Jump to responses for candidates running for: president, vice president, senator-at-large, College of Social Sciences president, College of Social Sciences senator, College of Business senator, College of Humanities and Natural Sciences president, College of Humanities and Natural Sciences senator, College of Music and Fine Arts president, College of Music and Fine Arts senator
SGA PRESIDENT
Cody Dardeau
Criminal justice sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No.
The administration has not done a good job with maintaining or improving student satisfaction. One major thing issue the university should address if they intend to increase student retention is the reduction of the common curriculum and the possibility of additional degrees.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
Sophomores should have the right to live off-campus if they so choose. Whether it is a matter of financial issues or a personal choice to live in the city itself, the school should allow them that freedom. While it is true that living on campus makes it easier for students to get involved within the school, it is not an issue that should be forced onto students.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
The common curriculum inhibits some students from ever being able to do extensive research on their field of study. If anything the common curriculum should be reduced, but it would not hurt the administration to consider replacing 3 hrs of religion and 3 hrs of philosophy with an alternative subject area.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
The university police do a wonderful job of being active responders to any concerns or offenses brought to them on campus. They are consistently visible and very effective in practicing community policing in which they frequently interact with students in a non-confrontational manner.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
The concept of sustainability has been merely entertained rather than taken as a serious concept here on Loyola’s campus. The sustainability garden is a great symbol for our desire to be a more sustainable campus but hardly stands as a considerable effort to actually become more sustainable. Efforts for composting, a larger garden and better waste management would show at least an effort to become more sustainable.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
Dining services has expanded seating to maximum capacity as well as adding the O.R.-to-go option in an effort to combat the growing enrollment within a limited space. In the future it would be wise to designate a larger area for dining but given the current circumstances, dining services has done the best it can.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
The process is not easy to understand, nor are the rules and regulations concerning actually getting awarded funds from SGA. Many groups have found this to be a major burden when trying to get money for their organizations activities, and in some cases it has even stalled the activities of student organizations. The process needs to be clearer and consist of less red tape so that organizations and other student clubs and groups are no longer left out to dry.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
The quality of service is often called into question, and there are many instances in which the head nurse is not available to help. Hours of operation are also very limited and not very conducive to residential students.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No Answer
Kate Gremillion
Mass communication sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
No
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No
While I am in complete support of the Sodexo worker’s union, I don’t believe the union will directly benefit Loyola’s student body. The union will be of great benefit to the workers, but the university will not gain or lose from the formation of a union by the workers.
John Valdespino
Music junior
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
It’s above average. Good Job, Loyola.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No answer
I believe people should make personal choices for themselves, but that is just my opinion.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
I have no problem with myself, but there are obviously people who have. Their problems need to be heard and addressed.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
As a 5 to 7 Foot African-American Male in a white t-shirt, I’ve never had a problem with campus security.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
As long as we encourage and don’t discourage, then I’m fine with it.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
I personally would like to see more tables and another meal plan alternatives than O.R. to go.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
Senate’s doing a good job, but I’d like to see more visible results from the budget. If that means taking SGA to party town (events and more events), then so be it.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Even though no one’s dead yet, I’d like to look into the validity of the complaints before someone is.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
Whatever keeps Vegan Steve making my Hash Browns in the morning is what needs to happen.
