Accessible parking spaces are provided for the purpose of supporting those with disabilities and allowing them to move through the world with ease. To park in an accessible parking space and the additional access aisle without a disability parking certificate shows a lack of respect, empathy, and ignorance in the violator. Unfortunately, I have seen this kind of behavior throughout the CSB+SJU community, and it must stop. Parking in an accessible parking spot is a direct violation of disability parking and a lack of respect for those who do need accessible parking not only for their mobility but also for their safety. There have been multiple instances of vehicles parking in not only the disability parking space but also the accessible space that is right next to the disability parking in Lot 15, on the north side of Luetmer. This kind of behavior must stop, as it is not only a violation of state law but also a direct violation of CSB+SJU’s community standards and expectations. It is particularly disturbing to know that the upper-class residential halls have members who have disabilities, who use a wheelchair, and live on the north side of Luetmer, therefore requiring disability parking to only be used by those who need the space. Wanting a good parking spot is not a good enough reason.

The process of getting a disability parking certificate is a process that requires counsel with a health professional who certifies that the applicant fits the criteria for a disability parking certificate, according to the Minnesota Council of Disability. Obtaining a disability parking certificate allows the holder to park in designated disability parking spaces, which are placed in areas that help reduce any obstacles for those with disabilities that able-bodied people may not encounter. Disability parking certificates are not given to anyone. It is important to remember that those with disabilities are just trying to live their lives to the best of their abilities, and it is not their fault that ableism is so deeply rooted in society. Everyone must remember that no one is guaranteed to be able-bodied for the rest of their lives; we live in uncertainty, and life can change at any moment. To spend that time, insensitively taking space that has been purposefully set aside for the ease of others is a gross misuse of that time.

For more than 30 years, CSB has committed to college access by pursuing federal TRIO grants and hosting Upward Bound since 1995. Something about that commitment changed between September 2025 and January 2026. Many TRIO programs closed in September, when the Department of Education was over three weeks late in getting Grant Award Notices to their continuing programs. Unlike many institutions, CSB took the leap of faith to support staff salaries and programming during the gap, not knowing whether those investments would eventually be reimbursed. We’re thankful to confirm they have.

As we began our 31st year on campus, CSB revoked its historic financial support (4% of the total grant award). In December, the Upward Bound program filed a grievance with the College for effectively causing the program to withhold required services to at least 5 current participants. In early January, the College responded by announcing its intention to no longer pursue the continuation of the grant.

The rationale given to program staff include increasing financial constraints, enrollment pressures, uncertainty in federal funding, and alignment with True North Journey and similar priorities. Leadership has insufficiently explained how letting go of their only hands-on college-access program alleviates enrollment pressures. Federal funding is confirmed through a grant competition every 5 years, wherein 100% of program funds are awarded annually if the program’s objectives continue to be met. Furthermore, the program spends an average of $50,000 per year on campus, pays for its operating expenses via the grant, and CSB receives 8% of the grant award to use as it pleases.

In the end, it appears CSB might get what it wants. CSB will lose access to a national network of 800,000 motivated, supported pre-college youth. CSB will lose three professionals demonstrably versed in college skill-building, access, and retention. CSB will lose a partner for its Community Engaged Learning classes, Scholarship and Creativity Day projects, Carnegie classification, student employment, and student development. CSB will harm the lives of 64 youth. All the while, CSB will continue talking about living out the
Benedictine values of human dignity, stability, and preferential treatment for the poor and vulnerable.

Sincerely,
Alexandra Scheibelhut
Upward Bound Program Director

Rejection seems to tap into the deepest fears we have… feelings of inadequacy or being unloveable. When we feel this way, we retreat from living fully and openly in the world. We may choose to avoid social situations, or reject others before they can reject us, or bully others to insulate ourselves from the pain of loneliness. All of these actions give us a sense of control over a situation and allow us to feel as though we are choosing our situation rather than have it chosen for us. It does not, however, diminish the pain of rejection or assist us in building our sense of worth and lovability. We first must cope with the rejection in a relationship before we can be open to new relationships.

