12/07/11

FREE | Take one Week of December 7, 2011 | Vol. 37, Iss 4

The

Mirror fairfieldmirror.com

The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University The Reflection of Fairfield

Tradition of Past, Present, but Not Future

By Chelsea Whittemore Contributing Writer

Photo Illustration by Tom McKiver/The Mirror

One of the beach houses currently up for rent to the seniors of Fairfield may not be occupied by Fairfield students next year.

BUDGET UPDATE

Curious about the progress of the $4.3 million budget deficit and impact of the recent layoffs?

Fairfield will soon be releasing a document updating the campus community on budget progress and the University’s current financial situation.

Check out our website at

www.fairfieldmirror.com

for full coverage of the budget update!

Jesuit Greek Life Does Exist 16 of 28 Jesuit Colleges have Greek life, why not Fairfield?

By Salvatore Trifilio Contributing Writer Beach. Townhouses. Apartments.

These are three things that come to your head when one thinks of campus life here at Fairfield University. But one thing that would never come to mind is Greek life.

For most Fairfield University students Greek life is a system they are neither familiar with nor knowledgeable about.

Many students believe that Fairfield University doesn’t have fraternities and sororities because of Jesuit beliefs and ideals.

However 46% of Jesuit universities have Greek systems. Among these are universities such as Georgetown and Marquette.

Others still believe that Fairfield lacks a Greek system because it is simply too small.

However Collegeprowler.com, a college search website“by students, for students”which receives more than

1 million hits a month by high school and college students, list 12 of their top 15 Greek system universities as having an enrollment of 5,000 or fewer.

So what’s the deal with Greek life at Fairfield University?

Greek Life at Fairfield University Fairfield University was founded in 1942. Since its founding, the University has neither had nor allowed Greek life.

Traditionally Greek life was not allowed at Jesuit universities because it was seen as counter-productive to Jesuit ideals.

In an interview with the Fairfield Mirror in 2004 President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. stated, “It wasn’t just the Jesuits; it was the Catholic Church that opposed fraternities at Catholic universities.”

But that’s not the reason for the lack of a Greek system at Fairfield

Greek | page 5

It was once a bustling student colony, the ultimate place to reside, the place where Fairfield students dreamed of living their senior year.

But this fall, many houses around the beach still feature “for rent” signs, even half way through the academic year.

Fairfield administrators have moved swiftly to slash the number of students allowed to live at the beach by half over two years so that new on-campus housing can be full.

The numbers are clear. The student population at the beach reportedly peaked at 1,200 students in the 1970s, including some from Sacred Heart University. It was cut to 400 in recent years, 300 students in 2011-2012 and down to a projected 200 students for the 2012-2013 school year.

“Why take away a tradition that goes back beyond some parents that are alumni?”Mckenzie Naylor ’12, who is currently living at the beach in the house known as the“Last Resort”, said.

The decision to reduce one of the attractions to attending Fairfield comes as the school struggles to

close a $4.3 million budget gap.

Director of Admissions Karen Pellegrino said she is not concerned that any change in the number of students living at the beach will impact enrollment for the Class of 2016.

“Students choose to attend Fairfield for reasons such as the quality of their campus visit, the school’s academic reputation and the beauty of the campus,” Pellegrino said.

Fairfield administrators had promised the construction of new dorms on campus was not designed to end one of the school’s most cherished student prerogatives.

Fairfield President Jeffrey von Arx S.J. repeatedly said the purpose of the construction was to provide extra space so that dorms rooms and townhouses could be reduced in size and brought back to their originallyplanned student capacity.

The Mirror reported in recent years that Director of Residence Life Charlie Sousa has said, “The Beach is here to stay.” Dean of Students Karen Donoghue had said construction plans for the new dorms were aimed at decreasing overcrowding as well

Beach| page 3

Fairfield Fails Trojan Condom Report Card

By Megan Forbes Contributing Writer

When it comes to the Trojan Brand Condoms Sexual Health Report Card, it doesn’t pay to be a Catholic school.

Seton Hall University, Boston College, and St. John’s University were all part of the bottom 20 schools out of the 141 schools surveyed.

Fairfield University was not even on the annual ranking.

Trojan says that this assessment is about “celebrating positive sexual health and the campuses that empower it.”

The universities and colleges are ranked on categories such as the student opinion of the health center, contraception availabilityfree or at cost, HIV/STI testing on or off campus, lecture programs about sexual health, and student peer groups.

Fairfield provides a means of public safety and alcohol awareness, but sex safety is nowhere to be found at 1073 North Benson Rd. Although people all over the world are told to practice safe sex, Fairfield makes it difficult to endorse such an activity. It’s a constant controversy on campus between the students and University policy, paired with Catholic values.

Ten students, who are to remain anonymous, say they buy them in town in places such as CVS and Stop and Shop. They also said they ask their friends in their hall for condoms when necessary.

Fairfield students are aware that there are no means of contraception available on campus.

Fairfield is a Jesuit university, and due to traditional beliefs it’s hard to break away from practices that have been held onto for so long.

Harry Cintineo, a sophomore, said “I think a lot of people would use them if we had then on campus. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have them available.”

Populations across the globe

are going through epidemics of sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV. So why wouldn’t Fairfield help show students how important it is to have safe sex?

Why doesn’t the church believe in condom use?

The Catholic Church has been debating means on contraception. Although Pope Benedict XVI announced last year that the use of condoms is appropriate at times to prevent the spread of AIDS, the overall view of Catholics still holds to tradition.

Condoms| page 6

Why didn’t we make the list?

There are zero condoms available to students on campus.

Fairfield students have to obtain condoms by hopping on the Stag bus to go to stores in town.

Megan Forbes/The Mirror

Trojan condoms , purchased off campus, on top of a Fairfield student’s desk.

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

News

Page 2

Tom McKiver/The Mirror

THE MIRROR STAFF WISHES YOU AN EARLY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR FINALS, EVERYONE!

Trying to Remember the Christmas Spirit

By Emily Kert Contributing Writer

As the weather gets colder and finals draw nearer, Fair field University students are at the tail end of their semesters, attempting to place academics at the peak of their priorities, while simultaneously enjoying the holiday season.

With the hint of mistletoe decorating stair wells, wreaths replacing turkeys in store windows, holiday music humming on the radio, and the

onset of colder weather, undoubtedly feelings of holiday nostalgia are emerging.

For college students preparing to ace the final exam, polish up their internship applications, or remind their professor about that one last recommendation, the holiday season may seem an impractical concept to acknowledge.

Fortunately, FUSA has worked hard to incorporate holiday festivities into the month of finals preparation.

The upcoming week’s student-sponsored holiday events

begin on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30 with the “Lighting of the Tree” in the BCC Mezzanine and the BCC Oak Room Patio.

Students will have an hour to join in the holiday spirits as a festive Christmas tree is lit for all to enjoy.

Later that night, students in need of a homework break may want to stop by Holiday Karaoke Night in the Levee from 9-11:30 pm.

Simultaneously, FUSA’s Santa’s Workshop, beginning at 7:15 and running until 10:00 pm in the BCC, will give

students another opportunity to participate in the holiday cheer. Participants will be able to decorate hats, stockings and wreaths, create original Christmas cards, and snack on Christmas treats while watching the lighting of the Rockefeller Tree on television.

While the holiday season brings about oppor tunities for winter recreation, some may feel nostalgic for warmer days. Anyone wishing to delay the onset of winter may want to attend the Luau Event occurring in the BCC Oak

Room on December 9th from 7:00 to 9:00.

The week of holiday fun concludes on Saturday, De cember 10th with two FUSA sponsored class-oriented trips. There is the class of 2013 Ice Skating Trip and the class of 2015 Holiday Shopping Trip.

The evening wraps up with the “Charity Bingo” on Saturday, December 10 from 7:00 to 10:00 in the LLBCC.

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

News

Finally Coming to the End of AIDS

By Courtney Todd Contributing Writer

erable headway made on lowering the numbers to the fact that more people now have access to HIV treatment compared to the amount that had access to it in past years.

The lower numbers could also be attributed to people having fewer sexual partners and increased condom use.

With this, a big part of the problem lies in the fact that only 28 percent of just the 1.2 million

without developing symptoms.

Of those who are aware, only half receive ongoing medical care and Amidst college sports sex treatment,” said the U.S. Centers scandals, a tsunami in Japan, and for Disease Control and Prevensome of the highest unemployment tion in its latest report on HIV in rates in history, there is one positive America. piece of news at the end of this year.

Another hurdle is the fact that, The numbers of new HIV inaccording to the World AIDS Day fections and deaths related to AIDS report, funds would need to be fhave dropped to their lowest numincreased from $15 billion a year bers since the epidemic reached its to $24 billion a year for success peak in the 1990’s. against the dis“Never beease to continue. fore in the history A new frameof AIDS have we work for AIDS reached a moinvestment crement where we ated by UNAIDS, are able to stand which has yet to up and say with be tested, will conviction the focus on six strateend of AIDS is in gies, including a sight,” said Michel focus on keeping Sidibe, Execuchildren from tive Director of becoming infected the Joint United and the promoNations program tion and distribuon HIV and AIDS, tion of condoms also known as in order to keep UNAIDS, in his increasing funds.

2011 World AIDS Still, Day message.

United Nations HIV inSecretary-Genfections have eral confidently dropped by 21 UnAids.org/Contributed Photo released his percent compared This photo uses the Aids symbol in a hand reaching out towards society. statement on to their highest 2011 World AIDS rate in 1997, and the percentage of Americans living with HIV have Day, which said, “Heading into AIDS deaths has declined also by 21 the infection under control, therethe fourth decade of AIDS, we percent since 2005. fore increasing the risk that they are finally in a position to end The official 2011 World AIDS will spread it to others, according the epidemic. The progress we Day report from UNAIDS stated to a report released by MSNBC. have made so far is proof that that this has been a “game chang“The problem is that one in we can realize our vision of zero ing” year for the worldwide fight five U.S. adults infected with HIV new HIV infections, zero discrimagainst AIDS. do not know it. People can be inination and zero AIDS-related UNAIDS attributes the considfected with the AIDS virus for years deaths.”

Perlitz Victims Still Waiting for Vindication

By Amber Nowak Chief Copy Editor Cleaning up the mess that Fairfield alum Doug Perlitz left in Haiti is proving to be more complex than predicted.

Fairfield University recently chose Kids Alive International, an Indiana-based evangelical charity group, to provide food, clothes, shelter, and education to the many homeless boys who for years suffered sexual abuse by Perlitz. Kids Alive addressed these needs.

Until they pulled out six months into the job.

“Our program didn’t work,” Alfred Lackey, Kids Alive president, told the CT Post. “We’re sorry it didn’t work” In January, Kids Alive had arranged for 54 of the former Project Pierre Toussaint students to attend elementary and high school level classes in nine private and three public schools.

Only 55 percent of these boys, who are now well beyond grade school age, actually attended class.

Some were around the ages of 13 and 15 when they were abused by Perlitz and are now roughly college age. Most needed to work and could not go to school. They need money.

Thirteen boys who did not attend these schools were enrolled in Holy Spirit School, where they took courses in trades such as mechanical repair, building construction, welding, tailoring and computer science.

But these students had completed only five months of the three-year program before they were forced to quit when Kids Alive stopped aiding them.

Age-Old Beach Tradition Slowly Coming to an End Continued from page 1 as creating more independent living facilities for upperclassmen.

But the numbers speak for themselves. With plans to allow only 200 students off campus this year, it is clear that beach living is in jeopardy.

The beach was once the source of major traditions that attracted students to Fairfield, such as the Naut, Clam Jam, keg race events and the Point days.

