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The Reflection of Fairfield
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Obama re-elected president r Obama cinches win with 303 electoral votes against Romney’s 206
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...whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you’ve made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.
�
- President Barack Obama in his presidential acceptance speech, Nov. 7, 2012 ELECTION| PAGE 2
Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 5, 2012. Obama won the 2012 presidential election on Nov. 6, 2012.
Adjusting to the aftermath of the hurricane By Loan Le Executive Editor
Students familiar with the Mateo Sanchez, S.J., room in the Ignatius Loyola Hall will remember its tacky couches and capacity to hold no more than 50 people. Now, there are five beds, five girls, and their belongings packed into one room. Relocated beach resident Kaitlyn Lewandowski ‘13 now resides in that same room, one of many places on the Fairfield University campus that have been converted in order to host displaced Beach area residents who had lost their homes in Hurricane Sandy just last week. The east coast continues to clean up after the hurricane had destroyed houses, uprooted trees and flooded many streets that left residents discouraged in the aftermath. A large number of the 350 displaced Beach residents chose to return to campus rather than commute. Lounges in halls like 70 McCormick Rd., Gonzaga, Jogues and Campion are now converted to host students. Some seniors are staying with friends on campus or rooming with underclassmen in doubles. Director of the Office of Residen-
tial Life Ophelie Rowe-Allen, said the housing process has been “hectic,â€? but they are doing the best they can to meet students’ needs: “If they need a place on campus, we try to find it for them.â€? She said she does not place students based on how long it might take for their beach houses to be renovated. Staff members “have been working 24 hours to get everything fixed. They’ve worked from the beginning of the storm until to now ‌ going home late, working very late,â€? said RoweAllen. So far, students are aware of the University’s efforts. Lewandowski said, “It’s definitely a switch going from sharing a house with five girls to sharing a room with five girls. But we’re happy just to have a place to stay.â€? Senior Andrew Bromstedt, whose house didn’t flood but needs renovations to its heating system, had originally planned to move into a townhouse, but it ended up having too many people, so the Office of Residential Life moved him into Gonzaga Hall. Bromstedt said of Res Life: “They’re doing the best they can. You can’t be too mad; it’s not like it’s their
Loan Le/The Mirror
Beach residents have been grouped together to live in common rooms in underclassman residence halls. fault that the hurricane came.� Senior Kimberly Combs, who lives with five other girls in the converted third floor lounge in Campion Hall, shared Bromstedt’s sentiments towards the University: “The school has been very accommodating, they’ve done everything they can. I mean, it’s no one’s fault.� She noted that she and her roommates chose to
move off-campus, so the University didn’t have to accommodate the residents, but still did so. That is not to say they don’t have their share of complaints. Students are still getting used to relocating from life near the waters to life on campus. They must adjust to the smaller living area, for one, as Lewandowski said. “Just sharing a room with five
people is very different from having my own room. You can’t really have people over with five roommates,� said Lewandowski. “The school doesn’t have enough room for everyone, we can’t live like this -- six seniors in a room,� said Catherine LaGreca ‘13, who
HURRICANE| PAGE 3
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The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
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0CBNB XJOT QSFTJEFOUJBM FMFDUJPO By Martin O’Sullivan Editor-in-Chief
Four more years. On Nov. 6, 2012, presidential incumbent Barack Obama was announced as the winner of the 2012 presidential election, giving him four more years in office. Obama claimed victory over former Massachusetts governor and GOP candidate Mitt Romney after a campaign season that cost over $2 billion between both candidates, according to The Washington Times. In his acceptance speech several hours after the announcement, Obama said: “...in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together.” He noted that he planned on “sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.” Romney, in his concession speech just after midnight, said: “I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction, but the nation chose another leader. And so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation.” Earlier in the night, a number of Fairfield students gathered in the lower level BCC to watch updates provided by news channels MSNBC, FOX and CNN. The announcement of Obama’s victory came at approximately 11:25 p.m. when each news outlet successively projected Obama had exceeded the necessary 270 electoral votes to
Nick DiFazio/ The Mirror
Students anxiously awaited the results of the election in the lower level BCC with snacks and drinks. win the presidency. Student reactions were an immediate mix of loud cheers and silent disbelief. Supporters of both candidates stopped to watch and discuss as more concrete numbers were announced by each news outlet. “I’m just really excited that Obama was re-elected and I’m looking forward to the next steps that are going to happen with this country,” said Rachel Lang ’14.
“I am just a little disappointed,” said Laura McKee ‘16. “I thought it would to turn out differently because it was really close in the beginning and then all of the sudden in the last hour things went towards Obama’s way. It was a turnaround, I was kind of expecting it, but it was more of a disappointment to me.” McKee’s sentiments highlighted the initial closeness of the race. Romney initially led the popular vote, but
as key states such as Ohio were attributed to Obama, the race quickly became a definitive victory for the president. As concrete figures poured in, Obama was awarded 303 electoral votes to Romney’s 206, withholding incomplete statistics from Florida. Campaigning on issues such as reformed health care, marriage equality and support of women’s rights, Obama earned the vote of many Fairfield students due to his views on so-
cial policy. Junior Eric Sullivan said, “The reason I voted for Obama is because I feel fortunate at this time in my life that I don’t really have to be concerned with economic policies as much as if I would once I’m supporting myself, so I voted based on social policy.” “I am so excited,” said Sarah Joseph ‘13. “America needed to keep our president ... Obama is the president for all people - gays, women, blacks, whites and Asian.” Junior Taylor Webb, an Obama supporter, noted, “We deserve the right to do what we want with our own bodies as women.” Though many vocalized their excitement over Obama’s victory, some supporters voiced criticism for the reelected president in terms of his economic policy. Sandanie Ambalangodage ‘16 said, “I definitely think Obama needs to get his act together. I think now he realizes, you now, he can’t just BS everything.” She continued: “I think what he needs to focus now on is jobs especially. And I think everything he promised he would do in 2008 needs to be put into action this year.” Romney supporters also stressed the implications of Obama’s economic policies. “I kind of wish Romney won,” said Alexis Ellis ‘16. “Mitt Romney’s plan was going to have jobs created and … Obamacare is socialism. That’s all.” Regardless of viewpoints, those who voted partook in the progression of, in the words of Obama, “a former colony [that] won the right to determine its own destiny.”
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By Zack Albert Contributing Writer
Contributed Photo
Chris Murphy wins the CT Senate with 53.1 percent of the vote.
The Mirror
In Connecticut, a state that political pundits were all but certain would support Obama, the presidential race offered few surprises. For political junkies, then, the race to watch was the U.S. Senate showdown between Democrat Chris Murphy and Republican Linda McMahon. The final results saw Murphy besting McMahon with 53.1 percent of the vote, earning himself the Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Joseph Lieberman. McMahon earned 45.1 percent. Murphy was the former threeterm U.S. Representative from Connecticut’s 5th District. He ran his campaign on a platform of creating jobs, making education more affordable, investing in Connecticut’s infrastructure, and focusing on renewable energy. McMahon, the former CEO of
Martin O’Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief Loan Le, Executive Editor Laura O’Reilly, Managing Editor
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A sampling of the great variety of prepared foods at Mrs. Greens.
