Fairfield Mirror 2/26/2020

THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of February 26, 2020

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Vol. 45 Iss. 17

Vincent Wins It: Gadioma, Ugwu Sweep FUSA Election

Lexi Says her Goodbyes

Opinion Our Editor-in-Chief, Lexi Thimble, shares her parting words.

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Women’s Softball Colleen Vann/The Mirror

Colleen Vann/The Mirror

Pictured left to right: newly-elected FUSA President and Vice President Gadioma ‘22 and Ugwu ‘22.

By Colleen Vann Contributing Writer

Sophomores Vincent Gadioma and Tobenna Ugwu were announced the winners of the Fairfield University Student Association presidential election on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Levee. The two will serve as the FUSA President and Vice President for the academic year of 2020-21. Their ticket consisted of the first non-white President and Vice Presidential candidates to ever win the positions in Fairfield’s history.

Numerous students gathered at the Levee alongside the six candidates to learn who their future leaders will be. Even after the results were announced, students gathered around to discuss the results over pizza, as well as offer congratulations and words of encouragement to the winning ticket and the other candidates as well.

“I was very surprised, I won’t tell a lie,” said Ugwu. “All of the candidates, as I said earlier, are all very great. It could have been anybody’s game.”

Out of a total of 1,979 votes, Gadioma and Ugwu defeated their opponents with a total of 817 votes. Juniors Guerrera and Haidar secured 623 votes and the Crosby ‘21 Miceli-Kaya ‘21 ticket received 507 votes.

All of the candidates were nervous about the results, but were proud of the work they put into the campaign, as well as the work of every other ticket. Before the election results were announced, the candidates spoke to their experience campaigning and the hard work and dedication that the process requires.

“We’re elected for a purpose; we’re elected for the people,” Crosby said.

“So, regardless of the results tonight, all the candidates, including my ticket, should hold their heads up high and support the person who does win.”

Miceli-Kaya added, “We’ve all worked extremely hard, every single candidate here has gone above and beyond and we all want it so bad. So, whoever gets it deserved it.”

Guerrera, the current FUSA Vice President, also expressed her admiration for the efforts that every person had put into the campaign.

“[The other tickets] definitely made us work harder and push ourselves harder,” said Guerrera. “I think we all should leave feeling really proud of ourselves, despite the results that come out tonight.”

“Up there listening to the results, I was physically trembling,” said Ugwu. “I’m so grateful to everyone who voted for us and I am excited to take the position and serve the student body, which I am very passionate about.”

The passion for on-campus politics did not exist only in the candidates. The 1,979 total votes in this election was, according to the Speaker of the FUSA Senate, Tyler Heffern ‘22, a 10 percent increase from last year’s election.

Some of the candidates spoke about their six day campaigning experience. The most votes, 1,125, were cast on the first night, Thursday, Feb. 20, but there was a pickup in the last three days with roughly 100 votes each day. Those extra days, and the candidates’ campaigning effort during them, certainly had the possibility of influencing the outcome.

“This election has actually been really fun, kind of stressful, but I wouldn’t change what has happened or what will happen,” Crosby said before the results were announced.

Haidar said that, “It was good to have a good, healthy, competitive race and we’re excited to continue the change that we’re done for the last few years. The election was good, we met a lot of cool people.”

The results indicate that the candidates communicated with students beyond those who are their classmates, roommates or close friends. Firstyear students accounted for the most number of votes, coming in with 693 voters.

Gadioma and Ugwu are looking forward to their chance to serve all students here at Fairfield University to the best of their abilities.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to serve the students,” said Gadioma.

“I think all the candidates did really well, especially Sean and Noelle,” Gadioma expressed. “They had really great platforms and I’m really thankful to both of them for being not even just fellow running mates, but true leaders.”

“I hope to follow in their footsteps, and that we [Gadioma and Ugwu] do just as good a job as them, if not better.”

Sports Softball opens 2020 campaign going 1-3.

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A Disney Plus Update

Vine Competitors race to keep up with Disney+ Page 16

Fairfield Evacuates Study Abroad in Florence

By Lexi Thimble Editor-In-Chief

Data compiled by Danielle Sondgeroth, provided by the Fairfield University Student Association

On Tuesday, February 25, provost Christine Siegel, Ph.D., emailed the students currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy and their parents regarding their current study abroad program. According to the email in question, due to the current spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, “effective immediately Fairfield University has decided to close the Florence University of the Arts study abroad program and require all students enrolled in this program to depart Italy.”

Siegal stated that Fairfield University is currently aiming to return all 142 Florence study abroad students to campus by March 15 when spring break has concluded.

The email went on to say that, “Students will have the option of both online and hybrid courses to ensure they remain on track toward their graduation dates.”

The university is currently focusing on the travel logistics of returning students back to the United States of America, and further stated that more details about housing for returning students and other “academic scheduling” will be the next piece of information to be communicated.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

Page 2

COSO Causing Commotion with Student Clubs

By Katherine Klima Executive Editor

cumstances. Senior Shawn Hall, the president of Black Student Union, noted via email how BSU’s attendance is intermediate based on who is passionate about the club’s cause and what might be happening over the course of the semester.

“We have consistent members, but over the course of the semester attendance tends [to] fluctuate,” he said. “If [we aren’t] struggl[ing] to keep members we struggle to maintain them coming to meetings due to just certain academic things that arise throughout the semester.”

Junior Nathan Schmidt, the Editor-in-Chief of Stagnation, Fairfield University’s satirical

Every year, club leaders anticipate the day the fall activities fair rolls around. Last semester, on Friday, Sept. 6, clubs gathered in the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex as a majority of firstyear students rolled into the gymnasium to find their niche at Fairfield University.

Organizations like the Movie Makers club got a ton of signatures from different students. However, after the first club meeting rolled around, club attendance would only decline.

“Our first meeting we ever had, we had like 46 people come in, but as the weeks went by it dwindled from 20 to 16 to four,” said the vice president of Movie Makers club, Robert Long ‘20.

Long, who is also the president of Your Mom Does Improv, the improv club here on campus, is one of many club leaders who deals with the fluctuation of club attendance at Fairfield; specifically, a decline in attendance.

For Long and the members of Your Mom Does Improv, he noted how the club started off with about six or seven members at the beginning of the semester and has since decreased to about four members.

“It’s always been a relatively low attendance,” said Long, who has been a part of the club since his first year. “It’s always like the same group of people. Since my freshman year it was like two seniors and then a group of five or six sophomores. That group stayed, tagged their friends and then they all left.”

Long notes how this lack of attendance is most likely due to conflicting schedules, school work and the content of the club itself. “[Improv] is a lot of performance and breaking out of your comfort zone, I’ve talked to a lot of people before that say they’re bad at public speaking or they’re nervous,” he said. “It’s tough to sell.

Unless you’re looking out for it, you’re not interested in it.”

Junior Stephanie Brij-Raj, the president of the Society of Women Engineers Club, similarly notes how lack of attendance to her club can be seen in regards to the subject of the club and scheduling conflicts.

“I think this could be due to the fact that we target such a specific group of people,” Brij-Raj stated via email. “It is also difficult Data compiled by Lexi Thimble to find a meeting time that works best for everyone, with labs and busy news outlet, added similarly via email that despite a low attendance, the members that join stay for schedules. This semester, however, we have seen a spike in attendance, which I think could be due the long haul. to choosing a better meeting time.”

“The main two issues that sometimes keep long-time members from attending are heavy Senior Ashley Halmans, the previous vice president of Baja, a project-based engineering club, academic workloads and conflicting obligations with other clubs,” he said. and the current senior advisor of Society of Women Engineers, echoed this, but also mentioned In an email from a representative from the Council of Student Organizations, in the last two how the biggest problem for engineering clubs on campus is with first-year recruitment.

“Everything is project orientated so [first-years] don’t feel like they have taken the [necessary] years, 26 organizations have either been classified as inactive or dissolved. In the 2018-2019 academic year, 21 clubs in total became inactive or dissolved, while in the current 2019-2020 academic classes yet,” said Halmans, “or they feel like everyone knows everybody because our school is so year, there were five clubs. small, so there is a lot of, what they perceive, as barriers.”

According to the Fairfield University student handbook, inactive clubs are clubs that “do Halmans also adds how first-years don’t always want to engage with their major. “They don’t not renew their Life@Fairfield portal within the first 4 weeks of the beginning of the fall or spring want to do anything outside of class,” she said. “They’re literally here for just their degree and maksemester.” Meanwhile, dissolved clubs are organizations that remain inactive “for greater than one ing some friends, and engineering is not where they want to make those.” full academic year” and will no longer be recognized by the university.

The subject of a club is also what draws in a lot of members. Marketing Club is one of these In the last two years, 13 clubs out of the 26 organizations have been considered inactive while clubs that’s been fortunate to have high attendance at their events. Marketing Club had originally the other 13 are considered dissolved under the university’s definition. Others have formed into been a club that solely hosted large events rather than general weekly meetings. new organizations or are recognized elsewhere under the university like Management Club, which Senior Mikayla Goria, the president of Marketing Club, stated via email that this high is under the control of DSB, and Club Swim, which has moved to be under control of the RecPlex. attendance to events is, “attributed to the fact that it is a large professional club and students want Despite an increase in inactive and dissolved clubs, there has been an additional 21 new clubs to utilize our events for networking opportunities. [The Dolan School of Business] has been very that have been created on campus. During the 2018-2019 school year, there were five new clubs supportive in helping to market our events, and our club advisor, John Neal, promotes the events created, while in the current academic year the university has recognized 16 new active clubs. to his students. However, until this semester, our club never had general assembly meetings, only The Council of Student Organizations, or COSO, is the board within the Fairfield University large events. We hosted our first ever general assembly meeting this past week and had very low Student Association that is responsible for the advocating and managing of recognized student-run attendance.” clubs and organizations on campus. COSO is essentially the bridge between club leaders and the Goria mentioned how Marketing Club might have not promoted their first general assembly university and is there to be a resource for clubs. meeting as aggressively as they could have, however, Goria is confident that they can improve the A source from Club Swim, who has preferred to remain anonymous, stated via email that numbers of the next couple of meetings.