Even in 1989, according to the New York Times, Fairfield Beach life had been threatened due to loud parties, property damage, and complaints from year-round adult residents. Former VP for Student Services, William P. Schimpf had stated, ‘’The fact that we have traditionally let students move off campus doesn’t force us to continue that practice.’’

Beach Resident Organization (BRO) Co-President Mike Fimmano ‘12 said the need to fill all the new on-campus housing has affected students who have waited years for the chance to live independently.

“The truth is, while a reduction in numbers does make bringing these large scale plans together a bit easier, it’s unfortunate that some seniors, who have waited four years to live at the beach, aren’t all able to,” he said.

A local Fairfield resident who owns and rents a house alongside the Point said, “Students are 21 years old and should be allowed to live

where they would like.”

The woman, who asked not to be identified, said, “Students have been renting at the beach for 40 years. I see no reason why it shouldn’t continue.”

The Grape and Beach Side Deli are two local businesses that will be affected by the cutback in students.

Beach Side Deli owner John Taxiltardis said students definitely don’t hurt business, but is confident

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. You will never be able to live on the beach with 300-350 of your friends,” said Dan Dunn ’12 who lives at “The Row Boat”.

FUSA president Charlie Knights ‘12 agreed.

“Beach living has become, for many students and alumni, an irreplaceable part of the Fairfield culture and experience,” Knights said. “It provides an opportunity for

Ashley Zangara/The Mirror

The Swamp, a beach house on Reef Road, is currently occupied by students.

he could survive with an ordinary beach community.

“I just don’t understand how students pay $50,000 a year to go to school there and they can still tell you where to live,” Taxiltardis said.

Students living on the beach agree it’s a great tradition and experience.

class-wide unity.”

Knights urged frustrated students to attend the housing open forums, ask questions and make their opinions known.

Underclassmen are disappointed by the increasingly slim chances of being released and its effect on students wishing to remain on-campus.

Page 3

Christina Dunne ’13 said, “People who want to live off campus won’t get to live where they want, and since there will be so many people forced to stay on campus the people who live on campus won’t get the housing they want either.”

Some of the biggest complaints came from alumni from Fairfield who remember the beach living as their best year of college. They were all in agreement that their Fairfield experience would not have been the same without their chance to live off campus.

“Those living at the beach unite in a special way,” said Diann Dobas ’94. “Living at the beach as a FU student was definitely two of the best years of my life.”

Fairfield student tour guide, Margo Da Cunha ’12 said that before the dorms were built, “I would typically mention the lottery process because the beach is one of main draw for incoming freshmen.”

“It sets Fairfield apart from the several other Jesuit schools like Loyola which are essentially identical,” she said.

Admissions assistant, Sue Victor confirmed Fairfield now does not promote the beach in any of their pamphlets or undergraduate information.

Fairfield Alumni Ashleigh Egan ’05, said, “Because of my experience living off-campus, I believe that I was able to more easily transition into liv-

“The young men who were at the trade school took their courses very seriously,” Lackey told the Post.

“They were at school each day and their scores were also satisfactory.”

Cyrus Sibert, the Haitian journalist who first exposed the story, and Paul Kendrick, the Fairfield graduate who advocates for the victims, attribute the failure of Kids Alive to a lack of understanding of the student’s concerns and needs.

“They launched their program without talking to people like me who knew how complex their situation was,” Sibert told the Post. “They refuse to understand the population they are trying to serve, they refuse to share information, they just listen to one man or a little group.”

Sibert asserts that two of the victims who have severe psychological problems are not being treated for them. He and Kendrick also say that Kids Alive tested all of the victims for sexually transmitted diseases but did not provide them with basic physicals.

According to their mission, Kids Alive International “reflects the love of Christ by rescuing orphans and vulnerable children, nurturing them with quality holistic care, and sharing with them the transforming power of Jesus Christ so they are enabled to instill hope in others.”

President von Arx told the Post that Kids Alive was selected from a number of charities. He said, “It took us a long time to find Kids Alive. We talked to a number of organizations.

None of the others seemed able to undertake the task ahead.”

Alumni Perspectives

“It was the best experience of my college career and it also gave a real glimpse into what living with roommates and paying would be like when I left..”

-Robert Lavin ’09, Lived on College Place “These girls [from my house] are still my closest friends... I’m also the second person in my family to live at the beach – my father lived at the beach during his senior year at Fairfield, and he encouraged me to do the same.”

-Ashleigh Egan ‘05, Lived in “Blue Balls” “I liked going to campus for classes, but living at the beach with my friends. I liked not having to drink and drive because the Grape (and house parties) were both walking distance. And I enjoyed the social life the beach provides.”

-Diann Dobas ’94, Lived at the beach for 2 years “Not only was it a special geographical location right on Long Island Sound, but also a unique social environment that represented a taste of true real world freedom... Living off campus is an important part of becoming an adult - just as much as learning the critical thinking skills in the classroom.”

-Drew Luthern ‘00, Lived in “The Bunny”

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

News

Page 4

Campus Crime Beat

led to one student being referred to the Dean’s office.

Thursday, 12/1

4:08 p.m.- Sunday, 12/4 Two students were referred to the Dean of Students’ office for exchanging harassing text messages.

1:16 a.m.One student was arrested and referred to the Dean’s Saturday, 12/3 office after an odor of mari1:16 a.m.juana was detected near Towel dispensers in a Men’s baththeir residence in the Quad. room in the BCC were ripped from the walls.

6:37 a.m.The Gonzaga Hall north 3:38 a.m.card-access door handle Discharged fireworks in a corridor was vandalized. No stuof Claver Hall led to the evacuation dents have been identified of the building. The incident is still in relation to the incident. under investigation.

Monday, 12/5 10:38 a.m.Grounds personnel reported a 4:11 p.m.broken window in Dolan Hall.

A fake ID was confiscated A student later admitted to breaking from a wallet that was the window accidentally with a golf brought to the Department ball. of Public Safety.

10:03 p.m.An RA reported the back entrance door window of Gonzaga Hall shattered. Maintenance was notified to replace the window.

6:21 p.m.

Lights in the second floor hallway of Bellarmine Hall were vandalized. No suspects have been related to the incident.

10:34 p.m.An RA in Jogues Hall reported toilets, doors, and a sink Tuesday, 12/6 to be damaged in a men’s bathroom.

6:38 a.m.An officer on patrol discovered a Stop sign near the 10:53 p.m.PepsiCo Theater to be vandalized with a permanent An odor of marijuana in a residence hall on the Quad marker.

Classifieds

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The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

Fairfield Greek Life: Why Not?

Continued from page 1

University.

In an interview with the Dean of Students, Karen Donoghue specifically explained that being a Jesuit University is not why there is not Greek life at Fairfield University.

Rather Fairfield administration says there is no Greek system because we simply don’t need it.

“We have many other organizations that fit the needs and the purposes most Greek life programs have,” said Donoghue. “For instance, students can participate in service projects through campus ministry.”

Donoghue stated that programs’ and organizations’ success or failure is measured through student surveys conducted throughout the year.

Director of Student Activities Matt Dinnan agreed, stating that there is no Greek life because students have not demonstrated that the University already provides anything students would get from a Greek system, and that there’s nothing students have mentioned needing that the universities division of student activities does not already provide, or could provide, through the creation of a non-Greek club or organization.

However, the Director of Campus Ministry Father Michael Doody, S.J. says that nothing compares to being a part of Greek life.

Doody, a Fairfield University graduated, has worked at St. Louis University for the majority of his career where he described the Greek life to be one of the finer aspects of

the Jesuit institution. ”There’s a brotherhood and a sisterhood amongst Greek life that doesn’t compare to anything else on campus [here],” said Doody.

A Step in the Greek Direction Omega Phi Kappa Multi-cultural Fraternity, Inc. Ring a bell? If not, you’ve probably seen fellow students wearing OPK shirts around school.

Omega Phi Kappa (OPK), a fraternity based out of Sacred Heart University, was founded in 1995.

Fairfield students also can join.

“We are a colony of Sacred Heart’s chapter, and we are very much official,” said Jeff Carter, current President of OPK’s Fairfield colony.

A colony is similar to a chapter but is unrecognized by the University.

According to Fairfield’s student policy, “The University does not recognize or permit fraternities or sororities, or any other secret or ritualized societies, clubs or organizations.”

However this has not stopped the brothers of OPK from not only establishing themselves at Fairfield but recruiting Fairfield students as well, another violation of student policy.

University administration stated that OPK is just rumor and that they have heard about them in past years but have heard nothing from this current academic year.

“We put on events and activities for the University,” said Jordan Thames, an active member of OPK at Fairfield University.

“On top of that we greatly affect diversity here at Fairfield in that we are a multi-cultural fraternity,”Thames said.

Carter agreed. “Bringing more ethnicities to FU does make the school more diverse,” he said. “But it doesn’t necessarily diversify the school because it’s not guaranteed that the groups will integrate,” something OPK strives to do and feels it exceeds in.

Although Carter did not have much to say about becoming official at Fairfield ,he did say, “We are an organization that gives back. Those who have joined have learned life lessons and have built bonds with people that will well exceed their time at Fairfield University.”

Currently 24 Fairfield University students are a part of the Omega Phi Kappa brotherhood.

What Do You Think Now?

Greek systems can be quite intimidating. For those who do not know Greek from a first hand experience, many of their ideas of Greeks are muddied by college movies and comedies like Animal House.

Several participants in Greek life said they not only see an improvement in their social lives, but also in their academic lives and their growth as functioning adult members of society.

Supporters described Fairfield as a place with not only little to do, but also little student participation.

If students truly want Greek life then Fairfield wants students to do something about it.

“There has never been a student forum called to discuss Greek life,” Dinnan said, “but it is a conversation we should be able to have and would have if the students showed that is what they wanted.”

Page 5

Jesuit University

Greek Life

Boston College Canisius College College of the Holy Cross Creighton University University of Detroit Mercy Fairfield University Fordham University Georgetown University Gonzaga University John Carroll University Le Moyne College Loyola University Maryland Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University New Orleans Marquette University Regis University Rockhurst University Saint Joseph’s University Saint Louis University Saint Peter’s College University of San Francisco Santa Clara University The University of Scranton Seattle University Spring Hill College Wheeling Jesuit University Xavier University Total

Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No No 16 out of 28

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

News

Page 6

Fairfield Doesn’t Promote Safe Sex on Campus Continued from page 1

The Pontifical Commission on Birth Control defined the Church’s view of contraception as: “Every action, which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible, is intrinsically evil.”

Basically, this means the Church is against any action, such as sex, when there is no intention of procreation. Therefore, condoms should not be used because they stop a natural process, such as conceiving a child.

“It’s

better to provide them with a safe way of doing it, rather than having them make a mistake.”

-Kelly Flynn ‘14

By FUSA Columnist

Keep shopping in town

How does Fairfield compare to other Jesuit universities?

Catholic universities have been struggling with the issue of having condoms available at all times for students. Schools such as Boston College, Loyola University, and Georgetown are all Jesuit universities, comparable to Fairfield, and they too have concern of the issue of not having contraception available to students.

With more recent findings in the importance of using a form of contraception to prevent diseases such as AIDS, the battle with the traditional religious beliefs of pre-marital sex makes bringing condoms to Catholic campuses a

do not find a bowl of condoms in the waiting room.”

She also says that the Health Center offers information on STIs, and even offer free STI testing, sponsored by the State of Connecticut.

Contributed Photo Condoms are not available for students in the Fairfield Health Center, but free STI screenings are.

controversy.

Should the Student Health Center have condoms for students?

Judith Kaechele Weindling, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Director of the Student Health Center on campus believes that stu-

dents attending Fairfield are aware of the views of the Catholic Church on the subject of birth control.

Weindling states, “Students are free to practice their own beliefs, and are encouraged to be true to their own values. They are free to look elsewhere for condoms… if you go to your doctor’s office, you

All in all, it does not look like Fairfield is about to change their ways.

