Fairfield Mirror 9/16/2020

THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of September 16, 2020

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Vol. 46 Iss. 1

Fairfield Releases COVID-19 Campus Data

Uber Controversy

By Danielle Sondgeroth Head News Editor

As of Sept. 10, only seven cases of COVID-19 were reported on campus among Fairfield University students. According to the Fairfield University website, 15 other students are currently being monitored through contact tracing. So far, none of these students have been cleared with a negative test result.

Out of 39 faculty and staff members, none have tested positive with the virus.

In total, the first week of testing produced 419 negative results out of 426 tests.

Testing will continue weekly at the Health Center, with a random student sample of about 5-10 percent of the University population. Testing is free and optional for the remainder of the student body, although it is highly recommended that students get tested if they are feeling sick or have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, including a stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea and a loss of taste or smell.

Opinion Uber and other ride sharing companies have received criticism for not opting to extend workplace benefits.

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Photo courtesy of nhpr.org

Catching Up with Club Volleyball

Race at Fairfield: Is Fairfield Active in the Fight for Racial Justice?

By Andrew Murphy Contributing Writer George Floyd’s death has ignited an overdue surge for racial justice. For the past few months, protests have flooded this country, as well as others, but they have not solved this centuries old issue. While the conversation around race and racial justice has become more prominent than ever, Fairfield still has not witnessed a desired shift in awareness and allyship.

“Nobody on campus really talks about it,” noted Chelsey Gabriel ‘22, president of the Black Student Union. “Everyone tries to just not mention it.”

Photo courtesy of @fairfieldbsu_ Instagram

“I haven’t seen much just yet,” said Dean of Students Will Johnson, echoing the observation of Gabriel. “I was certainly anticipating that there might be a little bit more of a buzz on campus, a little bit more conversation within the student body.”

This sentiment has registered with many people across campus. “I think that’s been the hardest part, seeing this change slowly surrounding our faculty and staff but not getting that support from our peers,” remarked Jessica Castillo ‘21, member of Racial Justice is Social Justice (RJSJ). “These conversations can only be as productive as the people that are participating in them,” she added.

Junior Tushi Patel has also recognized this trend. “Students really do need to do a better job of showing up. It’s okay to be imperfect, the most important thing you can do is just show up.

That’s why we’re in college, we’re supposed to be learning.”

The RJSJ coalition, an unofficial University group formed with the common interest of its namesake, includes immense faculty participation. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Book Club serves as another way in which faculty and staff are working towards this cause. Most notably, many professors have applied more race-conscious approaches to their teaching.

Gabriel explains that two of her pro-

fessors, who are both white, emphasized that race will be heavily incorporated into the course, regardless of how uncomfortable the topic may make students.

“They were just vouching for people like me, students of color, just saying, ‘There are people in this room who have been uncomfortable their whole life,’” Gabriel said.

This noticeable support has alleviated much of students’ frustrations with their peers’ apathy.

“It also gave me a lot of hope seeing that specific departments, whether it’s the Dean of Students, the College of Arts and Sciences . . . others within the community have risen up to the challenge, and really took a stand in solidarity,” remarked Patel. “Even though we are a predominantly white institution,” she continued, “people are really starting to participate in those conversations, and not only in those conversations, but actually in really holding people accountable.”

While the lack of response has both frustrated and disappointed many students, faculty and staff, there is still hope. Dean Johnson envisions a culture of communal respect, shared perspectives and increased awareness.

“I have certainly always been one that would hope our students would perhaps more openly engage in conversations about race and racism in our country,” expressed Johnson. “The conversations are taking place in pockets, which is good, we need for that to happen, but I am also one who would like to see more collective conversation from across the University community, and dialogue on these topics.”

The head of Student Diversity and

Multicultural Affairs, Pejay Lucky, remains optimistic. “My hope is really for us to just change the culture,” he stated, referring to his goal for RJSJ. “I believe it is happening.”

Some change has happened, such as the interaction Gabriel experienced a few weeks ago.

“The activities fair that FUSA held last week really opened my eyes because a lot of white students approached BSU and they were like, ‘Yes, I’d like to join the club.’ It was very surprising to see that because I actually didn’t think anything was going to happen,” she said. “I just didn’t expect certain white people to want to go out of their way to be our ally.”

This engagement with affinity clubs not only offers signs of allyship, but helps to change the culture. It stimulates the dialogues that Johnson mentioned. The leaders of these affinity clubs stressed the inclusiveness of these groups, as well as their immense value in bringing to light the underrepresented students and cultures within the University. Furthermore, these clubs can serve as a bridge between the gaps of social disconnect.

“I don’t want anybody, regardless of your race, to feel uncomfortable having these sorts of serious conversations, but I think it has gotten to the point where we just need to,” commented Gabriel. “I know that nobody would ever want to feel uncomfortable, but I have felt uncomfortable my entire life and I have just gotten used to it,” she added. “You just have to embrace the awkward . . . you’ll gain something valuable out of it.”

Sports President Milena Ciaccia walks The Mirror through the measures she must take to ensure that her team returns to the court.

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Update to the Arts

Vine Even during the era of Covid, art finds a way to flourish across campus.

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Creative Commons/ chaddavis.photography

Mural of George Floyd in Minneapolis

News

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

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Fairfield Opens New Media Center

By Catherine Howley Contributing Writer

This past February, Fairfield University made the decision to relocate the Media Center, formerly in Xavier Hall underneath the Fairfield College Preparatory School, to the Conference Center at Fairfield University. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit shortly thereafter, and the production and building of the Media Center came to a halt. This past week, two interviews were conducted in order to get more information about the new Media Center. One was with a professor of the journalism department and advisor of The Mirror, Matt Tullis, and the other was with Professor Karla Barguiarena of the communication department. After my interview with Tullis, it was learned that the primary reason for the relocation of the Media Center was because more space was needed for it. The University chose the Conference Center, also known as the old Dolan School of Business, as the Media Center’s new home since it provided the most readily available and untapped space on campus. Luckily, professors of the various departments who will be using the Media Center were able to inform the University about what equipment they would need or want.

Unlike the University’s previous Media Center, many Photo Courtesy of fairfield.edu departments will have access to this one, including digital Student works in the Media Center. journalism, communications and film, television and media.

The Media Center will have multiple uses, as it will not only be originally supposed to teach it in the Media Center. used academically but also professionally by the University. In regards to all of Since broadcasting communication will be more journalism centered, Barguiarethese departments who will have access to the Media Center, Tullis said, “When na is happy to teach in a traditional classroom, as she is able to fit more students we’re all here, we’ll all be working together...we all do the same thing, but for in there than she would have been able to if it were in the Media Center. With different purposes - to work together.” that being said, Barguiarena is hoping that as the semester progresses she will be While the Media Center is still under construction, it has made great able to visit the Media Center with her class, while following the social distancing strides towards being completed. The Media Center will have many new pieces protocols. of equipment that will be together in one space. This will be convenient for both As of right now, there is no set date on when the Media Center will be the professors and students who have use and access to the center. fully operational and open to students. However, there are some classes that are “The main purpose of the Media Center will be for the creation of mecurrently being conducted there. Hopefully, as soon as everything starts to get dia,” said Tullis. better with COVID-19, the Media Center will be fully operational and more stuUnlike recent years when journalism and film classes had to be taught dents will be seen there. in a traditional classroom setting, students will now have a much more hands-on experience.

For the first time ever, Fairfield University is offering a broadcasting communication course. Professor Barguiarena is teaching the course, and was

News

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

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A New Normal: Labor Day Weekend During COVID

By Danielle Sondgeroth Head News Editor

By Colleen Vann Chief Copy Editor

Danielle Sondgeroth/The Mirror

Fairfield students play beer pong outside on Reef Road.

Danielle Sondgeroth/The Mirror

The Seagrape Cafe is frequented by students from Fairfield and Sacred Heart University.

THE MIRROR Incorporated 1977

Catherine Santangelo, Editor-in-Chief Sheila McCombs, Managing Editor

Editors Colleen Vann, Chief Copy Danielle Sondgeroth, News Stella Henry, Assistant News Maria DiGregorio, Opinion Molly Lamendola, Vine Julia Lanzillotta, Sports & Executive Editor Tristan Cruz, Coffee Break Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Lila Condon, Director of Finance

Advisor Matthew 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

Fairfield University reopened at the start of September and quickly encountered its first true trial - Labor Day weekend. At Fairfield, this weekend is traditionally accompanied by parties throughout the day and night, drunken ‘ragers’ and crowded, sweaty beaches and townhouses. However, events like these have recently proven to be extremely dangerous due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 that has permeated campuses nationwide over the past month. Partying among students has forced universities to go into quarantine, or even fully close and go online for the semester due to an exponential spike in coronavirus cases. So far, Fairfield is a mixed bag - students can be seen wearing masks all over campus and social distancing outside of their dorms, but the weekends can prove to be a different story.

Over the long holiday weekend, a video initially posted by the Instagram profile “dearpwi” began to circulate throughout the student body featuring students at Penfield Point on a crowded balcony partying and drinking without masks on.

The caption reads “pandemic parties at @fairfieldu” with the heart eyes emoji.

On the following Tuesday morning, in response to “many images of students off campus enjoying themselves seemingly without a care for directives about gatherings, social distancing, or face coverings,” Dean William Johnson sent out an email to the student body stating that he was “disappointed” with the students’ behavior this past weekend.

“Your behavior this past weekend has now cast doubts on whether or not you have the wherewithal to make this experience that so many have worked tirelessly to plan for you work,” Johnson said in his email.

However, Johnson acknowledged that not all students are culprits in this scenario.

“This letter has been sent to all students. By no means does this suggest that all students are in the wrong,” he said.

In fact, the majority of students have been following the new COVID guidelines set by Fairfield and are being as careful as they can to not contribute to the spread of the virus. There are stories all around campus of students staying as safe as they can and following guidelines without sacrificing their socialization. These are just some of the real stories of a COVID Labor Day weekend at Fairfield.

Thursday, 9:00 p.m., Townhouses.

Seven friends are enjoying a pasta dinner together to celebrate the return to campus and the end of the first week of classes. One junior shares the exciting news with her friends that she found a beach house for senior year. She shows them how close the house is to the Seagrape Cafe, the local bar, within a few hundred feet. The guys are impressed. “Next year we’ll have to pregame at your house and then head to the Grape,” her friend says. “Well, you know, if COVID is gone and everything,” he adds. The smiles on everyone’s face falters for a moment. While grateful that they can now have small gatherings in-person, as opposed to the Zoom calls of the past few months, it is difficult for college students to face the possible loss of the traditions and rites of passage they have long awaited.

