THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper
Week of October 16, 2019
Vol. 45 Iss. 6
Fairfield Dedicates a Week to Mental Health
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The New Meal Deal
By Gabrielle Arlotta Contributing Writer
Fairfield University hosted Mental Health Awareness Week throughout campus, running events from Sunday, Oct. 6 to the following Sunday. Students, faculty and guests filled each day with useful lessons and resources that the Fairfield community can utilize. The project did not come alive on its own, as the intention for Mental Health Awareness Week from the start has been to make it a collabatory event. Mark Celano, Ph.D. and Alana Coscia, Psy.D. from Counseling & Psychological Services spearheaded those efforts by connecting with the Health Center, Campus Ministry, Fairfield University Student’s Association, Active Minds and the Stag Peer Support Group. Celano and Coscia stated via email, “Representatives from all collaborating Jordan Burnham departments met as a group in mid-September to brainstorm ideas for the week.” In recent years prior, Counseling & Psychological Services has coordinated outreach, prevention and educational events for Mental Health Awareness Week on campus, but typically restricted to one day events. To ensure that a larger number of campus-community members could have the opportunity to participate and be exposed to the department’s message, C&PS worked diligently to spread out the events. They were spaced throughout the whole week, at various times of day and locations on campus, Celano and Coscia explained. Although reformed, the goal has remained the same: to raise awareness about
Opinion Stags are not happy with the limited food options available. Page 5
Assistant Diving Coach
Gabrielle Arlotta / The Mirror
opened up to students about his mental health journey on Wed, Oct. 9 in the Oak Room. Minds and Campus Ministry were also in mental health issues, including the reduction attendance. of stigma around mental illness and seeking Active Minds, a new club to Fairfield’s help. campus, is one chapter of many that are recogA Sunday evening mass at Egan Chapel nized nationally. came first. The mass remembered those First year Megan Falvey, a member of who struggle with mental illness and those Active Minds, stated, “Everybody is affected who have lost their lives to suicide. Campus by mental health,” and spoke on her clubs iniMinistry teamed up with Active Minds in tiative to help those affected by suicde in any an attempt to hand out 11,000 sticky notes. way, shape or form. You can visit their website Each note was to represent the estimated to learn more about the organizations mission. 11,000 college students who pass every year to The multi-location informational suicide. The two organizations urged students to tabling event kicked off the school week on Tuesday. Students picked up flyers and write positive messages on the notes to either pamphlets at the tables represented by various be handed to peers or stuck around campus different organization members and leaders in order to spread the messages for those in need. The mass was followed by a multi-location informational tabling event, where Active Continue Reading Fairfield On Page 2
Opening Visions with I.D. Aruede
Sports Diving drops veteran assistant coach. Page 8
Duo “Lust for Youth”
Vine the city and reveal the Scandanavian synth-pop duo wonders of the art inside. coming to Connecticut. It embraces the commuOn Friday, Oct. 10, I.D. Aruede, the co-chief operating nity and the world as a Page 16 officer and chief financial officer of the Whitney Museum of whole. American Art in New York City, spoke at the Charles F. Dolan During the last twenty minutes of the event, there was School of Business Event Hall as part of Fairfield University’s a panel discussion with Eliasoph, Professor Danielle Ogden, Open Visions Forum: Espresso. This was a Regina A. Quick and Carey Mack Weber. Ogden is an art history professor at Center for the Arts event in affiliation with the Fairfield UniFairfield University and an art consultant dedicated to workversity Art Museum. ing with artists and establishing relationships with new and Philip Eliasoph, Ph.D, professor of art history at Fairseasoned collectors, and Weber is the Frank and Clara Meditz field University, welcomed the audience to the event. Senior executive director of the Fairfield University Art Museum. Diallo Simon-Ponte, an English literature major with minors Ogden asked Aruede, “There is a lot of risk-taking and in art history and economics, introduced I.D. Aruede to the vulnerability in the museum field. Could you share something stage. in your life where you failed and how you learned from it?” I.D. Aruede left his home country of Nigeria after high Aruede nodded. “Failure…” school and moved all the way to the United States. He planned At this comment, Eliosoph smiled. “Your worst nightPhoto Courtesy of Quick Center for the Arts to live with his cousin, who he had only met once before as a mare!” I.D. Aruede, Co-COO and CFO Whitney Museum of Art. child. A week before Aruede was going to move, his mother Aruede laughed, and then said, “After I left my job in tional fabric of the Whitney. got a call that his cousin had gotten married. What a disaster, finance, I felt like a failure at that moment...My first office was This is why the Whitney’s move from Madison Avenue he thought. He was going to move in with newlyweds. clearly a converted closet...But now I don’t view it as a failure.” to its current home in Greenwich Village was so important. He made the move to the United States anyway. To this He views it as a win. From 1966- 2014, the Whitney Museum looked more like a day, he has found a supportive and loving extended family Senior Emily Slama, an international business mafortress. The world has changed significantly in the 48 years with his cousin and his cousin’s wife’s family. jor with minors in legal business law and ethics, said that since the museum had been built, and the Whitney needed to Aruede majored in accounting at Morgan University, Aruede’s speech made her realize how accessible the art world reflect that change. a historically black college, and he received his master’s in can be. But before this change could come to life, there were business administration at the Wharton School of Business at “His entire presentation made me so hopeful for the some financial issues to tackle. The Whitney had to go 125 the University of Pennsylvania. future, not just for me, but for students everywhere. Now I am million dollars into debt for a new building. After working in finance on Wall Street for several interested in seeing all the different aspects of the art world… Aruede and his colleagues decided to increase fundraisyears, Aruede realized he wanted a career change. He applied I feel that it is going to be one of my major focuses going ing for the Whitney to 225 million dollars, making sure that to work at the Whitney. And he got the job. forward…I am excited!” Slama said. these funds would cover the debt and leave enough money to “My job is a means to an end,” Aruede said. As CFO, Senior Matthew Waldemar, an art history major, said expand the Whitney’s educational and outreach programs for Aruede ensures that the Whitney has the funds to fulfill its that Aruede’s speech gave him perspective on the industry. children in the community. founding ethos: supporting artists first. “What I loved the most about his speech was when he In 2015, the Whitney moved to its current location This was the original idea of Whitney founder Gertrude said that you need to invest in what you love, because that’s in the Meatpacking District, near its original location in Vanderbilt Whitney, who opened the museum in Greenwich what brings you joy, success and fulfillment, however you Greenwich Village. The new design of the current Whitney is Village in 1933 to help artists, often supporting them before define success,” Waldemar said. inviting, with open spaces and bright glass walls that reflect their work received acclaim. Risk-taking is part of the institu“He showed me that I can really do anything.” By Mimi Loughlin Contributing Writer
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THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
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A Week of Spreading Awareness Continued from Page One
who were apart of this influential week. From pocket-sized “Anxiety Coping Cards” to pamphlets titled, “Getting The Right Start: Student Guide to Mental Health”, the resources were endless. A table run by the Collegiate Health Service Corps resided in the John A. Barone Campus Center by The Daniel and Grace Tully Dining Commons. By providing information on the flu, in addition to the other resources, CHSC showed the importance at not only looking at mental health, but physical health as well. Students were eager to greet one of the many service dogs on campus, Dakota. Dakota was a reminder that the dogs weren’t just present for Mental Health Awareness Week, but are around often. Fairfield holds “Woof Wednesdays” each week in Campus Ministry, to help students destress and feel at home. Highly anticipated and nationally recognized public speaker Jordan Burnham opened up to students and faculty Wednesday night, Oct. 9, in The Oak Room. Burnham has been featured in People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, has appeared on ESPN’s E:60 and Outside The Lines, CNN, Good Morning America. He has brought his message to Capitol Hill during a congressional briefing and has been hosted at the White House by former President Obama and Vice President Biden for the National Conference On Mental Health. Burnham is not new to speaking as he has been doing so for about 11 years all over the country. The room was packed with those ambitious to listen to the mental health advocate, and suicide attempt survivor. Burnham’s talk titled, “Life after a Suicide Attempt:
Lessons of Hope, Resilience, and Recovery” allowed the listeners to learn of Burnham’s raw experiences but most importantly his resilience and recovery that came with his most challenging times. Burnham is part of the non-profit organization called “Minding Your Mind,”which works towards ending the stigma of mental illness and promoting positive mental health through prevention and education programs just like the one presented. As their slogan states, the organization allows young adults to present, “Enlightening attitudes toward mental health.” What Burnham emphasized the most was his healthy coping mechanisms, such as staying sober, exercising and writing. He explained that by practicing these to this day, it aids in the process to be his best self, tools that students can take with them too. The speaker’s charisma and humor allowed students to feel comfortable opening up during a Q&A that concluded the night. Burnham’s talk was funded by the Julia Ryder Sill Fund. Sill, class of 2013, took her life on campus during her sophomore year, according to Life@Fairfield. As Burnham noted, one of four college students will develop a mental health disorder in any given year. “Twenty-five percent is a large percentage of our student body, so we know mental health issues are relevant to many students on our campus,” Celano and Coscia from C&PS disclose via email. “Our hope is that consistent messaging around the de-stigmatization of mental health issues and the availability of counseling services on campus will help promote greater participation in these events and ultimately in a larger percentage of students who need support in seeking out counseling services” Celano and Cosica, C&PS also express via email. The event counted as a first year experience thrive event that urged first-year students to step out of their
comfort zones to listen to a story they would never forget. First-year Alex Ford stated, “When I walk into a Thrive event, sometimes I have a mindset that I’m coming just because im required to be here, but I always find myself leaving with useful information that was also very meaningful.” To wrap up the packed week, over the course of the weekend the DiMenna-Nyselius Library displayed fiction books related to the topics of mental illness, recovery and resilience. The university also offered Question, Persuade and Refer Training. Just as people train in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver to help save thousands of lives each year, those same individuals are trained in QPR. Trainees of QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. To learn the warning signs of this crisis and more, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website. As provided by Life@Fairfield, “If you are struggling with mental health issues, please seek help. If you are concerned about a friend, care enough to get that student help. Tell them you’re there for them and connect them to resources provided on campus. Both Counseling & Psychological Services and Campus Ministry are confidential and no charge to students.” Counseling & Psychological Services is located at 120 John C. Dolan Hall, ground floor, next to the Health Center and is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 203-254-4000 x2146 or email counseling@fairfield. edu to schedule an appointment. In the event of an emergency and/or after hours, call 911 or dial 203-254-4090 for the Department of Public Safety.
