Fairfield Mirror 11/18/2020

COVID-19

Thanksgiving

Stag Spotlight

Opinion

Vine

Sports

Should politics play a role in the COVID vaccine?

Thanksgiving traditions vary from family to family, and are unique in their own way!

Mikayla Rubin of Fairfield University Softball

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THE MIRR R Independent student newspaper

Week of November 18, 2020

Vol. 46 Iss. 10

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FUSA Advocates For Pass/Fail Option

By Andrew Murphy Staff Writer Murmurs of a pass/fail option for the Fall 2020 semester have been circulating around campus lately, occurring amidst the increasing number of coronavirus cases, as well as the strict regulations affecting campus and beach life.

Mark Ligas, Ph.D., vice provost for undergraduate excellence, provided some direction as to where these rumors might have originated.

“At this time, I know that the Academic Council, which is the executive ‘arm’ of the general faculty, is both discussing Fairfield’s existing pass/fail policy and looking at pass/fail policies of other institutions,” Ligas said. “However, no discussion has occurred about whether pass/fail will be instituted this semester or in a future semester.”

The Fairfield University Student Association recently

responded to an influx of student questions regarding this issue via an email sent out Nov. 13. The organization’s message included the following statement: “At this time, students cannot opt to change a course grade to pass/ fail for the Fall 2020 semester.”

The email emphasized how the existing pass/fail policy requires approval before the semester begins. The respective department and curriculum committee must agree that a course fits the appropriate requirements to operate as pass/fail, and under Photo Courtesy of niche.com this current policy, pass/ fail has to apply to every student in the course.

As mentioned in this email, the Council has yet to seriously consider these potential options for the Fall 2020 semester. However, Brian Walker Ph.D., a professor in the biology department and a member of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, stated that the Academic Council has started a discussion about analyzing pass/fail and how this potential option should be treated across the University.

“The Faculty Academic Council asked the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee to begin to examine a new policy related to pass/fail that is more student-focused,” said Walker.

“Before the coronavirus, it was only the faculty who decided if they wanted their class to be pass/fail. The goal is to let the students have more of a say in whether courses can be taken pass/ fail, with obvious restrictions.”

The discussion around the pass/fail option consists of

questions regarding how many times students should have the ability to utilize a pass/fail option during their time at Fairfield.

The Council also has to consider how many times a student should be able to implement this option during a given semester.

Other factors, such as the student’s year of study and the relevance of a class to their degree also play into this conversation about pass/fail. These discussion points all exist not so much as a plan for the Fall 2020 semester, but rather as a proactive step to better prepare for the future.

“The purpose of this policy is so that the emergency policy from last semester doesn’t need to occur,” explained Walker.

Though the University had a faculty-driven pass/fail policy, Walker believes that last semester’s situation and the nature of the pandemic forced an inevitable reevaluation of how it should function under extraordinary circumstances.

There remains no date in sight regarding when the Committee will make a policy change. Walker explains that these conversations still need to get much more in-depth before the faculty can hope to finalize a decision.

For the possibility of this semester specifically having a pass/fail policy, Walker personally does not see a need for it.

“I personally don’t think it should be implemented for this semester. Last semester was different, it was a change midcourse. This semester, we pretty much knew what we were getting into,” he explained. “Students need to also be more educated about ramifications of what pass/fail can mean for their future.”

The Academic Council and Undergraduate Curriculum Council have their focus on sculpting a pass/fail policy not unique to this semester, but for future semesters that operate under non-pandemic circumstances.

“It’s hard to imagine making a policy based on this unreal semester,” noted Walker. “I would imagine, however, that whatever policy is suggested, it will not be like what happened last semester.”

FUSA’s email sent to all students on Nov. 13 included their public support of a permanent pass/fail policy that would allow for individual students to request for pass/fail in a given course. The organization plans on advocating for this option specifically for the Fall 2020 semester, if the Academic Council denies their initial proposal.

VP Donoghue Recommends Exit Testing

By Danielle Sondgeroth News Editor

As Stags head home for Thanksgiving break, Fairfield has put new guidelines in place to aid all students in the moving out process during the pandemic.

These guidelines were especially important given the University’s rapid and sudden move to Code Orange last week.

Before leaving, students who were not tested last week have the option of getting tested for COVID-19 to ensure that they’re negative. However, testing isn’t mandatory by any means, although it is strongly suggested.

According to vice president for student life, Karen Donoghue, Fairfield recommends that students get tested, although it won’t be enforced on campus.

“Students who do not opt-in to getting tested prior to leaving campus are strongly encouraged to test immediately upon arrival at their Thanksgiving destination,” Donoghue said in an email on Nov. 13.

Students are also encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival at their destination.

Significant changes were made to Fairfield’s plan after Thanksgiving break.

As of Nov. 13, students going home for Thanksgiving will not be permitted to return to campus at all for the remainder of the semester. Students who requested to come back after the holiday break will be contacted separately by the Office of Residence Life. Students currently in quarantine or isolation at the Conference Center or the Holiday Inn will also be contacted to coordinate their plans for departing campus.

Donoghue also made it clear that students will not be permitted to return to campus once they’ve gone home after Nov. 20, unless they receive permission from the Office of the Dean of Students.

Danielle Sondgeroth/The Mirror

All randomized COVID-19 tests on campus have been administered in the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreational Complex.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

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COVID Cases Spike on Campus

By Danielle Sondgeroth News Editor Overall this semester, Fairfield has seen both drastic spikes and drops in the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and at the beach, ranging from just a 0.5 percent infection rate, all the way up to eight percent among specific populations. We’ve been in Code Orange two separate times over the course of a few weeks and beach residents are currently in their second stint of isolation.

This semester, Fairfield has had 584 cases of the virus among students and staff. This is significantly more cases than other schools throughout the state had, including Yale, which only had 223 cases throughout the semester and UConn, which had 327 student cases, both residential and commuter, over the course of three months.

Despite the complex situation, Fairfield has remained relatively transparent about COVID-19 cases both on and off campus, with a comprehensive dashboard updated every few days. The dashboard was changed significantly in late October, to reflect even more information such as how many beds remained in isolation and quarantine housing, how many students on campus currently had the virus and how many had returned from quarantine after testing negative. Although some students have continued to call for increased transparency of COVID-19 statistics from the University, Fairfield has provided significantly more information than some of its counterparts, including Sacred Heart University, whose COVID-19 dashboard only reflects results from the past week in percentages, not actually giving any hard numbers for students to reference.

Fairfield is currently in its second COVID-19 spike Canva of the semester, returning to Code Orange for the first time in weeks. This likely is the result of large Halloween Data compiled by Danielle Sondgeroth from the Fairfield University COVID-19 Dashboard gatherings and parties that occurred on the weekend of cially when schools across the country were forced to close of its students, from continuous randomized testing to new Oct. 31. within just a few weeks of reopening. guest and dining policies. As a whole, Fairfield has remained However, despite the second spike in cases and the sub“I’m shocked we made it this far,” said Tracy Ferguson safe and sound, even with the looming threat of the virus, and sequent beach isolation period with new mitigation strategies, ‘22. it will hopefully further improve its strategies in the Spring some students are pleasantly surprised that the University Despite the second wave of cases that took over campus 2021 semester. managed to remain open through the entire semester, espethese past few weeks, Fairfield did its best to ensure the safety

Gina Kolata Introduces COVID-19 Vaccine

By An Nguyen Contributing Writer In these desperate times, when the nation is struggling with the outbreak of COVID-19, it seems that a solution has come through: a vaccine that can prevent further spreading of this lethal virus. The vaccine was made by Pfizer and Moderna, and it’s getting an emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration after being tested in trials and clinicals.

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies invited Gina Kolata, a journalist reporting science and medicine for The New York Times, to discuss the vaccine in-depth at a virtual event called, “Covid-19 Vaccination: How and When Will the U.S. Get It? A Discussion of the State of the Coronavirus Vaccination.”

Kolata opened by expressing some concerns regarding “the first vaccine that is effective against this deadly virus, in such an incredibly short time.” A frequently referenced question was: “Why should I take this vaccine if it hasn’t been tested enough and can possibly harm me?” It was so common that it was brought to the attention of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris.

To give her perspective on the vaccine’s safety, Kolata said, “it’s really hard to know, but there are multiple phases a vaccine has to go Photo Courtesy of pharmaceutithrough before cal-technology.com it can even be available to the public.”

“After being tested on small animals and some volunteers to make sure of its safety, the vaccine is tested on more volunteers for some level of efficacy and side effects. Tens of thousands of people will be tested with the vaccine and its placebo to find out its efficacy,” Kolata continued. “Currently, only two vaccines we are talking about have passed all of these and are waiting for the FDA’s approval.”

Kolata also remarked that, “Usually vaccines are made

of a killed virus to help your body recognize and produce antibodies to it. But, these have some genetic material of the virus to instruct your cells to produce some spike protein that feeds the virus, giving your immune system enough time to recognize the virus and produce antibodies.

The vaccine has been proven to have 92 percent effectiveness” “However”, she said, “assuming that people do want this vaccine, the next question is: CreativeCommons/Michigan National Guard who can get their hands on it? The Drive-through COVID-19 testing has been made available nationwide since the initial outCenter of Disease break of the virus in the spring. workers, old people who have other conditions and eventually Control still hasn’t normal people, like us. In all of these cases, 10 percent will always be reserved for people with social vulnerability. But it all comes down to whether or not people want to take this vaccine, given that it’s our only way out of this situation.”

Adding to all of the additional issues, the vaccine has to be kept in cold temperatures and only remains good for an hour or so. As a result, the shipment and storage of this vaccine will be another hard-to-solve case, as noted by Kolata.

However, she reminded us that despite the remaining problems, we have come an incredibly long way since the outbreak of this virus, and we need to remain optimistic that this won’t go on forever.

“If everything goes absolutely smoothly, by the end of 2020 the vaccine will make it to first responders and healthdecided yet.” care workers,” Kolata said.

“Undoubtedly it has to go to healthcare workers, nursThe event offered some very insightful and optimistic ing homes workers and first responders before anyone else, perspectives about the current situation. Although an upcombut if it is not sufficient for them, 10 percent of these vaccines ing vaccine might mean that COVID-19 will be eradicated in will go to hard-hit areas,” Kolata explained. “This is measured the near future, for now, it’s important to not let our guards by the Social Vulnerability Index, which takes into account down and keep up the good work of protecting ourselves and how crowded the area is, reliance on public transportation, race, poverty level, etc. After that, vaccines will go to essential the people around us.

“Currently, only two vaccines we are talking about have passed all of these and are waiting for the FDA’s approval.”

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

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Students Reflect on the Fall Semester Compiled by Colleen Vann Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

11/13 9:26 p.m.

The Department of Public Safety took a report of harassment involving a non-studet and a student living in the townhouses. The incident occured off campus. Both parties received warnings and were referred to student conduct.

10:26 p.m.

