Fairfield Mirror 9/18/19

Stags Sweep Competition

New Magis Core

Sculptures

by Rodin

Opinion

Vine

Sports

The new Magis Core is not much different from the old core.

Famous sculptures bring beauty to the Quick.

Battles brings volleyball to victory.

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THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of September 18, 2019

Vol. 45 Iss. 2

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Doing Right by Students: The Future of the Beach

By Julia Crews News Editor

This idea is not confined just to one Facebook post; students are afraid that their rights to live on the beach will be slowly taken away.

State and federal law does not allow discrimination in rental housing based on age in accordance with the Age Discrimination Law of 1975. Leasing on the beach is also a zoning issue, which means that it would be incredibly difficult to “ban” students from living on the beach. However, many students were under the impression that Tetreau was planning to stop students from living on the beach due to a meeting that he held for all beach residents at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Sept. 5.

As attested to by Erica Christiansen ‘20 via electronic message, the selectman, “came and spoke to us at the Quick Center [and] is working to ban Fairfield students from renting in the future...They held a meeting [on September 5] for students living at the beach that we were required to go to and they had Mike Tetreau come in along with the Police Chief and beach committee members. Mr. Tetreau gave us a speech about how much the town loves us and how we bring so much to Fairfield but he’s actively trying to ban us.”

A number of students have also reported hearing of plans to do away with student leases. Senior Ryan Hopkins stated via electronic message that he had seen the post for Representative Kupchick’s event on Facebook, and sug-

gested that the issue lies with Fairfield residents. “I mean if they have a problem with college kids in a college town they need to seriously ask themselves why they moved here,” he said. He went on to add, “I know one landlord who has a few houses and makes his living renting to students, he’s trying to stop the town from like voting on it or something like that.” Selectman Tetreau’s stance was also commented on by Caitlin Teeking ‘20, saying via electronic message that she had “heard a rumor that the first selectman...does not like students on the beach. Also our landlord [Jay Liptak] said that students will probably not be on the beach in 5-10 years because Fairfield (both the university and town) just doesn’t like it.”

While Tetreau did not discuss his speaking engagement at the Quick Center, he maintains that he values the connection between Fairfield Beach residents and the students leasing homes alongside them. “Promoting communication is very important,” he stated. “This includes communication between long-term residents and students, including landlords.”

By Lexi Thimble Editor-in-Chief A campaign event in support for Representative Brenda Kupchick, Republican candidate for First Selectman of the town of Fairfield, will be held at the Seagrape Cafe on Thursday, September 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The event will be hosted by real estate agent Elizabeth Altobelli and landlord Antonio Guillard. Suggested contribution is $50 for attendees but only $20 for students. The motivation behind this event, however, has been a point of concern for students.

“Mike Tetreau, as Fairfield’s current First Selectman, is working alongside the Fairfield Beach community to try and eliminate the leasing of beach houses to students,” stated Kathryn Rafferty ‘20 in a Facebook post advocating for the event. “Antonio [Guillaro] and his team are partnering with Brenda Kupchick who stands for protecting our beach rights.”

Guillaro did not respond to The Mirror’s request for comment.

Tetreau, who is the Democratic incumbent for the first selectman position, claimed the opposite. “I have worked with student organizations and Fairfield University to build an inclusive community at the beach where everyone can live together,” he told The Mirror. “I want to thank the University and student leadership for working with me on initiatives between students and long-term residents of the Fairfield Beach community. There are certainly challenges, but everyone has the right to live there.”

The Mirror reached out to Kupchick, who was in agreement with Tetreau and said via email, “I wasn’t aware of anyone was posting this or have I made any such statements. The two organizers are hosting a fundraiser for me, similar to any of the fundraisers I’ve hosted for my campaign that are to support my race for first Selectwoman. The current first selectman and I have both be at annual beach residents meetings and support harmony with the residents and students.”

Kupchick also denied Rafferty’s statement about the purpose Creative Commons/Flickr of the event, saying, “The event is simply just a fundraiser for some supporters. One of them is Janine [Alianiello] who is running for the local representative town meeting on my ticket and the other one is a supporter who is hosting part of the fundraiser. So there’s nothing more than that, just a fundraiser.”

This contradicts what the general Photo taken from the Seagrape Cafe’s website belief seems to be among students.

The event will start at the Seagrape for appetizers and then move to a house for “more food and fun on the beach.”

Convocation Center Construction Coming

By Daniel Messier Assistant News

Photo taken from News@Fairfield.com

This is a digital projection of what the future Convocation Center will look like.

By Julia Crews News Editor Upon their arrival at the start of this semester, students walked onto a different campus than before. Construction on the new Charles F. Dolan School of Business has finished, and the Barnyard Manor now stand tall just across the road from it. Along with those additions, The Einstein Brothers Bagels that used to be in the John A. Barone Campus Center is now a Dunkin’ Donuts, and the DiMenna-Nyselius Library has undergone a renovation of its own.

But Fairfield University isn’t done with new construction. Beginning in 2020, Alumni Hall will be torn down and on the site, plans were recently announced to build a Convocation Center, to open in 2021. According to a recent article on News@Fairfield’s website, the Center will have 3,500 seats and be 85,00 square feet. “The new facility will boast a state-of-the-art broadcast and media center, luxury seating and lounge areas, and updated features that will truly make it a showpiece of Fairfield’s modern campus,” the article stated.

The construction of the new convocation center is estimated to cost $45 million.

Read Convocation on Page Two

News

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

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New Center to be on Site of Alumni Hall Continued from Page One

According to fairfieldstags.com, fundraising is “on target” and “final Convocation Center approvals from the Fairfield University Board of Trustees and the Town of Fairfield are on track, and the projected financing, which is critical, is proceeding as planned.”

“I am beyond excited for the Convocation Center to take place in the year 2021,” wrote Ashley Cyr ‘23 via electronic message. “I believe this new change will inspire more individuals to take part in the Fairfield Community, while allowing new opportunities to take place. This change is a great way for our community to socialize and become more involved in the activities at Fairfield University.”

“I’m definitely excited for the change even though I’ll have graduated by the time it is completed,” wrote Katie Knapik ‘21 also via electronic message. “One of my favorite things about Fairfield is how committed they are to constantly developing and improving the school.”

The new convocation center will likely bring a change to Fairfield University’s athletics as well. The fairfieldstags.com website describes the new building as “a multi-use space for basketball games, volleyball games, university events, and concerts.” This could mean that more home basketball games will be played on campus as opposed to Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, where the majority of the basketball team’s games are currently housed. According to an article on the fairfieldstags.com website, “While basketball and volleyball will undoubtedly use the new arena the most, when it comes to recruiting Division I athletes to Fairfield University, the Convocation Center is poised to benefit all Stags athletics programs.”

The new facility will also include varsity locker rooms, a training room for sports medicine staff, a film room and a room for team meals. Overall, the university promises to “revolutionize the Stags home game and campus event experience.”

This could lead to greater turnout at University athletic events. “We’ve been so fortunate to be able to use

Webster Bank Arena as a facility for many of our home sports games, but there’s nothing that can match the energy of the crowd when a game is played here on campus,” said Knapik. “I think that having all of our athletic events held at Fairfield will encourage more students to get out and attend the games.”

“I would attend more sporting events, like basketball and volleyball games, at the new Convocation Center,” added Cyr. “In previous games at Alumni Hall, my friends and I struggled to find a seat to watch a volleyball game.

However, with this new advancement to Fairfield University, I believe a ‘bigger and better’ scenery will allow more students like my friends and I to sit comfortably and enjoy the games.”

Overall, the new convocation center gives future students something to look forward to and alumni a source of pride. “It makes me excited as a current student,” said Knapik, “and I know I’ll be proud as an alumni knowing that Fairfield continues to put effort into bettering the students and the campus community as a whole.”

The Fate of Our Food Waste

By Julia Crews News Editor

If you have a meal plan at Fairfield University, you have probably noticed the numerous trash cans lined up by the exit of the Daniel and Grace Tully Dining Commons after each meal during the first week of the semester, and then the rotating compartments with piles of uneaten food stacked on plates after every meal thereafter.

