Seattle U Spectator

Moving to Seattle from a town that had one local coffee shop, I was a bit overwhelmed when I discovered that there are five coffee shops on our tiny First Hill campus alone. In my past two years at Seattle University, I have frequented each of the coffee shops and become (in my humble opinion) quite the cafe connoisseur. So now, dear first years, I am ready to bestow my campus coffee guide upon you all. 

(✍️) Julia Pilch
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(📸) Annabelle DeGuzman-Carino

Hearing from other universities with similar Lost and Found or marketplace-style groups inspired the pair to launch a Buy Nothing forum using ConnectSU’s Community Feed feature, a previously unused part of the website. The concept is simple: users post items they’re looking to give away, and other users can respond to claim them. The feed is moderated by employees at the HUB Desk, ensuring all items listed are in alignment with the student code of conduct.

“We know that there’s going to be people who are like, ‘I don’t need this anymore, I need to declutter’ and some people who are like, ‘I have been looking for this this entire quarter, please give it to me.’ It just helps break down that barrier for people getting their items into other people’s hands,” Nguyen said.

This concept is surprisingly close to home for Seattle U. The first Buy Nothing group originated on Bainbridge Island in 2013 before quickly becoming a worldwide phenomenon. The goal of these groups is to allow  users to save money and get things that they need or want in a more sustainable way. Vandeventer hopes these benefits will extend to campus, as well as provide a safer alternative to third party listing sites by requiring posts to be made by Seattle U community members.

(✍️) Tristan Scott
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(📸) Annabelle DeGuzman-Carino

Michelle Conklin, director of campus retail services, explained that the office’s plans go beyond just moving retail online. 

“The goal is not simply to replace the old store with a website,” Conklin said. “It is to create a retail experience that reaches students, families, alumni, staff and fans in places where they already are.” 

The Redhawk Shop has annouced a September pop-up schedule, during which the Redhawk Shop will set up temporary tables and displays at events across campus. 

Pop-ups are planned for the Fall Welcome Resource Fair at Library Plaza Sept. 15 and Sept. 19, the Student Center’s Hub Desk on the first floor from Sept. 16-18 and Sept. 21-23 and 25, a Student Center takeover on Sept. 24, the SGSU barbecue and soccer games at the soccer field on Sept. 26 and the Involvement Fair at Lower Mall on Sept. 29. More locations will be announced throughout the year.

(✍️) Maya DeGuzman
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(📸) Atticus Sweat

Nguyen got busy as soon as she stepped onto campus. In her first year, she became Health and Wellness Senator at SGSU; in her second, she became Senate Chair (also at SGSU), and founded Seattle U’s Pre-Dental Club, of which she is now vice president. 

In the spring of her second year, Nguyen ran for SGSU President, though she was initially unsure about the decision. 

“My hesitation was, ‘what can I provide as the student body president?’ But I realized that I can offer transparency and compassion. I can be the person to kind of bridge their needs to administration,” Nguyen said. “I know, especially with how many changes we’re going through right now, it’ll be tricky, but I want students to feel that they have a voice in what’s happening.”

(✍️) Kean Mathis
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(📸) Sasha Volovnikov

Join us for an informational meeting📝

- Monday, September 21
- 7 PM
- Campion Basement (next to the Cave)

Any questions? DM us or email our Editor-In-Chief Dylan!

Shane Martin has served as Seattle University’s provost since 2018. His educational career, spanning over forty years, began as a seventh grade teacher at a Catholic school. Prior to his time at Seattle U, Martin served as a faculty member and administrator for almost 25 years at Loyola Marymount University. 

Martin earned his Ph.D. in International and Intercultural Education at the University of Southern California. He has published multiple works on diverse and inclusive Catholic education, including “Cultural Diversity in Catholic Schools: Challenges and Opportunities for Catholic Educators” in 1996.

During Seattle U’s 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony in June, a student unfurled a Palestinian flag as she approached Martin on stage for a photograph. Martin pulled the flag from the student and held it behind his back, preventing it from appearing in the official graduation photo, before leading the student firmly, with a hand on her arm, off stage. 