A narcotics possession was discovered in Jogues Hall, and the investigation resulted in a COVID-19 protocol violation as well. Those involved were referred to student conduct.

11/15 9:20 p.m.

A Stag text-alert was sent to all students in regard to a tornado watch in the area. Winds reached an excess of 55 miles per hour. No damage or power outages resulted.

11/16 1:17 p.m.

A student reported that her vehicle had been struck while parked at the townhouses. The incident was reported to the Fairfield Police Department and is currently under investigation.

It’s a little quiet here... too quiet.

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procedure. Wesleyan tests all of its students twice per week, and

By Danielle Sondgeroth Fairfield only tested me twice through the whole semester.”

News Editor Little’s concern is understandable, since other schools, This semester has been far from normal and COVID-19 including Wesleyan University, have been consistently testing has been a constant threat looming across campus. Still, stuthe entire student population each week for COVID-19 dents have managed to stay on Fairfield University’s campus for infection, while Fairfield’s testing has only been from a small, classes for the entire semester, far surpassing other universities randomized selection of the student population, and the in the country, who had to send their students home within the randomized testing doesn’t include faculty or staff. According first few weeks of reopening. to National Public Radio, most colleges in the country aren’t Although students have been able to stay on campus due consistently testing their students, or are randomly selecting to the relatively low numbers of COVID-19 cases at Fairfield, students for testing, like Fairfield, many of them still struggled this semester and faced new and While testing is offered consistently at the Health Center completely unexpected challenges. for free, it is not required.

Despite the expectation that all classes would be in perOverall, the Fall 2020 semester has been difficult for son, Brianna VanDermark ‘22 has barely attended any classes every student. Online academics have proven successful, but that weren’t virtual. they pose a challenge for many students who struggle to learn “I think I’ve only attended a class in person five or six without being in an actual classroom. times this entire year,” she said. “I have been completely online Despite all of the unprecedented adversity faced by since the first week of October. After the first outbreak on camstudents, both on and off campus, Fairfield has managed to pus, my professors decided it would be safer to have completely remain open and fully functioning with a low infection rate, online classes.” only ranging between 0.5 and two percent of the student VanDermark also noticed that students aren’t the only population–a feat compared to other schools like the University ones struggling this semester. Her professors also seem to be of North Carolina Chapel Hill which was forced to move all under a lot of stress due to online classes and restructuring classes online within just a few weeks of reopening this summer syllabi to correspond with the COVID-19 guidelines. with a 13.6 percent infection rate among students.

“It’s more of a process with everything being online. I do As a whole, Stags have managed to survive the semester think our professors are also overwhelmed,” VanDermark said. and stick it out on campus until the end, despite all of the chal“I have noticed, in three of my classes, my professors have been lenges that came their way. very slow with grading. For one of my classes, I have submitted seven assignments and have still not received any grades, which is frustrating. I also submitted a midterm for another class without having any grades or feedback for prior assignments.”

Overall, VanDermark has had a frustrating semester and echoes the sentiments of many other students on campus.

“I think the combination of completing all classes online from my dorm and not receiving much feedback from my professors has made this semester challenging,” VanDermark said.

Michael Pepe ‘22 shares in VanDermark’s frustration with online classes.

“This semester has been difficult because I learn better in the classroom than sitting in my room staring at a screen, not knowing when to talk,” he said.

Photo Courtesy of @fairfieldu Instagram Pepe has also struggled with the new social limSome professors held classes outdoors throughout the fall itations placed on students due to the spread of the virus to have large classes in-person. on campus.

“It’s also hard to see my friends who live in other places, and I can’t meet anyone new,” he said.

However, to Pepe, the most difficult aspect of the semester was seeing other students not following COVID-19 guidelines.

“It’s extremely annoying seeing people not obeying COVID regulations,” Pepe said. “I don’t want to get sick because of other people being selfish and foolish. It creates this environment of paranoia and fear of people you don’t know.”

Todd Pelazza, director of the Department of Public Safety, recommends that students call DPS when they see others out of line and not following the University guidelines.

According to a previous article published by The Mirror, Pelazza said that anonymous tips are sent to DPS via the LiveSafe app “15 to 20 times a week.”

However, these tips likely don’t account for a majority of COVID-19 guideline violations happening all over campus.

Matthew Little ‘22 is surprised by how smoothly the semester has progressed, but still notes problems, namely the COVID-19 testing on campus.

“Overall, the semester progressed better than I Photo Courtesy of @fairfieldu Instagram expected,” he said. “Though, I worry about our testing Students play soccer in masks outside of 70 McCormick Road.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

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First-Years Make the Best of COVID

By Stella Henry Staff Writer

In January of this year, the news of a mysterious pneumonia emanating from China, which would later come to be known as COVID-19, was initially met with a collective shrug. For Emma Kramer ‘24, then a senior in high school, the emerging threat still seemed to be a world away. She certainly didn’t think the virus would have any impact on her own life.

“I really didn’t think that it would escalate into such a big problem,” she said. “On Mar. 12, the day that school was officially canceled, my friends and I were not too concerned because we were told it would only be two weeks.”

The reality of what was happening would dawn on Kramer and her classmates, along with all of the now first-year college students, soon enough. They were unsure if, or when, they would return to school. There would be no senior barbecues or end of the year field trips. Dreams of glistening prom dresses and jam-packed graduations that they had waited their entire high school careers for were dashed just as quickly as the virus was spreading.

Instead, these soon-to-be college first-years would be forced to spend their final days of high school in relative isolation, ripped away from their friends and hobbies.

“It was just really sad,” said Lauren Flagg ‘24. “Every day you’d get more news that something got canceled.”

Caroline Murray ‘24 expressed similar sentiments. “It was really the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever been through,” she shared.

They would also begin their college careers amid the worst pandemic in over a century. Their first semester, and beyond, looked very different from those of previous firstyears for their safety and the safety of others. These students simply would not be afforded the luxuries of carefree gatherings, huge parties, spirited sports games or being able to see the lower halves of other people’s faces.

Classes were also conducted differently than in years past, with many being socalled “hybrid” classes, which have both virtual and in-person components. Other classes were held entirely virtual. Virtual classes became more popular at Fairfield and other universities as the semester went on, with some classes that started out as in-person or hybrid, but changing to virtual as campus case counts rose.

“In the beginning, most of my classes were hybrid, but then when we got to halfway through the semester, all of my classes are online now,” Flagg said.

Some students, like Grace Magilligan ‘24, have had access to a more in-person academic experience.

“Almost all of my classes are hybrid. There’s not a single day where I don’t go into any classes,” she said.

Regardless of whether their classes were in-person or virtual, the vast majority of first-years said that they preferred the in-person classes to the online ones.

“While some people might enjoy being able to log into class without having to leave their bed, I personally enjoy the days when I get to attend a class in person,” shared Kramer. “I find it much easier to pay attention and learn when I am sitting in a classroom than when I am staring at a computer screen.”

But even though most first-years feel that online classes are not ideal, some said that they were appreciative of the fact that their professors were putting their best effort into teaching classes and helping students.

“It’s definitely harder to learn but I think that teachers have tried to make adjustments, and they’re really understanding,” said Flagg.

Unsurprisingly, many first-years said that their first semester had not gone much like they thought it would. But, that isn’t necessarily a negative thing, according to Peyton Perry ‘24, who said, “It hasn’t been bad.

I would just say it’s been a little different.”

The first-years also said that they believe Fairfield is doing its best in trying to provide as much normalcy as possible.

“I think Fairfield did a good job of giving us as much of a first-year experience as they could,” Flagg said.

Matthew Belcher ‘24 agreed.

“I know the Photo Courtesy of @fairfieldu Instagram college is doing the best they can to give Students enjoy a nice fall walk on the Quad.

us a more normal college experience,” he said.

In terms of what they believe they’re missing out on, some first-years pointed to specific events, like the annual President’s Ball or the Fairfield University Student Association Fall Concert. Others, though, were quick to emphasize the fact that organizations like FUSA and Fairfield @ Night had done a good job of offering activities, both virtual and in-person, geared specifically towards first-years.

FUSA organized several events to engage first-years, includThroughout the semester, there have ing a virtual Bingo night. been events such as movie nights, painting and craft workshops, virtual scavenger hunts, trivia nights, guest lectures and more.

Many first-years have tried to make the best of the situation by getting involved in clubs, with varying degrees of success. Nicholas Calabrese ‘24, who joined Campus Ministry, found the experience to be worthwhile.

“I took part in two first-year retreats earlier in the semester, which was a great way to just kind of reach out and meet new people,” he said.

Some, like Magilligan, weren’t as fortunate when it came to joining clubs.

“I joined the Baking Club, and that can’t really happen because you can’t use the lounges with the kitchens in dorms, so you can’t really bake or anything,” Magilligan said.

“So all the clubs that I’ve joined, we don’t do anything right now.”

Indeed, many said that they wished that there were more things to do on campus.

“My friends and I are always complaining that it is hard to find things to do on the weekends,” said Kramer. “As freshmen who don’t have cars and are generally discouraged from leaving campus, we always say that it is ‘dead’ on the weekends.”

It was this dearth of activities, Kramer believes, that made it more difficult to meet new people and make friends.

“I remember the first weekend after move-in, so many of the freshmen were out on the quad just trying to meet new people, but because of the COVID-19 restrictions in place, we all had to disperse back to our respective dorms,” she recalled. “Occurrences like that are what I think cause a lot of students to feel discouraged and isolated on campus.”

Kramer was far from the only first-year to express that it was hard to feel connected to their classmates and make friends on campus in the COVID-19 era.

“I feel like I would’ve been able to meet more people if the restrictions were not there,” said Belcher.

Murray agreed that social distancing requirements could be detrimental to the social experience.

“I’ve met a lot of great people, but I haven’t met nearly as many as I would have liked to,” she said.

Still, students did not place all of the blame for the lack of participation in campus life at the feet of the University. Some of it, they said, falls on the first-years themselves.

“I think that everyone is tired of Zoom at this point, so most students are unmotivated to find ways to participate in the community,” said Kramer.

Overall, many first-years believe that although they are missing out on a lot, in some ways, they are actually at an advantage, at least compared to upperclassmen, in the sense that they don’t really know any different, since college in the COVID-19 era is all they’ve ever experienced.

“I feel worse for upperclassmen than I do for our class,” Flagg admitted. “We complain about stuff, but we don’t know any different, where I feel like upperclassmen have a right to complain because they know what it’s actually like.”

Most first-years also said that they felt somewhat insulated from the crisis, since by the time they get to be juniors or seniors and start thinking about studying abroad, getting internships and entering the workforce, the pandemic will have likely ended or improved significantly.

“I do want to travel abroad. That will be in two years, so I feel like it will be a lot safer then and there will be more opportunities with work, internships,” said Magilligan As for how they expect their next three-and-a-half years at Fairfield to go, the first-years are hopeful that things will eventually get better.

“At this point, I think I’m just kind of looking for things to head in somewhat more of a normal direction,” said Calabrese. “I definitely look forward to what life has to bring when things are kind of settled down in terms of the COVID-19 restrictions.”