Food waste is a huge problem in the United States and around the world. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Sustainable Management of Food” page on their website, “In 2015 alone, more than 39 million tons of food waste was generated, with only 5.3 percent diverted from landfills and incinerators for composting. EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 22 percent of discarded municipal solid waste.”

So that leads to a question: what is Fairfield University doing about it?

In 2015, Fairfield announced the Fairfield’s Campus Sustainability Action Plan, a 35-page document that can be found on the school’s website under “About Fairfield,” and “Sustainability.” On page 18 of that plan, composting is listed as a future goal to enhance sustainability on campus.

The Mirror spoke to Duane Gornicki, general manager of dining services at Fairfield, to find out more about the processes at the Tully and other dining options for managing food and other types of waste. “It all starts with production,” he said. After food is delivered to the Tully, the “biggest contributor to a landfill, if you will,” referring to plastics and other non-compostable wastes, the staff uses “internal systems called D.R.I.V.E…where we first control how much we produce. So based on any given day, we take in factors like the menu mix to eliminate the potential of waste, so we don’t make extra food.”

Excess food that is never put out can be reworked into other foods because it was never uncovered or exposed to air. Once food is put out, it can only be out for a maximum of four hours before it needs to be covered and refrigerated again. “After four hours, something needs to be done with it,” said Gornicki. This food is unable to be served again “to paying customers,” but it goes to one of the programs to which Fairfield donates excess food such as Food Rescue or Prospect House in Bridgeport. Before this semester, excess food that couldn’t be donated ended up in a landfill, but now there’s a newer, environmentally-friendly system in place.

Julia Crews/The Mirror

Empty Blue Earth compost containers waiting in the loading dock to be placed around campus.

The food left on students’ plates and other food that can’t be donated now goes to compost. As of this semester, dining services are working with Blue Earth Compost, a company based in Hartford, Conn. that, quoting from their website, puts food waste to good use in soil or “compost at an anaerobic digestor that also creates renewable electricity from the process,” which is the process that Fairfield’s waste goes through. It’s in partnership with a company called Quantum BioPower, and the food is left to decompose in an enclosed space and produces methane, which when burned makes steam that drives a turbine that generates electricity for areas in Connecticut.

Around the kitchen, there are Blue Earth Compost bins stationed anywhere food might have to be thrown out.

There are separate cans for trash, such as plastics, soiled napkins and other things that cannot be composted. On our walk, Gornicki leaned over and plucked a black plastic glove out of a compost bin. “If we put too much paper and plastics and stuff [in a bin], the company will reject it.”

As for minimizing damage to the environment in other ways, dining services, according to Gornicki, “try to source locally” and “limit deliveries by truck in order to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Julia Crews/ The Mirror When asked where the ExcessFood waits inside the refrigerator to be given to Food Rescue. food comes from, Gor-

nicki said that the coffee served both at the Tully and in catering services is roasted in Connecticut, and when they’re in season, apples and peaches come from local farms. They partner with Artheusa, a cheese maker in Bantam, Conn. where all of the cheese comes from. Most chicken and other animal products come from the Midwest.

“We try to keep it within at least a 500-mile radius of us,” said Gornicki. “The only thing that comes out of the country is…fruit like berries, blueberries, strawberries.

In the middle of the winter here, there is no one growing these berries. We have to go out of the country, to South America, because our client base demands it.”

In the past few months alone, Sodexo and Fairfield University have made great strides in reducing and processing food waste. Blue Earth Compost picks up approximately “35 bins of compost from around campus twice a week, all with about 90 pounds of food inside.” However, “We won’t have numbers until the end of the semester,” said Gornicki, but at this rate, Fairfield University will have composted almost 100,000 pounds of food by the end of the semester. Before this year, all of that waste--food that is thrown in bins that couldn’t be reworked into other dishes or donated--would have gone to a landfill.

As for what students could do, there are ways that waste can be reduced before it has to be composted.

“Especially incoming freshmen--they have this wonderful buffet… and that’s where the majority of food waste could happen because our resident students who are on the mandatory dining plans, they come up there and take more than what they can eat. We try to portion it on the line… and do programs like Wasteless Mondays, because education is what it’s really about. It’s going to Blue [Earth] Compost, to electricity…but the idea is to never have any waste to begin with.”

And when it comes to getting the message out for students to mind their portions and consider what they’re eating, where it’s coming from and where it will end up, “We don’t do such a good job with messaging about that.

We’re limited about what we can distribute to students, but the University can. Students today want that. They don’t want to waste food.”

News

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

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The Mirror Reects on this Week in Social Media Compiled by Julia Crews Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

9/11 6:19 p.m.

A motor vehicle accident occurred in Aloysius P. Kelley Center west parking lot between a student and a nonstudent. Both cars sustained damage. No injuries were reported.

11:05 p.m.

A smell of marijuana was reported in Campion Hall but the source could not be determined.

9/12 11:40 a.m.

A smell of smoke was reported in the Dolan School of Business and was detected to be automobile exhaust. A diesel truck was found idling in the loading zone. Its owner was told to turn off his vehicle.

9/13 12:45 a.m.

An individual was observed vandalizing a light pole outside of the John A. Barone Campus Center. He was identified and referred to student conduct.

12:58 a.m.

An ambulance backed up and hit a bench outside of Gonzaga Hall, resulting in damage to the bench.

3:30 a.m.

Power failure campus-wide occurred due to a house fire on Barlow Road.

9/14 1:01 a.m.

Department of Public Safety assisted Residence Life in dispersing a large group of students in the townhouses on 11 and 12 blocks.

9/16 1:53 a.m.

A student reported that someone had entered her room in Meditz Hall and rearranged the furniture. Nothing was missing or damaged from the apartment. DPS reminds students to lock their doors and immediately contact DPS upon any suspicious activity.

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Lexi Thimble, Editor-in-Chief Katherine Klima, Executive Editor Julia Monteleone, Managing Editor Editors Sheila McCombs, Chief Copy Julia Crews, News Daniel Messier, Assistant News Catherine Santangelo, Opinion Gracianne Eldrenkamp, Vine Molly Lamendola, Abroad Columnist Julia Lanzillotta, Sports Editor

Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Michael Homan, Director of Finance Advisor Professor Matt Tullis Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

News

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

Students Come Together At the Multicultural Fair

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By Mimi Loughlin Contributing Writer

There was a crowd of bustling students throughout the Multicultural Activities Fair, which took place in the John A. Barone Campus Center’s Dogwood Room on Friday, September 13 from 12-3 p.m. Students gathered to talk with each of the clubs, numerous enough that they filled the entire room. The fair was sponsored by the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs.

There are many new clubs this year, such as FIESTA, which stands for Filipino Intercultural Entity Standing Together as Allies.

Sophomore Eula Valdez, Marketing Specialist for FIESTA, discussed the need for a club that focuses on Filipino culture.

“We want people to know we exist,” Valdez said.

“There are other Asian clubs, but they are more general.”

FIESTA most recently collaborated with the Commuter Students Association on a movie night on Tuesday, September 17. The movie is a slice-of-life comedy that depicts family dynamics in the Philippines, Valdez said.

FIESTA is open to all students.

Senior Mohammed Alharbali, president of the Muslim Student Association, discussed the MSA’s upcoming trip to New York City on September 21.

Alharbali said that MSA hopes to educate others about the religion of Islam and clarify misconceptions surrounding Muslims through events and programs. He also clarified that MSA is open to all students and is a place for Muslim students on campus to worship and find a community.

Senior Cindy Louis, the president of Fairfield University’s chapter of the American Association Of University Women, said that the AAUW focuses on women’s empowerment, health, educational funding.

The AAUW also focuses on career and leadership development, such as through salary negotiation workshops, and forming connections with women across the globe.

Recently, during Hurricane Dorian, AAUW raised funds for women who did not have access to feminine hygiene products. AAUW also created a positive message board on the first floor of the John A. Barone Campus Center, Louis said.

