is through this that Jesuit education strives to not just prepare students to be the best in the world, but that students are prepared to be the best for the world. It is through this philosophy centered around creating well-rounded, compassionate, and intelligent people who strive to make a di erence in the world, that Jesuit education has stood at such a high bar for as long as it has.

Becoming a teacher is a noble pursuit, and is a profession that is one of the most tangible ways to make a di erence in the world. Loyola needs to do more to ful ll its mission in regards to educating its student teachers, in the courses and opportunities they provide. Loyola needs to ensure that they’re student teachers are prepared to not only be the best in the world, but the best for the world.

HOWLS & GROWLS

HOWL to Hot Pocket spoons

GROWL to that one thumbtack

HOWL to Hawaiian pizza

GROWL to the line at Subway

HOWL to future educators

GROWL to slamming your nger in a door

HOWL to Blue Cypress Books

GROWL to stalkers

HOWL to Smoothie King

EDITORIAL BOARD

Patrick Hamilton Editor-in-Chief

Maleigh Crespo Managing Editor for Print

Addison Laird Managing Editor for Digital

Ayana Thomas Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion O cer

Daniela Martínez Maroon Broadcast Executive Producer

Maria DiFelice Maroon Broadcast Operation Manager

Sophia Maxim Design Chief

Anna Hummel Photo Editor

Kloe Witt News Editor

Melody Newsome Breaking News Editor

Natalia Silva Life & Times Editor

Jacob L'Hommedieu Worldview Editor

Sofía Johnson Comics Editor

Athena Marks Chief Visual Artist

Mark Michel Opinion and Editorial Editor

Mia Oliva Reviews Editor

Taylor Falgout Senior Sta Photographer

Ava Acharya Senior Sta Writer

Ecoi Lewis Content Editor

Heather Rabassa Copy Editor

Chris Maldonado Chief Executive Assistant

EDITORIAL

penalty

barbaric

unreliable

we need

change

We should all dress like cartoon characters

Dressing like a cartoon character is wearing the same outfit, or a variation of the same outfit, every day. Before fashion content moved online, clothing styles were popular for years before they were replaced by something new.

As many brands turned to social media marketing, trend cycles accelerated, replacing each other faster and faster. Many retailers took advantage of this by selling cheap and poorly made clothing online.

Manufacturing clothing is both profitable and labor-intensive, so clothing companies use unethical labor practices to pump out as many garments as possible. Those garments are shipped long distances and discarded after a few months, making fashion one of the most polluting industries.

There are many ways to buy clothing without supporting these companies,

Loyola

like secondhand stores or ethical clothing brands. However, these solutions don't address the root of the problem: mindless overconsumption of clothing.

As long as consumers are continuously updating their wardrobe with clothes they don't really need, the fashion industry will be wasteful and exploitative. Dressing like a cartoon character is an easy way to decrease demand for clothing and break the habit of buying without thinking.

Another benefit of dressing like a cartoon character is to be immediately recognizable to anyone you meet. If I have to ask 'What's your name?” “Where are you from?”

“What's your major?” to one more person my head will explode and I’ll die.

None of us are remembering the answers anyways.

Cartoon character outfits make introductions much easier because you remember them and instantly have something to talk about.

One recognizable character on campus is “Suit Kid”, aka the freshman student Guiry Borodkin. He can be seen wearing a full suit and carrying a large economics textbook to the OR, classes, and even the gym.

The reason behind his outfit choice is to show his personal values of consis-

tency to everyone he meets. “I wear suits because I have a particular standard of dress. Wearing similar outfits, and traditionally formal outfits is indicative of

particular behavior patterns, namely that you are not subject to constant emotional swings, or very varying outlooks,” he said.

Whether you want to be ethically conscious, more recognizable, or show your personal values, dressing like a cartoon character is worthwhile.

needs more ensemble options for hobby musicians

was about my experience in a music program – even my dorm is decorated with pictures of me and my band friends.

English freshman

smmeade@my.loyno.edu

Throughout my entire middle and high school experience, I was heavily involved with the band program. In my single high school town, the performing arts were the strongest thing we had.

All of my friends, for the over seven years I was in school, were in the music program. We were the quintessential “band kids.”

Aside from the social aspect, it was also creatively fulfilling. I won’t claim to be the world’s best trumpet player. I won’t even claim to be my high school's best trumpet player. However, I was having fun.

I qualified for the all-district band every year, which was a prestigious ensemble for the top student musicians in the district. I was section leader for two years. Finding myself through my instrument and through the music was a beautiful experience.

As a writing major, my writing is heavily influenced by the classical pieces I played then, and the ways it felt to make this music. When I’m told to remember the happiest moments of my life, I always say marching band 2018 and indoor percussion 2023.

Very few people will understand the true bliss of almost flawlessly creating beautiful music with the people you love. The essay that got me into this college

When I committed to Loyola, I was excited for the music our city is known for to be immersed in the school. I knew that New Orleans’ history was steeped in music, and that Loyola has an excellent music school. However, I am just a hobby musician.

I am not planning on going into music in my future career; I just enjoy it. Not to mention, majoring or minoring in music would be far too expensive.

After receiving my class schedule, I spent several days on a back and forth email chain trying to join an ensemble. The answer I got was clear: if you aren’t majoring or minoring in music, you cannot be in a Loyola performing ensemble. I was crushed.

This was my only extracurricular, and it was virtually all I knew. At the risk of sounding pathetic, I will admit this was my only plan to make friends. Yes, I could join the Tulane marching band, but that would be far too time-consuming and physically demanding. I still need time to complete my homework and take care of myself as a Type 1 Diabetic.

The further I get into my first semester, the more I feel something is missing. There’s a hole in my schedule, a gap in my life. It seems that Loyola has no options for people like me, who want to remain in music, but are not too serious about it. I know I am not the only student with this problem. At most other colleges, students of any major may join musical ensembles, and I believe that Loyola needs to follow in their footsteps.

"Dressing like a cartoon character is an easy way to decrease demand for clothing and break the habit of buying without thinking. "