Feel the (yucky) feelings. You have lost someone or, potentially, something you hoped to have. You began to emotionally form a connection with someone or something and you are experiencing grief in the loss. Give yourself time and space to explore this grief and rewrite what “could” be.

Resist self-blame. It’s normal to look inward to identify the reason for why the rejection happened but you may not find an answer. This is another effort at control. Work to resist the temptation to list the reason as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unloveable”. There are many reasons for rejection and we must entertain the many possibilities for that rejection… including that it was due to something with the other person.

Recognize your resiliency. You can, and will, bounce back. You have overcome rejection before and will again. The previous two steps are integral in being able to continuing to move forward. You are more than
the lost relationship and focusing on your own strengths and ways in which you are YOU reaffirm your identity.

Try, try again. Relationships require vulnerability. It takes bravery to put yourself out there to learn about someone new and risk rejection. When you are ready, start taking small steps to connect.

You are loveable and good enough. Period. Rejection is something we all experience and experiencing it does not point to a flaw or defect you possess. Work to recognize your inherent worth and stay true to you
in order to find the people that accept you for the person that you are. When rejection happens, remember that you deserve to be honored and accepted and that the loss may make space for new opportunities to come! Check out the works of Brene Brown for more exploration on relationships, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. Also, consider the opportunities for safe vulnerability offered by CSLE, The Libraries, and the student groups and organizations offered around campus.

This is the prayer said before Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other addiction recovery places.

While it is mainly associated with addiction, I believe it is something everyone can use.

At the beginning of first semester, my cousin died of a drug overdose. It made me change the way I think
about the drinking and drug use that comes from being in college, and well, just the world.

Drinking and drug use are often viewed as just a part of the “college experience”. It is easy to joke about addiction or assume serious consequences won’t happen to you or the people in your circle. I often hear the term “it’s not alcoholism while you’re in college,” which is both dismissive and dangerous.

Losing my cousin forced me to confront how close those risks actually are. There is nothing wrong with choosing to be part of that experience, but it is important to recognize that no one is immune to addiction.

Through this experience, I realized that the Serenity Prayer is also about grief and life itself. Accepting the
things you cannot change takes strength, and finding the courage to change the things you can takes even
more. While we cannot change what has happened to us in the past, we can choose how we respond moving forward.

There is a lot happening in our world right now that we cannot change, at least not as college students. People in our country are losing loved ones every day, including families being separated through immigration enforcement. While we may not be able to fix these problems on our own, we can control how we respond to them through the choices we make, the empathy we give others and the way we look out for the people around us.

For me, the Serenity Prayer is a reminder that even when we feel powerless, our actions still matter. Acceptance does not mean indifference, and courage does not always mean changing the world. Sometimes, it means choosing care, awareness and compassion in the spaces where we do have control, like CSB+SJU.

Wisdom literature is found in the Old Testament and includes books like Proverbs, Job, and the Wisdom of Solomon. These texts focus on practical guidance for living skillfully through the fear of the Lord. As such, they explore various themes like moral discernment, suffering, meaning, boredom, human finitude, and use literary devices like proverbs, poems, hymns, and dialogue.

When was Qoheleth written? Scripture scholars lack agreement on this question, but many would locate it during the Ptolemaic empire and the Hellenistic period—so, around 250 BCE. Some scholars would say
that this text was, in part, responding to the books of Proverbs and Job. The material location was likely urban
and a “fairly hierarchical culture” (Lisa Michele Wolfe).

A key word that comes up dozens of times in the text is the Hebrew word “hevel.” It poses translation challenges. Multiple meanings materialize breath, wind, vapor, smoke, fleeting, worthless, insubstantial, futile, foolish, vanity, unreliable, and emptiness. Meaningless, absurd, and ambiguous also are possibilities. Let’s not forget useless and pointless. I will likely waver on choosing a single word, but I do find “absurd” to be compelling.

According to scripture scholar and liberation theologian Elsa Tamez, Qoheleth “is a book to be read in times of profound disillusionment” and can help us “find solidarity in our discontent.” Tamez uses the term disillusionment to refer to “the inability to intervene in history—particularly unjust history—and change its course.” At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Mark Carney, of Canada, stated this about the current historical situation: “Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.” Ruptures create many opportunities for disillusionment and can impact people in uneven ways—especially the marginalized. Prime Minister Carney, of course, does think that middle powers can intervene in
history by working together through this rupture.

