Fairfield Mirror 04/21/2021

THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of April 21, 2021

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Vol. 46 Iss. 20

More Information Provided for On-Campus Clinic

Photo Contributed by Fairfield University

Students sit in Charles F. Dolan School of Business. The Acadmic Council and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee are working on adjusting the current Pass/Fail policy to a Credit/No-Credit Policy.

Fairfield Debates Future of Pass/Fail Policy

Sophomores Raise Housing Concerns

learning” stated Christine Siegel, provost of Fairfield University.

She went on to say that, “Last spring, the pandemic brought to our awareness that, unlike other similar institutions, Fairfield University did not have a policy or process by which undergraduate students could petition for a pass/fail grade in a course.”

For the 2020 - 2021 academic year, students could elect for their academic performance to be evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis in up to two courses per semester.

Further, students could not choose the Pass/Fail option for courses numbered 2000 or higher that are in the major. But, they were able to choose the Pass/Fail option for electives, courses to fulfill University/Magis core requirements, and/or minor requirements.

“I am in favor of the system as it was intended – as a relief valve during this stressful, tumultuous time, to be used sparingly for those who are in danger of lower grades and who need to put their limited energy and resources into other classes,” stated Jerelyn Johnson Ph.D., chair of the AC, in an email to The Mirror.

In this frame, the UCC’s passed plan decided to shift away from continuing the use of a Pass/Fail policy and instead called to move over to a Credit/No-Credit Policy.

In the Pass/Fail system a “P” or “F” shows up on

the student’s transcript without the grade the student actually received in the class. “[Students] have to remember that a “pass” signals a wide range of academic performance, from outstanding work to poor work,” said Mark Ligas, Ph.D. who is the vice provost for undergraduate excellence and marketing professor in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.

He continued to say that an issue with the current pass/fail system is that anyone who reviews the student’s transcript may interpret the grade as less than what the student actually received as a letter grade.

In the new proposed Credit/No-Credit system, the student’s final grade will still be listed in the transcript.

If they receive a “passing” grade, the credits are added, if they fail the course and receive a “No-Credit” then the credits are simply not added, but neither affects the student’s GPA. The UCC’s proposed plan added a number of additional stipulations the earlier emergency plan lacked.

Only students who had received 60 credits (traditionally the Junior and Senior class) could declare a class as Credit/No-Credit.

Students only had until the add/drop period to des-

News

Opinion

Vine

Sports

Rising Senior students faced challenges regarding Fairfield’s housing contracts.

First-years are disappointed following Housing Lottery.

Fairfield University seniors say their farewells with a walk down memory lane.

Field Hockey seniors give final farewell.

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By Molly Lamendola Editor-in-Chief

Since the Spring Semester of 2020, Fairfield University students have been able to designate a certain number of classes as pass/fail.

Yet, this emergency policy is coming to an end, with the ability to declare a course pass/fail for the 2021 Spring Semester expiring at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.

Now the faculty and academic administrators are currently trying to see if there’s a need for a permanent policy to be established on campus, and if so, what this policy would look like.

To decide this, in the fall of 2020, the Academic Council tasked the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, specifically a Pass/Fail Subcommittee, with formulating a pass/fail option to then be passed on back to them and established as a permanent fixture of academics at Fairfield.

This discussion has highlighted that though the majority of faculty and administrators believe there’s a need for a permanent system, what should be included and how this system should be operated is a conflicting point.

“The COVID-19 pandemic required the University – its students, faculty and staff – to adjust our processes and policies across many aspects of University life, notably teaching and

INSIDE

By Madison Gallo Head News Editor Proof of insurance Fairfield University is set to host two on-campus vaccination and ID must be provided at each clinclinics on April 21 and May 13 from 9 ic and eligible Prep students who are a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Leslie C. Quick, under the age of 18 must have a parJr. Recreation Complex. The clinics ent or guardian with them as well.

The vaccination clinic was will work in partnership with Griffin Hospital and offer the Pfizer vaccine. announced to students in an email Students can register for sent by Vice President for Student Life the vaccine online, using the link Karen Donoghue on Sunday, April 18. sent by the University. There are Donoghue described vaccinations as 1500 vaccines available to “any com- “the only way we are going to crush munity member — University and this virus” and encourages everyone to eligible [Fairfield] Prep students, use this opportunity to get vaccinated.

“Walk out of your room and all employees — who is not currently in isolation or quarantine” and put a shot in your arm,” she said.

Additionally, Donoaccording to the email sent by Human Resources on Monday, April 21. ghue mentioned that all students Community members who who get vaccinated will be entered have already received their first dose in a raffle for “awesome prizes.”

At the vaccination clinof the Pfizer vaccine whose providers have given the okay that the date of the ic there will be vaccinators and clinic falls within the time needed to staff from the university and Grifadminister the second dose can receive fin Hospital. Medical professions the second dose at either of these clin- will be present to assist in case of ics. However, all pertinent documenta- an emergency, Donoghue said. tion must be brought to the on-camCONTINUED ON pus clinic because second vaccinations WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM will not be administered without it.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

By Madeline West Assistant News Editor Rising sophomores were notified on April 7 of their housing lottery pick-time. Several groups were notified that they would be unable to participate in the initial lottery process. On April 9, eligible rising sophomores picked housing for the upcoming academic year.

An email sent out to rising sophomores on April 7 listed the available housing arrangements they could pick from. The email explained that groups of four in a non-residential college lottery could select a room from Kostka Hall, Claver Hall or Faber Hall. Additionally, groups of two could be placed into traditional housing which would be Loyola Hall and 70 McCormick Road where residents live in doubles.

Options for groups of eight were only eight-person suites in 42 Langguth Road.

These options differed in various years with Loyola Hall previously housing both first-years and sophomores as well. In the upcoming year, Loyola Hall will be for sophomore students only, and will not act as a residential college.

Many groups during the initial lottery faced disappointment after they were informed

they would be unable to participate in the initial housing selection.

First-year Alexandria Morrissey expressed her disappointment with the Office of Residence Life’s handling of the situation and stated, “I was very unhappy with the housing process this year because so many students are not able to live where sophomores typically live. I wish the school could have communicated earlier about how many students would not be able live in the village.”

The Mirror reached out to the Office of Residence Life regarding the housing waitlist for the rising sophomore class.

Charles Sousa, senior associate director of housing operations stated there were 70 rising sophomore groups on the waitlist.

Sousa stated this was because “this year suites were a very popular option for the rising sophomores.”

First-year Megan Rogoz expressed her disappointment for being placed on the waitlist stating, “It felt very frustrating being communicated thinking you could get into a suite when there aren’t enough.”

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News

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

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Students Express the Need for Changes in Fairfield’s Housing System First-year Carina Kortick had a similar sentiment “I felt overwhelmed not being able to choose where I’m living next year and hearing from others who were able to pick and be close to their friends.”

“

They [Fairfield] are understanding about student body’s needs, wants, opinions — however, they don’t see eye to eye with the amount of money undergraduates pay yearly plus their endowment you assume this wouldn’t be an issue.”

- Krol ‘24, Rogoz ‘24

Similar situations were experienced by the rising junior class who picked before the sophomores for housing, as reported by The Mirror.

Many groups were also put on a supplemental lottery, forcing a rearrangement of their suitemates with little time to plan.The 70 rising sophomore groups who are on the waitlist, according to Sousa “are eligible to configure their group of four into two groups of two and select housing in 70 McCormick Rd. or Loyola Hall.”

Likewise, in both grades groups of students are on a waitlist and housing arrangements will be unknown until late summer.

First-year Nicholas DiStefano is part of one of the groups placed on

the waitlist. He felt disappointed in the lack of communication from ResLife.

More so, he wished it was communicated that there would be a high possibility that “we will be across campus far away from all the other sophomores in our class living in the quad once again.”

Students who have expressed disappointment in the housing selection process this year have also provided insight into potential changes they would like to see in the future.

First-year students Ashley Krol and Megan Rogoz commented in a joint statement on the situation saying that “Fairfield advertises that sophomores get a private bathroom and if they are very lucky they get a kitchen.”

They continued, “they fail to mention the many groups of sophomores who will have to reconfigure and stay in the quad two years in a row.”

Suggestions of changing the system to where it is a more reward-based system versus random was suggested.

Krol and Rogoz stated that “the only way to fix the situation for the future is to either stop admitting so many people and or build more housing to accommodate their growing population.”

Krol and Rogoz closed their statement by emphasizing how Fairfield continues to express “they are understanding about student body’s needs, wants, opinions — however, they don’t see eye to eye with the amount of money undergraduates pay yearly plus their endowment you assume this wouldn’t be an issue.”

Students who have concerns about housing arrangements or any other questions are urged to reach out to Res Life @residencelife@ fairfield.edu to schedule an appointment.

Photo Contributed by Madeline West

Students have the opportunity to live in Kostka Hall, Claver Hall, Meditz Hall, and Faber Hall for suite style living.

Photo Contributed by Madeline West

The village center is located between Kostka and Claver Hall.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

Compiled by Madeline West Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

4/15 5:04 p.m.

Fairfield police dispatched to Mahan due to a phishing incident to solicit funds involving threats to a student. The email was sent from an address mimicking a Fairfield University email address.

Students are advised to not open any attachments from an unfamiliar address.

4/16 1:17 a.m.

Disorderly conduct in Jogues Hall parking lot.

Student was identified throwing objects on top of tents and flipping over tables in the Jogues lawn.

4/17 2:49 p.m.

Disorderly conduct when a student ran from public safety on Grauert Field. They were later identified and referred to student conduct 4/ 18 5:06 p.m.

Multiple chairs were found broken in the quad because they were thrown against buildings.

4/ 19 12:23 a.m.

Malicious burning of cardboard and paper resulted in the fire alarm in Dolan Hall requiring the Fairfield Fire department to respond . Student responsible was identified and referred to student conduct.

4/20 12:39 a.m.

Narcotics possession in Regis Hall. Referred to student conduct.

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Molly Lamendola, Editor-in-Chief Sheila McCombs, Executive Editor Julia Lanzillotta, Managing Editor Editors Madison Gallo, Head News Madeline West, Assistant News Peyton Perry, Opinion Brooke Lathe, Vine Julia Lanzillotta, Sports Thomas Coppola, Assistant Sports Tristan Cruz, Coffee Break Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Lila Condon, Chief Financial Officer

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

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

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Students Seek to Extend Current Pass/Fail Policy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ignate a course “Credit” or “No-Credit”, but could reverse their decision at any time upon consultation with the faculty member instructing the course.

Further, though the earlier version of the pass/fail policy included the ability for students to declare classes within the Core Curriculum, including the Magis Core, as pass/fail, the UCC’s new Credit/ No-Credit policy did not have this ability.

As found in the “Rationale for the Credit/No-Credit proposal”, it’s stated that this decision “is in line with peer institutions, and sends the message to students that the several Cores and their majors are equally important for their education.”

Yet, as the UCC passed their version of the now Credit/No-Credit policy in February of 2021, the plan is now for the Academic Council to edit and pass with their own stipulations.