“Because of today’s climate, it is especially important for women to feel supported by each other,” Louis, a Nursing major, said.

Sophomore Chelsey Gabriel, Secretary of the Black Student Union spoke about how she is excited for BSU to

Mimi Loughlin/The Mirror

Students participating gather for a picture outside of the Multicultural Fair at the Barone Campus Center Oak Room.

collaborate with other clubs and create great traditions.

Gabriel said that the Black Student Union is open to anyone on campus interested in forming friendships and community with black students.

Sophomore Tushi Patel, a member of the executive board of the South Asian Students Association spoke about SASA’s sense of community.

“We have a lot of engagement and community.

People were asking about what it stands for. We want to get more attention for our events,” Patel, who is also a Fairfield United Representative, said.

Junior Ohsafa Harding, President of the Fairfield University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, spoke about his club’s upcoming event.

“Why NSBE? It gives people a supportive community,” Harding said, referring to the name of the future event.

The community that NSBE fosters includes leadership training, professional development activities, mentoring, career placement services and community service opportunities, Harding ‘21 and Aaron Banson’ 21, Treasurer of Fairfield NSBE, explained.

As Asha Perry ‘18, the Program Coordinator of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, mentioned, SALSA, the Spanish-American And Latino Student Association, was not at the activities fair because they are being reworked into a new club with a new name. They plan to be up and running soon.

Megan Beauregard, Treasurer of Fairfield Alliance, and Ruby Francis ’22, Secretary of Fairfield Alliance, the LGBTQ+ group on campus, said that they are excited for their upcoming traditional screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” around Halloween.

As Beauregard and Francis explained, “Rocky Horror” is an important event that brings the community together. It was released six years after the 1969 Stonewall uprising and is known for its exuberant characters, humor and above all, its overarching message that no one is alone: there is always a community for everyone.

For more information about any of the multicultural or affinity clubs, including those not mentioned in this article, visit Fairfield University’s Student Life and Services page on their website.

Finding Common Ground Across the Aisle

By Daniel Messier Assistant News Editor

Abortion, mass shootings and the status of contemporary political discourse were among some of the topics discussed at the semester’s first Across the Aisle event held on Wednesday, September 11 in the John A. Barone Campus Center.

Students ate an assortment of food from Garden Catering and talked about the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, background checks for gun owners and whether the United States’ political climate is as volatile as it seems to be. Students also discussed the upcoming primary elections, talking about Democratic candidates such as Andrew Yang, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden, among others. One particular topic that was debated was Andrew Yang’s proposal, as outlined on his campaign website, for a universal basic income of $1,000 a month for all United States citizens.

With the Across the Aisle event being held one day prior to the Democratic primary debate, there was also a focus on the Democratic candidates and their chances of beating President Trump in the 2020 general election.

Despite the salient nature of the issues that students were talking about during the event, the conversation remained civil throughout. Students took time out of their serious discussions to make jokes and have some fun.

Laughter was prevalent during the event, as was compromise. Although students disagreed on certain issues, they were usually able to find common ground and remained respectful throughout the event.

The structure of the event was relaxed, with students able to come and go as they please, get up and grab food whenever they like and generally comment whenever they have something to say. This created an environment that facilitated discussion and learning according to the students who were in attendance.

“I definitely think Across the Aisle is important,” wrote Isabel de León ‘21, a participant in the event. “This event gives students of all different backgrounds and political parties an environment to discuss their viewpoints freely. I love that it isn’t just one-sided political views. I have a chance to see how others think, and sometimes even rethink my own ideas.”

Across the Aisle is a beneficial learning experience for students as well. As de León continued, “Some of the

things I learned today had to do with Connecticut gun laws—I am unfamiliar since I have only ever lived in New Jersey and now Texas—and laws regarding drafts.”

Across the Aisle, which runs biweekly, is an opportunity for students of any ideological background to discuss important issues and have difficult conversations openly and freely. The next meeting will be on September 25.

“

This event gives students of all different backgrounds and political parties an environment to discuss their viewpoints freely” - Isabel de León ‘21

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Opinion

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THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

Opinion

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

First Years: The New Magis Core is Nothing to Stress About

By Claire Bellucci Contributing Writer The class of 2023 is just like every other class before them. They are wide-eyed, excited, probably lost even if they say they’re not and a little nervous. However, the class of 2023 is different in one way. Instead of having to complete the core curriculum that the current sophomores, juniors and seniors are required to complete, the new first-year students are the guinea pigs for the brand new Magis Core Curriculum. As a first-year student, all I know is this new Magis Core, but for the other classes this is all new. Although, when you compare the two, it’s not that substantial of a difference.

Before anyone makes any more judgments on which core is better, let’s break it down.

What does the original core curriculum entail?

According to Fairfield University’s website, the goal is to develop “the whole person.” Each core curriculum is meant to teach students so that they can be functional and educated human beings when they go out into the real world. Fairfield University defines their goal for an individual as “someone who understands the laws, limitations, and beauty of the natural world, and a spiritual being who seeks to make one’s life express the truths of religion and philosophy.”

The requirements for the original core are only slightly different. It requires the completion of two math courses (at least one of which is a calculus course), two history courses, two social and behavioral science courses, two philosophy courses, two religious studies courses, one additional course in philosophy, religious studies or applied ethics, three English courses, two visual and performing arts courses, two intermediate language courses, one U.S. diversity course and one world diversity course.

What does the Magis Core Curriculum entail?

Fairfield's website explains that the Magis Core is “deeply rooted in the Jesuit Catholic tradition.” It is designed to prepare Fairfield students for work, society and to build their life toolbox. It is important to have a basis of understanding in history, science, math and social sciences to succeed in the world. There are three elements that are going to be more heavily included in the courses offered for the new core, and they are social justice, writing-intensive and interdisciplinary. This is the most significant difference between the two core curriculums.

The Magis Core requires the completion of three English courses, two history courses, two math courses, two language courses, two natural science courses, two philosophy courses, two religious studies courses, one additional course in philosophy, religious studies or applied ethics course, two social and behavioral science courses, two visual and performing arts courses and two diversity

requirements. This may seem like a lot, however many of the core classes can be double counted for requirements, so if you play your cards right you won’t have to sweat over the core too much.

As someone who is required to complete the Magis Core, I don’t see enough of a difference between the two curriculums for there to be any complaints. I mean I am definitely not a math person, and to be honest I’m scared of numbers. Also, philosophy has never really been my thing. However, it is school, and sometimes you have to take courses that you aren’t always excited about. Will calculus provide my future with anything more than headaches? It’s impossible to tell. You never know what you’ll need to know down the road, which is why the new core can be seen as providing students with what they need to be successful later on in the future.

Hope for the best, yet prepare for the worst. Yes, it may be a little more work, but as times change so does education.

Right now, it’s new and can be easily viewed as annoying, but in a few years, times will yet again change and so will the core. The Magis Core may not be the most convenient in terms of scheduling, but down the road this curriculum is what could help you succeed in the future.

Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

Cursing Democrats Don't Connect with the Voting Community thentic, similar to how many Democrats casually rattle off sentences in Spanish during the previous debates.

Perhaps this is the first time you're hearing about The Democratic presidential candidates of 2020 were the use of curse words from Democrats in this election cywarned before the third Democratic debate in Houston, cle. Generally, Democrats are known to be politically corTexas to avoid swearing on the debate stage, as reported rect, as exemplified in an article from NPR, illuminating a

by USA Today. This warning comes after many prominent stark contrast to many Republicans in the age of President Democratic candidates became fond of using curse words at Donald J. Trump. However, contrary to this belief, Demoprevious debates and campaign speeches. crats are starting to break out of their shells.

This strategy of swearing, though bold in today’s diWhile making an appearance on “Real Time with visive political climate, won’t help Democrats make head- Bill Maher,” former Housing and Urban Development Secway in the upcoming elections. Their obvious attempts to retary and Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro pander to the common American voter seem inaucalled it “bullsh*t” to laugh off Former Vice President Joe Biden’s inappropriate touching of women.

