Tag: Social Justice

30 Reasons Why We LOVE Loyola

30 Reasons Why We LOVE Loyola

 

With Valentine’s Day approaching and everyone talking about love, it only seemed appropriate to talk about what Loyola staff and current students have to say about their relationship with Loyola.

Here are 30 reasons staff and students love Loyola:

  1. The ability to go abroad to the Rome center. – Ellen
  2. The incorporation of social justice into academics. – Judy Kyrkos
  3. The small campus feel with access to the city. – Lexy Rux
  4. Being in Chicago. – Maggie
  5. The small class sizes; it really feels like you get one-on-one time with the professors. – Patrick
  6. Being on a beautiful campus with access to downtown. – Adam Buller
  7. Living in Mertz and the chicken tenders from Damen Dining Hall. – Katie
  8. The sense of community. – Ricky Mott
  9. The beautiful campus and social justice focus in all of my classes. – Kara
  10. The small campus feel. – Shaniqua
  11. How the core classes make us a well-rounded person. – Elise
  12. How self-aware the student body is. I’ve never encountered an impolite person on campus. – John
  13. The community feel, size of campus, friendly/welcoming environment, and small class size. – Christy Vargas
  14. How there are Vegan and gluten-free options in the dining halls. – Sarah
  15. Dynamics of taking class on the lake shore campus and downtown. It’s nice to experience the best of both worlds. – Claire
  16. Class sizes, pretty campus, and nice/passionate professors. – Carlee
  17. Diverse community. – Samantha
  18. Friendly environment on campus. – Brittney
  19. Approachable teachers who seem to enjoy their jobs and always want to help you do your best. – Gabby
  20. The view of the lake. – Shannon
  21. I feel safe on campus. – Adrian
  22. Loyola has always given me the opportunity to succeed. – Aaron Brunmeier
  23. The architecture of campus. – Brian
  24. The sense of community. – Aliyah Jervier
  25. I love that Loyola offers something for anyone and everyone who attends so that they can be a part of something and feel included. – Hiba Abbas
  26. I LOVE that every time I step outside and see our beautiful campus I get excited for my day no matter how stressful it is. – Lucy Mooney
  27. I love that Loyola has so many things to offer to their students. Whether it be information on study abroad, fairs talking about feminism, or tutoring for certain classes, Loyola does an amazing job providing us with tools for success. I think that since there are so many resources offered, any type of student can feel like this school is a perfect fit for them. – Katherine Weir
  28. Loyola fosters education both inside and outside the classroom enabling YOU to grow immensely. Upon graduating from Loyola in the spring of 2015, Loyola has taught me that the aim of my education is not the facts, but rather of values. –Joe Sadofsky
  29. How connected students are to the Loyola community. – Callie Short
  30. How Loyola shares the same values as myself. – Alyson Crutchfield

Happy Valentine’s Day from Loyola University Chicago!

Poetic Injustice: A Night of Cultural Resistance

Poetic Injustice: A Night of Cultural Resistance

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In case you haven’t figured it out from the giant wall standing between Damen and Mertz, this week is Palestine Awareness Week at Loyola.  Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) teamed up to spread awareness about the Palestinian resistance and liberation movement.

Yesterday, a friend of mine invited me to one of the events for Palestine Awareness Week.  We joined with many of our fellow students in Mullady Theater for Poetic Injustice: A Night of Cultural Resistance.  Two Arabic artists came to Loyola to perform a sort of hip-hop poetry slam show.  In light of the recent divestment legislation in USGA, the energy in the room was palpable.

Now wherever you stand on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this event was amazing.  The performers were a cool blend of popular culture and social justice, and the crowd hung off their every word.  I can only think to describe Omar Offendum as an Arabic Macklemore, with music that transcends the genre and seeks to spread truth.

The event certainly drew me, even though I don’t have the first-hand experience with the conflict that most of the people in the theater shared.  And even more, it made me want to find out more about Palestine Awareness Week.  Kudos to all those who made the event so amazing!

 

 

Emergency Simulation

Emergency Simulation

UNICEF Fellow Mandy leading a discussion in global issues and emergency response
UNICEF Fellow Mandy leading a discussion in global issues and emergency response

As the leading humanitarian organization in the world, UNICEF is often one of the first responders in times of global crisis.  When natural disasters hit or political conflicts arise, UNICEF sends in people and supplies to help.

With this in mind, UNICEF of Loyola organized an Emergency Simulation that mirrors UNICEF’s lifesaving work.  During the activity, students were presented with a hypothetical global crisis, separated into task groups, and given one hour to formulate a response.

On Monday during the Emergency Simulation, students were told that Pakistan had been hit with an immense monsoon that destroyed countless homes and left thousands of people displaced.  After splitting into six task groups, students decided how to address issues such as budget, water and sanitation, child protection, communication,  and food.  With only an hour, the activity became an adrenaline-driven race to a solution.

A panel of Loyola doctoral students and UNICEF volunteers facilitated the activity, assisting students and raising issues that influenced how they made decisions.  The activity was followed by a group discussion of the social and political forces that converge in times of global crisis.  On top of that, Einstein bagels and Giordano’s Pizza were shared with all the participants.