Upcoming Majors & Minors Fair By Julia Crews News Editor
Fairfield University will host its annual Majors & Minors Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Oak Room in the John A. Barone Campus Center. The fair offers information and resources for every major and minor available within the College of Arts & Sciences and beyond. “This is one-stop shopping for academic majors and minors at its best,” said Elizabeth Petrino, Ph.D., associate dean in the College of Arts & Sciences. “We have faculty from each of our Departments in the College coming, plus Program Directors for our interdisciplinary programs. In addition, our professional schools, including Nursing, Business, GSEAP, and Engineering, have representatives talking about their courses of study. Besides all these opportunities, the Registrar will be on site to actually sign students up, along with folks from the Office of Career and Professional Development within the College and the Office of Academic Support and Retention.” “There is a host of new interdisciplinary minors, such Islaamic World Studies and Health Studies,” continued Petrino. “We’ll also have our graduate programs in Communication, Mathematics, American Studies, I/O Psychology, M.P.A., and Interior Design in attendance.” If students need an additional reason to attend, there will be a special guest at this year’s fair. Lucas the Stag will be in attendance, and a few programs will be offering giveaways. One student who attends will also win $500 for books. Petrino also discussed the opportunities offered by the new curriculum. “With the advent of the new Magis core curriculum, first-year students have the opportunity to choose to have one or more minors and even double major without as much difficulty as previously. Employers usually report that such broad preparation in the liberal arts is what distinguishes a Fairfield University graduate from others in the job market.” “We hope that a majority of students will attend and get all the information they need to make a sound choice,” said Petrino. “Even if students begin to get familiar with their options, we’ll have a great opportunity to meet with them and point them down a successful academic path.”
News
THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
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The Mirror Reflects on this Week in Social Media
Compiled by Julia Crews Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety
10/11 12:05 a.m. Noise complaint resulted in finding a group of students on the roof of John C. Dolan Hall. The students were referred to student conduct. 2:56 p.m. A motor vehicle hit and run accident was reported in the Kelley Center West parking lot. The incident is under investigation. 10/12 1:09 a.m. A student was found tampering with a “Do Not Enter” found to be in possession of alcohol, referred to student conduct. 10/13 12:20 a.m. The Department of Public Safety conducted a welfare check on a non-student visiting campus at the request of his parents. The individual was found asleep in his host’s room. DPS reminds everyone to register their guests. 11:12 a.m. A cracked windshield was reported in the Jogues Hall parking lot. The cause is believed to be a rogue softball during a game. 10/14 12:12 a.m. A wallet was found that belongs to a Marist College student. Marist Department of Public Safety was notified and will make contact with the student.
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News
THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
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Students Explore Their Futures at Law School Fair By Colleen Vann Contributing Writer
While many of the students at the fair said that they always had it in their mind that they would go to law school, not all of the students at the fair shared this mindset. The fair was an opportunity for students of any major to learn more about the experience and reality of attending law school after graduation. Kevin Parsons ‘22, a double major in political science and international studies, said that the possibility of going to law school was not initially a factor in his choice of majors. “I am not exactly sure what I want to do with my major,” Parsons said. “I thought the fair would be a good opportunity to
explore the possibility of a legal education.” Parsons described the law school fair saying, “It was a unique opportunity to speak with representatives from some of the top law schools, who were eager and ready to meet Fairfield students.” Parsons also explained that the representatives at the fair provided a lot of information about the first steps of the application process. The fair was said by other students to be beneficial in their early pursuits of post-baccalaureate studies as well.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Dogwoods Room of the John A. Barone Campus Center, representatives from 15 law schools across the northeast met with students who wanted to learn more about law school. The law schools represented at the fair were mostly located in the Tri-State area and Massachusetts, due to Fairfield’s central locations. The tables hosted representatives from schools including the University of Albany, Boston College, Fordham University, Hofstra University, Quinnipiac University, University of Maine School of Law, New England School of Law, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and the University of New Hampshire. Throughout the two hours, 55 students circulated past the tables obtaining critical information about attending law school. Juniors Brianna Cyr and Noelle Guerrera said the fair was very helpful, with lots of good resources. Cyr is a politics major and Guerrera is a history major, both students saying that they picked their majors with the hopes of attending law school. The fair gave them a good opportunity to speak with representatives such as Lauren Majchrowski, Director of Admissions at the University of Connecticut School of Law, who were able to give them an insight into what schools are looking for in candidates. “We want to know who you are and why you’re doing this,” Majchrowski said of the general purpose of the applications. She went on to explain that as most people know, law school is not easy, as it is an extremely rigorous course of study. For that reason, Majchrowski said it is important for candidates of any law school to have a good work ethic and perseverance. “When the going gets tough, they Colleen Vann / The Mirror have to have that push,” she said. Admissions representatives from law schools gathered and spoke to interested students in the Dogwoods Room on Oct. 10.
Events To Look Forward To Shows, games and more coming to soon Fairfield
Opinion
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THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
Editor Catherine Santangelo» catherine.santangelo@student.fairfield.edu
Fleeting Food Options at Fairfield are Leaving Stags to Fend for Themselves By Kerre Lattanzio Contributing Writer
Fairfield University seniors have seen it all. Together, we have witnessed Fairfield in one of its most raw and vulnerable forms: pre-renovation. Even knowing that years of construction were going to take place during our quick, four-year run at Fairfield, we still loved campus anyway. Us Stags were hopeful, looking forward to witnessing the gradual progression of campus taking place before our very eyes and eager to see what new improvements would be developing while on our daily walks to class. Not only did seniors have the chance to see campus before its dramatic glass building takeover as firstyears, but the class of 2020 has also continuously witnessed the ever-changing food options this campus has had to offer. Flash forward to four years later, and the food options at Fairfield are still in desperate need for improvement. Seniors were the last Fairfield class to remember the Barone Dining Room, the dining hall that preceded the Daniel and Grace Tully Dining Commons. I, a senior myself, recall enjoying the warm, comfortable and inviting atmosphere of Barone, with its orange, yellow and green color scheme and circle tables that were great for eating at with friends. Three years ago, this dining style dramatically shifted to the cool, modernized, waiting-room aesthetic of the Tully, containing square and rectangular tables, cold grey-blue chairs and with its unique fruit-infused water concoctions lives up to its desperate attempt to be trendy. Seniors, although we did not know it at the time, had the small privilege of having food swipes in the Stag - veteran Stags remembering that this meal exchange policy only took place between
1 to 4 p.m. on class days. Although the meal exchange did not take place during the time slots when the average person is typically hungry, the hours were obscure enough that it prompted unique bonding time for underclassmen without cars because most first-years and sophomores were free and looking for activity on campus during these interesting times. Chances are, if Stags wanted a change of pace from the dining hall, or didn’t have anything better to be doing on his or her week night once they left their night turbo, you would find them and their friends in the Stag for meal exchange. Looking back as a senior who was once sitting in the same seat as the current underclassmen, probablyundernourished and living on cereal for days, the meal exchange option was not perfect, but at least my class had the option as first-years and sophomores to utilize the exchange. Fairfield students now have the option of eating at the Tully, the Stag - although now deprived of meal swipes - and the new Micro Market that has meal exchange, but only from 8 to 10 p.m. on Mondays to Thursdays. Ah yes, another totally realistic time for students to eat on campus. It’s also important to note that the firstyears from last school year were stripped of their right to participate in the meal exchange program in the Stag solely for no reason other than having first-year status, and now with meal exchange being non-existent in the Stag this school year, the now-sophomores are being stripped of it again. Who knew four years ago was the peak of dining at Fairfield? Stags need more realistic hours to get food, better food choices from the dining areas available on campus and meal exchanges in the Stag reinstated. It’s time to step up the food game and listen to the student body, Fairfield. The growling of four thousand hungry stomachs shouldn’t last forever, and it will speak volumes.