“COSO has made it very difficult as a board member [to make the club grow].”

Some clubs, with average attendance, contribute to this fluctuation solely because of cirThe anonymous source states that Club Swim had been moved from student engagement to recreation for liability reasons once the club began to attend meets. The source noted how this move has been difficult for the club, and “having to go to meetings then getting random emails that we were not considered a club under a part of the university we weren’t a part of was very annoying.”

The now self-funded club is not considered to be a part of the university, which means they must collect dues from club members. The anonymous source mentioned how, despite a fairly strong attendance, “[dues have] made people stray away because of the cost.”

Funding is a big factor for clubs that are fighting to stay afloat. This is something that COSO is primarily responsible for and is also pinpointed as a weakness of the organization by some club leaders.

“I believe that COSO struggles with supporting clubs financially,” Hall said via email.

Schmidt echoed this statement as well via email, saying, “COSO’s weakness is money. There’s no way around it. COSO has a finite budget and a large, growing number of clubs to finance.”

Schmidt further expanded on the fact that the clubs that can self-finance through fundraising are already well-established and successful on campus, but for the clubs that might not have a popular standing yet, it can be rather difficult.

“If I ran a fundraiser for Stagnation, it would almost certainly turn out a net loss,” Schmidt said. “I think the issue of COSO’s budget size is more for FUSA as a whole to deal with, but I’m pretty sure their total budget right now is comparable to one single student’s annual tuition.”

This is not the case for everyone. Goria stated via email that, “the financial support [from COSO] has been extremely beneficial, as our club is large and we need funding to pay to reserve rooms large enough to accommodate our numbers.”

In regards to this claim that there is not enough funding, a representative from COSO commented via email that while they want to encourage students to form any club they are passionate about, they are constantly approving new clubs because they don’t want to turn away any passionate students.

Editor’s Note: Tobenna Ugwu is the current Coffee Break Editor of The Mirror.

Information courtesy of page 6 the COSO Guidebook 2019-2020.

This article has been condensed.

To Read the full story, visit fairfieldmirror.com

News

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

Page 3

The Mirror Reflects on this Week in Social Media

Compiled by Colleen Vann Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

2/19 4:28 p.m.

Vandalism to the fourth floor Campion Hall bathroom was reported and the situation is under investigation.

2/20 11:04 a.m.

A Dattco bus was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a university employee’s car near the entrance to the Dolan parking lot. No injuries were reported.

2/22 12:00 a.m.

A non-student allegedly struck a student while at the townhouses. The victim did not wish to press charges and the non-student was issued a Criminal Trespass Warning.

2/23 12:31 a.m.

The fencing that surrounds the dumpsters at the townhouses was vandalized. The fence had just recently been repaired the previous week. The situation is under investigation.

11:56 a.m.

There was an anonymous report of a male and female arguing in the area outside of Campion Hall. The male was a non-student and issued a CTW. 1:27 p.m.

A student reported being assaulted while at an off-campus party the previous evening. The situation is currently under investigation.

2/24 8:57 a.m.

A report was made in regards to a suspicious male wandering in the vicinity of Grauert Field. The male was identified as a Fairfield resident. He was dressed in camouflage and claimed to be raising awareness for PTSD as it affects veterans. He was sent on his way, off campus property.

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Lexi Thimble, Editor-in-Chief Katherine Klima, Executive Editor Julia Monteleone, Managing Editor Editors Sheila McCombs, Chief Copy Danielle Sondgeroth, News Catherine Santangelo, Opinion Gracianne Eldrenkamp, Vine Molly Lamendola, Assistant Vine Julia Lanzillotta, Sports Tobenna Ugwu, Coffee Break

Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Lila Condon, Director of Finance

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Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

The Mirror is the recognized student newspaper of Fairfield University. Opinions and ideas expressed herein are those of the individual student authors, and not those of the Fairfield University or its Board of Trustees

News

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

Page 4

Career Fair Comes to Campus Fairfield’s Annual Career and Internship Fair Will Be Held Wednesday

By Danielle Sondgeroth News Editor

Wednesday, Feb. 26 marks the day of Fairfield University’s annual Career and Internship Fair. A wide variety of company representatives and employers are expected to gather in the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex from 12 to 3 p.m. to showcase what jobs are available for Fairfield students in college and beyond.

The Career and Internship Fair will provide valuable opportunities to students to practice their networking skills with over 100 potential employers and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. The employers in attendance run the gamut from local institutions, including the University of Bridgeport, to Fortune 500 companies like Amazon.

According to Deirdre Bennett, the manager of employer engagement at the Fairfield University Career Center, “Participating companies represent various industry sectors, including accounting, finance, marketing, engineering, medical health, consumer products, graduate programs, and non-profit organizations. These employers are seeking Fairfield students from all majors for internship and job opportunities.” There will be an opportunity for essentially every major to participate and find a potential job or internship through the fair.

The Career and Internship Fair annually provides students with a way to guarantee themselves Photo Courtesy of @fairfieldu Instagram jobs after graduation and find employment while still attending school. “With 98 percent of the Class Students network with potential employers at the annual Career and Internship Fair. of 2019 securing full-time employment, enrolling in a graduate or professional school, or participating and Internship Fair in advance, suggesting that they dress professionally, print out around in a service program within six months of graduation, this fair plays a central role in the 10 copies of their resume and identify companies with whom they would like to speak.

University’s student outcomes,” Bennett said.

The Career Center also recommends that students come up with an “elevator pitch” for Students will also have the opportunity to update their LinkedIn photos at the Fair’s themselves if a potential employer asks for the student to “tell me about yourself.”

LinkedIn Photo Booth.

Accompanying this event, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business is also hosting a The Fairfield University Career Center has a “Career Closet” open to all students, variety of mock interviews throughout the week with professionals in different business where students can borrow professional attire for the fair. The center also provides dropfields. Interviews will be held in DSB 205 and will be scheduled on a first come, first serve in meetings with Career Peer Advisors, who can help students with their cover letters, basis. resumes, networking and much more. Drop-in hours run Monday through Thursday, 1-4 Mock interviews will also be held for the College of Arts and Sciences as a part of p.m., at the Aloysius P. Kelley Center.

CAS Career Week on Friday, Feb. 28 in Canisius 100. Sign up for these on Life@Fairfield.

The Career Center recommends that students take time to prepare for the Career

BUSINESS: MBA1 MBA–Finance1 MBA–Health Care Management1 MBA–Supply Chain Management1 JD/MBA Accounting Business Analytics2 Organizational Leadership2 EDUCATION: MAT–Elementary MAT–Secondary Educational Leadership Instructional Design2 Special Education2 Teacher Leadership2 COMMUNICATIONS: Interactive Media & Communications2 Journalism Sports Journalism Public Relations3 ARTS & SCIENCES: Molecular & Cell Biology HEALTH SCIENCES: Advanced Medical Imaging & Leadership Biomedical Sciences Cardiovascular Perfusion Occupational Therapy Pathologists’ Assistant Physician Assistant Radiologist Assistant Social Work JD/MSW NURSING: Adult Gerontology or Family Nurse Practitioner Care of Populations2 Nurse Anesthesia Nursing Leadership2 Operational Leadership2 ENGINEERING: Cybersecurity2 LAW: JD–Juris Doctor JD/MBA JD/MELP JD/MSW LLM in Health Law MEDICINE: MD–Doctor of Medicine Anesthesiologist Assistant 1 2 3

