The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 96, Issue 15 - January 10, 2018

7.018 / с <0| LOYOLAN www.LALOYOLAN.com - EST. 1921 - Chronic Illness Group celebrates 10 years of student support What is a chronic illness? A chronic disease is one lasting three months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear. Examples of Chronic Illnesses Arthritis Asthma Celiac Disease Crohn's Disease Cystic Fibrosis Depression Diabetes EDS "Overall, I hope we can move towards creating an open dialogue about chronic illnesses/disabilities so that students, faculty, and staff are more comfortable asking questions and therefore become more aware of their impact." Samantha Geier, senior environmental science major Information compiled by Olivia Round, Interim Managing Editor; Graphic by Diana Raynes I Loyolan Epilepsy Heart Disease HIV/AIDS IBS Lupus Multiple Sclerosis Schizophrenia Ulcerative Colitis LMU’s Chronic Illness Group hits 10 years, and is still one of the few groups of its kinds. Olivia Round Managing Editor @LALoyolan With the start of the new semester, LMU ’s campus has seen students walking quickly from class to work to meetings, stopping in their paths only long enough to say a quick hello to friends they haven’t seen in a while. Schedules are exchanged, plans to meet up are shared and complaints about homework are already on the tips of everyone’s tongues. But for some students, coming back to school means more than just earlier mornings and busier social schedules. It means having to navigate an environment that was not necessarily built for their success. For Samantha Geier, a senior environmental science major, this means everything— from getting dressed to filling gas in her car to rolling around campus to cooking a meal— can pose extra challenges. Geier was diagnosed with spina bifida, which she says “primarily affects the function/strength of [her] legs.” As a result, she almost exclusively uses her wheelchair to get around. While this can cause some physical obstacles, like having to go out of her way to use a ramp into a building, Geier also has to account for chronic pain management which “is another factor that can slow [her] down sometimes and is less predictable than accessibility.” For Alexa Buerger (‘17), who was diagnosed with Celiac disease her freshman year at LMU, one of the biggest challenges of a chronic illness is adjusting to having your “energy levels, mood and quality of sleep at the whim of your illness.” Managing the stress of her disease quickly became the most difficult part. Buerger explained that while many students could pull all-nighters, and eat anything they wanted to keep focus on school, her situation was different . “I was a full time student and worked 20 hours a week as a personal trainer until I graduated — if I dared sacrifice a sense of balance I was sure to pay for it, and my body would begin to shut down,” said Buerger. “So in a sense this was the See Chronic | Page 3 Check out Sodexo's New Year's plan for the Lair! Page 13 LMU women's basketball in 2nd after 3-1 WCC start. Page 16 VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 1 5 Senate resolution to increase diversity efforts A new ASLMU resolution will allocate $2,000 a year for “undeserved communities.” Kellie Chudzinski Editor-in-Chief @LALoyolan Last semester, the ASLMU Senate passed a resolution “in support of increasing diversity efforts at LMU” following a controversial Snapchat that circulated on campus, the organization said. The resolution, that passed Thursday, Dec. 14, will designate $2,000 to pay for the transportation of students from “underserved communities” to campus, from ASLMU University Affairs budget. The resolution stated that the views expressed in the Snapchat photo to be different from ASLMU and recognized that the Snapchat is not an isolated incident. It also cited other instances of discrimination on campus that had been “rooted in racism and classism.” The Snapchat depicted children on a campus visit with MEChA and referred to them as “lower socioeconomic” minorities that LMU would admit later through affirmative action. Students have alleged that former Senator at Large Katie Porter is responsible for the photo. Porter resigned from her position on the senate on Dec. 13, and had previously denied claims she created the Snapchat during the ASLMU senate meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Senator At Large Melissa Cedillo and Chair of University Affairs Christopher See Resolution | Page 3 2018 California Law Rundown The start of a new year means the start of new laws in California. Here is a rundown of the changed legislation that may affect you: Щ&ШШЕЗ& Reaffirming its position as a sanctuary state, California state and local law enforcement agencies are not allowed to use funds or personnel in the investigation and detainment of people for immigration enforcement purposes. Officers cannot ask about someone’s immigration status. It is now officially legal to purchase recreational marijuana to those 21 and over at specific, licensed shops. However, because federal law still prohibits the public use of even medical marijuana, use of cannabis in any form is still prohibited on campus. A series of new laws is aimed at improving the housing affordability problem in California. New fees, such as a fee on real estate transactions, are projected to provide $300 million annually for affordable housing projects. Miscellaneous Restrooms must now provide diaper changing stations in men's restrooms. ft Jaywalking tickets can no longer be issued for stepping into the crosswalk after the flashing signal begins. Yj JM California's official state dinosaur is now the herbivore Augustynolophus ormation compiled by Sami Leung; Interim News Edit Graphic by Kevin Chan I