Although the Student Health Center provides STI testing, this is a reactive practice. The STI testing could be prevented by being proactive about sexual health through the distribution of contraception on campus.

Trojan states that America lacks sexual education among college students. Americans, aged 15-24 , make up 48 percent of newly diagnosed STIs each year, and 82 percent of teen pregnancies are unplanned. Fairfield is not helping these statistics to improve.

Kelly Flynn, a sophomore nursing major, believes that condoms should definitely be available on campus. With experience in many science classes, she believes that it would be beneficial for students to have sex in a healthy way.

“People are still going to having sex, no matter what, and it’s better to provide them with a safe way of doing it, rather than having them make a mistake,” she said.

Last week, Senate passed resolution S48-02 which officially created a committee that will oversee the planning of the new RecPlex that the University will be building over the next few years.

The committee will be chaired

by Senator Michael Johnson ‘13 and he will choose a vice chair. The committee will consist office members including employees of the RecPlex, senators, and students. The Chair and Vice Chair will then attend meetings with University administrators to discuss official planning.

Another issue the Senate is focusing on is the creation of a “New Portal” to take the place of StagWeb. The Academics committee has been working on the organization of the site in general, but especially the front page.

The new site is scheduled to open a few weeks into next semester.

Senate is looking forward to working hard and continuing to make change next semester. Senate will hold its last meeting on Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mezzanine.

From all of us in FUSA, we hope you have a safe and happy break.

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The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

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editorial Mikaela Tierney |Editor-in-Chief Gabriella Tutino |Executive Editor Charlotte Adinolfi| Managing Editor Martin O'Sullivan|Opinion Editor

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Opinion | 7

Editor Martin O'Sullivan opinion@fairfieldmirror.com

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Winter Break: The Best Present Yet

The Truth

Tradition. Based on the idea of repetition, any college student becomes familiar with this word in a variety of contexts.

A similar idea prevalent in college life is based on the same principal of persistent confirmation: trust.

Both of these ideas are being seriously challenged by the administration as of late, and this challenge comes in the form of our diminishing beach-living program.

“The Beach is not something that’s ever going away,” said Director of Residence Life Charlie Sousa. He went on to say that these speculations were rumors publicized by the Mirror.

Rumors are based on pure speculation, so let's look at the facts.

Including Sacred Heart students, the beach-living population was around 1,200 during the 1970s. In recent years, the number hovered around 400.

However, beach living was cut to about 300 students for this school year. Next year's projections? The administration wants to bring the number down to 200.

So is this just pure speculation? If we continue at this rate, the end of beach living might just sync up with the Mayan's predicted apocalypse.

But we should be able to trust the administration, right?

After all, we are a University built on Jesuit values. Is telling the truth one of these values, or is that just another rumor started by the Mirror?

"We have no plans to increase the size of the student body or to bring more students back from the beach,” said President Jeffrey Von Arx S.J. Regardless of the beach living program, let's not abandon another tradition: telling the truth to the people who pay your salary.

If our administration can't keep up with that, they may very well face an empty campus in addition to an empty beach.

The Mirror welcomes the opinions and contributions of its readers: Letters to the editor must be timely and submitted by email at info@fairfieldmirror.com or Box AA All letters to the editor that are appropriate will be published either in print or online.

The Mirror reserves the right to edit letters and articles for content, length and grammatical error. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks, and should contain correct and factual information not exceeding 500 words.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

• Shoutout to 30 Seconds to Mars for breaking a Guinness Book Of World Record today: a 300th show played during a single album cycle.

• This is the last print issue of The Mirror for the semester! (Plus side: be sure to check out our online edition next week.)

• The first official trailer for the upcoming "Avengers" film was released earlier this week.

• Finals begin next week... buy shares in anything associated with caffiene.

• Men's Basketball is 2-0 in MAAC conference play.

• Teachers scheduling finals during this week.

Come on.

• Actor Jeremy Piven recently confirmed plans for an upcoming "Entourage" film. Yay!

• It hasn't snowed recently. Usually this is good, but we need some snowdays!

• Scientists recently created inorganic cells from metal, suggesting extraterrestrial life does not have to be carbon-based.

• New changes to Youtube will take some getting used to, much like the frequent Facebook alterations.

Do you think finals this year are scheduled too close to Christmas Day? Have an opinion? Send it to opinion@fairfieldmirror.com.

Vincent Ferrer/The Mirror

Hitting the Slopes

By Howard Rosas Contributing Writer

Relationships. Yes people, this is an article about relationships.

But my fellow Stags, I say to you, do not despair. This story isn’t about fairy tales or how to find happiness. Instead, I’d like you to think about what love, or what I call true friendship, actually is.

How can I explain this? Here’s an example. Pretend for a moment you’re going skiing for the weekend. Personally you love it, but skiing is nowhere near as fun unless you’re with a partner.

And let’s say of all the people you know, you’re only allowed to bring one person with you on the trip. When deciding who to bring, here are some things to keep in mind.

A good ski partner is someone who can ride the chairlift. Why? It’s a calm, quiet environment that can feel lonely unless you’re with someone that’s easy to talk to. With you guys, conversation is never forced, and you’re able to laugh with each other the entire way up the mountain.

Once you get to the top, you begin your descent and notice your partner is having some trouble keeping up. But because you have fun together, you don’t get bored.

You ride together side by side, and

you’re in no rush to make the day shorter by heading back to the lodge early to...warm up.

Now this point is key. Good ski partners embrace the feeling of riding down the mountain with each other. Once they get to the bottom, they look forward to riding the chairlift again – ready to traverse another unchartered course. You can ride together all day, what you have going is great. At no point do you worry about the “next step” or the future.

But sooner or later, nighttime arrives, and it’s time for you two to head back to the lodge. You change your clothes, go out for dinner, and settle down for some latenight snuggling with hot chocolate around the fire. But that’s it! Nothing more than that and you call it a night.

Great relationships are like this. The chemistry between you two is so intertwined that even as friends it’s difficult to live without each other. So, call me old fashioned, but you’ve probably got a million-to-one shot of Mr. Right being that person you text after some great hook-up at a townhouse party.

Keep in mind this is all part of growing up. Sometimes going through a rough relationship is great because you can see what things are worth a sacrifice and

what isn’t. You learn things about yourself you never thought before.

So here’s a rule of thumb. Unless you’ve gone skiing together, the person you’re talking to is probably probably a waste of time. And if you started going out, it’s probably going to be an ugly breakup. I’d give it five months.

But don’t be afraid to fail.

You’re better off learning how to ski with a mediocre partner on the bunny hill. That way, when the perfect partner comes around, you won’t screw up. You’ll take down black diamonds together like they’re the snow tube hill.

I really think the English language got it right when the words “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” were used to describe couples. What are the qualities of a good “friend”?

In time, you’ll figure it out! Just try skiing first. Then you’ll know if it’s true love.

And if it is, stay with them – through the thickest snow and the thinnest ice. If he falls, pick him up. If she’s inexperienced, be patient. Ten years from now, it will all have been worth it. In the words of Pedro Arrupe S.J.: “Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

Check out "Romance in College: It's Complicated" on pg. 14 for more relationship advice!

Notable and Quotables: “Beach living has become, for many students and alumni, an irreplaceable part of the Fairfield culture and experience."

- Charlie Knights, FUSA President See "Tradition of Past, Present, but not Future," pg. 1

Opinion

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

Defending Our Right to Click

By Jay Polansky Contributing Writer

Try going to a website where you can watch the latest Hollywood flick for free in a couple of years.

You may find that the page won’t load.

That’s because the House is currently pondering the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) which would block access to unauthorized copyrighted content on foreign websites.

The bill is in response to rising pressure from media industries to do something about pirating, or the reproduction of copyrighted materials without authorization. This is a major issue for producers and distributors of content like movies.

A study produced by the Motion Picture Association of America estimated that the losses caused by movie piracy are massive – 1.3 billion dollars in the U.S. and 6.1 billion dollars worldwide every year.

Obviously, there is no doubt those numbers may not be conservative. The study was founded by a group that wants to show large losses to convince the government to take action.

But even if those numbers are a little high, it’s very likely that piracy takes a massive toll on many companies.

So how is this connected to our country? Most pirates operate abroad. They typically hail from China, Thailand and Russia, according to the same study.

The international nature of the issue represents a challenge for content

providers who think their copyright may have been violated.

They can’t simply sue the pirate.

Many foreign courts could care less about claims

from a U.S. copyright holder.

So the U.S. has to take action to protect its own companies. The government’s solution is a provision in SOPA which allows it to require internet service providers to block access to pirated content on a foreign website.

Many people are very upset with this idea. They say SOPA allows for censorship of the internet.

True censorship, like what exists in China, is broad. Entire topics like “Tiananmen Square” and “revolution” are not found on search engines.

But SOPA will only block access to specific portions websites – only those that violate copyrights. This law would not prevent people from ever seeing a particular movie or listening to a certain song. It merely requires them to legally obtain it from a store or website.

The spirit of censorship is to Vincent Ferrer/The Mirror hinder the flow of information

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but this law actually encourages people to share ideas. Copyrights, which SOPA aims to protect, encourage artists such as moviemakers to share their content with the world by guaranteeing that they will harvest the benefits of their work. Writers who create movies, actors who bring stories to life and the studios who finance productions deserve to be paid.

If it weren’t for them, movies wouldn’t exist.

This law is right for art and for America. Yes, it seems scary that the government could block access to certain websites. But it needs to be done to protect content makers.

This being said, the government needs to have safeguards in place to make sure that the law isn’t abused. They should certainly publish a list of every website that was blocked with an explanation.

This way, the integrity of a free and transparent government can be balanced with fundamental property rights, which was very near and dear to the founding fathers.

Stay updated on SOPA! The bill is scheduled for rewrites on December 15.

Be sure to check The Mirror's Twitter for updates!

'Tis the Season to Steal the Season

By Kevin Greener Contributing Writer While Christmas might be a time associated with Christianity and giving, its origins suggest quite the opposite.

On December 25th every year, Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with gift-giving, merry-making, tree-decorating, egg nog, Yule logs, and Santa Claus.

I was familiar with all of these traditions growing up but had no idea what affiliation they had with celebrating the birth of Jesus. Naturally, I did some research.

It turns out that Christmas traditions consist almost entirely of pagan festivals dressed up to be Christian.

Following in suit from pagan religions around the world at the time, the Christians in Rome decided to hold a birthday party for their own god, Jesus. But since the Bible never specified a time period, they got to pick their own date.

So why December 25th?

Saturnalia, a pagan holiday in Rome, celebrated the god Saturn. They did this by giving the children a school holiday in addtion to giving gifts

to each other. Sound familiar?

Yule was a Germanic pagan festival held during the winter solstice. It was later absorbed into Christmas. You may have never heard of it (or if you have, you didn’t know it was pagan), but we get Christmas trees and the Yule log from Yule and other pagan Germanic festivals.

Initially, some were upset with the use of pagan traditions in celebrating Christianity. These people include ancient curmudgeon theologians… ...and God. “Thus sayeth the Lord, 'Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven;

for the heathens are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.... They are altogether brutish and foolish” (Jeremiah 10:2-8).

Other people, such as Bill O’Reilly, invent things to be angry about. He vehemently defends his right to wish people a “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” each year.

Of course, he’s right. Putting up a tree in the White House and calling it a holiday

tree instead of a Christmas tree is blasphemous, since putting up a decorated tree is clearly Christian in origin. And stores whose signs read “Season’s Greetings” instead of something more Christian is simply uncalled for. There are, of course, no other holidays being celebrated around the winter solstice.

Perhaps Mr. O’Reilly and his cohorts should take a hint

from the pagans and just enjoy the season. Yule emphasizes merry feasting and binging, while intoxication is practically required to celebrate Saturnalia.