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9/11/19 11:35 AM

Opinion

Opinion

Page 5

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2019

Editor Catherine Santangelo» catherine.santangelo@student.fairfield.edu

Lexi Thimble: Dedicated To Reporting the Truth

By Lexi Thimble Editor-in-Chief

nervous wreck the whole time. Our Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor at the time sat on the Google doc with me the whole time as I took notes, helping me shape the article into something tangible as I wrote it and encouraging me the whole way through. I made it through that article, and my first tentative When I joined The Mirror my freshman year, I was looking for something familiar. I had worked step into News was taken. on my high school’s paper, The Imprint, for a few years and had served as it’s co-editor in chief my seIn a Time Magazine article, written around the same time I had my first foray into News, author nior year. Back then, the paper didn’t deprive Jennifer Egan made the case for the importance of journalism and truth-telling me of sleep or demand I stay up until 2 a.m. writers in our current political climate. She stated plainly that, “We need to write in the windowless English classroom where now, write well—tell the truth in all its messy complexity.” She wasn’t just referring we painstakingly laid articles out. We put to news writing here, but having now led a news publication for a year, I hope to out maybe three or four issues a year, and I take her central argument that much further. wrote movie reviews and political opinion I’ve written more News articles this year than I ever have before, ranging pieces I can barely remember. When I found from event coverage to lecturer interviews to investigative stories. I’ve seen the imThe Mirror at Fairfield, while I was definitely pact of a well-researched, well-written story, and I’ve made mistakes (so, so many looking to challenge myself a bit more, I was mistakes) and seen what harm those too can bring. still gravitating towards what I knew. For What I hope readers of The Mirror will realize however, and what I have the most part, I did a lot of that my first few tried to bring with me out of this experience, is the earnestness and genuinity with years on staff. which our staff and any dedicated journalist writes these stories. Journalists are Of the ninety or so pieces I’ve writout to discover the truth, to do the cliched, noble task of keeping institutions of ten over the years, I can confidently say the power in check. But in the time we live in, they’re also out in their field pushing majority of them have been for the Opinion themselves out of their comfort zones, fighting against the age of mistruths we’ve section, with a contribution to Vine thrown been dropped into. The ones trying their best every day to report on the news in here or there. I don’t pretend to know anyhonestly and ethically are the ones who are most determined not to be gaslighted thing about Sports (the weekly 4x5 displays by the powers they’re holding to account; they give us a reminder every day of the that all too clearly if you want to look for any bizarreness of our modern day. proof) so I didn’t think about touching any I am not in any way equating my coverage of campus events to the level of story in that section, but News was somereporting done for a publication like the previously mentioned Time Magazine. thing I regarded in a distant, trepidatious However, in taking on a more active role in our News section and our newspaper manner. If I considered it abstractly, overall, I feel that myself and anyone who’s ever written for The Mirror has done I thought to myself, it’s something in something similar to what journalists do every day; we’ve put ourselves outside theory I could probably do, but it’s betour personal realms of familiarity. With Fairfield acting as our tiny microcosm of ter if I left it to the people who actually the world, we’ve pushed ourselves to honestly document the significance of what knew what they were doing to cover surrounds us in this tiny world, and to seek the truth of what we see so that we News. Heaven forbid I get involved and may improve it. We’ve made mistakes, misquoted people or gotten facts wrong, but mess things up. we’ve done it in the honest pursuit of that truth, and of learning how to do better.

I actually managed to avoid News My epitaph in Coffee Break this week says somewhat glibly, “Here lies Lexi until the fall of my junior year, when I had Thimble. She tried her damned best.” Unequivocally, and under no pretense, I reto cover a very basic Dolan School of Busially did. Not only that, but every staff member and writer and photographer and ness event. I remember that, with a shortage editor who comes after me will do the same, and that’s all we can ask of the people Pictured: Lexi Thimble, departing Editor-in-Chief of The Mirror of writers, I was enlisted to cover the remainwho have been tasked with telling the truth.

Catherine Santangelo/The Mirror ing News stories on our pitch list, and I was a

Streaming Services Have Taken Away Our Ability to Socialize

By Caroline Chapman Contributing Writer

The rapid rise of streaming services has successfully pulled us deeper into an enticing entertaining experience.

But at the same time, it has equally succeeded in pulling us further away from one another. Whether it be Netflix, Disney+, Hulu or Amazon Prime, we have come to accept these services as an agent of our unwinding, our relaxation and our overall leisure. As enjoyable and fascinating the plethora of content that we are offered, we have subsequently been driven into an era in which isolation through our screens has become a normality, and streaming services have made it all that much easier to plummet into the black hole that is binge-watching.

According to an article published by Deadline.com, “total intake across all forms of media was measured at 11 hours and 27 minutes per day, 21 minutes of more than in the same quarter of 2018.” In addition to this, seven in ten homes now have a subscription-based video on demand service and 72 percent use streaming-capable T.V. devices.

The overwhelming takeover of streaming service based technology is indisputable.

No one is here to deny that in the past 30 years through the most momentous era of technological progress, media consumption is an aspect of our everyday lives. But the argument stands as to when it is appropriate that we begin to draw the line. How do we know when it's time to exit out of the browser instead of continuing to watch?

In her novel “Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less From Each Other,” Sherry Turkle

Editorial Board

"The Mirror is Always Open" Katherine Klima Executive Editor

acknowledges that, “Technology is seductive when what it offers meets our human vulnerabilities. As it turns out, we are very vulnerable indeed.” She continues that while we previously sought stim- u l a t i o n through real world experiences and intimate social experiences, a very different case exists today. Turkle explains that “digital connections and the sociable robot may offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship. Our networked life allows us to hide from each other, even as we are tethered to each other. We’d rather text than talk.”

I happen to agree with Turkle, however I must make a small tweak to her argument as today a similar case exists, but it is rather apparent that now we’d rather stream than talk. I’ve found that streaming services have come to fill a once special place in our celebration of the mundane. Our day in and day out routines can be painful, which push us to crave and cherish our time when nothing is asked of us. While going out on the town, seeing an old friend or playing a board game used to satisfy our social desires, we have now alternatively replaced it with our ability to switch on a screen and be stimulated by an episode of Friends. How alarming is that? How often we now spend our time sitting alone in front of a screen with a warped sense of a social experience which in reality is an all too isolating one.

This is a shameless plug, but since it’s my last issue and I’m about to fire my way out of this joint: join the paper, people.

I can’t stress this enough. I feel like everyone on this staff has been stressing it since the day they were claimed by this paper, but join.

Look, if you want me to break it down, here’s why joining your college newspaper is important. One, it looks good on your resume and job applications and will get you hired (probably).

Do you know how many times I’ve sat in alumni panels and listened to alumni with very successful careers mention how they have written for the Mirror and it’s one of the reasons why they’re thriving years later? As someone who is going through the job search process now and is going on interviews– they always ask me about my role on the paper. Employers love seeing that you have worked for your college newspaper because of all the skills you’ve learned on it like writing, organization, time management

Creative Commons/Needpix.com, Wikimedia Commons, Flickr, Wikipedia

The struggle is before us. Of course it is a matter of our own autonomy and whether or not we decide to keep watching. Yet streaming services have taken much of the inconveniences away from us, providing a seamless entertainment experience.

We no longer have to turn the T.V. off and wait for next week's episode. Instead it's now only a click away...and yes Netflix, we know it’s 2 a.m. but we’re still here, we’re still watching.

and developing an argument. These are the skills employers look for and want in future employees.

This brings me to my next point: you gain so many skills. This includes all of the skills I listed above and many more. This job taught me how to use Photoshop and InDesign. It also taught me the logistics of being a leader, being responsible and honestly a better person. Before I joined this staff I was shy, didn’t know where I belonged on this campus and was ready to transfer. After joining the paper I felt like I had a purpose on this campus. I loved being Kat Klima, Vine Editor. It became my niche on campus and pushed me to do things I never thought I’d ever do. Suddenly, I was becoming more outgoing and learning how I could test my boundaries more. Plus, I got to interview so many cool people and just gain so many different amazing experiences I will eternally be grateful for.

Third, a college newspaper is a place where you can meet a bunch of amazing people. During my time here this staff has been filled with some of the coolest people

I have met during my college experience. Even though many of them came and went, your connections only grow through a paper like this.

Building off of this, we’re also not all journalism majors. Currently, this staff is filled with majors ranging from English, communications, public relations, film, art history and even engineering. You don’t need to be in journalism to find purpose on this staff. I’ve had friends before who don’t have any sort of writing background, but they write for us because they were passionate about music or sports. The Mirror is a place where you can hone in on a specific passion and really use it to build up your portfolio and later on do something you really love.

So, if you have thought about joining or you weren’t sure, just join. Even if it’s not to be a section editor, being a contributing writer itself can bring you so many opportunities you never thought you’d ever have. The Mirror office is always open to welcome new members. All you gotta do is stop by.

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2019

Opinion

Page 6

Vaccines Keep Our Population Healthy and Safe

By Noah DeFeo Contributing Writer

The existence of human beings on earth and their ability to live in harmony is a very delicate balance that rests upon the actions of each member. On the world scale, international conflict is at an all-time low, and the people of the earth are cohabitating in a way that has never been so efficacious. Over time, procedures for the most advantageous ways to provide resources to people and overcome challenges that occur are constantly advancing. One example of the achievement of humans to work towards overcoming the challenge of disease is the development of vaccines. The utilization of these life-saving vaccines are undoubtedly essential for healthy children and a healthy population.

A breakthrough discovery made by Edward Jenner in the 1790s found that by inoculating a boy with a small dosage of the vaccinia virus, commonly known as cowpox, the boy was able to develop an immunity to smallpox. Over the course of the succeeding 200 years, and with extreme momentum during the 1900s, vaccines have revolutionized healthcare. Diseases that once eliminated millions of lives now have been completely wiped off the earth. When our grandparents were teenagers, contracting malaria, rubella, chickenpox or polio were completely plausible concerns. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chances of contracting these diseases have all dropped by over 90 percent, and further studies and breakthroughs are invigorating the fight to eradicate major diseases forever.

Unfortunately, there is one problem that is attempting to lay siege to the fight towards universal eradication of diseases. That problem is the anti-vaccination movement.

The movement appeared in the United States in the 1980s when people began to believe that reactions patients were experiencing could be linked to vaccines they had received.

Then, in 1998, British doctor Andrew Wakefield published a study that ascertained a correlation between the vaccination of children and their development of autism. Following epidemiological studies, Wakefield’s study was entirely discredited due to serious procedural issues and biases. According to the US National Library of Medicine, “no causal link was established between the [Measles, Mumps,

Rubella] vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient.” Further studies conducted have yet to confirm the claim that vaccines cause autism.

Another common argument is the concern over the ingredients included in vaccines. It cannot be denied that vaccines contain mercury, formaldehyde and aluminum, as these ingredients are listed plainly on the package inserts of vaccines. When anti-vaccine pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Palevsky spoke at a legislative informational forum in Connecticut in November of 2019, he explained that aluminum functions as an emulsifier in vaccines, attaching to certain particles and allowing them to be easily absorbed into the body.