Senator Cory Booker also used this word while speaking on CNN about thoughts and prayers as they relate to gun violence. According to Global News, at the first Democratic debate, entrepreneur Andrew Yang proclaimed that “they’ve been laughing their a**** off ” in reference to Russia and their alleged hacking of our democracy. As BuzzFeed News reports, former United States Representative Beto O’Rourke didn’t hold back at a campaign stop near Boston when he decried gun violence, calling it “f**ked up.”

These are not the only instances where Democratic candidates have cursed, but these examples provide for the pith of this argument.

The entire political environment in the United States has become vitriolic, which could explain this deviation from the liberal norm by modern presidential candidates.

However, politics have not just become hostile and Pictured: Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke Creative Commons/Flickr, Pixabay, Wikipedia divisive. Over the past few years, American poliBy Jack Martorano Contributing Writer

Editorial Board "Go Forth with Kindness" Lexi Thimble Editor-inChief

One of the many Jesuit mottos that Fairfield University values is St. Ignatius Loyola’s urgence that we “go forth and set the world on fire.” Though the idea of setting the world aflame sounds rather destructive, Fairfield has instead taken those words to mean the spread of acts of service, of being kind and letting that kindness flow. In a world that can sometimes seem very bleak, I think what we, both as students starting a new semester in college and as global citizens, need to keep in mind that foundational idea of kindness.

In going to college for the first time, my goal was to meet as many people as possible, and to enfold around me relationships that were many and varied from my own. I had a hunger to meet people and to learn from them what it meant to exist in a place that was not my own hometown. Though I had many moments of nervousness and insecurity about my place on campus, I firmly believe

tics have become more polarized than ever, which makes me question why Democrats have suddenly begun to swear.

Perhaps Democrats are combatting the sometimes blunt language of President Trump, or they are simply vying for attention in the presidential race.

I for one am glad that Democrats are beginning to do away with political correctness. When liberal Democrats refrain from certain issues or terms because of political correctness, they intentionally or unintentionally blur their proposals. Sometimes, political correctness even prevents us from avoiding those topics that might make certain groups feel uncomfortable. By practicing this, we ignore real issues that are plaguing America, such as the crisis at the border and domestic/foreign terrorism.

Though swearing plays a role in breaking down the irritating wall of political correctness, it just doesn’t work for Democrats. Nowadays, liberal voters are undeniably more sensitive to the words that are used by politicians.

Their own presidential candidates are consciously squashing this unwritten contract among liberals in America.

Democrats seem to be trying too hard to connect with average Americans, the majority of which curse on a daily basis. When the candidates swear, they make it too obvious that they possess that inherent political desire to connect with voters. If we’ve learned anything from 2016, it’s that Americans are sick of career politicians.

Watching these Democratic candidates curse reminds me of when Senator Elizabeth Warren started a live video on Instagram and said that she was going to get herself a beer, as recounted by CBS News. Then, ironically, her husband and her dog walked in and she introduced them to her virtual audience. The entire exchange made me cringe.

The best way to sum up my feelings toward the Democratic presidential candidates’ use of swear words: cringeworthy.

that any kindness I gave out was returned tenfold.

Being the change you wish to see can mean more than a cliché quote; you have the agency to “set the world on fire” with your kindness.

With students new and old coming to Fairfield this semester, I believe it’s incredibly important to treat each other softly and with empathy.

Everyone is learning something for the first time right about now; at this stage during my first year I didn’t even know where the StagBus left from.

Giving people the space, patience and respect they deserve to make mistakes and learn from them is crucial in a transitional time such as this, and is something that I hope carries on not just for the first week or month of the year, but continuously.

This message doesn’t just extend to students; Fairfield as a campus has changed dramatically even since last year, let alone when I started here in the fall of 2016. We have a brand-new mailroom

system that may be a little slow, three new Dunkin’ Donuts in various locations with employees still learning the ropes and new townhouses that need some finishing touches. We have extremely hardworking custodians, facility workers, cashiers, maintenance people, mailroom attendants and food service workers who are all making that adjustment as well. Our kindness does not stop at our direct peers; give them the time and pay them the kindness of understanding, and before you know it will be like these changes have been in place forever.

So go forth and set your world, your campus, on fire with kindness. With patience, with understanding, with empathy, with love. Keep your heart open to the possibility of new friends, and lend your smile to the people who keep this school’s heart beating. Here’s to a kinder year my fellow Stags; set the world aflame.

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Club Sports are About Sharing Your Passions with Your Teammates

By Gabrielle Arlotta Contributing Writer

According to Fairfield University’s website, there are 25 official club sports offered at Fairfield. The sports range from popular ones like hockey and baseball, to unique sports like Equestrian and cricket. Sports are America’s favorite pastime, a topic that on a small or large scale, brings people together. When choosing Fairfield University, it wasn't the pure green, freshly mowed grass and prestigious academics that won me over– it was the club Equestrian team: FUET. The craziest part of my choice to attend Fairfield was that I actually rejected the potential to be a Division I athlete. Even though club sports are not the same as playing a Divi-

is the students responsibility to recruit members and fulfill certain requirements.

Most club sports are small to medium size. In regards to FUET, the team didn’t just show up to practices; officers scheduled them. There were no busses to shuttle us like varsity sports. We drove each other at the break of dawn with the help of a Dunkin’ coffee. Our team apparel was not handed to us. It was created over months of idea sketching and research for the best silk screen artist, brands and embroiderer. There was no coach scheduling ‘mandatory fitness workouts.’ Our motivation for strength came from each other, but also from within ourselves. Club sports taught me how to run something greater than myself, and run it well, not just for the team but for the university and myself included.

It may seem like a whole lot of work for just a regular level sport. The reality is, the fulfillment of all these duties has allowed myself and other club sport athletes alike to put a piece of themselves into Fairfield for future generations to take on every year. So, it’s okay to not be a varsity athlete, because you still have a place to shine and become a role model within your passion! For more information about club sports, visit this link or email sportclubs@ fairfield.edu!

Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

sion I/varsity sport, they still offer so much to the athletes who play them.

If you don’t know the Equestrian sport, this is what you need to take from it for the time being: Riders typically compete individually. It’s just you and the horse out there in the ring.

That being said, my choice in pursuing my passion- the “horse world” - meant missing out on a very important aspect of those weird and dreaded, yet highly memorable teenage years joining a high school sports team.

In the fall of 2015, only about 11 girls were on FUET at the time. We were all different people overall and for the most part we were each at different experience levels. That was the best part though: passing a lifetime of knowledge on to those beginners just entering the sport. What made us all the same was our passion for horses and the shot to have our sport represented at a college level.

To be clear, I'm not belittling Division I athletes in comparison to club sport athletes because how could I? We all know how talented one has to be to make that cut. I also can’t speak about the experience of a varsity athlete because I never was one. However, I can speak about what a club sport at Fairfield has given me, and what I gave back over the past four years.

To me, being a member of a club sports team means freedom; the freedom to make your team and experience whatever you want it to be. I personally wanted to make my contribution something people would never forget. I always wanted to be there for my teammates who were also my best friends. While Fairfield allowed me to compete competitively with fellow horse girls, in return I gave Fairfield’s Equestrian team my all. I never missed an event, fundraiser, meeting or competition.

Club sport teams typically work with director Jon Dihinion to get the ball rolling, but the rest is up to the officers and the team as a whole. The difference between us and varsity athletes is that the teams initially start with a vision - a pitch. Upon approval to form a team, it

Creative Commons/Wikipedia

Students Using the Essay for Hire Industry are Wasting their Education

By Kallan Hook Contributing Writer

In late spring, news headlines flooded in with reports of celebrities bribing elite colleges to allow their children admittance. Since then, the college admissions scandal has continued to spark outrage concerning the ability for privileged students to scam their way into top-tier universities.

Yet, new reports highlight how a large amount of students continue to

Creative Commons./Pixabay

swindle their way through university. The New York Times recently reported the growing demand in the "essay-forhire" industry. This cryptic industry allows well-off American, and occasionally international students, to deceive their way through school by having low-income, overseas workers write college-level essays for them in exchange for pay.