It is during this process that certain aspects of the possible Credit/No-Credit policy have been brought into question.

Published in the Academic Council’s meeting notes from March 8, Susan Rackowitz, Ph.D., member of the Academic Council and Secretary of the General Faculty, brought up the idea that if the goal of the core was academic exploration then they should also be allowed to be designated as “Credit” or “No-Credit.”

She reiterated this concept in an email to The Mirror stating that the ability for students to take a small number of courses Pass/Fail or Credit/No-Credit, “is to encourage intellectual exploration and risk-taking.”

Professor William Abbott, Ph.D. stated that “It is my fervent hope, however, that the permanent policy will not (as the present policy does) permit Magis Core courses to be taken for pass/fail.”

He went on to say that he disagreed with Rackowitz’s claim that “intellectual exploration” is the only goal of the Magis Core.

“Such exploration, however, is not the only goal of the Magis Core, which, according to the University, is intended to emphasize ‘excellence’ in writing, critical reasoning, synthesis of solutions, communication, and an understanding of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of associated human behaviors,” Abbott said.

He continued to say “Such ‘excellence’ surely suffers when students are told, via this policy, that the academic rigor expected of them in Magis Core courses is not, and should not, be as high as that expected in their major ones.”

In the minutes from the March 1 Academic Council meeting, it was discussed that core courses should be able to be designated as Credit/No-Credit.

“To let a student performing at 65 percent earn the same Pass grade as a student performing at 85 percent makes a mockery of Fairfield’s claim to academic rigor,” Abbott says.

He goes on to say that though he understands the learning disruption faced by students, he believes that it was on the professors to grade any “underperforming student more generously, using the pedagogical expertise for which they were hired.”

Robert Epstein Ph.D. and a member of the AC remarked in the March 1 minutes, that the policy to not take into account the effect on grading and planning for departments that teach heavily in the Core.

Johnson, in an email to The Mirror stated that “My biggest concern with the implementation of a pass/fail system would be that students would not use it as an opportunity for intellectual exploration, but, instead, to apply it to a core course they have no interest in taking in the first place, but do just to satisfy a requirement.”

She goes on to state that from the perspective of the faculty, it’s “disheartening” and “disruptive to the culture of the classroom” to have students that are “intentionally doing the bare minimum to pass the class.”

In the AC’s March 1 meeting minutes, Siegal went on to say that she found the UCC’s proposed plan restrictive and that the goal was

for students to have some self-determination.

In an email to The Mirror she stated that she fully supports the current pass/fail policy, stating, “The policies we currently have in place represent the best of shared governance, whereby students were able to bring forward their concerns, the administration requested action, and the faculty determined a policy to implement.”

She does note that “As we plan for a post-pandemic future, we are looking to learn from strategies that were helpful over the past year. The implementation of a permanent pass/fail or credit/no-credit policy is one example where learning from the pandemic can inform our practices going forward.”

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Richard Greenwald Ph.D. seemed to echo Siegal’s concerns in the March 1 meeting minutes, regarding the restiveness of the UCC’s proposed plan. He went on to state

“

“My biggest concern with the implementation of a pass/fail system would be that students would not use it as an opportunity for intellectual exploration, but, instead, to apply it to a core course they have no interest in taking in the first place, but do just to satisfy a requirement.”

- Jerelyn Johnson Ph.D., Chair of Academic Council the option of expanding the option to declare Credit/No-Credit courses to sophomores.

This is a change that the Fairfield University Student Association would seem to agree with, as in the Feb. 2 meeting minutes of the UCC discussing the UCC’s Credit/ No-Credit policy, Vice President Tobenna Ugwu ‘22 stated that since most academic exploration happens in sophomore year when students declare a major or minor, sophomores should be included in the policy.

“The pandemic amplified the need for Fairfield to implement a permanent individual opt-in pass/fail policy,” Ugwu said in a statement to The Mirror.

Going on to say, “Our goal in the fall was to work with the UCC and the AC in creating an individual opt-in policy, to ensure that our fellow students have every resource available when navigating through an unforeseen circumstance that may have impacted their school work.”

Last November, FUSA conducted a survey of the students to gauge interest in a student-centered permanent Pass/Fail policy.

Those results were then shared with the AC and UCC by President Vincent Gadioma ‘22 and Speaker of the Senate Noelle Guerrera ‘21 in a letter hoping for the two committees to listen to the student body when conducting a review of a permanent Pass/Fail policy.

As stated in the letter, 522 students responded to the survey and 464 stated their full support of a permanent Pass/Fail policy.

“While we wish we had released the survey earlier, the submissions received are consistent with the overwhelming support among the student body to implement a permanent student-oriented pass/fail policy on par with peer institutions as soon as this semester,” Gadioma and Guerrera stated.

“We propose that the existing pass/fail policy shift from a solely faculty centered approach to a student centered perspective as students should be empowered to use their best judgment to

strengthen their education,” they added.

They ended their statement with, “Allowing for the utmost flexibility ensures students receive the most out of their liberal Jesuit education.”

The AC Members seem to agree with this statement.

“When not in a crisis situation, a P/F or credit/no-credit policy should be student-determined, meaning that students should be empowered to determine for themselves which courses to take P/F” Johnson stated.

She went further to assert that, “I have heard cases of students using the policy to ‘game’ their GPA.” But goes on to say that though this is a shame, it is an “unavoidable consequence to what has been a help to our students who are genuinely suffering during this time.

Sophomore McKenna Dolan said that she used the Pass/Fail option once in a history class as her final grade was unknown and she was worried about the impact it’d have on her GPA. But she does agree with the idea that students are “abusing” the system, “because they want that perfect 4.0 that other people work hard for without the pass/fail option.”

“This year has just been so crazy and people are unsure of what to do, but I feel as though it is a good option if you’re putting the work in and not seeing the results you wanted, as I know some professors are being as tough as they were without Covid being a thing,” She remarked.

She continued by saying she agrees changes should be made to the amount of courses students are allowed to declare Pass/Fail and thus force students to only use it as a last resort option.

Ligas states that students who declare a class Pass/Fail, or Credit/No-Credit, “Have to remember that a “pass” signals a wide range of academic performance, from outstanding work to poor work. As a result, depending on who reviews the student transcript (e.g., graduate or professional admissions personnel), the “pass” might not be received/interpreted in the same way as an actual letter or numeric assessment of performance.”

Currently, as Johnson tells The Mirror, the AC is considering that the grade threshold for receiving credit should be a C (a grade of 73 and above).

“There have been some valid concerns made by some faculty about the fact that students might abuse the policy, or use it as a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card. I understand this sentiment, but I think the benefits of this policy on a large population of the student body outweigh the risks,” Ugwu said in his statement to The Mirror.

“While we understand that any policy instituted should uphold academic honesty and integrity, we feel it can simultaneously act as a resource for student needs,” he added.

Siegal stated that FUSA has been a great partner as they have worked with the faculty to bring forward student concerns, and stated that she looks “Forward to continuing to work with the faculty on a permanent policy that encourages students to stretch themselves by taking one or two courses that may feel beyond their reach during their time at Fairfield. I will support the policy that is developed through this process.”

Adam Rugg, Ph.D., the executive secretary of the Academic Council noted that though these views are his own, and not meant to represent the views of the council, “It’s a complex issue and the great work done by the UCC in researching the systems at other universities revealed that there are very different approaches across our peer institutions.

So right now the council is taking its time to ensure that if we do implement a permanent system that it is the right fit for Fairfield.”

He reiterates the point that “Nothing has been decided at the moment.”

Students who want to voice their comments and concerns about the faculty’s efforts to establish a current Credit/No-Credit policy can reach out to FUSA through the FUSA Comment Box. Students can also email fusa@fairfield.edu.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

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Rising Seniors Express Disappointment Over Beach Housing Release Process

Photo Contributed by Sean Crosby

A senior beach house on Fairfield Beach Road.

By Colleen Vann Contributing Writer

Setting an early alarm, stepping outside, possibly walking a couple of blocks and wrapping yourself in a blanket to watch the sun come up over the Long Island Sound; taking your workouts down to the beach; or, most definitely, having different company with you each night as you watch another day of your senior year come to an end with the sunset.

Those are all activities that many Fairfield University students await from their very first days on campus — senior year spent living at the beach.

Many members of the current junior class, the Class of 2022, were denied release from campus this year.

Living on the beach as a senior is a heavily advertised aspect of the University’s campus life. In tours, tour guides always mention the beach.

Junior Olivia Alessandro, a campus tour guide shared, “I was instructed to mention the option of living off-campus during senior year.”

In the past, she made sure every tour included that the process to be released from campus was easy, and beach housing was available to most seniors who wanted it.

It should be noted that Fairfield University is a school that guarantees four year housing for all students. In order to live off campus, students must be released from the agreement they sign upon enrollment. Only in a student’s senior year is there the possibility of being released from that agreement.

The University’s reasons in defense of their decision to not release all students who applied for the Off-Campus Boarder Lottery have not been enough to combat the disappointment felt by the junior class.

This process is a randomized lottery system that sorts through applications for release.

While it has always operated in that manner, students this year have been vocal about their desires for

the system to be merit-based, especially if there are going to be more students denied than in the past.

Junior Jack Stalzer, a Fairfield University Student Association senator and one of the 47 students still on the waitlist for release, found the randomness of the selection process frustrating.

“Other schools don’t always do that,” Stalzer said. “If you’re an engaged student in a lot of clubs, they’ll give you priority to pick.”

Junior Allison Lawless was initially denied release, but when students from the waitlist got released on March 10, she was relieved to find her senior year would be as she had imagined for so long. However, the waiting game and the stress it caused has led Lawless to support a merit-based system for release as well.

“We’re good kids,” is what Lawless shares she was thinking in her head over and over after she and her future housemates were denied release. She cited how they are all in good academic standing and have never been in trouble with the university, so it didn’t make sense to them that they were being slighted.

It is likely a product of the timing of this situation that has caused this common opinion.

With the COVID-19 protocols that have been in place this past year, there have been groups of individuals who have not been compliant, and the fact that those students, some of whom faced punishment from administration, have been released over other students has been seen as unfair by many students.

Another point of frustration for students is the sense of false advertising they now feel surrounds the opportunity to live on the beach.

Lawless is one of many students who admits that the prospect of living on the beach senior year was a major pull in choosing to attend Fairfield.

Lawless shared that Fairfield was among her top choices, and that “it [living at the beach] was the main reason that I came to Fairfield.”

Stalzer shared that his frustration only grew recently when he watched the virtual tour

video for Fairfield University and it cites that “upperclassmen have the unique opportunity to live off campus near Fairfield beach.”

“I had no such opportunity,” Stalzer said.

Stalzer also shared that he feels the timing is unwise as the situation is “leaving a bitter taste in my mouth right as I’m leaving Fairfield.”

Students are angry because they have always felt that living off campus, on the beach, their senior year is a rite of passage that they were promised to receive if desired. And, with the past year that everyone has faced, it seems to be even more idealized in the minds of students.

However, it should be noted that the University has never claimed that living on the beach is guaranteed.

Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Residence Life Meredith Smith shared via email that, “Our office and the Dean of Students communicated that the Off-Campus Boarder process is a lottery. We encourage students to not sign leases until they know they have been released from their four-year residential contract.”

Despite that advice, most students begin looking at houses and signing leases before they are released due to the pressure felt by other looking and limited houses in prime locations.

Lawless started looking for a house the first semester of her sophomore year, and signed a lease shortly after.

“I had to do that,” Lawless said. “It’s very difficult to get a beach house that is close to the beach if you don’t do it that early.”

Of the suggestion from Fairfield to hold off on signing leases, Lawless added: “If you wait that long, there is a large possibility that you’re not even going to get a beach house.”

ResLife also states that, while this seems to be the first year that students are obviously upset, feeling that this is a random change to a pre-established tradition, this year is not unorthodox in comparison to years past.

“It is important to note that

this year’s process isn’t that much different from years’ in the past,” Smith wrote. “In my ten years working in the Office of Residence Life, we’ve had other Off-Campus lotteries where we were not able to release all the students who applied to the number of students who applied.”

The factor to consider, which is what makes the problem stand out more, is that as class numbers rise, the amount of applications for release grow. Consequently, the denials do as well.

“This year more students applied to live off-campus than had done in recent history,” Smith shared. “There are limited spaces in and around the Fairfield beach area.”

Smith also shared that, this year, over 700 students applied for the Off-Campus Boarder Lottery. Around 600 students were originally released.

Following some students’ decline of their release, an additional 50 students were released in March. There are still 47 students on the waitlist.

According to the Fairfield University 2020-2021 Fact Book, in the current academic school year, there are 572 students living off campus in the beach area.

Additionally, the Fall of 2018 saw 582 students living on the beach.

Since the numbers of those released have been stable in past years, it can be assumed that the issue is that the class years are growing, meaning more students apply and therefore are denied release.

Lawless cited that she believed over-admittance was likely the cause of this year’s housing situation. Therefore she saw the denial of release as “a problem that they [the University] foresaw.”

She feels that because of this, there should have been more of a warning given to the students, possibly even before applications to the lottery were submitted.

Another solution that

“

The thought of it happening to me is quite scary because my friends and I put lots of time and money into signing our lease and securing our house.”

- Megan MacGilvray ‘23

Lawless proposed was in reference to the practices at Bucknell University, where students are provided a list of landlords that are aware of the school’s rules and therefore allow students to sign leases that are “contingent upon impending release.”

This would prevent much of the stress felt by students when it comes to the fear of losing a security deposit on a house, as many students sign leases throughout their sophomore year and junior years, before being released. Thus, after signing and paying, they can only hope they are lucky in the lottery process.

Stalzer agreed that the “lack of emails” and the “vague updates” from the University are the most frustrating.

“They [the Universi-

ty] don’t give us a lot of information,” Stalzer shared, even though students are sending emails and reaching out, they feel the answers they receive are unsatisfactory.

This is felt by other members of the junior class as well. Alessandro ‘22 was released in the initial lottery. However, she is aware of the problem and has since altered the way she talks about senior year on the beach when she is giving tours.

While remaining positive, Alessandro said, “I don’t think we were told to change what we say, but I do mention that they [the University] have a release process so they know how many students are leaving each year.”

“I always mention that you can live on campus senior year, and that it is pretty split with how many students live on and off campus,” Alessandro continued.

She wants to make sure that is understood by prospective students, since she knows that the beach living is “a big selling point” for the University.

Many underclassmen are worried that the housing situation with the Class of 2022 will be a problem when it comes to their chances to live on the beach, or about losing money that they have already put down for security deposits and leases they have signed.

Sophomore Megan MacGilvray shared via email, “I feel bad for these kids considering they probably have had their leases signed for a while and were fully anticipating being on the beach for senior year.”

She continued, “The thought of it happening to me is quite scary because my friends and I put lots of time and money into signing our lease and securing our house.”

Even for students who don’t necessarily have a direct connection with the beach yet can feel the impact of this issue as a whole.

As reported by the Mirror on March 31, 35 rising junior groups were told they would be unable to participate in the initial lottery, and were pushed to the secondary lottery.

Upon hearing that information, students awaiting release, like Stalzer, believe that releasing seniors could be a solution to that problem, opening more space on campus for underclassmen.

However, ResLife would likely have to take more factors into consideration when making that decision.

Being able to live on the beach is something that most students at Fairfield anticipate for years. Students are hoping that those remaining on the waitlist will, in the end, be able to at the beach as planned. In the meantime, students on the waitlist, like Stalzer, will continue to voice their concerns.

“We are angry, and I hope the University knows this,” Stalzer said.

That being said, Smith of Reslife shared: “At this time, we are not anticipating an additional release. We will have more information mid-summer and will continue to provide students with an update.”

That update arrived Tuesday afternoon, April 20. An email from ResLife was sent to students on the waitlist, reading: “After careful consideration, we will be moving forward with releasing the remainder of the waitlist to off-campus status.”

Students were sent two google forms, to either accept or decline their release, and that decision must be made by May 4.

Opinion

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

Page 5

Editor Peyton Perry » peyton.perry@student.fairfield.edu

Housing Lottery Causes Disappointment for First-Years

By Peyton Perry Opinion Editor On Friday, April 9, first-years at Fairfield University participated in their very first housing lottery. I, being one of those individuals, can say that it did not go as expected.

This is not to say by any means that the process was unfair or that Residence Life did not do their job properly. In fact, I would like to exclaim right off the bat that Residence Life has, and continues to do an exquisite job in allocating housing to students and ensuring equity in opportunity.

Furthermore, all of the office hours offered and resources made available to us students have been more than helpful in answering any questions we may have towards the lottery process.

Having said that, it was still challenging for me and a lot of other fellow students I exchanged conversations with following the lottery process, to not feel upset with how things turned out. A lot of students did not get into the suite-style housing, with seventy groups on the waitlist, and are faced with the high probability of having their group split up and placed in dorm-style housing.

Without any sense of control, we now have to patiently wait over the course of the summer in hopes of suite-style housing opening up ,or choose to partake in a posthousing lottery where dorm-style housing is offered in either 70 McCormick Road or Loyola Hall.

Although participating in office hours previously and utilizing the resources offered by Residence Life and knowing full well that not everyone would be able to get suite-style housing for next year, it still came as a complete shock to receive an email that my group was not even given a time for the housing lottery. As this was my first experience, I had originally conceived that everyone was given a time and it was just a matter of whether or not housing was still available by the time you were chosen to select.

Receiving this email, I immediately felt left out in a sense. This feeling was fairly abrupt, however, with texts swarming my phone from my potential roommates and other classmates. Out my window, I heard a group of girls shout across the quad to their friends anxiously that their group had been split up, as well. In the hall, outside my room, I heard a group of boys exchange the same frustration and as the hours went on, I had heard of more and more people in a similar boat.

I began to think to myself... well we all knew this was a potential outcome… why are we still all so upset?

Although some may think the answer to this question is an easy one, “because our group was split up and we are not getting suite-style housing,” I don’t think that’s it.

Quite frankly, I don’t care that much about whether or not I’m living in a suite with three of my friends or a dorm room with one of my friends. Of course if given the choice I would prefer the suite, I would not say this was the anchoring of my disappointment by any means.

What came to unsettle me is the physical separation between the dorm-style offerings and suite-style. What’s referred to as The Village on campus is found behind the library, easily a ten to fifteen minute walk from the quad.

In The Village, rising sophomores who were granted suite-style housing live in either Faber Hall, Kostka Hall or Claver Hall, which are all side-by-side. From my understanding, students’ Stag cards also can access any of the buildings, due to laundry purposes. Perhaps in normal times and not COVID-19, this is typical for everybody here, but being a first-year all my experience has been is restricted access to only my building of Campion Hall.

If split up and placed in Loyola or McCormick Hall, I will once again be living in the quad, out of sight from the majority of my friends who will be living in The Village.

This is where I believe the height of students’

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disappointment is, when it comes to dormstyle living sophomore year.

Excluding Residential Colleges, which are filled with students who applied, are offered special courses, and have suite-style housing within their buildings, it feels as though we are relatively secluded. I admit a ten to fifteen minute walk isn’t awful at all, but bad weather conditions as the colder months roll in may still serve as challenging to venture into for some.

In a perfect world, it would seem to me that all sophomores, and all grade levels for that matter, should be housed relatively close to all others in their same grade. I believe this helps build a sense of community, prevents others from feeling left out, and just makes sense. In a slightly less perfect world, I at least believe that if a split was to occur, all Residential College students would be housed close together, and similarly with all non-Residential College students.

But again, this is just a perfect world scenario, and reality creates many more

obstacles to factor in. Styles of housing and what is fair for each grade level, the reality that you can’t just pick up Loyola Hall and move it to the village, special housing accommodations for students, altering class sizes each year, and so on.

There is nothing Residence Life could do to fix this heartache. The campus is already beautifully set up, with the rooms built the way that they are, and the layout remaining unaltered.

It’s impractical to think of the amount of construction or replanning that would have to be achieved to retain the perfect world scenario.

I do, however, think it's worth mentioning and being talked about. If campus had not already been built the way it is, the perfect world scenario wouldn’t be unachievable by any degree.

It’s simply a matter of layout, which I believe to have caused the most devastation from non-residential students denied suitestyle housing.

Transition to In-Person Classes Will Be Difficult, but Possible

By Samuel Raffalli Contributing Writer

According to an email sent from the President’s office on March 31, Fairfield University will be preparing to return to fully in-person classes by next fall. For many students, this news may come as a relief. After months of remote learning, compounded by the stress and difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, the return to in-person classes can be seen as some semblance of normalcy.

However, for others, in-person classes may introduce an added anxiety due to the increased potential for exposure to the virus.

I am taking into consideration both of these perspectives in developing my own view of in-person classes. As a personal anecdote, I have struggled with adapting to learning in remote settings. This has contributed to higher stress levels and difficulties understanding, remembering and applying my course materials. From observation, class participation has also decreased as a result of not being physically present in the classroom.

Despite my personal challenges, the novel coronavirus still remains a lethal and pervasive threat. Will the introduction of in-person classes increase the frequency of potential exposure? I say surely! But, should this prevent the University from returning to traditional classes if positive cases are controlled? I think not.

We will have to see what positive case numbers, vaccination statistics, and public opinion are like come next fall. However, it is necessary that an open dialogue regarding the transition back to in-person classes

begins now.

For those students and professors who are still uncomfortable with the idea of in-person classes, a “no-questions-asked” policy ought to be adopted. There should be no judgment by the University on the individual student or faculty member’s decision to remain in a remote learning

remote learning have had on both students and faculty. Part of the recognition means that the University continues to promote the pass/fail option for its students and takes additional measures to make course work more manageable in the beginning weeks of the semester. This may mean that professors lessen the ideal amount of work that would

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setting.

Moreover, it is necessary that the University makes the transition to in-person classes as seamless as possible. There must be a recognition of the toll that months of

normally be assigned, and/or professors make themselves more available outside of class times.