However, the amount of aluminum actually present in vaccines is a small fraction of a milligram. This amount is put into perspective when you learn that the median daily intake of aluminum from the air we breathe and the food we eat is approximately 24 milligrams.

During his speech, Dr. Palevsky also was certain to note some statistics about the prevalence of chronic conditions in children today versus about 40 years ago. One example he provides is that today, one in five children are learning disabled, whereas one in seventeen children were learning disabled in 1976. Dr. Palevsky neglects to cite any study that proves the relation between the vaccines and the conditions, and instead assumes that the higher prevalence rates of conditions are caused by the widespread use of vaccines. Correlation does not equal causation. Simply because one event succeeded another does not mean the second event is a consequence of the first.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, all 50 states require children to be vaccinated in order to attend school, unless they have a medical exemption such as an immunodeficiency disorder. Currently, 45 states also allow for religious exemptions for vaccinating children. The anti-vaccination movement holds that since the government may not take away the First Amendment right of parents to exercise religious belief, they believe that it is their right to be able to refrain from vaccinating their children. In recent years, the number of parents claiming the religious exemption for vaccinations has increased by about 25 percent. The problem is that the decision to not vaccinate children contains externality: it not only has an impact on the unvaccinated child, but on the people who come in contact with children who are not vaccinated. Abandoning vaccines also undermines the concept of herd immunity, the notion that the community is safer when the greater whole is safeguarded against infectious diseases.

For this reason, the Supreme Court has consistently upheld the government’s ability to mandate vaccines, most notably in Jacobson v. Massachusetts of 1905. Looking toward political philosophy, it was philosopher John Stuart Mill who said, “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” Regardless, the anti-vaccination movement firmly suggests that the government has no place in the decision of parents to inject their children, and that this interference creates an unethical association between the government and the pharmaceutical industry. Anyone who agrees with this must also agree that the same unethical association is created between the government and the motor vehicle industry in Connecticut General Statute 14-100a, which mandates that all vehicles purchased must be equipped with seatbelts, and that the seatbelts must be worn during transit. Even though some argue that seat belts cause more harm than good during collisions, the law still stands.

We should not rule out the rise of an anti-seat belt movement.

It is impossible to deny that vaccines achieve their goal of reducing the chance of contracting a disease. Even if there was significant research that supported the notion that vaccines may cause certain conditions in extremely rare cases, should we really abandon vaccinations at the cost of reintroducing serious diseases into the world and defecting from all the progress immunology has made? When you consider the benefits of vaccines and the fact that they have saved millions of lives over the years, the risks do not seem as problematic. Even further, the absence of research to support a plethora of conjecture, challenges whether those risks are even worth considering. By choosing to not vaccinate children, we jeopardize the ability of the entire world to live in harmony. Even worse, for some we jeopardize the ability for them to even live at all.

Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

Swipe Right on Online Dating to Find the Love of Your Life mally see the user's location. It may help to know if they live around you in case you do not prefer to get into anything serious long distance.

Valentine’s Day just passed and many may be feeling Many online dating applications provide lonely after seeing all those posts on Instagram. With tech- other information such as photos of the person, nology, it is so easy to meet potential love interests with their age, their past education experiences and just the click of a button. Through many applications such their interests. Although I believe personality as Tinder, Bumble or Hinge, people can attempt to find the is as important or even more important than right partner for them. Although many people may argue someone’s appearance, many people are clearly that online dating is not the way to find true love, there are interested in what the person looks like. Those many couples who met online who are involved in success- who have a certain “taste” will have the ability to ful relationships and marriages. People should not instantly match with and date those who they choose to or shut down the thought of meeting people online because they even have the option to decline people. In this there are definitely positives to it. case, it may be less awkward shutting someone down Online dating can be a convenient and fun tool be- over the internet than in person. cause it allows people to meet a wide range Another positive of meeting someone onof others from different areas. line is that you can learn about a person before If you live in a small town, you actually meet them. Many applications you may want to venture allow users to mention some of their hobbies out after being bored of and interests. People may also decide to use seeing the same faces all the messaging features to have a conversation. Gettime. One benefit of many of ting to know someone before meeting them may these online dating sites and provide people with something to talk about in perapplications is that you can norson such as some of their favorite things to do. This can be beneficial in helping people decide whether they want to actually meet the person they are connecting with or not.

I believe that online dating can also give people more confidence to reach out to or speak to others first. Being shy can definitely make it harder to connect with someone.

Many may feel uncomfortable walking up to someone they are attracted to and may not know how to start a conversation with them. AlCreative Commons/GoodFreePhotos though many may

By Alonna Nesto Contributing Writer

Creative Commons/Pixabay

feel more comfortable starting a conversation through technology, if they end up meeting in person, they must have the social skills to interact with them face to face.

While I think online dating can provide many benefits such as meeting new people, those who decide to do it definitely have to be aware of the safety precautions. Many people may abuse the point of online dating and “catfish” others. They may choose to have a profile picture of someone else and lie about their age and other information that may be crucial to someone when finding a match. When online dating, make sure you do not put anything too personal out there! Although it may be rare that you will be meeting someone who is not the person you thought, it is better to be safe.

I think that those who decide to online date should not feel embarrassed about doing it, because many people do. Although many may have an opinion about online dating, nobody should be judged for it! Online dating truly does have positive aspects that can help many towards finding the one for them.

The Vine

arts, entertainment, features

D i s n ey + catches up with competitors abroad

Editor Gracianne Eldrenkamp gracianne.eldrenkamp@student.fairfield.edu

Photo Courtesy of @rhodaboonefood Instagram CreativeCommons/Flickr CreativeCommons/Pixabay CreativeCommons/FreeSVG

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

The Vine

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Disney+ plans a trip overseas

By Michael Riggi Contributing Writer

In a world where multiple streaming services compete for our attention at the expense of a few major consolidated media conglomerates, Disney has announced their next move in the battle to capture consumer attention. Beginning as early as March 24 in Western Europe, Disney will begin to roll out their new streaming service Disney+ to other countries across the world.

Although the service has been available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands since November of last year, Disney+ has remained absent in a variety of other locations across the world. This will all change in a matter of weeks though, as Disney+ is set to launch in many Western European countries (including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy) on March 24 in addition to India on March 29.

Planned to roll out to other countries across the world over the course of the next two years, Disney’s streaming service has yet to hit vital regions including Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific. Not only has the staggered international rollout of Disney+ upset many fans in these regions, but it has also resulted in a number of piracy issues regarding highly demanded shows like “The Mandalorian.”

The global launch of Disney+ is expected to have huge repercussions in the streaming industry, specifically on competing streaming service Netflix, who has already lost 1.1 million subscribers since Disney+ launched. While these figures might not seem dramatic in the grand scheme of the company’s 167 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix will be facing a number of other heavy blows later in the year that may very likely cause even more users to unsubscribe.

One major issue Netflix is facing this year is the loss of two of its most popular shows, “Friends” and “The Office,” as AT&T/WarnerMedia and NBCUniversal launch their own streaming services HBO Max and Peacock, respectively. In an ongoing fight to combat these large media conglomerates, Netflix has ramped up the production of their own original content (i.e. “The Witcher,” “Stranger Things,” “BoJack Horseman”) and launched aggressive social media campaigns to advertise this content.

But is this enough to compete with Disney+? Within the past few months alone Disney has added a major amount of content to its streaming service including original movies like “Togo,” new episodes of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and the live-action remakes of “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.” In the near future Disney+ will also be adding “Black Panther,” the second season of “The Mandalorian” and a slew of original shows in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

With the near worldwide launch of Disney+ and other new streaming services, the future of the mass media landscape will change drastically. Posing as a major threat to pre-existing independent companies that once acted as sole sites for media convergence, the streaming world is slowly branching out and shifting towards consolidation at the helm of a few dominant corporate conglomerates.

Raising questions of ethics and concerns for media consumption in the future, streaming may very likely soon find itself in the same situation cable television was cornered into years ago: consumers paying too much money to multiple different types of providers for content.

The effects from the global launch of Disney+, which m a y possibly mark the start of this new chapter in the broader streaming industry, will ripple across the world for many years to come.

Podcasts for Pop Culture Knowledge

ram g Instag ladygan of @the ourtesy

While many people prefer podcasts for tales of true crime or more serious subjects, my podcast preferences range in topics from the Bachelor to Bravo. An admitted pop culture fanatic, I mostly seek out podcasts for the discussion of celebrity gossip. When I’ve exhausted my uninterested friends and E! News just isn’t enough, I luckily have a wide variety of pop culture podcasts to choose from. From the most scandalous to the most hilarious, many of my fellow celebrity and entertainment aficionados have taken the podcast world by storm, and I for one am thankful. The following list consists of all my go-to podcasts for all things pop culture and celebrity.

“The Morning Toast” Claudia and Jackie Oshry, a dynamic duo of sisters and best friends, discuss all the latest and hottest celebrity and TV news in their podcast, “The Morning Toast.” Every weekday at 10:30 a.m. ET, the Oshry’s, with the occasional cameo of their other sister, Margo, share the stage and often welcome guests, mostly reality TV stars. From recapping the most popular Netflix shows to chatting with your favorite real housewife, you won’t regret starting your day with a bite of “The Morning Toast.”

“Brad Behavior” Brad Goreski’s “Brad Behavior” is the place to be for all things fashion and red carpet recaps. Celebrity stylist and television personality, Brad’s recent addition to the podcast world has been successful and star-studded. With many interesting clients and contacts in the world of celebrity, Brad’s access to celebrity interviews and firsthand red carpet experience makes this podcast all at once exciting and extremely credible.