Murray, too, hopes that she can have a more typical “college experience” someday soon.

“I hope that by sophomore year we can begin to experience what college is supposed to be like, with significantly fewer restrictions, more social opportunities and better academics,” she said.

Hardly any of the first-years, however, said that they thought that everything would go completely back to “normal.”

“I honestly think it will be a very long time until we are able to go without masks or have classes at full capacity,” said Kramer. “I’m not even sure if things will ever go back to the way they were.”

And, according to some first-years, like Belcher, that’s exactly how it should be.

“Things won’t ever be normal after this, just because in a sense I think COVID-19 brought a lot of lessons on how we should be more thankful for what we have in our lives, and how health isn’t always permanent and we take a lot things for granted in life,” he said.

Photo Courtesy of @fairfieldu Instagram

Students sit in the Quad during first-year move in.

Opinion

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THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

Opinion

Editor Maria DiGregorio» maria.digregorio@student.fairfield.edu

COVID-19 Vaccine Provides Hope Despite Challenges

from COVID-19. Knowing this information, I remain optimistic that if I were ever to contract the

By Cat Howley disease, I too would recover from it. Keeping all of this in mind, I would feel much more comfortable Contributing Writer Astounding news inundated the media and news networks on Monday, Nov. 9, as the phar- receiving the vaccine once it has been perfected, and more information is provided to the public about maceutical company Pfizer released to the public that their new COVID-19 vaccine had 90 percent how individuals who receive the vaccine react to it. For individuals my age who may suffer from health effectiveness in trials. This is phenomenal for our country, as a COVID-19 vaccine is something for conditions that put them at higher risk, it may be beneficial for them to receive the vaccine.

In addition to young adults who have underlying health conditions, I think all individuals who which us Americans have been yearning.

Living in the coronavirus pandemic has become something that I, along with most other suffer from any health conditions that cause them to have a compromised immune system should Americans, have grown very accustomed to. No one, including myself, could have ever imagined liv- also receive the vaccine. Having a father who suffers from Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, I have ing during a time such as this pandemic, where we cannot even leave the comfort of our homes with- witnessed the stress that comes from individuals such as my dad living through a global pandemic. out wearing a face mask. For some of us, we have gone months without seeing family and friends face People like my dad already suf- fer a great deal and experience worsened symptoms from viruses With that said, so long as the doctors of those who suffer from to face. Social distancing and video calls have become the new norm. The news of the Pfizer vaccine such as the common cold. underlying health conditions approve them to receive the vaccine, I think it is in their may be the long awaited hope we were all anticipating that could allow us to return to some normalcy. best interest to do so.

Due to how long the pandemic has been going on, I had Just like many events in our country, the announcement found myself losing hope as to when my life would return to of the effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has how it once was. The ground breaking news of the Pfizer vaccaused some political unrest. According to an article from cine having 90 percent effectiveness in trials was a gleaming The Washington Post, the news shattering development of light of hope in my life. I believe it is very safe to say that most the success rate of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has caused a of us Americans wish more than anything for our lives to re“political fight.” It was also stated in the article that, “Repubturn to the usual day-to-day we once knew. licans rushed to claim credit” for the Pfizer vaccine. Pfizer While this is very exciting news, there are some drawrefuted this statement made by Republicans, saying they backs to the vaccine. According to an article from STAT, there refused to accept government money. Pfizer may not have is still some key information about the vaccine that is not taken any government research funding, but they did sign yet available. Specifically, there is no information regarding a $2 billion contract with the federal government to deliver whether the vaccine prevents severe cases of COVID-19.

100 million doses of the vaccine by December. Republicans These severe cases fall under the categories of those who Photo Courtesy of @hanimkatur on Instagram rushing to claim credit for the vaccine may have been out have had to be hospitalized or have died upon contracting the of line, but the political uproar that has resulted from the virus. success rate of the vaccine is also uncalled for.

Reading about this, I was not too shocked because, as with any new medical discoveries, they As a result of the release of the eff ectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine, many have been expressing all have their possible drawbacks. It takes time to perfect these sorts of things, especially with a vaccine their opinion towards the Trump administration and the blame they deserve for the “mishandling of for the coronavirus, which is something that has affected and taken so many lives around the world.

According to the director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Re- the pandemic.” I do firmly believe the government should be involved in a matter as severe as a global search and Policy, Michael Osterholm, it is still too early to predict how much of an impact the vac- pandemic; however, I do not think undermining political parties is acceptable. Unity is something our cine could actually make. Osterholm’s realistic perspective on the vaccine is similar to the perspective country stands and strives for. Discussions of whether the COVID-19 pandemic was handled properly I have taken towards the vaccine. While the recent discovery of the vaccine’s 90 percent effectiveness or not by our country’s government is not something that should be causing as much divide as it is.

There is no telling how any political figure would have handled the COVID-19 pandemic, as this was does provide us all with hope, it is important to remain realistic.

Since the vaccine has only been studied for a number of months, not years, there still is no tell- not something our country had suffered from, or lived through, in recent times. President Trump had ing how long it will protect against the virus. The vaccine also causes individuals to encounter some to use his best judgement, as this was a matter he could not reflect or look back on how a previous side effects. These side effects include aches and fevers. While this may steer some away from receiving president handled it.

We have all suffered through so much this year, and drawing politics into conversations related the vaccine, these side effects go hand in hand with the side effects seen in standard adult vaccines. to our citizens’ health should not be occurring. We are all entitled to our own opinions, but I do not However, the severity of the side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine are more likely to present themthink we should allow our political opinions to cause disunity among each other when our country is selves to a worse degree.

When it comes to receiving the vaccine or not, everyone’s health varies, and should be taken still suffering from COVID-19 and seeing a major, recent spike in the number of cases.

There is no telling when our country will cease living through this pandemic. The very high into strong consideration when deciding whether or not to receive the vaccine. Being a young, healthy eff ectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine trials have, however, offered us all a bit of hope. While the vaccine 20-year-old, this is something I have considered. I am a college student living on my university’s camis in the works, it is very important that we all continue wearing our masks and keeping our distance pus during a global pandemic, and have accepted and witnessed the severities of COVID-19. With that said, I do have some hesitations when it comes to receiving the vaccine. While I do not wish to from others. Our top priority should be to remain safe and healthy, and do our part to not only keep ever contract the disease, the statistics and numbers have shown that most individuals my age recover ourselves healthy, but also those around us.

Allyship is Just as Important as Representation

By Kaitlyn Drake Staff Writer

When I came to Fairfield University, I knew that LGBTQ+ folks were not going to make up the majority of the population. Many LGBTQ+ students chose to study at Fairfield University because of the quality of education that it offers. Since Fairfield is a very explicitly Jesuit institution, with an all-boy preparatory school on campus, it is very easy to peg it as a conservative university. That is not to say that it isn’t, in fact, conservative; there are plenty of students at Fairfield who are so socially unaware that it’s mildly concerning, but there are also a lot of people, specifically professors, who care about inclusion and diversity on campus. There are multiple professors who are out and proud, either as members of the LGBTQ+ community or as allies. For me, at least, I find it refreshing that a Jesuit institution is dedicated to hiring faculty and staff members of different backgrounds. However, the people that students interact with the most are their peers. If someone is in a group that is not as inclusive, then they will likely share those ideologies, and some LGBTQ+ students have felt targeted by their peers.

There is hope, though. Since Fairfield University commits itself to nondiscriminatory policies (which can be argued to be ineffective, but that’s for another article), there are quite a few resources for LGBTQ+ students. Though not as well known, Fairfield University does offer services for their LGBTQ+ students.

However, because they assume that the LGBTQ+ population is small, these resources are mostly kept hidden until a student does some poking around. Gender inclusive restrooms

and housing, for example, are rare and must be specifically sought out by nonb nary or transgender students who need the accomodation. Counseling and Psychological Services also offers some resources for LGBTQ+ students who are struggling.

The best resource for LGBTQ+ students, though, is the Gender and Sexuality Alliance.

In 1989, Fairfield’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, otherwise known as GSA, was formed as a club for LGBTQ+ people and their allies to congregate safely and speak of their experiences at a Jesuit school, and in general. GSA has become one of the most welcoming spaces on campus, and its presence shines, despite its suppression.

Unfortunately, GSA is not consulted by Fairfield for many issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community and are not given the amount of representation and visibility that they deserve. There are multiple instances of this happening, and one of them took place this fall when the Fairfield University Student Association did not consult the GSA when they decided to celebrate LGBTQ+ history month. In the end, GSA’s Advisory Board was able to compromise with FUSA and become involved

with the event, but it was still troubling that FUSA would overlook the organization that exists for LGBTQ+ people during the month celebrating that community’s history. Whether that was deliberate or not does not matter; it shows that Fairfield students are not as aware of the LGBTQ+ community’s issues and erasure as they should be.

Members of GSA have also run into a unique problem that no one had previously considered.

There are currently no straight identifying members in the club. GSA is seen as more of a “gay club” (dubbed as a “coalition of homosexuals” when it first came into existence). Though it is a positive thing to have a space just for queer people, it is not productive to echo the same problems to each other forever.

Paradoxically, when GSA did have straight members, some of them were noted to speak incorrectly about the queer experience and refuse critcism.

Making change as a minority is extremely hard (as shown by the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been around for decades upon decades and has barely been listened to), but without the support of the majority, it is even harder.

In order for straight allies to speak upon this

issue accurately, it is their responsibility to educate themselves by listening to and reading about the queer experience, without pressuring their LGBTQ+ acquaintances to provide them with every resource. By knowing that they can always learn something new, not speaking over the LGBTQ+ community and always being aware that they are not part of the community that they support, straight allies can become better advocates for, and supporters of, the LGBTQ+ community.

It is the responsibility of all allies of the LGBTQ+ community to make Fairfield a more welcoming place for people of all sexualities and genders. The LGBTQ+ community has been tirelessly fighting for their rights since modern interpretations of religions outcast them from the rest of society, and they’re far from done. The least that allies can do is actively support them. In fact, that is the bare minimum for being an ally. Allyship is not just agreeing that the LGBTQ+ community should have rights. It is actively making sure that the LGBTQ+ students at Fairfield can feel the same safety that a straight person does at this institution. Personally, I have not seen true allyship from my straight friends.

Instead, I have had to tell them that they are doing just as much harm by not speaking up as the people who actively disagree with my and my LGBTQ+ friends’ existence.

Yes, it is up to the institution to make sure that rules are in place for every person to feel safe on campus, but it is the students’ responsibility to actively participate in creating that safe environment for everyone.

The students make the culture. It is time for them to step up and make it a good one.