A video of the event, spliced with a clip from the benediction speech referring to the suffering of those in Palestine and Sudan, went quickly viral on social media as it was reposted by a variety of large Palestinian activist accounts and others, sparking heated backlash. 

Over two months after the original incident, Martin sat down with The Spectator to answer our questions and share his perspective on what occurred. 

(✍️) Dylan Berman
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(📸) Sasha Volovnikov

“It’s a home opener, there’s going to be big emotions, so we gotta play with those emotions, but also relax when we need to relax,” Associate Head Coach Rich Schreiner said. “We were a little too hyped. I think once we calmed down… finding each other’s feet and having more fun, that’s when the goals started flowing.” 

One player that successfully played into that hype was fifth-year midfielder U’i Kaaihue. Kaaihue showed why she was named to the All-WCC Preseason team during this matchup, leading the Redhawks’ scoring efforts, tallying two goals of her own. The first came in the 58th minute, draining it into the top right corner of the goalpost from the left side of the field off a pass from Wilson. The second was the result of a perfectly placed corner kick that found the upper left corner of the net.

“This year we’ve really focused on the team chemistry, and it’s always been on. It was kind of finding that groove, where that relates and goes onto the field,” Kaaihue said about her mindset coming into the game. “I love the style of soccer that we’re playing right now so I’m really excited about this season.”

(✍️,📸) Diego Dumlao
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Rivera has been at the university for almost ten years, teaching courses such as Forensic Psychology, Juvenile Justice and Criminal Justice Organizations.

“Based off what I have been able to gather, the choice to not reappoint me or renew me for my position appears to allegedly reflect concerns about how I exercise my first amendment right and academic freedom,” Rivera said in an Instagram video.

In an official statement sent to The Spectator, the university declined to specifically address Rivera’s claims.

“Seattle University does not comment on individual personnel matters. Faculty appointment and renewal decisions are made through established academic and administrative processes. The university typically communicates the reasons for those decisions privately to the individuals involved,” the statement reads in full.

Rivera claims that she was informed in March that she would be needed as a full time professor in the upcoming academic year, which she says clashes with the official explanation provided to her by Seattle U. In a Criminal Justice Department draft semester schedule for the 27-28 academic year reviewed by The Spectator, Rivera is listed teaching a full course load.

“I know that our department is struggling to fill classes and was told that I was needed full-time teaching in the department rather than have my assistant dean role,” Rivera said.

(✍️) Dylan Berman
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Mast officially steps into the role of president on September 1st, marking the end of Father Steven Sundborg’s term as interim president. Sundborg, who introduced Mast at the event, will be returning to his role as university chancellor next year. Mast arrives during a time of change at the university. Seattle U is shifting to semesters in 2027, soon beginning construction of its art museum, and has recently acquired Cornish college of the arts.

During her time at Fordham, Mast helped pioneer the Serving the City internship program for students. She also restructured the advising system to meet student needs. Mast’s tone was optimistic, celebrating the hard work of Seattle U staff in balancing a variety of initiatives.

“I actually want to stop and applaud you for a minute because I am really impressed with what you are doing,” Mast said. “Please know that I have been paying attention to that and I am really grateful because this is how we move our institutions forward in a world that keeps changing. Seattle University is not just catching up, Seattle University is moving ahead, and it is because of the work you are doing, so thank you.”

(✍️) Dylan Berman
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(📸) Roan Tierney

The Spectator was unable to locate a publicly available Seattle University policy specifically regulating the display of flags during graduation, though the university says it maintains general guidelines on graduation displays.

In a statement sent to The Spectator, the university did not promise that Osman or faculty speaking out against Martin would be free from disciplinary action.

“Whenever questions or concerns arise, they are addressed through established university policies and procedures, guided by our commitment to fairness, respect, and the standards of accountability that apply across our community,” the statement reads.

The passionate response to the incident was further fueled by news that Osman is Muslim and adheres to a religious belief forbidding physical contact, including handshakes and hugs, between unrelated men and women. Osman said that she communicated this to Provost Martin on stage. Martin issued an apology saying that he did not hear her statement and had avoided touch with a dozen other graduates who had communicated to him their adherence to the same belief.

(✍️) Dylan Berman and Tristan Scott
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(📸) Sasha Volovnikov