Thursday, 9:45 p.m., Townhouses.

Eight girls surround a pretty, painted beer pong table. They are out on the back porch, listening to music, drinking casually and playing a friendly game.

It looks exactly as one may expect “thirsty Thursday” to look like on a college campus, except for the fact that these young women all have face masks. Three have them strapped on their ears and covering just their chins, ready to be pulled up at the first glimpse of campus security. The other five wear them properly and pull them up or down every so often just to take a sip of their drink. Solo cups and cans being casually flaunted out in public is not so typical on the campus. “DPS kept circling earlier, but they like don’t care,” one blonde haired girl says to her friend after taking another sip from her cup. “I think they know that we are sticking with our own groups.”

The more relaxed response when it comes to on campus drinking seems to be an unspoken compromise made with students who are doing their part in keeping campus safe from a COVID-19 outbreak.

Thursday, 11:37 p.m., Meditz Hall.

The corridor is silent until you reach apartment 105.

Shouts of reveling juniors can be heard over the throbbing, pulsating bass coming from a speaker just beyond the wall. One boy knocks loudly on the wall, pounding enough for his neighbors to hear in 106.

His friends cheer him on and the knocking continues, leading to whoops and laughter that pass directly through the wall to the neighboring apartments.

Cheers of “bro” and “whoa dude” can be heard far beyond their front door. Just then, there’s a knock on the door, a cacophony of cans thrown in a black trash bag, and shouts of “Shhh! Be quiet!” A second knock is accompanied with a loud cry of “RA, open up.” A girl slowly comes out of the room, asking what’s wrong. According to the RA, the room was over capacity and some people were going to have to leave, not to mention that they were being too loud.

The girl apologized and kicked a few of the guys out, nervously retreating back to the safety of her dorm.

Friday, 8:18 p.m., Traffic Circle.

A group of girls stands on the curb, giggling and squealing, waiting for their Uber to arrive. Some are wearing blue disposable masks on their faces, some hanging limply on their chins; others are completely unmasked. They all wear matching outfits- brightly colored cropped tank tops, black skinny jeans and white sneakers galore. They stare at one girl’s phone and scream in unison. “Dude, no way,” one says, grabbing the phone and bringing it closer. Their Uber is here and one girl quietly sighs, “finally,” as they make their way into the cramped back seat of the car, ready to go explore the party scene at the beach.

Friday, 8:40 p.m., Reef Road Walking down the street, nothing but silence fills the night air. There’s not even the faint sound of a bass pumping out of a speaker, no occasional bellowing of a guy as he beats his buddy in pong or shotguns his drink like a champ. It’s dark and quiet, not the typical college beach community crawling with party-seekers. Then a light breaks through the night, and from the street the neon red of Solo cups seem to glow from atop a pong table. There are roughly six people in the yard of a house playing beer pong and listening to music that can only be heard within a few feet.

“I don’t think those are Fairfield people,” Danielle says. The gathering seems much too calm. But, as we pass by the house we see a stag-shaped decoration lit up in the window and know immediately that these are fellow students. They agree that they aren’t the picture of the typical scene at a Fairfield beach house. “The vibe’s kind of down,” Hannah Futo, a graduate student, shares. “This year it’s all small groups of people that know each other,” her senior friend Kyle adds. While none of these students wear masks around each other, as they know that they all tested negative for COVID before returning to school, they make sure to take the necessary precautions outside of their small, close-knit group.

“It is something that you have to think about, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s a new norm that we are all going to have to get used to,” Hannah admits.

To read the whole story, visit fairfieldmirror.com *Modified from an article written for USA Today by Danielle Sondgeroth and Colleen Vann

Danielle Sondgeroth/The Mirror

Crowded outdoor seating at the Seagrape Cafe.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

Fairfield Unveils New Traffic Safety Regulations

By Danielle Sondgeroth Head News Editor Fairfield University’s campus opened last week with a slew of new guidelines for students and staff to follow in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The biggest changes are the new traffic regulations that have been put in place, including the required completion of a daily COVID-19 related health questionnaire prior to entry onto campus, and the new security checkpoint and gate hours at the Barlow Road entrance.

There are only two gates open for incoming and outgoing traffic on campus this semester: the main gate on North Benson Road and the gate on Barlow Road. The Barlow Road gate has a new security booth, but this gate and booth are only open on weekdays.

A new regulation has been put in place to help monitor University members’ and visitors’ health in the form of a health questionnaire available on the LiveSafe App. Everyone on campus and anyone coming onto campus is required to complete this questionnaire. The questions include reporting any symptoms and if you have recently travelled out of the country or to a COVID-19 hotspot. The app will tell the person if they sound healthy by displaying a green check mark, or it will suggest that they go to the health center or another healthcare provider by showing a red “X”.

Fairfield has used the LiveSafe app in previous years as a tool for students to feel safer on campus, providing them with an easy way to contact the Department of Public Safety if needed. Now, the app is an essential part of daily life on campus.

Students are required to complete the survey every day and show the completed survey with the green check mark when they enter various public spaces, including all dining locations, the RecPlex and the Stag Bus. In order to enter campus at either of the gates, people in vehicles must show their green check mark to the security booth attendant to prove that they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

So far, with only two gates open to enter campus, and taking into consideration the checking of everyone’s green check mark on the LiveSafe questionnaire, traffic has been relatively stable and comparable to previous years. Junior Matt Bevacqua

had low expectations for the new traffic regulations, but was pleasantly surprised upon returning to campus.

“I had mental images of North Benson Road being like a parking lot 24/7 anytime I wanted to get on or off campus, but as long as they can see my LiveSafe check mark, it barely takes any time at all,” he said.

For students without cars on campus, it would seem that calling an Uber from campus would be harder this semester, but it hasn’t caused any problems yet. Senior Anwen Su has Ubered on and off campus a few times since arriving back on campus. The only difference from last year is having to wear a mask and show the green LiveSafe check mark at the gate.

“Ubers should still be allowed on and off campus as long as the drivers stay in their cars,” she said.

Students riding in Ubers must have completed their health questionnaire to get back onto campus, but Uber drivers do not have to complete it as long as they stay inside their cars when they enter campus.

With the implementation of the LiveSafe health questionnaire, there is the possibility that people lie about their answers in order to gain access onto campus and other areas like the dining spaces, which poses a risk to others on campus.

People, students especially, not telling the truth on the survey “makes it harder to police student activity and know who is following rules and doing things they shouldn’t,” said Su. However, Fairfield remains hopeful that students will continue to

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do the right thing.

Todd Pelazza, director of the Department of Public Safety, has an optimistic view of this.

“We are counting on everyone to be honest in their answers.

This will help us in keeping the community safe,” he said. “With everyone completing the daily health verification survey we will be able to quickly identify and get guidance resources to them.”

However, Dean of Students William Johnson stressed the gravity of the situation. “There is not much that we can do about someone being dishonest in the moment, but if we can determine that an individual intentionally provided false information through the LiveSafe app there will certainly be repercussions,” he said. He hopes that students will continue to fill out the health questionnaire truthfully.

Photo Courtesy of Google Maps

Fairfield University’s main entrance off of North Benson Road.

Fairfield Kicks Off 50th Anniversary of Women on Campus

By Catherine Santangelo Editor in Chief

This year marks the 50th anniversary of women at Fairfield University as undergraduate students. Throughout the year, Fairfield University will be hosting a wide range of events to celebrate this momentous occasion. On Sept. 9, the first virtual webinar event “Women at Fairfield - Trailblazers Igniting the Future” was hosted by the University’s second female provost, Christine Siegel Ph.D. On this webinar, three female panelists were invited to speak about their experiences as women at Fairfield both as students and as members of the Fairfield community in various roles. The panelists included Rosellen Walsh Schnurr, a member of the first group of women to graduate from Fairfield in 1974 and a trustee for the University, current and first female Vice President of Student Affairs, Karen Donoghue from Fairfield’s class of 2003 and Claretta Mills from the class of 2016.

President Marc Nemec provided some introductory remarks to the webinar where he mentioned that women were allowed at Fairfield as graduate students prior to 1970, but this celebration was in relation to women being accepted into Fairfield University at the undergraduate level. He spoke about how excited the community was to celebrate this anniversary this year and that he looks forward to future events being held throughout the year.

Following these introductory remarks, each panelist was given time to share their experiences as women at Fairfield and how those experiences have impacted them and allowed them to be trailblazers for Fairfield women and all women of the future.

Rosellen Walsh Schnurr began with her story of being among the first group of women undergraduate students to be welcomed onto Fairfield’s campus in 1970. She mentioned that there were only about 100 women on campus when she started. This is a remarkable concept when you consider that there are now more female students than male students at Fairfield, as Christine Siegel mentioned later in the webinar. Schnurr has many ties to the Fairfield community because both her brother and her sister attended the University after her, and she even met her husband here during their senior year while on a university ski trip. You could say that she and her husband are also among the first “Stag Mates” at

Fairfield. She spoke about many different aspects of her experience as a female student at Fairfield, such as how she only had one female professor during her time here who taught English and how the female students all created a very tight bond with each other. During the Q & A session of the webinar, Schnurr spoke again of the importance of the bond that was created among the female students. They held each other accountable and nurtured each other. She touched upon the concept of mediocrity, which was not acceptable as a student at Fairfield. She always pushed herself to work her hardest which was easy to do with how supported she was during her time as a student.

The next panelist to share was Fairfield University’s Vice President of Student Affairs, Karen Donoghue. Donoghue focused on her experience as the first female president of the Fairfield University Student Association and what it was like to break that glass ceiling. Donoghue ran for FUSA president in 2002 due to a “gut feeling” that it was something that she needed to do. The race was close, with her running against three men, and she recalled only winning by 11 votes. Donoghue reflected on how running for and being FUSA president shaped her into who she is today. The female friendships she made while president, rooted in love, compassion and loyalty, were particularly impactful on her development. The position also gave her the confidence that she needed to push back against the challenges that women still face, even to this day. The last point she mentioned was how being FUSA president helped her find her voice, recognize who she was and use this discovery to seek the change that she wanted to see in the Fairfield community.

Donoghue finished by saying how essential women in the classroom are, as they allow for diverse perspectives to be shared and for the dialogue to move forward.