Photo Courtesy of @fualliance on Instagram

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

Opinion

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There is Still Much Left Undecided About 2020 Election

By Brittany Misiora Contributing Writer For every American who was watching the 2020 Presidential Election on Nov. 3, it was a whirlwind of a night across the country, no matter party affiliation, filling people with passion and lots of anxiety. Watching the numbers slowly add up, state by state, was one of the slowest, most painful, yet exciting parts of the process as America waited to see which candidate would end up on top. It seemed to last forever. My friends and I sat ourselves in front of the TV, in our American patriot apparel, nervous, yet confident that our candidate would prevail. No matter who you voted for, it was stressful; but, at the same time, it was extremely historic and thrilling!

Currently the number of electoral votes are in favor of Joe Biden with 290, and incumbent Donald Trump standing at 232, giving Biden the necessary number of electoral votes, to secure the presidency. Not surprisingly, the election seemed to come down to seven key states: Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada and Arizona. A large percentage of the polls ahead of the election called for a blue wave; however, that definitely did not occur. Each battleground state was closer than ever, with the margins of success being less that .1 percent. Because of the severity of these states and the importance of every vote, legally Trump’s campaign is allowed to request a recount, depending on the state and its individual laws.

Texas was surprisingly close in the polls, calling it at 52.2 percent for Trump and 46.3 percent for Biden. This was surprising because the state has historically voted red; however, in the near future that could change, considering how well Biden did. In the state of Florida, President Trump received more non-white, specifically Latino, votes, than any Republian candidate since 1960.

Biden cannot be officially declared the president-elect until every legal vote is recounted. Just because the American people and the media have called the election, that does not mean that it is true. After the recounts have completely been finished and deemed legal, then president-elect Biden can deliver a speech of victory. I think it is important to remember that Al Gore was considered to be presidentelect for 37 days until the recount was finalized. There also have been numerous accounts of voter fraud occurring all over the country in key states. For example, White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, gave a press conference and cited the suspicious activity occurring at the polls, according to Fox News.

“The Trump campaign has located plenty of ‘people who are really willing, in their own handwriting, to write down their allega-

tion, put their name down, sign their allegation with a notary there [and give] sworn testimony under penalty of perjury,’” McEnany said.

If that does happen, which it most likely will, there are numerous positive attributes of Biden that will contribute to our country in a productive manner. First of all, Biden comes off as the polar opposite of President Trump, which in some ways is very appealing Americans and foriegn nations who are our allies. Biden is soft spoken, speaks with kind words and can be considered to have a kind soul. He is extremely dedicated to his family, and with Biden having experienced so much pain in his own life, such as losing his wife, son and daughter, it makes Americans feel more empathetic towards him.

Biden has also been involved with the government for over 47 years, which means he has as much experience as possible, in contrast to Trump who had never been in politics prior to running for president. His character traits give off the impression that Biden will be a president for everyone, no matter party lines, and will work in congress across the aisle, which is what America needs right now, more than ever.

My main concern, and only fear, is that Biden will pander to the far left end of the Democratic party, like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and vice president-elect Kamala Harris, as the Democratic party seems to already be splitting over policy that is moderate and far left.

Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio stated about the Democrats results that, “Our brand is not good. We have over 70 million people who either hate us or are afraid of us or believe there is this vast spread of socialism in our party. It is why we lost so many seats in the house, or some seats were a lot closer than we wanted.”

The far left part of the party supports ideas such as the Green New Deal, free college, universal healthcare and defunding the police. Although Biden has come out against most of these policy ideas, he has been known for flip-flopping, depending on what the Democratic “majority” wants.

One point about the past week that is extremely unnerving is the Democrats’ new call for “unity” and “healing” under president-elect Joe Biden. This is bothersome and ridiculous because what these Democrats are saying is that Americans should just accept these results no matter what, because Biden is a uniting force. The problem with this idea is that since President Trump was elected in 2016, Democrats have used the phrase #NotmyPresident and tried to impeach him using Russia Collusion to create the Muller Investigation that took over three years and used around $25 million dollars of American taxpayers money. Russian collusion was a false narrative that had little to

no evidence concerning Trump, yet still tried to link him to Russia, and the Democrats have been pushing this for years. The Democrats, with Hillary Clinton, refused to accept the election results for the last four years, claiming he really didn't win and was a Russian agent; yet now, despite the evidence of fraud and the fact that recounting is still occurring, they want Trump to concede and Republicans to stop fighting.

Overall, the reaction of the American people has shown positivity and joy over the projected win of Biden. In New York City, thousands gathered in the streets to express their happiness, despite the coronavirus, which seemed very unlike Democrats. Another good note is that, despite cities such as Washington D.C. and New York boarding up the streets to prevent damage, there has been no reported riots or looting. Some Amercians on the Republican side are bringing up the idea of a “rigged election” and talking about how the election was stolen by the Democrats. This type of rhetoric comes from the President and even secretary of state Mike Pompeo who said there would be another four years of Trump. The media has not surprisingly been overjoyed with the election results, with CNN cor-

respondent Van Jones breaking down in tears and Fox News anchor Dona Brazil also breaking down in tears over Kamala Harris becoming the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president-elect.

The 2020 Presidential Election will go down as a historic event

and will have everlasting effects on the present and future generations. No matter which candidate is inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021, as Americans, we must remember to come together in unity in order to preserve our great country’s democracy and founding fathers’ wishes.

Photo Courtesy of @joebiden on Instagram

Letter To The Editor: Response to 'Esports Lab' Dear Editor, We express our deepest respect for the opinion piece entitled “Fairfield’s Esports Lab is a Complete Waste of Resources.” We thank you for bringing Esports to the forefront and bringing attention to it. However, this is not the first time we have had to debunk some myths and stereotypes about gaming. We feel it is unfair to provide such a strong opinion without proper knowledge of the subject matter, and for this reason, we would like to provide our take on some of the claims made.

Firstly, we would like to address the point that competitive video games do not require skill and effort. Even though Esports does not involve physical work, as most sports do, participating in Esports does involve discipline and immense skills, but they take a different form. Players need motivation and mental fortitude to stay on task and have structured practice times. Similar to athletes, Esports players take time out of their busy schedules to practice, learn more about the game and create new strategies to improve. Some players are gifted enough that the learning of skills comes naturally to them. These behaviors and routines mirror what it takes to be a regular athlete. Chess players do not undergo strenuous activities and probably go through similar mental exercises as Esports players do. Regardless of the lack of immense physical activity, chess is considered a sport by the International Olympic Committee (“Olympic”, 2020). Like chess, many video games, even those that seem simple at first, have a heavy emphasis on strategic and tactical elements, on top of the precision required to quickly, efficiently and accurately perform complex inputs. Competitive players play video games like “League of Legends,” “Overwatch” and other similar titles because it requires dexterity, an accumulation of skills, intellect and proper decisionmaking, all while under pressure. By playing strategically and skillfully, players, along with their teams, achieve victory over others, just like conventional sports.

The next point we would like to address is that Fairfield University simply wants the Esports program to earn money. This claim is partly true, but Fairfield students, including alumni, have lobbied for this facility for several years. Because of their hard work and recommendations from advisors, they were able to have this space. Other top Ivy League schools such as Brown, Harvard and Yale have started Esports programs because of its lucrativeness (“Twin Galaxies”).

Esports has provided many financial opportunities for students and schools (Sood, 2015). Fairfield is not only keeping up with the market, but they are providing students opportunities to succeed and further their dreams and passions in Esports. In our case, we wanted a space for gamers to do

what we like to do - compete on a larger scale and have fun with friends. When members of the University’s gaming community lobbied for a space to play, it was not solely to make the University money, but to fulfill a substantial student interest. The University’s enthusiasm for granting this request does not necessarily reflect the views of the students who asked for it. Fairfield is taking advantage of an opportunity to push students towards a way for the University to make money from student interests, as private universities are prioritized to do. Also, the Esports investment is long term in comparison to athletic sports. The University only pays one large sum for high-tech equipment that lasts for years and rarely [pays] for any travel. Claiming that Esports has no place in the University excludes students who are genuinely interested in this field. As a Jesuit institution, the exclusion of views and interests, even for video games, goes against our beliefs.

Furthermore, the statement that gamers are not able to create relationships through online multiplayer games is an unfair assumption. Many people have made friends and formed strong bonds with people they play with because of the amount of time they spend together. Over the past couple of years, a strong community of students has formed that share their interests in playing both competitive and casual games online and in-person (before the current situation, of course). The formation of these types of relationships eventually leads to more concrete conversations and interactions outside of the gaming space. More specifically, Esports players have to meet and interact with each other extensively, often in person, which forms bonds similar to that of a regular sports team. Esports players and casual players meet new people from different social circles since they no longer have social constraints keeping them from meeting people from other backgrounds. Furthermore, video games promote inclusivity, not only from a social, but from a physical standpoint. Many video games have assistive programs for people with disabilities, allowing them to play when some sports might not be able to accommodate [them]. In this time of quarantining and isolation, several people, including Fairfield University students, have relied on gaming as an activity to do together since they cannot physically interact with each other. In other words, gaming can be where they first form a relationship and can also be what strengthens it. In most games, players do activities, complete objectives and do things they cannot [physically] do, together. We have a strong community that fosters these relationships and often convene in our Discord channel (https://discord.gg/8GGwg2Q). Every Friday, we explore other game genres to cater to a wide variety of interests.

To continue reading this article, please visit fairfieldmirror.com!

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

The Vine

By Ava Morrison Contributing Writer It’s Thanksgiving season! The time of the year when we give thanks for all that we have, spend lots of time (sometimes even too much time) with our families and eat food until we need to put on our stretchy pants. This time of the year comes with different traditions for every family. Whether it’s going to play football in the park, cooking dinner together or being a designated taste-tester, most families in America have Thanksgiving traditions. Depending on who you ask, those traditions might get...well, let's just say wacky.

In my family, holidays are a big deal. We always go all out, and Thanksgiving is no exception. My Thanksgiving celebrations have always begun the Wednesday before turkey day. When I was younger, I

TheMirror/AvaMorrison

Ava with a napkin hat on her head. would go to my aunt's house and we would spend the whole day cooking together. We would go to the store early in the day to get all of our ingredients and then go back to her house. Then we would spend the rest of the day together, having fun and preparing for our Thanksgiving meal. Later that night, when we were done, we would meet up with the rest of our family and all go out for dinner. It was nice to spend the whole day surrounded by my family and appreciate

By Tyler Heffern Art Columnist Eleven months before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and the United States’ subsequent entrance into World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered to Congress in his State of the Union Address a declaration of fundamental freedoms that people “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. This was a powerful message to not only the American public, but to the international community steeped in war across the globe. His speech provided to his critics a justification for our partial involvement in the war effort, supporting the Allies with desperately needed supplies, while also endowing people with rights they should be willing to fight for, not only for themselves, but for everyone.

Norman Rockwell, a painter and longtime illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post, was, like many other Americans, struck

by Roosevelt’s proclamation. In 1942 and 1943, after the U.S. entered into the conflict, Rockwell turned his attention to war-time propaganda, publishing his famous “Rosie the Riveter” cover and the “Four Freedoms” series, directly based on Roosevelt’s speech.