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Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Sarah Marcoux, CFO Brian Cleary, CFO Margaret Smith, Assistant CFO
World Wrestling Entertaining, ran her second campaign for U.S. Senate after losing to current Senator Richard Blumenthal in 2010. Her campaign focused on painting McMahon as a political outsider who would use her business experience to implement a five-step jobs plan to revitalize the economy. However, the campaign often veered from substantive issues. Both candidates attempted to cast their opponent as someone who would be harmful to Connecticut if elected, and Murphy’s victory represents more than a year of heated rhetoric, incredible spending, and unconventional political tactics. Probably the most visible display of the campaign was seen in the television ads, aired by both candidates, which many saw as lacking substance and eventually downright annoying. “By election day I was so sick of the ads from both candidates that I didn’t care who won, I just wanted
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the election to be over. Their ads didn’t really say much and seemed to be on TV constantly,” Jake Ruskan ‘15 remarked. In addition to the ads, both candidates called in political favors from national political figures. In the week before the election McMahon toured the state with Chris Christie, while Murphy released an ad in which President Obama endorsed his candidacy. McMahon also employed several unconventional political tactics in her bid for the seat. In a controversial move, McMahon released an ad and door-hangers encouraging voters who planned to support Obama to cross party lines and support McMahon as well. Todd Abrajano, McMahon’s spokesperson, responded to criticism of this technique by saying Linda “enthusiastically supports Mitt Romney”
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The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
News
Housing altered
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Nick DiFazio/The Mirror
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4UVEFOUT IFBE UP UIF QPMMT By Danica Ceballos News Editor
disrupted the school and postal service, some could not get access to their ballot. Mike LeBoeuf, a sophomore from New Jersey, had requested an absentee ballot but was unable to get it from the mailroom before Monday due to the storm. “This is the first Presidential election I can vote in, and I didn’t
rooms with Combs. According to her, the school must consider the future of students who might want to live on the beach, if the option is available by next semester. Even though the Office of Residential Life has given them beds, added laundry swipes to their StagCards, and placed them in residences campus-wide, they don’t have enough refrigerators for campus’ new residents, causing some issues with the storage of food. Barone is one choice for some who want a 14-meals a week plan for around $600 for the semester. But LaGreca said that she and her roommates choose to go out for food, which is getting expensive, she noted. They also are hesitant to buy a meal plan when they aren’t sure when they’d return to their beach house and not have any more use for the beach plan. The residents in the Campion also worry about the rest of the senior year. Though they agree that it’s something that all seniors will remember and bond over for the rest of their lives, Combs and LaGreca’s roommate, Paulina Foster ‘13, agreed that Hurricane Sandy had “put a huge damper on [our senior year].” Because “residential guidelines still apply to all students,” according to Rowe-Allen, seniors might have to adjust their social lifestyle. But the director of Residential Life said that after three years, she is not at all worried that this year’s this class-fused living situation will cause problems. For many beach students, rooming in cramped quarters and changing their lifestyles is the only option.
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According to Lewandowski, her beach house needs three to five months to be repaired. She received two feet of water and sewage damage in her house, and most of her belongings were destroyed. Her landlord doesn’t seem to be helping the case; she heard from a neighbor that he flew out of country after the storm. Campion’s newest residents are unsure of their beach house’s fate. Combs noted Wednesday and Thursday’s Nor’easter has the potential to cause more damages. Rowe-Allen noted that Hurricane Sandy seemed to bring the Fairfield University a bit closer. Alumni have come to the rescue of Stags. Community members have offered their homes in such places like Fairfield, Trumbull and Darien. She is still receiving responses as of Tuesday. “The response was ‘overwhelming,’” she concluded. The freshmen are also accommodating their older neighbors. Freshmen Nora Garrity sympathizes with the seniors: “It’s too bad that the seniors who live at the beach have to come back to campus and live with freshmen after three years of looking forward to living on the beach.” Freshman Deirdre Simms also said, “I would say that it is really unfortunate that the seniors have to stay in the dorms but the most important thing is that they have a place to stay. I think everyone has been making the best of the situations in the dorms.” Bromstedt and the new residents of Campion are adapting to their circumstances. Lewandowski has found a possible new home for next year and said she was excited about the find. For the Class of 2013, life moves on.
Senior Josh Robichaud added, “Being in Fairfield county, I thought the election was a little By Keith Chapman more competitive. I was surprised Contributing Writer at the number of candidates that were there shaking hands and After weeks of anticipation, stuff.” the 2012 election has come and Although there was not a gone. For some people, though, polling station available on camparticipating in the election was pus, the University did provide not as easy as they thought it transportation to Osborne Hill would be. School. Students were encourIn the aftermath of Huraged to register earlier in the year It felt good ricane Sandy, the east coast rethough the University so they participating and mained ravaged this past week. could take advantage of voting Many people were still waiting on just down the street. knowing I had power restoration. Gas stations Junior Hillary Maxson exa say in such an continue to limit the amount of plained, “Originally I was planimportant national gas that consumers can purchase ning on literally running down and lines go on for blocks. As a to the elementary school to vote decision. result of these setbacks, many because I don’t have a car on -Brooke Braccia ‘16 campus. When I saw the providcitizens were not sure whether or not they would be able to practice ed shuttle system to the school I their basic right at the polls. was so excited! I thought Fairfield To facilitate those who might did an excellent job encouraging not be able to make it to the think I would be able to. I’m glad students to vote.” polls, New York and New Jersey New Jersey is letting me email in Students gathered in the lowprovided ways to aid in the vot- my ballot so I can make my vote er level BCC to watch the results ing process. New York Governor count,” he said on Monday. “Ev- filter in late Tuesday night. “The Andrew Cuomo said on Monday eryone says that it is your civic number of electoral votes going that the residents of certain New duty to vote, and I thank Chris up and down is making my heart York areas would be able to vote Christie for letting me do that.” race,” commented Rayan GraLoan Le/The Mirror at any polling place, while New Some students preferred to ham. “This experience is nerve- Displaced beach residents are living in available campus housing. Jersey Governor Christ Christie vote in person and re-register wracking because I am hoping announced that the state would through the town of Fairfield. my vote counts.” be accepting e-mail ballots for Freshman Jeannette Eckelman Freshman Brooke Braccia those without transportation to said, “I felt like I had a lot more commented on the election as the polls. of a voice voting here … rather a whole, saying, “It felt good Most students living away than through the absentee ballot participating and knowing I had a most expensive campaign in history. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 from home chose to vote by ab- because my vote seemed more say in such an important national The majority of this money came sentee ballot, but because Sandy legitimate.” decision.” and the move was meant to “simply from McMahon’s self-financing; the educating Democrats who may also executive contributed approximately support Linda that they can split their $40 million to her campaign, accordticket.’’ ing to the Center for Responsive PoliBoth of the candidates ran on tics. two party lines, with Murphy running With such a tumultuous race on the Democratic and Working Fam- behind him, Chris Murphy is looking ilies Party lines and McMahon on the forward to returning to Washington, Republican and Independent tickets. now a U.S. Senator. This move aimed to court voters who As for McMahon, her future is may not fall into either of the major uncertain, but many wonder if she parties and was utilized by Governor will run for elected office again in the Dannel Malloy in his 2010 gubernato- future. Junior John Lobo remarked, “It rial campaign. seems like McMahon really wants to At its conclusion, the Connecti- be involved in Connecticut politics, cut race saw more than $50 million so I wouldn’t be surprised if she runs raised by the two candidates and an- again.” Only time will tell, but for now Loan Le/The Mirror other $10 million spent by outside Connecticut has a new Senator in the )DLU¿HOG SURYLGHG VKXWWOHV IURP WKH FDPSXV FLUFOH WR Osborne Hill School to transport students to vote. PAC’s. This made it Connecticut’s form of Chris Murphy.
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News
The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
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Monday, 10/29
2:14 p.m. – A student called DPS for a ride to the Student Health Center for medical reasons. After the ride, she was found to have entered Dolan Hall but not the health center and was charged with disorderly conduct. 9:16 p.m. – DPS responded to fire alarm activation in a townhouse and found a smoke alarm to be tampered with. Suspected narcotics were present. The townhouse was empty upon arrival but the residents have been referred to Student Conduct.
9:45 p.m. – During a routine inspection to clear a townhouse, DPS discovered what appeared to be marijuana. One student was referred to Student Conduct. Thursday, 11/1 12:58 a.m. – Dolan Hall residents climbed from their apartment windows on to the roof of the building. DPS referred those involved to the dean’s office with disorderly conduct charges.
Afternoon – Two bicycles, one of them a 50s-style Schwinn from 47 Mahan Rd., were reported sto10:31 p.m. – A rock was thrown through a win- len. A suspect was identified and referred to Studow at Townhouse 10 block. No suspects have dent Conduct for one, no developments yet for been identified. the Schwinn. Tuesday, 10/30
Saturday, 11/3 1:57 a.m. – DPS observed a suspicious student 10:52 a.m. – Residents reported that stereo near the Village who proceeded to throw a bicyspeakers were stolen from their townhouse the cle into Hopkins Pond. The student was referred night prior. to the dean’s office. Wednesday, 10/31
Sunday, 11/4
1:18 a.m. - Several banner brackets on Quad light 6:53 p.m. – Officers responded to a townhouse poles were broken. fire in which a student was attempting to re-heat a pizza. DPS suggests removing pizza from a 4:50 a.m. – DPS officers approached three stu- cardboard box before heating in an oven. dents walking near the Townhouses. One fled and, after pursuit across campus, was identified. A total of 6 students were hospitalized for alcoOnly the runner was referred to Student Con- hol intoxication during and in the days following duct. Hurricane Sandy’s arrival. *If you have information about any of these incidents, please contact the Department of Public Safety.*
Did you know? Smartphone apps for the colorblind
New apps just came out for smartphones that now adjust for people who cannot see all colors. There is now a “colorblind mode” that can now be selected for many video games.