But Tamez is specifically concerned about how Qoheleth might help one “find a way to breathe with dignity
and wisdom amid these asphyxiating times.” She further contends that “Qoheleth must fight with himself to look for possible ways out of the present. Qoheleth will not be resigned to the anti-human present named hevel.”

As we explore this text over the coming weeks, we will try to savor and integrate some of its liberating wisdom that is borne from the “crisis of wisdom” that Qoheleth is reflecting on in his own time. However, this is not a wisdom without pain. It is a wisdom that acknowledges pain and does not seek a fast exit from it. May your Lenten journey be filled with insights, service, care, and savoring the simple things.

A very energetic song off this album is If it All Falls Down. I really like this song, from its autobiographical lyrics about Buffett’s music career, to its instrumentals. Buffett describes his job as a musician as the “perfect
crime,” due in part to how crime pays much more than it used to. However, regardless of if this crime “all falls down”, he’ll find a way out since he’d learned his “trade from the inside out” and will still be able to “strum real hard” and “play real loud.” No matter what comes his way now, Buffett has figured it out and will be able to play his “calypso beat down island sound” and make them “dance ‘til they all fall down.” Besides the lyrics, I really enjoy the instrumental of the songs, and how they build over the song from soft steel drums at the beginning through the more energetic chorus, yet they calm down during the verses. After slowing for the bridge, the song kicks the instrumentals back into high gear for a powerful ending heralded by a league of horns and those same steel drums.

The horns of “If it All Falls Down” roar into the beginning of “No Plane on Sunday”, making a first of Buffett to have two songs that seamlessly lead into one another; and may I say, I love this transition so much. Contrasting with those commanding horns we have a much calmer atmosphere for this song about two strangers trying to make the most of waiting for their broken plane to be fixed. I don’t have all too much to say about this song besides I enjoy the story and the steel drums, but it is another great song from Buffett, and it serves as a cooldown from the highs of the previous song.

The title track truly reflects the feelings I have towards this album as a whole, and how this song really brings
Buffett back into a more tropical atmosphere that his past few country albums didn’t entirely encapsulate, and there’s no better place to do that than going to the roots that is Florida. “Floridays” is arguably the best song
off the album, and it is truly one of my favorites of his. Now, the term “Floridays” comes from the title of a book by the poet Don Blanding, and Buffett seems to use the term to illustrate the song’s overarching message of longing for better days, particularly in Florida. Buffett speaks of looking for something more, “taking time to escape the maze” in this search. Through this search we see references to people in Florida finding something better in watching a spaceship launch at the Kennedy Space Center, or my personal favorite, by “pale invaders and tan crusader” worshipping the sun somewhere on US 1. The song comes to a point in the outro when we hear the backing vocals sing harmoniously the words “better days” repetitively, while Buffett sings. To me, this song represents Buffett returning to the sound and music that put him on the map; he is doing what he does best, telling stories. It makes me feel happy to listen to this song since it feels very serene, and the vocals and instrumentals all play a part in this, with the ending of the song just feeling momentous.

As I have said, this album represents a turn towards a more tropical Buffett, and I am all for this. The tropical beach sphere is where his best music comes from, and it really shows in this album. To quote Ryan White’s book “A Good Life All The Way”, the songs on the album were, “lived in and comfortable.” I guess you could say that the Floridays albums represented a shift to better days. All puns aside, the album performed like any other album from this era, in the sense that it performed just fine on the charts, and the radio didn’t pay it no mind, however there were tours to go on and things were looking up. I am happy to keep going through the discography with you guys, however, I must warn you to bring an umbrella because where we are going is cloudy with a chance of Hot Water.

This was, I can tell, an issue you have deliberated and wrestled with, and admirably so. I would, however, like to make some critiques about some areas.

