Fairfield Mirror 12-5-12

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Mirror

The Reflection of Fairfield

MIRROR Staff Report

On the night of Tuesday Nov. 27, Chelsea Mingrone ‘14 felt stomach pains shortly before 9 p.m. She also felt sick, so she went home. She suffered from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Other students encountered the same problems, some earlier, some later, but what happened in the end was the same: They all had the norovirus. By Wednesday afternoon, Fairfield Department of Health officials arrived on campus to investigate increasing reports of students experiencing similar symptoms. The health department confirmed on Thursday that the sickness was viral gastroenteritis, more commonly referred to as

the norovirus, according to health center Director Julia Duffy. Duffy said that within the last week approximately 100 students were affected by the norovirus. “We’ve seen about 50 students [in the health center] and we’ve heard on the phone [from] about 50 students,� she said. Of these students, approximately 6 were transported to the hospital due to dehydration. Norovirus, according to website of the Center for Disease Control, “causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed ... This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up.� According to Aryanne Pereira ‘13, “I could tell it was a stomach virus because I felt the same symptoms from last year’s stomach virus that was around December or so.�

Assistant Vice President Jim Fitzpatrick said that initial discussions on Wednesday afternoon between administrators and public safety indicated that food from campus dining facilities was a potential source of the sickness. “I believe four of the seven [initially affected students], there seemed to be a common thread of chicken,� said Fitzpatrick. “The fire department, in consultation with Tom Pellegrino ... and myself made the recommendation that the chicken be pulled from the dining hall. Dr. Pellegrino accepted their recommendation and asked that I contact Sodexo and pull the chicken,� he continued.

Lisa Tkach/The Mirror

Norovirus strikes Fairfield

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Vice President of Student Affairs Tom Pellegrino said of his decision on Wednesday: “I had no confirmation in terms of anything in terms of what is it, viral versus bacterial. “I just made a gut instinct call,� he continued. “I didn’t want

anyone eating chicken at that particular point in time until we could find out more ‌ It’s kind of when you’re going through your kitchen and you think that something might be expired and somebody isn’t feeling well. You throw it out.â€? According to Fitzpatrick, the town health department arrived soon after because of a call they had received from the fire department concerning students being transported to the hospital. “From the information the town had, and since all of the students affected were from all different sectors ‌ they began to suspect that it was not a case of food being the main source of the stomach problems, but it could be a virus,â€? he said. This was confirmed by the health department on Thursday afternoon according to Fitzpatrick, Pellegrino and Duffy.

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1SFTJEFOU BOE SFGVHFFT DPFYist By Thomas Shea Assistant Sports Editor

Nick DiFazio/The Mirror

Management students sold Candy Grams in the BCC on Tuesday.

3BJTJOH NPOFZ BOE $ISJTUNBT DIFFS By Molly Leidig Contributing Writer

As students line up at Einstein’s to get their afternoon coffee fix, two management students, who once barely knew each other, sit together at a table selling Candy Grams to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. In a Facebook group created

for the event, Robert Lopinto ’14 said, “We will come together as a nation and not let this devastation get us down. It is time that we all join as one and show everyone that the people of the United States of America are hands down the greatest individuals alive!� The management class,

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When Kevin Bachman ‘13 began his senior year in September, it would have been hard to imagine that by the end of the fall semester, he would be receiving text messages from the president of the University on a regular basis. “He texts us all the time,� said Bachman, “Like, ‘Hey guys, hold down the fort while I’m away.’ He’s such a nice guy.� For many Fairfield University seniors, Hurricane Sandy struck at a time when they were supposed to be enjoying the thrill of off-campus living for the first time in their four years. Instead, many have ended up in the very same dorms that housed them as freshmen and sophomores, retreating back to the lifestyle of common bathrooms and meals in Barone. But for four particular seniors, the storm presented a very different opportunity. Bachman, along with his roommates Tyler Haviland ‘13, Andrew Cunningham ‘13 and Paul Rosen ‘13, have been dis-

placed by the storm, but have taken up residency at one location rarely seen by students: the home of Rev. Jeffery P. von Arx.

“My room here is three times the size of my one at the beach house.� -Kevin Bachman’13 “This is the best scenario,� said Bachman. “We’re the only people with a kitchen. We didn’t get broken up into freshmen dorms. We’re off campus. My room here is three times the size of my one at the beach house.� The four seniors are among the approximately 300 Fairfield students who needed a place to stay after the storm uprooted them from their beach houses. This group’s house in particular, called “The Lobster Trap,� sustained heavy damages to its downstairs rooms. Most of the appliances had to be replaced,

and major work had to be done on the interior of the house. “They keep stripping it more. I went down there yesterday, and we had stairs the other day, but now we don’t,â€? said Bachman. But for now, the students do not mind their new living arrangements, and their relationship with Fr. Von Arx has been going well. “He’s a real down-to-earth guy,â€? said Bachman. “People automatically assume because he’s the President and he’s so intelligent that he’ll be stand-offish. But honestly, he’s very good with us, very welcoming.â€? “We’re a lot closer to him than everyone else,â€? said Rosen. And according to von Arx himself, he likes having the boys there. “It’s been fine. They’re nice guys,â€? said von Arx. In fact, von Arx has begun to see himself in a paternal role with the students. “It’s funny ‌ somebody my age, you begin to think of them a little bit as your children,â€? said von Arx. “One of them didn’t come back [Sunday], and I guess you begin to worry a VON

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The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

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Recovering from Sandy through selling candy

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taught by Professor Lisa Mainiero, came up with the idea as a way to give back after the devastation from Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy claimed more than 85 deaths in the U.S., according to The Los Angeles Times, and displaced about 100,000 individuals from their homes and caused more than 8 million power outages, according to The Huffington Post. Senior Henry Demaso, a member of the management class, said, “The Candy Gram event definitely brought our class together for a great cause.” The class organized the event together, so it not only made an effort to bring the nation together, but also brought the class together. The candy gram sale was set up yesterday in the Barone Campus Center, Dolan School of Business and the downtown Bookstore. The students said that it took great class collaboration in order to set up the sale at all the various locations, but they knew it would increase the profit and success of the sale. The class raised around $500 through the event. Professor Mainiero has another class that did a fundraiser by setting up donation boxes around campus. The other class’s donations were estimated around $500. Donations were accepted through StagBucks, which made it

much easier for students to donate and added to the money raised through the event. Two members of the class are students studying abroad at Fairfield. One student, Matt LeMoal ’15, said, “Coming from France, being a part of this management class and participating in this fundraiser made me realize that American people are much more generous and eager to help out people in need than people in my country.” LeMoal’s friend and classmate, Ramon Brito ‘13, from Brazil, agreed. Senior Courtney Euler spearheaded the project. Euler is a resident of the beach at the University and is from New Jersey originally, so she experienced the devastation of Hurricane Sandy firsthand, which gave her motivation to want to see the event succeed. Euler said the project was a collaboration of the whole class, and it brought the class much closer together for a great cause. The class chose candy canes because they thought it was the perfect type of candy for the Christmas season. Professor Mainiero donated $100 of her own money for the class to purchase the candy canes and all proceeds are donated to Hurricane Sandy relief. Euler said “People are more willing to give during the Christmas season, so we thought candy canes would be the perfect candy to sell, and candy rhymes with Sandy so we thought it would be really catchy.”

Nick DiFazio/The Mirror

Management Professor Mainiero donated $100 worth of candy canes.

Martin O’Sullivan/The Mirror

Directors Lisa Naples ‘14 and Rachel Lang ‘14 anticipate the retreat this Friday in Campus Ministry.

3FUSFBU BJNT GPS IJHIFS BUUFOEBODF By Crystal Rodriguez Staff Writer

Women around campus will join together for the Women’s Circle retreat this Friday at the Campus Ministry McGrath Commons from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. “The purpose of the event is to bring women together on campus to reflect and rejuvenate,” said one of the Gender, Sex, and Sexuality Commons (GSSC) founders Rachel Lang ’14. Lang along with Lisa Naples’14, and Jocelyn Collen, the Campus Minister for Immersions and Pilgrimages, worked to create a retreat that would allow women to feel inspired and empowered as a community on campus. The event is an opportunity to meet new people and share experiences and feelings that are both similar and unalike, explains Lang. The women will share their experiences through a variety of options for expression. Some include but are not limited to discussion, art, music, journaling, listening and even silence. This opportunity for expression will hopefully lead to “a feeling of not being alone,” said Brigid Callahan’ 16. Callahan wants to attend the event because, as a declared “feminist,” it often feels like there is no one who shares the same views as you, explained Callahan. But as Lang stressed, the women who join the circle may have vastly different experiences as females on this campus,

but the hope is that the women exalt in their diversity, support and friendship. Either way, Callahan is excited to be a part of the experience. “I believe sharing in our common womanhood would be a wonderful experience to have together,” said Callahan. She hopes to become closer to her female friends on campus as well as discuss gender stereotypes for both girls and guys. She also hopes to discuss body image because “every girl deserves to feel beautiful,” said Callahan. The retreat has been helping women feel beautiful, strong and supported for around five to six years, according to Lang. Every year that she has attended, the retreat has changed her understanding of herself and others. And after every retreat she has felt even more inspired and empowered to overcome challenges and make a difference. Last year, women did not have this opportunity, because the retreat was cancelled due to lack of student participation. This year the women’s retreat was revamped. Instead of being an overnight retreat the event will only go until 10:30 p.m. Also the event no longer has a religious aspect but still maintains an emphasis on reflection. The reflection can be interpreted in any way and is not limited to beliefs, interests or topics, Lang explained. As for this year’s turn out, some students have doubts. As much as

Callahan hopes there is a large turnout, she is expecting it to be a small group of women but hopes to be proven wrong. The reason for this expectation is because “a lot of women out there are sometimes daunted by the task of facing these social pressures that seem so beyond us,” said Callahan. But as the saying goes “many hands makes for light work,” she continued. Callahan even goes so far as challenging the readers of The Mirror to attend and contribute their own unique voice to the circle, and hopefully women will share their voice as well as gain an understanding of themselves in relation to the campus community. This understanding could change the way women communicate and interact with the Fairfield University community and in turn create more tolerance on campus, said Lang. Callahan thinks the attendees of the retreat will not only leave feeling renewed but will have a greater arsenal of thought to support women’s issues. The event is a call to all who identify as women or allies to enjoy dinner, dessert and discussion while unhinging the potential of a strong women’s group on campus. Those interested can RSVP by emailing lisa.naples@student.fairfield.edu. For more information on the event and other opportunities, email gss.fairfield@gmail.com.

