Loyola University Chicago’s Pakistani Students’ Association presents to you the third annual Explore Pakistan. With this year’s theme of “Jashn-e-Bahara,” we are celebrating the season of Spring, bursts of color, new blooms, and Pakistan. Join us in the celebration of Pakistani culture with Pakistani food, music, colorful decorations, and more!
This event will have live food stations, performers, dinner, and dancing.
All attendees must have a ticket to gain entrance.
Loyola Students: FREE tickets w/ID
Non-Loyola Students: $10 [Non-refundable]
Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis.
Dress to impress: Formal attire is required!
Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.
Open dance floor at 8:30 p.m.
Doors will close at 8:00 p.m.
All profits will be donated to Doctors Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to a PSA Executive Board member.
***Do not bring and/or come under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If any issues occur, Loyola University Campus safety will strictly and promptly escort you out and will take legal action if necessary***
New Years, again? In many parts of Asia, New Years is celebrated based on the Lunar calendar rather than the traditional Gregorian calendar starting on January 1st. This year, New Years falls on February 16, 2018 and it so happens to be the year of the dog (based on the 12-year zodiac cycle). Those who are are born during the year of the dog are known to be communicative, serious, and responsible in work!
Here at Loyola University, the Vietnamese and Chinese Student Association (VSA & CSA) have put together an event to celebrate this fun and joyous holiday. Our event will take place on Tuesday, February 13 at Sr. Jean Dolores Schmidt Multipurpose Room (North and South) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
VSA & CSA have been planning for 3 months to bring to the Loyola community a wonderful cultural experience of New Years. We will feature cultural and study abroad presentations, a lot of Asian-based organizations, traditional games, and a prize booth. Nevertheless, it will be an event in which offers inclusiveness, educational components, and tons of fun for everyone.
In addition to all of this, VSA & CSA have worked hard to bring in traditional lion dancing for entertainment! The event will comprise of 2 performances. The first performance will open up with lion dancing. As customary, they will wake up from a slumber and dance to the sounds of the drums and symbols. To bring good luck to this event, they will perform the “Choy Cheng ” ceremony in which they will receive their lucky money. After, the students may even get to interact with them, as they are playful and social! Their second performance will be focus on-stage with many tricks as people sit and enjoy their food.
In terms of food, we have a variety of Vietnamese and Chinese options. As learned from VSA’s recent Cuisine Night event, we have ordered sufficient food to accommodate the large expected attendance and considered many vegetarian options. On top of all this, we have dessert! We will have traditional New Years cake, known as Nian Gao, cuties, fortune cookies, Vietnamese Banh Cam, and an assortment of candies. For Loyola students, this is free admission and with free food, so we hope to see many LUC students attend!
New Years is primarily a time for celebration with friends and family. It is a perfect time to get together and have fun with each other. We hope that the Year of the Dog brings you luck, happiness, and prosperity to you and success will happen throughout the year!
See YOU at our event on Tuesday, February 13 6pm at Damen MPR!
BE GAME FOR GAME NIGHT!!! Be sure to stop by Palm Court on February 7th 6pm to play Pakistani games and meet the E-board members. Food and drinks will be served!
Come enjoy a night full of fun and games! Meet our E-board members and challenge your friends to your favorite board and card games including Ludo and Carrom! Ludo and Carrom are very popular games played in the Pakistani culture, and if you’ve never played, you’re in for a treat, and a challenge! Stop by for PIZZA, drinks, and to learn about our upcoming events!
Games include:
Ludo
Carrom
Playing Cards
Twister
Uno
Taboo
Jenga
Cards against Humanity
WEDNESDAY February 7th at 6 PM
Mundelein Center, Palm Court *This event is for Loyola Students only*
Be sure to check out the promotional videos for this event on Loyola Pakistani Students’ Association Facebook page!
Pakistani Students’ Association (PSA) hopes everyone is ready for the Thanksgiving holidays. As we approach the end of the semester, things can be quite stressful, but that is why PSA is inviting you to yet another exciting event! To celebrate a successful semester and to thank you all for your support, BREAKFAST IS ON US!!! We will be serving Halwa Puri with Aloo and Cholay along with Kashmiri Chai. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this popular Pakistani breakfast, halwa is a sweet that comes with a deep fried bread (puri) and is typically served with potato (aloo) and curries mixed of chickpeas (cholay). Bring your friends along and enjoy Nashta November!!!