Greeks strike over wage and pension cuts Sixteen thousand Greek protestors, which was called by the country’s two biggest labor unions, has put the city of Athens in a standstill through protesting against a new round of wage and pension cuts.
Egyptian teacher gets suspended sentence An Egyptian teacher got a suspended sentence for committing child abuse toward girls who did not wear headscarves. She cut two girls hair for not wearing the Muslim headscarf.
The NY Marathon 40-year-tradition canceled It was announced in New York by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that there would be no New York Marathon last Sunday due to the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.
Georgetown University granted $20 million An anonymous donor gave $20 million toward a major initiative for the study of the environment, which will grant fund research grant proposals and support the environment initiative program center.
New Addition to the Sandusky Case Former Penn State President Graham B. Spanier was charged with perjury, obstruction of justice and endangering the welfare of children after exchanging emails with university officials on the topic of Jerry Sandusky.
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Thursday, Nov. 8 Head over to Gonzaga Auditorium to watch students compete for the title of Mr. and Mrs. )DLU¿HOG 7KH HYHQW will raise awareness for Operation Smile’s mission and fundraise for children’s reconstructive surgeries. 7KH HYHQW VWDUWV DW S P
Saturday, Nov. 10 Enjoy delicious food and unique entertainment at Flavors of Asia in the Oak 5RRP 7KH HYHQW JRHV from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. 7LFNHWV ZLOO EH VROG EHIRUH and during the event, and is an FYE Magis event. Monday, Nov. 12 Come to hear former Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard 'RZQLH WDON DERXW KRZ technological changes have WUDQVIRUPHG WKH PHGLD 7KH HYHQW ZLOO EH KHOG LQ WKH /LEUDU\ 0XOWLPHGLD URRP at 5 p.m.
The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
Opinion
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OPINION | 5 Editor: (OL]DEHWK .RXEHN RSLQLRQ@fairfieldmirror.com
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EDITORIAL Martin O'Sullivan |Editor-in-Chief Loan Le |Executive Editor Laura O'Reilly |Managing Editor
Keeping moving Barack Obama was reelected last night and everyone has something to say about it. Whether you agree or disagree with the outcome of this election, it is time to put aside political sides and focus on bipartisanship, not only in Washington, but in everyday conversations, on social media sites and more. The beauty of democracy is to have political parties, but government cannot function with political parties in a gridlock, bickering and as indecisive as teenage girls. With Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans controlling the House of Representatives, politicians will have to work together for progress. Whether you like it or not, the reality is that Obama was elected to be the President for another four years. He deserves the respect of the American people. Overall, his acceptance speech reached out to all voters, no matter the associated parties. We think he rightly acknowledged the pressure on him this time around. This is his second chance; he must make these next four years count. American people expect him to step up to the plate. Obama has to be the leader that America needs right now. America needs someone that we can all, no matter the political party, can look to as a leader. Obama spoke about the spirit of a true American, one who dreams and works to fulfill his or her dream. He praises the men and women who've risked their lives for us to practice our rights as Americans. He even slipped in a mention about gays - and though as small as the mention, we'll take it. He spouted education for all. He wanted a stable economy. He wanted America to be the best that it can be. The Mirror hoped that the President wouldn't continue on this picturesque circle of wishes. So, we were pleased that towards the end he acknowledged what we have yet to overcome. In front of a live audience he promised, yet again, to bring the nation forward, and this time, people will hold him even more accountable if he fails to do exactly that. In place of idealistic notions, he purported that we should keep working and keep fighting so that we can make progress. This part of his speech resonated with us the most in The Mirror office. Progress has been touted by both candidates in their campaigns, and now that Obama has won, hopefully these two parties can work together. We hope that citizens, too, will participate in the change that they want. Just as Fairfield University has come together after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, we must all come together as one nation and work together to restore America.
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I read Molly Leidig’s article on academic integrity last week with great interest. The informal survey of 29 students done by The Mirror makes me even more curious to know what our students are thinking and experiencing about academic integrity issues on our campus. We encourage all faculty and students (part time, full time, undergraduate and graduate) to access and respond to the academic integrity survey that you received in your e-mail on Monday, October 22. It just takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Our campus data will only be useful if our sample is large,
so please take this opportunity to speak out about your own experience. Your anonymity will be absolutely protected (data is being collected by Professor Donald McCabe, Professor of Ethics, Rutgers University) so the more honest and straightforward you are in completing the survey the better. We very much look forward to reporting our results back to the community in January, and to engaging all members of the campus community in this conversation throughout the spring semester.
Dr. Kathryn Nantz Professor of Economics Fairfield University
Have an opinion about something else? Send us your thoughts to opinion@fairfieldmirror.com
Lisa Tkach/The Mirror
N.J. was hit the worst By Kaitlin McEwan Contributing writer
Hurricane Sandy has made an impact all over the East Coast, bringing destruction, chaos, and tragedy to everyone in her path. The hurricane has definitely had an impact on Fairfield University students, but has had a greater impact on people in New Jersey and New York. The Jersey shore is the place that I call home. It is where all of my summers have been spent since I can remember. Now, streets are covered in sand, homes washed away, streets flooded, businesses destroyed, and all that is left are the memories people have of the sunny beaches where they spent their endless, summer days. It is a horrible feeling to have to take everything from your home due to a mandatory evacuation, knowing you may never see the place you call home again. Unfortunately, so many people were required to do so this past week due to Sandy. Fairfield seniors will never get to experience the real “senior year” because of this storm, but it definitely will be a senior year
they will never forget. However, going beyond the small town of Fairfield, bigger problems arise. Millions of people in New Jersey have been without power for over a week. Gas rations are in effect, allotting small portions of gas on “odd and even” days. People are without homes, cars, food. Over 100 deaths have been reported. New Jersey looks like a war zone. I went home with the expectation that I would only be there for two days the weekend before the storm. Instead, I was trapped, with no power, down trees, flooded streets, and destruction all around. Yes, Fairfield students have suffered greatly, but a greater suffering is going on in places in New Jersey such as Seaside Heights and Atlantic City. In both places, everything is gone. The Red Cross has been working hard to gather items for people in need. Power companies from out of state are coming to New Jersey to try and fix all of the damage that has been done. People are without lights and water! It is a scary sight to see; one that I never thought the good old Jersey shore would ever
experience. The storm made landfall in New Jersey, but has also impacted parts of New York. Lower Manhattan was hit very hard due to the storm. Subways were flooded and still are, making it extremely difficult for people to get to work. Staten Island has suffered many deaths due to fires. Long Island has lost many beaches and flooded drastically. The point is, everyone along the East Coast is suffering. Tragedy has swept across the tri-state. The damage that has been done is going to take a long time to fix. Boardwalks were destroyed, homes were flooded, and power and gas still remain an issue. These are not things that can just be fixed over night. They are going to take a lot of time and money to fix. It was upsetting to find that my high school is completely underwater and is going to cost millions of dollars to fix. This storm is not just as simple as picking up some down trees and draining water out of buildings. It is going to require people coming together and putting their time, effort, and money into restoring people’s way of life.
NOTABLE AND QUOTABLE: "It felt good participating and knowing I had a say in such an important national decision." - Brooke Braccia '16, "Students head to the polls," pg. 3
The Mirror welcomes the opinions and contributions of its readers: Letters to the editor must be timely and submitted by email to 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.