I could care less who came up with the idea of decorating a tree or setting up nativity scenes; to me, Christmas means spending time with family and spreading around a little generosity.

Happy Holidays, Stags!

Christmas in America 1659 - Christmas is outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681 1789 - Congress is held on Christmas Day, marking the first Christmas in the newly declared nation of the United States 1836 - Alabama is the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday 1838 - Lousiana and Arkansas follow suit and declare Christmas a legal holiday 1870 - Christmas is declared a national holiday by President Ulysses S. Grant

Vincent Ferrer/The Mirror

Source: www.thehistoryofchristmas.com

{The Vine}

The Vine

Beating The Daily Grind Coffee might help you stay awake on early Monday mornings, but longtime use can have serious consequences PAGE 10

Illustration by Tebben Gill Lopez/The Mirror

MORE INSIDE . . .

FASHION:

INTEREST:

REVIEW:

A new consignment shop hopes to appeal to the frugal and fashionable with their sales of high-end fashion at a lower price.

A Stag writer explores the shifting dating culture at Fairfield University. Is it possible to find love in our society today?

Broadway musical "Lion King" is as good as the original Disney movie that inspired it!

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The Vine

The Mirror | Week of December 7. 2011

How Much is

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Much?

Fairfield University feeds the addiction by marketing coffee to students through its on campus vendors

By Danica Ceballos Associate News Editor

B

eep. Beep. Beep. The iHome rings at 7 a.m. loud and clear to wake up Carolyn Kosewski and to get her ready to begin her Monday morning.

“I’m a morning person -- if I have coffee!” the sophomore laughs.

Kosewski is a Fairfield University overachiever. She is a double major in accounting and international business, maintains a high GPA, participates in extracurricular activities, and plans for an internship or job. She takes advantage of all the opportunities presented to her.

But with all of these demands on college students, Carolyn and many of her Fairfield friends need a way to stay motivated and continue mulling through these tasks.

How about the most popular drug on Fairfield’s campus? Coffee!

She’s not alone. Over 50 percent of people over the age of 18 consume coffee every day. Here’s an inside look at one coffee addict at Fairfield.

A Day in the Life of an Addict After finally shutting off her alarm and getting out of bed, Kosewski prepares for a busy day. On her way out of McCormick, she grabs her travel mug strategically placed right next to her desk so she will not forget it.

Before her 8 a.m. Italian class, Kosewski grabs a bite to eat at the Barone Dining Hall. Along with her food, Kosewski indulges in a cup of light roast coffee. She fills up her travel mug with some dark roast.

DAILY INTAKE BY 8 A.M.: 26 OZ. Kosewski somehow manages to get through her two classes. She goes for a run to relieve some of the stress of her college life – and the jitters that may come from all that joe.

Coffee may help the run.

Based on sports performance studies, caffeine can lead to a 24 percent improvement in endurance and a 4 percent improvement in strength performance, according to www.runningwarehouse. com.

Kosewski then heads back to Barone for lunch. Around 12:30, Kosewski meets her friends for social hour. After her meal, Kosewski has gotten in the habit of having dessert with a cup of coffee…or maybe three.

DAILY INTAKE BY 1 P.M.: 56 OZ. Because the stimulation from coffee lasts around three or four hours, a coffee drinker might reach for another cup of coffee around mid-afternoon. By relying on coffee to make it through the day, the average coffee drinker can become addicted, which could result in serious problems in the future.

Her caffeine intake has motivated her to get some work done at the library. Because of her addic-

tion, though, Kosewski reaches for another cup.

“I get coffee from Chef’s. On a crazy day, I might get a large,” says Kosewski.

DAILY INTAKE BY 4 P.M.: 76 OZ. Before dinner, Kosewski decides to take the 5:15 Stag Bus into town to buy some groceries.

“I’m a ‘Dunks’ girl!” exclaims Kosewski, while admitting to the likelihood that she would grab another coffee at Dunkin Donuts in Stop & Shop.

DAILY INTAKE BY 5:30 P.M.: 92 OZ. When coming to the realization that she drinks much more coffee than she was aware of, Kosewski states, “I try to cut myself off at 6 (p.m.) because I try to go to bed by 11.”

According to an informal survey of 45 Fairfield students, 85 percent said that they tend to drink more coffee during the week as opposed to the weekends.

Furthermore, about half of those surveyed said the weather affects their coffee intake. When the weather is cold, they often drink more hot coffee. However, some admitted to resorting to iced coffee in hot weather to get their caffeine fix.

When heading to dinner around 6 p.m., Kosewski will attempt to avoid coffee because of her Dunkin’ Donuts splurge. However, she did admit that if it were finals week, and the library was offering free coffee, she would drink at least one free cup.

“I always get the coffee. I go to town on the free coffee,” says Kosewski.

DAILY INTAKE BY 8 P.M.: 100 OZ. She claims that she normally stops drinking coffee in the evening to avoid sleep problems.

Although this example is somewhat extreme -- even for Kosewski --she said this does happen on days when she has a good amount of work to do and, of course, during finals.

While she might not consume over 12 servings every day, Kosewski says that she does “have at least six…most of the time, probably more.”

An addict?

“I’ve been drinking coffee for so long, I don’t even think about it. …I don’t even realize I’m a coffee drinker,” Kosewski claims.

Based on a medical consensus, caffeine is a drug. As opposed to causing an addiction, people experience a physical dependence on it, according to a CNBC TV story.

Yet the network called its news report, “The Coffee Addiction.”

While many students see the positive immediate effects of their caffeine intake, such as increased alertness, many say they do not consider the negative long-term effects.

Coffee, like most things, is not bad in moderation; however, when drinking it becomes a habit, or there is a large intake in one sitting, then it can create problems for the body. The term “moderation” is often thrown around very loosely.

Numerous studies define an acceptable coffee intake to be around one to four servings a day, allowing up to 32 ounces. However, two “cups” of coffee served in today’s society could quickly add up to this suggested limit.

While students may enjoy its taste, the alertness it gives them, or the social aspects involved with coffee, they should remember that business owners recognize college students as main consumers.

Instead of always reaching for the easily accessible cup of coffee, students should remember to drink in moderation and not simply depend on this popular and addictive drug.

According to www.medicinenet.com, 90 percent of adults consume caffeine on a daily basis.

The lighter the roast, the more caffeine. Darker roasts, like Italian and French roasts, are roasted longer for flavor and lose caffeination throughout the process.

In an article in Syracuse University’s Daily Orange, psychology professor Tibor Palfai explained: “Coffee is surrounded with rituals, surrounded with cultures, surrounded with friendships, surrounded with coffeehouses where you get access to good conversation.

It has an entire atmosphere that will support its use.”

Barone Cafeteria Aside from the daily coffee choices of light roast, dark roast and French vanilla, there were advertisements on all of the tables for the seasonal flavor, cozy caramel.

Fitzpatrick states that seasonal flavors are often introduced to avoid having the same coffee all the time.

COFFEE Common side effects and long-term effects differ among people which include: • jitteriness • nervousness • headaches • damage to sleep cycles • heartburn • increased heart rate • increased blood pressure • stomach ulcers • increased depression and anxiety • caffeine intoxication

stimulant to continue powering through their work.

Jazzman’s Fairfield University Advertises the Drug Fairfield promotes coffee drinking in a number of ways.

While experiencing the daily grind that is the life of a college student, Fairfield students experience another kind of daily grind.

When asked if Fairfield tries to make coffee more appealing to students, James Fitzpatrick, assistant vice president at Fairfield University responds, “Oh, absolutely!

That’s part of a marketing plan in offering different types of coffee.”

And it’s available anywhere you want at the University.

FACTS ABOUT

According to Fitzpatrick, although Fairfield does not financially benefit from Jazzman’s, he claims that “Jazzman’s is part of the overall food service organization...

If I were to eliminate Jazzman’s totally, even though it isn’t a positive financial operation, there would be a big hole in terms of class days and visitors being able to get coffee and snacks.”

The Library In addition to increasing the variety of foods, at Chef’s Table just inside the library, the company has also done some things to make their coffee more appealing. Flavored syrups and special drinks, such as half hot chocolate and half coffee, draw in students with many different tastes.

During finals, the library also offers free coffee and tea for students. This extra motivation comes along with the extended library hours, giving students a little

Fairfield’s Town Bookstore The first stop on the Stag Bus route into town is the new Fairfield University Bookstore. Just inside, visitors will find a Starbucks. Although it is not a complete Starbucks yet, there have already been many coffee goers, according to Fitzpatrick.

“I think it’s going to be fascinating over the next year for me to be directly involved with Starbucks and having a professional attachment to coffee,” says Fitzpatrick.

“Starbucks has the potential to be a very positive opening on the bookstore for the Fairfield community.”

Fitzpatrick also hints that there may be a Starbucks coming to campus, too.

Kosewski is was happy to hear about this possibility. She admits that despite attempting to limit her spending, she would be more likely to “stop there for a fix once in a while.”

SO...HOW MUCH COFFEE Most coffee companies’ sizes for hot drinks include a small (10-12 oz.), medium (14-16 oz.), and large (20 oz.). Because one serving cup is eight ounces, consumers often drink more cups than they realize.

The cups in Barone Campus Center are 12 oz. You can drink the maximum amount of reccommended coffee in almost three cups!

SHOULD I HAVE?

12 ounces

Equivalent to almost 3 Sodexo cups worth of coffee in Barone Dining Hall

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The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

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By Laura O'Reilly Contributing writer

Consignment Shop Targets Fashionable and Frugal Students

By Laura O'Reilly Contributing Writer

A

Fairfield housewife’s trash can be your treasure. Then again, not many people would consider a pair of the famously red-soled Louboutins or a Fendi handbag trash.

Most college fashionistas settle to stare at these designer items on a blog, drooling and dreaming of the day they can slip their own feet into a pair of Louboutins.

A new store in Fairfield is making the strapped-for-cash, fashion enthusiast’s dream a reality for a fraction of the cost.

The items sold at The Label Exchange are “gently used,” a term that would have once made people of the fashion world turn their heads and run (well, walk at a brisk pace in their Louboutins) to the nearest high-end department store.

However, gently used clothing is now frequently referred to as “vintage chic,” which is a phrase

that inspires and attracts the most sought-after stylists and college students alike to run to the nearest consignment shop.

The Label Exchange is set to become the go-to shop when looking for vintage in the Fairfield area.

Opened in early October, the store plans on having its official grand opening party on December 15.

Walking into The Label Exchange is like walking into your mother’s closet -- if she had a really amazing collection of classic pieces.

Heels and pumps sit on a shelf beckoning to be tried on. Jeans delicately hang on one rack and a luxurious fur coat on another.

Prada and Louis Vuitton bags sit on shelves like art.

Most likely, those arriving at the store with the intention of looking for a shirt, will end up leaving with an entire outfit.

This was Nicole Yannieh’s vision for the store, which she owns with her husband Martin. After opening a successful consignment

shop in 2009 in New Canaan, the business and fashion graduate decided to create her own brand of consignment stores.

She imagined a store unlike the usual unorganized and disheveled thrift store, one with a department-store atmosphere, where a customer can have “a whole shopping experience,” she says. Employees will assist the customer in picking out an entire outfit-- from shoes to sunglasses.

The Yanniehs, Nicole says, wanted to bring acclamation to consignment shops.

If looking to consign some mistakes or impulse buys, or to clear out a closet, the first step is to set up an appointment.

The process begins with an employee separating the clothes into a “yes” pile and a “no” pile. The unwanted items are returned to the consignor.

The Label Exchange team then decides on a price, setting up an account for the consignor to track his or her items.

Contributed by Nicole Yannieh

The accepted items remain on the floor for 90 days, and if they’re still unsold by then, they will be donated to charity organizations like Dress for Success. If sold, the consignor receives 50 percent of the selling price.