For students, it is important that we remain diligent and committed to academic

excellence in times of adversity. I buy into the idea that a unified student/faculty approach will make it easier for everyone to adjust once again.

I interviewed fellow student Owen Kelly ‘22 on his thoughts about the potential transition to in-person classes. He stated, “I want to return to in-person classes, but not if it means compromising my own, or anyone else’s health. As a Fairfield community, if we cannot collectively keep people safe, then in-person classes should not continue until this safety can be ensured.”

I also asked Kelly what would help him in his transition back to in-person classes.

He remarked, “It has been a long time since I have been in an actual classroom. I imagine I will need some time to adjust and get reacquainted with the in-person setting. I think that frequent communication between myself and my professors will help, as well as overall flexibility.”

Kelly echoes a lot of my views on the potential transition. That is, the safety of Fairfield students and faculty is imperative, and that accommodating measures must be taken to aid students and faculty in the transition.

If Fairfield is to shift to in-person classes in the Fall, then we must do it together. The faculty must remain open to the needs of the student, and the student must remain open to the needs of the faculty. Only by including everyone in this discussion, will the transition flow smoothly.

Yet, the transition to in-person classes should not occur if the virus is not well enough contained come fall 2021.

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

Opinion

Senior Says Farewell to Fairfield Beach Road

By Madison Feely Contributing Writer

It seems like yesterday that we were saying goodbye to our parents as they pulled away from our firstyear dorm rooms, after a long day of making sure that our bed was raised correctly, or if we had enough command strips. It seems like a lifetime ago that we had shower shoes and name tags on our doors in hopes that we would walk around and introduce ourselves to our neighbors.

I think many of us would give the word to live in Campion Hall or eat in the Tully one last time. We now find ourselves a month away from graduation day, where we will hug and cry and realize that we were the lucky ones. We went to the greatest place in the world with the greatest people. We were so blessed and although we knew it in the time, we didn’t know how good we had it until we didn’t have it anymore. It may be one of the most bittersweet feelings we will ever feel.

September first was one of the greatest days. Students moved

their things into their small houses, set up beach chairs outside to take full advantage of the beautiful weather and setting that they would then call home. All was good in the world and we seniors were about to embark on what could be one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime. There was so much hope that after a strange spring and summer, we would finally go back to normal. We hoped it would be a COVID free oasis, where we could dance around the Seagrape Cafe and live in a world where the virus simply didn’t exist. That dream was quickly shot down the first day. The white party, The Grape and our cherished point days were not anywhere near what we had hoped and dreamed they would be. People constantly apologize to us that “our senior year was so different than normal years.”

Yes, that it was, but in retrospect, many, if not all of us, wouldn’t change it for the world. We became inseparable with people we didn’t even know before. We became friendly with the bartenders at The

Grape and Jimmy from the liquor store down the road. We quarantined together, grilled together and sometimes, maybe studied together.

We learned the importance of community, teamwork and of course the forgotten idea that your friends really are your family.

That being said, May 23 will be a day of many emotions. We will wear white dresses but there will be no ceremony. We will sleep in our small beach houses and stand in the sand as we lock our back doors one last time. We of course will walk away with tears in our eyes, saying goodbye to the greatest gift any of us have been given. We will be grateful for the year we had, the memories we made, but we will regret not having done certain things. Then again, that’s the case with everything. There will always be regrets, but the good outweighs the bad any day.

I often tell people that these were the best four years of my life. I said the same when I graduated high school. The truth is every chapter

of our lives is wonderful. They are different, but they introduce us to new places, people and most importantly the love that we share with those. We have made friendships that will last a lifetime. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Of course, the education and degree are why we come to places like Fairfield, but at the end of the day all we have is each other. I think we learned that especially in the past year; to cherish the little things and to live each day in the greatest capacity possible. Wake up early for the sunrise, have that glass of wine, take the house shot on that Tuesday you said you were going to stay in.

We only live this life once and the one good thing COVID gave us is the

realization that we need to start living that life and so we did.

Thank you, Fairfield Beach Road, thank you to The Grape, to Jimmy from the liquor store and most importantly to the university for giving us this experience. We will forever be indebted to you. I wish those who have yet to experience this feeling great happiness. I am truly envious of you. You are about to embark on a year of nothing but happiness and love. It truly has been the pleasure of a lifetime learning, loving and being a stag.

May 23 will be a day full of gratitude but with very heavy hearts and I wouldn't change that for the world.

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Warm Weather is Great for Students if COVID Protocols are Followed

By Sydney Weis Contributing Writer

Warmer weather has come to rescue Fairfield students from the gray of winter, and with warmer weather comes the want to be outside more! Students on campus are spending more time outside, lounging on lawns and hanging out on the quad. However, with COVID-19 still being a major health and safety concern there comes the question of ‘is this safe?’

COVID-19 quarantines have gotten the better part of my mental health and even brought up the issue of feeling isolated. I’m sure this is something that many students have felt after being pulled from school just a year ago. Though it can be seen as risky to certain people, to go outside and socialize, I believe it's an important aspect of self care. Getting fresh air and soaking up some sun is the best way to boost my morale and it can still be done safely when following guidelines during these confusing times.

How well is DPS handling the safety of students while maintaining the balance of fun when it comes to outdoor gatherings?

“As long as we continue to practice social distancing and face coverings it should be safe,” Director of DPS Todd Pelazza tells me. Along with this he added that having the opportunity to get some vitamin D is great for students! Meaning, students are not discouraged from getting outdoors.

Though Pelazza shares the simple precautions students must follow to be outside, DPS has had to intervene on such social gatherings when safety protocols were not followed. Though DPS is doing their job, I can’t help feeling bad for these students who are struggling to find a sense of normalcy as a college student navigating

Editorial Board "Exclamation Mark, Not a Sign of Unprofessionalism!"

Molly Lamendola Editor-in-Chief

the obstacles of living in a Covid-19 world. I think that there are so many schools across the country, especially when thinking about larger state schools, that are less strict with COVID-19 restrictions.

Students living on campus all over the country have to feel this sense of confusion about how to behave and how to socialize when each state’s safety guidelines differ. “Remember, these safety measures are in place to keep the positivity rate low on campus,” said Pellaza.

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I believe students on campus should definitely take advantage of this weather and get outside! Though safety protocols are simple, I can see how there might be a sense of tiredness of COVID-19 all together. Though I said these guidelines are “simple”, I feel that

In my junior year of high school, my history teacher gave us three possible topics and told us to prepare each for an in-class essay. Due to my, “I hate the world, the world hates me” sixteen-year-old attitude, I decided to just prepare for one and hope for the best.

Low and behold, someone was looking out for me, and my prepared topic was picked. I was completely over the moon! I wrote the whole paper like it was a Netflix series, walking my teacher through the history of China with a flourish of my pen.

So when I got to an exciting part of the story, “And with a fury and passion the Mongols came in!” it was necessary to end my statement with an exclamation point, to show the drama. They didn’t walk in slowly, they came in! You know?

She, with her two Ph.D.'s in history and art history, and limited patience for students seemed to disagree and took the time to painstakingly circle each exclamation point with red ink. She went so far as to write some note on the top stating that it wasn’t “academic” to use an exclamation point, “You should try taking this more seriously, Molly,” but I was! I was interested in the topic and I knew the history. Just because I didn’t talk like a 70-year-old historian, I wasn’t taking it seriously?

This is not atypical slander for the poor exclamation mark.

I use it constantly. Every text is sent with a “No problem!” Every email, even if it’s for an important interview or to the Dean of something for an article, I begin with a “Hello!” or “Good morning!” and end it with “Hope you have a great rest of your day!”

I’ve been told it’s unprofessional. There are many Tik Toks of women joking about how they have to put on their “Masculine persona” to send emails

statement is easier said than done. Living on campus means a lot of surveillance from DPS which can leave students feeling maybe upset with their degree of freedom to socialize compared to seniors at the beach or those who live off campus all together.

Vaccines have started to ramp up, many students have scheduled an appointment or even been vaccinated at this point.

The idea of hope and a positive outlook for a near future without masks and social distancing has made me antsy and at times upset that I have to follow so many guidelines after this devastating year.

Understandably these guidelines are for our health and safety, but I believe many people are tired of following the rules and are more focused on getting back to their lives.

Students have not been able to experience college to the full extent that they did in a pre COVID-19 world. With the arrival of vaccines and the state of Connecticut now allowing all those above 16 to be vaccinated, as of April 1, students are growing hopeful. They are hopeful for a normal return to social life, which I think can create restlessness to not be as safe!

As I mentioned above, the idea of vaccines and most of the population getting a vaccine will definitely pose a threat to following these COVID-19 guidelines, I know personally I can’t wait to not wear a mask and I’m sure I will become more tired of it when I receive my two doses of the vaccine.

Until then, we must remain compliant to the guidelines placed for our wellbeing as well as to stop the further spreading of this life changing virus so many of us have suffered the repercussions of.

Remember to wear your masks and properly distance even when outside. Enjoy the weather!

without exclamation points. To talk like their male colleagues to fit in, to fit in with the “boys”... you know?

I urge women in the workplace to say a big, “screw you” to colleagues or others who say it’s unprofessional. If you want to use it to say a friendly good morning or “I hope you’re well!” use it. I could’ve internalized what that teacher said or what other career professionals said, but I think it’s ridiculously stupid to measure someone’s intelligence or professionalism by the use of a little exclamation mark.

I do understand that there’s a possibility that the use of the exclamation point can work against women.

I have friends who don’t use it, who then say that people think they’re not friendly, simply because they don’t find the exclamation point of use. Which is just as awful as thinking that someone who uses it is unprofessional.

So, what are we left with then? Women who use an exclamation point are seen as more unprofessional than their male colleagues, and those who don’t use it are seen as unfriendly. I think that this is just another indication of the simple sexism that still exists within society. Though we’re trying to work to structurally fix sexism, by fixing gender pay gaps and hiring more women in the workplace, there’s still a habit to try and force women into this very specific role.

I always think of that “Cool Girl” monologue from “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. It’s seen best in the movie version with Rosamund Pike’s chilling tone reading the passage as she runs away from her husband.

It’s a slightly dramatic example, but it’s true.

We as women have to be perfect- not perfect in the normal sense, but perfect in the patriarchal idea of what the perfect woman should be. She should be a gogetter, but not so much so that she oversteps and, god forbid, does the job better than the men that were in

the position before her. She should be professional in the workplace, but not cold or unfriendly. She should look nice at work, in a skirt and low cut blouse, but the skirt shouldn’t be too short and the blouse shouldn’t be cut too low.

I still remember standing up in front of my sixth-grade class with my hands against my thighs while my teacher went through and checked to make sure all the girl’s shorts touched our middle fingertip (at a public middle school).

My overall point is that I think it’s of course lovely that Fairfield is celebrating 50 Years of Women, and that women leaders are being highlighted for what they’re doing across campus, however, I don’t think it’s right to say sexism is gone suddenly because we’re recognizing women. Women have been on planet earth since the beginning of time, and we’re celebrating the fact Fairfield University thought they were deserving of a college education in the 1970s?