Photo Courtesy of @fairfield_dining Instagram
Gender-Neutral Barbies Show that the World Doesn't Need to be a Gendered Place By Claire Bellucci Contributing Writer The company Mattel is most famously known for Barbies. Although the Barbie is evolving, the doll is stereotypically blond, tall and skinny. These dolls don’t look like the average woman, so at a young age, girls already have unrealistic body images projected on them. But the time has come for these dolls to leave the shelves. As reported by TIME, Mattel just released “the world’s first gender-neutral doll,” and all I have to say is that it’s about time. The dolls can be whatever kids want them to be; it’s up to the kids on how they want to play with them. This allows kids to play without limits. The dolls aren’t wearing makeup and don’t have disproportionate bodies like Mattel's dolls have had in the past. These dolls come with short or long wigs and a wardrobe ranging from hoodies to tutus,
Photo Courtesy of @mattel Instagram
Editorial Board "Watch Out, James Patterson" Katherine Klima Executive Editor
which all allow the dolls to be customizable. They also have flat feet (thank gosh). If you think about it, almost everything is gendered: shampoo, razors, clothes and even pens (shout out to Bic). Toys especially have always been gendered. The gendered aisles in stores and it forces kids into unnecessary boxes. Not every boy wants to play with cars and superheroes, and not every girl wants to play with princesses and Barbies. There are millions of children who play with toys, and not every kid will fit into the two categories given to them. These gendered aisles are damaging; kids should not feel like they have to choose between an art kit and a science kit just because one isn’t for “their” gender. According to TIME, people who identify as nonbinary is increasing. So why do we continue to keep gendered toys relevant and toy aisles separated? In fact, according to NPR, toys are more gendered than they were half a century ago. Mattel is taking pivotal steps as a company to create these genderless dolls, and hopefully other companies follow in their footsteps. As crazy as it sounds, millennials are becoming parents now. Older people aren’t always fans of millennials, however they may be the change we need. They are keeping the houseplant industry alive and killing the gendered society we live in. Millennials are no strangers to the changing gender concepts. In fact, according to Forbes, millennials are a driving force in this “cultural shift.” It was also found that 50 percent of millennials believe that gender is a spectrum and one in twelve millennials identify as either transgender or gender nonconforming. This is the generation that is raising the next generation of children, which means we are headed towards a more gender-neutral society. I do not doubt that Mattel will be the first of many to make gender-neutral toys and other products. Mattel is starting a movement that will not only foster an inclusive environment but will also be very profitable.
I will destroy James Patterson. Let me clarify: I will destroy his empire. According to Wikipedia, Patterson has written 147 novels since 1976. My friend jokingly told me I need a lot of ghost writers to do it, but I’m fully prepared to surpass this man. Now, why Patterson? This summer I worked as a page at my local library. It was fairly uneventful; I had to deal with the occasional old person stealing the New York Times, but nonetheless I learned some pretty important skills. One of them included what books do well and what books barely make it. Authors that were constantly being checked out included Patterson, Danielle Steele, Nora Roberts and, oddly enough, Agatha Christie. Out of all these writers, Patterson is the only one off the top of my head that I can pinpoint who wrote novels in more than one genre. The man’s successfully done mystery, young adult fiction, thriller, comedy and
Creative Commons/Flickr
Kids must see themselves in the dolls they play with. The kids who don’t identify as a girl or boy have never seen a doll that is like them. It is important that all kids regardless of gender identity feel included. Mattel's creation of these genderless dolls can be seen as political and controversial. Many people believe that there are two genders and that is all, and there are people who believe that gender is just a social construct. The United States is still in the process of accepting and understanding gender apart from the two binary genders. We are not living in a gender-neutral society or even a society where being gender-neutral is normal. However, Mattel is taking the correct steps to inform the new generation that the world does not have to be a gendered place.
even romance, surprisingly. He’s done everything, which is my biggest issue. It’s nothing personal. It’s just, as someone who wishes to enter the field one day as a novelist, I can’t help but get annoyed when so many writers are typecasted, but authors like Patterson can write whatever they want. Like I said, there’s not a lot of writers that have been successful in breaching other genres. It’s extremely frustrating to see, especially as someone who doesn’t want to stick to a specific category. It’d be really cool just to publish books in all sorts of categories, and to ultimately be good at it (that’s the hopeful goal). Another thing that ultimately ties into this, and something that also annoys me greatly, is the fact that there isn’t really any diversity amongst any of the writers I listed. When it comes to literature, there isn’t a huge variety in not only writers but the literature itself. For example, according to Bustle.
com, in 2018, there were more children’s books published that featured an animal main character than children’s books featuring a Black, Lantix, Native or Asian child. Another example is that LGBTQ+ books for kids and teens account for a very small portion of the overall industry. It comes down to the fact that publication companies still cater to the same population they’ve catered to for years. As a woman, and as someone who wishes to write a bunch of books one day, I want to be able to focus on any genre I want and for as many books as I want. Not only that, but I want to see a bigger variety of authors. There are plenty of talented writers out there that haven’t gotten their big break yet and deserve to get their big break. Basically, I think it’s time for the world of publishing and writing to change. Publication companies have stuck to the same formula for years and it’s time to experiment. So, watch out, Patterson.
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THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
Opinion
The United States Has Left the Kurds with 'No Friends but the Mountains' By Zahra Kallo Contributing Writer
Everyday Americans have not known the fight that has been raging on for the past five years between the Kurdish Peshmergas and ISIS. The Kurdish fighters agreed to stand alongside the United States in its effort to dismantle the Islamic State. The Kurdish Peshmergas were able to secure control over a large amount of Syria, successfully defeating most of ISIS. The Kurds hoped that the new area secured would form the center of an independent Kurdish region. Of course now, this can only be a dream because of the decision that the Trump administration made this past week. Post, President Donald J. Trump anAs reported by the Washington military presence in Syria to make nounced that he will take out the U.S. was seen by the Kurds and Americans way for Turkish soldiers. This decision alike as betrayal to faithful allies. Turkey is an American NATO ally, which means they could never have invaded Syria as long as there was U.S. military there. The trust soldiers and their supposed allies that was established between the Kurdish during the fight against ISIS was shattered. The Kurds risked their own people, and lost count-
less of them, when they decided to become allies with America, and yet, America could not be a loyal ally to them. A complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces would leave the Kurdish people to face not only the invading Turks in the northern part of Syria, but also continuing to face the efforts of the Islamic State which will become more rigorous now that their own allies have abandoned them. President Trump does not feel any remorse for deserting our faithful ally even when confronted by Americans who were upset over the betrayal. In a report from the New York Times, Trump defended his decision by telling reporters at the White House during an event in the Roosevelt Room that the Kurds were simply “fighting for their land.” The president has not only left the Kurds alone and vulnerable from all sides, but he is also trying to belittle the efforts they made in defeating ISIS. The severing of the alliance between the Kurdish people and America did not sit well with Republicans either. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on Twitter, “Pray for our Kurdish allies who have been shamelessly abandoned by the Trump Administration.” Republican Representative Liz Cheney also chimed in via Twitter saying, "Turkey must face serious consequences for mercilessly attacking our Kurdish allies in northern Syria, who incurred thousands of casualties in the fight against ISIS and helped us protect the homeland.” The Kurdish people have a long history of being betrayed by others even though history also shows that they have always been loyal. For the Kurds, the decision by the Trump administration to permit Turkey to invade Northern Syria is the most recent bad news they have received. Kurdish history and struggle goes as far back as the end of World War I, when Kurds were denied their own autonomous state by the victorious western allies. Kurds have continued to live in the areas of Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran that make up Kurdistan, hoping that one day, they may become independent. For this reason, there is a saying among the Kurds: “No friend but the mountains.”