“Chicks in the Office” Maria Ciuffo and Fran Mariano host this Barstool Sports podcast focused primarily on all of the biggest news in pop culture. This pair of best friends uploads bi-weekly episodes and have welcomed many guests from Bachelor-nation stars to the Jonas Brothers. Keeping it super casual and honest, their conversations are consistently fresh and fascinating for listeners.

“LadyGang” Hosts Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek and Becca Tobin redefine girl power in their podcast, “LadyGang.”

The LadyGang brand stretches far beyond the podcast to books and a television series on the E! Network.

These three powerhouses maintain an absolutely authentic and unapologetic approach to podcasting in an effort to empower fellow females. Many celebrity guests also join in on the weekly episodes to discuss the honesty beneath the many facades of Hollywood.

“Scrubbing In” Bachelor alum Becca Tilley and Ryan Seacrest’s morning show co-host, Tanya Rad, join forces on “Scrubbing In.” This pair of friends and fangirls focus on events of their personal lives as well as pop culture which, with their alternative careers so focused on celebrity, often coincide. Reality T.V. and radio collide in this podcast to bring the best of both worlds and guests from all the various realms of celebrity.

“The Bitch Bible” Last but certainly not least, Jackie Schimmel shatters the mold of influencers and podcast personali-

ties with “The Bitch Bible.” This unedited, unfiltered and unapologetic is jaw-droppingly honest and refreshing in an age where counterfeit perfection is the norm. Schimmel shares her love for fashion, reality T.V. and all things Los Angeles without taking herself too seriously or allowing the pressure of perfection to play a role. If being real makes Schimmel a bitch, then she’s the best bitch in podcasting.

Photo C

By Christina Engelke Contributing Writer

The hosts of "LadyGang" poses for a photoshoot.

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

The Vine

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Books Built for the Silver Screen

into screen form by the BBC, which will be available to watch on Hulu in April of 2020, so it fits right in here! It follows a couple of decades of romance and friendship between two charOh, the dreaded book-to-movie adaptation. It’s someacters, Connell and Marianne, in Ireland. In high school, they thing Hollywood always tries to do, as they desperately try lived in two different worlds as Marianne was a member of one to convert the die-hard book fans into die-hard moviegoers, of the wealthiest families in town, while Connell’s mother was but it always seems to flop. There are some notable excepa housekeeper in her home. Marianne was a bit of an outcast, tions of course, but you’ll never get a film to please them while Connell fit right in and though they knew each other outall, it just won’t happen. That’s why I’m quite nervous about side of school, Connell would make sure never to talk or menthis Friday, Feb. 28, when my all-time favorite book “All the tion Marianne at school. After graduation, they end up at the Bright Places” gets its own movie adaptation. I have time to same college and their relationship continues and spreads into prepare myself for disappointment, and during that time I’ll the sphere of romance. Yet life isn’t easy for these two and their be using it to re-read this perfect book and all the books like relationship is never the most important thing in their lives, as it. So, if you’re looking for a good list of fantastic young adult finding happiness in ways other than each other becomes the reads with strong, memorable characters that seem to stand most important thing and they can never really get the timout from the page, here you are! ing right. It’s a phenomenal book, yet a bit quirky. There are no 1: “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven quotation marks used to indicate something being said, even if Before I get into it, this book is full of lots of triggers something is being said. I had never seen this before, so it does and things that I would look up if that’s something you’re take a little bit of getting used to it. There’s also quite jarring worried about, but if not, then this is a really easy place to time jumps throughout the novel, as it’s told through decades start on my list. Read this book. Just do it. It’s my favorite of friendship. You’ll be seeing them together in college and then book ever. I’ve read it around 30 times as I can’t ever seem to all of a sudden years have passed and they’re visiting each other not discover something new about it. My multiple copies are somewhere else. But, I don’t see this as a negative point, and destroyed at this point, the notes in the margins and Post-It instead a narrative technique to make the story more realistic notes make it look as though I’m writing a thesis and not and filled with all this natural depth that exists between people Photo Courtesy of @livianfernandes_ Instagram reading a young adult book, but whatever. You’ll meet two in real life. fantastic characters, Theodore Finch and Violet Markey, who Fan art of "All the Bright Places."

3: “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson both want to escape their small town and all the terrible people in it, but they want to We’re moving back to the young adult sphere with this one escape for different reasons. Theodore, who goes by the name “Finch,” wants to escape because he’s bullied and away from the romance seen in my above two picks. This book plays more with the dynamic between a quite terribly in school and the way his brain works seems to not match any of his peers. Violet, however, set of twins, a brother and sister named Noah and Jude, and how they grew up together, but then grew apart wants to leave and go to school at New York University after the death of her sister, Eleanor, the year before. as they matured. What’s incredibly interesting about this book is the perspective switch, and the first person Before her sister’s death, Violet was not the type of girl who’d find her way anywhere near someone as odd as narration. The early years, when the twins are closer and they can seemingly read each other’s minds, are told Finch. But, through a school project, they’re partnered together to discover more about their home state of from Noah’s perspective. But, as the twins separated and don’t speak to each other, mainly through Noah’s Indiana in a series of what Finch calls “Wanderings.” Through this project, they become closer, and change desire, we only hear Jude’s perspective. When writing in first-person, authors seem to have the need to shove and grow in unforeseen ways. Niven shows us the magic of the little hidden things in everyday life, as “We narration down our throats that begins to feel forced and unneeded. “I’ll Give You the Sun” almost never remember do not remember days, we remember moments,” and it’s those moments all placed together that does that and only gives us information that is pertinent to our understanding. This allows us to read and gives everything meaning. discover at the same pace as the two characters and gives us our own role in the story, one that is a beautiful 2: “Normal People” by Sally Rooney message about the strength of the relationship between siblings, forgiveness and grief. If this movie isn’t in This book was on everyone’s “Best Summer Reads” list the summer of 2019, and is also being adapted the works to be a movie adaptation, I’d give it a year, we’ll be seeing it in theatres soon enough!

By Molly Lamendola Assistant Vine Editor

The Mirror Abroad: Sightseeing with Sarah

By Sarah Beverly Film Columnist One of the biggest adjustments that they don’t tell you about before you study abroad is the transition from an enclosed suburban campus to an open city.

Before coming to Florence, I had never been passed by a vespa on my way to class or had to use google maps to find the business school. Nor have I fallen asleep to the sound of street performers outside my window or awoken to the hustle and bustle of tourists.

As the days go on, I grow more and more familiar with the tracklist of the man with the guitar on Via Martelli (which includes “Hallelujah” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”) and the church bells ringing on the hour.

I am now able to walk to my favorite gelato shop called Gelateria dei Neri without the assistance of google maps and have walked the Ponte Vecchio enough to recognize the faces of street artists and vendors.

A question that often arises is the authenticity of the city center. I mean, never have I ever woken up to see a line of tourists outside of my window entering a renaissance cathedral. With all of the museums and statues and fake gelato is it possible to know what life in Florence is really like? Or do I have to look elsewhere.

This week, I found my answer.

My professor of health and fitness in the Mediteranean led myself and 30 students through across the Ponte Vecchio to the outskirts of Florence.

“90 percent of students who study abroad never cross the river; they don’t know Florence.” he told us.

Regardless of the accuracy of Beverly and friend pose on Ponte Vecchio.

the statement above, I am ashamed to admit that, had I not registered for this class, I would be a part of that percentage.

He showed us where he and many of my other professors grew up. The narrow streets were lined with family cars. The only sound in reach was the murmur of Italian conversation and the birds taking flight.

We stopped at a recreational center where middle school students trudged along the outdoor track and collected tennis balls on the court below. I hadn’t seen so much greenery since I had arrived in Florence from the highways of the Tuscany region.

As it turns out, beyond the facade of the city center, Florence looks a lot more like home. The difference is just beyond the bridge.

Photo Courtesy of @portrait_film Instagram

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

The Vine

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Trump Preys on 'Parasite's' Win

By Tyler Zikias Film Columnist

tense moments I’ve ever seen on screen. It’s by all means a perfectly constructed film.

Not only is it a clever commentary on class warfare, but the fact that it comes from a Korean filmmaker emphasizes this. Hollywood and the Academy have been struggling with honoring people of color as well as international films in general.

The fact that enough members of the Academy acknowledged, viewed and voted for “Parasite” is a huge step forward for the industry. Bong Joon-Ho, an already wildly successful and known director, just upped his star status in the United States market. This will hopefully result in more studios giving him bigger budgets to realize his vision.

“Parasite” winning Best Picture has made a huge impact on the world as it is today. Not only is the South Korean film market represented in awards history, but now the American film audience is being exposed to a fantastic international film. Clearly from his speech, President Trump has yet to see “Parasite,” as he questioned if anyone had.

I highly recommend that he should though, because it’s an amazing movie!

Just over two weeks ago, “Parasite,” from director Bong Joon-Ho, took Hollywood by surprise. The film won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and has found greater financial success as a result of its wins. However, President Donald J. Trump mentioned the film at a speech this past week, talking about how ridiculous it was that a South Korean film has won a Best Picture. “Has this ever happened before,” he asked, in reference to a foreign language film winning Best Picture.

No, Donald. This is a first for the Academy, and that’s what makes this win for “Parasite” even more special.

The comment itself is enough to stir any fans of the film (pretty much everyone who has seen it, loves it), but also made waves among the film-going community who believes the film is an accurate representation of the class struggles. The film follows the poor Kim family who slowly latch onto the wealthy Park family for work.

The dynamic between the families is cleverly shot, with most of the symbolism surrounding class coming through this element of the film. The Park house was even constructed for the movie to ensure that director Bong Joon-Ho’s vision was fulfilled. All of the performances are CreativeCommons/Flickr pitch perfect and the film has some of the most Bong Joon-Ho (Left) and Donald Trump (Right) pictured.