Firstly, I would say the argument throughout that people claim there is scientific proof is largely untrue. Your argument is contingent, if I am to understand it correctly, on the scientific study and verification of Eucharist miracles as being equivalent to a scientific proof of God, I would offer two points against that. Firstly, there has never been a claim by the Church that there is a way to “scientifically” prove God: “Created in God’s image and called to know and love him, the person who seeks God discovers certain ways of coming to know him. These are also called proofs for the existence of God, not in the sense of proofs in the natural sciences, but rather in the sense of ‘converging and convincing arguments’, which allow us to attain certainty about the truth” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 31). Again, “The great interest accorded to these studies is strongly stimulated by a question of another order, which goes beyond the proper domain of the natural sciences. It is not only a question of knowing when and how the universe arose physically, or when man appeared, but rather of discovering the meaning of such an origin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 284). God is not a proof to be written out, but a Being – Being itself, in fact – to engage with. In this I do agree with you that rigorous scientific proof of God is not needed to be a faithful Catholic. (I use the word ‘Catholic’ instead of the more general ‘Christian’ here as it seems your argument is based on specifically Catholic examples such as Eucharistic miracles.)

Secondly, the presence of Eucharistic miracles themselves (and other miracles in the Church: the Shroud of Turin, the Lady of Guadalupe etched in a cloak) are, by definition, an event that transcends the laws of nature. These, while not directly opposed to science (no matter what David Hume may say!), are not consistently testable through the same processes that other scientific events happen. We can test hosts in particular cases (if there is good reasoning to, such as the host bleeding; the Church is usually hesitant to officially approve a Eucharistic miracle), but it will not be a repeatable result. We take as faith that these instances, these special cases of God revealing himself, are simply a more tangible, physically ‘real’ experience than what Catholics know already to be true. As the Angelic Doctor says, “Faith will tell us Christ is present when our human senses fail.”

Again, thank you for the engaging argument.

Communication is essential. We occasionally make the assumption that our partner “should just know” about everything in our relationship. Remember, they can read minds as well as you (as in they can’t). More communication is better than less. It helps others to know exactly how to meet our needs, making them more successful and our relationship deeper.

Resist dating the fantasy version of the person. Sometimes, we begin to create a relationship with the idea of a person rather than who they are IRL. We fill in the blanks of information with fantasies that may exceed our
own needs or desires. Pause. Time for a reality check. Make sure you are creating your attachment to a real version of the person… not their fantasy doppelganger.

Maintain your other friendships and activities in your life. Your other friends and personal ventures in life continue to be important, even when you have started “a thing” with someone else. Avoid neglecting those
other facets of your life. They will celebrate your happiness and even be there for you if the “thing” ends.

Consider what you are seeking and need from your romantic partner, and what you don’t. Resist the temptation to give your partner total control over your needs, wants, and identity. You continue to have an autonomous identity separate from your partner and you will need to maintain that for your own sense of security and happiness.

Take time for yourself. Think of your life as a multi-leg stool. You are a leg of the stool that requires attention,
care, and tending to in order for your life to maintain its balance. Have your alone time. Do your class work. Feed your soul food, whatever that may be.

Pay attention to the yellow, and red, flags. Not all relationships that develop are healthy. Pay attention to any warning signs, hesitations, or concerns that arise along the way. These subtle indicators may be important signals for you that your needs are not being met or tended to. Take your time. You are still learning about yourself. You are growing and expanding in your own world. Allow the relationship to develop and expand as well.

If you are not in a romantic relationship, resist the temptation to fret or self-criticize. Romance develops at its own pace and in your own time. Continue to explore the opportunities you have and the priorities you make as you proceed. Perhaps, this just isn’t the right time, place, people, etc. for you to find your person.

Let me end with a consideration for you: there are nearly 7.9 billion people in the world. Could it be that the person that you are best suited for may exist outside of the approximately 2,800 students at CSB+SJU? I encourage you to release the pressure that may be building and give yourself the time to develop a deep meaningful relationship, whether that is with a fellow student… or not. Check out loveisrespect.org for more about healthy relationships and follow CERTS on Instagram.

Bad Bunny made history being the first artist to perform a Super Bowl halftime show, which is one of the most watched events across the world, entirely in Spanish.

Prior to him taking the stage, opinions and judgements filled the media, with critics questioning his status as an American, concerns over his music being sung in Spanish and nerves surrounding any political backlash and activism that could take place during his performance.