In “Freedom From Want,” currently hanging in the Norman Rockwell Museum, a family is gathered around a dinner table celebrating Thanksgiving in harmony. Nine members of this party, of varying ages, sit around

all that I have been blessed with.

More recently, I have been having a mother-daughter lunch with some neighborhood friends the day before Thanksgiving. I go out to lunch with my mom, and my friend and her mom, and we always have the best time! We spend the whole day enjoying each other’s company, and again being thankful for all that we have.

On Thanksgiving day, my plans are a little more hectic than the day before. I’m from Chicago, and both of my parents’ families live in Chicago, too. So, we split times between both families on Thanksgiving. Now, you might be thinking that there is no way you eat dinner at both places, but actually, I do. And let me tell you, it has taken me years to perfect how to eat two dinners without getting way too full! We start our Thanksgiving journey on my dad’s side, at my aunt's house, where there are about 27 of us in total. We all catch up and spend time just hanging out with one another. Usually, after dinner there, my family leaves and goes to my other aunt’s house, this time on my mom’s side. Most of the time, on the drive to my aunt's house, I take a quick power nap so that I’m refreshed for seeing more of my family and conquering dinner number two. On my mom's side there are about 15 of us who gather together. Much like my dad's side, we all catch up and enjoy time spent together.

Thanksgiving with my family is one of my favorite times of the year because I get to see my big family all together and be thankful for all that I have been given. While I think my Thanksgiving traditions are fun and unusual, I’ve heard about some other traditions from some of my friends who quickly proved me wrong.

When I first told my friends that I was writing about Thanksgiving traditions, one of my good friends spoke right up.

“Oohh I have a weird tradition...I watch funerals with my family...and they aren’t even of anyone we know,” she said.

Of course, my initial reaction was, “What the heck??” But, then she explained it to me and it began to make sense. She said the reason they watch the funerals is to remind themselves how lucky they are to be able to gather as a whole family and know that everyone is still there. While it is an interesting tradition, they are showing their gratitude, and it comes from the same place as everyone else’s traditions. When you boil it down, her family is doing what everyone else does during this time—being thankful for their family and the gifts they have been given, even if there is a weird twist to it.

Another one of my friends explained to me that her Thanksgiving is just full of fun and games. She goes to her aunt's house, where they start out watching lacrosse until dinner is ready. Before dinner they pray, but with a fun twist...they sing their prayers.

They sing about the Lord being good to them and how they have been given so much. At the end, her uncle ends with a very deep

a table, plates empty, laughing and waiting to dig in. The family matriarch places down a large turkey while her husband looks on happily, preparing to carve the roast. There are plenty of smiles and plenty of food; it is an image of peace.

Rockwell painted it idealistically, creating the perfect American family eating the perfect Thanksgiving meal.

His painting, though a celebrated image of American values on a day we should enjoy and give thanks for everything in our lives, was not popular abroad. As a war raged halfway around the world, where families were starving or fleeing devastation, Europeans did not see this as a scene of freedom, but one of overabundance–of wanting too much– while others had too little, by no fault of their own. Rockwell also idealized this scene by ignoring so much of America in the 1940s. Poverty, racial discrimination and news of lossed loved ones was just as a part of American life at the time. While people starved on the streets, without a tur-

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“Amen.” Then the rest of her night is full of games with her family.

They play one game where they get a spoon full of whipped cream and then try to fling it onto other family members. She said that with this game, “your head needs to be on a swivel because someone might be coming for you and you don't want to end up covered in whipped cream.”

They also play games like Telestrations and Halli Galli. Halli Galli is a German board game that her family takes very seriously.

TheMirror/AvaMorrison

Ava's family at Thanksgiving last year.

One of her cousins broke her finger playing it one year! In the end, what her family embodies during the Thanksgiving holiday is having fun and making the most of the time they have with one another.

For the past 18 years, my Thanksgivings have looked the same; but, this year might be different then the rest, and I might not be the only one who has to change plans. Due to COVID-19, Thanksgiving this year will be looking very different for many Americans. The usual large gatherings might be put on hold this year and this holiday might be looking a lot like Easter, which was spent with only the people in your household. This Thanksgiving season will have to be played by ear because of these uncertain times. We never know what is going to happen in the next week, day or even the next few hours. While we might not be entirely sure how we will be spending our Thanksgiving this year, there is one thing we can be sure about and that is the behavior surrounding this holiday.

While this holiday season might not be accompanied by our unique traditions, we can still embody its spirit and be thankful for all that we have been given and that we are still able to celebrate this holiday, even if it's from a distance.

key to eat and nothing to give thanks to, this middle/upper-class family, exercising their “freedom from want,” is seemingly unaware of their own privilege and is unbothered by the fight for freedom hundreds of thousands of Americans were giving their lives for at that very moment.

As we go home for this holiday season, please safely embrace the ones you love, and destress from the world that has made all of us anxious. But, also be mindful that many other Americans will not be doing the same this Thanksgiving. The coronavirus pandemic is a real threat, one that has taken a toll on our country, and our world.

With the effects it has wrought on our health and economy, think of what you can do to ease the burden–the pain–of even one family this Thanksgiving. If you’re going home next week, please consider donating to your local food pantry, volunteering at your local homeless shelter or doing some other act of kindness. Remind yourself that we are men and women for others, here to help those in need. Freedom from want is a nice idea, but we cannot reach that point as a society until we are all free from need.

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

The Vine

Even just playing music or putting a fireplace video on the TV can make your space feel more like a home. We set up a separate table with ice and glasses with markers, to go with people’s drinks.

We also got flowers to put on the table and set it with a tablecloth. It gave the feeling that we were getting ready for “company,” even though it was just me and my housemates.

By Matthew Adamski Contributing Writer

By: Sheila McCombs Managing Editor While I have always loved Thanksgiving, I have never been able to host a friendsgiving. It has always seemed like too much work or that too much skill was needed to pull it off. It also always felt like everyone was too busy for an entire day devoted to cooking, cleaning and eating.

This year however, that all changed! My roommates and I have nothing to do because of the restrictions on campus, and due to all the time we’ve spent without the dining hall, we have been cooking for ourselves for the past three months and now have all the skills we need to make this meal a success. So we sat down, made a spreadsheet and planned and executed our “perfect” friendsgiving. It was fun, silly and perfect, and now I want to share some of the things that made it work so you can now try it safely with your roommates!

Now, the reason I mention Martha is the fact that she is seen as the perfect modern host.

I think by putting in the extra effort to really feel as though you are hosting people in your home can make the day feel extra special. Clean your spaces and light some candles if you are allowed.

One of the worst things that could happen on the day of your friendsgiving is that everyone is trying to use the stove, oven and pans all at once and chaos erupts. Before the day arrives, sit down with everyone and figure who needs to do what, when they want to do it and what things they need. If there is anything that can be done the day before, definitely do it.

I managed to make a cake that would have kept an entire shelf of the oven occupied for an hour beforehand, and it saved me a ton of time in the morning. Also, if there is anything that can be made early and then reheated later, it would be great to do that too! This helps to save everyone a lot of stress.

When planning your friendsgiving, it’s

important to remember that we are still in college and a lot of people don’t know how to cook. Instead of giving up on contributing because you don’t know how to make anything,

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find something else to pitch in. Be in charge of cleaning the house on the morning of, or go out and get fun cups and flowers for the table. Even just planning out a cheese board or snacks at the start of the meal can be a big help. Don’t feel disheartened...find your niche somewhere else!

Now for some of the fun stuff !! It’s important to remember that this is YOUR friendsgiving! You get to decide what goes on the table. Don’t like green bean casserole? You don’t have to have it! This is your moment to cook the recipe you have always thought would be good, but that isn’t traditionally something made for Thanksgiving. For us that meant we made a baked brie appetizer and, instead of mashed potatoes, I made smashed sour cream and onion potatoes using a recipe from Allison Roman that I love. You have a lot of freedom here to do some fun and interesting things, so use it! As long as you like what’s on the menu, it doesn’t matter whether or not your plate reflects a traditional Thanksgiving!

This year has been so hard for everyone, and that can make it hard to feel thankful for the good things. However, when I looked around my table at my friends, and realized that they’ve become my family over these last three years, it made me understand how lucky we are to have even just the little things. To be able to come together and celebrate is such an amazing thing. We all got to go around the table and say what we are thankful for this year and it made everyone feel so hopeful. I hope that no matter how you celebrate this year, you are able to recognize the things in life you are grateful for. I hope you have a safe, fun and happy Thanksgiving!!

TheMirror/SheilaMcCombs

Sheila's spread on Thanksgiving with her friends.

The Macys parade Pushes on By: Mark Stacey Contributing Writer Since 1924, residents of New York City and tourists from all over the world have seen enormous parade balloons fill the city sky on Thanksgiving morning.

Those who aren’t at the event in person are glued to their televisions with about 50 million other viewers, watching the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Some of the fan favorite balloons that have paraded down Broadway on Thanksgiving morning are Charlie Brown, Spongebob and Mickey Mouse. Then, of course, Santa Claus and his rein-

deer parade down the street, getting ready to bring in the Christmas spirit.

The parade has been a hit and a fan favorite ever since it started in 1924, when about 250,000 spectators came to watch. Even though the media didn’t cover the first parade too extensively, it quickly became a New York City tradition.

Throughout the early 1900s, the parade’s audience grew a bit every year. Mickey Mouse made his first balloon debut in 1934, which was enough to bring the total viewers into the millions.

Many changes have been made to help keep the famous tradition safe for spectators and relevant for young viewers. Parade officials made sure to keep balloons close to the ground during windy Thanksgiving mornings to prevent any injuries to watchers.

Furthermore, new characters are brought in every year!

The list of balloons who have had the privilege to fly the skies during the parade is extensive, and contains many special characters. It dates back to the original Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and includes modern television show and movie per-

Photo Courtesy of @pop_up_flea Instagram Photo Courtesy of @that_macys_parade_fan Instagram

Snoopy Float (1979)

sonalities, such as Olaf from the beloved Disney movie “Frozen.”

This year, you won’t have to go too far in order to see the parade festivities. The reason why is because this year’s parade is only being broadcasted due to COVID-19. Therefore, the best seat for parade viewing is right on your couch!

NBC’s TODAY Show staff that hosts the event every year noted in a recent article that many changes will be made to the parade this year.

For starters, the overall number of participants has been reduced by 75 percent, and that includes no one younger than 18. The parade

Cat in the Hat Float (1997)

route also will be different this year, to reduce the possibility of large crowds.

However, 26 floats, 12 per-

formances and, most importantly, Santa will be in town for the special event. Viewers will also be able to watch Dolly Parton, Pentatonix, Bebe Rexha, Jimmy Fallon, The Roots and many more perform from the comfort of their own home.

Although the parade will look much different this year and will see most viewers tuning in from their living room to watch, it will be as close to the real thing as possible.

As an extremely challenging and unique year comes to an end, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will give viewers a chance to enjoy the show and kick-start the much needed holiday spirit.

