Loyola University • New Orleans • Volume 101 • Issue 03
Film department changing leadership
Ukraine Update
Loyola gets new record label
Page 2
Page 5
Page 6
M THE MAROON SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Residents petition to give mayor the boot By Jackie Galli jegalli@my.loyno.edu @jackie_galli
Loyola’s swim team practices at the newly renovated pool in the athletic complex on Saturday, Sept. 10. The team said it is ready to have their season in the complex again. Sam Ufkes/The Maroon
See SWIM AND DIVE, page 8
New SGA aims to grow from past mistakes By Macie Batson mmbatson@my.loyno.edu @maciembats
Student Government Association President Stephanie Oblena and Vice President Viviana Alvarez ran on three main campaign promises: student quality of life, accountability, and relations between student government and the student body. Oblena and Alvarez already have started putting their campaign goals into action by working with upper administration to ensure that student concerns are heard, organizing a variety of events that cater to different facets of student life, and developing permanent response trainings that they hope will spread to other organizations on campus. The pair’s main goal is to bridge the gap between the student body and the student government by being more open about the projects they are working on and the information they have received from administration. Alvarez said that the student body should expect an official statement from SGA in regards to school-wide concerns soon. “I’m a big believer in fostering transparency, because with transparency comes open dialogue,” Alvarez said. According to Alvarez, the majority of the initiatives were created with the purpose of listening to and advocating for students, as well as serving as a student body representative to the university.
Without the input of students, Alvarez claimed that SGA would be unable to achieve any of their goals. Alvarez said that she and Oblena intend to connect with the community more extensively, particularly with those who don’t feel heard on campus, by tapping into areas that student government does not already reach. “We just want to make sure that students can be successful and know that we want to support them in their time here,” Oblena said. Alvarez said that SGA has plenty of events planned for this upcoming semester. The majority of these will be returning events, such as Wolf Pack Wednesdays and Third Fridays, but there will also be a few new ones including college-specific meet-and-greets, Iggy’s Cupboard pop-ups, and a student-government-wide sexual assault response training. According to Alvarez, the University Programming Board plans to host more online events this semester in response to multiple student requests. Alvarez said that directive communications, the department in charge of SGA’s social media, is working hard to perfect the SGA website and make it more user-friendly, as well as planning monthly newsletters. They are also excited to release Loyola merchandise. For information on all the events taking place on campus, Alvarez advised students to keep an eye on the SGA’s website and Instagram account.
SGA President Stephanie Oblena hosts an event with students in the Danna Center on Aug. 25. SGA VP Alvarez said she and Oblena are striving for transparency with students. Maria DiFelice/The Maroon
Under 160 days remain for the recall petition against Mayor LaToya Cantrell to gain the needed signatures by its February deadline, according to Nola.com. The petition, filed in August by former Democratic mayoral candidate, Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste and one of Cantrell’s ex-staffers, Eileen Carter, would force Cantrell to leave office. Batiste and Carter cited a “failure to put New Orleans first and execute the responsibilities of the position,” according to the petition filing. If the needed 20% of registered voters sign the petition by Feb. 22 of next year, a recall vote would be held any time from April 29 to Oct. 14. If voters approve the recall, the city council would then elect an interim mayor between their two atlarge members, Helena Moreno and JP Morrell until an official election is held. Fifth-generation New Orleans resident Angela Dassel is one of the petition’s supporters. Dassel created a website to help organize the campaign for reaching their goal of 63,000 signatures. Signers must be residents of Orleans Parish, and must sign in-person, the site said. The website shows all upcoming signing events around the city where those in support can attend. Cantrell said in response to the recall in an interview with WGNO that she has worked hard for the city. “I cannot please everyone,” she said. “I strive to, but I can’t.” A recent incident that put Cantrell under further fire by critics was her appearance in court to support a 13-yearold alleged carjacking suspect and former graduate of the Cantrell internship program, said Nola.com. “I do not regret supporting a young person that has demonstrated that they’re willing to make better decisions,” Cantrell said in a press conference. City Council President Helena Moreno said she, along with several of the victims, which include a Loyola student, are waiting for further explanation from Cantrell. “To show up in court to show support for someone who is now being sentenced for several carjackings, I think it sends a troubling signal,” Moreno said. “I know that the public is very troubled by this.”