We will always have to work twice as hard on campus and post-graduation. We will have to put in the work, and then maintain the image of what type of woman society wants us to be.

Simply because I identify as a woman, I will always have to read over each and every email I send and ask myself, “Is the exclamation point too much here? Are they going to think I’m dumb if I send this?”

But, there comes a point where you just don’t care. I don’t care what they think when reading this because I know who I am and how capable I am. I’ll click send on an email littered with exclamation points just because I want to and I think it’s an unwinnable battle to try and guess what role the patriarchy wants me to fit in today.

I’ll use an exclamation point if that’s what I want to do.

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

The Vine

By Jessica Colloca Contributing Writer In 2017 we stepped onto campus with no idea what was in store for our college journey. Plenty of us spent the last four years hiking up the hill to the townhouses searching for our soon to be best friends, sitting in booths eating pizza, dancing on tables at the Levee, stuffing cookies in to-go cups to smuggle out of the Tully, laughing in lounges in our dorm buildings until the late hours of the night and mastering the art of “dartying” on a Saturday afternoon. We have made enough memories here to last a lifetime, and we are determined to add to the list during the last few weeks here at Fairfield University.

While seniors unfortunately missed out on many iconic Fairfield traditions this year like Pres Ball, Red Sea Madness, Clam Jam and numerous other usual senior events like the 100 Days Until Graduation trip and Oktoberfest; graduation is quickly creeping up on us, and many students are beginning to feel nostalgic about the events we were able to attend and their favorite Fairfield memories.

“I’ve been lucky enough to live with the same friend group since sophomore year,” says Hannah Bartfield ‘21. “Some of my favorite memories are just from move-in days, getting excited to decorate our dorms, the townhouse and now our beach house.”

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Nicole Dixon and Danielle Minieri ‘21 also attended Feliciano ‘21. “Everyone is excited to go on break and be done with finals, so we’re all in a good mood, singing and dancing to Clam Jam that year, and they are constantly telling the story Mariah Carey on the beach. Definitely one of my favorite days of their favorite memory. The two sophomores were excited at Fairfield,” she explains.

Fortunately for Hohorst and Feliciano, seniors were able to keep this tradition going this year, even in a global pandemic.

Many seniors still dressed up and celebrated SantaCon with their roommates or close friends.

During the spring semester, the weather is warm, and

Photo Contributed by Jessica Colloca

Marc Stacey at Clam Jam 2019.

Photo Contributed by Jessica Colloca

Hohorst at Santacon 2019.

everyone gets excited about “darties,” also known as day parties, on the townhouse lawn or the beach. Sham Jam is the first popular spring event, and Fairfield students don’t hold back on their attire or enthusiasm to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Senior Kristen Bonelli says, “I love dressing up for Sham Jam. It’s an excuse for everyone to order new clothes, and you don’t even have to care what anyone else thinks because you know everyone will be dressed in all green with necklaces and accessories.”

Senior Shannon O’Meara reflects on her favorite Fairfield

to spend the day at the beach despite it being very cold and gloomy. Dressed for summer, they ended up taking the tablecloth from the caterer to use as a blanket for the day. They did not seem to care that they were definitely getting a few stares from other students; they were warm, and in that moment, that was all that mattered.

“The checkered table cloth went on to become a wall tapestry in our room in our townhouse the next year, and people were always questioning why it was hanging on the wall when they first came over,” says Minieri.

Photo Contributed by Jessica Colloca

Bartfield and Dixon at Sham Jam 2019.

When asked what they will miss most about Fairfield after graduation, everyone said living with their best friends, and studying in place has forced students to spend more time with their friends. Leaving these both behind will be the hardest goodbye for nearly everyone.

“My favorite memories from Fairfield are definitely those days my friends and I spent in the library or the Mezz trying to study but just getting distracted by each other, laughing and having hour-long conversations about anything other than studying,” says Maggie Hahn ‘21. “It’s those days that you don’t even realize you’re making memories, but they are my favorite to look back on.”

Many students’ favorite memories stem from those traditional Fairfield events. Allie Tankel ‘21 says that Pres Ball is always her favorite event to go to.

“It’s the first event of the year, so it’s always the first thing we look forward to. My favorite memory is just dancing with my friends all night, and the mac and cheese bites are always amazing,” Tankel says.

Christian Chasse ‘21 agrees that Pres Ball creates the best memories, “It’s a night full of dancing with your friends,” he explains. “There are not many nights the entire campus gets together to celebrate, so I love dancing around everyone feeling like a community.”

SantaCon is another Fairfield favorite. Usually, the beach is lined with festive onesies, ugly Christmas sweaters and light-up necklaces, but this year things were a bit different.

“My favorite memory comes from junior year SantaCon. All of my roommates and I wore onesies and sang Christmas songs in our townhouse getting ready,” Heidi Hohorst ‘21 says. “I love seeing everyone dressed up, and my friends and I made a game up to drink every time we saw someone in a Santa suit,” she laughs.

“SantaCon is the last event of the fall semester,” says Josie

Photo Contributed by Jessica Colloca

Minieri and Dixon at Clam Jam 2019.

Photo Contributed by Jessica Colloca

Bonelli at Sham Jam 2019.

memory, “My sophomore year Sham Jam is one of my favorite memories I’ll take away from Fairfield. It was on the townhouse lawn, and the ground was just a sheet of snow and ice. Nobody even cared that it was freezing; everyone was just having the best time,” she says.

The most cherished event at Fairfield, however, seems to be Clam Jam. The class of 2021 did not get a Clam Jam of their own. Usually, the event is for upperclassmen only, but during the spring of 2019, “Two Friends” came to perform at the beach, and many of us got to attend as sophomores.

Senior Marc Stacey says, “Clam Jam was definitely one of the best days over the last four years. ‘Two Friends’ are one of my favorite music groups, so I knew I had to go see them.” Stacey is also a member of the school’s club volleyball team. He says that Clam Jam was a way that the team could say goodbye to their upperclassmen and cherish one last celebration together.

“We spent the entire day singing to songs we barely knew and dancing in a tablecloth. That day is in my memory forever,” Dixon says.

Despite the fact that we may not have had the traditional path to graduation, the seniors have undoubtedly left their mark on Fairfield University. We have made our best friends here, and for me, that includes my random freshman year roommate, Maura Sullivan.

One of the most cherished memories for both of us is when we decided to leave post-it notes all over our dorm for the next roommates to find. We wrote down our favorite memories we had made in the cinderblock walls of Campion 321 and passed down some tips and tricks to surviving our first year.

The girls who lived there next found us on Instagram, and we definitely got emotional hearing about their experiences in a place so dear to us.

Now, we are all dreading our final goodbye to Fairfield, the place we have all called home for the last four years. We are committed to making the little time we have left here worthwhile.

That includes making even more memories to reflect on in the next few weeks, whether that be in our own living rooms with our roommates, at the Seagrape, or at the events coming up like Mock Wedding and Senior Week.

The Vine

By Thomas Coppola Assitant Sports Editor Growing up in Trumbull, only a town over from Fairfield, I would consider myself a seasoned veteran in the realm of local ice cream. On weekends, whenever my friends and I would hit the town for dinner, it became a ritual to experiment with all

the amazing ice cream options that Post Road has to offer.

With that in mind, I should preface that no ice cream parlor on this list is bad by any means; the establishments listed here are the four best that Fairfield has to offer, in my opinion.

If you have not tried any of these, I urge you to give each of them a shot and see how they stack up against my rankings.

#4- Sunny Daes

Photo Contributed by @milkcraftct Instagram

I grew up eating Sunny Daes ice cream, so this pick carries a bit of sentimental weight for me. This is just your good old-fashioned ice cream place, which has a variety of different items like cups, cones, shakes, and even birthday cakes. Around Halloween time, their pumpkin-flavored ice cream really hits the spot.

Their offerings are relatively inexpensive, and the portion sizes are actually very good for what you pay. I will leave you with one more recommendation, though: if you don’t live near a Sunny Daes at home, get a tub of their vanilla or chocolate soft serve

By Brooke Lathe Vine Editor It’s been more than three decades since a small act of kindness blossomed into an impactful and life-changing organization in Fairfield known today as Operation Hope. In the winter of 1985, Fairfield’s First Congregational Church opened its heart and outer hallways for any and all homeless residents to find overnight shelter. Several local, homeless citizens took advantage of this opportunity, which revealed to members of the congregation that there might be a larger, unseen need for this type of assistance.

Seeking ways that they could do more to help, the pastor engaged other pastors, a local rabbi and city volunteers to join the effort. At an initial meeting of 13 men and women volunteers, one member noted that contrary to the response to the efforts to provide shelter at First Congregational Church, a few town government employees had expressed that they knew of only two homeless residents, and neither of them wanted help. This comment motivated Fairfield resident Bob Stevenson, a member of Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church, to dig deeper into this issue.

He went home later that night and asked his four children if they knew of any homeless people in town, and not surprisingly, they all quickly shared stories of numerous people and

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

the locations where they spent their days. Stevenson shared his new knowledge with the others at the next meeting. For some, it was difficult to reconcile this fact. Who would have thought there were homeless people right here in Fairfield, Conn., a wealthy suburb in the wealthiest county in the state?

But the need was real, the group of volunteers spread the word, and interest quickly grew among residents and students to help.

One year later, in 1986, this group legally formed a non-profit organization called Operation Hope. Due to the overwhelming coverage they received in the press, the town gave the non-profit organization use of an upper floor in a vacant building by the police station, where they added beds for a men’s shelter and soon a food pantry on the ground floor.

Operation Hope was also able to employ a social worker, who counseled the homeless residents on finding a job, managing their health, fighting addiction and more, and later expanded to shelter space for women and for families. Furthermore, many residents and students donated money or their time to help make a difference.

Today, Bob Stevenson, as one of the founding members of Operation

before you depart from Fairfield University for the summer. I guarantee that you and your family will enjoy it.

Rating: 8.3/10 #3- Milkcraft

Milkcraft has one major quality that sets it apart from the other three on this list: its trendiness. With that, however, comes a higher-than-average price point. Just because Milkcraft is on the back half of my list does not mean that it is bad at all; you absolutely get what you pay for. The high price point is matched with possibly the most photogenic ice cream cone you’ll ever have the pleasure of eating. The uniqueness of the experience is pretty unmatched, as well. The ice cream is frozen with liquid nitrogen and placed in a large bubble cone, and it tastes amazing. The store off of Post Road is a very polished place, with a small outdoor patio outside and plenty of seating. Out of the different places on this list, it has one of the most unique ranges of flavors, from “milk and cereal” to “strawberry balsamic.”

Out of all, I am personally partial to the “Sea Salted Caramel” menu item, as the combination of flavors is truly something spectacular that you won’t find in many other places. Although the trip to Milkcraft is somewhat hard on the wallet, it is undoubtedly worth it.

#2- 16 Handles If I were making this list based on consistency and reliability, 16 Handles would be at the number one spot; when considering other factors, though, it falls at number two.