Photo Courtesy of @nfbtm instagram
Dangers of Driving 'Death Machines' can be Decreased with Self-Driving Technology By Jack Martorano Contributing Writer In a New York Times article titled “Cars Are Death Machines. Self-Driving Tech Won’t Change That,” Allison Arieff considers cars to be “death machines.” She laments the pain that car accidents have inflicted on members of her family while invoking many other examples to demonstrate a similar point. She also mentions her skepticism of self-driving cars without elaborating on that point. Initially, I was dumbfounded by Arieff ’s classification of cars as “death machines.” But upon further research, I do sympathize with her anger since cars have been the source of enormous pain for many people and families around the world. We, as a society, must make progress in limiting these dangers. However, I disagree with
Arieff ’s immediate dismissal of self-driving technology as it relates to making our roads safer. You might be surprised to find out that 1.35 million people are killed on roadways each year globally, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given this, Arieff definitely has a factual basis for her argument. However, the painful truth is that humans are the ones behind the wheels of cars. According to the Auto Insurance Center, 81 percent of car accidents are the result of human error. Perhaps instead of focusing on proposals like congestion pricing, we should turn our attention to drivers. My solution to solving the issue of “death machines” might take the form of awareness campaigns for drivers that urge them to keep their eyes on the road and not on their phones. I agree with Arieff ’s proposal to reduce speed limits and rethink land use. But ultimately, Arieff neglects the fact that humans are the true cause of deaths by cars. I also take issue with the dismissal of self-driving technology as
a possible solution to the lack of safety on our roads. Though Arieff fails to address this dilemma, she included her opinion on it right in the title of the article. I think that it’s problematic to automatically neglect the idea of self-driving cars simply because we are unsure of what that might mean for us in the future. With self-driving cars, computers would use algorithms to determine distance from other vehicles. This is beneficial because, as we all know, computers cannot get distracted from the task at hand. Though it may go unnoticed, selfdriving technology has already pervaded the automobile industry in the form of self-parking and autonomous braking which have saved lives, as stated in an article by Esurance. However, this is not to say that the development of self-driving technology will completely solve the dangers of the road. Ultimately, humans will still have to control some functions of the car when driving it, so we must still focus our attention on driver awareness. When pursuing solutions to pressing issues in civil society, I think it’s important to discover and analyze the root cause of that particular issue. What Arieff does in her article is wrong; she criticizes the cars and not the people that drive them recklessly, thereby ignoring the cause of this important issue and only focusing on a part of it.
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A Person's Work Should Not be Judged Separately from their Wrongdoings By Grace Gelep Contributing Writer
More controversy has sparked around the newly released blockbuster “Joker,” directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix. The movie has recently recieved backlash from viewers for glorifying violence and mass murder, which has some people concerned that it might inspire troubled viewers to act out violently. This time, however, the conversation revolves around the film’s unfortunate and unnecessary choice to use a song by a convicted pedophile. Despite the controversy, this new Warner Brothers comic book movie broke box office records during its opening weekend, raking in $93.5 million just in the United States. According to CNBC, that sum marks “Joker” as the highest debut film released in the month of October in cinematic history. Around the success of the movie, attention has been brought to one scene in particular. During a pivotal scene in the film where failed comedian and professional working clown, Arthur Fleck, makes his “transformation into Joker,” as Joaquin Phoenix describes it on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he dances down a long flight of stairs to the famous Gary Glitter 1972 hit song “Rock and Roll Part 2.” The scene goes on for a rather lengthy two minutes, putting even more attention and emphasis on this choice of song. Ex-glam rock star Gary Glitter, whose birth name is Paul Gadd, is a convicted pedophile who was given a jail sentence of 16 years in 2015 for one count of attempted rape of a girl under the age of 13, one count of having sex with a girl under the age of 13, and four counts indecent assault against numerous girls, CNN reports. Applying this song to such a monumental moment in the film where Arthur Fleck celebrates becoming Joker, it also celebrates the song as monumental. Giving this much praise in a film to a song that was created by a pedophile shines a light on Glitter’s successes rather than his harmful and disgusting actions.
For allowing “Joker” to use his song, Glitter is reportedly going to receive a large amount of money. CNBC reports that he, “is also thought to be in line for music royalties depending on the success of movie theater ticket sales, DVD sales and film soundtrack sales.” CNN says that this sum of money could even amount to hundreds of thousands for Glitter. Although it is unknown the exact amount, there is no doubt that Gitter will inevitably make a profit for his music being used in this film. Even though Glitter is a co-writer and part owner of the song, there is something so wrong to me about a pedophile making money and having success from behind bars. Since Warner Brothers and Todd Philips chose to include this song in the movie, someone should get compensation, but it should go to the other co-writers and owners, not to a convicted felon. My real problem though lies with the decision by the movie-makers to use a Gary Glitter song in the first place, especially in such a long and vital scene in the film, which the movie could even end up being known for in the future. Knowing the person that Glitter is and the profit he would make from being involved in “Joker,” I can’t wrap my head around why his song was so necessary to use. No one should use any Gary Glitter song in a way that he could make money and succeed from it, which he will if he has owning rights to a song. Although Glitter recorded some very popular songs in his music career, he also was the cause of so much hurt in the lives of the girls he raped and abused. For me, a person’s work and successes should not be judged separately from their wrongdoings. If someone has the ability to cause trauma and damage in a young girl’s life that will stay with her forever, that person deserves to suffer the consequences in all aspects of his or her life. To prevent any further prosperity for Glitter, the entertainment world should punish him beyond his prison sentence by refusing to support or celebrate his music.
Photo Courtesy of @jokermovie Instagram
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arts, entertainment, features
Editor Gracianne Eldrenkamp gracianne.eldrenkamp@student.fairfield.edu
Go Back in Time with:
Lust For Youth Photo Contributed By Magnus Bach Pederson CreativeCommons/Pixabay CreativeCommons/Public Domain Pictures
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Lust For Youth To Play in Hamden By Gracianne Eldrenkamp Vine Editor
If you want to go back in time to the 1980s when synth-pop was at its peak, listen to Lust for Youth. They’re a Scandinavian duo that started in 2009 in Gothenburg, Sweden. They’re made up of electronic musician Hannes Norrvide and producer Malthe Fischer. Lust for Youth will perform at Space Ballroom in Hamden on Sunday Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. Lust for Youth’s style is, in a word, nostalgic. They pay homage to the synth-pop of the 1980s, and they’re most similar to Depeche Mode and New Order. While taking inspiration from the past, they do add quite a bit of modern twists to their music. Although they aren’t extremely similar, I can’t help but be reminded of Chairlift while listening to their music because of their way to meld the past and the present together in a beautiful way. They manage to channel their sound into something both bright and dreamlike. Their music takes you on a roadtrip where the journey is just as good as the destination. It puts you in a kind of hypnotic trance that you can’t help but get lost in. Their newest album, “Lust for Youth,” includes eight heart-pumping, danceable songs. Compared to their previous music, the self-titled album is brighter. There’s a stronger sense of clarity, originality and purpose in each song, and that makes this album their most interesting to date. “Adrift” is one of the stand-out songs on the album. The song mixes their retro style with the stylings of modern pop. The riffs throughout the song are so catchy you’ll be humming it for days, and the bass will have you bouncing in your seat. “New Balance Point” is one of my personal favorites. The music swells and sinks in a way that feels incredibly natural and original. Listening to this song reminds me of bingewatching movies on a rainy day. It’s crisp and refreshing but not in a way that ruins the nostalgia that makes the song so unique. The chorus is downright addictive to listen to and the synth often sounds like a chorus backing the singer. It gives the whole song a spine-chilling, bigger picture meaning to it. “Great Concerns” cranks the Depeche Mode vibes up to a thousand. It’s dark and stormy while staying fun and upbeat. It talks about the narrator’s biggest concerns, primarily climate change. Although the topic is heavy, the song certainly isn’t. There’s layers and layers of music in this one, and that makes for a fantastic listening experience. “Insignificant” adds folkiness to their synth-pop sound. With a recurring flute-like riff and the singer’s echoing vocals, it’s a must-listen. This song acts more as a ballad than a high energy dance song because of the melancholic lyrics and softer sound, but it still has a strong bass line and drum beat. The song ends with an ebbing and flowing of electronic music that feels like you’re in the middle of the ocean, letting the waves take you up and down gently. Photo Courtesy of @amagertheworld Instagram Lust for Youth’s concert also features artists Underwear, Psychic of Orange and Ross Menze. Tickets are $13, and can be purchased on the Space Ballroom’s website. Band members Norrvide and Fischer relax before their United States tour.