4VSWFZ JT BO BTTFU UP CFBDI MJGF DBNQVT QSPHSBNT By Ashley Paholski Contributing Writer

Where are you currently living? Who is your Area Coordinator? In regards to your college community, rate your level of agreement on the following. If these questions sound familiar, you most likely completed Fairfield University’s Fall 2012 Quality of Life Survey. But if they appear foreign, do not worry. There is still time for students to complete this survey online. The Quality of Life Survey, a questionnaire created by Residence Life and several other departments, is sent out annually via email. The survey aims to help the university increase

the quality of life for students on campus, according to Director of Residence Life Ophelie RoweAllen. “The responses to the housing questions also help us assess the off-campus beach release process, assessment of our commuter population and other residential life initiatives,” says Rowe-Allen. But how is the survey analyzed for improving student experience? Students can also explain what they wish their Resident Assistants would do better. This is possible due to the survey having open comment boxes so students are not limited in voicing their thoughts and opinions, and all

comments are strictly confidential. Included is a section devoted to analyzing the cornerstone classes and the university’s effectiveness in integrating new students into the community. “It’s important for Res Life to know what a good opportunity the cornerstone classes are so they can keep going with the process,” says Lizzie Hart ’16. Yet an essential purpose of this survey is to assist in assessing the beach release process. “The number of students to be released off campus is based on projections in several areas, including future enrollment, retention of current students from fall to spring and study abroad

numbers,” says Rowe-Allen. “The data from the survey is helpful to us, in an effort to meet student demand to the greatest extent possible when it comes to housing preferences.” But why should you be convinced to take the survey? “The residential experience is a singularly important component of today’s college student’s experience, perhaps more so now than at any other point in time,” says Rowe-Allen. “The housing needs, the level of comfort, the development of Fairfield into an even better community and the request for student input all foster an atmosphere for students to grow in.” Students surveyed feel

positively towards the survey. “I thought the survey was good overall,” says Elizabeth Morena ’15. “It asked relevant questions, and I think it covered the most important aspects that factor into the quality of living.” Others feel the survey contains responses that can help improve the overall quality of life for Fairfield students. “Together we would like to make a difference as we continue on with our Jesuit mission,” says Rowe-Allen. “Through ongoing reflection and discernment at the personal level, we would like students to continue to give greater love, care and compassion globally.” The survey is available until Dec. 23.

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

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“This really wasn’t food poisoning the ways people think of it,� said Duffy. “In this particular situation, there’s been no documentation that any contaminated food was introduced into the cafeteria that initiated the outbreak.� So how did it start? Sands Cleary, director of the Fairfield Public Health Department, described the norovirus as a “cruise ship type of virus.� “Somebody was sick and it spread through the community of Fairfield University just like it would spread through a community on a cruise ship very quickly,� he said. “It can pass person to person, it can pass on surfaces and doors, It can pass through food, so it can spread very quickly through all those means.� According to Pellegrino, the ways in which the illness spread as described by Duffy “were the reason to we immediately instituted cleaning procedures even before we knew whether it was viral or bacterial.� Cleary described these procedures: “The facilities had increased the cleaning of high contact surfaces throughout, particularly in the food service areas, so anything like door handles, door knobs, bathroom fixtures, as

well as in the dormitories.â€? He continued: “In addition, they had a specialized cleaning team that if kids got sick, they could call Public Safety and have a cleaning team dispatched to a bathroom.â€? In addition to heightened cleaning procedures, the university acted on off-campus recommendations. Fitzpatrick said that when the health department confirmed the norovirus outbreak on Thursday, they suggested that Sodexo directly serve students rather than allow self-serve. The suggestion was followed. Cleary explained the logic behind this decision: “Some of the interviews done indicated that those students that were sick were still going to the dining facilities while they were sick ‌ one of the ways norovirus can spread, one is just being in proximity with lots of people, but also if they’re handling the same handles and ladles and tongs and things that other students are handling.â€? Within 48 hours of implementing these procedures, cases of the norovirus started to decline. “Within one to two days we started seeing the number of cases dramatically decrease,â€? said Cleary. “So most of those controls are still in place and so we’re just

hoping they remain effective.� Though heightened cleaning procedures have been maintained, the self-serve option was returned to the Barone cafeteria by Monday morning due to a significant decrease in cases, according to Pellegrino. In addition to measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus, the Office of Residence Life also offered care packages for sick students to pick up on Nov. 30. Packages consisted of “ginger ale, water, saltine crackers and Gatorade,� according to Director of Residence Life Ophelia RoweAllen. She explained that approximately 20 students picked up care packages from Residence Life that day, with RAs handing out an additional 60 packages to students in their dormitories. In terms of the exact origin of the virus, sources agreed it would be nearly impossible to deduce. However, in collaboration with the town and state health departments, a survey was sent out to the campus community via email on Nov. 30. Questions focused on specific symptoms as well as the food eaten during that time period. “There really was no question if it was norovirus,� said Pellegrino, “but a survey like this is basically geared to answer or help understand two questions: the scope of

Nick DiFazio/The Mirror

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the problem, and also causation, where did it potentially start.â€? Fitzpatrick said: “Since it’s a norovirus, we will never know who patient one was.â€? Pellegrino echoed: “We may never know what the cause was ‌ Everything is being considered

right now. I’ve heard a number of different theories ‌ but I think the best way to go about it what the state and town are recommending.� Students can take the survey by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6VWXRSR

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little, ‘You know, I hope he’s alright.’ ‌ You get something of a paternal outlook to them when you’re living in closer proximity.â€? But aside from the occasional community meetings where he meets with the guys to discuss things, there are times when von Arx and the group go a while without seeing or interacting with one another. “We have to kind of work around his schedule because he has catered events here, like dinners and breakfasts. But beyond that, he’s rarely here,â€? said Cunningham. This is consistent with what von Arx said about himself as

well, as he said that he normally doesn’t come back to the house until well after dinner, around 10 p.m. “But when he is here, he is normally just hanging out, like us,� said Rosen. Perhaps the biggest surprise may be about the number of parties and get-togethers thrown not by the guys, but by von Arx himself. “The house does get used for a lot of entertaining, that’s what it’s there for. The first week they were here, there were three separate dinners,� said von Arx. The guys have done well so far with the parties. “We know not to do anything stupid,� Rosen said. If anything, von Arx has been surprised at how quiet the house

is, even with them living there. “I guess the house must be very

“One of them didn’t come back [Sunday], and I guess you begin to worry a little, ‘You know, I hope he’s alright.’� -Fr. von Arx well built, because I go to bed, and I just don’t hear any noise.� Each of the students be-

lieves themselves to be lucky to be in such a situation, but it begs the question: How did they end up so lucky? “Karen Donoghue called me up, and she asked if we wanted to do it. She was my FYM [First Year Mentor], so I’ve known her for the past four years,� said Bachman. The group also participated in the Build-a-House program, which they believe helped their status. When asked if he has learned anything in this experience, von Arx replied, laughing: “How much laundry people do?� He went on to say that it has been good getting familiarized once again with the routines and daily lives of students. Von

Arx lived with students while at both Georgetown University and Fordham University, and said that the experience hasn’t changed much. When asked how they are going to act on Commencement Day, when von Arx hands them their diplomas as they walk across the stage, housemate Paul Rosen smiled, saying, “I’m going to give him a nice big hug.� Von Arx said that he may mention them in a speech that day—but will he get teary eyed with fatherly pride that day? “I don’t know about that,� he said laughing, “But as I’ve said I’ve enjoyed their presence and am happy I’ve been able to help.�

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The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

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Jogues Hall. The student involved was arrested for possession of controlled substance.