VICE PRESIDENT
Michael Morin
Music education sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Retention will continue to be an issue for all Universities across the Nation; however, I believe that by implementing programs such as First Year Seminars to acclimate students to college life is a good step by Loyola Administration and have full confidence that we will continue to make positive strides in the area.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
To address and solve some of the space issues in this past school year, I think that Sophomores should have the option of whether or not to live on campus. For Freshmen, I think it is an integral part of the First-Year Experience to live on campus, and I believe that many of them will ultimately return as Sophomores most cases.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
One issue that has been brought to my attention is the fact the the current Common Curriculum requirements are not where they potentially could be as far as a truly Jesuit set of courses. Creating a more cohesive set of requirements in more of a well rounded set of courses I believe is a goo
d way address these first issues.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
I think that the LUPD is doing a great job at being available and transparent to the students. Having spoken to many of the officers, they have a deep caring for the Loyola Community and try their hardest to address any safety issue-theft, personal security, etc..-as soon as possible.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
In the three semesters I have been at Loyola, I have seen a significant increase in the promoting and implementation of sustainable practices. That being said, I think there is still much more that the Loyola Community can do to improve our footprint, however with the efforts of the Sustainability Committee, Professor Kathy Anzelmo and other University Faculty and Administration we are well on our way to become a more sustainable Loyola.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
Having served on the Dining Services Committee with two other Senators, I believe that Dining Services is doing the best job they can to accommodate Loyola students in the Orleans Room and address the issue of overcrowding. They have added 30 extra chairs and also allowed Loyola Students to use their meal plans at Tulane’s Bruff Commons.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
Having served on the Budget Appropriations Committee this year, I see it necessary to make changes to the way the Committee allocates money to Student Organizations; I want make the process easier for Organizations to acquire money, and outline what SGA funds more accurately.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No answer
With the change of personnel in Student Health I have heard less complaints from the students. Although I realize that there are still issues with individual cases, Loyola’s Health Services is making positive progress.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No Answer
SENATOR-AT-LARGE
Garrett Fontenot
History junior
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No.
The issue of retention is one of the major issues facing Loyola today. My answer of “no” is not exactly accurate, since it reflects my belief that the university has a problem with retention, but it does not mean that the university is not responding. I believe that the administration has implemented some admirable programs and initiatives to try to improve retention rates (namely the First-Year Seminar program, as well as enhanced Living Learning Communities and an overhaul of the Common Curriculum). I say no only because we have yet to see the outcome of these programs, however, I do honestly believe that they will be successful.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
I am not totally opposed to the idea of sophomores living on campus, however, I think it can only be successfully implemented with both improvements to the current housing infrastructure and the construction of additional housing on campus, which is part of the Master Plan for the university. Since this will take some time to complete, I think that the residency requirement should be applied in a lenient fashion, to take into account both students’ desire to live off campus and the general opinion that some of the residence halls are “less desirable” for upperclassmen.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
The current Common Curriculum is not exactly “common” in that some requirements are not the same across all majors. The Common Curriculum serves the core mission of helping to educate the whole person and providing the foundation of a liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition. I currently serve on the Common Curriculum Implementation Task Force, which is working to reform the Common Curriculum so as to provide a true Jesuit education that is available to all students. One of the key factors in doing this is making the Common Curriculum a manageable number of hours for all students, especially those in credit-heavy majors. I believe that some of the changes that will come out of this committee will have a key impact on the education that students receive at Loyola, and, by creating a more cohesive curriculum, help solve some retention issues in the long run.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
In my experience and from the general input I have received from my fellow students, University Police does an excellent job of ensuring the safety of students on campus and in the vicinity of campus. While there have been thefts of personal items across campus, it is important to remember that in many cases safety and security of personal belongings are in some ways the responsibility of oneself: University Police can do only so much. When major problems have arose concerning issues of public safety, University Police has always been quick to respond and implement changes to ensure that students have the safest college experience possible.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
The obvious answer to this question is “yes,” since we should never discourage sustainability. Even those who consider themselves “environmentally friendly” can always do more to decrease their footprint and cut down on the waste they produce. As an environmental studies minor, I’ve studied problems of sustainability extensively, and while it is regrettable that our campus produces so much waste, much of it comes down to the way our society is structured and how we are forced to live our everyday lives. So, yes, I do believe that there is more we as a university can do to encourage sustainability, but it is also important to remember that no matter how much we do, there is always more that can be done. With this, I encourage everyone to examine their own lifestyle and see how they can cut down their footprint. In order to effect change, we must start small, and the best way to do this is to make changes in our own lives.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
I answer “yes” because Dining Services has added as many more seats as legally possible. Some have proposed such radical ideas as banning Tulane students from the Orleans Room, however, if we want to continue to use Wolfbucks at Tulane, we must be willing to let them use our facilities. It is a difficult tradeoff, but it is one that we must accept in order to take advantage of Tulane’s facilities.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
The current budget allocation process serves the purpose it was created for, i.e. to allocate money to student organizations, however, it can be confusing and complicated at times. I am currently working on revising the guidelines for the appropriations process to make it easier for organizations to understand the process and why cuts are made.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No answer
Student Health has made some radical changes in the last year in response to complaints by students. I have no answer for the question because I am honestly not well enough informed on the issue to have an opinion. The number of complaints I have received concerning Student Health has dramatically decreased since Oschner made the changes in response to student concerns, which leads me to assume that it has improved; however, as with everything, there is always room for improvement.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No Answer
The issue of a Sodexo workers’ union is ultimately something that must be decided between Sodexo and its employees. While is is important to be supportive of the workers in their efforts, it is also important to understand that outside involvement is not always beneficial and could ultimately cause more harm than g
ood. While I support their efforts to unionize, I do not believe that the Student Government should play an active role in the actual process of negotiations between Sodexo and its employees. Furthermore, I do not believe that we can accurately predict whether a union would be beneficial at this time, hence I have no answer to this question.