When: Monday, November 20, 2017 from 11am-1pm
Where: Damen MPR South
Note:Loyola Students Only.
We look forward to seeing you all this Monday! This will be our last event of the semester so stay tuned for what we have planned next!
Also if you have not done so already, please follow us on our social media!
Pakistani Students’ Association at Loyola University Chicago is holding a mock wedding ceremony on Friday, November 3rd, at 6 p.m. at Damen MPR. The goal is to recreate a Pakistani wedding ceremony.
Pakistani wedding ceremonies consist of colorful decorations, lavish clothes, tasty food, heart-warming rituals, and more!
This event will feature a mock wedding with a bride and groom, performers, dance, and dinner.
All attendees must have a ticket to gain entrance.
Loyola Students: FREE tickets w/ ID
Non-Loyola Students: $10
Dress to impress: Formal attire is required!
Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.
Open dance floor at 8:30 p.m.
Doors will close at 8:00 p.m.
All profits will be donated.
This event is sponsored by SAF.
In July, Senators Lindsey Graham (R–SC) and Richard Durbin (D–IL) introduced the Dream Act of 2017. If passed, this bipartisan legislation would:
Grant current DACA beneficiaries’ permanent resident status on a conditional basis and allow temporary protected status (TPS) beneficiaries, people without lawful immigration status, and people with final orders of removal the opportunity to apply for it.
Permit a conditional permanent resident (CPR) to obtain lawful permanent resident (LPR) status (sometimes referred to as getting a “green card”) if they go to college, have worked for a certain amount of time, or served in the U.S. military, in addition to meeting other requirements.
Provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship. A person would have to be a CPR for eight years before they could become eligible to apply for LPR status, and after about five years as an LPR, they could apply for U.S. citizenship.
Stay (stop) the removal proceedings of anyone who meets Dream Act requirements as well as young people over 5 years of age who are enrolled in elementary or secondary school.
Improve college affordability for undocumented youth and other immigrants by giving states the ability to provide access to in-state tuition or state financial aid programs like Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants.
This month, Loyola University Chicago encouraged students to send a message to their local U.S. Representative or Senator. These notes were pre-printed letters written on behalf of students who are directly affected by the fate of this program.
Over three days, 2,454 members of the Loyola community participated at the Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses. Most of them were students. In total, 7,362 letters were sent to 84 Senators and 297 U.S. Representatives—from a total of 43 states and territories.
As a Jesuit, Catholic institution, Loyola University Chicago firmly believes in the dignity of each person and in the promotion of social justice. The Loyola students and other undocumented immigrants who would benefit from the Dream Act were brought here as children and now represent a wealth of talent who are woven into the fabric of our communities. The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are among the many organizations who join Loyola in support.
Many Loyola Students have been affected, including Students Zarna Patel and Cristina Nunez. Patel has been able to pursue her dreams with her DACA status. She looks forward one day to starting her own nonprofit, promoting better health education and access to care for underserved communities, especially women and children. Nunez receives a Magis Scholarship from Loyola, a highly selective financial aid program for students with DACA status. She is a powerful advocate for social justice, seeking opportunities and justice on behalf of all undocumented people.
The most important and effective thing you can do is to contact your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate, and urge them to pass the Dream Act of 2017. Loyola University Chicago encourages everyone to contact their members of Congress and express their opinion on the legislation, whether you support or oppose it.
To do so, you can contact your congressperson or senator with the following links:
For more information about Loyola’s advocacy for the Dream Act of 2017, please contact Phil Hale, Loyola’s vice president for government affairs at phale@LUC.edu.
Loyola is a institution where diversity and inclusion are valued and cherished. Here, we accept all nationalities, religions, immigration status, sexual orientations, socioeconomic status, genders, and more! On campus, we have resources available to help students feel part of the community and feel welcome during their college experience. To aid in this, Loyola has been accepting more minority groups into the school with over 40% of the 2015 Freshman and Transfer students were students of color (Asians, African Americans, Hispanics, and others. To view the full report check out: (http://www.luc.edu/diversityandinclusion/ataglance/diversityataglance/)
Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (SDMA)
Here are the three key learning outcomes that SDMA embraces (based on their website):
Students will be able to express ideas, identify behaviors, and actualize practices that promote social justice and equity.