This “contract cheating” industry has nearly doubled in size since 2005 as demand continues to increase with many of the sites having the workers bid on assignments as they compete for money.

The lucrative profession allows college students to be matched to an overseas worker willing to write

an “original” and “non-plagiarized” essay in exchange for a suitable income that allows them to sustain their living.

Many of the individuals writing these essays are doing so to support themselves and their families.

While this industry is nonetheless unethical and a form of cheating, for many it is their only source of income.

These students in developing nations are so desperate to find suitable sources of income that they are willing to become involved in an unethical practice, such as that of contract cheating, in order to maintain a minimal standard of living. According to the New York Times, many of these essay writers only make $300 during their best month, which is more money than each writer has ever made.

Ultimately, the contract cheating industry is causing more problems than it is solving. The American and international students who are paying for their work to be done by other individuals are merely cheating themselves of the privilege that is education. If students are unable to complete their own work, they do not deserve their degrees. These are the students who are cheating other deserving individuals from a spot at university, and they are selfishly wasting the time of the professors who read their work. Furthermore, these students jeopardize the integrity of other student’s work and devalue the level of education received by promoting a university that does not penalize the students who submit fraudulent work. Students buying their essays from this lucrative industry may be helping to support another individual, but they are also harming themselves by falling into a habitual routine of dishonesty and immoral actions.

The writers who are creating these essays deserve the same educational opportunities as the disgraced students paying for them. Rather than having to submit to such an unethical practice of contract cheating, the countries involved in this lucrative business should be focusing on creating support for more educational opportunities to further improve the social and economic downcast for their people. Ultimately, the contract cheating industry temporarily solves a single student’s worry of not completing an assignment, but it creates a large deviation in the world’s economy and lack of social progression. Education is a privilege that should not be cheated by wealthy American students who have no concept of hard work. The students who are writing these essays deserve the spot at the university more than the crooked cheats who buy their way through school.

The Vine

arts, entertainment, features

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

Quick Center Celebrates Auguste Rodin in

"Truth, Form, and Life" Liam Woods/TheMirror CreativeCommons/Pixabay

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

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Rodin's Sculptures Stop By the Quick

By Liam Woods Contributing Writer Before his death in 1917, Auguste Rodin was already widely considered the greatest European sculptor since Michelangelo. Such high praise is what makes the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts’ new exhibition such an exciting addition to campus. Thanks to the generosity of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, this exhibit will be displayed until December 13, inviting visitors to marvel at works of genius created by a man interested in "Truth, Form, and Life."

Rodin lived his early adult years as an artist struggling to create his unique artistic voice during days of poverty. Growing up in Paris, Rodin was denied admission on three separate occasions to the prestigious Ecole des Beux-Arts. The craftsman did not receive his first commission until the age of 40. In his first commision, as a part of his "Gates of Hell" (which was inspired by Dante's Inferno), Rodin created one of his most recognizable pieces, "The Thinker."

Rodin's style is well expressed in his thoughts on "The Thinker,” as described in an overview of the piece from The National Gallery of Art: "What makes my Thinker think is that he thinks not only with his brain, with his knitted brow, his disinterested nostrils and compressed lips, but with every muscle of his arms, and legs, with quenched fist and gripping toes."

Like all good artists, Rodin existed in both a strong tradition with past master sculptures, while pushing the boundaries of what that tradition could express. Stepping into his studio, a time travelling observationalist would not know whether they found themselves in the studio of a Renaissance sculptor, or that of the relatively contemporary Rodin.

Italian models were highly sought after by the Parisian artists of Rodin's day. Their "classical proportions" made them ideal for depicting the mythological and Christian iconography which were in vogue at the time. Rodin, on the contrary, needed "flesh and blood models in the here and now," as noted by biographer Ruth Butler.

In order to capture the nature of the model, instead of posing, Rodin would tell them to "Be angry, dream, pray, cry, dance," as quoted from the Photo Taken from fairfield.edu brochure provided by the exhibit.

"Monumental Torso of the Walking Man" can be seen at the Quick Center.

With the wisdom that comes from years of dedicated craftsmanship the great sculptor noted, "It is when models leave a pose that they most often reveal their beauty to me." This process was one which allowed him to capture the physicality and individual character of his models in sculpture, which always guaranteed expressive surfaces that reveal a deep truth of human nature.

Besides aesthetic considerations, we study art because great artists exist very closely to the times in which they live. We can learn not only from their genius, but also from their flawed character, how this flawed character was assessed in their time, and how it is then assessed in our time is a source for potential revelation. The passionate Rodin was known to be sexually aggressive towards his models, coercing with the power his popular work gave him at the time. During his time, this was not uncommon. Today, however…

A student with some time to kill, or in need of some inspiration for an assignment, or simply interested in Rodin's relation to the history of art will find in the Quick Center: a heroic bust of Victor Hugo, multiple experiments on form based off Balzac or a heroically defeated Burgher of Calais handing over the keys to his city. Lesbian lovers in a state of physical affection, a torso which could have been unearthed in an archeological dig of antiquity, the hand of a piano player in motion, or the hand of Photo Taken from fairfield.edu God in creation.

"Large Right Clenched Hand" is at Rodin's exhibit.

'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Warms Audiences' Hearts

By Tyler Zikias Contributing Writer

I’m just going to come right out and say it: “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is one of the sweetest movies I have ever seen. The film was directed by Tyler Nilson and Mike Schwartz and stars Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen, and follows Zack (Gottsagen), a man with Down syndrome, as he escapes from the retirement home where he stays in search of his favorite wrestler and idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). On his journey he meets Tyler (LaBeouf), a fisherman who is also on the run from associates of his after a certain incident occurs. Tyler agrees to escort Zack further south to find the Salt Water Redneck so Zack can achieve his dream of becoming a wrestler. If you couldn’t tell by the opening sentence, I adore this movie.

The performances are exceptional and what truly keep this movie afloat. Shia LaBeouf delivers what is absolutely his best performance and should be given an Oscar nomination.

My only real flaw with the movie is one that Shia LaBeouf creates by being so good. Intercut throughout most of Tyler’s scenes are short flashbacks that show Tyler and his brother together. These moments are fine in the grand scheme of things and don’t detract much, but I think LaBeouf is so good, that you can tell how troubled his past is just by looking at him without the flashbacks. Just the way he carries himself and grows to love Zack is so raw and a true reminder of the talent that LaBeouf has.

LaBeouf is Oscar worthy, but the scene stealer is Zack Gottsagen and it’s not even really a competition. Gottsagen is a rockstar and commands the screen with every scene he’s in. His actions are so pure and his chemistry with Shia LaBeouf is outstanding. He’s also the funniest part of the movie. His comedic timing is spot on at all times. This movie doesn’t work without Zack and he played his part to perfection.

What makes “The Peanut Butter Falcon” such an effortlessly enjoyable watch is how it always has its mind on how it’s treating its characters without compromising its heart.

It is very mature with how it treats Zack and how other characters may treat him. Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), Zack’s caregiver who is tracking him down, has a tendency to treat Zack more like a child because of his disability, while Tyler only has his mind set on the dream Zack has to become a wrestler. Eleanor and Tyler have two especially great moments where they talk about Zack and what he needs, both of which struck a chord with me. The film is powerful in what is trying to say without ever losing this sense of adventure and joy that should come along with it.

Overall, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is one of 2019’s best films and one you need to see. If not for its beautiful cinematography and well-paced narrative, definitely see it for the excellent performances and chemistry between the entire cast. It’s the most heartfelt movie I have seen in a long time.