Michael Kammer
Psychology junior
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
I know many people who have not been able to afford to come back to school their sophomore year because of the inability to pay for room and board. Yes, students who have lived on campus show higher retention, but I believe those students are the type that would love it no matter where they go–students who don’t wish to live on campus are only going to be annoyed by being made to live on campus.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Sustainability has been hyped in the past couple of years, and it is not as big of an issue here as we make it seem–although I am very much in favor of being more sustainable.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
Yes
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
Tom Martenstein
History sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No.
When tuition rises, scholarships should too.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
Yes
It allows for the development an inherent community that is not fulfilled in just the Freshman year. However, the basics of Residential Life on campus need to revisited. I strongly support the idea of Living/Learning Communities, but there is still a lot of work to do with them. When it comes to Juniors and Seniors being required, absolutely not.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
I support a very limited Common Curriculum: 5 “Ethics-based” courses (in any subject) and a Freshman Seminar. Students would have more elective slots which would lead to more time for additional majors, minors/concentrations, and languages.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
No
But, I do not believe adding more security cameras will change anything. A stronger and more professional police presence may address this issue- especially along Freret St.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
No
“Sustainability.” What a word. There is a lot of talk going around, but no true action. Loyola’s first step to a green campus needs to be the elimination of plastic bottles.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
The process is confusing. Something that is often forgotten, however, is that SGA WANTS to give you the money you need!
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
This is always a concern. This year, let’s make a visit to Student Health feel like a walk in the park.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No Answer
It is not about Pro-Union v. Anti-Union. It is about supporting our workers and the decision that they decide to make.
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES PRESIDENT
Tanya Hamilton
Political science junior
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
Yes
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No answer
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No Answer
Joey Macasieb
Political science freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
In the area of academics, Loyola has provided many resources to ensure retention. Students have multiple opportunites to get assistance with academic issues on campus which I believe to be the number one issue in the area of retention.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
Sophomores are well aclimated to the college lifestyle and responsibilities associated there in. It is my opinion that sophomores should have the opportunity to live off campus if they so choose.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
No
The common curriculum as it exists now provides Loyola students with a large overview of many areas and should remain the same.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
Public safety and LUPD do a great job of keeping our campus safe.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
No answer
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
The OR is constantly overcrowded during dinner and lunch rushes and it does not seem as though dining services is doing much to combat this issue.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
SGA’s current allocations process seems broken at best. It seems that the process favours certain student organisations over others.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
Yes
Campus health does a great job with its resources of meeting the needs of Loyola students.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
A union for Sodexo workers would improve the quality of life at Loyola through dining services and the union efforts should be supported through and through.