Students will be able to articulate ideas and exhibit behaviors that cultivate teamwork, critical thought, and communication skills needed to function in a diverse workforce and global community.
Students will be able to demonstrate techniques and utilize tools to interrupt micro-aggressions and bias behaviors that adversely impact under-represented communities.
Within the office, there are many programs that students of all different backgrounds can be a part of. Sometimes, these groups hold retreats, meetings, and help find resources for students as well. Some examples of this include Brothers for Excellence which helps pair up young identifying men of color with mentors to help with curricular and out of school matters. Women also have a group called LUCES (Loyola University Chicago Empowering Sisterhood) which helps young identifying women of color opportunities for academic support, have chances to reflect, share experiences with others, as well as developing their sense of self and identity. To check the different opportunities made available to racial and sexual minorities, here at Loyola be sure to check out: (http://www.luc.edu/diversity/programs/) for more information.
Campus Ministry
Loyola, even though it is a Jesuit institution, is a place where all faiths and religious traditions can come together. We offer Catholic Chaplains, a member of Jewish Life (Hillel), a Protestant Chaplain, as well as a Muslim Chaplain all on campus in the Campus Ministry Office. We also offer prayer spaces for students whether it is a call to prayer for Muslim students or the annual Puja celebration for Hindu students. There are also opportunities for students to get involved with Alternative Break Immersion trips (ABIs) as well as the first year student Loyola 360. For more info please check: (http://luc.edu/campusministry/index.shtml)
Congratulations! You have survived your first three weeks of school and have hopefully become acquainted with your new home here at Loyola University Chicago! Yes, you have a homework, projects, and papers, but hopefully you are able to take time for yourself, some “Me-Time”. College is not just about the academics (which are very important), but it is also about exploring your passions and pursuing your interests. Here are some suggestions to help you have a academically successful as well as a well-rounded, balanced first year at your new school.
Do not spread yourself too thin: After coming from the activities and organization fair in the fall, you may become overwhelmed and wonder how you are going to balance your school load as well as your extracurricular life. This is a perfectly normal feeling! Know and have a feeling of your stress level and how much you can take, then plan accordingly. I realized this hard way the first semester of my sophomore year. I thought that taking on a 21 credit hour load, with a job on campus as a Peer Advisor with three UNIV courses, a bass trombonist for the Wind Ensemble, prepare for a recital, be a Kuya (peer mentor) for Kapwa (the Filipino Student Organization), and work at the Undergraduate Admissions Office; would be doable and manageable. Oh, how was I wrong! After the first week of classes, I was highly stressed and could hardly have a chance to relax. That’s when I realized that I had spread myself too thin. To counteract this, I cut down my academic load to 18 credit hours. It was after this decision was I able to relax and fully evaluate my school balance. To teach my students the importance of knowing how much you can take, I told my UNIV students the same thing I am telling you. You know yourself better than anyone else!
Get Involved: Was there a club, organization, sport that you truly enjoyed during high school? There is almost certainly a club like this and more at Loyola! And, if you do not find something but want to start it, Loyola always welcomes new ideas for clubs/activities for its students to join and be a part of. There are also plenty of events to allow students to get involved with service and charity. When coming to Loyola I looked for clubs that I was interested in and also fit my hectic commuting schedule. After being a part of my high school’s Filipino Tinikling Group, I knew I wanted to be a part of Kapwa (Loyola’s Filipino Student Organization) and be a part of their mentoring program. I was fortunate enough to have wonderful mentors (three wonderful Ates) who I am still in touch with. Additionally, I knew I wanted to be part of Loyola’s Wind Ensemble. In high school, I was highly involved in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Marching Band, and Musical Theatre. Being in the Ensemble allowed me to relax while doing something I enjoy, playing music! Whatever club/organization you end up choosing, be dedicated and be a leader!
Take Advantage of Chicago: You are in Chicago, the third most populated metropolitan area in the United States behind New York City and Los Angeles! What are the perks of a city like Chicago? There is always something for you to do! Whether you want to go to the world renowned museums, watch concerts at Millennium Park, or hang out in Chicago’s small towns and neighborhoods; it is all doable in a city like Chicago. All of these attractions are within a swipes reach? Yes, you heard that right, part of your tuition to Loyola includes something called a U-Pass allowing students access to all CTA Trains and Buses. Take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity!