Grade: A

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Pennywise Has His Last Laugh in 'It: Chapter Two' children and as adults, allowing the reader tions were palpable through the big screen, and the audito see the parallels. Since this version of ence was laughing, crying or screaming along with him. the story was split into its individual stoThe film also explores the concept of Hader’s characrylines, the parallels become repetitive as ter Richie’s sexuality, which wasn’t in the original book. It opposed to clever. was one of the few changes that I absolutely adored. It gave As a horror film, “It: Chapter Two” depth to his character and added so much extra context and ay flops. Maybe it’s because I rewatched the emotion to the ending. /Pixab mons m o C 2017 film right before going to the theaters So the big question: Did I like the movie? And the ane v ti a e Cr or maybe clowns just don’t scare me, but I swer isn’t as clear-cut as I wish it was. I loved the book. I struggle to even call this film horror. Part of thought the 1990 miniseries was okay, and the 2017 film what made the 2017 film so interesting was that, was pretty good, but this 2019 version, although enterby the end of the film, the viewer wasn’t scared of It taining in its own way, disappointed me. It didn’t follow anymore. The film put the viewer in the up the first film as well as I wanted it to, and it defiperspective of the kids, as they weren’t nitely didn’t amaze me as much as the novel did. I scared of him either. However, this would’ve loved a line-by-line adaptation of the kind of thing works retroactively novel but with 1,138 pages of content, that

By Gracianne Eldrenkamp in the case of “It: Chapter Two.” was impossible.

Vine Editor By the second movie, the viewer In the end, there’s so little “It” content After two long years, the 2017 had seen Pennywise so much that out there that I can see myself rewatchretelling of Stephen King’s best-selling the terror of him being shrouded in ing “It: Chapter Two” and enjoying it. novel “It” finally has its sequel and conmystery was completely lost. I Despite its flaws, I left the theater with clusion. As a big fan of the franchise, I hadn’t found myself laughing at a good tears in my eyes. It managed to reignite been this excited for a film, let alone a horportion of the scares because my love for the Losers’ Club, and for ror film, in a very long time and, overall, I they were so ridiculous, and Penthat, I would still recommend to anythought the film was unfortunately unsatnywise just wasn’t terrifying to me anyone who loved the book but hated isfying. more. There were a lot of fantastic horwhen it ended.

Before watching the film, I will warn you that rific imagery, but it got lost without a there are quite a few heavy and upsetting topics good amount of suspense to back it up. shown in graphic detail. There is a very disturbing However, I think if “It: Chapter Two” portrayal of a hate crime against a gay couple, with was advertised more as a character slurs used against them in the beginning. There are also drama, it works much better. The scenes that depict both domestic violence and suicide. scares are really just a highlight A lot of my frustration with “It: Chapter Two” is its to the film as opposed to the length. The movie is a whopping two hours and 40 minutes driving force. long, and somehow I wanted it to be much longer. WatchThe acting in this film ing the movie feels like watching an abridged version of the was one of its biggest highstory, and, knowing the original novel’s plot, they took ma- lights. With an all-star cast jor shortcuts and didn’t fully explain everything. It’s a good including James McAvoy, Bill thing because there wasn’t any dull or dragging moments, Hader, Jessica Chastain and but this movie also isn’t for new viewers.

Isaiah Mustafa, the characters The film’s plot follows the same characters as the first from the first film were transfilm, 27 years later, as they come back to their hometown of formed remarkably well into Derry to defeat It a second, and hopefully last, time. As you the second. In particular, almight imagine, the storyline is a little too similar to the first though it was his first time actPhoto Taken from @itmovieofficial Instagram one. In the novel, this similarity makes sense because the ing in a horror flick, Hader was story bounces back and forth between the Losers’ Club as mesmerizing to watch. His emo- Bill Hader portrays Richie Tozier in "It: Chapter Two."

Heard it Through the Grapevine: Maeve Nowak

By Katherine Klima Executive Editor

Senior Maeve Nowak is making her mark this year as one of the Editor-in-Chief 's at the Inkwell, Fairfield University’s student-run creative writing magazine. The Public Relations major has always loved to write creatively in her spare time.

“I love to write everything,” said Nowak. “Poems, short stories, scripts–oh, you name it.”

Nowak credits one of her favorite writers to be Roald Dahl. As a child, his novels would inspire her to be a writer herself.

“The BFG is the book that got me to love reading,” said Nowak. “I read it the summer after fourth grade. After that I read all of his books and fell in love.”

Music is something that can get every writer inspired, especially Nowak. There are too many songs to list in regards to what gets her motivated to write. However, these are just five of the songs that will always get her writing no matter what.

“Never Stop” – Safety Suit

“This is a good love song. I love playing this song when I need inspiration when I’m trying to capture the perfect chemistry between two of my characters.”

“Glorious” – Macklemore ft. Skylar Grey “This is my go to pump up song. Anytime I need hype or just need to write a happy scene, this is the song that always gets me motivated.”

“Get Along” – Kenny Chesney “We all have a country classic we just love. Mine is Kenny Chesney’s ‘Get Along.’ I basically know all the words to this song and always have to sing it in a southern accent.”

“Flaws” – Bastille “This is a good angsty throwback. This is a good listen for when you have to write those really emotional scenes in a piece.”

“Brother” – NEEDTOBREATHE “I usually play this song when I’m missing my family. However, it’s great to listen to when I’m writing intense scenes between family members themselves.”

Photo Contributed by Maeve Nowak

Nowak takes a selfie.

CreativeCommons/Pixabay

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

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Marc Jacobs Commemorates 9/11

Photo Taken from @themarcjacobs Twitter

Model showcases Jacobs' designs.

By Eleanor Davis Editor-In-Chief at The Point Every fall, designers, fashionistas and critics flock to New York City for New York Fashion Week. It’s easily my favorite week of the year. I love watching the coverage of shows and presentations through the eyes of my favorite influencers and designers. This year, with the week ending with the 18th anniversary of 9/11, Marc Jacobs paid homage to the day. Every year his show closes fashion week, including the fashion week of 2001 when his show took place on the night of September 10. He put on the most gorgeous show I’ve ever seen. Beautiful dresses, sleek effortless looks and a perfectly happy pallete. His show was moving for those who love fashion, but the notes he left on each seat are what made this a show for the ages.

“On the Monday evening before 9/11, Marc Jacobs showed a star-studded fashion show at Pier 54, with the twin towers glistening but a few hundred yards away. Glamorous, celebrity-packed and incidentally poignant (the direction was 70’s flower child)... seen in content as a tragically dazzling snapshot of life in New York before the world

changed the next morning.”- Christopher Barnard, Paper Magazine.

For my dear friend, David Rivers and all the great friends I will never have the chance to meet, it has been eighteen years and a day we will never forget. This show, like that show (Spring/Summer 2001) is a celebration of life, joy, equality, individuality, optimism, happiness, indulgence, dreams and a future unwritten as we continue to learn from our past and the history of fashion- exploring iconic images of the designers we love, forever catalogued… From the genius of Karl, the cheerful and bright eyed positivity of Doris Day, the incomparable timeless style of Lee Radziwill to the effortless coolness of Lee Radziwill the effortless coolness a half century later among the endless sea of digital influencers… The boundary-pushing, brilliantly cast and hyper-stylisted, Euphoria, so acutely portraying what it means to be a young person today and the poignant depiction of a not-so-distant future… As with closely guarded tradition, tonight is our reminder of the joy in dressing up, our unbridled love of fashion and embracing grand gestures of unbridled expressions, reactions, ideas and possibilities.” Check out the full note on Marc Jacob’s instagram.

Every year 9/11 reminds us of loss, of the sadness our country felt and still feels for those lost and those forever changed. Our world changed that day and 18 years later it doesn’t hurt any less, and it never will. This note written by Marc Jacobs is a reminder of our past, of where we came from, who we were before, and who we are now. He speaks to those lost on 9/11 and since, like Karl Lagerfield and Dorothy Day, who both made lasting and unforgettable changes to society. He thanked the producers of Euphoria for depicting the truth of today. This note is a reminder of everything this country has endured, our losses, our successes, and everything to come. I hope you are as moved by it as I was and I hope Marc Jacob’s words stay with you.

While the sentiment of the show was amazing, the gowns and looks are what makes this show unforgettable. My favorite look was the gown Bente Oort wore. She was covered in head to toe flowers made of pink and orange feathers. Think Kylie and Kendall Met Gala 2019 times a thousand. It was an epic look and definitely a show stopper.