Disney+ Threatens Netflix's Reign By Michael Riggi Contributing Writer Since its initial founding in 1997, Netflix has grown to dominate the media, shape the way that people watch television at home and redefine streaming. Even amongst the release of other streaming services like Hulu and Amazon Prime, Netflix has continued to maintain its large user base and release unique and interesting original content. But will this all change when the “House of Mouse” enters the streaming service competition next month? After sitting out of the streaming game for years, Disney is finally launching their own service titled Disney+ on Nov. 12. Stacked with thousands of movies and series, Disney’s new streaming service is no joke and acts as a serious threat to Netflix (a company nearly $13 billion in debt). Not only will Disney+ launch with its own assortment of original content, but it will also eventually be stripping away all Disney-owned shows and movies from Netflix (a large portion of the content currently available) to bring to their own service. Disney began testing their streaming service in the Netherlands back in mid-September and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback since. While Netflix generally maintains a high reputation, users have recently voiced their frustrations over the removal of popular shows and increasing monthly prices for the service. Currently the platform’s standard plan with HD quality (its most popular offering) clocks in at $12.99 a month, compared to the planned $6.99 a month for Disney+. Even though Disney+ is only half the price of Netflixs’ standard plan, the company made it clear that there wouldn’t be any
shortage of new and interesting content on the platform. Boasting media new and old from Walt Disney Studios, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and even National Geographic, Disney+ will focus on more family-friendly outings compared to Netflix and will include a variety of live-action and animated features for users to enjoy. Highlights among this lineup include “The Mandalorian”, the gritty new television show set in the Star Wars universe, a “Monsters Inc.” spinoff series from Pixar, and eight new Marvel shows tying in directly to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. To combat against this impressive lineup, Netflix has also upped their game with a slate of new original content planned for the future. This month alone Netflix dropped major projects such as season three of the adult animated sitcom “Big Mouth” and the highly anticipated “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.” The company also recently renewed one of its most popular shows “Stranger Things” for a fourth CreativeCommons/WikimediaCommons season and plans to drop the new fantasy drama “The Witcher” in December. These shows come in addition to the nearly one thousand already-existing originals available on the platform (many of which have won Emmy Awards). While it is clear that there is no shortage of content on either side of the spectrum, is Netflix doing enough to keep up with Disney + (and are they justified in charging twice the amount)? Netflix has held its reign on the industry for the past decade, but now it might be time for a new streaming service to take the throne. Although the future of the streaming world is hazy, it is clear that Netflix will need to continue to step up their act with a new major player entering the game. CreativeCommons/WikimediaCommons
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'El Camino' Brings 'Breaking Bad' Back By Tyler Zikias Contributing Writer
It’s been 6 years since “Breaking Bad” ran its last episode and Walter White’s arc from cancer-ridden chemistry teacher to meth cook and drug kingpin came to a close. Rumors have been swirling about an Aaron Paul-led movie, showing what happened to his character, Jesse Pinkman, after he drove off in an El Camino in the final minutes of the series. It seemed almost out of nowhere when the film was officially announced in late August of 2019, slating a Netflix release of Oct. 11. It seemed almost too good to be true that the head creative behind one of the best shows ever made would return to fill in some of the gaps for a beloved character. “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” is a cathartic, powerful character study with a powerhouse performance from Aaron Paul. Fair warning that this review won’t contain spoilers for “El Camino,” but will include spoilers for “Breaking Bad.” Getting to see Aaron Paul fall back into his wheelhouse playing Jesse Pinkman is an absolute dream, especially because Paul has been M.I.A. from the big screen since “Breaking Bad” concluded. His performance is so damaged and broken to an extent I didn’t expect. I knew Aaron Paul was talented, but this is totally the opposite of the spectrum to the loud and vulgar Jesse Pinkman prior to being held captive as a meth-cooking slave. Jesse has been through the wringer and Paul’s performance subtly captures every emotion someone in Jesse’s situation may be feeling. There is one scene early in the film where Jesse visits old friends after his escape where Paul seems like a veteran with PTSD. His friends are trying to talk him down and take care of him, but Paul has this thousand-yard stare that is haunting and heartbreaking all at once. If the field wasn’t already so packed, I would say Aaron Paul deserves an Oscar, at the very least a nomination. The movie is beautifully shot with the Albuquerque vistas and Aaron Paul returns as his character Jesse Pinkman.
long stretching road looking as barren and empty as ever, immediately reintroducing the “Breaking Bad” world back to the viewer. The film is available to stream on Netflix right now but watching this one on your phone or laptop would be doing the movie a disservice. Watch this on the biggest T.V. that you have readily available. I was lucky enough to see “El Camino” in a theater and it is mesmerizing to see the style of someone who has worked in television on the big screen. The film also incorporates moments of fan service as effectively as it can, using other characters and easter eggs from the series to boost the impact of this story. These moments help you understand Jesse’s character more, while also tying up a loose end from the series. If I were to describe “El Camino” in one word, it would be “cathartic.” It isn’t overly eventful like “Breaking Bad” was in its prime, but more emotionally focused on its lead character and his struggle to finally break away from the life he created for himself. Nothing series-shattering happens in the film, which allows the film to serve as a vessel for the viewer to inhabit the “Breaking Bad” world for Jesse Pinkman’s swan song. The film itself is very inconsequential, so if you finished “Breaking Bad” and you are happy with the way it ended, you don’t even have to watch “El Camino.” It is the perfect epilogue that isn’t even necessary. That being said, my issue with the film is that it takes a long time to find its footing and can be a slow burn at times. It lacks a sense of direction until a moment about halfway through the movie when Jesse encounters two people from his past. From there, the true story starts to take shape and “El Camino” is a blast from thereon out. I loved watching this movie on my first viewing and only found these issues when revisiting it. “El Camino” still certainly gets a glowing recommendation from me. Grade: B+ Grade For A Breaking Bad Fan: A
Photo Courtesy of @aaronpaul Instagram
Acoustics for Autumn By Julia Monteleone Managing Editor Ah, fall in Fairfield. It’s perhaps one of the most beautiful times of year in Connecticut, and definitely is on this campus. The perfectly manicured lawns become riddled with all colored leaves. Every girl is itching to find that semi-decent guy to take her to Silvermans to go pumpkin picking and take a nice hayride. The Point sunsets somehow get prettier, and the parties move indoors till once again we can all wear our bathing suits again. With fall finally in our midst, it is customary to find the perfect playlist of songs to match the changing leaves and colder weather that is approaching. Every person has different taste in music, but one thing is for sure: some music just FEELS like fall. I am the queen of making playlists for almost every occasion, and every year the ultimate autumn playlist is perhaps the most fun to make. So here is my gift to you — some of the best songs to add to your fall playlists that will make you want to frolic through leaves or curl up under ten blankets in your best fuzzy socks and watch “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” Go forth and enjoy!
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“Lost in My Mind” — The Head and the Heart “I and Love and You” — The Avett Brothers “Jolene” — Ray LaMontagne “Cherry Wine - Live” — Hozier “New Street Name” — Dan Griffin “Simple as This” — Jake Bugg “Fall” — Ed Sheeran “Back to Autumn” — Tall Heights “Dead Sea” — The Lumineers “La Vie En Rose” — Daniela Andrade version “The Girl” — City and Colour “Bloom” — The Paper Kites “Even the Darkness has Arms” — The Barr Brothers “Georgia” — Vance Joy “The Night We Met” — Lord Huron “Move Together” — James Bay “Poison and Wine” — The Civil Wars “Stars and Satellites” — Dan Griffin “First Day of My Life” — Bright Eyes “Man On Fire” — Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros CreativeCommons/Pixabay
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Stop Supporting Fast Fashion consumerism. In reality, you have to come to terms with yourself. Do you really need that brand new, stylish coat? Will you wear it next season, or the season after that? If you plan on getting something that you probably won’t wear again, it might be best to skip it in order to limit your support of the fast fashion industry. Buy Sustainable Clothing If you do want or need some new clothes for the season, there are several companies that use ethical means to produce clothing. Their selections are often limited and their prices heftier, but their clothing isn’t mass-produced. Everlane is possibly the most famous sustainable company and they have everything from jeans to sweaters and coats to shoes. Able, Pact, and Alternative Apparel are also good options, as they’re cheaper than many ethical clothing companies tend to be. Thrift If you’re looking at the prices of the ethical companies listed above and freaking out about how high they are, don’t worry! Thrifting is maybe one of the best ways to limit your support of the fast fashion industry. Not only are you not purchasing anything new, but thrifting is essentially the same thing as recycling. Older clothing is being repurchased as if it’s something new which helps save waste. Plus, thrifting is cheaper than purchasing clothing at a store. Because items are often used, shirts that go for $15 or $20 are often marked down to $5 or $10 dollars. With Forever 21, one of the leading companies in fast fashion, closing over 100 stores to bankruptcy, I think it’s not only possible but necessary to continue destroying fast fashion companies by refusing to support them. Of course, no one is perfect, and sometimes supporting companies like this is unavoidable, but even trying to thrift more often can make a world of a difference.