Location was important to the Yanniehs in choosing a spot for their new store; they hope the wealth of the area will bring forth one-of-a-kind vintage pieces for consignment.

“We knew Fairfield had so much to offer,” Nicole says. Mindful of the proximity of Fairfield University, they hope the store will be a draw for students and offer an alternative to the other stores in town.

Nicole entered the consignment business back in 2009, when the financial crisis was crippling markets and wallets. A bad time for the economy can mean a good time for consignment shops.

“There was always this stigma of secondhand- but then everything changed,” she says. “Thrifty became popular because people

became smarter about where they wanted to spend their money.”

The desire to stand out in a sea of North Face jackets and Ugg boots draws Andréa Fernández to consignment shops.

As a student at Fairfield University, a school stereotypically known for its fashion uniformity, she prefers to wear one-of-a-kind outfits.

While the financial aspect is an added bonus, she says, she wears vintage “to stand out on campus where everyone basically shops at the same place.” For her it’s more fun to mix and match vintage pieces with the new.

Nicole Yannieh’s final advice for college fashionistas?

“Never pay full price for anything!”

With the consignment industry continuing to grow, you’ll never have to.

The Label Exchange is located at 1700 Post Road, Space E-3 in Fairfield, CT 06824.

The Present of Power, with Love from Fair Trade and Organic

Consumers can be not only financially responsible, but also environmentally responsible for their purchases.

By Tebben Gill Lopez Contributing Writer

I

f karma is not real, our society has still done a solid job embedding its specter in our collective conscience.

From malls to movies, restaurants to rainforests, the subtle nudge to pay it forward has been flexing its muscles and has grown increasingly aggressive over the years.

If our cultural karma was ever suspect, you would only have to look at the labels of our products and produce.

Good-for-all stickers, like infiltrating guerillas, have become rampant in our grocery stores, and little thrifty shops keep popping up

around the corner.

We cannot really blame our capitalist economy for, well…capitalizing on the good vibes.

And real or imagined, we have all felt it: you buy organic food and just feel Father Time adding a few more grains into your hourglass.

Or you walk out of the store with a fair-trade scarf and a pat on the back from the universe.

I will be the first to admit that I have even justified a purchase or two based on its fairness or greenery.

But what do these labels mean?

Beyond the general feeling that these titles mean good– even toddlers know bad things are “no fair” – how well do consumers understand what they are buying?

These labels, in fact, empower the shopper more than we realize.

You might ask, incredulously: How does an organic apple empower anything more than my nutrition?

What is this grand empowerment you speak of? All my fair-trade coffee gives me is an energy boost.

Well, knowledge is power. Welcome to a crash course in consumerism.

Tutelage in Fair Trade So let’s project our preschool notion of “fair” onto the global economic playground.

We remember the kids who got bullied; laborers and farmers who produce our purchases have it even rougher than that last child picked.

They are often exploited, receiving only minimal revenue for their work – as little as a few cents from a $3 morning pick-me-up. It is harder for the consumer-bystander to help. We cannot just tell the bullies to stop or go tell the teacher.

The solution: trading fairly.

The fair trade movement got its start as far back as the 1940s, but did not really pick up momentum until the 80s.

Coffee was the first product to be certified as “fair trade” in 1988 with the first established Fair Trade organization, but was quickly followed by more organizations and a wide variety of products.

FINE, an informal alliance of the four major groups today, defines Fair Trade as “a trading partnership,

Contributed Photo

based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.

It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing

Fair Trade| page 13

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

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Fair Trade: When spending becomes an action of social justice and environmental awareness Continued from page 11 the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.”

Basically, the international movement ensures that originators of that coffee or cute necklace get a fair deal. That deal includes a price that covers the cost of production and income.

It also is committed to ending child and forced labor and promotes “non-discrimination, gender equity and freedom of association,” according to the World Fair Trade Federation.

Along with sufficient payment, producers receive something called the “Fair Trade Premium.”

This money is put toward such community improvements as education or farm expansions via the democratic decisions of the farmers or workers. This translates into broader benefits than solely for the producer organization.

Fair Trade USA reports that currently “more than 1.2 million farming families in 70 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America” are improving their quality of living through Fair Trade results.

The Semantic of Organic If economics is a playground, then agriculture is arts and crafts.

Think of organic as, say, fingerpainting, and everything else as paint-by-numbers. Where organic creates paintings the old-fashioned way from scratch, conventional production uses a plethora of shortcuts to make a picture. On the farms, that means the use chemical fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics and pesticides.

We are more acquainted with the booming $25 million organic

market and the familiar United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certification sticker than we are with fair trade.

The USDA bases its labeling on “approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.”

Less than 1 percent of American farmland is certified organic, according to the Organic Consumers Association. And when some-

According to U.S. law, organic labels have to meet certain requirements. Conversely, fair-trade labels “are done by organizations that want to promote particular ends,” explains Dr. David Downie, the director of environmental studies at Fairfield University.

That means that not all fair trade products are organic. However, most regulators restrict the use of chemicals. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is banned and environmental protection and conservation are often priorities.

Among these friendly faces of

than chicken and eggs claims that it ranged free, like beef, it could very well be referring to the free-spirited nature of a confined cow.

Comparably, “free trade” can be easily misheard as “fair trade.”

But, as opposed to fair trade, free trade is a two-century-old belief of some economists that government tariffs, asubsidies and policies should be eradicated from the market.

Generally, small-scale producers have suffered from free-trade effects, getting bullied by subsidized companies to lower prices to the point of unsustainable living.

Leaders of Environmental Action at Fairfield (LEAF).

They are “generally pretty good guideposts for people who want to make a buycott,” explains Downie.

No, that’s not a typo. A buycott is the opposite of a boycott, where consumers support products, processes or stores that they believe are doing the right thing.

In the name of support, people are willing to put down an extra pretty penny, or quarter… or dollar.

In “relatively wealthy countries” like the U.S., Western Europe or Japan, “buycotts can make a big difference because they provide an economic incentive, especially for small or mediumsized enterprises to do the right thing,” said Downie.

We can make a difference with our purchases. We can tip the scales of justice with each conscious dollar.

“Moving markets and production further in the direction of both by demanding more and more of the products that qualify as fair and organic is the way to go,” says Dr. Dina Franceschi, a Fairfield professor of environmental economics.

She said, “That way, availability of products and choices for consumers that satisfy these criteria will increase and prices for these products will begin to decrease, making it easier for all of us to make the ‘right’ choice!”

“Change must come from ‘dollar votes,’ increased consumer consciousness, and strong market alternatives,” directs LEAF. “Consumers of the world UNITE!” Yes, let’s all raise our fists, clad with everything from hand-woven bracelets to Rolexes, with our credit cards in hand, and unite.

“We can make a difference with our purchases.

We can tip the scales of justice with each conscious dollar."

- Tebben Gill Lopez -

thing is scarce, it follows that the price tag is bigger.

“Organic…means something that is more expensive and healthy,” said Ellen Hayes ’14, reflecting the popular belief.

Yes, organic food does generally cost more, but that is due to a number of veiled outside factors that shoppers don’t see behind the price tag.

Organic farms are excluded from federal subsidies that conventional farmers receive. So that price tag is a more genuine record of the cost of its production. And where the cost is less, the tax-funded environmental cleanups that follow conventional production are empirically greater.

Defining the Differences

fair trade and USDA-certified labels, there are impostors. Retailers have taken to exploiting our good but blind intentions with highfalutin and hollow classifications.

“Natural” sounds like a betterthan-average product, doesn’t it?

Organic is natural, right? Yes and no.

Organic is natural but not “natural.”

Like organic, “natural” foods don’t have additives or preservatives. But such specifics do little good when they can contain pesticide-grown or GMO ingredients.

This is because there are no policies to monitor “natural” label claims. Many retailers capitalize on the foggy nature of “natural” and sell such products at organic prices.

Another sketchy character, “free range,” is only regulated by the USDA if it is used to describe poultry. So, if any product other

You can spot the genuine article by its Fair Trade Mark or by checking if the company belongs to the International Federation of AlEconomic Empowerment and Consumers ternative Trade (IFAT).

But what’s the big deal? None of this empowers me, you might say. Okay, none of this information imbues you with Samson strength, but both labels allow consumers to make more educated choices about what they buy.

They are two parts of a sum that is more sustainable than the prevailing practices.

“Both Organic and Fair Trade labels are important ways of addressing environmental and human rights issues in a capitalist market,” says Arturo Watts, on behalf of the

Get Started Now by Buying Fair Trade and Organic Products

Want to stay on campus?

Check out the event "Buy

Ten Thousand Villages is an organization that established a sustainable market for handmade products in North America.

They sell jewelry, clothing, rugs and more.

You can see the artisan group who makes the products when you click on an item online.

Everything sold by Ten Thousand Villages will help pay for the basic needs, such as food, education, healthcare, of artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.

Other stores that support Fair Trade and have organic products: •

Stop and Shop

1160 Kings Highway Cutoff Fairfield, CT 06824

Ten Thousand Villages is an organization that established a sustainable market for handmade products in North America.

They sell jewelry, clothing, rugs and more.

You can see the artisan group who makes the products when you click on an item

•

Whole Foods

350 Grasmere Avenue Fairfield, CT 06824

Out the Bookstore Day," sponsored by Students for Social Justice this Friday Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a massive collective group buyout at 1:45 p.m.

Support Fair Trade products!

Help out the factory workers by purchasing an article of Alta Gracia clothing in

Made by Tara Projects , which stands for "Trade Alternative Reform Action," in India

Fair Trade Colombia Asoapia from Colombia can be found at select stores and online.

the campus bookstore!

Contributed Photos

The Mirror | Week of December 7. 2011

The Vine

Page 14

ROMANCE IN COLLEGE: Contributed Photo

By Olivia Snoddy Contributing Writer

F

or all you hopeless Fairfield romantics out there, there’s still a chance to enjoy a drive-in date movie.

But keep in mind your date may have searched your Facebook prior to your lovely evening out.

Welcome to the world of dating in 2011!

Contrary to what is being said by professionals about the decrease in dating by the replacement of the “hook-up,” anything from a kiss to sex with no further commitment, current college students are saying “yes” to dating.

A Lost Art Many adjustments have been made to the dating culture since our parents were in school, such as the ambiguity of terms and campus living effects.

According to David Gudelunas, associate professor of Communication: “Dating doesn’t exist.

It was a short lived institution and oddly old fashioned.”

Asked what dating is, current college students say it is going out somewhere such as the movies, for ice cream, or dinner.

Professor of Communication Robbin Crabtree describes dating as “two people going to an activity together to explore romantic compatibility.”

“In the 1950s people in college often married while still in school or immediately after. Today it seems the age of marriage is much later,” commented Dr. Crabtree on what factors have contributed to the changing or lessening of dating.

Michael Andreychik, professor of Social Psychology, believes the changing is a result of this “norm shift” taking place.

The world of dating has become more casual, partly due to society’s acceptance of talking about sex, homosexuality, and other society ‘taboos,’ he says.

Going out, in-a-relationship, hooking up! What does it all mean?

Despite the hectic lives of college students, there’s always time to date, or take the faster yet more complicated route -- hooking up.

Elise Lemons ’13 said, “Dating is two people going to a venue.”

Tim Jacisin ’14 said, “Dating is the commitment of two people in a relationship that seeks the ultimate goal: happiness.”

The word “dating” has turned into an ambiguous term. While one college student might think it’s hanging out in a dorm or hooking up, many others are saying it’s much more than that.

The word’s meaning is quarreled with, therefore inevitably tying in discussion of the hook up culture and other phrases like "going out," "in-a-relationship," "I am with so and so," and others.