Photo Courtesy of @that_macys_parade_fan Instagram

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

The Vine

By Brooke Lathe Contributing Writer

Photo Courtesy of @bethsbookstory Instagram

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved reading. In elementary school, I would somehow get through a 300 page book in a couple of days, and I held this habit throughout high school.

Unfortunately, as I got older, this pattern started to crumble. However, during quarantine I was thankfully given an abundance of time to pick up this activity once again. I quickly flew through dozens of books these past couple of months. Out of that stack, I was able to pick out three of my favorites: “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas - I read this book ear-

By Matthew Adamski Contributing Writer A recent piece I wrote in The Mirror was concerned with the presidential portraits and what we could learn from them. Yet I was motivated to learn more about the other side of the president—the first lady and her role in defining the position. I was intrigued to learn that those who held the title of First Lady of the United States, were just as capable as their husbands and managed to carve their names into history as well.

Still riding on the emotions of our own country’s election, and as the old idiom tells us, “behind every great man is a great woman,” the following are three first ladies whose careers I thought deserved to be mentioned.

Abigail Adams Abigail Adams is probably one of my favorite figures in American history, and was the wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States. She played a very active role in the founding of the new, young republic.

It is sometimes difficult to separate John and Abigail from each other because of the nature of their relationship. Where other couples’ roles were defined, theirs were blended. They each relied upon each other for advice and intellectual stimulation. Together they ardently participated in the politics of the new nation. Being more liberal than many of their colleagues, the Adams family never owned slaves and found the whole institution repulsive. Abigail Adams was John Adams’ closest political advisor; they shared and respected each other's opinions, as can be seen from their correspondence. She served as first lady from 1797 to 1801.

Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women’s rights in holding property. In a letter to her husband she wrote, “remember the ladies…

Remember all Men would be tyrants if they

lier in the year for Fairfield University’s Book Club, and I absolutely loved it. It narrates police brutality, one of the more common racial inequality issues we face in this generation. Starr, the main character, watches her childhood best friend die at the hands of a police officer, without reason. She comes to face ignorant classmates, injustice and a fear of speaking out. This extremely thought-provoking story makes it so that you can digest real-world scenarios and ponder past and future situations we’ve seen.

“Then She Was Gone” by Lisa Jewell - I’ve read many books throughout my life, so when “Then She Was Gone” stole the number one spot, I was pretty shocked. This heart-wrenching story takes you through the experience of a grieving mother who is trying to move forward in her life. After the tenth anniversary of losing her daughter in a cold case crime, Laurel begins to date what she describes as her ‘dream man.’ However, her relationship begins to resurface unanswered questions and doubt about her daughter Ellie. This story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and invoked several gasps throughout the page turns. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading thrillers or isn’t sensitive to disturbing content.

“They Both Die At The End” by Adam Silvera - This book shares a neat futuristic concept in the form of a program called Death Cast. Through this, characters receive a call at midnight to inform them that they are now ‘Deckers’ and will be dying sometime in the next 24 hours. By knowing this information, people have the opportunity to give formal goodbyes and live their last day knowing it is their final chance to do anything and everything they hadn’t yet done.

Thankfully, in the newer program provided for Deckers, called Last Friends, the two main characters,

could.” She desired women to be represented in the management of the new nation, which was of course consistent with the dialogue of a nation built on human rights. However, her rally for full representation would not be answered until two centuries later.

Her portrait, painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1801, depicts her at a later stage in life. She is dressed in the traditional outfit of the day, yet there is certain determined tenderness to her expression. Her lips are pursed, as if patiently waiting to prove her point in a debate, yet it is clear that she respected the social norms of her time.

Abigail Adams died in 1818 at the age of 73, from typhoid disease. She is buried beside her husband and their son, John Quincy Adams.

Her last recorded words were: “Do not grieve, my friend, my dearest friend. I am ready to go.

And John, it will not be long.”

Mateo and Rufus, meet each other for the first time and spend their last day together. At first, I thought the tale was going to be nothing but sadness and grief, but it honestly surprised me. Instead, it shared a beautiful story of two boys who were able to speak their truth and find peace in their last moments.

Have you figured out that I love fiction yet? Whether or not you like this genre as much as I do, I highly encourage any book lovers to add these titles onto their ‘next to read’ list. The three books I mentioned are all extremely well written and vastly interesting. I always tell my friends that reading is like watching a movie through words.

So instead of binging Netflix, try and configure your own film in your head with these stories!

her widely popular column called “My Day,” in which she wrote about her experiences travelling the country and meeting these minority groups.

After her husband’s death, Eleanor was appointed the first delegate to the United Nations

by President Truman and had an active role in preparing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Her portrait is an impressive testimonial to her life’s work. It was painted by Douglas Chan-

Eleanor Ro�evelet As the wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor served as first lady from 1933 to 1945, however her career spans much longer than that. Eleanor Roosevelt was a political activist for women’s rights, and was a representative of the United States in the United Nations after World War II, continuing her advocacy for human rights.

Eleanor’s life was marked with hardship and struggle early on. She lost both of her parents at a young age. She then went on to attend boarding school where the seeds of her future activism were planted. Her marriage to the future president, Franklin D Roosevelt, began in 1905, and was one filled with struggle too. She dealt with both her mother-in-law’s dominating presence and her husband’s affair later in the marriage. Eleanor found a passion in politics and public life, and was the one who persuaded her husband to run for office, even after his paralysis. In his place she remained active on the political scene, gave speeches and completely reshaped the role of a First Lady of the United States of America. After her, the position was transformed to one of activism alongside the president. Eleanor used her platform for reform that would benefit those who were disenfranchised in society.

During her 12 year tenure as first lady, she gave a light to issues never before regarded, such as those faced by women and minority groups, paying special attention to child welfare and the plight of the poor and displaced. These issues were brought to the public eye through

CreativeCommons/Wikipedia

"Eleanor Roosevelt Portrait" by Douglas Chandor (1949) dor in 1949, and places her in the center of a blue themed canvas. What I find most thought-provoking and unique about the portrait is the focus on her hands and face. We get four different facial expressions from Eleanor—one of laughter, pensive thinking, ardent listening and professionalism. Those are probably the best qualities for a leader, and it explains why so many people looked up to her. Along with her face, we also see her hands at work, which is a metaphor for her work ethic and achievements. We get a glimpse into her hobby of knitting through the depiction of her hands, which are also painted taking off her glasses and holding on to her ring.

Eleanor Roosevelt died at the age of 78, in 1962, leaving behind a life dedicated towards public good, earning her the title “First Lady of the World” from Harry Truman. She is buried at the family home in Hyde Park, and in her obituary, the New York Times said she was “the object of almost universal respect.”

Betty Ford

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Photo Courtesy of @thebookgypsy_ Instagram

Although being the wife of, arguably, one of the most inconsequential presidents, Gerald Ford, Betty Ford followed in Eleanor Roosevelt’s footsteps in utilizing the power of her position to spread social awareness of taboo topics in 1970s America.

Betty served as first lady from 1974 to 1977, after her husband assumed the presidency following Nixon’s resignation. She used her own life experiences to talk about issues that many Americans could relate to, but did not previously have anyone in a position of power who could relate to their struggles. After her mastectomy, she was praised for raising breast cancer awareness in the public eye, and she even tackled the drug abuse problem in America when she revealed to the public her own struggle with alcoholism and rehabilitation. At the time, she was noted as being one of the most vocal first ladies because of her tendency to take a stance on almost every controversial issue of the day, including the Equal Rights Ammendment, abortion, women’s rights, the feminist movement, drug abuse and gun control.

In 1982, after her husband’s term in office, she founded the “Betty Ford Center,” where she served on the Board of Directors. This is a rehabilitation destination for individuals struggling with drug addiction that is still in operation today.

Her portrait is a more traditional take on her outgoing political style. It was painted in 1977

by Felix de Cossio. In it, Betty has a humble smile, yet there is a busy atmosphere to the calm blue veneer. She faces the viewer of the portrait with an empathetic gaze, one that almost says, “I’ve been there, I got through it, and so will you.”

Betty Ford died in 2011, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of social activism. She summed up the power of her role as first lady with this lasting quote: “Not my power, but the power of the position, a power which could be used to help.”

As we have seen, first ladies often carry as much weight, if not more, than their presidential spouses. They too are the main characters in politics, for where the president goes, the first lady is not far behind. These women have shown us how very influential they were in the history of our country and how wrong it would be to overlook them. Through their portraits, we may understand the women behind the canvases, how they dealt with the society of their time and how those seeking political power may learn from them.

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

The Vine

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'Mank' Makes Quite a bit of Oscar Buzz

By Tyler Zikias Film Columnist

I need to preface this review by stating that David Fincher is my favorite director working in Hollywood today. Films of his like “Se7en,” “Fight Club” and “The Social Network” rank among my favorite films of all time. Fincher brings such a deliberate and detail-oriented mindset to his films, which lead to calculated, yet authentic film-going experiences. I’m always going to be first in line for a David Fincher film; so, when I saw that his latest film, “Mank,” was playing in theaters early before its Netflix release, I made sure I was there.

“Mank” follows Herman Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman), the writer of the universally-acclaimed classic, “Citizen Kane,” through his writing process for the film. In his isolation when writing “Kane,” Mank flashes back to his days working in the studio system for Louis B. Mayer (Arliss Howard), and experiencing the corruption and power that the major studios held. The film also focuses on the friendship that Mank forms with Marion Davies (Amanda Seyfried), as well as the disdain he has for her partner, the powerful newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance). If these names sound unfamiliar to you, Mank may not be for you because it doesn’t quite hold your hand through the history of old Hollywood. It isn’t completely inaccessible to fresh eyes, but someone who is familiar with the way Hollywood operated in the 1930s will appreciate this film on a whole different level. Simply put, I loved “Mank.”

Regardless of the content of the story, the film itself is technically perfect. Right now, it is the most visually stunning movie I’ve seen all year, and maybe in the past few years. I’m so happy I got to see this film in a theater because it is absolutely suited for it. The film creates so many visual nods and references to “Citizen Kane,” which make it feel like this film was shot during that era of Hollywood. Its striking scenes are created with grand studio lights that pour into the set, creating a dynamic image in tandem with the film’s black-and-white color palette. The sound is also mixed and

edited to sound exactly like a film from the 1930s and, of course, the recreation of old Hollywood is as stylish as it is immersive.

Every formal element of this film is designed to draw you into the world of the story that Fincher is telling, which it does to a T. The film is already a shoe-in for Academy Awards in just about every technical category, but you can add assured nominations for Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried in their roles as the title character and Marion Davies, respectively. Oldman is the definition of a character actor, and this role only cements him more into legend status in Hollywood. His drunken and witty interpretation of this troubled writer is always magnetic, especially as he becomes more endearing as the film progresses. The main surprise here is Amanda Seyfried, who goes toe-to-toe with Oldman in every scene they share. She does the best work of her career with a role that she uses to instantly charm the audience into loving. She’s quick witted, but also emotionally grounded. There are often times where she’ll be tasked with reacting to dialogue of other characters, and her expressions are just as interesting and thought-out as the dialogue being delivered. These two are a true powerhouse duo.