4:55 p.m. – DPS assisted the Fairfield Police De- Saturday, 12/1 partment with a warrant in which a young man was in possession of drugs and drug dealing in 12:41 a.m. – A vehicle drove through the guardJogues Hall. The student was arrested. rail in between the townhouse 5 and 6 block area, and a second vehicle parked in the area was covFriday, 11/30 ered with debris. The vehicle left tire tracks that allowed DPS to follow the car. The suspect ve3:22 a.m. - Disorderly conduct took place when hicle and operator were identified. a minor shoving match took place in the village area. Public Safety responded and dispersed the 1:41 a.m. - Exterior doors were smashed in Camfight. pion Hall, and the glass was damaged on the doors. There are no suspects. 2:32 p.m. - It is suspected that someone entered a Campion Hall room, removed the students’ 10:27 p.m. – A student walked into the hallway clothing and placed it on the floor outside the with beer in hand in Kostka Hall. They led to room. the discovery of more alcohol, specifically vodka and wine. The alcohol was dumped out and the 4:05 p.m. - Townhouse residents reported that student was referred to conduct. an unknown individual slashed a 12-foot inflatable snowman outside the 12 block the previous Sunday, 12/2 night. DPS has utilized some investigative techniques and have identified a potential suspect. 2:13 a.m. - Two individuals were observed on The case is still under investigation. the University Field. Both individuals were suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and 6:47 p.m. - A young man kicked a window in Gon- referred to student conduct. zaga Hall, causing it to break. The young man confessed to the situation and is working with 6:43 p.m. - DPS assisted FPD in an investigation the Dean of Students office. in which a Sacred Heart University student was found in a motor vehicle with a 15-year-old fe9:55 p.m. - The smell of marijuana led Depart- male in the Prep parking lot. It was marked as a ment of Public Safety to the discovery of small questionable situation. amounts of suspected marijuana and steroids in *If you have information about any of these incidents, please contact the Department of Public Safety.*

Did you know? Insect can jump off water’s surface

Researchers have reported that tiny insects called Pygmy mole crickets can jump from the surface of water. An author of the study, Dr. Malcolm Burrows, first noticed these insects in a pond while he was in South Africa.

Breathing problems may be leading to insomnia

Thursday, December 6 Join the Jesuit community in a service of lessons and carols with Fr. Holland to start the Advent Season. The service is from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Egan Chapel.

Friday, December 7

Head over to the Quick Center to hear well-known jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis play holiday classics from his 2011 release, “A New Orleans Christmas Carol.” The performance will start at 8 p.m. and end at 10 p.m.

Saturday, December 8

&RPH WR WKH )DLU¿HOG University bookstore on Post Road for a meet-andgreet with author Barbara Ehrentreu, who will be signing copies of her new young-adult novel “If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor.” The event is from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Gr aduate School of Business

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Journal Sleep reported that people who have breathing problems have a higher chance of becoming or being an insomniac. The article stated that insomniacs woke up about 30 times a night, and 90 percent of those interruptions were due to breathing problems while sleeping.

You can now follow Pope Benedict XVI on Twitter The Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI will now being posting messages on Twitter next week under @pontifex, meaning bridge-builder in Latin. The first post to the general audience is expected to be on Dec. 12.

Highway tunnel collapses in Japan The ceiling of a tunnel collapsed in Tokyo, Japan, and nine people were found dead after their cars had been crushed. News reports said investigators believe the 35-year-old tunnel might have grown brittle, causing the collapse to occur.

Kate Middleton announces pregnancy It was announced by St. James Palace, on behalf of Prince William and Kate Middleton, that Middleton is pregnant. Whether the child is a girl or a boy, they will eventually be heir to the British throne, according to new legislation awaiting final approval.

5HSXEOLFDQV GHOLYHU FRXQWHU RIIHU WR DYHUW ¿VFDO FOLII Republicans in the House of Representatives delivered a counter offer to President Obama. Speaker of the House, John Boehner presented a $2.2 trillion deficit reduction package over 10 years.

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Lindsay Lohan’s bank accounts seized by IRS The IRS has seized all of Lohan’s bank accounts in hopes that she will pay off her debts. Lohan is not taking blame, claiming she did not know about the unpaid debt.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Visit www.bryant.edu/gradschool to learn more.

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

Opinion

Online

Send your thoughts to opinion@fairfieldmirror.com.

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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

It can only get better! When we thought this semester couldn’t get any stranger or any more stressful, a massive virus outbreak hit campus. Just a month earlier super storm Hurricane Sandy devastated the town of Fairfield, giving us an unexpected week-long October break and displacing seniors from their beach houses. What’s next- the end of the world? Conveniently, the Mayans have predicted this apocalypse for December 21, just in time to see us finish all finals and papers before our catastrophic end. But don’t freak out. NASA has consistently shown the ancient Mayan calendar’s prediction of doomsday to be just another myth. The norovirus outbreak is dying out and seniors have once again populated the shores of Fairfield Beach. Life goes on. In times of stress we can either fall and crumble under the pressure or rise up to the occasion. Despite the irregularity of a hurricane and a plague hitting the Fairfield campus in the span of a semester, disappointments, detours and failures are inevitable. We all have challenges where we wonder, “Why me?” Every semester we reach a point where we can’t imagine how we will finish all of our work. But the work gets done. We keep going, we persevere. We would like to note that the University has been very accommodating during this confusing time, making the stress much more manageable. After the hurricane, Fairfield came to the rescue of the homeless seniors, provided free Barone to the powerless Townhouse residents, and cancelled classes for the entire week. After the norovirus outbreak, self-serve was put on hold to reduce the spread of germs, Residence Life supplied sick students with care packages and cleaning crews worked non-stop to decontaminate the campus. And with the semester’s unusual events pushing assignments closer together, professors have been, for the most part, understanding that our work load is higher than usual. Fairfield is deserving of thanks for dealing with the oddest semester yet. With everything that’s happened, there’s really nowhere to go but up. We’ll see what the spring has in store for us.

Thumbs-Up / Thumbs-Down r 5IF (SBQF JT PQFOJOH Friday! r 8PNFOhT CBTLFUCBMM won its fifth consecutive game to St. Francis 52-43. r 5IF CFHJOOJOH PG UIJT week was around 60 degrees and it is December. r ,BUF .JEEMFUPO JT QSFHnant with a royal baby.

Have an opinion about something else? Send us your thoughts to opinion@fairfieldmirror.com

Lisa Tkach/The Mirror

Happy holidays, Fairfield students Robert Hagstrom Contributing writer

The holiday season is, for most of us, a special and comfortable time of year. But for college students, it is a different story. It is a time when the semester winds down and final exams begin. Stress levels rise in students as they scramble to finish all of their school work while also preparing for exams. It takes us away from the holiday season. But it doesn’t have to. How can students living away from their families, some for the first time, cope with the stress of exams during the holidays? What if Fairfield were to provide more holiday themed festivities for the student body during these last few weeks of the semester? The holiday season is a favorite time of year for many. It’s a time to reflect and celebrate with friends and family. But it seems like during this time of year, we’re not ourselves. We dive into stressful routines, racing toward the final days of the semester. It could be argued that because finals cause so much stress, we begin to lose sight of

what else is important in life. After returning from Thanksgiving break, students couldn’t help noticing the newly installed holiday decorations around campus. They are everywhere. The Barone Campus Center and the tree by the chapel is covered in Christmas lights, just to name a few. Fairfield already provides students with holiday themed events during this time of the semester. For example, the highly popular midnight breakfast is coming up in the Barone Campus center. This event involves students being served breakfast by faculty and staff members while holiday themed music is playing. Students look forward to this event every year because it’s one of the last school sponsored events of the semester. In years prior, the event has been very successful in spreading holiday spirit to everyone involved. But should there be more? More holiday themed events around campus such as the Midnight Breakfast will be very beneficial to students. What about the Friday Night Movie Series in Gonzaga Auditorium?

What if the last few films showed were Christmas movies? Would that contribute to the holiday spirit around campus? I think it could. This year the last day of exams is on Friday Dec. 21, 2012, four days before Christmas Eve. As a result of the semester ending so close to the holidays, it could be argued that students will miss many holiday events and traditions with their loved ones. Creating various holiday themed celebrations around campus could lift the spirits of many. These last few weeks of the semester are most important. In addition to studying for finals, students try to find time to also enjoy themselves. Whether students decide to watch holiday movies, spend time with their friends, or study for exams, they look to create a balanced schedule, even more balanced than in the middle of the semester. Implementing more Christmas spirit in Fairfield’s campus will dramatically help student’s get through the upcoming weeks. Let’s put the holiday spirit in full throttle this year Fairfield!

NOTABLE AND QUOTABLE: r 5IJT JT UIF MBTU JTTVF of The Mirror for this semester. r *U JT UJNF UP CVZ Christmas presents but we are on students budgets. r Volleyball fell to USC 3-0 in NCAA Championship 1st round. r .BOZ 'BJSGJFME TUVdents have fallen ill due to the stomach bug.

“We may never know what the cause was … Everything is being considered right now." - Tom Pelligrino, Vice President of Student Affairs, on the norovirus See "Norovirus strikes Fairfield" on pg. 1

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.

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

Opinion

Page 6

Stressed? There's a pup for that.