The final panelist was Claretta Mills who graduated from Fairfield in 2016. Mills was a politics major with a wide variety of minors including women, gender, and sexuality studies and environmental studies. As a female student of color at Fairfield, she was involved in activism and racial justice opportunities on campus. She received her masters degree in Latin American studies from NYU, and she now works for a nonprofit in New York City. From her experience as a woman on Fairfield’s campus, Mills learned the importance of women encouraging each other to not feel ostracized when they may be the only woman in a room, but instead to have courage and understand that you do belong there and you deserve to be there as well. During the Q & A session, Mills gave advice to the future women of Fairfield by telling them to find their place on campus and to associate themselves with like-minded people and groups where you know that you belong.

This webinar was a great kick-off for the many other events that will be taking place throughout the year as the celebration of the 50th anniversary of women at Fairfield continues. Below is a schedule of the upcoming events that you can attend to help Fairfield University celebrate this amazing milestone.

September 10 - Fairfield Museum Ruby Sky Stiler Opening October 2 - Peggy Noonan at the Quick Center October 6 - Ana Navarro and Joy Reid together at the Quick Center October 7 - Catholic Studies: O’Callahan Lecture with Sr. Colleen Gibson ‘09 October 8 - Harriet Senie at the Quick Center October 14 - Judaic Studies: 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment October 20 - Alumnae Author Panel October 25 - BBC Arts Correspondent, Jacky Klein (expert on Peggy Guggenheim)

Photo Courtesy of fairfieldmirror.com

Opinion

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

Opinion

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

Uber Needs to Start Treating Their Employees Fairly By: Maria DiGregorio Opinion Editor

In the past, the only options for transportation were your own personal modes of transportation, public transportation or taxi cabs. Living in New York City, I would always opt for a taxi if I did not have my own car with me. In 2009, Uber revolutionized the transportation industry, allowing people to pay hired drivers to come pick them up and take them wherever they want. People pay for their rides electronically through the app, rather than using cash. On the surface, Uber seemed like the perfect solution to a transportation problem, but as Uber grew in popularity, issues started to arise.

One of the most important accomplishments of Uber was that they made it so that anyone who had a car could make money through their services. Some people made being a driver for the company their sole income, others used it to supplement their pre-existing job and others drove just for fun, to meet new people. Regardless of their reasons for joining, some drivers started to develop a grievance with the company because it did not extend workplace benefits and protections to them. The drivers of Uber were classified as independent contractors, in other words, Uber did not have to provide them with any benefits. The only thing they were responsible for was compensating them for their time. Being independent contractors allowed drivers to create their own hours Creative Commons/Pixabay and drive for as little or as much time as they decided. However, when you have people working for your company for eight or more hours a day, you need to provide them with workplace benefits and protections. At the end of the day, these people would earn approximately $10 an hour, which is well below the national minimum wage. In my opinion, this more than constitutes unjust working conditions. For the people whose main source of income comes from driving for Uber, they are 100 percent correct in wanting the company to give them workplace benefits and protections, which would include services like paid sick leave and minimum wage. In an article from the New York Times, an Uber driver spoke out about these unfair working conditions.

“Because of repeated pay cuts and an influx of drivers on the road, I saw friends

working 80-hour weeks who could barely make enough money to pay rent. I know drivers who suffered positional stress injuries from hours sitting behind the wheel without a break, but who had no health insurance or workers' compensation. When the pandemic hit, I saw fellow drivers struggle to navigate the unemployment system in California that Uber at one point argued shouldn’t be extended to us, even though the law clearly makes us eligible for benefits.”

This is an unjust way to treat employees, and no employee should be subjected to this type of treatment. If you run a company you need to treat your employees fairly, and you need to compensate them fairly. The topic of better working conditions has been an ongoing issue in society and we as a community need to do better.

In response to the drivers’ complaints, the California legislature passed a law obligating companies to extend workplace benefits and protections to their employees. However, Uber and Lyft refused to enact this law. According to the New York Times, Uber instead has opted to spend 30 million dollars on a November ballot initiative in California that will permanently exempt the company from nearly every basic state and local labor law, including overtime, paid sick leave and unemployment insurance. On Sept. 11, Uber and Lyft faced a court deadline that required their chief executives to swear under oath that they had plans to comply with state law if their ballot initiatives fail. They will then have to comply with the original order.

Treatment of workers is an important issue that needs to be addressed more often. It isn't right for companies to take advantage of their workers, and in the future we need to hold these companies accountable for their actions. When we see workers being disrespected, we need to speak up.

Creative Commons/Flickr

#Filterdrop Encourages a More Realistic Standard of Beauty for Women

By Catherine Santangelo Editor-In-Chief

If you have a social media account where you post photos, such as Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook, chances are that you have used a filter to improve how the photo looks. This is often the case especially if you are posting a photo of yourself. As social media has been on the rise in past years, it has become an environment where the photos you take and decide to post online, especially photos of yourself, don’t seem to look good enough unless they have fancy filters on them. Social media, as we know, is loaded with photos of celebrities, models, beauty experts and influencers. This is where expectation versus reality really comes into play because, of course, we expect celebrities and other personalities to always look their best, have the perfect face of makeup on and be wearing the best looking and trendiest outfits. But, the reality is that they are all human beings just like us, and they don’t always look perfect. They too have their moments when they are bare-faced, hair up, in their sweatpants, sitting on their couch watching their latest Netflix binge.

These personalities just typically don’t post photos of their more relaxed moments on social media.

However, even when they do look their best, they still feel as though their photos need to be edited or have filters on them to make them look even better.

This is problematic because the edited photos create an unrealistic standard for how photos of ourselves should look, and can have negative consequences on those of us who see these photos on social media. This is the reason why makeup artist and model, Sasha Pallari, launched the #filterdrop campaign on Instagram. Pallari realized how dangerous it is for people, especially younger children and teenagers, to be seeing these unrealistic and sometimes naturally unachievable appearances on social media, and thinking as a result that they are not good enough in comparison to what they are seeing. According

to BBC News, Pillari posted an “online rant” on her Instagram account (@sashalouisepallari) about this issue and about her idea for the #filterdrop campaign. The campaign asks people to post photos without filters on their Instagram accounts to really embrace their appearances and “value who they are above what they look like.”

The issue of social media containing many depictions of unrealistic physical appearances and the negative impact of social media users comparing themselves to these images has been an issue for a long time. We all have flaws, and we all have insecurities, because no one is perfect. The images that are posted on social media often give off the wrong message because they seem to say that if we do not look like the people in those filtered photos then we cannot be considered beautiful. This is so far from the truth because everyone is beautiful in their own unique ways, and that is the message that Pillari is trying to convey through her #filterdrop campaign. You do not have to have the perfect, glowing skin with the smallest of pores and the perfectly shaped body to be considered beautiful.

This world needs a new standard of beauty, but that standard shouldn’t be one thing. Society sets standards that are too high to achieve. The beauty standard is so high that even celebrities who we already view as perfect and beautiful feel the need to put filters on their social media posts to make them look even more attractive.

There are so many young and impressionable people out there who are influenced by what they see on social media every single day, and standards of beauty that are set by filtered, heavily edited and unrealistic photos should not be seen as reality.

Everyone should be given the chance to feel confident in themselves, not only in their physical appearance, but also with what’s in their heart as well. We are all beautiful in different ways. No one needs a filter to see that.

Instagram @sashalouisepallari

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

Opinion

Editorial Board

'Students Who Ignore Social Distancing Endanger the Health of Everyone'

As Editor-in-Chief of The Mirror, it is my job to make sure that we report the truth, even if that truth is hard to hear or something that people simply do not want to acknowledge. So here is the truth at its core: We are living in a time when unity is everything, working together is the only way that we are going to beat this pandemic, yet I have seen a lot of division lately. It is bad enough that this world is already divided between those who believe that COVID-19 is real and those who think it is just a political stunt or not even a real virus. Of course it’s real, but that’s beside the point.

What’s frustrating is that, even among all of the people who do believe that this pandemic is real, we still can’t follow simple and straightforward guidelines and procedures designed to slow the spread and stop this virus so that we can get back to some sort of normalcy. You would think that if anything could bring people together to work towards and achieve a common goal, it would be to stop this pandemic that is killing people and turning our lives upside down.

What’s even more frustrating is that ever since moving back to campus, and maybe even before that, I have become divided within myself. I want to have hope that we can beat this virus, and for a while it did seem like we were doing pretty well, when we got through that really bad initial wave and started to see the number of deaths decrease. However, that hope has dwindled since coming to campus.

I chose to come back to campus this semester because I enjoy being in the classroom and I do better in my academics when I am physically in my learning environment.

Despite only being able to participate in a handful of in-person classes this semester, I decided that it would be better for me academically to come to campus rather than staying at home and taking all of my courses online. I also chose to come back to campus because it is my senior year, and I know that if I chose to not come, I would look back on it in the future and deeply regret it. Like many of you who chose to move back onto campus this semester, I also came back so that I could see my friends and my boyfriend, of whom I was getting sick of only being able to see on Facetime during these long months away from school. Lastly, I came back because I had the slightest hope that we would be kept safe here at Fairfield. After watching the various webinars over the summer, I felt somewhat confident that we would be okay, and that the chances of us getting sent home in the middle of the semester were small.

In the days leading up to move in, that hope was disappearing, and here is where the division within myself comes into play.

To the students of Fairfield University, specifically those who are choosing to ignore the guidelines and procedures that were put in place to keep us safe, I want you all to know that your actions do have consequences. Was it worth it to wear your mask as an earring, a fashionable chin strap, or better yet, as a new pocket accessory, instead of wearing it properly? Was that party you attended with that large group of people worth it? People on campus are getting sick, and you could very well be part of the reason why.

Despite the number of cases on campus being low, with only seven students reportedly testing positive and being in isolation at the time of writing this, there are still people getting sick when there could be none. It has only been a few weeks of this semester so far, and the number of cases are only going to go up, so let’s prevent this from happening.

I understand that you want to see your friends, and I understand that college is supposed to be some of the most fun times of your life, but we are in a pandemic, and partying is definitely not a priority. Life is short, but it’s not that short. You will have opportunities to make so many more meaningful memories in the future, once we are out of this pandemic. If you choose to be stupid now, you might regret it later, and regret is a feeling that will eat you alive.

I know that the University’s plan is not perfect, but I do believe that the guidelines and procedures that have been put in place are not very difficult to follow, and do not ask much of us. We are lucky that we can even have friends come over our residences.

We are lucky that we have at least some in-person classes. All we have to do is wear our masks outside of our residences, social distance from people, not gather in large crowds and follow the visitor rules. I know these things are strange to us, but when it comes to a deadly virus going around, there’s not much being asked of us.