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES SENATOR
Max Bonanno
Political science freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Loyola is definitely doing their part in addressing the issue of retainment. Dr. Kvet has worked very hard on putting together the ‘Master Plan’ which includes dorm renovations and revision of the core curriculum. The execution of the Master Plan is going to be very crucial within the next few years to retain students and if it is carried out close to or as written, retainment rates will most certainly go up.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
Loyola’s master plan caters to an ideal enrollment of 3,200 students. This next semester, Loyola expects 800 new freshman, and at this point in time, our living quarters will not accommodate this number. Rumors of tripling rooms in Biever and possibly banishing more upperclassmen to the not yet renovated Cabra Hall do not bode over well with the student body. Currently as an active Senator in SGA, my campus wide initiative is to reduce overcrowding in the residential halls, part of which includes allowing Sophomores to live off campus. It is in the best interest of the school, in my opinion, to allow Sophomores to live off campus until proper accommodations are provided for students living on campus.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
No answer
The Common Curriculum is definitely a big issue for the student body. We don’t necessar
ily need to revise the Common Curriculum, but definitely look down the road and see what adjustments we as a school are going to have to make for future students.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
I think campus safety is pretty good right now. Our BOLO e-mails keep students updated on recent crimes around campus and officers are also seen roaming around campus securing the students. However, campus security is not something to be taken lightly and should continue to be improved upon.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Loyola’s Master Plan is heavily based on sustainability. Many of the new renovations take into account sustainability and are promoting Green energy. The new renovations are also meant to stay for many years, so we will not have to worry about reworking our campus again in the near future.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Dining Services continue to put band-aids on bullet wounds with their solutions to the overcrowding in the OR. Simply adding more tables or moving the OR-to-GO plan to Satchmos does not solve to problem. The OR needs to be expanded upon and run more efficiently if we plan on keeping a camaraderie with Tulane in letting them come to our cafeteria.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
Yes
The allocations process is a very painful one for SGA. Unfortunately it is inevitable for some organizations to be unhappy with the funds that they are allocated, but at the same time I feel it is the most effective one. Already after this allocations process, multiple organizations have come to SGA with proposals for second-round allocations, and many have succeeded in receiving the funds. The process in place now allows for a fair competition for each group to receive funds, and then to also apply for additional funds if they see fit.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Student Health is often under-staffed and inaccessible. They definitely need to address their hours of operation and the availability of staff.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
A Sodexo worker’s union could most certainly benefit Loyola. Loyola preaches Social Justice and fair wages, and a workers’ union would make these things possible and contribute to the overall morale of our workers.
Emmanuel Herrero
Political science freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
No
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
Yes
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
Joshua Muller
Political science sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
No answer
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
Yes
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
Yes
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No
In reference to the students it would not. The union would only benefit the workers.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS SENATOR
John Beverstock
Business freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No answer
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
With our growing incoming freshmen classes, we will be running out of room for everyone to stay on campus. Also, speaking as a Freshman, I know that a good number of Freshmen students are ready and excited to start living off campus in less standardized living quarters, and are hoping that they will be allowed to start living off campus in the Uptown area starting next year. Living on campus should be optional after Freshmen year.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
No answer
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
I think that we are very well protected between LUPD, Tulane Police, and Tulane’s generous Safe Ride. Not to mention our constant updates on Campus security through BOLO reports.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
No answer
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Something needs to be done so that the students that actually attend Loyola should be able to sit down for dinner and have all the options that The Orleans Room planned on providing that night. Tulane allows us to go to the LBC, which doesn’t run out of food. So shouldn’t The Orleans Room.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
Yes
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
I have been seen by the Student Health clinic twice and turned away 3 times. I think that the Student Health Center should be more adequately staffed.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
We are a Jesuit University and the employees at The Orleans Room have become our friends. We should be paying our friends more than the minimum.