Dan Santinello ’13 said it goes from being “with” someone, to “going out,” to “in a relationship.”

“You are exclusively seeing somebody, but it is not Facebook official. It’s more ‘under the radar.’"

In a sense, it means being being in a "transitional period,” says Santinello who is currently “with” someone.

“Folks can use texting to get to know each other, to flirt... and don’t have to risk face-to-face interaction or sustained interaction."

David Gudelunas Associate Professor of Communications

Facebook Changes Everything Technology has impacted dating culture significantly, especially with such creations as Facebook, YouTube, blogging and texting.

Gudelunas said there is less of a need now for dating because technology gives us all the information we need to know before the date. The “getting to know you phase” is out of the question, he said.

“Folks can use texting to get to know each other, to flirt... and don’t have to risk face-to-face interaction or sustained interaction,” said Dr. Crabtree. This conflicts with intellectual compatibility which is the most important thing.

Several Fairfield students said they agreed with Crabtree.

Choose One or the Other!

Hooking up or attached to the hip is where dating life is currently at for some.

“There’s really not much dating,” a University of CaliforniaBerkley student told the researchers for the study “Hooking Up, Hanging Out, and Hoping for Mr. Right: College Women on Mating and Dating Today.”

“People either just start hanging out together and live together and they are boyfriend and girlfriend. Or, they just do random hook ups,” the student said.

Fairfield senior Lauren Londregan agrees with this saying: “Fairfield is missing middle ground. You see people either hooking up or in a serious lifelong committed relationship.”

Reasons for the Hook Up Enjoy your hook up with that dreamy guy or girl, but remember you're kissing more than just that one currently smooching your lips.

According to scholars Norval Glenn and Elizabeth Marquardt: “College dating is also often synonymous with hanging out, in which women and men spend loosely organized, undefined time together, without making their interest in one another explicit, unless they

hook up, which point dating and hooking up to be the same thing."

In his article "Realities of Reality Dating," Gudelunas addresses the issue of dating television programs “suggesting to audiences that getting naked is oftentimes the first successful step in getting a date.”

Sex, dating and love have all become one thing, a game that has greatly affected society’s dating ways, he says.

“Now you date after you hook up,” Gudelunas said when asked if the hook up culture has replaced dating.

Teresa Smith ’14 says, “There are several variables such as using hooking up with the hope to date later on or the belief that hooking up will provide a long-lasting fulfillment of self, when in reality is only provides a more or less shortterm fulfillment.”

How does gender play a role in the dating culture?

Psychology theories, as told

by Andreychik, tell us women are more concerned with seeking a friendship, while men are playing more of a “cat and mouse” game.

“Gender roles and expecta-

“Proximity predicts who you will end up with, not necessarily fate."

Michael Andreychik Professor of Social Psychology

tions have changed over the years,” said Dr. Crabtree.

She discusses the shift from the 50s to the 80s through now in who’s asking who out on a date.

There has also been a shift in dating because of the rise of acceptance of same-sex couples, she says.

Sal Aspromonte ’13 believes it has to do with the person’s mindset. He says, “I’ve taken girls out on dates, who just wanted to hook up.'

“Gender plays a role in how people perceive those participations of the hook up or dating," Lauren Londregan ’14 says, "The aftermath plays a role. If a guy doesn’t participate in the hook-up culture at all, then girls see him as strange and if a girl participates too much she is viewed as a slut.”

A Walk Next Door is All It Takes On-campus living has a great effect on dating, hooking up, and everything in between. It makes everything much easier, and maybe a bit more awkward.

“Dating suddenly takes on a more serious role for some people while others grasp at the ethereal threads of high school like relationships (no real commitment, mostly physical),” says Jacisin.

College is that unique time when “commitment seems to come in two extremes- people in my life are falling in love, and falling hard, or avoiding love at all cost,” stated in The University of Kentucky’s article College Dating Complicated

by Intricacies of College Life.

Dorm living makes it easier to date because of “proximity and availability,” says Smith ’14. “On the other hand, they can also easily hook up with others.”

“Proximity predicts who you will end up with, not necessarily fate,” says Andreychik.

College is a unique environment because of how close everyone is, he believes.

Take advantage of this, Fairfield -- for your next hot date is right around the corner!

The Vine

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

Page 15

+ Reviews

Classic Broadway Show "Lion King" Still Strong

By Emily Kert Contributing Writer

F

or any Stag searching for entertainment this semester at Fairfield University, making use of Fairfield’s proximity to New York City is recommended.

While NYC is home to many types of entertainment, one in particular is musical theatre.

Musical theatre is the form of theatre combining songs, acting, dance, and spoken dialogue.

A form of musical theatre currently on Broadway that embodies these skills in copious forms is Disney’s The Lion King.

While the story, based on the Disney film, is undoubtedly familiar to many, the art that occurs in New York theaters may be foreign to some. An extensive amount of dexterity is incorporated into every aspect of the show.

While every actor in the production is undoubtedly talented, two particular actors who cannot be ignored are the young starlets who play Simba and his sidekick Nala, played by 11-year-old Abrey Omari Joseph and 10-year-old Khaail Toi Bryant, respectively.

In addition to having to complete the basic singing, dancing,

memorizing, and acting requirements expected from Broadway leads, the starlets must learn to manage the responsibilities and risks of being in the spotlight, while juggling the developmental challenges associated with the preteen years.

Also, the collaboration of other actors’ singing, acting and dancing and catchy African rhythms and their unforgettable exotic costumes -- all made of an array of warm colors -- contribute to the reasons why The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998.

An element of the show that immediately appeals to viewers is the music written by Elton John and Tom Rice. In theatre, each musical piece is essential for helping the storyline progress in an engaging and original manner.

Because the song’s theme is the celebration of a new life, there are likely feelings of awe, hope and empathy pervading from audience members upon the chanting of the lyrics.

The musical is also an allegory of the hierarchy of society.

All of the various members of the African wildlife community, the giraffes, antelopes, cheetah, zebra, white birds, antelopes and elephants, set aside their present activities to gather together be-

Contributed Photo

Lion King on Broadway is a must-see performance, according to a fellow Stag writer.

neath Pride Rock where the new king is present, and display their honor by bowing as young Simba is presented over the community.

Other songs, such as the wellknown “Hakuna Matata,” (which means ‘there are no worries’ in Swahili) and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” evoke identifiable feelings such as merriment, humor, sentiment, and passion.

A final aesthetic aspect of the performance that is universal

among audience members is the visual satisfaction the musical provides.

The play’s opening includes a rainbow colored, face-painted Rafiki, a sunrise over an orange and purple lit background, giraffes represented by humans on long stilts, synchronized ballet dancing lions, antelopes, birds and zebras, and humans depicting grass rising from the stage.

Later, audience members

are rendered speechless by large expressive puppets, mechanically controlled cheetahs and elephants, intricately designed masks for each lion character, and colorful costumes consisting of African styled beadwork, corsets, armor and cloth.

New York City is home to all forms of entertainment, but for anyone wanting to experience a great musical, The Lion King is a recommended investment.

Christmas Concert Delivers Laughter and Cheers mal sounds from an Alaskan Tundra Wolf and a Humpback Whale.

According to Maxwell, this style of integrating sounds of nature This past Friday night and into songs was popular in the later Saturday afternoon, Fairfield Unihalf of the 20th century. In 1985, versity’s Glee Club and Chamber Paul Winter used this same concept Singers with Festival Brass and Jazz in his composition “Missa Gaia.”

Ensemble performed their annual The “Missa Gaia” consisted of Christmas concert “Canticle of the two pieces: Sanctus & Benedictus Animals.” (whale) and Kyrie (wolf ). The SancDressed in all black with comtus (whale song) was performed by the whole glee club without any soloists.

For the Kyrie, Paul Cohen beautifully played the alto sax for the “wolf” parts and Tim Rhone, the canter for the song, also performed.

I liked how the band incorporated African-Cuban rhythms on stage, while the soprano singers took on the wolf theme for background accompaniment. “The beat coming from the stage made me want to dance in my seat. It was cool to hear actual animal noises from nature, while listening to a performance inside the Quick Center,” said Thomas Ruzycky ’12.

The Mirror File Photo Another crowd The Glee club during a rehearsal. Along with Chamber Singers, they recently performed their Christmas Concerts, which were well-received. favorite seemed to be Sweet HarmoBy Ashley Zangara Vine Editor

pliments of red on the men’s suits, the members looked amazing as the curtain opened up for show time.

The audience added to the positive energy gravitating throughout the theater with their supportive claps and interactive sing-a-longs.

The concert would not have been complete without the hard work of Conductor Carole Ann Maxwell, accompanist Beth Palmer

and Chaplain and Narrator, Reverend Charles H. Allen, SJ and the rest of the crew involved.

The program began with “Concertato on All Creatures of Our God and King” written by St. Francis of Assisi which the members performed beautifully with accompaniment by all the instruments on stage.

One of my favorite pieces in the show incorporated actual ani-

ny’s rendition of “The 12 Days After Christmas.” This was a parody of the classical version, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” and audience members could not help but laugh at the comedic lyrics and dancing by singers. Audience member Amanda McGeown ’15 admitted that this was her favorite song because “it was funny and they seemed like they enjoyed doing it.”

The Chamber Singers did a great job with their version of “Dominick, the Italian Christmas Donkey” and had the crowd clapping to the beat as tenor Luke Paulino took the lead in the performance.

The Chamber Singers also provoked some more laughter and holiday cheer while performing “The Little Drummer Boy.” Instead of singing along to the conventional version, the members mixed in different holiday songs all at once and at times used their own lyrics.

The overall concert was a success. Glee club member Jennifer Lance ’12 explained what made the show so wonderful.

“What was so awesome about the performances this weekend, was that they were completely different from anything the Glee Club has ever done before,” she said. “We performed really difficult pieces from a variety of composers, but all relating to the overall theme. Carol Ann Maxwell, our director, thought up a really innovative theme for this performance, and I think it really worked!”

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

Online

Send your thoughts to info@fairfieldmirror.com.

fairfieldmirror.com

Coffee Break | 16

Editor Mikaela Tierney» info@fairfieldmirror.com

His iPhone / Her BlackBerry

Joe McConville

So it’s a Friday night after a long week.

You’re tired from working but not ready to succumb to the sleep that you know your body desperately needs.

You weigh the options, and make your decision.

It’s time to rally and go out because hell, you’re in college and you’re supposed to do stupid things.

Having secured your required amount of firewater for the evening’s festivities, the college male ventures to the cafeteria and begins to feed. Talking about what the night will end up like is one of the best parts of the evening.

Nothing bad has happened yet.

YET. No hospital visits or thrown bottles, just freedom and the chance to do something legendary.

As the amount of firewater intake increases, the college males begin to become closely grouped. Like a pack of buffalo on some sort of arctic tundra, the college males huddles together for reasons unknown to anyone else, usually around a table or video game. While the proximity decreases, volume of voice increases.

Soon, in a valiant display of masculinity, the males start screaming at one another, each one eager to one up the next in loudness and display of obnoxious machismo.

Usually starting with some sort of competition on who can consume the most firewater, the night quickly descends to DEPCON 5.

There’s always that one guy who ‘accidentally’ has a few too many and decides to put peanut butter on his nipples or believes he can sing along perfectly with ‘American Pie’.

Having achieved an impressive level of

Cartoon by Gregg Pizzi

Friday Night: College Style

drunk, the males venture out, braving the frigid weather to seek out their goal.

Confidence and testosterone are at an all-time high. Bromances are freely flowing and everyone who observes the gallivanting group just sees so much unspoken sexual tension.

After leaving the first townhouse (which is almost never as good as the second), the males engage in a display of drunken idiocracy. Whipping out your cellphone, you begin texting every girl that you most likely will have no opportunity to ever see that night.

We’re talking global.