Opinion
The Mirror | Week of Novemeber 7, 2012
Fairfield U. to the rescue of homeless seniors
By Elizabeth Koubek Opinion Editor
From dorm room to suite to townhouse then the beach and now back to dorm room? The last place I thought I would be during my senior year of college is in a sophomore dorm with three of my friends in a tiny bedroom; however, Sandy apparently thought otherwise. After hearing the hype about hurricane Sandy two weeks ago I honestly thought people were exaggerating how big of a storm Sandy was going to be. So, instead of evacuating the beach by 10 a.m. on the Sunday of Sandy’s arrival my roommates and I lounged around as we would do every other weekend. Finally, as the wind started to pick up we realized it was time to throw as much stuff as we could in our cars and leave. It wasn’t until Tuesday of that week that I finally realized everyones “exaggerations” about Sandy were spot on. Sitting on my roommate's couch, watching pictures from Fairfield beach flood Facebook, reality finally set in that Sandy may be the end of our senior year at the beach. This re-
ality was hard to face. Since freshman year at Fairfield the class of 2013 has dreamt about living at the beach and all the fun, exciting things our last year in college would bring, the things Sandy threatened to take from us. B y Thursday my ro o m mat e s and I finally made our way back to Fairfield. Our arrival was greeted with a situation worse than I had expected. As we began driving down Rowland Road to get to our house we stopped with about half a mile left and four feet of water flooding the road. This flooding was not only on Rowland but every other street leading down to
our beach prohibiting us from seeing the condition of our house. Finally on Friday we made it back
Lisa Tkach/The Mirror
to our house and were surprised and
relieved to see our house, The Blarney Stone, still standing. Only suffering from a damp carpet and driveway full of sand our fears were relieved to know Sandy did not destroy our home. However, we still could not permanently stay. The storm caused Fairfield beach to lose power, have possible gas leaks, and withstand major flooding threatening potential danger for residents. As the upcoming Monday approached with classes starting, no house to live in and a permanent home to far to commute from many beach residents faced a predicament. Thank-
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fully, Fairfield University came to a speedy and efficient rescue. Seniors in need of permanent housing filled out a survey and a few days later were placed somewhere on campus, many with their housemates. The seniors at the beach chose to live off-campus. Fairfield University did not owe us housing, but they decided to help and home the class of 2013 for free, in their time of need. For the rest of the students who are not part of the beach living senior class, they may not have lost their college home but they maybe experiences new neighbors or roommates. Because of this, it is not just the class of 2013 who had their college experience affected by hurricane Sandy, but the entire Fairfield University community. As someone who experienced it firsthand as a beach resident and now a temporary member of the McCormick community, I want to thank Fairfield University and all the other students for their help during this time. Hopefully Sandy did not displace the seniors at the beach for very long and life as we all know it can go back to normal in the near future.
Did Sandy help you decide who to vote for? By Molly Leidig Contributing writer
Hurricane Sandy proved to be one of the greatest, and unexpected, twists to the 2012 Presidential campaign. The unfortunate natural disaster posed the opportunity to illustrate how each presidential candidate reacts in times of trouble. I’ve always believed that a person’s true character is shown not how they act when things are going well, but how they react in times of chaos and turmoil. A true leader does not crumble under adversity, but rather rises up and comes together. We are America: the greatest, strongest country in the world. In times of trouble, we need a leader who will bring our country together and remind us of this. Each candidate’s response paralleled clearly with their political philosophies. Obama immediately turned to government as the solution by making calls to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), whereas Romney looked to more personal relief efforts by turning a rally in Ohio into a “storm relief event” and holding a canned-food drive. But, here’s the big looming question: Who responded better? Obama’s response to hurricane is a perfect example of why he shouldn’t be re-elected. His response displays everything that is wrong with our country and his administration. Whenever something goes wrong, Obama automatically turns to government as the solution. Government is not the solution, Obama, government is the problem. Of course, as soon as Obama got word of the storm his first inclination is to make visits to the headquarters of FEMA and the Red Cross, which is fine. But, why not
do something more personal? If he had time to make visits to these headquarters, don’t you think that is enough time to make visits to places in New York City and New Jersey, where homes were washed away, left without power and food. Neighborhoods in New York were left burned completely to the ground. Images of these towns left my eyes filled with tears and stomach in knots. President Ronald Reagan famously stated: “We’ve gone astray from first principles. We’ve lost sight of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core of everything that we’ve accomplished. Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” Obama should really take these words to heart. Yes, programs like FEMA and the Red Cross are wonderful programs for protection and relief efforts, but that does not give him an automatic pass to do nothing else. He should still be privately working with the victims to help rebuild lives that were figuratively and literally washed away in the disaster of Hurricane Sandy. Obama’s arrogant attitude is disgusting to me. Although he did make a visit to New Jersey a couple days after the storm, it’s all a show to me. All he cares about is doing a photo shoot with Chris Christie and getting printed in People magazine. That’s Obama’s main problem. It’s impossible to teach an individual how to genuinely love and care about our country, its people, and what we are all about. Obama is on a mission to change our country by constantly spending money, reforming healthcare, and trying to make government greater, bigger, and stronger. We live in the greatest country in
the world, founded on the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Why change that? One of the media’s favorite pass times was to insult every little thing President George W. Bush did wrong. I’m not going to sit here and a r g u e that Bush was the greatest president our country has ever had, but he is not the villain that the media portrays him to be. He is only human and we all make mistakes. One thing about Bush, however, that I want to make clear is his tremendous, passionate love of our country and its people. I bet you didn’t read much about bike rides that he would go on with the troops, or multiple visits to Afghanistan, one being a Thanksgiving feast, or how the media didn’t even report that President Bush visited victims of the Fort Hood massacre in 2009, and was there within 3 hours. Do you think Obama would ever give up a candlelit, gourmet Thanksgiving dinner in the White House for a Thanksgiving in the middle of the desert in Iraq eating turkey and stuffing off paper plates?
response to hurricane Sandy. Stating, “It’s disgraceful what he’s done. “What good is his FEMA if they can’t get the generators to the people who don’t have electricity? What good is FEMA if they can’t get water Lisa Tkach/The Mirror to people? What good Doubtable. That, ladies and genis FEMA if they can’t get tlemen, is our problem. food to people?” In addition, after September I don’t know what other proof 11, one of the most extreme di- you need to show how governsasters our country has ever seen, ment and government programs Bush responded immediately. are unsuccessful. Our country Bush immediately brought gen- cannot handle another four years erators down to ground zero to get of this. I know the election is over power as quick as possible. Now, now, and a majority probably vothere we are, nearly a week later af- ed for Barack Obama. But, maybe ter Sandy, and people in New York next time you’ll take a step back and New Jersey are still left with- before placing your vote and look out food, water, and electricity. at the bigger picture: the future of The mayor of New York City our country. A future that might at the time of the September 11 at- not have the opportunity to grow tack, Guiliani, was absolutely out- up with the privilege of liberty if raged and disgusted by Obama’s our government keeps expanding.
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With the release of Halo 4 and 'Wreck-It Ralph,' video games take over this week's popular media
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The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
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Halo creators step up their game By John Bykowsky Contributing Writer
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ast night as Romney and Obama slugged it out in battleground states vying for pieces of the electoral pie, another battle was just beginning. In the coming months, friendships will be tested, relationships will be put on hold and alien blood will flow for one glorious cause. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the world of Halo 4; the galaxy will never be the same. Halo 4 isn’t just a game; it’s an emotional experience that pushes the boundaries of what video games can achieve as an entertainment medium. From a visual perspective, nothing is out of place. The dynamic lighting and 3-D rendering feel so real that at times the game feels more like a live action movie than a
digital construct. These stupendous visuals are coupled with a completely overhauled sound engine and a story that would make Asimov proud. The result is the Sistine Chapel of video games. The story picks up right where the third game left off. After floating in space for nearly five years, the Master Chief awakens to find himself in the middle of a firefight and rushing headlong towards the Forerunner shield world of Requiem. On Requiem, things are not what they seem. As you investigate a mysterious distress beacon, you come to realize that the Flood were the least of humanity's problems.
The initial gameplay experience allows players to immediately feel out the subtle changes that 343 Industries has worked into Halo 4’s gameplay mechanics. Now that the gauntlet has been possessed from Bungie to a new developer, it is abundantly clear that this new publisher isn’t content to rest on its laurels and rely on brand recognition to sell units. Initially, the most noticeable change from previous install-
ments is that you can no longer duel wield weapons. At first veteran players will be disappointed by this, but as you get deeper into the game, players will realize that in order to compensate for this apparent shortfall in fire power, the creators made all the small arms more effective against enemies. By beefing up t h e damage on the weapons you would usually ignore, 343 Industries gives Halo mainstays like the plasma pistol new relevance. Unlike in previous Halo games where you could get through every level with a battle rifle and a few welltossed gre-
nades, Halo 4 forces you to constantly swap weapons and reassess your tactics. The A.I. in this game is smart. Enemies coordinate attacks and punish tactical errors with ruthless efficiency. For those of you amping to try your hand playing on Legendary, be prepared to die … a lot. Those less campaigninclined individuals will find themselves acclimating to the multiplayer in Halo 4 as if it were an old friend. This new chapter plays similarly to Halo 3, yet has a distinctive style of its own. The addition of New Maps and Spartan Ops, similar to Special Ops in Call of Duty, adds a level of depth that makes the online experience immensely enjoyable. Expect to hear cries of joy and rage echoing through the dorms for months to come as friends kill each other in the friendliest of blood sports.