Kayla Butler
Economics sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No
No, I think that they could have more programs in place to encourage students to remain at Loyola. However, the biggest issue that harms retention is the rising cost of tuition. If students can’t afford to pay and their scholarships aren’t increasing as the tuition increases, they have no choice but to drop out.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
As a sophomore, I do not believe we should be required to live on campus. I feel that if we have already had the experience of living on campus our freshman year and were not fully satisfied, we should have the choice to live elsewhere.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
Overall, I think the Common Curriculum provides Loyola students with a diverse background in various fields of study. However, we should not have to take more than two sections of courses such as Religion and Philosophy. If the Jesuit ideals and values are evident outside of the classroom, it isn’t necessary for us to take similar courses like these repeatedly.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
I think Loyola’s Police Force does a great job on campus. However, there should be more officers around the parking garages to protect students’ vehicles. In addition, there should be shuttle service after midnight for Cabra residents who study in the library until 2 am.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Yes, it should be. I also think it is up to individual student organizations to start their own initiatives and from there the entire community could come together for action campus-wide.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
Yes, I think they are doing the best they can regarding th overcrowding issue. I think their main focus now shoul
d be food quality and having enough food for students no matter what time they choose to eat.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
SGA’s budget allocations process is sufficient in serving the students, but it could be better. I think those in charge of the financial process should be more visible and have open communication with the members of the organizations. In that way, they can receive feedback and meet the needs of the students.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Student Health is not sufficiently meeting campus needs. Very often, they do not accept walk-ins and on several occasions when I have visited, no nurse practitioner was available. In addition, they do not have weekend hours for students. This is especially unfortunate for those students who do not have transportation to seek medical care off campus.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
I strongly support the Sodexo workers’ union because I believe that everyone should be treated fairly and deserves substantial pay for the work they perform. A Sodexo workers’ union would benefit Loyola because it would allow students and faculty to put their Jesuit values and passion for social justice into action by standing and fighting for a worthy cause.
Gracie Palombo
Marketing freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
As side for Loyola’s welcoming campus, students enjoy coming back to school. The students form relationships with professors and peers. Also, Loyola is very generous with scholarships and bring students back.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
Loyola is growing, that is no surprise! Requiring sophomores to live on campus leaves less room for incoming freshmen. By your sophomore year, students should be given the option of moving off campus because they are more responsible. This will create more space on the main campus for more students to live.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
No
Common Curriculum is a model of the Jesuit Ideals, and it truly educates the entire person.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
No
LUPD should be present on campus at all times. Students need to feel they are secure at all hours. A big issue is timing, LUPD needs to arrive quicker to the scene of an accident. Also, the Danna Center should always be unlocked as long as the library is open.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
No
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Although Dinning Services have made more of an effort, there are still problems with overcrowding. Between shortages of silverware, no places to sit and no food past 7:00pm, there are still issues which need to be addressed.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
Yes
Any organization who wishes to have money allocated can make a formal presentation to senate. If an organization is unhappy with the amount of money, they can always challenge the results.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
The hours are never convenient for anyone and misdiagnoses happen too frequently.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No
It is important that many students support the Union, but it would not benefit Loyola University.
Maria Solis-Zavala
Marketing freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Personally, I believe there is a high retention rate among Loyola freshmen; however, I think the freshman experience could be improved by having a more approachable faculty member designated to check in with students and help them become more involved with the Loyola community.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
I do not think sophomores should be required to live on campus, but I do believe it is often more convenient because it keeps students connected to campus.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
No
Personally, I believe the current common curriculum is fine the way it is. Sure, it can be tedious at times, but I think it gives Loyola students a well rounded education and additionally it sharpens the study skills needed for the more challenging courses.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
Multiple safety services are available to students, such as police escorts and safe ride. The issue is that many students overlook these services or feel that it is not necessary to use them.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
No answer
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Currently, I do not believe Dining Services is addressing the problem of overcrowding. Nevertheless, there are remodeling plans in the works for next year, so it remains to be seen whether the overcrowding problem is addressed then or not. This is a large problem facing the Loyola community, so if it is not adressed next year, something must be done.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No answer
Since I am not a current member of SGA I do not know whether or not the budget is being adequately allocated. This is something that I will be more familiar with and will watch over if I am chosen to become a part of SGA.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Student Health is not doing enough to meet campus needs. Often times, the Nurse Practitioner is not available and students are forced to wait for long periods of time before they are checked. This is obviously a problem because there are students living on this campus that do not have the ability or resources to go to Urgent Care, therefore, they need to be able to rely on this university service.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No answer
Unions generally are not made to benefit the employer but the employees, so it would depend on what the employees feel.