It makes me really sad that not even a pandemic can stop kids from partying on this campus. To me, those students value partying over their own health and safety, as well as everybody else’s, and that’s sad.

I know that a majority of the student body has been following the guidelines, and to those of you who are, thank you, and please keep doing what you are doing. It is people like you who will allow us to remain on campus, as well as get through this pandemic. I am calling Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

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Catherine Santangelo Editor-in-Chief

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out the smaller group of people who are choosing to ignore the guidelines because it really only takes one party to start an outbreak and send us home. If we all aren’t in this together, then I fear that we will not succeed.

To the University, I want to start out by saying thank you for all of your hard work over the summer to make returning to campus possible. I cannot even imagine how much work it was to get this campus operational amidst a pandemic. With that said, of course we all know that it is not a perfect system.

My main issue with the system is that, despite the basic threats that were thrown around about the consequences of violating the COVID-19 guidelines, I had serious doubts that the University would actually do anything to hold those violators responsible.

When I logged on to the student conduct webinar that was hosted over the summer, I was hoping to hear that violators would be held accountable and that those students who were putting others at risk of contracting COVID-19 would be removed from campus immediately. The closest thing I heard to that was Father Doody talking about how serious violations for students on the beach are now equivalent to felonies. Dean Johnson did say during the webinar that students will be removed from campus if they are found to be violating the guidelines. This was great to hear, because honestly, those students who are putting others at risk really don’t deserve to be here.

However, this brings me to the issue of transparency, which I’ve had many conversations about with other students at this University. The underlying theme of these conversations is that Fairfield doesn’t have much transparency. In a time like this, nothing should be kept secret. I am not asking for Fairfield to release all of the names of everyone who is accused of violating the guidelines or who has contracted COVID-19 on campus, but I am asking that students be kept in the loop about how the University is holding people responsible. There should be no warnings; the reality of this pandemic should be warning enough. In Dean Johnson’s most recent email, he did say that some students have lost their privilege to fully participate in their experience at Fairfield due to their decisions, and that the dean's office spent much of the week handling these violations.

This is great, but also what does “participate fully” mean? Students violating the guidelines should lose their privileges completely and should just complete their course work remotely. I at least hope that action from the University and similar communications like this will continue.

So many people have worked so hard to get campus ready to welcome students back, and it’s all going to be for nothing if you do not keep taking action and communicating those actions with the student body. The kids violating these guidelines are going to keep violating them as long as they get away with it, so don’t let them get away with it. The threats you have spoken about previously are being treated as a fear tactic, and people are not going to believe that you will actually do anything until you actually do something to prove it.

I am also hoping that the number of cases on campus will continue to be reported out to students as soon as that information is available. The COVID-19 dashboard is up and running on the Fairfield website, and it is supposed to be updated every Friday after that week’s testing results come in, so I am hoping that the University can stay true to this throughout the year.

As residents on this campus, we deserve to know this information so that we can be assured that we are safe here. I’ve had a few friends tell me recently that they want to go home because they do not feel safe. This should be concerning to the University. There are people on this campus who want to be here and want to try and have a somewhat normal college experience this year, including me. Again, the University worked so hard to get us all here. I would hate to see that all go to waste and have us be sent home.

It is my senior year of college, and obviously this is not how I pictured it would be back when I was a first-year walking onto campus for the first time. It is not the senior year that I wanted for myself or my fellow senior classmates by any means, but this is the reality we are living in, and it’s time for people to come together and work to fix this mess while we can. I will be the first one to say that this situation sucks, everything about it truly does go against our human nature and nobody was fully prepared for any of this.

Despite all of that, it is still something that we have to get through, and we are only going to be able to get through it by working together.

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arts, entertainment, features

Editor Molly Lamendola molly.lamendola@student.fairfield.edu

Photo Courtesy of @TheatreFairfield Instagram Photo Contributed by Dovile Sermokas Photo Contributed by Fairfield University Art Museum MollyLamendola/TheMirror Photo Taken from @daphnewillismusic Instagram

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

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T he Arts at Fairfield are Alive and Well

side by side. Yet, in this new virtual world, accessibility has changed for the Quick Center. Now, anyone from across the nation can simply buy tickets and attend the event virtually from their computers. In March and April, when Jones and the Quick were planning for, and pivoting to, an online platform, There’s this feeling when sitting in a theatre with a performance just about to begin. The lights they discovered that more people than ever were tuning in. “In addition, with the online platform, we dim, the loud chattering lessens until all that’s left is that slight hum of silence as it bounces across the were able to notice that folks were watching from all over the country versus just from within Fairfield room. You wait, with bated breath, for the first actor to step out on stage, excited for the chance to have County which was very exciting.” their voice carry to your ear.

This new understanding of the capabilities of the virtual space for events led to a further underYet, the first time I met Lynn Porter, the resident designer of Theatre Fairfield, it wasn’t standing standing of the many missing partnership opportunities. There’s usually a great partnership created on that stage next to each other. It was over Zoom, with me in my kitchen and her at a desk. with local businesses of the Fairfield community. Sponsorships with local businesses pay for many of I was a few minutes late, throwing my laundry in and dashing up the stairs two at a time. I’m in the great lectures, and the opportunity to partner with new businesses was an unforeseen opportunity an old Fairfield University sweatshirt with last night’s mascara still clumped to my lashes, and I’m hor- this year. Jones reiterates, “it’s been incredible to be able to collaborate with so many folks in a way that rifically out of breath, and she’s an image of excitement and plain zest. She sat across from me, or as hadn’t seemed possible in the past, and we hope it continues long past the times of COVID-19. Partners “across” as you can get through a screen, in a vibrant green shirt and Hawaiian floral blazer. include the Humanities Institute, the Frederickson Family Innovation Lab, the Fairfield University Art “Everyone assumes that the online environment cannot be an important, impactful experience… Museum, the GLLG Leadership Summit, #UNLOAD Foundation, Barnum Museum, the CT Dance we don’t agree with that,” said Porter.

Alliance and University Dance programs from throughout the state, and more.”

Theatre, as she tells me, is a people-focused performance. They wrestle across the ground when These new partnerships have allowed for such depth in the content at the Quick. The virtual cablocking, the actors stand nose-to-nose nearly spitting in each other’s faces. pability, though it removes the glamour of throwing on a nice pair of slacks and sitting in the theatre, Where mask-wearing and social distancing proves the only solution, the visual arts have had to opens so many new doors. I can now sit in my dorm room in sweatpants, with a cup of tea and listen scale down to a 12 inch silver stage. Nothing about the theatre is safe in this COVID-19 world. Their to some phenomenal lectures in bed. “The reality is,” Jones tells me, “we love having people come tovoices, instead of bouncing through the walls of the Regina A. Quick Center for The Arts, are shoved gether and enjoy the live performing arts and cultural experiences as a community in our theatres, but through one of my tiny computer speakers. in this extraordinary moment, our team is eager to take on this new challenge, and we appreciate the Porter says they planned for this. They canceled their spring production of Shakespeare’s support from the University to still continue to serve thousands of patrons both from our community “Titus Andronicus” before Fairfield canceled in-class instruction for the rest of the semester. Well, it and campus.” wasn’t canceled, but molded it into a more accessible performance in the form of “Titus Online.”

The Fairfield University Art Museum has also benefited from the accessibility seen through a fully “Titus Online” was arguably more than “Titus Andronicus” would’ve been. Instead of just virtual platform. Similar to both Theatre Fairfield and the Quick Center, they had to quickly pivot and Fairfields students’ performance of Shakespeare’s words, the online version was multidimensional. It switch their in-person exhibit to something Fairfield students could consume while distance-learning. was a video collection of interviews, stage rehearsals, stage combats, voice trainings and all the things Yet, unlike Theatre Fairfield, the Fairfield University Art Museum was limited in their ability to simply that provide an in-depth look behind a Theatre Fairfield performance. drop an exhibit and pick up something more virtually consumable. They plan exhibits two or three All of this content was for a production which was close enough to the actual performance years in advance, meaning the plans for exhibits are already planned for years after I graduate! that the actors could taste it. The sets and costumes were mostly done; all the energy and excitement Over the summer, the museum did discover new technologies available for displaying gallery for this performance was already stewing. So the goal, Porter tells me, was to take all that energy and spaces virtually, and from this discovery, “Howard Skrill: Monumental Follies” was born. It opened on transfer it to a virtual space.

June 4, and it is an opportunity for students and others interested to take a virtual tour of Skrill’s colFor the fall, Theatre Fairfield has chosen a production made for the virtual space. “Love & lection. I speak biasedly as an art history major in saying that looking at art through a screen doesn’t Imagination,” which will premiere on Oct. 23-25, is a collection of short performances and monologues hold the same awe-factor that standing inches away from a painting does. However, this new platform written by David Ives and Barrie Cole. does increase accessibility.

This was a choice made with much thought from Porter and her fellow faculty. “Love & Carey Weber, executive director of the Fairfield University Art Museum, further states that this Imagination” is a lighter performance. It’s more fun and charming than anything Shakespearean or new virtual world has created attendance numbers never before seen, and they want to carry that interotherwise. Porter realizes that there’s a danger here of ignoring what’s happening in the world, but as est into the new semester. “There’s a great potential for these virtual exhibitions going forward.” she told me, “We can put more good in the world by using our love and imagination. We can’t eradicate For the fall, Weber has more flexibility with attendance, as the museum is open for students to visit fear, but we can counterbalance what’s happening in the world right now.” without making an appointment. The museum is closed to outside visitors, so only students or profesYet, as “Love & Imagination” premieres just at the end of October, Theatre Fairfield is intro- sors with classes are allowed to attend. ducing one of their crowd favorite performances, “Director’s Cut.” Premiering on Dec. 4-6, “Director’s There is, of course, a capacity limit with social distancing in place, but even if a class plans to atCut” is completely student-run. Advanced theatre students put on these one-act plays, which Porter tend, Weber assured me that they’ve planned to have wiggle room for one or two extra students who tells me is an “easy peasy way to get involved,” especially for the students new to the world of theatre. just want to wander in.

The shorter pieces don’t require hours and hours of rehearsal time, nor do evenings need to be dediAll of this planning is in preparation for their stunning new exhibition, “Ruby Sky Stiler - Group cated to memorizing lines. All theatre this semester will be done virtually, over Zoom. If you haven’t Relief.” Curated by Ian Berry, Dayton Director of the Tang Teaching Museum, this exhibition stands performed since high school, or even middle school, and have been worried about joining the college out in a number of ways. Firstly, it features a female artist, just in time for this year’s celebration of theatre program, here’s your chance. the 50th anniversary of women being allowed to attend Fairfield as undergraduate students, which is Our call ends just as my phone alarm goes off for my laundry. Porter ends by emphasizing incredibly lovely. that Theatre Fairfield is “working hard to bring some good stuff into the world.”

