Meal Plan Controversy

Learning Communities

         High school is winding down and Loyola University is just beyond the horizon.  There are lots of adventures waiting for you, so why not go through them with people who are just like you?
       
         It's not too late to join a Living-Learning Community at Loyola, so make sure to jump on it.  Not only do residents in learning communities feel right at home, but they are more connected to the university because of all the activities the communities participate in.
       

Wellness Learning Community

          Loyola Currently has 6 learning community options:
                        - Greenhouse
                        - International Learning Community
                        - Leadership Learning Community
                        - Multicultural Learning Community
                        - Service and Faith Learning Community
                        - Wellness Learning Community
Housing for the learning communities has not been finalized yet, but that information will be available soon.
       
         If that isn't enough, did you know that students in Learning Communities on average have higher GPAs than students who don't?  A lot of fun and good grades are the perfect recipe for success in college.

Check Out

          The 2012-2013 school year is sadly coming to an end, and that means that it’s time to move out. With final exams and last minute projects galore, this time of year can be really stressful.
       
          To avoid a lot of the hassle, make sure to have open communication with your roommates. If there is a mess, pointing fingers at the end will result in both roommates paying a fine. Make sure to finalize who cleans what, and who takes ownership of what damage.
       
          If you need an extended stay (up till May 12th) you have until 4 pm on April 23rd to sign up for that. For everyone else, the last day to sign up for check out is April 29th. Failure to do so will result in a $100 fine.
       
          Make sure that you are on time to your appointment. If you show up more than 10 minutes late to check out, you will be fined $100. If you are overwhelmed by the large number of things that you have to do before you move out, don’t be. Here are 8 steps to simplifying the check-out process.

Baumhart Hotel

This is a satirical news broadcast I did about the Baumhart Hotel.  This school year is the first time that non Loyola students will be able to stay in Baumhart Hall during the school year.  Please let me know what you think about the idea below.

Meal Plan Controversy

          Everyone knows that college costs increase as time goes on, but few could foresee the exorbitant rise in meal plan prices.

         Under the current reform, the 2 year cost for food at Loyola will be over $8000, and it is expected to rise to over $9000 dollar over a 2 year span in the coming years. 

         This represents a 12% increase in meal plan costs for Freshman and a 150% increase in meal plan costs for sophomores who no longer have the $685 declining balance option.  

         Numerous students protested last Friday afternoon at the quad on the Lake Shore Campus.  Despite the protest and talks with Loyola University administration, no immediate changes seem likely. 

          Because of the strong attendance and support for the cause, there will likely be another protest.  Contact Shay Collins at bcollins5@luc.edu if you want to get involved with the cause.  

Photo by: campusdish.com

Fire in Baumhart

Baumhart Hall

       Though there were no physical injuries, the grease fire in Baumhart Hall last week did a lot of damage.  Residents in floors 10 through 13 in the Water Tower Campus’ Baumhart Hall will have to be relocated.

       
       Authorities suspect that the fire occurred around 2 a.m. during a cooking incident.  The female residents did not know how to utilize a fire extinguisher, and added water to the fire, making it worse.  They eventually pulled the fire alarm which activated the sprinklers.

       
     It was the sprinklers, not the fire, which created most of the damage.  Residents within floors 10-13 will be relocated to other residence halls for the time being.  Currently, it appears unlikely that they will receive compensation for any goods that were damaged. 

     The university is optimistic that the relocated residents will be able to move into their dorms soon.  However, there is a strong possibility that they will spend the rest of the semester in their new locations.    



Fire photo by: www.cbs19.tv
Baumhart phot by: Loyola University Chicago Alumni Newsletter

The End of an Era

Lake Shore Dining Hall

            Despite bringing hope for a new and exciting future, the new    Damon student center also marks the end of a historic era.  The student center will arrive in one week, and end the reign of Lake Shore Dining.

            Lake Shore Dining has been an integral part of student life on the Lake Shore Campus since 1969.  Friday, March 29 will be the last day that students will have access to the dining hall and Rambler Room. 

Rambler Room

   

         The Damon dining hall will open on April 1^st to accommodate for student meal plans because of the closing of the former two dining services.  Students on Lake Shore Campus will have to use Simpson dining hall during the two days in between.  Access to the rest of the student center will be restricted until April 3, when the student center formally opens.   

            There are festivities planned for all of Wednesday, the opening day of the student center.  There are only 4 days until closing, so make sure that you pay your homage to the dining hall and rambler room as soon as you can.

Photos by: campusdish.com