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND NATURAL SCIENCES PRESIDENT
David Garcia
Psychology sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
Yes
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No answer
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND NATURAL SCIENCES SENATOR
Gregory Smith
Language & culture freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No
Compared to other, larger universities, like Tulane, Xavier, and SUNO, Loyola lacks that big campus atmosphere to which many first year students are attracted. That is perhaps a weakness that cannot be addressed, but if SGA wishes to compensate for this disadvantage, it has to properly advertise Loyola’s strengths compared to these larger institutions. First and foremost, the commitment of Loyola students to service without requirement must be emphasized. It is amazing that there is no requirement for service, yet many students go out of their way to get involved. There is a unity in service that creates a strong bond between students, and even though Loyola lacks the large scale, far-to-
the-ends-of-the-earth campus like Tulane, it does create a close knit community brought together by the universality of its values. Secondly, another issue which will help in retention is upgrading the spectrum of classes offered by the university. I’ve overheard many students complain about the lack of color among the classes. These two suggestions will improve the retention rate.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
I think that a mass survey should be taken so that the students can voice their opinion on the issue. As for me, I enjoy living on campus, so I lean towards yes, but I am flexible according to the concensus among the students.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
Certain common curriculum requirements that are more applicable to certain majors should remain, while those that have nothing to do with a particular field should not have to be taken. For example, if someone is a religious studies major, naturally he should be required to take philosophy courses as a required. Math, on the other hand, is not applicable to the major and therefore should not be required.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
The BOLO’s that are sent to the students through email are very informative as to what crimes are happening nearby. According to my experience, students generally feel safe on campus.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Absolutely! Loyola is truly lacking in this area. Students are not aware of the impact that they are having on the environment. There needs to be heavy promotion of safe ecological practices that are harming the environment so that we do not continue to exacerbate the already deteriorating state of our earth.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No
I think that the problem lies within the seating arrangements. Even though they are aesthetically pleasing, long benches that stretch to both sides of the OR will promote more students who do not know each other to sit with each other and subsequently reduce the amount of space taken up in the OR. If more space cannot be created, then we have to work with what we have. The seating must be strategically placed so that there will be more space.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No answer
I need to research more in this area in order to give a well-informed response. I am only a freshman intern right now and I do not know enough about SGA budget allocations to know whether or not it is adequately serving the students.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No answer
I do not know enough about Student Health because it is not advertised as much as other topics.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No answer
Whether or not a Sodexo worker’s union will benefit Loyola or not depends upon their purpose as a union.
COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND FINE ARTS PRESIDENT
Edward Seyler
Music industry studies junior
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No Answer
I concur with Fr. Wildes’ statement in this matter: “Considering that we improved our first to second year retention this year to 80%, we are clearly moving in the right direction. But we still have room for improvement.”
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
The Main Campus did not have adequate housing this year. Consequently, many students were relocated to Cabra Hall on the Broadway Campus against their will. Until the Main Campus can adequately house them, sophomores should not be required to live on campus.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
The Common Curriculum should be subject to ongoing evaluation. The requirements should provide a liberal education that reflects issues that are or should be important today.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
No answer
Our campus is very safe, especially in comparison to surrounding areas, but the issue of safety must be constantly monitored. The campus police are doing a good job as far as I am aware, but I would need to hear more from the students before I could adopt a particular stance.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
Sustainability has been an important issue for New Orleans over the past four and a half years, and it is an important issue for the future. It is an issue that is very important for me personally. I am an avid supporter of recycling and, more importantly, reusing.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
Yes
The solution that many offer is to discontinue the program allowing Tulane students to credit O.R. meals against their meal plans. This would substantially reduce the traffic to the O.R., but it would also cut a substantial revenue that supports our meal plan. If Tulane students were to stop eating in the O.R., our meals would be more expensive or would suffer in quality, or most likely both. On the other hand, adding tables to the O.R. may or not be advantageous. This would require a knowledge of engineering and fire codes that I do not possess. Overcrowding may be a problem, but we will have to consider the alternatives before we pressure Dining Services to implement new strategies.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No answer
I would require input from those who seek budget allocations before I could answer this question.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No answer
I would require input from those satisfied and dissatisfied with Student Health, and those who manage Student Health, before I could answer this question.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
No
Unemployment is a major problem affecting the entire economy. Today there are, on average, six job seekers for every job offering. If the economy were booming, I would support the efforts of workers to gain leverage against giant corporations that are so notorious for mistreating workers; but in bad times, I fear that it may be in the workers’ best interests not to unionize without giving Sodexho some kind of incentive besides avoiding a labor strike. This is an issue between Sodexho and its employees. I do not wish to involve myself beyond stating my opinion here.