Despite the critics, Bad Bunny’s performance averaged 128.2 million viewers, making it the fourth-most-watched halftime show, according to ESPN.

A week before his performance, Bad Bunny received six nominations for awards at the 68th Grammy Awards, winning three of them, one of awards being for album of the year, making history as the first artist to win album of the year for an album sung entirely in Spanish.

While he received the award for best musicá urbana album, he spoke out directly about immigration enforcement.

While receiving an award during the 2026 Grammy’s event, Bad Bunny had stated, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out, we’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”

In years past, Super Bowl halftime performances have included political symbolism, with Kendrick Lamar’s focus on racial injustice and systematic oppression and Eminem taking a knee — a nod to Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality. After Bad Bunny’s statement at the Grammy’s, people were expecting something big.

But Bad Bunny took a different approach. He didn’t call out ICE or the current administration; he didn’t make any blatant controversial statements. Instead, he extended an olive branch of unity, connectedness and inclusion.

Throughout his performance he touched on multiple historical moments: the power lines reference the frequent and ongoing blackouts Puerto Rico faces (the longest one taking place after Hurricane María) and the opening scene portrayed workers in a real sugar cane field, with Bad Bunny walking through a depiction of a field in Levi’s Stadium (nodding to the economic history of Puerto Rico). There were representations of boxing, a barber shop and people playing dominoes, street vendors selling a variety of things, one being a piragua stand, Puerto Rico’s beloved shaved ice treats.

Bad Bunny gave us the opportunity to see a glimpse into Puerto Rican culture. The references were plentiful, but they were references of love, culture and community. To us, they were an offering of unity and respect for one another.

As his performance neared the end, Bad Bunny spoke his first words in English for the night: “God Bless America.” He proceeded to list nearly every country in the Americas, from Argentina to Canada, ending it by saying, “and my motherland, mi patria, Puerto Rico. Seguimos aqui,” the last sentence translating to “We are still here.” He carried the flag of Puerto Rico while a crowd of people followed him carrying other flags representing countries in the Americas. Bad Bunny then flashed a football with writing on it saying, “Together we are America,” before spiking the football. Above it all, the jumbotron read, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” in bold, all capital letters.

Ultimately, Bad Bunny’s performance ended with a reminder to us: love is more powerful than hate, America means more than just the United States, countries throughout the Americas have been and still are present and a part of these beautiful continents.

These messages can remind us here, at CSB+SJU, that together, as two schools and two campuses, we make up something bigger. We aren’t only St. Ben’s or St. John’s. We are a big community; we are better together. Johnnies and Bennies are one and the same; there should be no hierarchy or social scale. There isn’t one without the other.

We are reminded to love our neighbors during dark, challenging times, and to celebrate one another during exciting, joyous times. Working together and supporting each other uplifts us. When we stick together, we are stronger.

Take care of one another and look out for each other. We all could use a little more kindness, compassion, respect and love.

In recent weeks, Minnesota has become a target for ICE. United States citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti were both shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis this January. These horrific tragedies come after what NPR called the “deadliest year for people in ICE custody in decades,” after over 30 people died in ICE custody in 2025.

We on The Record Editorial Board are incredibly heartbroken, not only because of the loss of life in Minneapolis but also the broader fear and uncertainty felt by immigrant community members across the country. Immigrants are an essential part of our community and nation. We support international students, immigrant students, their families and all members of our community who are concerned about their safety and well-being.

We are proud of Minnesotans and those in Minneapolis coming together to push back against ICE and take care of their neighbors, regardless of their immigration status. This is no longer a political issue; it is a humanity issue.

We want to highlight some resources that can support the students and faculty who need it in any capacity. We encourage you to do your research, and take action — especially for those who cannot do it themselves.

CSB+SJU Well-Being Center: (320) 363-3236

VISA/Immigration concerns: (320) 363-5455

Multicultural Center: (320)-363-5094

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: 1-800-223-1368, https://www.ilcm.org/

Monarca Rapid Response Line: 612-441-2881 (identifying info), https://monarcamn.org/

Immigrant Defense Network: 612-255-3112, https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/

United We Dream: https://unitedwedream.org/