Gigi Hadid wore the most chic little blue dress that gave me total french girl vibes. Her matching baby blue hat pulled the look together. Kaia Gerber dazzled in a dark flower printed gown. Every last detail of her look was absolute perfection from the chiffon flowers pinned into her updo to her sparkly green manicure. The show took place in a warehouse, the audience sat in white folding chairs sporadically placed in the middle of the room and all of the models walked out at once.

It was different, and magical, and everything fashion should be.

Thank you for reading, Eleanor Davis

The Mirror Abroad: Just a Moment with Molly chicken baking in God’s oven. But all you have to do is bring a light scarf to throw over your shoulders and you’re good to go! Then the scarf I walked 82,000 steps last week. No joke. becomes an easy thing to remove if you decide, My first week studying abroad, and I’m already like me, to make the 1,000 step climb up St. Peabout 0.00016 to the moon. ter’s Basilica to see all of the Vatican City under But all joking aside, you can’t walk 82,000 your feet. steps and not see anything to make all the mileThis is a tough climb. You can pay an age worth it. Especially in Italy when you’re takextra two euros to take the elevator halfway up. ing a week long class called the Cultural IntroBut they really should ask you, “Do you want duction to Italy. This is a class designed to get to pay the extra euros for an elevator?” when you introduced to the Italian landscape: see the you’re already halfway up. As my group all sights, eat the food, drink the wine and maybe looked at each other and said, “We’re young! meet some friendly locals along the way! All of 500 steps! Are you kidding me?! We could do this while trying to recreate as many Lizzie Mc500,000!” before then proceeding to pant and Guire moments as possible. Because who isn’t a heave like a pack of dogs when we were only Hillary Duff fan at this point; come on people, at 200. it’s 2019!

It’s humbling, though, when you reach the It all started in Rome. Here we spent two top. Really, really worth it. days trying to follow in the footsteps of the great Once you take a moment to breathe in, step Roman Empire. Wow! I saw the Colosseum, the back from taking another thousand pictures of Roman Forum, Titus’ Arch and the Trevi Founall of your friends and just think about the miltain all in the same day. But, instead of being lions of people that have climbed these steps floored by all the great architecture, I was busy and have seen the city at this height. It’s jarring taking a lot of photos for everyone’s Instagram. to think that you’re just one of thousands that Which is fine, I really don’t mind, I’m good visit Italy everyday, to experience a culture that at getting everyone’s good angle. I even do that has existed for ten times longer than the United thing where I squat and point the phone upStates. To walk in the footsteps of the great artwards to make my short friends look taller. ists, architects and minds of history… oh, and But, all this photography isn’t an easy task Hillary Duff of course. to accomplish while two security guards holdWe did make it to the Trevi Fountain. ing large machine guns loom over your shoulWalking up, everyone overwhelmed with exder. Seriously, at every major tourist location citement, “Oh I’m going to be just like Hillary Molly Lamendola/The Mirror in Rome there are at least two full uniformed Duff and throw a coin in backwards!” all for it military people with incredibly large guns. Don’t Lamendola poses in front of the Trevi Fountain. to crash in place when we saw the fountain was even get me started on the security at the Vatican! empty. Empty! Really?

Okay, granted, I’m being a bit dramatic. It really wasn’t that bad. But, for anyone readYes really. If you don’t know, the Italian Government collects all of the coins at the boting this article as a guide to Italy, and as I’m now a tourism expert, you have to have your tom of the fountain to donate to charities around Italy. It wasn’t that big of a deal, we took a shoulders and knees covered when entering St. Peter’s Basilica. You’re fine just entering break for some gelato, popped back around an hour later and low and behold, the water was Vatican City in your crop top and “hot shorts,” as my tour guide called them. But, if you flowing and everyone got their photo. With that we said goodbye to Rome and we were off want to enter any of the churches in Rome, you have to cover up. to some lesser known cities around Italy.

I understand that this is a hard thing to do when you feel slightly like a rotisserie

By Molly Lamendola Abroad Culumnist

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Inkwell Post Malone's New Album Lets Down Listeners Spotlight

By Michael Riggi Contributing Writer

Gre y

By Maeve Nowak Editor-In-Chief at The Inkwell It’s the color of the sky where I first met you, That cloudy night in the city with string lights.

It’s the color of the Arch I stood by when I first saw you, and we walked side by side with our nerves bumping hands.

It’s the weather, pounding on the car as I looked you in the eye And prepared to say good bye.

Love You. It’s the color of airports That have seen our reunions Grey.

Is the color of Tears And Vows that we’ll make it It’s the color of nights You’re Not Here It’s the color I see when I’m wrapped in your arms, When I scrunch my eyes shut ‘Cause it feels like a dream

Grey.

Is the color of “Poor Connection” When you ask how I am

Grey.

It’s your sweatshirt that night on facetime, We said, I

Is the color of missing you.

Grey.

Is how much I love you.

CreativeCommons/Pixabay

ments of the album though, Malone fortunately comes through with his talent in other unexpected places. “Take What You Want” (feat. Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott), the undeniable stand-out track from the album, puts a lively energetic beat together with some of the most influential modern musicians and most alluring lyrics on the album.

Malone takes a duo that in theory shouldn’t work together and makes it work in a new, refreshing, and eventful way, making this one song alone worth the price of admission.

Other enjoyable tracks include “On the Road” (feat. Meek Mill & Lil Baby) and the Kanye West produced “Internet.”

While “Hollywood’s Bleeding” won’t do much in terms of converting non-listeners of Malone into megafans, it does do enough right to make it worth listening to.

As always Malone delivers with smooth production, catchy choruses and a few eye-catching tracks, but does little to go above and beyond expectations on his third studio album.

Following the success of his record-smashing sophomore album “Beerbongs & Bentleys,” singer and rapper Post Malone has returned with his third studio album and quite possibly his most ambitious project yet. Despite promising singles leading up to the album’s release and a variety of impressive features, “Hollywood’s Bleeding” oftentimes fails to deliver on Malone’s true potential as an artist and misses the mark more than it hits it. Minus a few obvious highlights and even career defining moments from the musician, Malone’s third record unfortunately lacks much of the heart and soul that have shaped his previous projects.

Throughout the duration of its seventeen track setlist, “Hollywood’s Bleeding” often finds itself in a juggling act with underdeveloped concepts, shallow lyrics and familiar indie pop- inspired production. In-between this juggling act though, Malone is occasionally able to hone in on his strengths and deliver shining moments of triumph. Although bogged down by more than a few unimaginative tracks, Malone undeniably delivers some of his best work to date in the midst of “Hollywood’s Bleeding.”

Generally though, these moments of triumph aren’t enough to make the project a truly cohesive one. Energetic and well-produced tracks like “Die for Me” (feat. Future & Halsey) and self-titled album opener “Hollywood’s Bleeding” repeatedly get dragged down with lackluster tracks like “Saint-Tropez” and short fillers like “I’m Gonna Be” and “Myself,” breaking up the flow of the album. In the end, Malone’s third outing leaves a surprisingly unbalanced ratio of replay-worthy songs to forgettable ones.

Rather than spend time developing and evolving his sound, Malone continues to take cheap shots by going for radio-friendly hits. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing and even works to his strengths in some cases, many of the songs on the record don’t go beyond having any value besides nice hooks and catchy melodies.

“Staring at the Sun” (feat. SZA) for instance has the potential and star-power behind it to be unique and interesting, but rather ends up sounding like an empty carbon-copy of previously released popanthems like “Sunflower” (feat. Swae Lee).

Photo Taken from @postmalone Instagram In-between these more underwhelming moPost Malone looks into the distance.