By Jess Estrada Contributing writer

Lisa Tkach/The Mirror

Dogs have always been nicknamed man’s best friend. Now, they’re a college student’s new BFF. Imagine this: It’s finals week. Your accounting exam is tomorrow at 8 a.m., and that annoying twelve page research paper is due in Bannow by noon. You pulled an all-nighter yesterday; the only thing keeping you going now is that extra shot of expresso in your venti “Starbucks” emblazed cup. You decide to take a break. After a brief walk across campus, you find yourself in the Barone Campus Center. You reach your destination: a small room on the lower level. You set your coffee on a small table. Your bags fall to the floor. And the stress melts off your face as a furry, golden retriever

puppy gives you a wet kiss on the cheek. This could be you; that is, if you went to a different college. Emory University, Harvard University, Yale University BOE ,FOU 4UBUF BSF TPNF PG UIF

h i g h e r- e d u c a t i o n schools that offer a new breed of therapy: doggy-style. H a r vard Medical School’s Shih Tzu, Cooper, stays at the Countway Library of Medicine. Stressed students can use their I.D. cards to swipe Cooper out for thirty minute periods, just like they would take out a library book. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers cat and dog friendly dorms, so students

can bring their beloved pet with them to college. In our own backyard, the University of Connecticut offers the “Paws to Relax” program. Therapy dogs are brought into the campus library on a regular basis for student-dog sessions. Research studies have linked playing with a pet to health benefits: r lower blood pressure r lower stress levels r a decrease of cortisol, a stress hormone r an increase of oxytocin, a happy hormone Finals week is fast approaching at Fairfield University. I’ve been feeling the pressure as I race to finish my growing pile of papers and take-home exams. As I write this article, I think back to my high school days. For my Long Island locals, I come GSPN ,FMMFOCFSH .FNPSJBM )JHI School: 2,500 students … and nearly a dozen resident dogs. There was Matilda, a fluffy Shih-Tzu mix that stayed in the library; Tobit, a massive white

Samoyed in the general office; Mattie, O’B and Phoenix, usually barking, in the administrative offices; plus a few roaming collies and mutts. After class, I’d take one of the dogs for a walk. It was a break from academic life. It’s impossible to worry about Latin conjugations when you’re playing tugof-war with a four-legged Fido. Coming to Fairfield, I miss having dogs around – especially during finals week. There are several therapydog organizations that operate in Fairfield County. I’m sure that the University has an open classroom that could host an antistress puppy party. Concerned about dog allergies? Many dog breeds are hypoallergenic, such as Poodles, Shih-Tzus, and Yorkshire terriers. The dogs would love the attention. The college students would be happy to de-stress. Fairfield may have stags, but hey – a dog or two wouldn’t hurt at all.

Exploiting tragedy won't pay off for Post

By Luigi DiMeglio Chief Copy Editor

Everyone has a camera near. We look at each other’s pictures online freely. As a journalism student, my homework has been to photograph people I’ve never met before. But for the party attendee, the obsessive Instagramer and the journalism major at Fairfield, the pictures have always seemed justified. Just yesterday, anyone near a copy of the New York Post felt the dread of when technology’s ease and abundance is not justified. To start: It is not the capturing of the image featured that I find disturbing. This is a picture of reality. Whether the masses see it or not, there are still undoubtedly many people close to the victim that will consider this a major part of their lives. Surely the victim would find this image immensely important to whatever message he might have. On campus I once photographed unfolding peril. I was a sophomore. My photojournalism homework? Take a number of pictures that tell the story of an event on campus. The assignment was due the next day and I was one photo short. The residence hall next to me experienced a disturbance and an ambulance was called to restrain a student. Police cars lined the building’s flank as well. Perfect! A shot for my homework. I kept a distance, and began to capture the volume of emergency response vehicles, lights flashing, in front of this building. Girls from a window in my own building started shouting down at me. They called names,

told me to get a life - all in the defense of a kid being taken away at a distance that was clearly too great for my little Sony handheld to handle. I took a few wide shots and went back inside, seething, knowing how ignorant those callers were and how much of an idiot gawker I looked to them. My RA received a complaint from the callers and he asked that I delete the photos. I refused and completed the assignment. My professor understood because of what comes after a journalist takes a photo. Going on: It is not the Post’s use of the image that disturbs me. For the sake of us all, it is the role of a witness to testify. Journalist or not, there are realities in this world good and bad that all people could use to learn from. Less people will stand at the edge of Subway platforms today. Finally: The New York Post is wrong in deciding to present this story in the way that it did specifically because of the elements used in conjunction with the picture. For the reasons mentioned earlier, this picture is powerful and it walks an ethical line, but still should be exposed. The use of the picture with boldfaced ‘DOOMED’ is redundant to the point where a very difficult subject is simplified to the point where the presentation could be interpreted to suggest dark entertainment. A critic could say that to put the image on the front page is to advertise the possession of the picture by the paper, with the subject taking a back seat. Putting a teaser saying “Last seconds captured by freelance photographer, Page 6,” on a cover with a different picture would be more tasteful while still em-

ploying the market value of this rare shot. It is the norm to export intimate moments today for many. This norm brings with it the problem of what could be called ‘over-communication.’ That is, with a package such as this one, or even of a person’s Thanksgiving meal on Facebook or my picture of the emergency respond-

ers on campus, the framework can skew the intended message. *U DPVMEhWF MPPLFE MJLF * XBT just trying to pry and get gossip. The Thanksgiving meal picture could look like an indicator of how perfect the photographer thinks their dining room looks rather than how grateful they are for family. The Post cover most defi-

nitely passes for a show of drama more than anything else. Even as a beginner journalist, I know what the Post is going for, but the entire package compounded is too blunt to be respected. I know this is your style New York Post, but today it has gotten you more disdain than gratitude. This shouldn’t be a surprise.

Contributed Photo

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The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

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ictoria's Secret Fashion Show decided to debut on national television in 2001, after years of more isolated broadcasting. The company had the sole goal to promote lingerie. Now, this annual broadcast has become a pop-culture phenomenon, attracting the attention of both male and female audience. Taped last month, the 2012 fashion show premiered yesterday at 10 p.m on CBS. Now more than ever, it seems that the popular brand is bringing in big-name musicians to help advertise their products in a fun, exciting way. This came after pop singer Justin Timberlake had been the first to sing alongside the models in 2006, according to The Wall Street Journal. His popular-

ity naturally increased the popularity of the models' sequence, leading the show's producers to include musicians in the following years. This year, musicians who took the stage with the Angels included Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars. The show opened with a majestic performance from acrobats, luring the audience into the spectactle about to play out in front of them. One by one the models began their walks, each representing a component of Victoria's Secret's own version of a seductive circus. With their music, these famous musicians provided hypnotoizing transitions throughout the show for the Angels and audience. Rihanna sung her hit single "Diamonds," as she introduced the "Dangerous Liasons" portion of the fashion show. First to impress the crowd was Brazilian model Adriana

Lima, donned in a ringleadertype outfit. Her fellow models took the stage after her, wearing the brand's infamous wings. Occasionally it's easy to see the weight of the wings; some models were struggling to balance themselves, especially on the highheeled footwear they had on. Bruno Mars segued into the "Calendar Girls" section of the show, which showed each model dressed to represent the months in a year. For December, naturally, the costumes played on the holiday themes; for February, the models wore fiery red wings; for July, the models displayed proudly their patriotic colors; and so on. Justin Bieber, the youngest of the musicians, was able to perform "As Long as You Love Me," beside the models, including 19-year-old Hungarian model Barbara Palvin. Palvin was part of the Pink segment of the show. Pink is Victoria Secret's sub-

brand that caters to the fashion of the young adults' crowd. They displayed ensembles mirroring a slightly confusing set up of a pinball machine and characters from "Alice in Wonderland." The models then displayed their "Angels in Bloom" set which consisted of the color white. Like last year's lineup, the show also focused on the display of the multi-millionaire bra - to some an odd concept - but one that keeps audience coming back for more. This year, Alessandra Ambrosio, another Brazilian model, wore the Floral Fantasy bra, an item that is covered with an astonishing $ 2.5 million dollars worth of rubies, diamonds, sapphires and amethysts. Mixed in with the catwalks, viewers were also able to see everything that occurred behindthe-scenes, the preparation of the makeup and clothing, the tech people rounding up the models and the models them-

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Proud students representing the countries (from clockwise) Mexico, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica came out to celebrate at Rep Your Flag, a festive program hosted by UMOJA. Contributed Photos

By Crystal Rodriguez Staff Writer

“

¡Viva Puerto Rico y Cuba!” said Clarissa Clark ’14 after attending the annual Rep Your Flag event last weekend at the Levee. The event is hosted by UMOJA, the African America and Caribbean Student Association. The purpose of the event is to show pride in our diversity here at Fairfield and celebrate our different backgrounds said UMOJA president Monique Pabon ’14. Students came out to the event representing Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, and Dominican Republic, lists Clark. Students were not only waving flags but wearing them in creative ways or coordinating their outfits to their country’s colors. But beside all the different flags was all the different ways to dance. The Dj played a variety of music including reggae, bachata, tencho,

hip hop and rap. The students responded to all the music with enthusiastic dancing, fist pumping and singing along. “My favorite part of the event was the dancing. Seeing people’s smiles and laughter as they grooved to the music was priceless,” said Clark. But as one of the main orchestrator of the event, Pabon was just relieved to see such a great turnout. The event is traditionally scheduled earlier on in the semester but because of Hurricane Sandy had to be postponed. But fortunately for UMOJA the event went on without a hitch and the delay did not affect the turnout. Although the event attracted a diverse population in terms of nationalities and ethnicities, there was still a disparity in attendance. The event attracted more of the minority population on campus rather than the majority population. This could be due to the un-

certainty of what to expect while attending whether that is in regards to the music or the atmosphere itself, explains Clark. Regardless of this disparity, Pabon is passionate about the event and the opportunity for people to represent themselves and claim and be proud of their identity. With so many clubs out there sometimes students may feel they have to choose between one identity or the other explained. But with Rep Your Flag you can represent as many flags and identities as you want. “This event lets people be who they are,” said Pabon. No matter what the turnout, the event is a success if it can bring people of diverse groups together even for just one night, said Clark. Pabon hopes that by celebrating diversity, students can free themselves from the categories placed on them and embrace their own identities.