Photo Courtesy of @everlane Instagram
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Models display Everlane's ethical fashion line.
By Gracianne Eldrenkamp Vine Editor Fast fashion: you may have heard the term in passing, but it’s become a growing issue all over the world. Fast fashion is defined as clothing that is mass produced in an inexpensive and quick manner in order to keep up with changes in fashion trends. Fast fashion hurts both the environment and the people in countries producing these clothes, but it isn’t completely hopeless. Although consumerism has become ridiculously inflated over the past few years, there are ways we can all reduce our contribution to the fast fashion industry. Only Get Necessities This is definitely one of the hardest things to do, especially in a world that praises extreme
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The Mirror Abroad: Just a Moment with Molly By Molly Lamendola Abroad Columnist Woah…hey! What is this? A study abroad article that is actually about Florence? I know! Finally, due to midterms and this old thing called Florence Discovery Weekend, I’ve had the opportunity to stay around and quite literally discover Florence. It’s been nice walking around and seeing it all, but I would not have the energy to do all this walking without my six or seven cups of coffee. Seriously, you’re looking at an incredibly caffeinated young lady. A young lady who’s second great love is a cute coffee shop. I’m talking about the places that I look around and just whisper the words, “This is my aesthetic,” to whoever I’m with. Think dark colors, soft jazz and the warm glow of computer screens. In Florence, this equates to a little place called La Cite. It’s super cute. Located just on the other side of the Arno from the Duomo in Florence, it’s probably about a ten minute walk from wherever you could be. It’s got good coffee, free wifi and is open until 2 a.m. Not that I’d be there at 2 a.m., but the ability to do so just really excites me! It’s just the perfect place to go and do homework or meet up with a friend for some catching up. But, though we’re just starting to peer into sweater-weather territory in Florence, there’s still points where I’m just desperate for an iced coffee. Though there were a couple Starbucks sprinkled around Milan, you’re really not going to find much in the big brand coffee department in Florence. It’s all about the corner shop, where you can stop and grab a small, hot latte for just the change in your pocket. Great freaking deal! But, if you’re someone who just needs that American iced coffee deal, I’ve got some options. Arnold Coffee is quite literally a knock-off of Starbucks, right down to the wallpaper of the New York City skyline inside and the option of getting caramel drizzled on top of your coffee. Someone’s thinking up in the Arnold headquarters! They have some good coffee options, a cute pastry or two and of course…free wifi!! And no judgement from me if this is what you’re looking for! We used to have an Arnold Coffee right across the street from my apartment. Though it’s now shut down under quite mysterious circumstances, it was the perfect place to run and grab a quick cold brew in nothing but a pair of sweatpants and a pajama top. There are better options though; Ditta Artigianale has been my current favorite. We’re talking, the-Italian-lady-already-knows-my-order-when-entering kind of favorite. I’m a major fan of a chai tea latte, what can you do ladies?! It’s also just a super cute place to bring a friend for a catch up. Really a bit too loud if you’re looking for more of a library vibe, but nothing a pair of headphones won’t fix! Also, my roommates and I are big fans of giving them the old, “Oh and takeaway please!” Then they’ll throw it in a cute to-go cup and you’re on your mighty way. And if you want the best place to bring this girl you met on Tinder, it’s of course La Bistrot. Just the perfect atmosphere for awkwardly bringing up that you can name the Duggar’s in birth order after you learn she’s also from Arkansas. Florence has just been great.
Molly Lamendola/The Mirror
Lamendola holds a cup of Ditta Artigianale chai tea latte.
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SENIORS: Inkwell A P P L Y T O Spotlight G R A D U A T E T he Longing
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PLEASE NOTE APPLYING TO GRADUATE IS MANDATORY! Students who will have met all requirements for January or May 2020 graduation are invited to apply to graduate. The deadline for applying is December 2, 2019. The process involves several steps: In My.Fairfield.edu, click the Apply to Graduate task. · You will be prompted to select the most current term for your curriculum (primary major).You will be prompted to select your graduation date on the next screen! CreativeCommons/Pixabay
· On the next prompt, be sure to select the correct graduation date as there are two options in the drop down menu. · Then, fill out the pages completely and accurately. Please do not use a prefix (i.e. Mr., Ms.) in the diploma name field!
By Connor O'Rourke Marketing Manager at The Inkwell
I often find myself dwelling on home: my small piece of solace in the North Atlantic. Whilst an ocean away, it feels as though it’s worlds apart from this reality to which I am condemned and exiled not by choice, but sheer circumstance. When I feel as though the walls are closing in on me, as if there’s no hope to be felt in this unrelenting sea of people I know I really don’t belong to, I think of home. To picture the endless green glens of Antrim, to walk along the old harbor at Newcastle and to see her longing once more. Often times you long for home and your heart yearns to see the rolling green hills again, but you know that you can never really go back. She calls you home, yet you’ll never answer. All home really is at this point is a distant memory, which one can long to relive, but can never return to.
· A confirmation email will be sent to your student email address after you submit your application. If you are a part-time undergraduate, a graduate student, or a second degree or RN to BS Nursing student, you must submit your graduation fee via the Marketplace payment site. Note: The graduation fee will be included on full-time undergraduates’ spring tuition bills. If you previously applied to graduate for a different graduation date and then did not graduate, you must fill out an application if you intend to graduate in January or May. If you previously paid the graduation fee, but then did not graduate, you do not need to submit payment again. Information regarding purchasing a cap and gown will be emailed as we get closer to May Commencement.
Spice Up Your Life with These Seasonings and Cheese (our college favorite) and in curries. It gives the food a nice, thick texture and a boost of nutrition! Tip: This is also available at Trader Joe’s!
By Sabrina Trueheart Nutrition Columnist What’s in your spice cabinet? As a college student, you may not have that many spices – and that’s okay! You may have your standard salt and pepper, maybe garlic powder. But, are these three spices going to bring more flavor to a great meal, one you would make for a big event? Your spice cabinet may need a makeover. Here are some spices and seasonings that are essential to cooking up an unforgettable meal:
Ground Chipotle Powder Ground chipotle powder is a spice I put in nearly everything I make, from avocado toast to burritos to grilled cheese. If you like a little bit of spice (or a lot of spice, depending on how much you use), this is the perfect spice for you. It gives a bit of a kick to whatever you are eating!
Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Trader Joe’s has amazing foods to choose from, but their seasonings section is to die for – especially their Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. I had about five of these stuffed in my cabinet last year, but this year it has become so popular that it’s hard to find it in stores anymore! If you love everything bagels as much as I do, you’ll love putting much more than a dash of this seasoning on your toast, plain bagels and even avocado. It’ll taste just like the real thing! Nutritional Yeast I really do love nutritional yeast. Many people would scoff at that statement, but it is one of my favorite seasonings. It’s flavorful, full of vitamins and minerals and makes a great substitute for cheese in vegan cooking. I love putting nutritional yeast in Annie’s Mac
Turmeric Turmeric has a variety of health benefits, so it can give your meals an extra boost. Whether you put turmeric in soup, tea, curries, rice, eggs, vegetables or a smoothie, you’ll be receiving the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric. Tip: This makes turmeric a great additive in anything when you are sick! Ginger CreativeCommons/Flickr
Similarly to turmeric, ginger is another great spice to put in your food when you are feeling under the weather. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and relieves muscle pain and aches. That is why you reach for ginger tea when you are sick – it not only has a strong taste that feels like it kicks the sickness out of you, but it also is proven to help you feel your best!
Coffee Break
THE MIRROR |Week of October 16, 2019
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Editor: Tobenna Ugwu tobenna.ugwu@student.fairfield.edu
Blast From the Past
The Crime Beat Chronicles
The Coffee Break Team spent the whole weekend meticulously reading through all the past Mirror issues. And here are a few past Crime Beat publications that we found
crime Beat Archives
hilarious. We hope you have a good laugh!!!