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New era Disney movie clings to roots
By Kelsey Guerin The Vine Editor
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isney is known for their heart-wrenching movies about friendship and self-discovery, and their newest release “Wreck-It Ralph” is no exception. However, its original angle and likeable characters make the movie an entertaining one even if audience members get the suspicion that they’ve already seen this film several times before. In this newest world created by Disney, video game characters travel through each other's games and interact with each other during the after-hours of the video arcade where their machines reside. The movie opens with the protagonist Wreck-It Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) in a support group for video game villains. It is at this meeting that Ralph admits that he is tired of being the bad guy. The other villains are shocked and horrified, trying to convince Ralph to embrace his villain status as part of his programming. After being shunned by his fellow video game characters for his clumsiness, temper and knack for destruction, Ralph becomes
even more determined to change his status from villain to hero. He attempts to accomplish this goal by getting a medal from a different game, known as "Hero's Duty." Things do not go very well for Ralph in this new game. The game is much more violent than he expected, and although he manages to overcome his fear to obtain a medal, his victory is short-lived. Ralph unwittingly activates a Cybug, a bug-like virus whose only programmed jobs are to multiply and destroy everything in their game. In his haste to escape, Ralph ends up crashing into a different game called "Sugar Rush," a candythemed go kart racing game ruled by a manipulative king. While in this world, Ralph meets the sassy Vanellope (voiced by Sarah Silverman) and agrees to help her win a go-kart race in exchange for her help in finding his missing medal. Naturally, Ralph and Vanellope become unlikely friends until the king manipulates Ralph into rescinding his offer to help Vanellope. But as all Disney movies teach us, the power of friendship cannot be beaten, and — spoiler alert — Ralph uses his wrecking abilities and Vanellope utilizes her
driving skills to save the day when things take a turn for the worse, delivering an ending as sweet as candy. (At least, the protagonists get the happy ending. The antagonists don't fare quite as well, also in typical Disney fashion.) The movie's formula may be tired, but the fresh and fun characters make the experience feel new. Audience members immediately sympathize with Ralph and Vanellope, who are constantly labeled as outcasts and screw-ups. Their desire to be more than what their computer programming dictates is one that many people can identify with. There is also a cute, if predictable, subplot involving another unlikely pair: Fix-It Felix, Ralph's short and nerdy counterpart, and Sergeant Calhoun, the no-nonsense and curvaceous soldier. The cinematography was also beautiful and engaging. Created through CGI, each world had a distinct theme and feel that carried over to the characters. From their physical appearance to their way of moving, each world had its own distinct style that enhanced the feeling of game-jumping within the world of this movie. There is one notable aspect
where “Wreck-It Ralph” differs from most other Disney movies: music. There is nary a dance number or show tune in the entire movie, most likely to draw in the male crowd that stayed away from Disney's other recent releases like "Tangled" and "The Princess and the Frog."
Overall, "Wreck-It Ralph" is an enjoyable investment of an hour and a half. Is it entirely original? No, but that does not detract from its fun. However, if movie prices are too steep for your budget, pop in any other Disney movie for the time being and wait to rent this one later.
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John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman voice Ralph and Vanellope respectively in Disney's new movie "Wreck-It Ralph"
The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
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Theatre Fairfield delivers truth in "An Enemy of the People"
Nicholas DiFazio/The Mirror
6WXGHQWV IDFXOW\ DQG FRPPXQLW\ PHPEHUV JDWKHUHG LQ WKH 4XLFN &HQWHU WR ZDWFK 7KHDWUH )DLUÂżHOG SHUIRUP WKH RSHQLQJ SOD\ RI WKHLU VHDVRQ $Q (QHP\ RI WKH 3HRSOH By Nicoletta Richardson Assistant News Editor
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uring the current time of electoral voting that places people one side or the other, the Theatre Fairfield production of "An Enemy of the People" seems appropriate because of political presence. However, there is one thing the play expressed that politics rarely does – the importance of the truth. Theatre Fairfield is a part of the theatre program in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Fairfield. Being the production
wing of the program, the Theatre Fairfield season consists of professionally directed and designed productions, performances of student-written plays, performance workshops, and much more. The play was set up so the audience was in a “U� shape around the stage to engage the viewers at any angle. Regular furniture was placed on stage to make the appearance of a living room. But like the director Tom Schwans said in his Director’s Note, “Even our set requires you to see beyond the immediate.� "An Enemy of the People" portrays a financial struggle within a
small city that has one man trying to expose the truth of an environment issue for the sake of the people. Essentially, the battle comes down to the health of the society verses the political economics. In Act I, the main character Dr. Thomas Stockmann discovers that there is a high amount of bacteria found in the baths within the town. However, his brother refuses to recognize the health hazard not only because of the obvious competitiveness between the siblings, but because of the economic price it would cost to fix it. Dr. Stockmann encounters
characters he thought were his friends who ended up becoming his enemies, and seems to be a man who stands on his own to deliver the truth. Out of frustration for people losing support of his cause, he proclaims at the end of the act, “the truth cannot be silenced.� In the second act, the audience is made apart of the play through a public hearing featuring Dr. Stockmann stating his case. Actors are placed offstage to appear as the audience, who speak out continuously as the angry scene unfolds. Blending the actors directly with the public made the production
seem much more realistic. Although the crowd ended up rejecting Dr. Stockmann’s theory that the water is contaminated, he still continued to acknowledge the power of truth. The man standing alone talked about the political authorities saying, “truth to them means a pretty lie.� The issues within the play can be compared to local town politics in Fairfield, such as the local cleanup of Mill River, according to the Producer’s Note. This production is used as a tool to examine the compicated
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The show that can't be killed: "The Walking Dead" By Martin O'Sullivan Editor-in-chief
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et’s get one thing straight. This isn’t a democracy anymore.� Though one may have heard this argument in the heat of the recent election, zombie fans everywhere know exactly who uttered this iconic line: none other than Rick Grimes, protagonist of "The Walking Dead." Spoken in the finale of the previous season, these words have set the tone for season 3, currently airing on Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC. However, some may find the description of Rick as the protagonist problematic, and that is exactly why this season will be so exciting. Let’s back up a bit: In the end of season 2, we see the epic death of Shane Walsh, which uncovers a larger truth about the zombie virus as interpreted in this show. Initially, Shane began as the savior of Rick’s family and was the epitome of a true friend. However, as Shane becomes desensitized to the post-apocalyptic world rampant with undead cannibals, he tries to retain what little autonomy he
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Unlike the series, some of the characters depicted above were killed in action. has by needlessly challenging Rick’s authority and marriage. Shane goes on to become the primary antagonist of the show, equal to the undead in his potential to threaten the lives of those
around him. How does this impact season 3? Rick is now left in complete control of his immediate group with no real challenge left to his authority. He ex-
pressly informs his dependents that he is their unquestionable leader, his reasoning being that he has gotten them this far. Left almost powerless to ensure his own livelihood by a world
of complete anarchy, Rick seems to be following the path of Shane. By getting a taste of control and destroying a challenge to this power, Rick realizes exactly what he doesn’t want taken away from him and it seems like he may do anything to keep it. One might counter this argument by pointing out that the character of The Governor has been set up as the primary antagonist of this season, negating the need for Rick’s downfall as as a source of conflict. This is a completely valid point, but there are several implications one must consider. Of course, Rick being set up as the fallen hero won't flesh out in this season and culminate in his death by the hands of, say, Carl. He is undoubtedly the main character of the show and to kill him off this soon would be foolish. However, it makes perfect sense that the downfall of Rick will be the overall plot of the series and could take several seasons to become a reality. As for the Governor, the choice on the part of the writers to include a power-hungry keeper of the peace
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The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
Even a "Disaster" is better than "Fifty Shades"
By Jeannine Nocera Staff Writer
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his summer, it was hard to be around any woman over the age of 20 without hearing the title “Fifty Shades of Grey.” It seemed as though the female race was taken over by the love Christian Grey had to give to Anastasia, and they were just copyand-pasting themselves into Anastasia’s fictional life. However, Jamie McGuire has written a less erotic yet much more enjoyable story than E.L. James created within her trilogy. In McGuire’s “Beautiful Disaster,” Abby Abernathy has just begun her journey into the wonderful world that is college. She is a freshman who is very confident in herself and ready to take on the world, but then she comes across a group of fraternity boys who will forever change her life. Her best friend America (yes, that is really her name) has fallen in love with one of the frat brothers and has been dating him. Because they have only been in school for a short duration, America has been trying to get her best friend Abby to follow her footsteps and join the frat lifestyle. At an underground fight, which are extremely popular at Eastern University, Abby gets her first look at the popular fighter and exact definition of a man to
not bring home to your parents: Travis Maddox. Covered in tattoos, very fit and known for his one night stands, this boy is exactly what Abby has been trying to avoid her entire life. Yet, with America and her boyfriend, Shep, there is no way she can avoid the infamous Travis Maddox and the trouble that he brings with him. No matter how much they try, the two just can’t separate themselves from the other and they fall in love - which of course everyone saw from day one. Abby tries hiding her past—which includes a thing no one would ever expect out of goody two shoes Abby, and Travis opens himself and allows himself to actually take a chance at love. The two discover the
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hardships that both of their extremely difficult lifestyles bring, from Travis outside and inside the fighting ring, to Abby’s dark
past with her father. Compared to E.L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey,” this book was actually written well, a huge issue that many readers have with the “Fifty Shades” trilogy. With great cliffhangers and page bounding literature, it was hard to stop turning the page and return to reality. As interesting as Christian Grey is, McGuire created a book that truly showed that our time is capable of having a creative author who does in fact know English, making James’ book seem as though a high schooler draft-
ed the trilogy. In addition to following every English classes’ basic rules to writing, McGuire allows readers
to pretend that they are walking around with Travis and trying to resist that bad boy charm (which everyone knows is close to impossible to resist). Yes, it may be lame, but it’s hard not to make believe that this could be your life when an extremely attractive man wants to win your heart. This romance novel does not only try to cause the reader to want this irresistible bad boy, but rather allows the reader to join the fun and dangerous college lifestyle that is one night stands as well as relationships from a new and different perspective. It is no longer about just trying to get with the girl or guy and just flirting. Rather, it is about opening oneself to another, accepting someone else’s personal disasters, and letting the other person truly discover the beauty that is in themselves while they are with that unexpected someone. Abby and Travis create a new world that no one thought existed in college: the world of true love. “I knew the second I met you that there was something about you I needed. Turns out it wasn’t something about you at all. It was just you.” These heartbreaking words will allow you to fall in love with not just the characters, but also the world that the two create in the classroom and the fighting ring.