selves, dancing to and mouthing the lyrics playing overhead. One model described the show as a display of self-confidence: “It’s all about powerful, confident people.”As expected for this nationally-recognized television event, social media provided an outlet for controversial opinions from the general public. Some tweets might be critical, in which guys might criticize girls for not being able to reach the unattainable standard of the Victoria’s Secret Angels. Another might come from the reflective woman, seeing in the Angels standards they believe cannot be filled. In addition to promoting the brand's catalog, the fashion also had a charitable purpose: in the beginning of the show, it was announced that Victoria's Secret and CBS would make a donation to the relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy.

heatre Fairfield is producing its biannual Director’s Cut Production and for many students, this is a place for new beginnings. Scheduled to run on Dec. 6, 8 and 9 in the PepsiCo Theatre, nine separate shows will each be directed by a different student enrolled in the directing class by Dr. LoMonaco, which is offered every two years. A total of 18 actors were cast in the two or three actor shows, each of which are between 10 and 15 minutes in length. The nine shows range from drama to comedy with one science fiction play. The students are in charge of every aspect of the show including casting, set design, costume design, rehearsal process and choosing the show itself. The selection process required each director to read a book of plays over the summer, pick top three choices and defend a top choice. The directors are also required to lead 25 hours of rehearsal. This production offers a series of firsts for many involved in the show. Leigh Ann Albanese ’14 will be directing for the first time in the show “Surrender.” “Surrender” features a cast of three and tells the dismal story of a man who attempts to hang himself but is coached by a lawyer and a cop who try to alter his perspective on life. As a double theater and psychology major, Albanese said she was drawn to the humanity aspect of the play. Because this is her first time directing, Albanese is experiencing a mixture of emotions leading up to the show’s debut. She said it

has been fun experimenting and trying different ideas for the first time. “To me, the director is an impostor,” she said. “I tend to follow the words of writer Barry Brodsky, in that ‘a director is an impostor creating a blind trail and the actors must follow him/her blindly.’” She enjoys improvising, trying every possibility and never saying no to ideas. Senior Joe Plouffe, director of the comedy “Layla Miserables,” which tells the story of a father with bad luck based loosely on Les Miserables, is extremely excited to be able to present a slightly different approach to the original. "I've been acting since I was in third grade, but this will be the first show that I have ever directed," he said. Director’s Cut will be a first for several of the actors as well. Freshman Molly Gregory will be making her Theatre Fairfield debut during Director’s Cut, and she said she is “feeling excited and apprehensive” about the upcoming performance. As the co-president of Your Mom Does Improv, Christina Dunne ’13 has had ample experience with improvisation, but this is her first scripted experience. "I am excited to see all of the plays as well as all of our hard work come together but also a bit nervous about potential stage fright," she said. Senior Michael Maio, director of “Covers,” a drama about two pregnant teenagers in a halfway house trying to make a connection in the world, will be directing a two-member cast. “I am extremely excited to see everyone in the show and to see everyone’s reactions,” said Maio in regards to how he is feeling about the show. Tickets for “Director’s Cut” will be available free for students at the Quick Center for the Arts.

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The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

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his recipe started because I was lazy. I know, you must be thinking, "Why cook if you're lazy?" I could have put in a microwavable pizza, but as I was reaching for it, I remembered I had leftover ground beef that needed to be cooked before it due date.I was getting tired of meat sauce for spaghetti, so I had to think of something else. What's a good meal that can be composed mainly of leftovers? Stuffed bell peppers. Bell peppers belong to Capsicum, the same genus as other spicy peppers, but they don't produce the chemical that makes it spicy. Bell peppers come in different colors like green (a little bitter), yellow and red (sweetest), but I chose yellow because it's not too sweet. By Loan Le / Executive editor

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First, soften the bell peppers. You don't want to bite into tough skin. You want it to be pliable, so that when you cut it, it's soft and mesh easily with the other ingredients. Boil the peppers in water for about 10 minutes. When that's done, wrap it in foil and put it aside. While the peppers are cooking, prepare your vegetables. For the broccoli, use that same water to quickly blanch your broccoli to the desired texture. Then chop. Cut your mushroom and yellow onions. As for the rice, wash your rice three times to get the residue out so that it won't stick together. Pour into a pot and cover with enough water so that when you put your index finger in so that it touches the surface of the rice, the water reaches the first line of your skin. Boil and then simmer for 15-20 minutes. Now it's almost time to put everything together. Put on a hot pan of oil. Add garlic, if you want, and wait for the pan to get hot. Cook the ground beef until it's slightly brown, and add salt to taste. Remove and then replace with the vegetables and cook until softened. Add the beef again, along with the cooked rice. Stir and cook for three minutes. Finally, add the tomato sauce. Once all of the ingredients are married together, take out the bell peppers and fill them. On regular baking dish, covered in foil, bake the peppers for 15 minutes, or until the peppers are hot. Towards the end sprinkle you favorite cheese over them! Photos Courtesy of Loan Le

Page 9

JEF + IED=I By Olivia Snoddy Assistant Vine Editor 1. "Diamonds" by Rihanna In her latest hit, "Diamonds," which sits just shy of 60 million YouTube views, Rihanna will make every listener feel their potential to shine in the sky like a diamond, very much alive and filled with a out-of-body like energy. The song delivers inspiration and confidence to its listener. The smooth beat and dancelike rhythm allows for Rihanna’s vocals to shine forth with power on her album titled Unapologetic. 2. "Die Young" by Ke$ha Off her latest album "Warrior," pop smashing hit "Die Young" sings about enjoying life and living each moment to the fullest. This song can be summed up in just two simple words, or rather one straightforward saying, Carpe Diem, meaning “seize the day.� 3. "One More Night" by Maroon 5 Anyone can relate to Maroon 5’s latest reggae and pop fused track, "One More Night." A story about love, passion, regret, disappointment and wishful thinking, Maroon 5’s lead vocalist Adam Levine gets his heart broken one more time. 4. "Locked Out of Heaven" by Bruno Mars Get up and dance to Bruno Mars’ funky track, "Locked Out of Heaven." The beat is a blast of fun that one cannot help but dance the jive. Reminding listeners of songs sung by The Police, Mars’ hit is sure to be a longtime hit. It’s groovy, fun, hip and sure to make you get steamy tonight! 5. "Gangnam Style" by Psy With a record breaking 886 million YouTube views, "Gangnam Style" has topped the YouTube charts as the most-viewed video. With an addicting and catchy flow and rhythm, Korean pop star Psy locks his listeners in after first taste.

Ij_bb ^[h[0 A[ ^W _i dej W ed[ ^_j medZ[h By Molly Leidig Contributing Writer

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lthough people thought Ke$ha fell off the map the past two years, her new album "Warrior" reassures us that she is still alive. Ladies, it’s time to put away your tissues and Taylor Swift albums and pop the champagne and get ready to party. The album is upbeat and fun. It's the type of music that makes you want to roll down the windows and sing along. Female artists tend to write songs about how they can’t survive after their breakups, which sends such a negative message to young woman around the country. Whoever said you need a man to be happy? Listening to negative songs like this will not help you get through your breakup, it will actually make it worse. Ke$ha’s lyrics are positive and empowering. The song the album is titled after, "Warrior," has the lyrics “We ain’t perfect, but that’s alright / Love us or hate us / Nothing can break us / Better believe us.� Not only are Ke$ha’s lyrics more up-

beat and empowering than most music from female artists, but the beat of her music follows the same pattern. Ke$ha’s new album is something that you want to plug into your speakers and dance to with your friends. However, some of the songs on this album are downright strange, yet still so catchy. As soon as the song "Dirty Love" starts playing, it’s like being transported into the movie Greece. Just close your eyes, and you can see 1950s men and women breaking out into song and dance in an old fashion ice cream shop. Once thing that makes Ke$ha stand out from other artists is the variety that her album offers. All artists have a specific style, but sometimes an album can just sound like the same song on repeat. Ke$ha does not have this problem. Every track on this album is unique and catchy. Also, sidenote, who knew Ke$ha had a good voice? Most of her songs have such a techno, upbeat tune and bold lyrics that make the listener forget to even listen to her voice, which is often

synthesized. But, on this album we get to see the natural beauty of Ke$ha’s vocals. Her song "Wonderland" highlights her voice. The soft piano, drums, and slower beat of the music allow her voice to carry the song. Even though the song is slow, it has a very magical and happy feeling. Ke$ha does slow music with her own twist, definitely not the kind of song that will make you want to cry. Overall, one of the most admirable things about Ke$ha’s new album, and about her as a artist in

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general, is her ability to be totally unique. Ke$ha doesn’t just make songs, she makes music. Every song she writes combines varying beats, lyrics, and tones that pull you into the music. Plato once famously stated, “Music is a moral law. It gives soul

to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness and life to everything.� Ke$ha does this successfully with her new album. She doesn’t just make songs, she makes music. Contributed Photo

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

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;Whbo fhW_i[ \eh P[he :Wha J^_hjo News outlets across the country are lauding the military-action film "Zero Dark Thirty," which follows the ten-year journey to capture Al-Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden. This is the second film from director Kathryn Bigelow since the release of Academy Award Best Film "The Hurt Locker" in 2009. In addition, the film won the best film of 2012 at the New York Film Critics Circle yesterday. The movie stars Jessica Chastain, Chris Pratt and Jeremy Renner.