Elissa Moss
Music industry studies freshman
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
Yes
The improvements that are being made to the campus such as the new residence hall, a new student center, and additional parking are excellent moves that the school is making to increase enrollment and retain current students. Also, the plans to increase student and faculty communication will help in keeping students on track and focused so they will stay at Loyola.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
No
After a year of living away from home and adjusting to dorm life, I think that most students are responsible enough to live off campus. Also, it can be easier financially for students to live off campus then to pay for room & board and a meal plan.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
I like the current common curriculum, but it would be nice to see some more creative options for meeting the requirements.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
No answer
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
Yes
With a lack of plastic recycling in New Orleans, it is our responsibility to reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce. It is also the job of the university to make sure that our buildings are green.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Ro
om?
Yes
Now that the Tulane meal plan doesn’t work in the OR, overcrowding has greatly reduced. Dining Services has done a wonderful job of listening to student needs and suggestions. Construction of the new student center will also help with the overcrowding issue.
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
Yes
I think we meet the necessary needs of most organizations and we always fully discuss any other requests for funding.
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
I have heard a lot of complaints about students going to the clinic and not being helped because there is no nurse practitioner present.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
The workers deserve to form a union and set standards for how they are treated and how they are paid. When the dining services staff are happy, there is a positive energy in the OR that should always be there.
COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND FINE ARTS SENATOR
Kim Gaiennie
Music industry studies sophomore
Is Loyola adequately addressing the issue of retention?
No Answer
For the first time since 1998, Loyola has created an action plan for gaining and retaining more students. It’s called Loyola 2012. They plan to do this by building a demand for Loyola education, and expanding to fuller selection of courses. We all know that student numbers dropped after Hurricane Katrina and tactics must be made to boost undergraduate enrollement. We are already seeing improvement from the 2012 program, so I do believe Loyola is adequately adressing this issue.
Do you think sophomores should be required to live on campus?
Yes
Only freshman should be required to live on campus. New Orleans is a place unlike any other, and it does take time to get used to it. However, it shouldn’t take more than two semesters. Sophomores should be held responsible and independent enough to live off campus.
Should Common Curriculum requirements be revised?
Yes
Common curriculum provides for a well-rounded education, however it also takes away focus from a student’s major. Common curriculum should be revised so not as many hours need to be taken, and so that it’s requirements are unified across all majors.
Is campus safety being adequately addressed?
Yes
I think the Loyola does a terrific job at addressing safety. Campus police provide a great presence around campus, and students are always alerted when suspicious activity is occurring. Ultimately, it is up to students to create a safe environment for themselves, Loyola can only enforce mischief or good behavior accordingly.
Should sustainability be promoted more on campus?
No Answer
Recycle bins can be found across campus, and recycled notebooks are sold in the Loyola bookstore. However, many people don’t use or buy them. I think it is great to go green, but students currently don’t even use what we have now.
Is Dining Services sufficiently confronting overcrowding in the Orleans Room?
No Answer
Does SGA’s current budget allocations process adequately serve the students?
No answer
Is Student Health sufficiently meeting campus needs?
No
I think the Student Health Center does a great job with the range of services they offer. However, I’ve heard some students say they were also open on the weekends and during holidays.
Would a Sodexo workers’ union benefit Loyola?
Yes
Sodexo workers deserve to protect their jobs and receive adequate pay. It would benefit the people that work on campus, and therefore benefit Loyola.