Zombies attack Sunday night TV CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
is genius. The audience is introduced to the idea of a man who may have initially set up a safe-haven as a way to protect the ones he loved, but has become transformed into a ruthless dictator by exposure to unadulterated power. The Governor will serve as this season’s Shane: an immediate threat to Rick’s power, and a reflection of Rick’s future. As Rick’s friends and family slowly fall to the virus, his struggle to keep order becomes less about saving the group and more about being in control of it. He couldn’t have said it better himself : it isn’t a
democracy anymore. So what other developments can the audience look forward to in this season? For one, the writers seemed to have learned from their mistakes of Season 2. Much of the previous season was dedicated to exploring interpersonal relationships, something that got old quickly with the format expanded to 12 episodes. While drama is essential for any show, one thing must be realized: this is a zombie show, and viewers expect every episode to be as gory as Dawn of the Dead. Though one might call it distasteful to root for a multitude of brutal decapitations, zombies are to this show as stormtroopers are to Star Wars: they’re expendable and you shouldn’t feel bad.
And from the very first episode of Season 3, the writers have supplied the audience with more zombie deaths than the best undead films. Another exciting development to look out for is the death of multiple main characters. With Shane dead and even larger characters killed off in the most recent episode, "The Walking Dead" proves to be a show that doesn’t have reservations about killing those the audience have come to expect to survive for the entirety of the series. In addition to painting a realistic picture of this nightmarish dystopia, it will keep viewers on their feet to wonder: who’s next? So tune in to AMC on Sundays at 9 p.m. and make sure your roommates know you will be watching (reactional screaming is quite common).
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Nicholas DiFazio/The Mirror
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Curtains up!
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issues surrounding the local cleanup of the Mill River and the brownfield that now hosts the new Metro Center train station. Theatre Fairfield has become engaged with Concerned Citizens, which is a group in Fairfield that is watching to see if town leaders appropriately manage complicated sites. Through establishing a connection with those who delivered the truth like Dr. Stockmann’s character, Theatre Fairfield themselves showed to be the help that Stockmann never received. Junior Sam Maxfield related the production to the elections that have been going on in American politics. He found it to be a parallel to what some people feel like they are dealing with today. “In the political arena, many
people choose not to do the right thing in order to keep their power, and get scorned and quite possibly become an 'enemy of the people' if they can’t express their views correctly,” said Maxfield. Junior Mary Corigliano, one of the audience actors, talked about how she wouldn’t have changed anything about the way the play was directed. She said that a strong connection was made between the audience and current topics going on. “I heard a lot of kids saying that when they read this play in their classes, they didn’t see the connection that it can have to current events,” said Corigliano. “They said after watching Theatre Fairfield’s production, they realized the similarities it has with a lot of current topics, and that they found it much more interesting.”
The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
The Vine
iPick, YouListen By Gabriel Cintrón Contributing Writer
"Money Trees" by Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Rock
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"Cubism Dream" by Local Natives
Fresh off of Kendrick Lamar’s album, “Good kid M.A.A.D city” comes one of the most standout tracks, “Money Trees.” Kendrick Lamar is being seen as one of the few rappers keeping hip hop alive through his impressive story telling. Kendrick has been around for a few years now but he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves. Check him out if you haven’t already.
Local Natives are an indie rock band based in L.A. I came about Local Natives on a random Last FM station and haven’t turned back once. Cubism Dream was the initial song I heard from what is now one of my favorite bands. I find myself listening to their debut album “Gorilla Manor” from beginning to end pretty frequently. If you like what you hear, their second album, “Hummingbird,” comes out early next year.
"Meet the Frownies"
"Tick, Tock"
by Twin Sister
by Pusha-T, Raekwon, Joell Oritz, Danny Brown
I found this track while looking at samples from Kendrick Lamar’s album. Anyone who is already a fan may recognize this as the sample used for “The Recipe” ft. Dr. Dre. Twin Sister is an indie pop band from Long Island, with a very chill and distinctive sound. I’m looking forward to hearing more from them.
This track comes off the “Man with the Iron Fists” soundtrack. With a great line up with artists ranging from Wu-Tang to G.O.O.D music (and one of my personal favorites Danny Brown,) you can’t go wrong. Hip hop at its finest.
Photo Illustration by Nicholas DiFazio/The Mirror
In the storm's departure, cultural events flood campus By Olivia Snoddy Assistant Vine Editor
Whether you’re returning from a long week at home with no power, surviving through the daily hardships with family and friends caused by Sandy, or finally emerging from your apartment or residence hall after a week of boredom, you’ll want to check out Fairfield’s hottest upcoming events on campus. No need to spend $20 on a train fare into New York City to experience the thrill of the Metropolitan Opera or classical impressions group, Brooklyn Rider. Don’t miss out on your chance to see top-notch musical, dance and
theatre cultural performances right here. Tonight in the Lower Level BCC at 7:30 p.m., four panelists will discuss the pros and cons of working for a non-profit organization. They’ll discuss how one attains this type of career and what the job entails. Come listen to why these individuals have chosen this type of career path and how it might make a great fit for you. Coming up this Friday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m., Brooklyn Rider will be taking over the Quick Center stage to perform its mix of classical, world and rock music. As a string quartet, Brooklyn Rider will be playing its diverse and
dynamic mix of songs ranging from the romantic to the contemporary. National Public Radio said Brooklyn Rider recreates “the 300-year-old form of string quartet as a vital and creative 21st century ensemble.” Also Friday night in Gonzaga auditorium, Colin Farrell’s latest hit "Total Recall" will be shown at 10 p.m. You would not want to miss out on this action and adventure packed film with friends and free popcorn. Follow that up with heading to the BCC Stag Dinner to check out the Human iPod! Heading into the weekend, on Saturday the Metropolitan Opera’s The Tempest Live in
High Definition will be shown at the Quick Center at 1 p.m. It will cost Fairfield students $10 to attend. Following the live show, there will be an encore showing at 6 p.m. This is a great opportunity to see a live opera by not having to travel into New York City and pay a significant amount of money for a ticket at the Met. Saturday night is jam packed with student fun, starting off with game night in the Stag from 10 p.m. – 2 p.m. and also a band performance. Loose Ends will be performing at the Levee kicking off their tunes at 11 p.m. Coming up Monday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. at the Quick Center, re-
porter, writer and human rights advocate Kati Marton will be hosting an Open Vision Forum. Marton was chef of Outreach at the United Nations and has covered news of terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland and peace efforts in the Middle East. Her most recent book is titled "Enemies of the People: My Family’s Journey to America." Fairfield is constantly delivering cultural experiences to its students on campus and the surrounding locals. Take advantage of all that is here for you and enjoy your weekend full of festivities with friends and entertainment.