The story itself is also an interesting one, but takes a while to reveal itself. For most of the film, the events play out in a very sliceof-life way, akin to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” You’re enjoying what you’re watching, but it never really feels like the film you were sold on in the beginning. Very rarely do we get in-depth looks at the writing of “Citizen Kane,” but we do get a lot of real motivation through Mank’s experiences and why he would write the film the way he did. I think this is perhaps my biggest issue with the movie. Unless you know “Citizen Kane” forwards and backwards, or only want to watch “Mank” once, a lot of it will go over your head because you won’t exactly grasp the thematic ties between “Kane” and “Mank.”

“Mank” is an excellent film, and certainly among my favorites of 2020. It has loads of charm, two standout performances and gorgeous cinematography. Not to mention, the score by Trent

Rezor and Atticus Ross is incredible, per usual. The film sucks you into its world and despite all of the low points and horrible corruption on display, it’s a world I didn’t want to leave. I actually sighed when the film ended, not because I didn’t like it, but because I could have easily watched another hour. Definitely check this film out if you think it’s your cup of tea.

Grade: A

Guagagino's "We Are Who We Are' Inkwell Spotlight Wows Audiences Across All Genres '2020 Gets Even Weirder'

By John Bizub Contributing Writer

Television has had an interesting change of pace in the last decade. There’s a new style in series that blurs the lines between the quality of television and the quality of a film, but spans across a multitude of channels and streaming services.

Series like “Mr. Robot,” “Euphoria” and “Breaking Bad,” among others, present themselves as more than their worth. However, there can be instances where an acclaimed filmmaker will go from film to television, to keep up with modern culture. Series like “Twin Peaks,” “Mindhunter,” “The Knick” and “Too Old to Die Young” all prove that some filmmakers can handle the change from the silver screen to the small screen. Coming off the heels of the masterpieces that are 2017’s “Call Me By Your Name” and 2018’s horror remake, “Suspiria,” indie filmmaker Luca Guadagnino returns, but this time in a mini series titled “We Are Who We Are.” This eight-episode HBO series stars Jack Dylan Grazer, Jordan Kristine Seamon, Chloë Sevigny, Francesca Scorsese and Kid Cudi (yes, you heard that correctly). The series tells the story of Fraser, a teen whose family has to move to Italy after getting stationed there due to his mom’s job in the military. Once there, he meets new friends and starts to grow, feeling things he never has before. Personally, I am a bit mixed on Guadagnino as a filmmaker. I absolutely adore his “Suspiria” remake, claiming it to be my favorite film of 2018–a comfort film for me. I think “Call Me By Your Name” is great, but he is the type of person that I would call pretentious. Going into this, I was expecting a “Call Me By Your Name” type of narrative, but expanded into a series format. What I was not expecting was how emotionally gripping, heartfelt and wonderfully executed this series is!

The series is a slower pace for Guadagnino, as he allows each hour-long episode as a chance for the audience to empathize with the characters and take in the scenery around them.

The series is not focused on plot, but character development and the emotions that brings. The themes of grief, heartbreak, loneliness and melancholy all take center stage here. Grazer and Seamon are excellent, both displaying an activating range in their performances. I honestly see Kid Cudi’s performance as possible Emmy-winning material.

What’s interesting about this series is that much of our knowledge about the characters is just implied, rather than incorporated into dialogue or explicitly told. Some characters have mental illnesses, but it’s up to the audience to discover all the intricacies of what they’re made up of.

The cinematography is reminiscent of “Call Me By Your Name,” with beautiful and cozy environments that beg the audience to place themselves in the eyes of the characters. What I love about this series is its writing, rather than it being obvious about who wrote this series, it does not feel like it was written by a 40-or-50-year-old man. Guadagnino understands the ups and downs of adolescence in the technology era, when social media places complicates the self-esteem of our youth and we must look up to the ones that raise us and the people surrounding us to show us new life lessons. It is something I think Guadagnino does exceptionally well, and even better in this work than his better known “Call Me By Your Name.”

“We Are Who We Are” came out of left field and was a knockout mini-series from. It is Guadagnino’s most mature and emotionally devastating project. It is one of his bests. Sure, the series starts off slow, but it gradually picks up and you never want it to end. As stated before, the acting by the two leads is sensational, the cinematography is wonderful and the themes are well presented, yet subtle. To sum things up, “We Are Who We Are” is an astounding achievement in storytelling and pushes boundaries for television. I think this work will be talked about for years to come.

10/10

By Nathan Schmidt Contributing Writer

The alien was just like I’d heard about in all the stories. Green skin, lanky body, huge dark eyes tilted inward by 45 degrees and a big cranium for all his hyper-advanced alien thoughts.

He pointed his glowing raygun at me and said in a droning alien voice, “Take me to your leader.”

I frowned. I was afraid he’d ask that. “Well, that’s a complicated task. Do you want the rightful president-elect of the United States or the president who says his election was stolen from him?”

The raygun glowed brighter. The alien said, “Neither, puny earthling. Take me to Jeff Bezos.”

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

Coffee Break

Page 12

COFFEE BREAK Editor: Tristan Cruz tristan.cruz@student.fairfield.edu

University Announces “Ultra-Flexible” Course Model for Spring 2021

By Rosemary Harper This fall, Fairfield U has had to adapt its curriculum to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we’ve had confusing new terms thrown at us this year like “hybrid,” “online,” and “the mute button,” which are much more difficult to understand than things from the peachy, virus-free days. As it has become clear that this whole virus thing won’t be over by January 1st, Fairfield has announced a new “ultra-flexible” course model that will begin next semester and run indefinitely.

The ultra-flexible course model is simple, students will buy (or rent) their assigned textbooks and learn the entire thing from cover to cover by heart over the course of the semester. At the end of the semester, students who are able to successfully recite the contents of textbooks will receive an A grade. Anyone who fails to do so will fail the course and be expelled from the University.

“We’re really confident about this new course strategy,” said Dean D. Dean III, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University, in an interview with Stagnation. Dean Dean refused to answer our question on whether this new course model was a strategy to tie students to their desks and counteract COVID-19.

For more info and updates as they come out, be sure to follow Stagnation- along with all the English and Philosophy majors who’ve just bought all the prozac they could find on Amazon.

n ro t! e u p a o p al them c i r ti heck a s i s ae t o c n t i oe s u r a n ,b g S t am p u s ca

Thanksgiving Word Search - Thanksgiving

- Pumpkin Pie

- Stuffing

- Pumpkin

- Turkey

- Cornucopia

- Cornbread

- Gobble

- Gravy

- Black Friday

- Cranberry Sauce - Casserole - Mashed Potatoes - Grateful - Corn

- Native American

- Family

- Thursday

- Football

- Apple Pie

Happy Thanksgiving from the Coffee Break Team!

Enjoy your break!

Discovery Education / Puzzlemaker

SPORTS Sports

Sports Editor: Julia Lanzillotta julia.lanzillotta@student.fairďŹ eld.edu

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

This week, in Mirror history...

Photo Taken From The Mirror Archives

-

In this week's issue...

Basketball Teams Isolate in Preparation for Tip Off (Page 14) Stag Spotlight: Mikayla Rubin of FairďŹ eld Softball (Page 15) Should Turner Have Celebrated World Series Win? (Page 15) Runners Ready to Return to Races (Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

Basketball Teams Isolate in Preparation for Tip Off

By Kayla Amelung Contributing Writer

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a great amount of worry and resentment towards the lives of athletes, especially student-athletes at the collegiate level. As most sports seasons have been canceled or postponed due to the pandemic, the Fairfield University men’s and women’s basketball teams are isolating at the Trumbull Marriott Shelton Hotel, to keep all players and others safe before their seasons start on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

The only sports teams on campus allowed to practice at the present moment are the basketball teams. Despite the men’s and women’s basketball teams being in isolation, they are still allowed to be in contact with one another to practice, as well as continue their online studies. Of course, sports practices will be different due to the regulations that need to be put in place for the season to continue.

“Practices are going pretty good, we are just very excited to be able to play again after eight months,” Allan Jeanne-Rose ‘23 stated.

The excitement of finally being able to play the sport they love is what is getting them through the constant changes.

The teams have been taking isolation quite seriously. It can be quite hard to be away from campus, having to miss on-campus events and their in-person classes. Life in the hotel versus on campus is quite a different experience for the athletes.

Jeanne-Rose stated that, “at the hotel, everyone is pretty much in their room and you have to walk around the hotel with a mask, as well as make sure everyone is social distancing.”

When asked about life in the hotel during these times, Chris Maidoh ‘23, a player on the men’s basketball team, stated: “Life at the hotel during these times is challenging. Nevertheless, being with your teammates, who are like family, makes it really easy to stay in isolation. At the end of the day, we want to have a season, and being at a hotel is part of that.”

The team isolation is necessary in order to ensure that the teams are ready to play for their first game later this month.

“Being isolated is only a small sacrifice to pay to have our season, it is going pretty well though. As long as we are having a season I don’t mind staying in isolation,” said Maidoh.

The men’s Fairfield U basketball team will be playing an away game against Providence College on November 25th at 2:00pm. The women’s basketball team will open up their season on November 25th as well, however the time is to be announced.

They will play at home, at Alumni Hall, against Sacred Heart Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk University.

Sophomore forward Allan Jean-Rose prepares for his second season as a Stag, hopeful for the season-opener on Nov. 25.

Weekly 4x5

Your 2020-2021 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Catherine Santangelo, Sheila McCombs and Molly Lamendola

Of all of the professional Should class capacities be newspapers, which one are you larger since we are mostly most likely to read? remote?

Are championship titles less valuable for athletes since their seasons were cut short?

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Are they any different this year?

When do you normally decorate for the holidays? Before or after Thanksgiving?

I’d say the New York Times because we get a free subscription through the school and also, I’m from New York, so it has local news.

Sure, professors still have to grade all of the work, but I don’t see why some classes are capped at 15 people when we’ll probably be on Zoom anyway.

These trophies were not earned in the same context they historically have been. If anything, it's more commendable to earn a title in 2020, given the challenges unique to this year.

My family is going to keep it small this year, especially since Governor Cuomo has now capped gatherings in New York at 10. It’s sad, but it is necessary.

We try to wait until after Thanksgiving, but that never really works out.

I guess I would say the New York Times!

I think some classes could be larger, but I wouldn’t want them too large. I like smaller classes where the professor can actually learn my name.

I don’t think titles were earned in the same capacity that they normally are, but I am happy for the teams who were able to bring some excitement and distraction to their home cities.

It looks like it will just be me, my mom, dad, brother and our new betta fish, Jasper! Do fish eat turkey?