There’s also something exciting about sculpture-based pieces, and thus Stiler’s “viewing bench” The Regina A. Quick Center is attempting to do the same. Their usual season can fill every allows students to sit and reflect on the exhibit, while enveloped in it, sitting on top of it. seat in their auditorium, as a mix of Fairfield students and Fairfield community members are endlessly This exhibition will be available for students to view at The Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery until entertained by whoever takes the stage on a given night.

Dec. 20. Weber mentioned that students should keep in mind, however, that as this gallery is inside the This semester, the stage is doing double duty. Each Tuesday, known as “Testing Tuesday,” 5-10 Quick Center, it will also be affected by the “Testing Tuesdays” and will be closed on Tuesdays to make percent of the campus population will line up on the stage to be tested for COVID-19. room for COVID-19 testing inside.

Though maybe this wasn’t in the plans for the fall, like Theatre Fairfield, the Quick was able If a student is desperate to get into the museum on Tuesday, the Bellarmine Gallery in the baseto use the spring to test out this new virtual world. Lori Jones, director of programming and audience ment of Bellarmine Hall will be open with a new exhibit opening on Sept. 25. “Andrew Forge: The development, told me, “with that experience under our belt, we chose to program an all new fall 2020 Limits of Sight” is curated by Karen Wilkin, and showcases 20 paintings and drawings of the dean and season combining some of the programs we had already intended to present, with new programs that professor of the Yale University School of Art emeritus from 1975-1994, Andrew Forge. best fit the online platform.”

As always, the Fairfield University Art Museum doesn’t simply stop at displaying art for students The Quick will be offering an incredible 55 events for their fall season. As always, they dazzle to view. They also createed a three-dimensional realm for students to enjoy lectures or events that within the performance category. Ann Hampton Callaway is set to perform on Nov. 13, and Orin complement each exhibit. Though you can view all upcoming lectures from their Eventbrite Grossman, Ph.D., an emeritus professor of visual and performing arts at Fairfield, is set to perform page, some highlights are the events they collaborate with the George Gershwin songs on piano on Dec. 8.

Quick Center on, including “Peggy GugHowever, it appears that their catalog seems to contain more speaker-based events than genheim: Visionary Woman Collector” and years previous. Whether it’s in the Open Vision, Open Vision: Expresso or “Monumental Controversies: The Quest for Open Minds category, the Quick has this magnetic pull to largNational Identity.” The Peggy Guggenheim er than life figures. Micheal Lewis, Khazir Khan, lecture will bring former co-host of ‘Art DeJane Fonda and Spike Lee are just some tectives’, Jacky Klein, to discuss the life and of the big-name speakers that art collection of Guggenheim. “Monu: have spoken in my time at mental Controversies” will have d l e Fairfi .org/ e : Fairfield.

Harriet Senie, Ph.D., director of r r t a a ld d fie The atre-fair son Calen .html e Despite the virtual the M.A. program in art history and h .t w w w ea index https:// part of this semester, the art museum studies at City College and 020 S ason-calendar/ 2 l l a e e: / rF 20-s # c 0 Quick has managed to score CUNY Graduate Center, discuss the e p t -2 p ffi ll a n t a e f e O / ick kC field.edu nline Box icket__publict many phenomenal speakers history of Mount Rushmore and how ir a Quic .f r e t uickcen patront er O site: to speak to a newly discovered monument’s affect our lives overall. b e http://q uick Cent rce.com/ticket/ W eum .fo Q e s international audience. The isWeber ends by mentioning r u u c e M .s s Up: ortheart y Art /museum/ f t r sue with the stationary theatres that the museum is always looki n e t s n g r i e c e S quick Univ field.edu m Event 29 ir 2 a d is accessibility. ing for feedback or suggestions 1 l .f 8 https:// w 7 e 4 w fi 0 u w 2 Fair https:// Art Muse -art-museum-8 The location and size of the on content students would like to g r y it ixy.o ersity airfield-univers ons/P Quick Center is perfect for students see.

She offers her email address, v i m n m o iveC eld U brite.com/o/f receiving the opportunity to attend cweber@fairfield.edu, to any stuCreat t Fairfi n www.eve these once in a lifetime lectures for dent looking to give feedback. https:// free. All Open Vision lectures are In total, I’m not at all worried about the vitality of the free for Fairfield University students arts at Fairfield. If there’s any section of campus life that can pivot to fully embrace to attend. It’s a good opportunity for this new digital world, it’s those that think creatively and champion the discovery of a “new way the Fairfield area residents and stuof doing things.” It will be a spectacular experience. dents to attend the same lecture and sit

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"Tenet" Tries to Stun, But Only Glimmers

By Tyler Zikias Film Columnist

It’s hard to believe that amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and after about six months of closure, movie theaters are once again open to the public, and a new Christopher Nolan film is our welcome back. “Tenet” is Christopher Nolan’s eleventh feature film, and may be his boldest yet. The film stars John David Washington as a character simply named The Protagonist, in a film that is hard to follow, yet always engaging. The film has mind-melting visuals and a musical score that draws you in, but there isn’t much under the surface of this one.

Without spoilers, this film deals with the concept of time inversion and moving back through time while other events are playing out in real-time. If you’re confused by that, you are not alone because this device is a trip. Nolan definitely relies too much on the audience being able to grasp these ideas, which I respect as a viewer, but it definitely could use a little more explanation in some scenes. This is odd since most character interactions in “Tenet” exist to reveal plot details to the viewer.

The visuals are the highlight of the film by far. Putting the pieces together as to who is where at a certain point, as well as who is moving forwards and backwards is a ton of fun. This film really activates your senses in a way I have not recently seen. It constantly moves forward with thrilling sequences using practical effects, while also asking the viewer to think about where the characters are. Some of my favorite sequences involve a real plane being crashed into the side of a hanger and a car flipping backward in time while the protagonists chase the villain. Both of these sequences are stunning on the first watch, but have lasting effects when the film chooses to return to them in a different way.

The central cast is very strong, with Elizabeth Debicki’s character, Kat, being given the most thematic material to work with. Her subplot is definitely the most engaging aspect of the film from a character perspective. Her relationship with the villain, played excellently by Kenneth Branagh, made me feel the most for her character in this film. That being said, there isn’t much else to grasp onto in an emotional sense in “Tenet.” It has a strong, gripping central narrative with a great subplot, but a lot of the characters feel hollow and are not very strong. John David Washington’s character is almost meant to be a placeholder for the audience, but Robert Pattinson’s character, Neil, while charismatic, is not interesting on his own. This is definitely going to affect how frequently I rewatch “Tenet.”

“Tenet” is definitely a film you need to see twice. There are so many moving pieces and puzzles to solve throughout it that it’s definitely worth your time. The visuals are unlike anything I’ve seen before.

It is an experience that lends itself to IMAX, the format in which I saw it. The central story is very engaging from beginning to end, even if you don’t know what is happening 50 percent of the time. My only wish is that the characters were stronger. They feel more like devices for the story to play with, rather than characters who are acting independently, based on their own traits. I still definitely recommend that you see “Tenet” on the biggest screen you can, whenever you feel comfortable seeing it.

Grade: B+

"i'm thinking of ending things" is an eccentric masterpiece

By John Bizub Contributing Writer As the year starts to come to a close, many seem to wonder about the plethora of films reportedly being released in 2020. Many releases have been delayed to next year or have been delayed indefinitely with no plan of release in sight. But, films like Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” and the new Marvel X-Men movie, “The New Mutants,” have been released in theaters during the pandemic. However, film studios have found a new way of releasing their films. Films like the live-action “Mulan,” the animated “Scoob” and “Trolls World Tour” have been released either on video-on-demand or on the studio’s streaming service. While this seems like a scary future for moviegoers, it’s nice to catch up on new releases and not have to risk anyone’s life in the process.

Netflix has tossed their hat into this ring by releasing multiple films this year. Many of them have even been gaining some Academy Awards buzz, such as the latest from writer and director Charlie Kaufman, titled “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.”

The film is Kaufman’s third directed film after “Synecdoche, New York” and “Anomalisa,” and is adapted from the book by Ian Reid of the same name. The film tells the story of a woman (Jessie Buckley) and her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons) as they travel to meet Jake’s parents for the first time. While they are traveling, the woman thinks of ending her relationship with Jake, as the title says.

I am going to stop right there with the plot synopsis because it is best to go in as blind as possible with this film.

This is Kaufman’s first attempt at doing “horror,” and I claim that genre very lightly. If you have seen his other films, such as “Synecdoche, New York,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Adaptation” and so on, you know what you are getting yourself into. Kaufman delved into the human experience with a playwright in “Synecdoche, New York,” he explored the memories we share with our partners in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” and he dug into the brain of a man writing a screenplay while experiencing writer's block in “Adaptation.”

“I’m Thinking of

Ending Things” is truly a triumph in and of itself, and shows Kaufman in his most inaccessible mindset. This is a film that will be engraved in your brain long after the credits roll.

As of right now, it is my favorite release of the year, and will be very hard to top. The performances are brilliant; Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons are both phenomenal, and they feel like these characters. Toni Collette and David Thewlis bring great performances and are truly given a ton in this script. The screenplay is classic Kaufman; it is thematically both beautiful and depressing, discussing timeless messages of growing old and the passage of time being too fast, while also speaking to how relationships work.

The film invites its audience to constantly rewatch, and the themes I have stated before don’t even scratch the surface. While you can make the argument that this film drags at times, I was consistently riveted from start to finish. The car scenes with the girlfriend and Jake were hypnotic and allowed the audience to understand their relationship. The horror aspect of this film is not what many think of when they think of the horror genre. Most modern viewers witnessed this genre become more about loud jump-scares and disturbing atmospheres. But, in this film Kaufman uses existential horror, meaning that he wants horror not to be about a monster or ghost, but about the human condition. He makes the fear of dying alone and of time slipping away much scarier than it actually is. The camerawork here allows Kaufman to pull off incredible feats and wonderful shots. On the technical aspect, this is Kaufman’s best film to date.

Stunningly real, and even more depressing as the two hour and fourteen minute runtime continues, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is a masterpiece from Charlie Kaufman. He continues to provide his fans, and newcomers, with intense themes and heart-wrenching imagery. Once again, the performances here truly shine, and the writing displays Kaufman at his most eccentric. I would love to see this film grab one, if not several, Academy Award nominations this year. If you have not seen this yet, I implore you to check it out and form your own opinion.