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The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
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Send your thoughts to info@fairfieldmirror.com.
IDLUÀHOGPLUURU FRP
Ask Miss Anne
Editor /RDQ /H ª LQIR#IDLUÀHOGPLUURU FRP
Because we could all use a little advice now and then...
Dear Miss Anne,
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that our senior class is relatively screwed when it comes to beach living. My house is condemned and I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back to my house if at all. Now I’m stuck in a Gonzaga dorm and can’t believe what a turn this senior year has taken. How can I make the most of this situation? - Sullen Senior Dear Sullen Senior, I am so sorry to hear about your house as well as the others in our senior class. It’s a shame but that doesn’t mean you have to stop living it up your senior year. Take these next few weeks (or the rest of the year) to be a mature college student not to be constrained by freshman quarters. You will need to think outside of the box yes, but t h e re
are fun activities to be discovered. First of all, think of everything you wanted to do in the dorms and do it. Make bunk beds… or shot-gun a beer in the shower… The quad looks better than ever so why not take advantage! The campus is your playground and possibly new home so make the most of it. It is true that things will be a little tight, but honestly the living situation will be most likely much more hygienic than it ever was in your beach house. You have everything you need at your fingertips … since your fridge desk and drawers can be accessed from you bed… And you have people that come and clean the toilets and showers and replace toilet paper. What a plus!
I know the precious Grape is out of commission, but it is now time to explore what else lower Fairfield County has to offer in terms of night life. We have The Field, a great bar on the Bridgeport-Fairfield border where the atmosphere is that of a pub with an oak bar and a space for dancing. An outdoor patio with seating beats that miniscule thing the Grape called a smoking patio. Oh and no cover. You can’t beat it. There are also other bars down town such as Colony where you can get a pint of beer pizza and then some. That’s not to mention Old Post Tavern who’s happy hour goes way past what they say it is (usually 3 to 6). Southport Brewery which is just down Post Road is also a great place to go out with, again, a great atmosphere, a real bar, real bar tenders, and well-
priced drinks…and not Dubra. Taco Bodega, a swanky Mexican restaurant with killer margaritas is always worth it. New to Fairfield is also the Chelsea whose food is excellent and their drinks (a little sweet) are decent with a great atmosphere, reminiscent of a night in Manhattan. There is also the Grey Goose, a place to take a date since it is pretty expensive lots of old dudes … honestly the list goes on and on and I consider it a sin that most Fairfield University students haven’t taken advantage of half of these places. But the real gem is the bar on campus. The Levee is an underutilized bar. With cheaper beer than any other bar and having the knowledge that you will be surrounded by your friends in a relatively clean and safe space you couldn’t ask for anything better. Karaoke night needs to be taken advantage of - that’s all I’m saying. So you see my sullen senior, it isn’t all that bad. There is still a chance
for you to have a fulfilling year surrounded by your friends. It just takes a little bit of thinking and creativity on your part. All is not lost. Love, Miss Anne
Send your questions to askmissanne@gmail.com Disclaimer: This is column is for entertainment purposes only. The author is a student, not a therapist, and the column is not intended to take the place of professional advice. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mirror and its staff members. Anna Wolk ‘13 Columnist Loan Le ‘14 Editor
Can you spot the differences? Did you miss us? That’s right. We’re bringing this segment back. Try to find five differences between the first photo and the second photo. Tweet the answers to @MirrorFairfield and get a possible RT!
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Sports
The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
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This Week in Sports Watch out for Fairfield Athletics
What To Watch For
CHECK OUT THE B SECTION INSERT!
Wednesday - Men's Soccer vs Princeton, 2 p.m. Thursday- No games. Friday- Cross Country at NCAA Regionals Saturday- Swimming at Marist, 1 p.m. Sunday- Volleyball vs Canisius, 2 p.m. Monday- Men's Basketball at Virginia, 7 p.m. Tuesday- Women's Basketball vs Brown, 7 p.m.
By The Numbers 1.9 7.17 208 Women's Bas-
Volleyball's Kara Reis '13 was named MAAC Libero of the week after averaging 7.17 digs per set.
Aryanne Pereira/The Mirror
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Men's Basketball's Desmond Wade '13 scored the game-winning three pointer with 1.9 seconds left against Bridgeport
ketball's Katelyn Linney '13 goes into her senior season with 208 career threepointers.
Quote of the Week
Like Fairfield Mirror Sports for pictures from all the on campus games!
" You are not going to be able to replace the experience of these girls for a while. � - Women's Soccer's Head Coach Jim O'Brien about his seniors
Sports 3x5 Because they like to talk ... sports.
Jennifer Calhoun Sports Editor
Michael O'Keeffe The Mate
Thomas Shea Assistant Sports Editor
With classes restarting With the witnter season after a week off. How are beginning, how do you you holding up think the fall season went
They should have eased us into it. Maybe give us four days off this week, then three days next week, etc.between classes and B section I'm ready to pass out this week! Hard to get back into classes, but glad to say i have been reunited with my old roommate, despite taking on a new name... "DJ Frat-Star."
I'm horribly behind in the majority of my classes, and I'm still trying to get rid of a week's worth of toxins that I consumed during Sandy. Fan-bloody-tastic.
I think it wasvery entertaining, especially getting to know so many of the athletes throughout the season. Sad to see the season come to an end so soon.
Your 2012-2013 3x5 Columnists: Jennifer Calhoun, Thomas Shea and Michael O'Keeffe.
Ian Carlos Diaz asked would you ever streak around campus?
No.
Viewer question: What was the best rivalry in sports?
With it being election week, who do you think would make the best US President on Campus.
I'm going to have to go with Boston College vs Boston University in hockey. I mean it's the Battle of Comm Ave, and it's always a healthy reminder that it Sucks2BU
I'm going to go with Nick "Worldboss" Whyte, because if he could be a boss of the world, he must be able to rule a country....right? #Worldboss2012
Since watching the film "Old School" it's always been on the bucket list. If I do, you'll be sure to hear me... "We're going streaking through the quad!"
Has to be the Pittsburgh Feelers and Denver Bronchoes. Looking forward to seeing how the teams fare in this years PowderPuff.
Field hockey made great I mean, with this killer strides, women's soccer physique, it would be a discontiues to impress and get service not to. better, and volleyball is on their way to a MAAC regular season and tournament title. Overall, I approve.
Besides Fairfield and Loyola/Iona, I'd go with Cubs and Astros. It's a tense battle every time to see who can truly be the worst team ever.
Proud of the field hockey, womens soccer and cross country. It's not over yet! Make room in the trophy cabinet for 2 more trophies from volleyball
Jon Clements because his main priority would be to ensure free dental care for everyone.
I'll go with Patty the mail lady. Nicest lady on campus, and there wouldn't be any Stagcard/voter fraud on her watch.
Sports
The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
Stags fall short in America East
By Thomas Shea Assistant Sports Editor
In their first ever trip to the America East Tournament Championship, the Fairfield field hockey team lost in overtime to the tournament’s number one seed, New Hampshire, by the final score of 3-2. The Stags got down early, despite impressive play on the defensive end by Maddie Sposito ‘13 and Michelle Loor ’13. After scoring 15 minutes into the game, New Hampshire added another tally five minutes before halftime, putting the Stags in a 2-0 hole. But Fairfield came out after halftime on a mission, and just six minutes into the second half, Felicitas Heinen ’15 scored her 15thz goal of the season, which led the team, and cut the New Hampshire lead to one. After another save from Sposito, Christy Starsinic scored the game-tying goal at the 53rd minute, her sixth goal of the season. With over 10 minutes still to play in regulation, Fairfield was tied with the 20th ranked team in the nation, and a team that went undefeated during America East play. The game would go into overtime where Sposito continued to play well, getting back-to-back saves, and keeping Fairfield’s season alive. But in the 79th minute,
New Hampshire’s Meg Flatley scored the game winner, and ended Fairfield’s surprising season. Fairfield lost to New Hampshire by the same score earlier this season, that game finishing in double overtime. Despite the early exit from the tournament, it was an overall successful season for the Stags. They won 10 games for the first time since joining America East, and had a brief stint in the top 25 poll, with numerous players earning awards. Heinen was named All-Conference First Team, while Shealyn Testa ‘14 was named AllConference Second Team. Freshmen Kaitlyn Taddeo and Emily McCauley ‘16 were named to the America East All-Rookie Team, and Sposito and Loor were named to the All-Championship team. “One word to describe this season is Progression,” said Emily Leo ’15. “We improved a lot this season as both individuals and as a team. We made a statement this year and made ourselves known.” Leo called the loss to New Hampshire “One of the toughest loses I’ve ever been through with a team.” “We were inches away from winning but you live and learn. I think this game and making the tournament makes us all want more out of next season and make us not want to settle for anything.”