8[d 7\Ă“[Ya dWc[Z ;dj[hjW_d[h e\ j^[ O[Wh 1990s heartthrob and now an acclaimed actor and director, Ben Affleck, was just named Entertainment Weekly's Entertainer of the Year. Affleck has risen to fame since his role in "Good Will Hunting" as the smartmouth sidekick of a genius working as a janitor. The 40-year-old actor turned to directing, with his debut in crime thriller "The Town." He also directed and starred in critically acclaimed political thriller "Argo," which details the harrowing escape of six U.S. Embassy workers during the Iran Hostage Crisis.

/&i JL ijWhi h[kd_j[ _d (&') The casts of beloved 90s television shows like "Boy Meets World," "My So-Called Life" and "Party of Five," will gather at the Austin Television Festival in June of 2013. According to Entertainment Weekly, the roster is not yet confirmed, but fans are keeping their hopes up. Creators of "90210" and "The Vampire Diaries" will also be part of the lineup for speakers.

You have a presentation and two papers due, a meeting for one of your three group projects and a test covering material that you haven’t even read yet. And that’s just today. Sound familiar? The end of the semester is rearing its ugly head once more at Fairfield, and the resulting frenzy is perhaps even stronger than usual in light of the hurricane and norovirus that set back students and faculty alike. Here are some relaxation tips to help you relax. Don't worry; they're not too time consuming and will put you in the right frame of mind to help you power through the rest of the semester. By Kelsey Guerin / Vine Editor 1. Do some deep breathing. It might sound silly, but it’s also one of the most highly recommended relaxation techniques. Your breathing and heart rate tend to pick up during times of stress, but taking controlled, deep breaths can counteract that and reduce stress levels. By tricking your body into thinking it is relaxed through deep breathing, you will actually become more relaxed. 2. Take a walk with friends. Around midnight, when stress levels have reached their peak, grab a coat and some friends and take a stroll around campus. The fresh night air will be invigorating, and the walk will give you the chance to stretch your legs and loosen up. You and your friends can have a few good laughs, vent out some frustrations and generally feel better about the rest of your night. 3. Watch a movie. There are two routes to go with this one. The

first option: watch a funny movie. Laughter is a good stress reliever, and studies have shown that it can have positive effects on a person’s health. Watching your favorite funny movie is a great way to instantly put yourself in a better mood so that you can tackle the last five pages of your absurdly long paper on a topic you stopped caring about weeks ago. The second option might seem more counterintuitive: watch a sad movie. (Note: this is recommended for unwinding at the end of the night, otherwise you might be too upset to focus on schoolwork after.) Having a good cry over a heartwrenching movie like “Atonement� could be the perfect cathartic way to release your pent-up emotions and frustrations. Plus, it’s a great way to add a little perspective to finals week. Sure, your life has turned into one marathon study session, but

you could be serving in World War II as a criminal convicted for a horrific act you didn’t even commit. 4. Bake. No one can be stressed with the smell of cookies in the air. The mindlessness of following a simple box recipe or putting slice-and-bake cookies on a tray will provide a nice break from studying with the added bonus of producing a delicious treat. Even making more complex homemade baked goods provides the opportunity to use your mind in a fun and creative way. 5. Exercise. Going to the gym for a quick cardio session is an easy way to get your energy up and endorphins pumping. As Elle Woods famously said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot that person loudly eating their chips on the quiet floor of the library.� Or something like that.

“Why Fairfield?�

Page 10

Fairfield  University  Career  Planning  Center’s  weekly  update.

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The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

The Vine

Page 11

_F_Ya" OekB_ij[d0 =[jj_d] _dje j^[ 9^h_ijcWi if_h_j "A Christmas Together"

By Owen Corey Contributing Writer

"South for the Winter"

by The Muppets and John Denver

"Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis" by Tom Waits Tom Waits’ music is difficult to classify, but whatever it is, it’s wonderful, and there’s nothing quite like it. The best description of Tom Waits’ voice that I’ve heard comes from critic Daniel Durchholz. He describes it as sounding “like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car.� Now if that doesn’t say Christmas to you, I don’t know what does. With that said, this song might not really say Christmas to most. It’s dark, it’s haunting, it’s sad, and somehow it’s beautiful. Waits’ delivery, wordplay, and bluesy piano work makes this song hit home no matter who you are.

This might be cheating, but it’s worth it. Yes, it’s a full album, and yes, I’m only supposed to pick one song, but you have to understand: this album will make even the hardest heart melt with Christmas spirit. It has classics, like “Deck the Halls� and a hilarious version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,� and originals, like “When the River Meets the Sea.� The album also has the distinction of having the single best version of “Little Saint Nick� that has ever been recorded. All of these are sung by classic Muppet characters and John Denver, who, for those who don’t know, is essentially what would happen if James Taylor and Morgan Freeman had a child. I can guarantee you’ll walk away feeling like Linus just personally told you what Christmas is all about.

"Right Where You Want Me to Be" by A Day to Remember And now for something completely different – a pop-punk Christmas song. This song has a beat and a melody that will make you want to dance. We’re all going to head home for the holidays soon and seeing old friends and family and dealing with the mad rush that comes with that. That’s what this song is all about – dealing with the madness of the holidays and Christmas break, reconnecting, and looking back on a wild ride of a year. The music itself is made for a ride in the car. Jeremy McKinnon’s voice is an invitation to sing along, and the upbeat drums and guitar are perfect for driving down the highway to finally see all your hometown friends. Put it all together, and you have a Christmas party in song form for your ride home.

by River City Extension This one’s more of a winter song – it’s perfect for those few weeks after the holidays when you’re looking for something to fill your ears with after a month and a half of Christmas music. Think of it as methadone for the heroin that is Christmas music. I’d be embarrassed to admit how many times I listened to this song over the last winter break, but it’s just so good. The song opens with the soft pulsing of an acoustic guitar, and then Joe Michelini meekly enters with lyrics that are somehow simultaneously simple and complex. The music builds in intensity slowly, gently, and the lyrics follow suit, until finally both explode in a moment of raw, unrestrained joy. As a whole, this song evokes all the feelings of being stuck in the snow, stuck in a rut, and needing to move on, and it climaxes with all the joy of escaping to greener pastures.

He paints an unforgettable picture of a hard life, and then, somewhere underneath it all, he adds a smattering of hope. You might not love it the first time you hear it, but give it a chance. Nobody tells a story quite like Tom Waits.

Nicholas DiFazio/The Mirror

It’s alway time for

Chip’s!

Chip’s Family Restaurant would like to wish the students and faculty at Fairfield University a happy and healthy holiday season and a Happy 2013! Chip’s in Fairfield will be accepting the Stag Card starting Spring Semester 2013.

Chip’s Family Restaurant serves breakfast all day, and offers a full lunch and dinner menu. '"*3'*&-% 5VOYJT )JMM $VUPþ t t ChipsRestaurants.com

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

COFFEE BREAK | 12

Online

Send your thoughts to info@fairfieldmirror.com.

Editor /RDQ /H ª LQIR#IDLUÀHOGPLUURU FRP

IDLUÀHOGPLUURU FRP

Ask Miss Anne

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Dear Sentimental Student, I completely understand where you are coming from. Routine is crucial in the process of studying sufficiently for finals. So I will help you. Just be forewarned, some tactics are more questionable than others. I also don’t condone destroying property or lessening its integrity in any way… I will progress from the simplest of gags to the most disturbing methods of repelling your peers from stealing your spot. One of the simplest ways you can ensure that the claim over your spot is everlasting is to choose the table or chair with old gum on it. If there isn’t any old gum under the chair or table, you replace with new gum (for nothing is worse than

pulling your chair in and sensing the hard yet still tacky substance that is discarded gum. ) Smelly food is also a great repellent when it comes to guarding your station, protecting it from library moochers. Your first option when it comes to smelly food is to initially sit down and eat it right there. Knowing someone is eating a sandwich covered in onions and pickles and blue cheese and whatever else offends the nose if not consuming, is enough to deter them from ever sitting there. The potential for that smell to linger after the consumer has left is too much of a risk for most students to take. When you are done with the sandwich, it is best to leave a little left, still with the paper, as if someone will come back later. Yes,

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by

Dear Miss Anne, I wouldn’t consider myself a neurotic person, but I like to have my own little routine. This time of year, during finals, is most important in maintaining my rituals, one of which is sitting in “my spot” during this period. I know it is supposed to be “everyone’s” library, but come on! Most of those people don’t even go to the library until it’s time to study for finals. I need to be in MY spot in order for me to optimize my library experience. How can I ensure that I can retain my spot in the library during this crucial time? Sincerely, Sentimental Student

Because we could all use a little advice now and then...

you will have to sacrifice a decent portion of your sandwich. But if it is the spot in the library you desire, then you will have to do so. People can be very lazy, especially when they are tired and going to the library. The last thing anyone wants to do is exert energy in doing anything else but flipping the pages of your text book. Hiding the chair that is partners with your favorite writing surface is a great and harmless act. You know where the chair is (in an attainable spot) and the student in conquest of your area will surrender at the notion that he or she will have to find one to replace it. If you want to take a simpler route you can perform “the invisible man.” The general idea is this: you make it seem that someone is sitting at the table. Get an undesirable sweater, some books, paper and pen, and when you want to leave, keep the stuff set up at the table. When you come back to do work, your stuff will most likely still be there and you

can collect them when you are ready to leave for good. These methods aren’t guaranteed; just a culmination of my own experiences as well as others. I hope that you can take back what is rightfully (but more emotionally) yours! ~ 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? It’s getting tougher. Try to find five differences between the first photo and the second photo. Tweet the answers to @MirrorFairfield and get a possible RT!