That girl you know that goes to the University of Moscow is just not a good option right now.

No one is going to help you out on your hunt for satisfaction... Or cuddling.

I just want to cuddle.

Totally DTC. Suddenly that ex-girlfriend you dumped junior year is someone you want to talk to badly.

You need to talk to her.

YOU NEED TO TALK TO HER NOW. Despite your friend’s arguments you’re going to do it anyways. Do it, you won’t.

College is the best time of a young male’s life. Stay safe over winter break so that you’re able to come back for another semester of tom-foolery. Never stop, and remember, stay thirsty.

- Sent from my iPhone

Your class is over at 4:45pm on Friday, and that is just cutting it WAY too close to the beginnings of your blackout weekend. I mean, really, there’s not enough time between when you get back from class until you go to the townhouses at 10:30 pm to get ready. Inevitably, this leads to missing class.

It’s the same sequence of events every night of the weekend. You get something for dinner, usually not involving carbs, so that you don’t have anything in your stomach to absorb the copious amounts of vodka you’re going to drink (and so you can look skinny in your new skin-tight dress).

The pregame starts at 7pm with a few glasses of wine. You take pictures of each other starting around 9 p.m., complaining about how frizzy your hair is, and how even though you didn’t eat a lot at dinner, you still have a small food baby.

The venture to the townhouses starts around 10 p.m., and you’re stumbling back into your dorm with a box of Dominoes around 3a.m., mobile uploading anything you think is relevant to your drunken escapades, and updating your Facebook status to something similar to “jnkf8 domnoes woo drunk#!”

I absolutely love the outfits that some girls wear to go out on the weekends during the winter. Every single article of clothing is the same size- it’s incredible.

Four-inch heels, a skirt that’s four inches long, and a tank top that shows four inches of your stomach. Do not tell me you’re not freezing as your teeth are chattering. I know how it feels, and I’ll sympathize with you.

Your heels obviously wind up finding their way into your hands. There’s no way to avoiding that.

Even if you duct taped the soles of your

Megan Forbes

feet to your heels, you’d find a ways to pry them off to avoid the blisters that you feel forming as you’re dancing to AVICII. Guess those shoes were not as comfortable to you at 2 a.m. as you thought they were in the store when you tried them on yesterday.

Quick tip? Always buy heels with the intention that you’re going to be walking about drunk in them. Try stumbling a little bit in the store before you buy them. If your ankles are still intact, they’re a great pair of shoes. If not? Well, where are you going to wear them if you don’t wear them out on the weekend here? Waste of money if they’re not drunk-girl approved.

I think girls learn after a few too many bad experiences to start preparing for the worst when they go out on the weekends.

What have I learned? Comfortable heels are key. If your feet hurt, you’re going to have a bad night. It brings out the worst in girls; if you’re not comfortable, everyone within a five-mile radius is going to know it.

If you keep ice cream and chips in your room, guess what you’re eating when you get back from a party? You’ll find a way to make an interesting combo with whatever is in your fridge.

Delete ALL food delivering phone numbers from your phone. And if you still find a way to order food after you get home without the phone number in your phone book, my God, you deserve those calories. Between the dancing, screaming, stumbling, crying, and picture taking, you worked hard for them. It’s all in a weekend’s work.

- Sent from my Blackberry

Sports

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

Page 17

This Week in Sports The week that was in Fairfield Athletics

Sports Short Special

Women's Basketball: On November 30th, Katelyn Linney tied her own program record, draining 7 threes in a 26 point outburst to defeat Brown University 63-55.

Just three days later, the Stags were back in Providence for the Brown Classic. The Stags managed a split, losing their first game 75-43 against a tough Providence squad, and then defeating Rhode Island 66-53. Taryn Johnson and Desiree Pina scored 15 points each for the Stags. Pina notched 6 assists, while Johnson swatted 5 shots. Linney also had 12 points.

Fairfield is off to a 4-3 and takes on St Francis and Lasalle, before a marquee match up with the second ranked UConn Huskies in Storrs, CT on December 29th.

What To Watch For

Wednesday- No games

Thursday - Women's basketball vs. Columbia, 7 p.m.

Friday- Men's basketball vs. Old Dominion in Springfield, MA, 9 p.m.

Saturday- No games Sunday - Men's basketball vs. UNH, 1 p.m.

Monday - No games Tuesday- Women's basketball at Saint Francis (NY), 7 p.m.

By The Numbers

3

Upcoming Schedule:

New Sports Blog

Quote of the Week

Make sure to check out our new Sports Blog with online-only coverage at sports.fairfieldmirror.com, including the full version of the Stags MAAC Competitors story, as well as featured sports videos.

“There are no pushovers in our tough schedule as we’ve experienced earlier in the season. Hopefully, it will make us stronger once we had back into MAAC play.”

-said Coach Johnson as his team moves on in their schedule after victories over Niagara and Canisius this past weekend.

Sports 3x5 Eric Bernsen Sports Editor

Ivey Speight Contributing Writer

J ohn Tessitore Assistant Sports Editor

15

The Men's Div- Derek Needham Taryn Johnson and ing team took and Rakim Desiree Pina of the the top three Sanders of the Women's spots at the Men's Basketball Basketball team talWesleyan team scored 19 lied 15 points in the Cardinal points in the teams Stags win over URI Invitational win vs. Canisius

12/8/11: vs. Columbia at Alumni Hall, 7 p.m.

12/13/11: at St. Francis (NY), 7 p.m.

12/22/11: at LaSalle, 2 p.m.

12/29/11: at UConn. 7:30 p.m.

Because they like to talk... Sports.

19

Your 2011-2012 3x5 Columnists: Eric Bernsen, Ivey Speight and John Tessitore.

Highlight of John T's birthday weekend?

Men's basketball predictions going into games against Old Dominon, UNH, and UCONN?

Jose Reyes signed by the Marlins. What's the response of the Met faithful?

Can't help but look back on watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. Any confessions?

Last Mirror issue of the semester. Last words going into finals and winter break?

From a legendary Grape visit by my cousin to the surped out crew at Toad's Place, it was quite the weekend. Watch out for the BEE's B-Day Bash.

Can't wait to see someone break Jeremy Lamb's ankles. Tough slate of games but more chances for the Stags to burst onto the national scene.

Could care less about the Marlins. More concerned with Bobby Valentine and the resurrection of the backward BEE hat.

Watched the whole thing with the contributing writer. Kid had some elite quotes, after graduation I'm waiting to see him next to the runway HUHU

Great semester, great people, so many legendary moments. That's all anyone can ask for. Gonna NIICK my finals and surp hard all break long.

Well, I was too busy at the Barney Anonymous meetings AKA Kairos. We are loved <3. GUFAW!

Keeping with the Christmas theme. The Huskies better watch out and they will cry like WAHHHH because the Stags are coming to town.

I will give the G rated version. They should just sign up Sweedish models to play. That will be a reason to watch any games.

Should've asked the Mirror if they wanted exclusive vids. They could've been singing Kumbya and I would still have to hold back tears.

Too much to choose from, but I'm gonna have to go with Wyoming beating Bradley in the MVC-MWC challenge!

I'm sensing a buzzer brating win over UConn, Derek Needham knocking it down from 30 feet out! Pwn job of UNH, squeaker at ODU, and loss @ Drexel.

SMH, SMH!!! Literally one of the worst sports moment s of my life, and I've been through a lot of losses. But losing Jose "My Hero" Reyes is real tough.

HUHU IVEY LIKES models........in 10 years on of those will be my mans trophy wife, you heard it here first. Better invite me to your pool parties Speighterman.

Can't wait for it to snow so I can roll a snowman and name him surp. Going to get LITE like a Christmas tree.

Oh Tannenbaum Oh Tannenbaum how lovely are they branches!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!Wyoming opens bowl season Devember 17th in the New Mexico bowl against Temple! YAYYYY!

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

The Man Behind the Strength of the Stags

Sports

By Ivey Speight Contributing Writer

Stacks of ESPN magazines, a Deng Gai jersey, and childlike scribbles on the wall. When you walk into Mark Spellman’s office in the corner of the weight room in the Walsh Athletic Center, these are the items that grab your attention. They can also be used to find the true side of the Strength and Conditioning coach, who might strike fear into a Fairfield athlete waking up for a 5-mile run at 6 in the morning.

The messy collection of sports magazines ranging from ESPN to Muscle and Fitness obviously points to the essence of his job. Spellman’s position requires him to train over 300 athletes in the 20 teams of Fairfield University. His schedule begins when the sun barely rises in the sky at 6 AM to when it descends below the trees at 7 PM. “It could be a challenge,” Spellman said. “Thankfully I have a lot coaches that are very supportive in what I do.”

One of those coaches, Alijia Pittenger, who is in her fourth year as the head of the volleyball program, said, “He’s got quite a load. He does a really good job of working with everybody, getting to know all the athletes and somehow finding time for everybody.”

“Spellman makes a huge time commitment,” said senior Gregory Belizzi, a three-year letter winner for swimming and diving. “What he does for the University is absolutely outstanding.”

“It’s part of being a one-man operation,” Spellman said.

“I knew what I was getting into... Let’s put it that way.”

A graduate of Frostburg University, Spellman went on to intern with NFL teams such as the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then he became an assistant at Villanova University before becoming the head of the Strength and Conditioning program at Fairfield 10 years ago.

“The athletic program impressed me… the opportunity to be the director was something that attracted me to the position. I’d be able to run my own program,” Spellman said.

The Deng Gai jersey that is hanging in the very back of his office shows another aspect of his job that Spellman

cherishes: the growth of an athlete. Gai was a member of the Stags Men’s Basketball team in the early 2000’s. At the time of his graduation, he was 6th all-time in NCAA history in blocks before being signed by the Philadelphia 76ers. He would play in several games in the preseason.

“He just wanted to give me a thank you,” Spellman said. “I always tell them when they make it into the league, all I want is a jersey….and tickets,” he was sure to add. “I don’t ask for much. I just want to see them.”

Spellman knows that he has a part in training the athletes to reach their individual and team goals. He says the

Photo contributed by Athletic Communications

Mark Spellman is Fairfield's Strength and Conditioning coach.

two things he focuses on are preventing injuries and allowing the athlete to perform to his or her highest potential.

“He’s going to find your limit and get right to it,” coach Pittenger said. “Last spring we worked them [the team] pretty hard and had them with Spellman every day. And they saw the payoff from all the hard work they put in. And how it transferred on the court and it made a huge difference in our speed, our ability to play balls near the floor, our jumping and our explosiveness.”

It may be hard for the athletes to see those benefits at first, especially having to do the training regimens either

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before or after a long day of classes. But Spellman thinks that training is not only necessary to the growth of an athlete, but also of the person. Seeing those advancements in their careers makes Spellman think of his job as special.

“You like to see the growth of the individual over the four years,” he said. “Especially when they come in as a freshman, they really don’t know what they’re getting into. As a sophomore they kind of have an idea. But most sophomores follow the definition of what a sophomore is, which is wise fool…and then senior year, hopefully we’ve prepared them to be successful in the working world or as a professional athlete.”

The athletic side is not the only one of the big man, whose voice can echo in any crowded hallway. The pictures that cover his office like wallpaper were given to him by his young children.

“It reminds me of why I do my job, first and foremost it’s to provide for my family, make sure they have a roof over their head and whatever they want to do they’re able to do.”

Since he is in the office for 12 hours Monday through Friday, seeing all the drawings of his three kids brings a little piece of ‘home’ with him all the time.

“It brings a smile to my face every time I walk into my office,” he said.