Take Time For Yourself: This one is self-explanatory but be sure to give yourself the time to relax and enjoy and not get too stressed. If you need help in managing stress and getting adjusted to college life, there are always those who can help you out. From a therapy dog to counselors, there are always people who want you to take care of yourself!
Take a deep breath and fully appreciate the experiences and opportunities that Loyola University Chicago and the city of Chicago has to offer you! Adventure is out there!
Uncertainty, trepidation, and full of antici…pation, you have arrived at Loyola University Chicago and are about to embark on your college experience! Whether you are the first one in your family to go to college or you are the first sibling/child to go to Loyola, we are ready to welcome you to the Loyola family! I understand that many of you are at different points of your college career. The purpose of this blog “Life El-elevated” is help students coming from a variety of backgrounds to get better acquainted with their new home.
A Little About Me:
My name is Miguel L Molina and I am a Junior at Loyola University Chicago! I am a student of the School of Communications pursuing a degree in Advertising/Public Relations with minors in Marketing and International Relations (with focuses in Latin America and Asia/Pacific). Likewise, I am also a member of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. When I am not studying, I work as the Marketing Program Assistant at Quinlan School of Business and as a Student Blogger at the Undergraduate Admissions Office. During my free time, I enjoy playing piano and bass trombone; trying new cuisines; exploring unique bookstores and reading classic literature/Spanish literature!
Here is some of what to expect:
The Month of September: I will give you some tips to enjoying your first year at Loyola University Chicago, a shameless plug to appreciate the opportunities of getting the chance to Study Abroad, getting ready for Family Weekend 2017, and appreciate and be a part of the diversity that Loyola has to offer!
Every Other Week starting October 10: Join me as I help you explore Chicago: CTA Red Line Edition as we explore major red line stops on Chicago’s El to learn fun places to hang out with friends, eat quality food on a student budget, and places you can treat yo’ self (bookstores, boutiques, and speciality shops). We will be starting South from Cermak-Chinatown, through the Loop, to ethnic neighborhoods, passing through Loyola, and all the way toward the North end of the Red Line at Howard. I will be giving you some tips and ways you can enjoy your new Chicago backyard all with your student U-Pass.
Every Other Week starting October 3: I will be giving all of you tips on finding your way around Loyola whether it be looking for an on campus job, the history of Loyola, on campus resources/opportunities, and ways to be an active member of the Rambler Community!
November 21: Thanksgiving Weekend Special! (almost done with your first semester of college, you just turned in your college applications)
December 5: Finals Special with tips on how to study for finals, taking care of yourself, and on campus resources to help you, and tips on how to sell your books to get the best return for your hard earned money
March 20: Tips on Deciding your College Major/Program of Study (utilizing Loyola’s tools, evaluating your own interests, finding what you are passionate about, useful resources)
May 1: College Decision Time! (It’s Time)
Need a Summer Playlist? WLUW Has The Best Tunes For You!
As you all must know by the multitude of blogs I’ve written about it, Loyola has one of the hottest radio stations in the Chicagoland area: 88.7 WLUW. Even if you don’t live in the area, though, you don’t need an FM station to stay tuned to the hottest underground artists we know and love!
WLUW’s website (wluw.org) offers an mp3 live stream where you can listen on your laptop or other electronic devices. On top of that, WLUW also offers a phone app! Just search WLUW in the App Store or Google Play Store and you can keep your music going wherever you go!
WLUW is a wonderful opportunity for music discovery, from playing well-known bands such as Arcade Fire and Tame Impala to much lesser known artists such as Warik, Thundercat, and Jay Som! Keeping the music going 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can even check the schedule to tune in to some of specialty shows, such as Inside the Vault, which discusses WLUW’s history as a budding college radio station in the 1970s.
Want a little bit more of a visual performance? WLUW also has a YouTube channel where they post videos from live band performances at our School of Communications! I’ve personally been able to sit in for a few of those performances that should be released over this summer, and they are DEFINITELY something you don’t want to miss seeing. The bands the station pulls in are usually from Chicago, however for the Taste of Iceland Festival a couple weeks ago, two bands from Reykjavik, Iceland were nice enough to come and offer us performances!
Either way, if you need tunes to listen to to help crank through the rest of finals week, this summer, or this coming school year, WLUW is always rocking out on the airwaves, no matter how near or far away you are from your favorite city.