Original Photo

Retouched Photo

Sports

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

Page 13

This Week in Sports Watch out for Fairfield Athletics

What To Watch For

Basketball over the break: Men's

Wednesday - No games.

Women's

Dec. 22 @ St. Joseph's 2 p.m.

Thursday - Women's Basketball at Lehigh, 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 vs. LaSalle 2 p.m.

Friday - Men's Basketball vs. Canisius, 7 p.m.

Dec. 29 vs. Old Dominion 7 p.m.

Dec. 28 @ St Joseph's 2 p.m.

Saturday - No games. Sunday - Men's Basketball at Rider, 2 p.m.

Jan. 3 @ Canisius 7 p.m.

Dec 29 vs. Wagner/UMBC

Jan. 5 @ Niagara 3 p.m.

Jan. 4 vs. Loyola 7 p.m.

Jan. 11 @ Loyola 7 p.m. (ESPN U)

Jan. 6 @ Marist 2 p.m.

Monday - No games. Tuesday - No games.

By The Numbers 7 5 1,947

Jan. 10 @ Siena 11:30 a.m.

Five basketball Basketball's Alexys players scored Vasquez '14 and in double figures Katelyn Linney '15 in their 74-55 combined for seven win over Austin three-pointers in Peay on Saturday their win over St. night. Francis.

Jan. 13 vs. Niagara 1 p.m. Jan. 12 vs. Niagara 2 p.m. Jan. 18 @ Iona 9 p.m. (ESPNU)

Jan. 18 @ Iona 6 p.m.

Jan. 21 vs. Loyola 7 p.m.

Jan. 20 vs. Manhattan 2 p.m

Volleyball's Kara Reis '13 ends her career with the Stags with 1,947 total digs in her four years.

Quote of the Week “It’s just beautiful there, it’ll make the training a little bit easier and it really motivates everybody." ~Swimming's Cackey Keating '13 about training in Hawaii.

Sports 3x5 Because they like to talk ... sports.

Jennifer Calhoun Sports Editor

Michael O'Keeffe The Mate

Thomas Shea Assistant Sports Editor

As Christmas is There are reports that approaching, what is at Monmouth and Quinthe top of your wish list? nipiac are going to join the MAAC. Thoughts on the possible move?

Your 2012-2013 3x5 Columnists: Jennifer Calhoun, Thomas Shea and Michael O'Keeffe.

With a month off for winter break, what Fairfield game are you most disappointed to be missing?

As the first semester comes to a close, what's been the highlight of the semester?

As this is our last issue of the semester, how have you enjoyed your first semester as a member of the notorious 3x5?

I think it has to be the double header basketball games against Iona on the 18th of January. Going to be an epic battle against the Gaels ... That can't be missed by Stag fans.

Hard to pick just one highlight. I mean it's a semester that I won't ever forget. Met some incredible people and spent some awesome time with best friends. My angels. 0:)

It's been a lot of fun, especially coming in every week and having your jokes just destroyed by these two. Lots of long nights spent staring at the screen trying to figure out how to be funny...

I want a pony, and a trampoline, and an Easy Bake Oven, and a puppy, and a Barbie Jeep, and a Razor Scooter ... Oh, you wanted one thing? Oops.

Wish the addition of Quinnipiac would inspire a revival of Ice Hockey as a Division I sport in Fairfield, but the two teams will be good competition. It shall be interesting.

Dear Santa, For Christmas I want you to replace the cookies and milk you stole from my fridge last year. Yours sincerely, Michael

Beer Pong. Good riddance Loyola. Doesn't matter who comes in, time to start a dynasty to last decades.

Oh there have been so many memories. Sandy party, Free Barone for a week, comeback of Flipside, Volleyball wins the MAAC, Women's soccer capture the regular season, Men's soccer wins th

I would like to apolgize for the horrible and tasteless jokes I've told this semester. Hopefully I can think of some different ones over the break. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

Kate Upton. Is it not cool to ask for people as gifts?

Q.U. has one of the best arenas around, and a great men's basketball team. Monmouth made the tourney a few years ago. But let's see if any schools leave first. ...

Volleyball wins MAAC, we got a random week off for a freak storm, and I've seen more bodily fluids stain my apartment than I thought existed. It's been interesting.

It's nice being known around campus as "that guy who writes kinda funny things for the paper." Thanks for the unwavering support, readers, you guys really know how to inspire.

For the men, Drexel is going to be a great game, and for the women, I would've liked to see them take on Loyola, who might contend for the title as well.

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

Sports

Page 14

Volleyball reflects on successful season By Thomas Shea Assistant Sports Editor

With their loss to USC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Fairfield volleyball’s season has come to an end. Just don’t expect to see many frowns from this group—it knows it has accomplished too much to look back on the season with any regrets. “Anytime you win the championship, you’re not going to go back and change anything,â€? said Head Coach Alija Pittenger, “and it’s awesome for Kara [Reis], Steph [Cruz], and Bri [Dixion] to come through with a championship at the end like that. They all worked really hard this season ‌ and they had to earn it this year too.â€? For Kara Reis '13, the season could not have been more of a fairy tale if Walt Disney himself had written it. “Literally, I joke that the world must be ending, because nothing has ever, ever been this perfect,â€? said Reis. After three years of “so close, yet so farâ€? seasons, Fairfield finally broke through to go to their first NCAA Tournament in over a decade. That in and of itself was a dream come true for Reis. Then she gets to play her final collegiate games just two hours from her hometown, and in front of her family and friends?

Sounds like a deal even Cinderella would be jealous of. “It could not have been any more perfect for my parents to see my final game of my entire career of volleyball. It was too perfect,� said Reis. But she is not the only one who had a dream way of ending the season. Fellow senior Brianna Dixion is also from Southern California, growing up only a short drive from the campus of USC, and was able to play in front of her entire family. Juniors Haley Moyer and Rachel Romansky, who is from Colorado, were able to play in front of their families for the final time this season. Sophomore Camille Coffey was able to have the team over for a pregame meal at her house, cooking a full Mexican meal, something that the players from that area rarely get here on the East Coast. “We’ve been though a lot together, and we’ve asked a lot from them for the past four years, and every time they tried to do what we asked of them, and that’s all we can ask for from the senior group,� said Pittenger. The actual game played against USC did not go as well as the rest of the trip, as USC showed why they have made 22 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, winning in three sets rather

Jeannine Nocera/The Mirror

6HQLRU %ULDQQD 'L[LRQ SOD\V WKH EDOO DJDLQVW 6LHQD LQ WKH ÂżQDO RI WKH 0$$& 7RXUQDPHQW handily. But it was the experience that mattered the most to the players. “You get to see what Division 1 volleyball is all about,â€? said Reis. “I knew the volleyball [at USC’s level] was good, and I’ve watched it and witnessed it on TV, but you don’t know the extent of how good it actually is until you’re playing the team, in that stadium. It was a complete out-of-body experience. Half the time I was just checking myself to make sure I was in the game.â€? The tale of what this team, and what this group of seniors, accomplished will be remem-

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bered for quite some time in Fairfield’s volleyball circle. “I absolutely adore this program. Everyone in the athletic department, they couldn’t be any more helpful than they’ve already been to me for four years,� said Reis. “I couldn’t ask for better coaches, and it’s just been an amazing experience.� For Pittenger, she doesn’t want the group that is coming back next season to forget the experience they had this year. “I want them to remember how hard it was, and how hard they worked,� said Pittenger. “It’s even harder to defend the champion-

ship than it is to win it the first time ‌ I think they’re going to have to work even harder next year, but I think they all know that, and are excited about it.� After a season where the team and some individual players have made their mark to be remembered and commemorated in the rafters of Alumni Hall for all time, the future looks very promising for this group of Stags. And for the ones leaving, they can leave with their heads held high, knowing that they get to do something very few athletes ever get the chance to do: walk out as champions.