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THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

Power

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Turner's

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Art:

"Slave

Ship"

thing like that from happening again. To not have to suffer in silence.

This idea of quiet pain is what makes the fact that it took me so long to spot the hands in the water crucial.

I first saw the sun, then the ship and then finally my eyes were open to the hands in the water. But, once you see it, once you see their little wrists and the big sea creatures getting ready to consume them, you can’t ignore it.

Ignoring it, stepping away from the painting and choosing to see nothing other than the sunshine would be ignorance. You have to see the pain, the suffering, and then you have to act.

Because those lives don’t just matter, they are so much more than that. The idea of what the people connected to those wrists could’ve been, what they could’ve accomplished if they weren’t stolen away and murdered, makes me sick.

That is the power of art.

By Molly Lamendola Vine Editor

Creative Commons/Wikipedia

I fully understand that a decent amount of art is hard to understand. It’s difficult to grasp why the all-black Marc Rothko paintings sell for tens of millions of dollars, or how an artist can become famous just for splashing paint across a canvas, like Jackson Pollock. They’re both parts of this Modern Art movement that has moved away from strictly hyper-realistic portraits to try and evoke more meaning and emotion within the viewer.

Which...if the feeling you get from these more abstract paintings is utter confusion, I totally get it! But, there are some pieces that stand out within this early Modern grouping of pure emotion-based/abstract paintings. “The Slave Ship,” originally titled, “Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying—Typhoon Coming On” by J.M.W. Turner, is one of those paintings.

It pulses with this energy that a static, realistic painting wouldn’t have. The sky lights up with this orange glow, the splashing, pulsing waves crash across the horizon and just on the left-hand side, you can see the light brown outline of a ship in the distance. Then, as your eyes are dragging across the canvas, you see hands sticking out of the ocean.

They’re small, almost unnoticeable among the strong crashing of the waves. But, once you see them, and the thick chains wrapped around their wrists, you’ll notice the leg on the right side of the canvas. You’ll even start to ask yourself if the red color painted across the sea isn’t the reflection of the burning sun, but crimson-colored blood floating atop the water.

Turner painted “The Slave Ship” in 1840 after reading about the 1781 Zong Massacre, where 133 slaves were thrown overboard. They were worth more to the captain dead for the insurance payout than alive. Slavery was already abolished in England, where Turner lived, but he wished for that to spread to all nations.

Slavery existed in the United States for hundreds of years. Enslaved people were considered as nothing other than their economic worth to their owner. How much could they sell for? How much would their children sell for? It’s a horrific thought when you put it like that, but still, in the United States educational system, we have teachers asking their young students to give positives and negatives to the institution of slavery. As if there would ever be enough positives to make enslaving fellow human beings worth it.

The Black Lives Matter movement catapulted the nation into action through George Floyd’s death, another killing of a black man. Just one of the millions that have been killed at no fault of their own, but because we live in a country where institutional racism streams through the stripes of our flag. White Americans seem to only be spurred into action when confronted head-on with the violence black Americans have been living with their entire lives. It’s why Emmitt Till’s mother felt pushed to display her son’s mutilated body so publicly, a desperate cry to show what was happening, to try and spur change. To stop any- “The Slave Ship,” by J.M.W Turner (1840)

ART CORNER : OLIVIA BURKE '22 Creative Commons/Pixabay Photos Contributed by Olivia Burke

Creative Commons/Pixabay

By Olivia Burke Contributing Artist

Cubist Portrait based on Picasso’s “Head of a Woman”, made using photographs of Luka’s face and photos of clothing found online, with added color and brush strokes.

Poster created in the style of Russian Constructivism, based on Russian Constructivist poster Katalog posmertnoi vystavki khudozhnika konstruktora L.S. Popovoi (Catalogue of the Posthumous Exhibition of the Artist-Constructor L.S. Popova), dated at 1924,

by Aleksandr Rodchenko, with quote “Our duty is to experiment” also by Rodchenko.

Frames of an animation of an elephant based on photographs of an elephant walking taken by Eadweard Muybridge, drawn in the style of Nude Descending a Staircase No. 2, a painting by Marcel Duchamp.

Page 11

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

The Vine

Inkwell Spotlight We Came From the Theatre

By Brandon Robles Contributing Writer at The Inkwell

“Could so!”

“Could not!”

“Could so!”

“Could not!”

“Shut up!”

“No, you!”

“Piss off!”

“Go back to bed.”

Two fellows in a tussle There was a debate Among the pair Indiana Jones beating Han Solo Twas the lads of ages 12

The two went off Leaving a man Angry, But at peace.

“Laser gun!”

“Whip!”

“Wookie!”

“Plane!”

It went on for hours As if they never left the theatre Still bickering and bickering Walking back home

Absurd was the word For this neverending torment Until one man crept out And shouted from his window.

tiv

eC

om m on s/

Pi

xa

ba y

“Snakes!”

“Hutt!”

“Doctor guy!”

“Bounty hunter!”

Cr

ea

CreativeCommons/Pixabay

R e s t a u r a n t R u l e s C h a n g e , Co n n e c t i o n s R e m a i n

By Jackie Campbell Contributing Writer

These past few weeks, students have learned the locations of their classes, the personalities of their teachers and the names of many DoorDash drivers in the Fairfield area. The spread of the COVID-19 virus has impacted the preparation and distribution of food across the nation, resulting in large amounts of plastic being thrown out.

Most restaurants in Connecticut have responded to the challenges of state regulations by focusing on take-out and delivery options. Warm weather has largely allowed this, as patrons of local delis or long-established franchises have the ability to take their food to-go and get together outside. Kids can run around with ice cream dripping down their hands and a mask hanging on their chins. However, as the weather grows colder, many business owners are concerned about the well-being of their restaurants.

States have taken different stances on many aspects of COVID-19 regulations since March; however, the issue of indoor dining has sparked conflict within the tri-state area.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has allowed indoor dining at 25 percent capacity beginning Sept. 30, following significant resistance. This includes a $2 billion lawsuit led by restaurant owners in the city, many of whom have seen their doors close entirely. It isn’t just New York City’s restaurant industry that has taken a massive hit due to the pandemic and the limitations of take-out service. As of April 2020, Business Insider shared a prediction that restaurants are expected to see $240 billion in losses by the end of the year, with eight million restaurant workers unemployed.

Even with restricted indoor dining, restrictions to patio seating or outdoor gatherCreativeCommons/Wikapedia Commons ings may take a bite out of clientele. In response to the pandemic, Fairfield restaurants like Molto and Colony Grill have accommodated outdoor seating, with masked servers or People eat around a table not socially distanced before COVID. optional physical menus. This seating greatly expands restaurant capacity, but also allows the Fairfield community to find a slice of normalcy in the COVID-19 world. It’s refreshing to look across a patio and see the smiling faces of families and friends at neighboring tables— an image that resembles life before the pandemic.

Some food vendors rely entirely on outdoor opportunities, and have had to adapt in ways beyond seating. The Fairfield Farmers’ Market spreads throughout the Sherman Green on Sundays, with space between booths to allow for social distancing. Though music and other programs have been temporarily suspended, the market continues its determination to provide fresh, local food and connect with the community. Patrons purchase products from fish to fruit, but they may only be placed in bags by the market vendors. The Fairfield Farmers’ Market is on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m, rain, shine or COVID-19.

With colder weather around the corner, much remains to be seen regarding developments with COVID-19 and restaurant cuisine. Many of the states with the strictest dining restrictions, including the northeast, will also see the greatest changes with the winter season. Small towns like Fairfield, Conn., which features 365 restaurants, will have to see a combination of ingenuity and communal support this fall.

Food is love, togetherness and culture, but it is also a business. The restaurant community has seen a lot of struggle through COVID-19, but the rest of the country has proven its resilience.

As time goes on and the situation of America with COVID-19 continues to develop, one thing CreativeCommons/Wikapedia Commons remains true: people need to eat. And at the end of the day, we need to eat with one another.

Residents stroll around Farmer's Market happily.

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

Coffee Break

Page 12

Coffee Break Editor: Tristan Cruz tristan.cruz@student.fairfield.edu

How to Spice Up (or Create) Your Typical College Meals: The Coffee Break Team has put together some tips and tricks to make your college favorites just a little bit tastier!

Better-Boxed Mac and Cheese: Take your favorite Mac n Cheese and make it as you typically would (Annie’s Shells and Cheddar is highly recommended). Then add the following: - A splash of heavy cream - Extra shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and a pinch of parmesan - A pinch of red pepper flakes mixed in (for a little spice) To make it even better, when finished, add an extra layer of cheese on top and a layer of italian bed crumbs, then put it in the oven until the top layer is slightly crispy.

Creative Commons / Pixabay

Fried Rice Ramen Noodles: For this recipe, grab your favorite ramen noodle brand (Yakisoba Chicken Teriyaki is the way to go for this one): - Take the ramen noodles crushed up, and the seasoning, but do not cook them separately!

- Make a cup of white rice (jasmine rice preferably, but this is still college so whatever you have) - Add the cooked rice and ramen contents into a stir fry pan. Combine with slightly more water than suggested in the ramen pack.

- Make a pour hole in the middle of the rice and ramen, and crack an egg into the hole. Stir and fold repeatedly until the egg is evenly cooked and distributed within the pan. *For extra protein, add some grilled chicken cubes on top. Add a touch of soy sauce and teriyaki for flavor and enjoy!

Creative Commons / Flickr

Tomato Quick Rice and Poppin’ Dino Nugs: This is a great quick dinner that can feed a bunch of roommates!

Tomato Quick Rice: - For this one, take your favorite brand of rice (Uncle Ben’s is recommended), and add 1.5 cups of water for every cup of rice.

- Combine the dry rice, a dash of garlic powder, a teaspoon of olive oil, and a pinch of salt, then pour in your water.

- Add a heaping tablespoon of tomato paste and a dash of onion powder to change it up!

- Put it in the microwave for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Let it rest for 1-2 minutes afterwards and enjoy!

Dino Nugs: - Grab your favorite brand of Dino Nugs (Tyson Fun Nuggets are recommended).

- Using an air fryer is a life hack, but the oven does just as good a job!

- Mix a little bit of mayo and ketchup together for dipping sauce and enjoy!

Creative Commons / Pixabay

Creative Commons / Flickr

SPORTS Sports

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

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

This week, in Mirror History...