CreativeCommons/Wikimediacommons

Pete Davidson Stumbles Through Special

By Gracianne Eldrenkamp Vine Editor Netflix has done it again. They gave us yet another subpar comedy special from a comedian of Saturday Night Live fame. This time it was “Pete Davidson: Alive from New York,” and it was only slightly less disappointing than Seth Meyers’ “Lobby Baby.”

Let’s start with what I liked about the comedy special: it’s short. The whole special is only 49 minutes long, so it’s very easy to watch in one sitting. However, it isn’t as chockfull of jokes as you might think despite its length. Throughout the whole thing, Davidson fumbles over words and repeats himself so much that the comedy loses its power. I also genuinely like listening to Davidson’s Staten Island accent and cadence. It’s something that makes his somewhat raunchy comedy unique and, honestly, much more palatable.

Some of the jokes have real potential. His opening joke talks about how Louis C.K. tried to get him fired from SNL, and although it isn’t timely, it has a fantastically satisfying ending and hilarious punchline. It’s probably my favorite bit from the show. I think there’s also some really fantastic bits like when he jokes about the special being on Nickelodeon after a particularly risqué joke. I usually like his work on SNL, so I’m not surprised the special got a few chuckles out of me, but I am surprised by how much I disliked it as a whole.

My biggest issue with the special is that it feels like Davidson wrote it the day before they filmed it. He stumbles over his words and interrupts his stories with what should be small jokes and one liners, but he ends up going off on tangents. Then, when he eventually makes his way back around to the original story, it’s not nearly as funny as it could be. It lessens the natural flow and the impact of the joke. He also tends to focus on audience reaction in this special. By that I mean, that he waits for the audience to react a certain way to continue with his joke. Comedians tend to do this when they say particularly controversial things, but the way that Davidson does it makes him look nervous and unprofessional.

I also genuinely dislike some of the bigger subjects in the special. Davidson focuses on drama about his controversial joke about politician Dan Crenshaw on SNL and his past relationship with Ariana Grande. The Dan Crenshaw joke has the same cadence as his other jokes, and there’s a clear build of good punchlines in the story that I liked. The Ariana Grande joke, however, falls flat for me. Maybe it’s because I’m not invested in celebrity drama, but the jokes he says about her feel spiteful. I wouldn’t even consider myself a fan of Ariana Grande, and I recognize that she is far from perfect. Where Davidson thrives is his ability to balance self-deprecating jokes with jabs at the person he’s making fun of. He does this very well in the Dan Crenshaw bit, but it’s severely lacking in the Ariana Grande bit. It doesn’t feel like a well-crafted, genuinely funny Davidson joke and instead feels like a bit of drama I’d see on E! News, and, personally, that’s not what I’m looking for in comedy. There were hints of that self-deprecating comedy I enjoy, but it was overshadowed by what I felt was an unnecessary rehashing of year old drama.

Overall, “Alive from New York” wasn’t terrible. At times it felt disingenuous and forced, but with a bit more development, it could’ve been a special I rewatch regularly along with John Mulaney, Bo Burnham, Hannibal Burress and Tom Segura’s specials. Unfortunately, although there were some seriously solid jokes in this special, the cons outweigh the pros for me, and I think it’ll be the last time I watch “Alive with New York.”

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

The Vine

Inkwell Spotlight

Singles that Serenade the Charts

Robbery Continued

By Paul Bova Treasurer at The Inkwell

By Julia Monteleone Managing Editor

CreativeCommons/NeedPix

The job had gone easier than expected. Turns out the secretaries and front doormen have all kinds of things to say if you know the right questions to ask. While Jason was pretending to get an update on his estate trust, I had managed to work my way right into the security room of the entire law firm. It wasn’t complicated, just CCTV that was routed back to a single server and computer sitting on a desk.

Everything else might as well have been for show.

I wait back in the car before Jason comes back. All this recon work doesn’t even raise my heart rate, only a calm, steady breath to guide me through the rest of this mission. The parking garage was old, but the sun had come out, lighting up the dark corners. An SUV on the other end of the lot clearly has his headlights on, and someone I can’t make out just sitting there. The beams light up the throughway in front of it, ending a few feet away from it. Unobstructed until the van pulled up.

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is a perfect example of their new pop sound that relies less on a rock vibe and more on a touch of house music.

“Modern Loneliness” - Lauv -- This song made me so sad but it is really good. Lauv has a soothing voice in my opinion, and has been killing it in the last year. He rose to fame after the popularity of his song “I Like Me Better,” which was in the first “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” film. This song is just one solid pop song off his new album ‘~how im feeling~.”

“Birthday Party” - The 1975 -- I did a double take when I started listening to this song and I realized it was The 1975. It has a totally different feel than their usual, but I have to say I like the change up. This acoustic, slow song has a super calming pop feel that, though different for the band, is very welcome in my opinion.

“Strangers” - Mt. Joy -- I saved this song to my library almost immediately. I don’t know much about Mt. Joy but after doing some research I realized they have a song titled “Julia” so basically I have to like them (the only other good song with that title is by The Beatles and it is SO SAD).

Every Friday one of my rituals is checking out the recent releases section of Spotify to see the latest and greatest in music for the week. Not only do I look through the recent releases, which showcases some of the more popular artist releases, but the “Release Radar” playlist that is curated specifically to my music taste has proven to be a great place for me to find new music that I love. That being said, here are some of the best new releases from the last week.

“After Hours” - The Weeknd -If you are a fan of The Weeknd’s older albums, this song is for you. My favorite album of his has always been “Trilogy,” and “After Hours” has the same dark rhythmic vibe as that era of his work.

“Bad Decisions” - The Strokes -- If you never had a Strokes obsession in your life, were you ever really an emo high school kid? “Bad Decisions” is on par with a lot of The Strokes’ previous work, and is reminiscent of the ever amazing “Reptilia.”

Truly, this song makes me want to go back to my days of listening to Young The Giant, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend and The Black Keys.

“Old Me” - 5 Seconds of Summer -- 5 Seconds of Summer is another band that takes me back, though they have certainly changed their sound since I was a middle school girl listening to “She Looks So Perfect.”

They have certainly grown in sound since then, and this song Cover of The Weeknd's new single, "After Hours."

Two T errific T ully Salads CreativeCommons/Flickr

Molly and I are distinctly different people. However, we do share very strong opinions on certain things. One of those things is how to make a salad in the Tully. Here are two recipes for our go-to salads in the Tully. Are we qualified to give this advice? No. Are we passionate about the fact that we are right? Yes! Enjoy! ½ cup of spinach ½ cup of arugula 10-15 cucumber slices 2 sections of avocado (depending on how it looks that day) 2 hard-boiled eggs 2 lemon sections (squeeze juice over salad) A dash of olive oil Salt and pepper Optional: 1 cup of brown rice Mix all of the actual ingredients together first, then add the lemon juice, olive oil and spices last so nothing gets soggy. This is something that I get when I am running to the Tully in between work and class, and it makes me feel great. There is just enough green food that I feel like Gwyneth Paltrow would be proud of me, while still being really filling. Best enjoyed with a Diet Coke mid-meeting, eaten

probably out of a Tupperware.

By Molly Lamendola Assistant Vine Editor

I’m a Slytherin and Sheila’s a Ravenclaw, I like black nail polish and Sheila likes a soft baby pink… we’re quite different. So here’s my version of her salad, yet more to my taste buds and the soul of me that has never left Hot Topic.

1 cup of iceberg lettuce ½ cup of spinach 10 pieces of broccoli ¼ cup of red onions 1 hard boiled egg 1 cup of grilled chicken 1 tablespoon of olive oil 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon of dried cranberries You mix it all together in the above order and then eat it. It’s fantastic with a glass of lemon flavored water and a window seat in the Tully. You can eat your salad and feel superior to anyone who gets fries. Then if you want, you can have a cookie without any sort of guilt. You deserve that cookie friend, you deserve it.

CreativeCommons/Flickr

By Sheila McCombs Copy Editor

Coffee Break

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

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Coffee Break Editor: Tobenna Ugwu tobenna.ugwu@student.fairfield.edu

Senior Send Off The Coffee Break Team announces with a heavy heart the departure of our senior staff, some of whom have been writing for The Mirror since enrolling at Fairfield University. The team decided to sit down with the seniors and listen to them as they encapsulated their memories over the years into words.

“The crazy Tuesday Nights when I am going half insane but somehow still enjoying it,” Editor-In-Chief Lexi Thimble said when asked what she would miss most. “I’ll miss driving Lexi home every week,” Managing Editor Julia Monteleone added.

The seniors have experienced it all, - Senior members of the Mirror summed up into a few words by Executive Pictured Editor Kat Klima: “What I’ll miss most about 2019/2020 Staff the Mirror is the staff and the feral energy that comes out at the witching hours of 3 a.m.” and Vine Editor Gracie Eldrenkamp, who said, “I’m going to miss working between the crazy opposing energies of Molly and Toby.”

It is pretty clear that there is a one-ofa-kind dynamic for the staff, and the remaining staff expressed their grief for the seniors’ departure. Julia Lanzilotta, Sports Editor, expressed that she “will miss sharing an office-wide dry sense of humor.”

Opinion Editor Catherine Santangelo reiterated this by saying, “I will miss all of the laughs that we have had with the seniors... there have been so many!”