As a political science major and sociology minor, not to mention a member of UNICEF, this activity was right up my alley.  I would encourage any student interested in global issues and social justice to attend this event in the future.

One Billion Rising

One Billion Rising

Following in the spirit of Jesuit values, the Loyola community is committed to social justice.  This commitment is all too clear among Sociology students.  This semester, I am taking a class on social movements and social change.  Over the Valentine’s Day weekend, one of my classmates actually participated in a social movement: One Billion Rising.

One Billion Rising is a global campaign that brings attention to gender inequality and violence against women.  Female survivors of violence and those who love and support them gather in public places to break the silence and share their stories.  It also examines the interlocking forces that contribute to such injustice, such as poverty, racism, imperialism, and patriarchy.  On February 14, 2013, participants in 207 countries gathered to call for change.  One year later, it’s obvious that this movement is steadily growing.

On Valentine’s Day, participants gathered in downtown Chicago to join the movement.  The day was filled with speakers and dancing, all in support of the cause.  My classmate was even featured as a speaker, reading a poem she had written advocating for gender equality.

After hearing about the movement and doing some of my own research, I was disappointed to have missed such a powerful event.  Fortunately, One Billion Rising holds events year round to maintain momentum and spread awareness.  Not only that, but there’s always next Valentine’s Day to stand up and support my fellow women!

UNICEF of Loyola

UNICEF of Loyola

DISCLAIMER: This blog post is a shameless promotion of a truly amazing on-campus organization in which I happened to be a member.

The Organization Fair is quickly approaching, and many undergraduates at Loyola are looking for new opportunities and activities.  Whether a student is looking for something he or she truly believes in, or simply looking for a way to fill some free time, there is certainly a group for everyone.

This year, I am a member of the Executive Board for UNICEF of Loyola.  Our first semester was a smashing success, and we’re looking for new members to join our group and keep the momentum going.  UNICEF is a leading global non-profit that works to end preventable child deaths across the globe.  Our club raises money and awareness for this cause.

So if you’re looking for a new organization to join, and you’re interested in social justice, stop by and check out UNICEF’s table at the Org Fair.  I promise you will not be sorry!

Loyola’s Best Dance Crew

Loyola’s Best Dance Crew

The time has come.  The battle will soon begin.  Who has the moves to win?  You be the judge.

UNICEF of Loyola will be hosting the second annual Loyola’s Best Dance Crew on November 12!  The event invites dance groups on campus to bring their best moves to compete for the title.  The $5.00 admission gets you a ticket that can be used to vote for your favorite crew.  The winning group will receive a trophy and eternal bragging rights.

All proceeds will benefit the United States fund for UNICEF.  This is a leading global non-profit that works to end preventable child deaths around the world.  UNICEF specifically targets things like clean water, sanitation, vaccinations, maternal care, and education.  Our chapter raises money and awareness for this cause.

So with a great event and an even greater cause, how can you say no?  Be sure to check it out!

Chicago Hopes

Chicago Hopes

From my new friend Alexis

One of my favorite parts about Loyola is the number of opportunities for service that are presented to the students.  Being a service-oriented person, I have always been drawn to that aspect of my school.

When I was a freshman, I signed up for an organization called Loyola 4 Chicago.  What I didn’t know then was how involved I would soon become.  Loyola 4 Chicago (or L4C) is a service-based group that runs through the Center for Community Service and Action.  Students sign up for a semester-long commitment, and L4C sends them to various volunteer sites throughout the Chicago area.

I have volunteered as a tutor in three different locations since I joined L4C.  But my experience this year is unlike anything I’ve ever done before.  Currently, I’m volunteering as a tutor at Chicago Hopes, a non-profit organization that aims to serve the homeless children in Chicago.  Unfortunately, the average age of a homeless person in Chicago is 9. Consequently, the people at Chicago Hopes have their work cut out for them.

Chicago Hopes works in various homeless shelters throughout Chicago, though I have been working for one in Uptown called Cornerstone Community Outreach.  Located just off the Wilson Red Line, Cornerstone shelters homeless men, women, and children.  Chicago Hopes comes in every day to offer an after school program for the children staying in the shelter.

I have been working with a second grader named Alexis.  She may be small, but the girl is bursting with personality!  I usually have to remind her to start on her homework, because I think she would be perfectly content to just sit and chat for our entire two hour session.  Even though we’ve only worked together a few times, she is already talking to me like we’re old friends.

Chicago Hopes has been my first volunteer experience with the homeless, and easily the most rewarding.  I am humbled by the life and spirit that I’ve seen in these kids.  Without the stability of a physical home, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to focus on an education.  Yet the children of Chicago Hopes show up everyday ready to work.

And the motivation in the students is a clear reflection of the Chicago Hopes staff.  The entire organization is run by volunteers who have a vested interest in the lives of these children.  It is through their hard work and dedication that the organization continues to grow.

I would encourage anyone looking for service opportunities to take a look at Chicago Hopes.  Its name truly does it justice.