Its close proximity to many popular restaurants downtown like Old Post Tavern, Colony Grill and Flipside Burgers and Bar make their frozen yogurt a satisfying treat after a tasty meal. With plenty of locations around southern Connecticut and New York, it is not difficult to find one if you are looking for a quick dessert. This establishment follows the common layout of a frozen yogurt bar, where the customer fills up their cup with any flavor of their choice by pulling down the corresponding lever and choosing the toppings you want. Payment is based on the weight of your cup, so going light on the toppings is probably not a bad idea if you are on a budget; however, you have to treat yourself once in a while! Their literal 16 “handles” that you pull to fill up your cup have a wide variety of flavors and even some dairy-free options with almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk. My go-to order is the classic vanilla frozen yogurt with strawberries and chocolate chips on top, but with all the sweet toppings available, the possibilities are endless.

Fairfield ice cream store: Saugatuck Sweets. Before you even step inside the building, the vibe is amazing. On weekends, it is common to see a DJ running impromptu karaoke sessions outside. Stepping inside the building, on the other hand, is like a time portal back to childhood; the vintage feel of the decorations coupled with the 1950s themed upstairs seating area is sure to delight. The entire process of getting ice cream is fast, and the actual ice cream is fairly priced. In addition, the ice cream tastes the best compared to the other places I mentioned.

I recommend the “oreo bomb” dessert, as it is the absolute greatest cookies-and-cream ice cream you will ever eat. After getting ice cream, customers can sit around the gazebo across the street or enjoy their cold treat upstairs at an old-fashioned diner seating area. This is some of the best ice cream I have ever had, and if you are an average ice cream eater or even an enthusiastic critic, then this is the place for you.

Rating: 9.7/10

And that brings me to the best

Of course, I’m no professional food critic, but I feel like I have eaten enough of Fairfield’s finest in order to give my (quite possibly unpopular) opinions. Each and every ice cream shop in Fairfield has its very own unique offerings, and I advise that you set out on a journey to try them all yourself!

Over the past few decades, their program has gotten so big, that their food pantry distributes packages to more than 200 families, 100 of which include children, and over 123,000 meals to neighbors in need every year.

What’s even more special about this, is that this section is almost entirely run by volunteer workers, proving the compassion of Fairfield residents.

Continually, Operation Hope has implemented a supportive affordable housing initiative in the early 2000’s that provides clean and safe rental housing for previously homeless families and individuals. Within this guidance, the program provides reasonably priced rent, as tenants pay 30% of their income for housing, and supply support services that help the homeowners remain in their Canva new housing and achieve any of their goals. “We realized that Old Testament.” if we discharged people from shelter Luckily, this non-profit organiza- with nowhere to go, and if they didn’t tion is still well and alive today, as they have some support to keep them from are celebrating their thirty-fifth an- revisiting whatever challenges brought niversary this year. Carla Miklos, the them to homelessness in the first place, current Executive Director of Opera- then we really weren’t solving the tion Hope, states, “We are not sure how problem,” Mikos shares. we can celebrate during this pandemic As for recent projects, Operation – but we are excited to have been a part Hope “recently purchased and is in the of the community for so long, serving process of renovating two duplexes people who really need us.” near [Roger] Ludlowe Middle School,”

Mikos states.

The once run-down, affordable housing units will now serve people who are in need of housing. Another thing Operation Hope has implemented is a rapid rehousing program, which allows people who are discharged from corrections to meet with a case manager and receive a temporary subsidy for housing to help them transition smoothly.

Lastly, Carla Miklos shares how Operation Hope also “has some funding to help people affected by the COVID crisis who have fallen behind in the rent or mortgage.”

When it comes to giving back, there are countless ways you can aid the Fairfield community. Miklos writes that students and staff can get involved by “holding food drives, raising funds and when we have need – volunteering to cook or serve in our community kitchen.”

Furthermore, when the pandemic ends and events start again, there could be opportunities to help with those. Also, “spring and fall clean-up of some of our properties can be very helpful.”

Operation Hope has four different sections, to learn about their duties, hours and contact information visit https://operationhopect.org/contact/. For more information regarding different ways to donate and updated COVID-19 rules, you can also visit their website.

Rating: 8.6/10

Hope, says he will always remember the group’s motto, which was suggested by Rabbi Leon Waldman of Congregation Beth El in Fairfield and inspired by Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” Stevenson shared, “The quote has stuck with me all of these years and is still my favorite passage from the

Rating: 9/10

#1 -Saugatuck Sweets

The Vine

By Kayla Maher Contributing Writer Summer is quickly approaching, and with a break in classes, many students may be looking for a temporary job to fill their free time. If you are looking for a way to make some extra money during the summer months while still enjoying your time off from school, here are a few summer job options!

What Kind of Job: Caregiver - Being a caregiver during the summer months is a great option if you are looking for something that has both flexible hours and helps build your resume.

For those looking to pursue a career in education, being a nanny is a great way

By Tyler Zikias Film Columnist It’s hard to believe that although the traditional Awards Season is long over, the Academy Awards have still yet to take place. Usually, there is much more debate and discussion regarding the Oscars’ biggest categories, but the winners seem to be already decided based on wins at other major award shows.

What makes the Oscars’ predictability so interesting is that, of the six major categories (Best Supporting and Lead Actress/Actress, Director, Picture), Best Picture is already pretty much locked in.

Based on the Golden Globes, the Critics Choice Awards and expert picks on GoldDerby.com, it appears that “Nomadland” will be taking home the gold.

However, there is one film that is not getting enough attention when it comes to the Best Picture race. This film is sitting towards the bottom of the pack, but in a different year where new movies are more readily available, I think this film would be more in the conversation. I’m talking about Florian Zeller’s “The Father,” my favorite movie of 2020.

No film in recent memory was as immersive, frustrating and heartbreaking as Florian Zeller’s film adaptation of his own play.

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

to gain experience with children.

Continually, those looking to work in the healthcare field may gain experience by being a caregiver to an elderly community member at a nursing home. Pet and house-sitting are also great alternatives that you can add to your resume.

Server - Although hourly rates are typically low, getting tips as a server is a great way to make some extra money over the summer.

When looking for a food service job, it is important to consider if you would prefer to be a waiter or a host. Deciding whether you’d like to work in a fast-paced restaurant or a slower environment is also something to consider.

Outdoors - If you’re looking to take in the warm weather while also making some extra money, try looking into some outdoor employment options. Lifeguarding is a popular job for avid swimmers and typically comes with an hourly rate between $12 and $13. However, you must note that you must be certified in CPR and first aid for children and adults through the American Red Cross Canva in order to work in this

position. If this is difficult for you to achieve, working as a camp counselor is also a great option for any outdoorsy people who enjoy working with children.

Large business - Working for a larger company is also a good option when looking for a summer job. Corporations such as Amazon have been known to pay upwards of $16 in the New York City region.

Furthermore, other businesses such as UberEats, Shipt and Postmates are also promising summer jobs for those looking to make their own schedule.

Internship - If your main priority is to gain relevant work experience in your field of study, searching for an internship is the best option. Some factors to consider are whether or not it is important to you if the internship is paid and how many hours per week you’d like to commit to.

Where to Look: Job Listing Sites - From Indeed to LinkedIn to places like Stags4Hire, there are plenty of job listing sites to find any kind of job.

Websites like Indeed allow you to create a profile and apply to jobs quickly by linking your resume, while websites like LinkedIn also tell you how many applicants each listing has and if you know someone at the company.

The film follows Anthony (Anthony Hopkins), an aging man with dementia who is constantly forgetful and blurs people and events together. Anthony thinks that he is healthy and constantly denies the help of his daughter, Anne (Olivia Coleman). Both performances are absolutely stunning, especially Anthony Hopkins, who gives quite possibly his best performance since “The Silence of the Lambs.” His forever-present shaky voice and aloof confusion make his performance so raw and alive. As the only character the viewer follows, Hopkins’ performance immediately introduces the film’s world and what to expect.

While Hopkins’ performance does allow the viewer to gain some insight into the story and world of the film, there really is no preparation for how “The Father” messes with the viewer's mind. While it is often cliché to say that a movie makes you “feel” like something, this movie quite literally puts you in the shoes of a man with dementia.

Rooms and furniture in Anthony’s flat will move to different places across the film. Established characters will have different actors portray them throughout the film—even information regarding the characters’ backstory from scene to scene. We not only see how Anthony reacts to these jarring events but feel

firsthand what he’s experiencing.

This year, I also wrote about “One Night In Miami…,” and how it is very difficult to pull off an adaptation of a play because it needs to be helmed in a way that brings something worthwhile to the screen. This delusion experience through Anthony’s dimension is a valuable and raw tactic used by Zeller that warrants this adaptation and makes the film worth watching. This style immediately engaged me and not only threw me off but kept me on my toes, trying to put the pieces together.

Not only does this film hit so hard with its interpretation of Anthony’s dementia, but the ending pulls no punches when it comes to redefining the plotting of the film and bringing the audience to tears. The film’s final moments feature some of the best acting I’ve seen in any movie this past year. Again, Hopkins’ performance is so incredible. In another year where Chadwick Boseman does not deliver the performance of the year in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Hopkins is taking home the gold.

I haven’t stopped thinking about “The Father” since I saw it in late February. It’s one of the only films I saw from 2020 that I could say was an experience. It’s a film that certainly isn’t easy to watch. The answers are purposely

Page 10

Creative Commons

Glassdoor - Websites such as Glassdoor provide you with helpful information such as current job listings, hourly rates and employee reviews. This can be a great website to check out after receiving a job offer to make sure you are being offered the same amount as other employees and what to expect from the work environment.

In-person- There is no place better to find a job than in-person where you can talk to someone face-to-face. Local businesses such

as retail stores and restaurants often have job listings right on their doors and may be able to provide you with information right on the spot.

Whether you are looking for a way to gain career experience, or just looking to make some extra money, there are plenty of summer job options for college students.

With endless listings online and inperson, there are also plenty of opportunities to land the job perfect for your summer. Good luck, and happy interviewing, Stags!

never clear, giving the viewer a sense of Anthony’s condition. I cannot wait to watch “The Father” again and wish

it gained more attention as the Oscars approach.

Grade: A+

Page 11

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

The Vine

By Tatiana Ryan Contributing Writer It is hard to make a great album, but it’s even harder to make a great concept album.

With “Dancing with the Devil...the Art of Starting Over,” pop superstar, Demi Lovato, has done both.

Lovato’s album, which came out on April 2, tells the story of her 2018 drug overdose, her growth journey over the past two years and her new chance at life. The album was released alongside a multi-part YouTube documentary entitled “Dancing with the Devil.”

The docuseries showed all of the events that led up to Lovato’s overdose and all of the factors at play, from her recovery in the hospital with firsthand accounts from her doctors, to how it impacted Demi’s family and friends. Listeners cannot fully appreciate the album in all of its brilliant entirety without first watching the documentary and understanding the gravity of the situations Lovato is singing about.

“Dancing with the Devil...the Art of Starting Over” is a chronological concept album. Even with many of its darker-themed tracks, this record is unequivocally the perfect “L.A. album.”