But humor is not the only thing that will be missed by ongoing staff, as Catherine added, “My favorite thing about the seniors is the constant support they have given the staff.” Chief Copy Editor Sheila McCombs emphasized this by saying, “I will miss being able to ask the seniors for advice on literally everything.” She sweetly added “P.S. - look out for many texts and phone Pictured - Mirror 2019/2020 Staff calls from me.”

Sports

SPORTS Sports Editor: Julia Lanzillotta julia.lanzillotta@student.fairfield.edu

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THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

This Week in Sports: What You Missed

In Case You Missed It: Friday, February 21nd -Men's Basketball won against Niagara, 61-60 Saturday, February 22nd -Women's Lacrosse lost to Hofstra, 17-13 -Women's Basketball won against Quinnipiac, 72-60

Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk

Senior Dan Ryan's run batted in during the sixth inning sent home rookie infielder Mike Becchetti who scored his first run as a Fairfield Stag.

The Fairfield University men's baseball team failed to deliver against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on Sunday, Feb. 23. After a losing double header the day prior (1-0, 6-2), they fell to the Spartans for the third time with a final score of 3-1 in the home team's favor. For the first time in over a year, graduate student John Signore made an appearance on the mound, after recovering from an injury. He faced 17 batters in the four innings he was played.

A pair of runs in the fourth inning by UNC Greensboro put Fairfield behind. They answered back in the sixth inning when Dan Ryan'20 grounded out a ball to shortstop and allowed a scoring opportunity for Mike Becchetti '23. In response, the Spartans tacked on another run and held off the Stags for the remaining three innings.

The Stags are slated to take on Boston College back in N.C. this weekend on Saturday, Feb. 29.

Upcoming This Week: Wednesday, February 26th -Women's Lacrosse vs Boston University, 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 27th -Women's Basketball vs Rider, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 28th -Softball vs Penn,

Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk

Sophomore Aina March played at No. 2 Singles, and won 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2, contributing to the Stags' 4-3 victory over Providence College.

On Sunday, Feb. 23 the Fairfield University women's tennis team traveled to East Providence, RI to take on the Providence College Friars. Junior Anna Komer who competed in No. 1 Singles, beat Providence 6-7(4), 6-4,6-2 and tied the match. Behind her was Aina March '22 who played at No. 2 won 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-3 and then Sophia Prinos '22 at No. 4 who won 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Emily Lombardi '20 and Laina Campos '23 represented the Stags in No. 3 Doubles against Friars Mimi Dailey and Vannelie Melendez and won 7-6(6) in the tiebreaker. Diana Prinos '20 and Komer faced Julia Migliorini and Haley Gurski of Providence, and took home a win, 7-6(8).

The afternoon ended in the Stags' favor, 4-3. They will hit the court again on Saturday, Feb. 29 against Stony Brook University.

12:00 p.m., Liberty Universal Invitational -Men's Basketball vs Quinnipiac, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 28th -Baseball vs Boston College, 1:00 p.m.

-Women's Tennis vs Stony Brook, 6:00 p.m.

In this week's issue...

- Men's Lacrosse Takes First Loss Against Georgetown (Pg. 14) - Women's Basketball Blunders at Marist (Pg. 15) - Softball Slips Up in North Carolina (Pg. 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

Men's Lacrosse Takes First Loss Against Georgetown

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

After holding on to a 2-0 record to start the season for the first time since 2014, the Fairfield University men’s lacrosse team recorded their first loss of the 2020 season against nationally ranked Georgetown University. On Saturday, Feb. 22, Georgetown extended their undefeated record to three with the 25-12 decision on Fairfield’s turf.

Just two minutes after the whistle signaling the start of the first quarter, Georgetown picked up a ground ball off after a shot by Travis Ford ‘20 was saved, and cleared the ball to take it across the field and planted it past goalkeeper James Corasaniti ‘22.

Seven seconds following the first goal of the game, the Hoya’s struck again after capitalizing on a face-off win, and led the stags 2-0. After regaining possession on a face-off violation by the visiting team, Trent Moran ‘23 finally put one on the board for Fairfield. With exactly eight minutes remaining in the quarter, Brian Reda ‘22 scored the equalizer, and Taylor Strough ‘21 contributed another goal on a man-up opportunity. Junior Lucas Pedersen’s turnover was detrimental to Fairfield’s narrow one-goal advantage, and Georgetown responded with a three-point run. At a last-ditch attempt, Dylan Beckwith ‘20 found the back of the net and the Stags would enter the second period behind, 5-4.

Fairfield, who kept close to Georgetown in the first, would prove to have a more difficult time as the second period commenced. They managed to wrack up two more goals before Ford answered. In a similar two-to-one pattern, a pair of goals by the Hoyas were responded to by Cole Barnard ‘21. Reda contributed another goal with a helper by Beckwith. The Stags headed into halftime holding their own, on the disadvantaged end of a 7-10 score.

At the start of the second half, Georgetown was merciless offensively, and returned to the field to register six back-to-back goals. Fairfield took the offensive role on the field a handful of times, but reckless turnovers before they could answer back were the reason for their demise.

Corasiniti posted seven saves to the period, to fend off Georgetown’s consistent force. The third period solidified Georgetown’s lead, allowing them a comfortable 10-point cushion, and their 10-3 performance shot them ahead going into the final 15 minutes of regulation time.

To finish off scoring for the afternoon, Georgetown surged with another five goals.

The streak stopped was halted by T. Ford when Georgetown earned a team penalty, putting them down a man. Strough provided T. Ford with the helper, and to round out scoring rookie Max Paparozzi’s shot met its target for the first time in his career, but the clock would run out, leaving Fairfield in the dust, 25-12.

All in all, the Stags put on a good showing. Their offense was led by T. Ford and Bryce Ford ‘23 who each contributed three points, made up of two goals and an assist per-person.

After Saturday’s showing, B. Ford has marked three points in each of the first three games of the season. He was tabbed Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week, following his outstanding results this past week against Merrimack College and then again versus Georgetown where he collected a total of six points, four ground balls and two caused turnovers. B. Ford’s nine points places him in second place among all CAA rookies. Scoring forces who joined him included Reda with two goals, Beckwith and Strough each with a goal and an assist combination, and Cole Barnard ‘21. Trent Moran, Paparozzi and Frankie Labetti ‘21 with one apiece. In the cage, Corasaniti’s 18 saves matched his career high.

The Stags will return to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium with a vengeance on Saturday, Feb. 29 as they are slated to host their interstate rivals, Quinnipiac University, at 1 p.m.

Weekly 4x5

Because we have witty things to say ...

Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

What are your final words to/as Mirror graduates?

A message to newly elected FUSA President Vinny and Vice President Toby:

I'm sad! Thank you Kat, Lexi, Julia Yeeeeee I'm so proud! Make this and Gracie for your guidance, help office proud, Toby. And to both of and most of all patience! you, good luck!

Love you all <3

Lexi Thimble Editor-in-Chief

There's honestly too much to say and I'm a sappy, sappy mess. I love every one of you that I've met in this office, this has been one of the best things I've ever done.

To Vinny: Congrats Mr. President Elect, you're going to be brilliant!

To Toby: You're following in the footsteps of current FUSA President Claire Monahan on her path from Coffee Break to Exec. Your Mirror fam is very proud :)

"Goodbye everyone. I'll remember Ahh good job!!! And of course, nothing but respect for our Coffee Katherine Klima you all in therapy."- Plankton Break Editor, Toby!!! We stan our Executive Editor (Side note: I will miss you all and new VP!!! good luck @ the new staff. Two dollar, here I come)

Peace out! It has been a wild ride

Julia Monteleone and I wouldn't trade it for the Managing Editor world.

So proud of our very own Coffee Break editor Toby. Hard work pays off !

Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Bryce Ford '23 earned Colonial Athletic Association honors as the CAA Rookie of the Week.

Your 2019-2020 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Lexi Thimble, Katherine Klima and Julia Monteleone Ovechkin scored his 700th career goal. Do you see an end in sight for him soon?

Do you find that there are enough study spaces available on campus?

Do you believe four-year housing at Fairfield should be required?

He has shown no signs of slowing down. Despite being in the league for 14 years, hes only 34 so he definitely has a few more years of good hockey ahead of him.

Usually, yes. However, I have a bad feeling that with the new library renovation, it will be like the Hunger Games trying to find a seat in there. Luckily, I have The Mirror office :)

Sure, if they can provide it...

Wanna know how much I know about hockey? I just Googled what team he's on because I thought it was the Bruins? But I honestly wasn't sure? Me and Kat are hopeless.

Yeah we have a good amount of spaces, although like Lanz the office has really become my go-to spot.

Re: the opinions of my managing and exec editors, I second that emotion.

Whomst?

Depends. On a normal day, yes.

However, during finals it's like a fight to the death to get a spot in the library or even in the BCC.

Required, no. However, if it is a requirement they need to be able to provide adequate housing.

In my four years here yes. But I do think that as the classes get bigger FU will have to make more space.

Required no, available yes. Living at the beach is a Fairfield tradition!

For my last and final 4x5, I do not know sports. I clapped at the wrong team during my cousin's basketball game the other day. I know nothing.

That man has already cemented himself as a legend, though I would not be surprised if he continued to do more.

Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of February 26, 2020

Page 15

Women's Basketball Blunders at Marist

By Haley Norton Contributing Writer

had yet another turnover, and Marist followed right back with one. Junior Sam Lewis attempted her first three-pointer of the game. Lopez-Senechal had a steal to drive for two, then had a steal and sent it down the court in hopes Landy would be able get there in time, but it went out of bounds. Marist doubled Fairfield’s score in the third quarter, 60-30.