Photos Courtesy of Fairfield University Archives
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Sports
SPORTS Sports Editor: Julia Lanzillotta julia.lanzillotta@student.fairďŹ eld.edu
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THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
This Week in Sports: What You Missed
In Case You Missed It: Wednesday, October 9th -Women's Soccer lost to Quinnipiac, 3-0 Friday, October 11th -Field Hockey won against Bryant, 2-1 Saturday, October 12th -Women's Tennis lost to Hofstra, 5-2 -Men's Tennis won against Hofstra,
Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk
The Fairfield University women's rowing team travelled to Philadelphia, PA where six boats were sent to compete at the Navy Day Regatta on Sunday, Oct. 13. In their final race of the day, they sent out a novice 4 comprised of Isabella King, Sabrina Rademacher, Caroline McAndrew, Natalia Bertolotti and Brook Sillart. The rookies landed the Stags in second place out of 13, which would be their highest ranked finish of the day. They finished the run with a time of 16:44:69, falling shortly behind Georgetown University who stopped the clock at 16:04:00 to take first place. The team is scheduled to head to Boston, MA this weekend on Saturday, Oct. 19 where they will compete at the Head of the Charles Regatta.
4-3 -Volleyball won against St. Peter's, 3-0 Sunday, October 13th -Volleyball won against Rider, 3-0
Photo Contributed bySports Information Desk
Upcoming This Week: Wednesday, October 16th -Women's Soccer vs Marist, 4:30 PM
Volleyball had a successful weekend away first taking on St. Peters University (3-15, 1-6 MAAC) in Jersey City, NJ on Saturday, Oct. 12. They had no rest when they faced facing Rider University (7-13, 4-4) in Lawrenceville, NJ the next day, on Oct. 13. The Stags picked up two wins against the pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) competitors, improving their overall record to 12-4, and maintaining their undefeated 7-0 MAAC record. Each victory was claimed in the first three sets of the game. Against St. Peter's, Fairfield cleaned up 25-23, 25-19 and finally 25-16. At Rider the margin was wider at 25-17 in the first set, 25-20 in the second and 25-15 in the third to wrap up the weekend. Fairfield was the only team in the MAAC to document a 2-0 weekend. First-year right side Joelle Battles' stellar performance earned her conference recognition, as she was named MAAC co-rookie of the week along with Rider's Morgan Romano. Battles lead the team in kills on Saturday, recording 11 along with a block. On Sunday, she continued her forceful style of play with seven kills. She currently ranks fifth in the conference, and second among rookies, in kills averaging 2.91 a set. The Stags look to continue their ten-game win streak following a well-deserved week of rest. They are slated to take George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1p.m.
-Men's Soccer at Marist, 7:00 PM Saturday, October 19th -Men's & Women's Rowing, Head Of The Charles Regatta, All Day -Men's & Women's Tennis vs ITA, Northeast Regional Championship, All Day
In this week's issue... - Field Hockey Snags Tenth Win of the Season (Pg. 14)
- Women's Soccer Splits Week 1-1, (L 0-3, W 2-1) (Pg. 15)
- Men's Soccer Stays Stagnant in Scoreless Draw With Iona (Pg.15) - Diving Drops Veteran Assistant Coach (Pg. 16)
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THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
Field Hockey Snags Tenth Win of the Season
Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk Junior forward/midfielder Emma Matlach broke the 1-1 tie, unassisted, with her third goal of the season 11 minutes and 48 seconds into Friday's game against Bryant University.
By Kevin Stush Contributing Writer The Fairfield University women’s field hockey team (9-2) went up against the Bryant University Bulldogs (1-11) on Friday, Oct. 11 at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The Stags were once again victorious with a score of 2-1, marking their third consecutive win. All of the game’s scoring took place in the first quarter and Fairfield was quick to jump to the board. About a minute into the game, Fairfield was awarded a penalty corner which would be controlled and then shot by Danielle Profita ‘21, who found the corner of the net giving the Stags a 1-0 lead. Bryant did not back down and only six minutes later snuck one past Fairfield goalkeeper Zoe Rosen ‘21 to tie the game. With less than four minutes left in the first quarter, Emma Matlach ‘21 was able to find the
Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ... Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor
Lexi Thimble Editor-in-Chief
Your 2019-2020 4x5 Columnists:
Julia Lanzillotta, Lexi Thimble, Katherine Klima and Julia Monteleone
What was the most exciting Do you believe officials in thing about your fall break? sports should face penalties for missed or poor calls?
What do you think of the Micro Market meal-exchange program?
Do you have anyone vis- Should alcoholic beverages iting you for Alumni and be served at sporting events on campus? Family Weekend?
Definitely having a home-cooked I think they should within reason. meal. It was a welcomed break They are human, and mistakes from Sodexo food. are inevitable, but during playoffs when calls determine the outcome of an entire season I don't think it's a bad idea to enforce penalties on bad judgement.
You definitely get a substantial amount of food in exchange for a swipe, but I miss hot food from the Stag.
Yes! Luckily, my mom and my dad will be visiting from New York for the weekend.
Absolutely. It would attract local crowds, as well as upperclassmen. It would also bring in more revenue to the school. I know a beer garden is in the plans for the Alumni Hall renovation, but why wait another two years?
As a person who absolutely hates conflict, I can really sympathize with refs who people get mad at when they make certain calls. Give them the benefit of the doubt, I bet their job is really hard!
I will probably not use it but it really harshes my mellow not to be able to grab snacks from the Stag at 10 pm.
My parents and my sister are coming for the weekend! We're going into NYC and then they're coming to my Glee concert on Sunday, which all of you should also come to!
Totally, so many people I know went to the recent tailgate where they served beer and cider and it seemed like a blast; they should keep that going.
Oh I know nothing about sports but Lanz seems like she knows what she's talking about.
Don't use it, but I miss what the Stag used to be.
Nah, but it's all good. I'll probably be chilling with my roommates this weekend instead.
Sure! I think it would increase attendance ten fold.
I'm going to have to agree with Lanz on this one.
What is thatt????
My older brother who is an alum! Can't wait to make him feel old by taking him to the Grape.
For sure. I think it would be a great way to attract more spectators.
We celebrated my friend's birthday at midnight on Monday and went to get her first legal drink about a half an hour before the Grape closed. It was a great latenight adventure!
Watched the "Exorcist" for the Katherine Klima first time with my friends–that Executive Editor was eventful. Oh and met my best friend's rabbit, that was chill.
Julia Monteleone Managing Editor
back of Bryant’s net giving Fairfield a 2-1 lead. Within the second quarter the Stags dominated the Bulldogs and kept them to zero shots within the quarter. Bryant had many chances throughout the third quarter, registering six shots, but were unable to score on Rosen who had two saves throughout the game. The Stags came out for the fourth quarter with one goal in mind: keep the lead and win the game. They did just that. Outshooting Bryant 5-1 in the fourth, the Stags held onto their lead to secure the win. Taking control offensively for the Stags were Julianna Kratz ‘23, Kelly Buckley ‘21 and Luzi Persiehl ‘22 each having three, one, and two shots respectively. The Stags are now 10-2 on the season and are 2-0 in the Northeast Conference. On Friday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m., Fairfield looks to host Rider University (8-3) in their third conference matchup for their annual “Herd for a Cure” game on University Field, which benefits the Norma Pfriem Breast Center at Bridgeport Hospital in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Cuddling my dog for sure.
Sports
THE MIRROR | Week of October 16, 2019
Page 15
Women's Soccer Splits Week 1-1, (L 0-3, W 2-1) By Kevin Stush Contributing Writer Fairfield University women’s soccer team had two tough games this week, finishing with a split 1-1 record. The Fairfield University’s women’s soccer team (63-2) lost to Quinnipiac University (5-6) on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019 here in Fairfield, CT. The final score was 3-0 in favor of Quinnipiac, even though the Stags outshot the Bobcats 14-10. The first half was predominantly controlled by Quinnipiac. With four shots on goal within two minutes, Emily Loney of Quinnipiac was able to sneak one past Fairfield first-year goalkeeper Gena Pike. After the goal, the Stags continued to struggle to gain control of the game as Quinnipiac was constantly on the attack. Fairfield’s defense composed of Gabby Diodati ‘21, Josie Horosky ‘23 and Olivia Homan ‘23 faced the most action on the field, since the ball was on the defensive end of the field for a majority of the game. Fairfield’s biggest struggle seemed to be clearing the ball passed the midfield line, and this would hurt them as Markela Bejleri for Quinnipiac would score the team’s second goal of the game about midway through the half. Towards the end of the first half, Fairfield had many opportunities to score, but failed to get one by the Bobcat’s goalkeeper Meaghan Phillips who made seven saves in the game. The half ended with Quinnipiac up 2-0. The second half was a more evenly played half. Offensively, Brooke Hernon ‘22, Liz Dumas ‘23 and Stephanie Tsangaris ‘22 each fought hard to try and get the Stags a goal. The connections were there for Fairfield too and this was evident from Dumas’s beautiful headshot that just missed the net high. Even with constant chances, Fairfield failed to find the back of the net and eventually Olivia Scott of Quinnipiac would score the third and final team goal for the game. When asked for his take on the game, Fairfield’s head coach David Barret felt that, “We made too many mistakes, and I think the tempo of the game was going against us and when we fell behind, it is hard to dig out of that in soccer. I thought we had some decent chances, but we are not quite aggressive enough around the goal. I thought we did some decent things box to box, but just not enough good things against a good team to get it done.” On Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. the Stags took on the Manhattan College Jaspers (2-9) at home. Barret hoped that there will be a renewed response the following Saturday after their loss to Quinnipiac. “We have to get back to work tomorrow, come out with a right attitude, and know that everything needs to be better for us to be where we want to be in a few weeks,” Barret said. Practice seems to be just what the girls needed as the
Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk
Fairfield's Amy Akerly '22 registered three shots, two of which were on target, in Wednesday's game against Quinnipiac University.