The man who is the talk (positive or negative) of almost every Fairfield athlete cannot be summed up by dumbbells, treadmills, or 45 pound weights. Instead, the man who almost always wears the grey Fairfield Stags basketball sweatshirt and whose personality is as crazy as his daily schedule, might be defined simply by a stack of magazines, an old jersey, and pictures with colors outside the lines. But why does he do it? He doesn’t pride himself on being able to train over 300 athletes, and still find time to get to know them personally. He doesn’t do it for the money. He does it for those scribbles and a simple thank you letter that he might hide somewhere in his cluttered drawer.

“To know that all the effort and time that I spend with these athletes and these individuals, [to know that] they’re appreciative of it and they understand I make a lot of sacrifices of my time and my family’s time to do my job the way it needs to get done" makes it all worthwhile.

Sports

The Mirror | Week of December 7, 2011

Page 19

Record Setting Fall for Fairfield Athletics Looking Back on the Highlights for the Stags

By Eric Bernsen Sports Editor

With finals approaching quickly and the semester coming to an end, Fairfield University Athletics can celebrate a successful fall for a number of sports. Whether it was overall team success or individual student-athlete honors, there were a number of noteworthy achievements to remember and appreciate.

• Although the Men’s Soccer team struggled in the early part of their schedule, the squad roared back to gain national attention. After winning the MAAC championship and riding a 13-game winning streak, the Stags had an NCAA Tournament appearance in what was a tough loss to Brown.

Fairfield finished the season with an overall record of 12-5, while earning multiple post-season honors. Head coach Carl Rees won the MAAC Coach of the Year award, while goaltender Michael O’Keefe earned the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award and Jordan Ayries was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year. A total of seven Stags were named to All-MAAC First and Second Teams in what was an extremely successful year for the program.

• The Women’s Soccer team reached the MAAC Championship Tournament game, but fell to Marist in what was a hard-fought game that went into penalty kicks. Senior goalkeeper Kelly Boudreau was a dominant presence in the net for the Stags as she was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award. A total of seven Stags earned All-MAAC accolades this season while Fairfield also had 12 selections named to the MAAC All-Academic Team.

• The Fairfield Stag volleyball team had a strong season finishing with an overall record of 20-10, winning 16 of their 18 MAAC contests despite

Tom McKiver/The Mirror

It's been a successful season for Fairfield fall sports and the men's and women's basketball teams look to continue the trend this winter.

•

losing a close match against Niagara in the MAAC Championship Tournament game. Head coach Alija Pittenger was named the Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year, while Rachel Romansky earned the MAAC Setter of the Year award and Caitlin Stapleton was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year.

Fairfield’s field hockey team had two members, senior Marit Westenberg and freshman Felicitas Heinen, who earned All-America East Honors.

Westenberg earned a spot on the NFHC Senior team, while Heinen was selected to both the All-Conference Second team and the All-Rookie squad. The Stags ended their season with a 9-8 record, nearly beating an 18th ranked BU team in

•

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their last contest.

The Fairfield University Men’s Cross Country team wrapped up their 2011 campaign with a third place showing in the University Race of the ICA4 Championship. The Women’s team also finished off the season in a strong manner, placing 12th in the ECAC University race.

Senior Michelle Yoshida and freshman Tyler Conley had some strong performances for the Women’s and Men’s Swimming/Diving teams.

Yoshida broke her own school record in the 200yard backstroke event against Central Connecticut State, while Conley also broke personal records set as only a freshman.

Analyzing the Stags MAAC Competitors

By John Tessitore Assistant Sports Editor

Level of their Own: Iona College Gaels 6-1 (2-0 MAAC) It is nearly impossible to make an argument that anyone has been playing better basketball than the preranked number one Gaels. In seven games, senior point guard Scott Machado has dished out a nation leading 11.4 assists per game to go with 15.4 points. Michael Glover and Lamont “Momo” Jones have been phenomenal.

Glover, the pre-season MAAC player of the year, leads the MAAC in scoring with 19.9 points per game, and has corralled a team leading 9.1 boards per contest. Arizona transfer “Momo” Jones is third on the team in scoring, putting up 14.3 points per game, and is starting to really get a feel for coach Tim Cluess's high-octane offense. The Gaels lead the nation in scoring (92 points per game) and assists (22.6 per game). Their lone setback was a tough loss, 91-90, against Purdue. This weekend, the Gaels hung on at Canisius for a 69-57 win, and trounced Niagara on the road 98-62. The Gaels are clicking on all cylinders and, right now, look like the class of the MAAC. Iona embarks on the 3rd game of a nine-game roadtrip that will prove how good this Iona team really is.

Upper Tier: Fairfield Stags 5-4 (2-0), Loyola MD Greyhounds 6-1(2-0) I talked about the Stags in last week's issue, but since then they enjoyed a very successful Buffalo trip, defeating Niagara 79-75 and Canisius 68-59. The guards have stepped up their offensive production, as Sean Crawford put up 19 against Niagara, while captain Derek Needham dropped 12 on Niagara and 19 against the Golden Griffins. Fairfield gets tested in the next three weeks as they take on Old Dominion, UConn, and Drexel. Loyola is a team that is off to their best start since 1981-1982 at 6-1, but they have not played the toughest of schedules. The combined records of the teams they defeated is 12-29, and not once have they beaten a team with a winning record.

This is a very well-coached and organized Greyhound team that returns four starters from last seasons fifth place

team. Sophomore Dylan Cormier is quickly emerging as one of the MAAC's top guards, averaging 17.1 points per game. Shane Walker and Erik Etherly form a formidable frontcourt that lead the MAAC in rebounding with a +7.3 rebound margin. They are loaded with veterans and they can easily make a run at the MAAC Championship.

On The Cusp: Manhattan 5-4 (2-0) Here is a crazy fact: Manhattan is just one win shy from matching their win total from all of the 2010-2011 season. This is a Jasper team that was picked 8th in the MAAC pre-season poll. Junior stud George Beamon is averaging 16.1 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the field. Other than Beamon, the Jaspers are led by a balanced attack that consist of four players scoring at least 7 points per game. This past weekend, Manhattan rolled through Rider on the road 71-55, and demolished defending MAAC tournament champion St Peters at home, 6842. Masiello’s Jaspers are now starting to get some real attention and will be tested as their next four MAAC games are against Rider, Loyola, Iona, and Fairfield. Depending on the outcome of these games, we will likely know if Manhattan is a legitimate contender or a flash in the pan.

Middle of the Pack: Marist 3-5 (1-1), St Peters 2-5 (11), Niagara 3-5 (0-2), Canisius, 1-5 (0-2) Marist is off to a surprising start. If you had told me they would be 3-5 and 1-1 in the conference with a win over Rider at the beginning of the season, I would have laughed. This Marist team can shoot the lights out. They lead all MAAC teams in three point shooting hitting 45 percent, which is good for 4th in the nation. They also have two phenomenal freshman, Chavaughn Lewis, who leads the team in scoring, and lighting quick point guard Isiah Morton. St. Peters is a tough team to read. After last years magical run through the MAAC tournament into the NCAA tournament, coach John Dunne’s Peacocks are experiencing a hangover. After all, they lost their top five leading scorers, including super star Wesley Jenkins. The Peacocks beat Siena at home by seven doing what they do best: playing defense. Another bright spot has been the play of juniors Chris Prescott and Darius Conley. Niagara

has been a super hard team to read as well. They took Fairfield down to the wire at home, losing 79-75 behind 34 points from freshman phenom Juan’ya Green. Green is third in the MAAC averaging a mind-blowing 19.5 points per game. Another freshmen, Antoine Mason, the son of NBA great Anthony Mason, is averaging 14.3 points per game. Niagara is going to be interesting to watch as the year goes on. They are super young, but extremely talented. Although Canisius is 0-2 in the MAAC, they have to be at least somewhat happy with their performance.

They held Iona, the highest scoring team in the nation, to the their lowest point total of the season. They also played Fairfield extremely well in a 68-59 defeat. Harold Washington has been a superstar. The transfer from Cecil College is 2nd in the MAAC in scoring at 19.8 points per game.

Junior Alshwan Hymes is a valid second scoring option averaging 14.3 points per game. This is a Canisius team that will surprise people later in the season if they can find a third scoring option.

Lower Tier: Siena 3-5 (0-2), Rider 1-8 (0-2) Just two years ago, Siena was the class of the MAAC. Now they are in a rebuilding phase. After starting the season 2-0, the Saints have struggled and lost 5 straight games, including a pair of seven point loses at St. Peters and at home against Loyola. However, O.D Anosike has been a monster leading the MAAC in rebounding at 11 caroms per contest. Also, freshman Eric Hymes is another first year player making a huge impact in the MAAC. He leads the team averaging 14 points per game. This is a team that could easily jump into the middle of the pack by the end of the season. However, the loss to St. Peters leaves them in the bottom tier. The biggest disappointment of the year has been the play of Rider. The Broncs expected to compete for the conference championship, but they might just be the worst team in the MAAC. Their lone win was a two point victory over Howard, and on Sunday they lost to Marist by 20 points! The talent is there with Novar Gadson and Jeff Jones. Therefore, I would not be surprised if the Broncs got hot, and maybe even got themselves back to the upper echelon of the MAAC. But right now, things are looking ugly in Lawrenceville, NJ.

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Sports | 20

Stags Set on Success Week of December 7, 2011

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Sports Editor: Eric Bernsen » info@fairfieldmirror.com

Men's Basketball 2-0 in MAAC as Season Drives On

Aisha Faulkner/The Mirror

Stags guard Colin Nickerson runs with the ball as Fairfield had a successful weekend in upstate New York by going 2-0 in MAAC conference games. Fairfield will play Old Dominion this Friday in Springfield, MA

By Eric Bernsen Sports Editor After experiencing a tough slate of games in the Old Spice Classic over Thanksgiving break, the Men’s Basketball bounced back this past weekend and went 2-0 in their MAAC contests.

The first match-up against the Niagara Purple Eagles proved to be an exciting, back and forth game in which the Stags were able to come out on top by a score of 79-75.

While four Fairfield players scored in double figures, the season-high 19 points for senior guard Sean Crawford proved to be vital.

Coach Johnson was pleased by the efforts of Crawford as well as junior guard Derek Needham, who finished the game with 12 points.

“It’s easy to point out how Derek contributed statistically, but I was more so impressed by his leadership role and the focus he had on what we needed to do as a team," said Johnson. "Sean stayed within himself and can be a really dangerous weapon for us as he displayed against Niagara."

The Stags finished the weekend on a high note with a 68-59 victory over the Canisius Golden Griffins. Needham and senior forward Rakim Sanders each had 19 points for the Stags, who were able to capitalize on Canisius’ careless play with 23 points off Golden Griffin turnovers.

Although these were the first regular season MAAC games for Coach Johnson, in his opinion the outcome of these games matched his initial expectations.

“It’s really just more of the same. The coaches and players from the MAAC conference are familiar with us and they are forcing us to not only focus mentally, but also to execute on a constant basis,” said Johnson.

Rakim Sanders has continued with his early-season success as he earned the MAAC Co-player of the week

award, sharing it with Iona forward Mike Glover. Sanders averaged a double-double in the two Stag victories with 17.5 points and 11 rebounds.

However, Fairfield once again has to set its sights on out of conference competition against the likes of midmajor powerhouse Old Dominion, UNH, as well as the defending national champion UCONN Huskies. The next set of games will give the Stags another opportunity to burst onto the national college basketball scene.

Coach Johnson is well aware that his team is going to be met with challenges in the upcoming weeks and hopes the battle-tested Stags will respond accordingly.

“There are no pushovers in our tough schedule as we’ve experienced earlier in the season. There won’t be any breaks as we have to face a well-established Old Dominion team as well as a nationally respected UConn team," said Johnson. "Hopefully it will make us stronger once we had back into MAAC play."

Aisha Faulkner/The Mirror

Senior guard Sean Crawford enjoyed a season-high 19 point performance this past weekend in the Stags 79-75 victory over Niagara