The CD features some R&B elements that Lovato first started playing around with on her 2017 album “Tell Me You Love Me.” The one aspect everyone will walk away with after listening to this record is the reminder that Demi Lovato is one of, if not the greatest, vocalists of this generation.

Each song plays its own role depicting

By John Bizub Contributing Writer

a different part of Demi Lovato’s harrowing troubles and tribulations in her life. The first three tracks, “Anyone,” “Dancing with the Devil” and “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye),” represents the weeks leading up to her overdose and her time in the hospital. The first track, “Anyone,” was performed at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

This performance was her first return to the stage since her overdose in 2018. The song is a sorrowful, sad piano ballad that talks deeply about her emotions. The sec-

ond and title track, “Dancing with the Devil,” is one of the most standout songs on the record. This larger-than-life song perfectly encapsulates Lovato’s mindset during her relapse with drugs and alcohol.

She sings in the chorus, “Playing with the enemy/Gambling with my soul/It’s so hard to say no/When you’re dancing with the devil.”

The album also delves into Lovato’s love life, including how her lifelong struggle with eating disorders has severely impacted

Before I state my reasoning, I simply do not like “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” I think Aaron Sorkin has a tough time telling a historical event and replaces it with quippy dialogue and bloated pacing. My reason is simply because of the current events that have been apparent in our country. Besides the obvious pandemic that has changed the world, the 2020 presidental election has impacted a vast majority of Americans.

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” is a film that will have many viewers rethink the justice system by telling you to vote for “the right candidate in office.” While the film has storytelling issues, the plot turns a powerful story into one giant voting public service announcement that comes out of left field. Also, keep in mind the insane cast and notable writer/director on and off the screen.

The Academy’s voters will applaud films that will teach them how to feel rather than having the audience think for themselves.

The Academy Awards will be broadcasted live on April 25 at 8:00 p.m. If you are interested in seeing which nominees bring home the trophy, you can tune in through your TV provider on ABC’s website or the ABC app.

As the year continues to go by, many avid movie fans anticipate what films will win the ‘golden statuette’, the oscar. These films have created buzz throughout the world, not only for film fans but those mainstream audiences too.

To state my personal beliefs, the Academy Awards have been nothing but a marketing ploy for home releases. Sure, many prestigious films received the recognition they deserve. However, that comes around once in a lifetime.

Films like “Parasite,” “Shape of Water,” “Moonlight” and “12 Years A Slave” are movies that were recognized for their achievements and impact on the film industry, and rightfully so. Recently, award shows have been delving into the political aspect. The more relevant and political jokes there are, the more the audience will enjoy, right? Sadly, that is not the case. The more topical jokes there are, the more audiences will roll their eyes.

While I do criticize the Academy Awards, it is fun to watch. It is everything the past few months have built up to and more.

These Academy Award nominations have not really impressed me, though. Films like “Minari,” “Judas and the Black Messiah” and “Sound of Metal” are well-deserved options. However, nominations like “Promising Young Woman,” “Mank” and “Nomadland” are solely getting suggested via word of mouth or because acclaimed filmmakers returned to the director’s chair. Again, I will be watching the Academy Awards this year because I am curious to see the outcome. If people asked me what I believe will win Best Picture, my answer would consistently remain “The Trial of the "The Trial of the Chicago 7" court scene.

Chicago 7.”

all of them. On the acoustic guitar-filled “The Way You Don’t Look At Me,” she sings about the pain that comes with feeling unseen and unloved in relationships due to her body image.

In “Carefully” and “The Kind of Lover I Am,” she talks about what she needs out of love and her personal revelations regarding her sexuality.

Lovato only briefly sings about her fivemonth whirlwind relationship and engagement this past year in “15 Minutes.” In this song, she explains how her relationship was built on the two of them not really knowing each other and how her fiance was only looking for his “fifteen minutes of fame.”

The pinnacle part of this album is when you finally see Demi Lovato in her life, where she is happy and healthy. Even through some of the dark themes, she finds a way to make the listener understand where she’s coming from and where she is now.

“The Art of Starting Over” is where she realizes the chance she’s been given back in her life, and “Lonely People” is where she sings to her newfound freedom and the joys that can come with being on your own.

But the album’s finale, “Good Place,” is where she acknowledges the tribulations she’s had to go through throughout her life, and that now is the first time she feels like she is in a good place.

The album is a message of hope and self-awareness and embodies a beacon of light to anyone struggling. I highly recommend this album to any music lovers who enjoy an album deep-rooted into the hard truths and difficulties of life.

By Brandon Robles Inkwell Writer

David Bowie Is my Home Far from the Earth And into the void Of space that’s filled with Star, brighter than A busy prom night I never went to prom I stayed home Remember the wing incident And the funny screams But David is out there Doing his own scream Labyrinth but in spandex Miley Cyrus but in binding tape A ten fingered man, but in skates A clock that tells time, but in Utah Why does it always go back to Utah?

Bowie would know

He would know why Utah Is a weird feature Or maybe America’s weirdest alien planet David would totally see The universe as it be Like a Starman in a tree Or A lad insane I miss that Major Tom Hope his circuit’s not dead I see him every once in a blue moon He’s floating like an anvil In a dishwasher in space A satellite hit him and now he screams I wish that the Major Would please shut up But Elton John is still alive And I like Don’t Stop Breaking my Heart

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

Coffee Break

Page 12

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

The Coffee Break Team has put together a Word Search based on the NBC’s sitcom The Office! Be sure to check back next week for more!

If you would like to submit ideas for word searches and games, DM us @FairfieldMirror on Twitter!

• • • • • • • • • •

Michael Toby Darryl Pam Jim Ryan Kelly Dwight Phyllis Stanley

• • • • • • • • • •

Erin Mose Andy Scranton Dunder Mifflin Paper Sabre Holly Jan

Creative Commons / Pixabay

Puzzlemaker / Discovery Education

“Fairfield In Focus” Gives Incoming First Years A Taste of Zoom

By Nathan Schmidt Last week, Fairfield University clubs participated in the second of the semester’s two Fairfield In Focus events — not on campus, of course, but over Zoom. The online-only quarantine-safe events, which were designed to introduce incoming first year students to the many exciting student-run groups at the university, successfully conveyed everything they needed to. In fact, the events may have done their job a little too well, because the main thing students remember now is that the meetings were a giant explosion of wait times and breakout rooms.

The effort was brave by all parties involved, especially the future students of Fairfield. But surveys after the events have shown that most of the incoming first years were “somehow already exhausted” by Zoom, and “reminded of online classes at home.” In the comment box where students could suggest any changes for future iterations of Fairfield in Focus, the most common replies were in the vein of, “Please send help.” This last part has been interpreted by administration as a good sign of early acclimation, because most students on campus have been saying the same thing for the past twelve months.

One incoming student, a high school senior named Leah Smitten from probably somewhere on Long Island, even contacted the Stagnation editor-in-chief after the event. “I heard they’re going to run things in person in the fall,” she said. “But I’m also reasonably sure I’ll spend at least some of my first year quarantined in, like, a large Tupperware box. Who even needs vaccinations, right?”

Still, the overall situation is positive for Fairfield’s student organizations as a whole. Club leaders are optimistic that the Fairfield in Focus events will drum up higher participation rates among those who resign themselves to a future of Zoom calls — or else masks, social distancing, and internet connectivity issues in windswept semi-open tents.

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SPORTS Sports

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

Sports Editors: Julia Lanzillotta and Tommy Coppola >>julia.lanzillotta@student.fairfield.edu >>thomas.coppola@student.fairfield.edu

Baseball Leads Nation In Recent Rankings

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University baseball team has had a perfect run this season, winning all twenty of their games thus far. They will travel to play two games at St. Peter's University on April 21.

By Thomas Coppola Assistant Sports Editor The Fairfield University baseball team continues to roll on in their quest for a perfect season.

With the Stags’ success in their series sweep of Monmouth University, they moved to an outstanding 20-0 record. They currently sit above all Metro Atlantic Athletic Association teams, with the number two slot occupied by

both Niagara University and Monmouth University in a tie.

The Stags faced off against the Hawks in two games on April 17 and two on April 18, with the Stags taking all four games.

Three days before, the baseball team was visited by their interstate companions from Quinnipiac University, who they beat 2-1 and 5-2 in a doubleheader.

The team currently has the best record in college baseball right now, switching places with the University of Arkansas who previously held the top spot.

Although the team has played every game on the Alumni Baseball Diamond thus far this season, they will begin the next week of play on the road, with a doubleheader against St. Peter’s University and a four game series against Manhattan College.

In this week's issue...

- Stags Eliminated By Bobcats In Semis (Page 14) - Women's Rowing Races to MAAC's (Page 15)

- Field Hockey Seniors Give Final Farewell (Page 16)

Page 14

Stags Eliminated By Bobcats In Semis Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

By Zachary Stevens Contributing Writer The Fairfield University men’s soccer team traveled to Hamden, Conn., where they faced the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the semifinals of the 2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday, April 13.

The Stags marched past Saint Peter’s University in the quarter-finals and headed into the matchup with the Bobcats with a 4-21 overall record.

The previous meeting between the two teams ended in a double overtime thriller, where the Bobcats stole the show by scoring a late goal to push past the Stags.

This meant that the semi-final was anyone’s for the taking, and although the Stags were the underdogs, they came into the fixture looking to advance into the championship.

The game began with both teams feeling each other out, with little being created on either side and little goal scoring opportunities. Fairfield was playing decent soccer, absorbing possession, while also countering effectively. They even got a shot on target in the fourteenth minute of the match.

Although the Stags started the game off strong, the Bobcats were the ones who first appeared on the goal sheet. David Bercedo and Jordan Bennett linked up brilliantly to set up Tomas Svecula in the sixteenth minute, where Svecula finished to put Quinnipiac up one early in the match.

Fairfield tried to fire back, but failed to convert in the final end of the pitch and looked to be completely blocked out by the Bobcat defense. The Stags would have liked to end the half with a goal to tie the game, but still showed great resilience by not giving up and continuing to put pressure on the opposition.

Only 12 minutes into the second half, the Bobcats doubled their lead when Brage Aasen scored his fifth goal of the season, after receiving a lovely ball from Paulo Soares.

The Stags did not hold their heads down low, the two-goal edge did not last more than 60 seconds, as Fairfield found its way to the score sheet when Thomas Drillen ‘24 accepted a ball from Joseph Stocchetti ‘24 and rifled home a goal, just 42 seconds later.

The Stags were rejuvenated after this goal, believing they had what it takes to make the unbelievable comeback and win this game. The pressure was relentless, Fairfield required decent saves from Quinnipiac goalkeeper Jared Mazzola, with two shots

by Kheireddine Kourdassi ‘22 and Jonathan Filipe ‘22.

Although goalkeeper Gordon Botterill ‘21 let in two goals during the game, he was a leader on the field that allowed Fairfield the confidence to stay within striking distance.