came out strong this weekend with a 2-0 win against the Jaspers. Less than a minute into the game, Tsangaris was able to find the back of the net for Fairfield giving them an early 1-0 lead. Throughout the rest of the half, the Stags were able to outshoot the Jaspers 7-3 and continued to stay on the offensive. Melanie Hingher ‘20 and Amy Akerley ‘22 had one and two shots, respectively in the first half, in order to contribute to the Stag’s game play. Within the second half, Fairfield kept their foot on the gas pedal and continued to fight offensively. With shot contributions from Hernon, Dumas, and Julia McGuire ‘20, the Stags outshot the Jaspers 11-5. About mid-way through the half, with the help of Horosky, Ally Filipkowski ‘22 was
able to score her first goal of the season giving Fairfield a 2-0 lead. The Jaspers were unable to generate decent scoring opportunities to try and fight back throughout the half, which would lead to Fairfield’s win. The game was split between rookie Pike and sophomore Aytana Muschajew in goal for Fairfield when each goalie made one save in Saturday’s win. In net for Manhattan was Kim Mains who made eight saves throughout the game. The Stags are now 7-4-2 this season and are 4-1 in the MAAC. With only five games remaining in the regular season, Fairfield looks on to their next matchup on Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Fairfield’s Lessing Field.
Men's Soccer Stay Stagnant in Scoreless Draw With Iona By Mike Hoffman Chief Financial Officer In the world of men’s soccer, The Fairfield University Stags (2-4-4, 0-1-2) failed to get their first conference win when they took on the Iona University Gaels (7-2-1, 2-0-1), playing to a 0-0 tie in double overtime. Fairfield goalie, Gordon Botterill ‘21, and the Fairfield defense kept the Iona offense at bay, stopping all six shots put forth by the Gaels. This was Botterill’s fourth shutout, or clean sheet, of the entire season. The Iona offense poured on in the second overtime with a barrage of shots on Botterill, with none of them put home by the Iona offense, allowing Fairfield to preserve the tie. Botterill’s shutout was able to boost his goals against average to 1.27 in his ten appearances as the Fairfield goalie. The Fairfield defense played at the top of their game, as they were able to keep the Iona offense from scoring even with the Iona offense dominating the stat-sheet. The Gaels had a total of twenty-one shots to Fairfield’s twelve and eleven corner kicks, including two in the second overtime period to Fairfield’s three. Offensively, Fairfield was not able to muster up many chances offensively, only getting three shots on net. Junior Matt McGlinchey put forth Fairfield’s best scoring chance in the seventy-seventh minute, but was turned away by Iona netminder Guiliano Santucci. McGlinchey was one of the three Stags to get a shot on net, along with Marcus Nordgaard ‘20, and Jack Weiss ‘22. Sophomore Conner Knecht also put three shots up, but none of them were on target. Fairfield was not able to get a single shot on net during either of the overtime periods, as Iona dominated play. All in all, coming out of this matchup with a tie could be looked at as a victory for the Stags, as the Gaels are placed at the top of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and dominated offensively. The Fairfield Stags will look to get their first conference win, as they go on the road to Poughkeepsie, New York to take on the Marist College Red Foxes (4-6, 1-2) on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Then to round out the week the Stags return home on Alumni and Parents Weekend to take on the Monmouth Hawks (1-8-2, 1-2-1) on Saturday night, Oct. 19 at Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk 7:00 p.m. on Lessing Field. Botterill '21 faced 21 shots and made 6 saves in 110 minutes of play, fending off Iona's offense.
SPORTS 16 Diving Drops Veteran Assistant Coach @MirrorSports
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Week of October 16, 2019
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Sports Editor: Julia lanzillotta » julia.lanzillotta@student.fairfield.edu
By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor Former assistant coach of the Fairfield University swimming and diving program, Daniel Vener, had been instrumental in the program’s success for almost three decades. Why then was he invited to leave without so much as a warning? Vener spent a remarkable 29 years with the Stags, having been a member of the program’s staff since the 1990-1991 season, specializing in diving. On Friday, Aug. 30, Vener returned to campus from his summer break for what he understood would be a typical pre-season meeting. Instead, he was met with the news that he was to be relieved of his duties as an assistant coach. It was then that head coach Anthony Bruno told Vener that his services were no longer needed, letting him know that the program was looking to go in a different direction in terms of leadership this season. The abbreviated interaction would be the extent of the explanation that Vener would receive from Bruno, after dedicating over half of his life to the job. “The fact that it came out of the blue is very surprising and disappointing. I don’t believe it to be performance related,” admitted Vener, who was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference diving coach early in his career in 1992. His accolades extend beyond the MAAC, as Vener was also recognized first in the 2013-14 season by the Eastern College Athletic Conference as their co-men’s coach of the year, and again most recently in December of 2018 at the ECAC Winter Championships when he was named men’s diving coach of the meet. Women’s swimming and diving are the twice reigning MAAC champions, and last year in the 2018-19 season, two of Fairfield’s female divers placed among the top 15 athletes in the One-Meter Diving in the championship meet. “If it was performance related I feel like this would happen at the end of last season in March, maybe in June when the school year ends…but three days before the first practice is bizarre to me,” he said. Vener remained adamant about his respect for the authority that head coaches have in choosing their staff, acknowledging that assistant coaches are filtered out all the time. He mentioned that the “culture of the program is changing. It is the prerogative of the head coach to define the culture.” Vener noted that he spoke further with the Athletics Department, not needing or wanting an explanation for their choice. “I told him that I was disappointed that I seemingly got blindsided.” He valued the time as a way to communicate to the administration that he wishes he had more support from them. Vener did not manage to make contact with director Paul Schlickmann. Head coach Bruno failed to respond to The Mirror’s request for comment regarding the situation, while senior associate director of athletics, marketing and communications Zach Dayton provided a statement from the athletics department via email: “Fairfield University Athletics is committed to our men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs and proud of recent achievements including back-to-back MAAC Championships for the women’s program. We are pleased to welcome new diving coach Devon O’Nalty under the leadership of Head Coach Tony Bruno and we look forward to continued program successes.” Connecticut is categorized as an “at-will” state, meaning that “private-sector employers and employees generally have the right to terminate employment ‘at-will’, that is, whenever either party wishes, without giving a reason,” according to the Connecticut General Assembly’s official website. However, there are exceptions to this right, where “in certain states, employers do not have the right to terminate employees ‘at will’ if the termination violates public policy, an implied employment contract, or an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.” Vener said he was let go without a reason or forewarning, stating that he had “had no contact with anyone from athletics for months prior.”
Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk
Dan Vener served as an assistant coach for Fairfield swimming & diving for 29 seasons.
The former diving coach was deeply ingrained in the history of our university, employed long enough to see five head swim coaches, three athletic directors and three presidents of the university take office. In addition, Vener is a graduate of Fairfield’s Dolan School of Business where he received his Master of Business Administration degree in 2005. The bonds built with the athletes he has coached have been maintained far past their athletic careers at Fairfield. Alumnus Rob Penwell ‘06, who dove under the direction of Vener for four years from 2002-2006, reached out to The Mirror, hoping to draw some attention to the situation, which had received no coverage by the school. Penwell was passionate about the importance of Vener’s leadership, saying, “He encouraged sport/life balance and continues to be a valuable mentor to myself and other members of the team and alumni.” Despite Vener’s abrupt discharge, he has maintained an overwhelming sense of dignity in his long career and utmost respect for the university. He exudes class amidst a precipitous state of affairs, and expressed the most sincere wishes to his former team. “My message to them has been sent and is clear. I have enjoyed my time with them, I have enjoyed my time here. I am sad that it ended and I am disappointed in the way that it ended,” Vener said.
Photo Courtesy of Sports Information Desk
Vener is pictured at the 2013 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Open Championships, where he was honored with the ECAC diving co-coach of the meet award.