In Case You Missed It: Sunday, September 13th -NY Jets lost to Buffalo Bills, 27-17 -NE Patriots lost to Miami Dolphins, 21-11 -NY Yankees won against Baltimore Orioles, 3-1

Excerpt Taken From The Mirror Archives

Published during the week of September 17, 2015, contributing writer Travis Day covered the Fairfield University women's soccer team as they took down the College of the Holy Cross, 2-1. The Stags went 12-7-2 that season. The issue was published under Editor in Chief Shauna Mitchell and sports editor Patrick Kiernan.

Upcoming This Week: Wednesday, September 16th -Boston Red Sox vs Miami Marlins, 6:40 p.m.

-NY Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies, 7:00 p.m.

-NY Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m.

-Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds 7:00 p.m.

Excerpt Taken From The Mirror Archives

Published during the week of September 16, 2015, Travis Day wrote about Fairfield University's men's soccer team's 1-0 victory over Yale University.

The men went on to have a record of 8-5-7 that fall. This issue was published under Editor in Chief Patrick Kiernan and sports editor Alfredo Torres.

In this week's issue...

- Who Will Take Home Lord Stanley's Cup? (Page 14) - Sports Media Program Makes Its Way to Fairfield (Page 15) - Q & A: Senior Spotlight With Gabby Diodati (Page 15) - Catching Up With Club Volleyball (Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

Who Will Take Home Lord Stanley's Cup?

By Thomas Coppola Contributing Writer

As the season came to a screeching, unexpected halt in March due to the outbreak of COVID-19, loyal National Hockey League fans wondered what would happen next. After an actionpacked season filled with highlight reel goals and show-stopping saves, the league was put on pause.

After a few months of sorting out the COVID-19 situation, the NHL returned with a modified playoff format, featuring a newly created play-in round which would lead up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Teams battled their way through the first two rounds, but only four teams have proved themselves worthy of taking on their respective conference’s semifinal round.

The only four teams left in the running for the Stanley Cup are the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars from the Western Conference, and the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning from the Eastern Conference. The Golden Knights went 39-24-8 in the regular season, finishing with 86 points and 227 goals. Their competitor, the Dallas Stars, went 37-24-8 with only 82 points, as their season got cut short. The Stars scored 180 times, one of the lowest records in the league. In the east, the Islanders went 35-23-10 with only 80 points and 192 goals, but don’t let that fool you; the Islanders mean business, even if they are the underdog on paper. The final team is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who boasted an impressive 43-21-6 record before the season’s abrupt close, with 92 points total and a whopping 245 goals, making them the highest scoring team in the league this year; this makes them the clear frontrunner.

Making a prediction for this year’s Stanley Cup Final will be extremely hard to do, as every team has its star player, its standout goalie or its spark plug. For the west, I will be predicting the Golden Knights to move onto the finals over the Stars, but not without a serious battle. I think this series will go into seven games, and here’s why: I believe that the goalie situation will propel the Knights forward. This year’s playoffs have highlighted the importance of having a solid goalie between the pipes, and the Golden Knights have the advantage in this field. With backup Robin Lehner posting an incredibly impressive goals against average of 1.99 in the playoffs, per NHL.com, he has carried the Knights on his back. This is compared to starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s GAA of 2.27. This is still very strong, and allows the Golden Knights more depth in net. In the playoffs, Stars starter Ben Bishop has posted a baffling GAA of 5.43. This is extremely alarming news for the Stars, as Bishop letting in almost six goals a game may lead to a lack of confidence or morale. Another reason I am tempted to choose the Knights over the Stars is because of how the Stars’ offense is not producing as well as the Knights’ offense. Their defense has shown that they are extremely powerful, but the Golden Knights offense is simply better; William Karlsson, Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch have all been point production machines. I predict that the Stars’ defense will not be able to backbone the team to four wins, and the Golden Knights will close out this series in seven games.

In the east, I think things will go a bit differently. Although the sixth-seeded Islanders were able to beat two teams ranked higher than them, I do not think that they can replicate this success against the Lightning. The ever-present headline this season has been the wrecking crew that is the Lightning offense. In all three aspects of the game (offense, defense, and goaltending), the Lightning trumps the Islanders. In their forward core, they have their point producers like Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, and some enforcers like Pat Maroon. On defense, they have some of the best defensemen in the league in Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev, and in goal they have Andrei Vasilevskiy, last year’s recipient of the Vezina Trophy. As you would guess, this is the award for best goaltender. It is going to be incredibly difficult for the Islanders to break through this tight-knit Lightning team. Up and down the ice, the Islanders are not nearly strong enough to bring down the Lightning; that is not to say that the Islanders are bad, because they are not. They have seriously strong depth throughout their four forward lines and in their defensive core, but they are

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

Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

Catherine Santangelo Editor-in-Chief

not as talented as the Lightning who steamrolled the Atlantic Division’s top seeded Boston Bruins.

Another key factor in playoff success is experience, and the Islanders do not have this at all. The Islanders are like strangers to the conference final, having a drought of 26 years without making it to this round. The Lightning have made the playoffs each of the last three years, and made it to the Cup Finals in 2015, making them seasoned to the playoff environment. This is just another reason why I believe they can beat the Islanders, in what I would guess to be just five games.

It will be interesting to see how these conference finals play out, because regardless of the outcome of both matchups, we will have a unique Stanley Cup Final round that should be extremely exciting. Whether it be the Knights taking on the Lightning or the underdog Islanders taking on the Stars, I am excited to watch it play out. The loyal fans of the NHL have been waiting for a long time, and now that sports are back, we can cheer on our favorite teams in a safe manner.

Photo Courtesy of @VegasGoldenKnights on Instagram

The Vegas Golden Knights lost in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Stars.

Your 2020-2021 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Catherine Santangelo, Sheila McCombs and Molly Lamendola

What have you missed most Which fall sport at Fairfield about working on print issues do you miss most? for The Mirror?

Has your opinion changed at all regarding the competency of Stags to follow COVID-19 guidelines?

With so many public studyWhat impact, if any, do crowdless stadiums have on spaces on campus closed, where is your go-to HW spot? professional athletes?

I love the charming qualities of a physical copy of The Mirror, but being online for so long has made me wonder how we can transform this newspaper into a more modern version of itself.

I am not completely shocked by the events that unfolded over LDW. I still hold on to hope that the students will act more selflessly.

Lately I’ve just been spending all of my time working in my room.

Luckily, my roommate Ally keeps me company so I never get lonely!

I really do believe that the fans have such a hand in contributing to the morale of sporting events.

I can’t imagine a playoff game in any sport without fans.

I was prepared for some students to not follow the guidelines... check out my EdBoard piece in the Opinion section to read more about my thoughts on this!

Since I have a single room, I usually do work in there on my bed, as well as attend my Zoom classes in there, but I will sometimes do work out in my kitchen/main living area as well.

I think most professional athletes try to tune out the fans when they are playing so that their heads are in the game, but I agree with Lanz that fans definitely boost the morale at sporting events!

I miss field hockey! I really loved going to the games last year, and after such an amazing season, I was hoping to see the reigning NEC champions fight for another title!

I have missed being in the office Soccer, because I played in high on Mirror Tuesdays and spending school! Sometimes I miss playing, but then I realize that I get out of time with my staff ! breath just walking across campus to get to class, so it’s probably a good thing I’m not still playing.

OMG!! So many things but most Sheila McCombs of all being in the same space a Managing Editor our amazing staff !!

I really miss soccer, men’s and women’s! I love how action packed the games are and how quickly the game moves!

I think that there were always going to be problems with students following the rules, but I hope we can continue to do the best we can to make sure we stay!

To be honest, I have been spending a lot of time in The Mirror office!

Something about that place makes me need to get stuff done!

I think that it may be better for the players mentally, just because it takes off some of the pressure. But, I like to think that the Cowboys can hear me when I am screaming at them on TV!

I miss being made fun of for drinking sugar free Monster Molly Lamendola Energy drinks.

Martial Arts, and I like soccer, it’s the calves… in both?

Not the competency of Stags, but I do hope the University is following through in the punishments with which they’re threatening students who don’t follow guidelines.

I now spend 98 percent of my time at my desk. Sometimes I’ll hear my roommates whispering about when the last time anyone has seen me was. We call it “Molly’s Hole.”

I actually love the fake crowd sound during Premier League games, I think the noise adds a lot to the pressure and excitement of the game!

Vine Editor

Sports

Page 15

THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2020

Sports Media Program Makes Its Way to Fairfield

By Ryan Hourihan Contributing Writer

Fairfield University has long fostered a Jesuit education focused on building a strong foundation for its students’ future careers. With impressive programs in the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, Fairfield provides its students with the necessary tools to advance their careers. This has been further solidified by Fairfield’s decision to create a new major and minor in sports media. Headed by professors Adam Rugg and Matt Tullis, this new program hopes to give those interested the ability to critically and thoroughly analyze sports. The sports media industry is one of the biggest and most competitive fields that one can enter. It is often the dream of many sports-loving young men and women to secure a job at ESPN or NBC Sports. While Fairfield has long had a successful sports management program at the Dolan School of Business, the University has never really had a program that taps into this specific industry. The new sports media program will do just this, and will build a strong foundation for those willing to compete in such a competitive career field.

“We’re very excited to launch the sports media program here at Fairfield. Our new major and minor will allow students to learn the practices, skills and knowledge that make up sports media, while also engaging them in critical analyses of sports and social issues,” Rugg shared via email. “With sports taking a central place in both popular culture and national politics, our new program will produce students ready to thrive in this dynamic, complex environment.”

There are several key skills that Fairfield hopes to give its students through their completion of the sports media program. Students will learn how to examine sports critically, not just at face value, and how to recognize the intersection of social, political and cultural life. This skill in particular will be crucial in the tumultuous climate in which the country currently stands. Students will learn how to critically examine multiple fields related to the sports media industry, such as commentary, journalism, reporting and broadcasting. The major exists to prepare students for a career in the real world of sports, so defining all aspects of the broad sports media field is very important. Participants will also come to fully understand the complex relationship that exists between all levels of a sports program, such as the fans, athletes, owners and business partners. It is important for those in the field to recognize the dynamic among all aspects of a sports program so that they are able to provide accurate and thorough coverage.