Sports

The Mirror | Week of December 5, 2012

Page 15

Stags win fifth straight

By Thomas Shea Assistant Sports Editor

The Fairfield women’s basketball team won their fifth straight game on Saturday, defeating St. Francis, N.Y. 52-43 at Alumni Hall. Senior Katelyn Linney was the leading scorer with 14 points, and with the win the team improves to 5-2 on the year. The game got off to a slow start offensively for Fairfield, but Joe Frager’s signature stalwart defense was on show once again, as the Stags limited St. Francis, N.Y. to just one basket over the first nine minutes, and took the early 11-2 lead. However, what little offense was coming for the Stags stopped with a little over 11 minutes to go in the half. The lead slowly dissolved, and with less than four minutes until halftime, the Stags found themselves in a 16-11 hole. Fairfield did close the gap before halftime, went into the locker room trailing 22-20. Fairfield struggled shooting the ball in the first half, shooting just 29 percent from the floor, including a 4-16 mark from three

point range. “We’re usually not like that,â€? said Linney, who finished the game shooting 5-15 overall and connecting on four of her 13 three point attempts, “I think that got us a little flustered in the beginning, and that translated onto the defensive end, as we weren’t getting the stops that we needed to.â€? “I was worried that we would come out the way that we did,â€? said Head Coach Joe Frager. “I thought that was a very poor 20 minutes in the first half, offensively and defensively. In the beginning of the game, defensively I thought we did a good job, but then when we struggled so much on the offensive end, [that] we let it impact what we did on defense ‌ I think we lost our poise a little bit in the first half, because we got a little bit rattled when we missed open shots, then we started to rush our shots.â€? A layup two minutes into the second half by Felicia DaCruz ’15 tied the game at 26, a lead that Fairfield would hold onto for most of the second half, as they would only trail once more in

the game when St. Francis, N.Y.’s Leah Fechko hit two free throws to give the Terriers the temporary 34-33 lead with 12 and a half minutes to go. The Stags would respond with a 10-1 run of their own, to eventually take an eight point lead with under six minutes remaining. St. Francis, N.Y. would get no closer than five points down before the Stags hit their free throws down the stretch, and eventually pull away for the nine point victory. “We gutted it out, we played a better second half ‌ It was about taking a deep breath—we were playing like our hair was on fire in the first half,â€? said Frager. “I’m not going to sit here and say that I’m displeased with this game, because it’s a win, and we still have a lot of growth as a basketball team that we need to make," Frager continued. Frager said that there is a worry being a three point shooting team, as cold stretches and poor shot selection could really hurt the team. “There’s a fine line between relying on it too much where you’re just jacking them up, which is what we did

at stretches ‌ I think we took too many three’s, and there were rushed three’s at times.� The entire starting backcourt for the Stags did not have a good

“It was about taking a deeep breath-we were playing like our hair was on fire in the first half."

- Head Coach Joe Frager

shooting night. Altogether, Alexys Vazquez ’14, DaCruz, and Linney shot just 9-31 and 7-26 from three point range. “We played a little sloppy, it wasn’t our best game,� said Linney. “So we’ll learn from this game, we got a tough week coming up. We learned we were able

to get through a tough time when we were not playing well.� Vazquez was the only other player for the Stags to finish in double digits with 11 points for the game. Katie Cizynski ’14 and Brittany Obi-Tabot played well on the post, scoring nine and six points, respectively, while Cizynski grabbed a team high 10 rebounds. Brittany MacFarlane ’13, Laura Vetra ’13, and DaCruz all finished with four points apiece as well. “As long as we learn from this and grow from this, then it was a good thing,� said Frager. “But if we don’t learn our lesson, then this is for naught.� When asked what he wanted to take from this game, Frager strained, saying “A win, and a day off tomorrow. Those are the positives.� Fairfield takes on Lehigh on Thursday on the road, and then the Stags continue their road trip when they head out to take on nationally ranked Iowa State on December 9. Fairfield’s next home game is not until December 22 against Lasalle at 2 p.m. at Alumni Hall.

Thomas Shea/The Mirror

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SPORTS | 16

Online New and improved sports blog. Online only coverage. Week of December 5, 2012

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Sports Editor: Jennifer Calhoun ª VSRUWV#IDLUÀHOGPLUURU FRP

Swimming and Diving take on ECAC Warm-Up Championship

Contributed Photo

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By Jennifer Calhoun Sports Editor The Fairfield University Swimming and Diving Team wrapped up the first half of their season with a trip to East Meadow, New York to compete in the ECAC Warm-Up Open Championship. The men’s team finished fourth in the meet, while the women finished in fifth place overall. Normally the Stags wouldn’t have gone to a “Championship” style meet in the middle of the season, but nevertheless it was a good result for the Stags. “It was kind of surprising with the way that our coach did out the schedule … But this meet allowed us to give us kind of a dry run through a championship type meet for some of the freshman and it was awesome for a lot of people to swim fast and swim at a fast pool,” said Paul Bimmler ’13. Senior Cackey Keating

echoed Bimmler’s sentiments, saying, “I’d say overall our coach is pleased, and a lot of our swimmers were with their personal best times.” On the first day of competition, Connor Daley ’16 finished fourth in the 400-yard IM. He finished the event with a personal best time of 4:13.92. He went on to finished fifth in the 200-yard butterfly with another personal best of 1:57.26. Teammate Cody Parker ’14, also achieved a personal best in his sixth place finish in the 200yard fly, with a time of 1:58.99. He also finished eighth in the 400yard IM at 4:21.24. “Cody Parker and Connor Daley are just absolutely fantastic. They’ve been taking this team to a whole new level. [Tyler] Conley has been outstanding too,” said Bimmler. In the 100-yard freestyle, Conley ’15 finished 10th overall with a time of 47.59 seconds. He

also paced fifth in the 50-yard freestyle, with a time of 21.49 seconds. Conley was a member of two successful relays. In the 200-yard freestyle relay, he was placed with Parker, Bimmler, and Rich Straub ’14. The team finished fourth with a time of 1:28.17. Bimmler, Straub, Daly and Conley combined for the 400-yard medley relay, which finished fifth with a time of 3:41.19. In diving, Evan Barr ’15 set a personal record from the threemeter, with a score of 258.8, and also scored a 219.60 on the onemeter. Fellow sophomore Will Sullivan set a personal record on the three-meter, receiving a score of 217.40. On the women’s side, Keating noted several key performances in the meet, and the season as a whole. “We have a transfer, Ariel Bond, from Texas Christian Uni-

versity, she’s a sophomore who has been doing great. She was injured last year too. So for getting into the water, after having not swam for a year, she’s doing pretty well,” said Keating. In the meet this weekend, Bond finished sixth in the 500yard freestyle with a personal best time of 5:14.19. She finished behind teammate Meredith LaBerge ’15, who finished in fourth in the event. The personal bests were plentiful for the Stags, starting with Suzy Lawlor ’14 who finished fourth in the 200-yard breaststroke, with a time of 2:26.08. Freshmen Kelly Mulligan, set a personal best time of 2:11.91 with an 11th place finish in the 200-yard backstroke. Keating also had a personal best in the 500-yard freestyle, after placing twelfth with a time of 5:20.81. In the same event, four Stags also had personal best times; Alyssa Acompora ’15, Kate Ansani ’16, Megan Kuzniewski ’14, and Katherine Kraus ’15. In diving, Ashlee Steinberger ’15 received a score of 232.20 on the one-meter platform. The score propelled her to first place finish amongst al Division 1 competitors. She received another first place finish on the three-meter platform with a score of 229.35. What the Stags really looked for out of the competition was a positive result for the relays. “I think [the meet] was really good overall. [Our coach] really wanted to see our relays get faster times for our seeding for MAAC Conference,” said Keating. Keating, LaBerge, Bond, and Margaret Osmulski ’14, swam the 800-yard freestyle relay, in a time of 7:56.40 to propel them to fourth place overall. In the 400-yard medley, the team of Suzy Lawlor ’14, Mulligan, Keating and Osmulski finished fifth with a time of 4:04.03. Apart from the individual accomplishments, the team as a whole has grown throughout the 2012 season and Bimmler is proud of what he sees from the team.

“They look fantastic. This has been one of the best years. It’s great to have a great year when you’re a senior and everything. It’ll be good to finish on a strong note,” said Bimmler. After losing a combination of 14 seniors between the two teams, the seniors had a good model of what was expected in terms of leadership. “It made it easier to kind of look to what they did last year and try to emulate them this yea … and continue what they’ve been doing for four years,” said Bimmler. The seniors and the team also have very specific goals which they are hoping to accomplish in the second half of the season. “I mean it's always good to have more wins than losses, but I’d say its definitely the championship meet, with getting higher place there than fifth or sixth out of all the teams there,” said Keating. Bimmler took a more personal look at his goals for the season saying: “Just to finish well, be happy and just to do enough so that I’ll be proud about what I’ve done and be able to look back on my career very satisfied.” With the first have of the season in the books, the Stags will now head to Hawaii for their annual winter training trip. The team is excited for the trip, while the seniors take a different approach, as it is their fourth time going on the trip. “It’s going to just be great to go back there and kind of appreciate it more knowing that this is going to be the last time, and you’ve done this before, so you can relax a little more too,” said Bilmer. “It’s just beautiful there, it’ll make the training a little bit easier and it really motivates everybody,” said Keating. After the Stags return from their training trip, it will be time for them to get back to dual meet action and back on track to achieving the goals they have set out for themselves and the team as a whole.

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