My family usually gets our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving! Decorating the house usually happens that weekend too:)

I love the New Yorker! I read Sheila McCombs their website every morning Managing Editor because they have a pretty good mix of fun, entertainment news and more serious stuff !

I agree with Cath and Julia! I think that they could get a little bigger, but hopefully not too much.

I think that even though seasons are shorter, athletes are still facing a lot of challenges that make up for the shortened schedule.

I always have a pretty small Thanksgiving, so thankfully this year isn’t that different for me!

We always decorate the day after Thanksgiving, and then the Saturday after as well! There is a Christmas tree in every room in my house during the holidays, so it's a big operation!

No, only one student to one faculty member in each class.

I only watch ballet.

I will be sitting, having tea, watching the Dog Show and then “Best in Show.”

The first of the new year, but only if it’s the Year of the Rabbit.

Because we have witty things to say ...

Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

Catherine Santangelo Editor-in-Chief

Molly Lamendola Vine Editor

Hartford Courant or Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of November 18, 2020

Page 15

Stag Spotlight: Mikayla Rubin of Fairfield Softball

been able to keep working.

“During the suspension of athletics, I have been doing mostly body weight workouts, as well as conditioning and running,” Rubin explained. “Our trainers have been able to create workouts for us based on the limited access to equipment and weights.”

Rubin noted that softball is a sport that often requires not only equipment to practice, but also another person to practice with, which is exceptionally hard during a time of social distancing.

“This can make it challenging if you don’t live with teammates,” said Rubin, but luckily, she does. She reflected that living with roommates, “has made it much easier to do limited practice and workouts as well as stay motivated to keep working hard.”

As a film, television and media major, Rubin’s skills are versatile, and although professional softball may not be a goal she wishes to pursue in the near future, the impact that Fairfield softball has made on her life is unforgettable.

“Fairfield softball has helped me grow into the person I am today…

I’ve been able to travel and play in places I never imagined [would be possible],” she stated. “I’m not sure if softball will always be in my life, but I know all the friends I’ve made will be.”

Although the future is so uncertain, the fact that MAAC basketball games are slated to continue acts as a beacon of hope for all spring athletes, particularly softball players.

“Our entire athletic department has made it their goal to get everyone to play in the spring.

With the coming MAAC basketball season about to begin, I think it will be a good start for all of athletics to get back to playing,” she said.

Rubin is optimistic that she will return to the field during the second semester, saying that she remains very hopeful she and her fellow seniors will be able to participate in their last season as Stags.

Either way, she feels fulfilled by her experience as a collegiate athlete.

“Softball has given me so many gifts and opportunities, and I am excited to see what comes next for my team,” said Rubin.

The 2021 MAAC Championship is scheduled for May 14 and 15, indicating that the season is expected to go on as normal.

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor, Executive Editor Mikayla Rubin ‘21 is an infielder for the Fairfield University softball team, and is only one of four seniors on the roster.

Joined by two graduate students, the group of six makes up the team’s upperclassmen leadership, who are vital in increasing morale on the team during this pandemic.

Thankfully, the team had organized team Zoom nights over the summer to welcome the newcomers into the program and to ensure that they feel every bit as part of the team as the returners do.

Rubin mentioned that their coaching staff was sure to integrate upperclassmen and lower classmen into groups while splitting up into smaller training units, This made sure that a healthy rapport was created between teammates.

“We always make sure that our underclassmen know that we are always available to help them out with whatever they need from the moment they get on campus,” said Rubin, supportively.

Hailing from Chino Hills, Calif., Rubin has been making waves in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference since her rookie season, earning spots on both the All-MAAC second team and the MAAC All-Rookie team, per the Fairfield Athletics website.

During her sophomore season, the athlete donned AllMAAC second team honors; but, unfortunately her junior season was cut short less than halfway through due to COVID-19 shutdowns.

Nonetheless, in the 15 games she did play, she tallied four runs and added a homerun to her career total of four.

The infielder has dreamt of playing collegiate softball since she was six years old, aspiring to one day be in the position of the athletes she saw playing on television in the College World Series.

“I wanted to be just like them,” Rubin said.

With athletics suspended once more, Rubin, along with most other Division I athletes at the University are facing challenges associated with keeping in peak shape for when they resume competition.

Her fortitude has pushed her to keep going, managing to work through the restrictions.

She hasn’t let the pause get in the way of her athletic development, and with the help of the training staff, she has

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

Mikayla Rubin is a senior infielder on the Fairfield University softball team, looking forward to the spring 2021 season after the spring 2020 season was canceled abruptly due to COVID shutdowns.

Should Turner Have Celebrated World Series Win?

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor, Executive Editor The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay rays in game six of the World Series on Oct. 26. The 3-1 victory helped secure their first championship title in 32 years, per KTLA News. Every baseball player dreams of the moment when they storm onto the field and celebrate earning the greatest honor in Major League Baseball.

However, to what extent does public health take precedence over tradition? This question came to light immediately following the victory when Dodgers’ third baseman Justin Turner took to the field to celebrate the win with his team. What was the issue with this, you may ask? Just hours earlier he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was subsequently removed from the game.

His decision to leave isolation showed a blatant disregard for the health and safety of everyone celebrating, and sent a clear message that Turner prioritized his personal experience over the well-being of his teammates and the Dodgers’ faculty and staff.

Although he did originally come out wearing a mask, it was taken off for the sake of photo opportunities, further exposing the people around him.

“It is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others… Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk,” said the MLB per the Associated Press just a day after the game. “When MLB security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply.”

The issue here is the inconsistency that

ensued, coming from the league’s executives.

The MLB’s decision to speak on matters before an investigation was carried out was unprofessional and vilified Turner before considering all factors which may have influenced his decision. An investigation was launched by the MLB a day after the incident, but was closed on Nov. 6.

MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. spoke on the matter, acknowledging that although his objective was not to exonerate Turner from his wrongdoing, he wanted to “put into context” the incident at hand. In his statement, he concluded that there were several factors which contributed to Turner’s decision to leave isolation, including the alleged fact that his fellow teammates actually encouraged him to join them in celebrating, considering they were already exposed.

Another reason provided by the commissioner is that an unidentified person had told the 35-year-old athlete that others had tested positive as well, and that he had been singled out in isolation, while others were out. It should be noted that nowhere in his release did Manfred apologize to Turner for the league’s decision to paint him as a perpetrator, without consideration for factors that may have contributed to his choice to celebrate.

Ultimately, it was concluded that Turner would not face any penalties, and his public remorse may have played a role in this lack of disciplinary action. Much like Manfred, Turner did not justify his actions in his statement, and rather tried to describe his state of mind during that night.

“I have spoken with almost every teammate, coach and staff member, and my intentions were never to make anyone uncomfortable or put anyone at further risk,” Turner wrote.

The fact of the matter is, no matter how genuine he may have been in his apology, by failing to have this incident serve as an example of a zero-tolerance policy that the league should uphold for COVID-19 guideline violations, the MLB is setting a precedent that violations are excused on a conditional basis.

An argument can be made that perhaps Turner’s test delivered a false positive diagnosis, and missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime due to a faulty test would be a terrible shame. Unfortunately, this virus does not allow for hypotheticals, and until Turner was cleared by a medical professional, his actions should be deemed unacceptable.

Photo Courtesy of @redturn2 on Instagram

@Fairfield Mirror Week of November 18, 2020

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16

Runners Ready to Return to Races

By Thomas Coppola Staff Writer

Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams at Fairfield University have been gearing up for what will be an extremely interesting season.

Runners and coaching staff alike understand that this season will be incredibly different, but the Stags never back down from a challenge.

With the rising number of COVID-19 cases around the nation, collegiate sports have been pushed back, canceled or heavily modified; since the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference canceled the fall cross country season, Fairfield’s runners have not had the chance to attend meets.

Luckily, the runners, unlike many other Fairfield athletes, were able to participate for most of the 2019 season. This is because they primarily took part in meets during the fall.

The men’s team landed in 34th place for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Northeast Regional Championship, held on Nov. 15, 2019. The women’s team placed 33rd to round out their season.

Unfortunately, neither team was able to return in the spring to run in the Monmouth Season Opener or at the Rider Invite, as both were canceled after being slated to happen in late March and mid-April, respectively.

“This season was mainly just for training and getting ready for a possible spring track season,” runner Robert Dillon ‘23 said.

Additionally, some women’s cross country runners had some opinions about the current state of athletics.

“This season was super different from other seasons because we weren’t able to train as a team,” Mia Melao ‘22 said. “The rules with the athletic center were constantly changing.”

Obviously, to limit widespread exposure of the virus, it was the right call by the MAAC to cancel or, at the very least, postpone the season.

Nonetheless it is tough to predict what will happen next due to the sheer uncertainty and unpredictability of COVID-19.

In another attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19, the team has taken a different approach to practicing as compared to past years.

The team now splits up, and must wear masks while running, which may hinder some runners’ endurance.

The teams split up into two groups, and run as smaller units, as opposed to large groups.

Aside from this disadvantage in practicing, though, the competitive spirit was still somewhat alive, at least for some athletes.

The competitive spirit, though, may look a little more individualized than previous seasons. This happens to be the nature of the virus, and until further notice team activities must be conducted in a safe and responsible environment.

“The only real competition was to better yourself as a runner,” Los Angeles native Timothy Burschinger ‘23 said.

Among both the women’s and the men’s team, one common denominator shines through: a positive attitude.

It is incredibly important for Fairfield’s athletes to remain positive and in good spirits, even if competition may not resume, because if and when it does, there is no time to waste.

In the meantime, however, the Stags have been partaking in some activities on their

own time, just to make sure they are staying in shape and enjoying themselves during these daunting times.

“Once I found out our season was canceled, I decided to sign up for my first marathon and spent quarantine training for it,” Courtney Kitchen ‘23 said.

On the men’s team, some have elected to use the running break to focus on their academics.

Especially at this time, it is important that all student-athletes focus on their schoolwork, since now there is ample time to balance being a student and being an athlete.

“Because of less emphasis on cross country this season, it has given us all the opportunity to focus more on our academics and have the ability to do so,” Dillon added.

Next fall will be a large turning point for both cross country teams here at Fairfield.

With the loss of this year’s season, both teams are looking forward to proving themselves and getting right back into work.

Although some seniors will be graduating and will not get to race again with their teammates, the future is incredibly bright.

“We’re super excited to race again, so it’ll feel good to get back into competition next fall,” Melao stated.

The men’s team, additionally, is ready to get back out there.

“Everyone on the team is ready to show and prove that we have improved as a team, especially with the loss of this year's cross country season,” Dillion said. “ We have big goals for the next season and we are ready to achieve those goals and represent Fairfield,” he continued.

Needless to say, the future of Fairfield cross country on both the men’s and women’s side is incredibly bright, and our Stags will surely come into next year ready to take over the MAAC and win some races.

Creative Commons/eh3k Photos Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

Robert Dillon, Mia Melao and Courtney Kitchen have been faced with a suspended fall season due to COVID-19, as members of the Fairfield University men's and women's cross country teams.