The final quarter started with a hit for Fairfield, as Cavanaugh fouled out. Landy had a great drive for two and Lopez-Senechal followed with the same energy by grabbing a Marist rebound. We later saw Bauer and Lewis with rebounds, but other than that, Marist was dominating the rebounds in the final quarter. Lopez-Senechal put a lot of pressure on Marist and it led to a travel, giving Fairfield the possession. Bracken drove down low for her only points of the game. Junior Eden Nibbelink had a steal and later hit a three-pointer. Three-pointers was the only area that Fairfield out-played Marist in. The Stags shot 32 percent, while Marist only shot 22.7 percent.

Fairfield lost the ball yet again with another attempt to throw it down the court. Lewis hit an impressive three-pointer within the last minute of the game while she had a lot of pressure on her. The game ended with a score of 75-45, Marist. Fairfield brought the energy and they brought the passion, but simply put-they were outplayed. Marist shot better, rebounded more and remained in control all night.

The Fairfield University women’s basketball team has their next game on Feb. 27 against Rider University at 7 p.m. Make sure you head to Alumni Hall this Thursday- you won’t want to miss it!

The Fairfield University women’s basketball team played Quinnipiac University (9-7) this past Saturday, Feb. 22, at Alumni Hall. Quinnipiac is currently the fourth seed in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, while Fairfield is the third seed. Stags won with a score of 72-60.

This past Monday, Feb. 24, Fairfield, with a current overall record (10-6), played Marist College (15-2). The Stags put up a good fight, but lost to Marist 75-45. This was a huge difference in result compared to the last time these teams faced off, when the Stags beat Marist 52-48. The 75 points were the lowest amassed by Marist during any one game this season.

We once again saw head coach Joe Frager’s preferred starters, including Sam Kramer, Katie Armstrong ‘20, Callie Cavanaugh ‘21, Lou Lopez-Senechal ‘22 and Rachel Hakes ‘22. However, we did not see any of Andrea Hernangomez ’22, as she was benched for an injury. Every other player saw the court that night. The Stags won the tip off, but the first rebound of the night went to Marist.

Fairfield is one of the only teams in the MAAC that is comparable to Marist in height, but tonight, Marist dominated with the rebounds. By the end of the game, they had 47 rebounds, while Fairfield only had 17. This was definitely a problem area for the Stags. Fairfield was able to steal the ball, which led to the first points of the game by Cavanaugh. Hakes immediately started pressuring Marist as they were bringing up the ball. Armstrong had the first rebound of not-too-many for the Stags.

Lopez-Senechal hit her first three-pointer of the game. She attempted six three-pointers in the game, and hit four of them, shooting 66.7 percent. Lopez-Senechal, Armstrong and Kramer typically lead the Stags in scoring. A turnover by Kramer led to the first points on the board in favor of Marist.

This basket led to a 15-point hot streak for Marist, where Fairfield didn’t score at all again for the rest of the quarter. Fairfield’s shots just weren’t hitting like they should have that night. As a team, they only shot 32.65%. Marist shot 36.35 percent. Cavanaugh got her first foul of the game with two minutes left in the first quarter. Marist had another steal, but Kramer stole it right back. The first quarter ended with a score of 15-5, Marist.

Hakes started out the second quarter strong with a great assist to Armstrong down low for two. This was Hakes first assist of the game, and the first of Fairfield’s nine. However, Marist out-assisted Fairfield, with 20 assists throughout the game. Junior Molly Bauer had an exciting block down low and got the ball back for Fairfield. With Hernangomez out due to injury, Bauer is Frager’s second center off the bench. First-year Ciara Bracken traveled to add to Fairfield’s 14 turnovers. Marist was right behind them with 13 turnovers. Hakes was playing great defense, putting a lot of pressure on Marist while they’re bringing the ball up, and never losing that intensity. Kramer attempted a threepointer, missed and drove straight back to the basket to get her own rebound. This led to a jump ball that kept the ball with the Stags. Bauer had an illegal screen, and then later threw the ball out of bounds for another Fairfield turnover. Hakes hit a three-pointer; she was a standout player for tonight’s game. Graduate student Kendra Landy was also putting a lot of pressure on Marist.

Landy has been a star player for Fairfield since her first year. First-year Mackenzie Martin was also showcasing her defensive skills all night. She played 12 minutes in this game, which is a good chunk of time, considering she had only played 30 minutes up until that point in the season. Lopez-Senechal had a lovely assist to Armstrong for three points.

Once again, Fairfield was pressuring Marist as they came up the court, but it left them wide open below their basket. They had two rebounds in a row that led to them scoring yet again. The first half ended with a score of 33-16, Marist.

The Stags are known to come back for the second half with a new energy, and fans were hoping to see this. Kramer started out with another three-point attempt. Kramer went 0-6 on three-pointers. Thankfully, Cavanaugh was there for the rebound and put the ball right back up for two. With five minutes left in the quarter, Marist was on their second double-digit run with Fairfield scoring nothing for over four minutes. Cavanaugh saw her fourth foul this quarter, which added pressure on coach Frager, as he was already down a key player. Mackenzie drove down low for two, putting her only points on the board. Fairfield Sophomore forward Lou Lopez-Senechal tallied a combined total of 42 points between the last two contests.

Photo Contributed by Carlisle Stockton via the Sports Information Desk

The Stags picked up a 72-60 win at home against Quinnipiac University on Saturday, Feb. 22, but on Monday, Feb. 24 they were crushed by Marist College, 75-45 in Poughkeepsie, NY.

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports

Week of February 26, 2020

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16

Sports Editor: Julia Lanzillotta » julia.lanzillotta@student.fairfield.edu

Softball Slips Up in North Carolina

Photo Contributed by Andy Mead via the Sports Information Desk

The Stags opened the 2020 campaign in Greensboro, NC for the University of North Caroline at Greensboro Invitational from Friday, Feb. 21 to Sunday, Feb. 23 and went 1-3 over the weekend.

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, who hosted the Fairfield University softball team Friday, Feb. 21 to Sunday, Feb. 23., began the spring 2020 season in Greensboro, NC for the UNCG Invitational. During that span, Fairfield faced UNC Greensboro once, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill once and Purdue University twice. Over the weekend, they went a disappointing 1-3.

On Friday, the game slated for 5 p.m. on Friday against UNC Greensboro was cancelled, so the Stags had to wait an extra day before seeing the field. At 12 p.m. on Saturday, Fairfield would pick up their only win of the weekend against UNC at Chapel Hill, with an 11-2 blowout. At the top of the first inning, Amanda Ulzheimer ‘20 singled to second base.

When Mikayla Rubin ‘21 singled to shortstop, Ulzheimer proceeded to second. Then, Olaff grounded out to second base, sending Rubin to second and pushing Ulzheimer to third. Sophomore Kaitlin Hoffman singled to third and Ulzheimer scored, putting up a run for Fairfield early on. Chapel Hill finished out the first stagnant. One of their players made it as far as third base, however they struck out before she could make her way home. When Fairfield was up to bat at the top of the second, Tahlia Brown ‘22 singled up the middle, but that was the extent of the action. Chapel Hill came back, claiming a lead when they had two hits and a walk, scoring two runs. After that, Chapel Hill threw their hands in the air, and would not manage to find home plate again. In the last five innings, the Stags would score ten unanswered runs, crushing Chapel Hill. On the mound, Katie Kudlacik ‘22 pitched the entire game, striking out four hitters and walking four batters.

Notably, Haley Updegraff ‘23, Sam Merino ‘21, Brown, Rubin and Ulzheimer each notched an RBI. Their momentum shifted downward very quickly that evening against the host team, UNC Greensboro. The Stags were first to the plate, where Merino scored. This would be Fairfield’s only run.

In response, Greensboro posted two runs in the first, three in the third, two in the fourth and three in the sixth to round out scoring.

Fairfield would register their first loss of the season, by a dramatic 10-run margin, leaving 11 student-athletes on base. Fairfield tallied 21 hits and scored 12 runs between Friday’s two games to split the day 1-1.

The next morning, the Stags took on a Big Ten competitor, Purdue, in a double header. Purdue came out strong, wrapping up the first inning with four runs and two left on base. The early-established lead placed a sense of urgency on the Stags who didn’t seem to receive the message. They let up another two runs between then and the fourth inning until finally Madison Robicheau ‘22 had an RBI when Merino doubled to right center.

That same inning, Merino scored on a passed ball, and the score was 6-2. Again, the Boilermakers picked up speed and added another three runs, distancing their lead to seven runs. A two-run double by Kaitlin Hoffman added three more runs to the scoreboard and lessened Purdue’s edge to 9-5, but they were out of time.

The second game of the day was just as disappointing for the Stags as the first, when they dropped the ball 9-1. Mirroring their performance from that morning, the first inning was an eventful one for Purdue. They had a two-run opening inning, and added another two in the second bringing the score to 4-0, unanswered by the Stags. Finally, in the third inning Rubin delivered an infield single towards shortstop. Off of senior Lacey Olaff ’s sacrifice bunt allowed Rubin to take second. She was sent home on a base hit

by Megan Forbes ‘23 and the score reduced the lead to a manageable three runs. Unfortunately, Fairfield’s scoring efforts started and ended with Rubin’s run and their three hits over the four remaining innings yielded no results. They wrapped up their trip down south with a 9-1 loss, and an overwhelming push to improve.

This Friday, Feb. 28 Fairfield will play in the Liberty University Invitational in Lynchburg, VA. They are slated to play the University of Pennsylvania at 12 p.m.

Photo Contributed by Andy Mead via the Sports Information Desk

The Stags' only win of the invitational was against the Tarheels of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who were ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association preseason poll.