The requirements for the sports media major have been carefully selected to ensure all bases of sports media education are covered. The core curriculum consists of 15 credit hours, or five courses, that cover different aspects of the sports media industry. Courses such as “Introduction to Sports Writing” and “Sports Journalism” exist to give students plenty of experience in the writing aspect of the field. The “Sports, Media, and Culture” and “Sports Media Industries” courses provide students with the ability to examine sports critically, tapping into a deeper cultural and social meaning when covering sports. To round out the core, “Sports Broadcasting and Remote TV Production” gives students the ability to learn all about what goes into the production side of sports, and how companies such as ESPN run their programs and provide their coverage. Electives of the 200 or 300 level complete the rest of the degree, which include courses such as “The Power of Podcasting” and “Literary Journalism.” While these classes do not all deal primarily with sports, students will become well-rounded in all forms of media and consequently be more comfortable with the media industry as a whole. The final step in completing a sports media major at Fairfield University is an internship or independent writing assignment. There is only one required course, or three credit hours, applied to this section of the degree. Fairfield University’s close proximity to many powerhouse sports media companies, such as ESPN, NBC Sports, and Yes! Network means that students will have the opportunity to work a meaningful and high-level internship. A minor is also available in sports media, with only nine required core hours and six required elective hours. An internship or independent project is not required for the minor.

Overall, Fairfield University’s newest major and minor program looks to greatly improve the University’s already very impressive catalogue of degrees. Students will leave the program fully prepared to take on the challenging field presented by the comPhoto Courtesy of fairfield.edu petitiveness of the sports media industry. Equipped with the knowledge that comes with completion of the major, Fairfield students The media center is currently in its final stages of renovation. should have no issue breaking into the field in larger numbers than ever before.

Q & A: Senior Spotlight With Gabby Diodati

By Kevin Stush Contributing Writer

Gabby Diodati ‘21 is a midfielder on Fairfield University’s women’s soccer team from Mendon, Mass. She has been an integral part of the team since her first year here. Last season, Diodati scored five goals and had eight assists. She has amassed a career total of 30 points over 54 games played. She has just one more season left to play, but it is filled with uncertainty as she is living through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q: What were your initial thoughts and feelings when you heard your season was postponed or even possibly cancelled? When did it become a realization for you?

A: I think over the course of the summer we were kind of being told to be hopeful, but at the same time to be realistic and prepare for all situations. I think initially it was disappointing because nobody ever wants their senior season to be cancelled. It was disappointing, but at the same time I was kind of expecting it. We were seeing other conferences start to cancel their seasons, which kind of led us to believe that it was only a matter of time before ours would be cancelled. I think we were not as surprised as spring sports maybe were. We just had so much more information and so many more expectations that I think it wasn’t this shocking thing that it happened.

Q: How has the postponement affected your current day-to-day life compared to previous semesters?

A: With our season being postponed, our training and practice schedules, and what would have been a game schedule, look different. We set up all our schedules for this semester in advance and we set them up to make sure it accommodates the games, but obviously now that's different. I think it also changes or adds a component of stress because we do not know if there will be a season in the spring. The uncertainty of it all can be a little overwhelming, and this goes for anybody no matter what. Despite the postponement of our season, I think it definitely makes things a little challenging, but it is an opportunity to grow and [it is important] for everybody to continue to be motivated even if our season is postponed.

Q: How has COVID-19 affected the spirit of everyone on the team? Do you feel like the team, including the new first-years, are equally as close of a team as years past?

A: I think it's definitely been more difficult for the sole reason that usually we have a whole month before everybody gets here where we are together 24/7. Being around each other all the time helps to develop strong relationships. But, I think despite not being able to do that, we still have implemented unique ways to establish those relationships from afar. The seniors obviously live off campus, so it is not like we are around each other besides practice, so that’s definitely been more challenging. But we have used ways like coming up with groups and making sure that we are holding each other accountable over the summer. We would use different groups from different years and have a groupchat, just like checking-in, making sure everyone was doing okay over the summer. I think that definitely helped. As a first-year, coming in is scary and I think it helps to kind of make them feel a little more comfortable to at least know a couple more people. Now we are in practice, so we can see each other there. I think it's definitely different overall, but I think at the end of the day it's just going to take more time, but we still will develop those strong relationships. I am not worried about that.

Q: What has late summer and fall training been like? Do you feel that precautions have inhibited the team's ability to have a proper practice?

What do these trainings look like as compared to years past?

A: No, I would not say that it has inhibited our training, but rather shifted our focus for right now. With the season being canceled and guidelines being strict in terms of how many people you can have out there, it is definitely more focused on working on our technical abilities and tactics. Although right now it is uncertain whether we [will] have our season in the spring, it is important that we continue to motivate each other. We have really focused on this concept of competing. We are competing in everything that we do, whether it be fitness or technical drills, because everything right now is non-contact. That is definitely different than years past because usually right now we would be preparing to play games so we would be doing some kind of contact. That has kind of shifted the way that we practice, but not necessarily the way that we compete. I think that's definitely going to continue to be an important point for us because we are going to prepare like we have a season no matter what.

Q: If you do end up having a season, what do you expect? What are you anticipating?

A: I think it is really hard to try and come up with what it is going to look like in your mind because everything is so uncertain. I think that we are kind of looking mainly at a conference season. I think there are going to be different rules and regulations; it is not going to be like it has been in the past and I think that is going to be something important to look at. There are going to be different rules in terms of when you have to wear a mask, if it has to be worn on the bench and with how many people you are allowed to travel. All those things are definitely going to impact us as a team, especially for those who have been here and know differently, as compared to the incoming students who do not know any differently yet. It might be a bit of an easier transition for them. I think it may also be a shorter season, which is a little disappointing if it is our last season. I can’t say anything past that because it is so uncertain.

Q: What would you do, personally, if your only option is to play next year, similar to that extra year given to spring sport athletes?

Would you stick around and play?

A: Personally, yes. I still have more to give to this program and I think we have a little bit of unfinished business from last year. So, if we don’t have a spring, I would definitely consider coming back in the fall. To me, it is important to play my last season, whether that be in the spring or fall. I definitely think that is in the cards for me.

Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Diodati has a career total of 6 goals and 18 assists.

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports

Week of September 16, 2020

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16

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

Catching Up With Club Volleyball

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor Every day, sports headlines are peppered with the latest updates on the status of Division I athletics, and how they plan to push through the pandemic. Unfortunately for club athletes, many questions remain unanswered regarding their plan to return to practice. Although a hallmark of this virus is uncertainty, athletes who seek to pursue their passion on a less intense stage are yet another population who must play the waiting game.

The president of the women’s club volleyball team at Fairfield University is Milena Ciaccia ‘21, who has been a member of the team for four years now. Of course, this is not how she anticipated her senior season would play out; however, she remains hopeful that her and her beloved teammates will be able to return to the court in no time. “I think that the fall will be a big testing period, not only for us [club athletes], but everyone in general,” exclaimed Ciaccia, recognizing the importance of students’ responsible behavior this semester. She realizes that following community guidelines is essential in deciding whether or not Stag Country will be welcomed home again in the spring.

The squad was scheduled to attend the 2020 National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Volleyball Championships in Kansas City, Mo. on the weekend of April 9. The tournament was canceled on March 13 in a statement released by NCVF president Sante Perrelli. The announcement stated that, “After assessing risks, communicating with USA Volleyball and working with constituents around the country, the NCVF Board has voted unanimously in support of this action [to cancel the event].” The abrupt end to graduating Stags’ careers certainly conjures worry that history may repeat itself, but such a reality is not only up to the discretion of the University, but also to the Northeast Women’s Volleyball Club League. Per the NWVCL, no tournaments are permitted to be held in the fall for any reason. According to the Fairfield libero, the league is looking into insurance for both the referees and the athletes who are a part of the NWVCL, but no definite decisions have been made at this time.

The traditional volleyball game entails having six players on either side of the net, tallying to a total of twelve players on the court at a time. According to a message sent to all students from the Dean of Students, William H. Johnson, Ph. D., “gathering in groups of more than 10 is not permissible at any time, in any location, indoors or outdoors, without the approval of authorized University personnel.” This makes it impossible for the women to practice as a cohesive unit, leaving student-leaders like Ciaccia to be crafty in their decision making. She and her teammates have come up with some ideas to facilitate practice safely, but the most prevalent challenge that playing volleyball has posed during these times has to do with contact. To avoid as much physical contact as possible, they have pondered the idea of practicing in pods, or smaller groups, divied up by position. This way, these small groups will practice exclusively with each other, avoiding contact with too many people.

The senior explained that club teams received notice over the summer from the director of recreation, Eli Olken-Dann, that club athletes would have to serve a 10-day grace period on campus before scheduling any practices.

This way, the University could monitor the reintegration of students back into the community closely, and ensure that it was safe to proceed with extracurricular activities.

As of the most recent email sent to club teams by recreation, that 10-day

period has been protracted to last until Oct. 1. This is not to say that practices will resume as normal. Olken-Dann and the Department of Recreation have worked tirelessly to create a procedure which would be in the best interest of the health and safety of both the club athletes, and the University community. Any club team that chooses to continue their sport this season must follow strict protocols. The Club Sports Operating Requirements state that “club athletes will be required to submit verification of their daily health screening, the day of their engagement or training to the supervisor on duty,” and that “club teams will declare more than 24 hours in advance, who will be attending any given practice.” Additionally, every team who looks to participate in practicing this season must submit a written report for their plan of action and guidelines, which they are required to get approved.

Photo Contributed by Caroline Lanzillotta These rules, among others which were outlined in great detail to all club Caroline Lanzillotta (left) and Milena Ciaccia (right). athletes, were thoughtfully curated. Some of these regulations seem like COVID-19 common sense, but others will take some getting used to for players. In terms of explaining their group, Ciaccia was disappointed to report that the usual influx of interested first-years was expectedly underwhelming this year following the activities fair, which was hosted via Life@Fairfield. Nonetheless, she looks forward to expanding the group and intends on implementing measures to conduct tryouts which comply with rules set by the Department of Recreation. “Women’s volleyball, and Milena in particular, have been really good about being in communication with us. I know they are really eager to get going with us in the next couple of weeks,” Olken-Dann said, confidently.

In the face of adversity, Fairfield University’s women’s club volleyball team is more ready than ever to take on any, and all, challenges that coincide with this season, so long as it means they can do what they love.

“I would trust these girls with my life. I can’t imagine my college experience without club volleyball,” Ciaccia said devotedly. In just a few short weeks she will hit the court, with a new fervor and understanding of what it means to be an athlete at Fairfield University.

Photo Courtesy of Peter McLean via the Sports Information Desk Photo Contributed by Milena Ciaccia

The Fairfield University women's club volleyball team has been on a hiatus since March 2020, after Fairfield students were sent home because of the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.