Students struggle to find parking By Kloe Witt kgwitt@my.loyno.edu
Saltwater could contaminate New Orleans waterways through the Mississipi River. Anna Hummel/The Maroon
Saltwater wedge threatens NOLA By Kloe Witt kgwitt@my.loyno.edu
A saltwater wedge from the Gulf of Mexico is snaking its way through the Mississippi River, risking all drinking water in the New Orleans area, according to a press release by the Louisiana’s Governor Office. On Sept. 25, Gov. John Bel Edwards requested a Federal Emergency Declaration to President Joe Biden over the saltwater intrusion. Droughts across the Mississippi River Valley have caused the river to reach low levels allowing for the saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to infiltrate the freshwater from the river. According to the governor’s office, Plaquemines Parish has already been affected and in October, Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes will also see the effects. In some areas, the amount of salt in the river is forecasted to be over the Environmental Protection Agencies maximum standard of 250 milligrams/ liter. According to the governor’s office, this is impacting public water symptoms and brings about risk to water distribution systems, machinery, and appliances.
Traffic was backed up across the Loyola campus as students and staff returned for the first day of the semester. Now, nearly halfway through the semester, frustration with parking availability remains rampant among students on campus. On Aug 21, Assistant Director of Support Services Rachel Bobadilla sent an email to students, faculty, and staff informing them that two days later, parking permits would be enforced due to the challenges faced on the first day. Last year, the grace period before enforcing parking passes was two weeks longer, not beginning until Sept 7, 2022. Even with enforced parking, students are still frustrated with the situation. Journalism sophomore Alle Givens said last semester, she had no issues getting a parking pass and the process was simple. This year, however, it wasn’t so easy. “I ended up getting a parking pass but it was like this whole process. It took a very long time for it to go through. And the whole time, I was worried about getting a ticket or being fined,” Givens said. Junior psychology student Tessa Valcarcel commutes from her house to Loyola’s campus each day. She said she still struggles to find parking in the garages at times, even with the enforcement and having a pass. “Some days when I don’t want to find parking, I’ll just wait and I’ll walk,” Valcarcel said. Not only does the lack of parking affect Valcarcel’s choice to drive to campus, but it also caused her to adjust her schedule so she could be on campus early enough to find parking before it’s all filled.
“I now have to get [to school] early and then either sit in my car or find somewhere to hang out on campus before class,” Valcarcel said. The possibility of not finding a parking spot and having to park on the street is one Givens said she wishes wasn’t a reality. “I don’t want to pay that much money for a parking pass so if I’m going to pay it, I better be able to park,” Givens said. Parking passes for on-campus students are $400 and commuters are $340 for the 2023-24 year, according to Parking Services. Givens said without being able to park in the garages, students are forced to resort to street parking on surrounding streets, which easily become crowded and unsafe. “It’s frustrating because there’s no other option really. There’s nowhere else to park unless you’re parking on the street but that’s just not safe,” Givens said. In an email on Aug 15 by Chief Operations Officer and Senior VP of Finance Carol Markowitz said they would be providing less parking for nonLoyola community members. Still, providing parking at all for nonLoyola students or faculty is something Givens feels is not right when not enough parking for such is available. “Loyola students should be prioritized. We’re the ones that are paying tuition to come so if you can’t provide parking that we’re asking for and we’re paying for, I think that’s an issue,” Givens said. Parking Services did not respond after several calls and emails for this story. Maria DiFelice, Mabel RegaladoHernandez, and Frankie Estevas also contributed to this story.
Sophia Renzi/The Maroon
Beignet fest returns to New Orleans See p. 8
Sodexo continues union negotiations By Eloise Pickering ewpicker@my.loyno.edu
Tulane Law student, Bruna Vieira blows powdered sugar off beignet from Loretta’s Authentic Pralines.’ Beignet Fest took place on Saturday Sept. 23 on the Festival Grounds at New Orleans City Park. Anna Hummel/The Maroon
Amidst cooking, dinner rushes, and cleaning, Loyola’s Sodexo workers are continuing their negotiations with Sodexo following the establishment of their union last May after reaching the petition majority. In November of 2022, Loyola’s Sodexo employees moved to unionize as working conditions and staffing decreased, frustrations increased, and pay remained stagnant. The following April, workers received a marginal raise, which reinforced grievances. Discussions between employees and the company have been underway since May to transform the work environment for Sodexo employees. This unionization marked a significant moment for the workers. Past developments have propelled negotiations focused on better wages,
healthcare, insurance, and fostering a workplace atmosphere of respect and dignity, including a 3% wage increase in April,which was equivalent to around an extra 30 cents per paycheck. Cody Melcher, an assistant professor of sociology at Loyola, highlighted the importance of workers receiving better treatment and pay for the work they do. According to Melcher, full-time Sodexo employees at Loyola, some of whom have been working with the company for over 20 years, make just $13.75 an hour, with little to no health benefits. Many Loyola students have stood in solidarity with Sodexo employees, who work to support the students by providing essential food services on campus. Students have expressed their support vocally through actions such as a sticker drive hosted in the previous spring to raise awareness toward the issue.
See UNION, page 3