Filipe, who didn’t necessarily have a goal or an assist this game, made his presence felt on the pitch and was overall the best attacking player going forward for the Stags, putting shots into dangerous areas and linking with players well.

Fairfield led total shots (11) and shots on target (3) for the game, but failed to score another after their first.

They executed the game plan, absorbing Quinnipiac’s attack and then firing back on the counter, some days the ball just doesn’t go in the net.

The Stags put a very valiant effort forward, but in the end it was enough. Fairfield couldn’t find their equalizer by the time the final whistle blew.

The Stags finished as the fifth seed in the MAAC and had a very positive year, with an overall record of 4-3-1.

Fairfield would have liked to advance to the final, but at least they know they put their best foot forward every game this season.

The Stags should feel optimistic about this season and the upcoming one as well, bringing back a strong core group of players, which entails another exciting season of action in the MAAC.

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...

Julia Lanzillotta Head Sports Editor

How do you feel about the semester ending so soon?

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University men's soccer team ended their spring season with a record of 4-3-1.

Your 2020-2021 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Tommy Coppola, Sheila McCombs and Molly Lamendola

Do you think the baseball team Any plans for the summer? will keep this momentum

It’s crazy that I’ll be a senior in For sure. They clearly have the fall, but I’m excited to get something special going on. through finals and relax for the summer.

What will you miss most about What’s the quintessential ‘sumThe Mirror over the break? mer sport’?

I have an internship, thankfully, but I just can’t wait to spend some time at home!

The people! Thankfully, we still have another semester together after this one.

Aside from KanJam, definitely baseball. I hope to get to a few Yankee games!

It’s so bittersweet… it’s going Tommy Coppola to be tough saying goodbye to Assistant Sports all my friends.

Editor

100%. Every day it seems like they keep adding more and more wins, and I’m sure that will continue.

I will probably end up working a bit and going on vacation, aside from hanging out with my friends from home.

All the Mondays and Tuesdays spent with the staff. I’m so excited to see everyone in the fall!

Me and my friends all get together to play soccer every summer. None of us are good, but it’s the ideal summer sport to play.

I can’t believe it’s about to be Molly Lamendola Senior Year.

Editor-in-Chief

Sure! Go Wildcats!

Internships and law school applications unfortunately!

My lovely staff ! The workload will not be missed lol.

Waterpolo.

Yes! They have so much support from the Fairfield community and I think that will drive them!

Working, while still trying to relax and have some fun!

Just like everyone else, being with the staff !

I think for me swimming has always been my summer sport, and especially this year with the rescheduled summer Olympics coming up!

I am so sad to be leaving all of my friends for the whole sumSheila McCombs mer!! I miss campus so much Executive Editor when I am not here.

Sports

Page 15

THE MIRROR | Week of April 21, 2021

Women's Rowing Races To MAAC's

By Julia Lanzillotta Managing Editor Although sports like rowing generally fly below the radar due to the fact that it is far less of a spectator sport than baseball or lacrosse, who students can watch play on campus, the Fairfield University women’s rowing team is having a rather commendable season. With only four races scheduled for the spring season, there has been a lot of pressure on the athletes to compete well to secure good standing going into the 2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships.

The rowers started out their season in late March, when they took on crosstown rivals, Sacred Heart University. Since then, Stags’ Varsity 8 boat has been remarkably successful. On March 27, they took the first place spot out of eight boats competing, crossing the line with a time of 7:10.14. In the boat were Natalia Bertolotti ‘23, Florencia Caces ‘23, Christina Caruso ‘23, Alexis Mason ‘22, Isabella King ‘23, Grace Fallon ‘22, Audrey Sedensky ‘22, Ana McDonough ‘22 and coxswain Faith Kenny ‘22. The boat was brought back for the third race of the day, where they finished in 7:33.22 in second place.

"Everyone put in a great effort. Extra praise is extended to our walk-ons who have had less days in a boat pre first race than I believe any walk-ons in our history having had the fall season essentially null and void with regard to time in the boat… We have more work to do but we raced and learned a lot in the process," said head coach Dave Patterson in a statement made to FairfieldStags.com following the team’s debut.

“Our season so far has been successful.

We have gone out on the race course and had some really powerful and confident races.

There is definitely more work to be done but I am excited to see what we can accomplish in the following weeks,” said McDonough.

Returning to competition meant a lot to these rowers who were excited to come back despite the many adaptations that they were forced to make. Sedensky was particularly enthusiastic to get the season started, as a captain of the team. “Getting back on the water has been the goal since March 2020. My team was willing to face all challenges and headaches that came with rowing and racing this spring. It meant masks in the boat, masks on the erg, masks everywhere. It is not easy doing test pieces with a mask on, but if that means we get to keep rowing, we will do it!

The hardest part is not being able to see my family cheering my teammates and I on at races,” she said.

The Stags returned to the Pioneers’ water in Shelton, Conn. at the Sacred Heart Invitational on April 11 to take on Sacred Heart and Iona College. Again, the Varsity 8 highlighted Fairfield’s performance. All in all, the roster was similar, with a few tweaks made to the boat for that Sunday’s race. Bertolotti, Caces, Fallon, Sedensky, King and Kenny kept their spots, but new faces included underclassmen Anastasia Szymanski ‘23 and Kathryn Bergstrom ‘24. The group shaved

almost a full 30 seconds off of their previous race’s time, edging Sacred Heart with a time of 6:44.59. SHU trailed behind by a mere 1.69 seconds (6:46.28).

“It feels really great when you pass the line and know you were first and just finally relax and catch your breath,” remarked Fallon regarding her feelings at the finish. “Seven minutes, the average length of our race, doesn’t sound that long, but when you are pushing yourself to the absolute maximum it feels so much better to know the effort was worth it because you won.”

In their third meeting of this spring, Fairfield traveled to Leonia, N.J. to compete against Sacred Heart, Loyola University Maryland and host Manhattan College at the New York Rowing Association Overpeck Lake Training Center. Though the Stags’ first Varsity 8 boat, made up of Kenny, McDonough, Sedensky, Fallon King, Mason, Szymanski, Caces and Bertolotti, wasn’t able to notch the top spot, finishing the 2,000 meter run behind SHU (7:28.35), their second Varsity 8 and Varsity Four boats topped the leaderboards. The second Varsity 8 boat clocked in at 7:44.22 while the Varsity Four finished at 8:51.27.

“One single good rower is nothing if the rest of the boat is not in time together or pressing down on the foot plates with all their

power. My boat is constantly improving. The most you can ever ask of your boat mates is that no matter what they are pulling on the oar as hard as they can with you to win. I know that everyone in my boat is pulling their hardest for the team,” said Sedensky.

Fallon echoed that sentiment, also speaking very highly of her teammates. “The other women in my boat are amazing and I am always pushing myself so hard to stay at the level that we all expect from each other.

The whole team wants a seat in our boat so I know that anyone who gets the chance to sit there deserves it and has earned it.”

“We have had a lot of training behind us and we have a lot of training ahead of us but I believe that we could make a real impact at the MAAC this season. We have looked at COVID as an opportunity instead of a setback and I look forward to seeing what happens on May 16,” remarked McDonough.

Looking forward to the MAAC’s which are slated for May 16 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken Township, N.J., the Stags seem to be prepared to compete against their biggest competition pool of the season. Participants include Canisius College, Drake University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Jacksonville University, Robert Morris University, Sacred Heart University and Stetson University.

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University women's rowing team's first Varsity 8 boat has taken home the first place title in two of their three regattas this season as they gear up for the 2021 MAAC Championship.

SPORTS 16 Field Hockey Seniors Give Final Farewell @Fairfield Mirror

Week of April 21, 2021

fairfieldmirror.com

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

After a slew of cancelled games, the Fairfield University field hockey team scheduled one more match versus Sacred Heart University, where they gave senior players a proper sendoff ceremony.

By Thomas Coppola Assistant Sports Editor After an unfortunate turn of events, the Fairfield University field hockey team was left out of the North East Conference Championship game, a game played by the top two teams in the conference.

If the circumstances of the season were normal, the team would’ve had the opportunity to play in a playoff and have a chance at another ring. However, this year, the season got reduced to just seven games for the Stags due to complications with COVID-19 at opposing universities.

Head coach Jackie Kane, who has been the coach of the Fairfield University field hockey team for 26 years, felt mixed emotions about the abrupt finish to what could’ve been a stellar season. “We were super grateful and excited to have the opportunity to play, obviously it’s better than not having any chance to play,” Kane said.

Besides the uncertainty of the spread of COVID-19 among conference teams, there were some other factors that played into the disappointing end to the season, like the type of playing field that the team played on. University Field at

Fairfield University is home to the standard type of field for a field hockey game: the turf is smooth and flat. The fields that the team played on this season were unpredictable, which threw a wrench in the team’s ideal pace of play.

On their schedule, the team had two more games left that would help to determine their position in the NEC; one was against Merrimack College, and the other against Wagner College.

However, due to COVID-19 protocol, both games ended up being cancelled, which led Kane to reach out to Sacred Heart University for a final game, so that she could give her senior players the sendoff they deserve. “The seniors in particular, they want to leave their legacy, so we’ve actually turned it up a bit at practice,” Kane explained. “When we end, we’re ending at a certain level for the Fall 2021 team to pick up.”

The team does have the chance to get called up to the championship game, however. Even though they would not be entering the way they hoped for at the beginning of the season, it would still be rewarding to have a second chance

at glory.

Long Island University will be facing off in the NEC championship game against the number one-seeded Rider University.

If one of these teams is required to quarantine through the championship game, then the Stags will get pulled up to the final game.

According to Kelly Buckley ‘21, the team hurdled many obstacles while trying to bring the team together at the beginning of the year.

COVID-19 took a toll on team chemistry, as players could not gather together in social environments to get to know each other. “I’m just trying to keep everyone motivated,” Buckley mentioned.

However, the team played a low amount of games this season compared to previous seasons, with only seven total.

Normally, according to Buckley, this is the amount that they would play in a preseason, which evidently could feel disheartening.

Although her senior year has been one to remember, Buckley hopes to make many more memories in the realm of field hockey and beyond.

As a nursing student,

she would sometimes come to practice after long hours of medical practice.

Aside from this, though, Buckley is extremely enthusiastic about coaching field hockey one day. “No matter what, I definitely think I am going to end up coaching, hopefully playing at some point in kind of a recreational thing...I’m just trying to find the balance between a career and that, and it will be a little challenging at first.”

Although the National Collegiate Athletic Association has allowed all players one extra year of eligibility, Buckley would rather pursue her career goals, even though she has strongly considered staying at Fairfield for one more year.

Even though the rest of the season is somewhat up in the air, Coach Kane and her upperclassmen athletes are extremely confident and proud in the way that the younger students have stepped up as leaders, which will prove to be important as they grow with the program.

And with the messy and unpredictable season that they had this year, it is only appropriate the seniors are able to say their final goodbyes in the right way.

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

Pictured from left to right are the five seniors on the 2020-2021 Fairfield University field hockey team's roster: Kelley Buckley, Emma Matlach, Zoe Rosen, Danielle Profita and Meghann Maguire.