Heinen, who described the season as “promising,” was overall pleased with their experience in the tournament. “Obviously we wished we had more than one game, but we knew it was going to be tough. And we came back in the second half from being down 2-0 and it was pretty cool,” said Heinen. “I mean we had some highs and we had some lows but overall we improved so much. And I can see that the whole team is improving even further. So it's good looking forward for the season,” Heinen continued. Heinen called it the “icing on the cake” when she learned she was named to the All-Conference team. “That's pretty cool,” said Heinen. “I think I tried to do my best as much as I could. I had some games where I knew that I didn’t do too well, but then the team around me picked it up, so that was awesome.” It will be interesting to see if Fairfield can build on the progress that was made this year. They are only losing four total seniors, but two are the defensive stalwarts of Loor and Sposito, so their presence will be missed. However, the core team they leave behind showed how talented and balanced it could be this year, and will look to continue on their new winning ways next fall.
Page 14
Thomas Shea/ The Mirror
Felicitas Heinen '15 shoots in a game earlier in the 2012 season.
Thomas Shea/ The Mirror
Sophomore Valerie Buurma evades defenders during a regular season game.
Sports
The Mirror | Week of November 7, 2012
Page 15
Stags upset in MAAC Tournament
By Jennifer Calhoun Sports Editor
Sometimes in sports everything can go your way in a game - except the final score. The Fairfield University Women’s Soccer Team experienced this on Friday night. In the Stags’ semi-final MAAC Tournament game against third-seeded Loyola, the Stags lost a 1-0 decision while statistically dominating the game. Fairfield out-shot Loyola 167, and dominated in corner kicks at a staggering 11-1. However, in the 72nd minute, the only statistic that counted went Loyola’s way as Kelsey Rene headed home the gamewinning goal for Loyola. It was the only goal of the game. Early into the second half, the Stags almost had the gamewinner themselves. Junior Carly Beyar took a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar. The officials ruled that the ball had not crossed the goal line and was therefore not a goal. Had any of that shots happened to go Fairfield’s way, the game would have ended in their favor and they would have been playing in the MAAC Tournament Final on Sunday. However, there are still positives to be gained from the season the Stags had. While they
did not win the MAAC Tournament, the Stags earned a share of the MAAC regular season crown with Marist College. “It was an outstanding season. We had an excellent run in conference play, and we won a share of the conference title,� said coach Jim O’Brien. The Stags had a fantastic conference record of 8-0-1, mirroring that of the men’s soccer team in the 2011 season. They were helped along the way by fantastic efforts from their rookie goalkeepers, coming off of the loss of Kelly Boudreau ‘12 through graduation. Boudreau was arguably one of the best keepers that Fairfield has ever seen, with her name in several spots of the record books. However, through excellent play from Kathleen Early ’15, Veronica Saez ’15, and Sophia DeVita ’16, the Stags held tough and posted the best goals against average in the MAAC, at .81. The Stags were also tied at the top of the league, with Rider, for fewest goals allowed in the conference, with 16. Finally, Fairfield topped the MAAC for most shutouts in the season, at an impressive 10. While goalkeeping was an important factor in the Stags gaining a share of the MAAC title, senior leadership also helped the Stags get to the top of the conference.
Contributed Photo
:RPHQ V VRFFHU GHVSLWH D VXFFHVVIXO 0$$& VHDVRQ IHOO WR /R\ROD LQ WKH ÂżUVW URXQG RI WKH 0$$& 7RXUQDPHQW "It was a great group of girls to work with this season. Especially the senior class,â€? said coach O’Brien. O’Brien continued, saying: “You are not going to be able to replace the experience of these girls for a while. You’re also not going to be able to replace their personality, maturity, dedication and desire to succeed.â€? For the Stags, they will be losing defenders, Elise Hemmer ‘12, Lexi Simon ‘12, and Allison Walsh ‘12. Walsh was recently
named MAAC-Defensive Player of the Year, and will be a difficult player to replace ahead of the next season. The Stags will also be losing midfielder Lauren Reilly ‘12, who score a hat trick on October 28th, to help propel the Stags to a share of the MAAC crown. Finally, the Stags will graduate Kasey Schulz ‘12 who had two goals and two assists for the team this season. While statistically the graduating class looks like they will
leave big holes in the squad for next season, the hard work and determination of the underclassmen will help fill the spots left by the seniors. After losing big players ahead of this season, the Stags still managed to get a hold of a share of the trophy. If they keep the same mentality ahead of the 2013 season, they might be able to get the elusive MAAC Tournament Championship.
SPORTS | 16
Online New and improved sports blog. Online only coverage. Week of November 7, 2012
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Game Saver
Desmond Wade hits game-winning three with 1.9 seconds left
By Jeannine Nocera Staff Writer
Jeannine Nocera/The Mirror
Freshman Josip Mikulic and Maurice Barrow '14 watch the ball go into the hoop during their game Friday.
One second left on the clock, fans at the very edge of their seats - will this begin the season for the Stags with a loss to hometown rivals? The shot is up, fans are on their feet and there it is: the three point shot that everyone saw in their minds but did not actually think would happen. Senior Desmond Wade proved to the Webster Bank Arena and to himself that what he has been practicing every day for has paid off. The 2012-2013 season began with an extremely close match for the Fairfield University Stags, who played on Friday against University of Bridgeport, where Wade’s three-pointer with 1.9 seconds left, gave the Stags the 54-52 edge. The Bridgeport game is an annual scrimmage, which allows the teams to come together after the first months of practicing find out what they need to improve upon. This year however, the game took on more meaning. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which hit Bridgeport and Fairfield exceptionally hard, the game was a chance for Fairfield county residents to get away from the disaster. “There is power out and homes damaged and that’s kind of hard to stomach. [Bridgeport] represented their city well, and I thought we represented Fairfield well too,� said Fairfield Head Coach Sydney Johnson. But, of course, there was still basketball to be played and squads to be sorted out. Freshman Josip Mikulic, Derek Needham ’13, Desmond Wade ’13, Keith Matthews ’14, and Maurice Barrow ’14, got the nod from Johnson with the start. The game started slowly, as both teams had to work out initial kinks. The first shot of the contest was made three minutes in by the Purple Knights, which unfortunately for the Stags set the tone for
the rest of the first half. The Stags went into half trailing by 14 points. When they came out of the locker room to begin the second half, the Stags came out onto the court ready to show that their efforts in the first were to be forgotten and they were going to put up a different performance in the second. “We got down but we didn’t quite. That’s important. I know Bridgeport is a Division II team, but they’re a good one,� Johnson told The Mirror after the game. With a steady momentum, the Stags caught up towards the end of the period. Needham made a crucial three-point shot with two minutes left, and the Stags took over the lead for the next minute. With only several seconds left on the clock, Wade was given the ball at the top of the arc. With a move that seemed questionable while it was happening, Wade set up to take a threepoint shot. Like a scene out of a movie, Wade shot up a three with 1.9 seconds left, which brought the score to 54-52, which is how the game would end. After the game, when coach Johnson was asked about Wade’s three, he laughed saying “he’s made a couple of big shots since I’ve been here. We were actually just talking about that in the locker room. Each player had his own expectations towards the game and the anticipated result, but no one could’ve seen that the match was going to be as closely played as it was. “We’re going to fix this. We’re going to be facing teams who are more experienced than we are. But we have our five guys, with our three seniors and two juniors who have been around the block,� said Johnson. The Stags still have a long way to come, but they proved that even under the pressure, they could still put their noses to the grindstone themselves and come out on top.
Jeannine Nocera/The Mirror
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