This Grilled Cheese is 'Jacked'

By Sabrina Trueheart Nutrition Columnist

For the longest time, I thought I was too much of a food snob to ever enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich. Although I have eaten many grilled cheese sandwiches in my life, I feel as though none of them have truly lived up to my expectations – the bread was always soggy, the cheese was always a little too melted and the flavors were never bold enough. Am I a picky eater? Well, yes I am. But, many people out there enjoy a good grilled cheese; one that is different from the ordinary grilled cheese sandwich. After doing careful research by looking through Food Network magazines, researching different kinds of bread, and taking into consideration my own personal love of spicy food, I decided to make my own version of a grilled cheese sandwich that I would love and enjoy. After tasting the first bite of this “jacked” grilled cheese I have come up with, I was smitten. This is an easy, non-traditional grilled cheese sandwich recipe. Even if you live on campus at Fairfield University and don’t have a kitchen to yourself, it is easy to cook in one of the residential hall kitchens or at home!

“Jacked” Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ingredients: Trader Joe’s Stone Hearth Baked sourdough loaf Pepper jack cheese Earth Balance soy free butter spread (or a butter of your choice) Chili powder (optional) Directions: Take two pieces of the sourdough bread, spread butter on one side of each piece of bread Sprinkle just a small amount of chili powder onto the buttered sides of the bread Turn the buttered side over and place two pieces of pepper jack cheese on the bread, top it with the other piece of bread with the buttered side facing up Turn the oven on medium heat, place the sandwich on a saucepan and cook both sides until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown Cut it in two and enjoy!

Creative

Common

s/Pixaba

y

Coffee Break

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

Page 12

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

See How the Zodiac Signs Fall into Fall Here is a totally real analysis of how the zodaic signs adjust to the fall, and prepare to weather the storm that is the beginning of the semester.

Aries They throw in the towel after the first round of midterms, and begin their career as musicians.

Taurus They spend 70 percent of their day complaining about an assignment, and only 5 percent actually doing the work.

Leo Sagittarius They are very certain that their They spend most of their day sleepprofessors want them to fail their ing or thinking about sleep. You can courses and flunk out of school. always see them in the Mez grabbing a quick nap.

Virgo Capricorn Virgos throw trantums when Capricorn waits until the last minute things are not going their way. It before starting assignments and is advised to stay clear of them they have very irregular sleeping during this period. habits.

Gemini Watches TV all day with the hope that an extension will be granted on an already extended deadline.

Libra Aquarius Spend nights on end camping out They always think that they are the at the library, hoping to memorize smartest person in the room.This is the entire textbook. likely false.

Cancer Cancers spend most of their day crying.

Scorpio Pisces Takes up all of office hours, leav- They are best friends wirth their ing no time for the rest of their professors, emailing them for the classmates. smallest of reasons.

On Brand-New “Lucas Week,” All Students Must Dress as Campus Mascot

By Nathan Schmidt Stagnation Editor-In-Chief

This week, campus officials announced an ambitious new plan to boost school spirit at Fairfield University by requiring all students to put on costumes of Lucas the Stag for one full week. The costumes, distributed by the Office of Residence Life, are designed to make every student literally be the mascot of Fairfield whenever they are in public.

“With the new Stag-centric model of school spirit, everything is about Lucas the Stag and everything else Stag-worthy,” said the former Rev. Peter Mallenthrope, who at press time has renamed himself to Rev. Luke Stags. “Everything is about Stags! Just last year, I married off three pairs of Stagmates on campus, and that’s only the beginning! We’re going to see a whole new era of Stag appreciation in Fairfield.”

During Lucas Week, Fairfield’s sports teams will have home games from Monday to Friday, allowing our teams to perform with entire audiences made of big-antlered fluffy mascots. Students will also be expected to wear their Lucas costumes during classes and extracurricular events, while eating at the Barone Campus Center, and even while exercising at the RecPlex. Sources were unavailable to answer whether students will need to be Lucas while swimming.

As a stretch goal, for the full duration of the week, the bronze stag statue by the traffic circle will be dressed up in a Lucas costume as well.

Photo contributed by the Stagnation Staff

Read More at: http://myfairfieldstagnation.wordpress.com/

Sports

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

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

This Week in Sports: What You Missed

In Case You Missed It: Saturday, September 14th -Men's Soccer lost to New Hampshire, 4-0 Sunday, September 15th -Field Hockey won against Indiana, 3-0 Tuesday, September 17th -Men's Golf at Hartford Hawks Invitational, 10th Place -Women's Golf at Loyola Fall

Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University women's golf team participated in their premiere tournament of the fall, lasting from Monday, Sept. 16 to Tuesday, Sept. 17 in Floosmoor Ill.. Fairfield placed eighth at the Loyola Fall Invitational of nine participating teams. Madison Banas '20 led the Stags after playing 54 holes, carding a final-round 78. Banas secured her spot in 22nd place among 53 total golfers while her teammate Alexa Brown '21 followed close behind in 28th place. The Stags are scheduled to hit the course later this month in Bloomfield, CT for the Hartford Women's Invitational. In 2018, Banas' 77(+7) on the CT course propelled her to eighth place overall. She certainly is someone to watch as the spring season approaches.

Invitational, 8th Place

Upcoming This Week: Wednesday, September 18th -Women's Soccer at Brown, 4:00 PM -Men's Soccer at Yale,

Photo Contributed bySports Information Desk

The Fairfield University men's soccer team (1-1-2) lost to the University of New Hampshire (3-0-2) on Saturday, Sept. 14 on Fairfield's own Lessing Field. Almost eight and a half minutes into the first period of play, New Hampshire scored their first of four unanswered goals of the evening. The other three were claimed in the latter 45 minutes of regulation time. New Hampshire's relentless offensive agression rendered Fairfield weak, as they out-shot the Stags 14-4. Junior goalkeeper Gordon Botterill made a total of four saves to keep the Wildcats' lead as small as possible, however Fairfield's attack was unsuccessful in netting any shots.

The Stags are slated to face Yale University (2-0-2) on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7 PM in New Haven Connecticut to redeem themselves after this weekend's shutout.

7:00 PM Friday, September 20th -Field Hockey vs. Columbia, 4:00 PM -Volleyball at. Marist, 7:00 PM Saturday, September 21st -Women's XC, Henry Mercer Invitational -Men's XC, Henry Mercer Invitational

In this week's issue...

- Field Hockey Finesses Fifth Straight Win (Pg. 14)

- Opinion: Major League Baseball Postseason Picture (Pg. 15) - FairďŹ eld and Bryant Break Even After Double Overtime, 3-3 (Pg.15) - Battles Brings Volleyball to Victory (Pg. 16) - Catching Up With NCAA College Football (Pg. 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

Field Hockey Finesses Fifth Straight Win

Photo taken from Sports Information Desk Junior goalkeeper Zoe Rosen's four saves were key in the Stags' midwestern sweep this weekend, while her efforts helped in creating and preserving an undefeated 2-0 neutral record.

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor The Fairfield University field hockey team (4-1) took to Maryland Heights, Montana to face fierce non-conference competition on impartial ground for a two-game weekend run.

First, on Fri., September 13 the Stags challenged the Kent State University Golden Flashes (4-3). The afternoon matchup proved successful for the Stags as their 2-1 victory extended an existing three-game winning streak to four. A valiant effort was made by Kent State’s Clara Rodriguez Seto who delivered two shots in the first period, one which was blocked and the other which hit the post. Their surge in attack was disrupted by the whistle after fifteen minutes of play, and Kent State outshot Fairfield 3-1 going into the second period.

Laila Richter provided the only scoring attempt for Kent State but was shut down by Zoe Rosen ‘21. After that Fairfield asserted their dominance offensively, led by sophomore forward Faith Spaziano. She tallied two shots but neither found their way to the cage. To wrap up the first 30 minutes of play, Kent State’s Berta Llorns Jover earned herself a green card which caused a penalty corner that would open up the third period for the Stags.

Just 3 minutes and 41 seconds into the second half, Fairfield’s rookie starter Julianna Kratz fired a shot which was stopped by Kent State’s Azure Fernsler. 22 seconds after, Luzi Perseihl ’21 got past Fernsler and earned her second goal of the season, beating Kent State to the scoreboard. Kratz tried again but her shot went wide and the score remained stagnant with Kent State within a one-

goal deficit going into the final fifteen minutes of play.

The start of the fourth period picked up fast when Fairfield claimed their second and final goal of the game with 44:42 on the clock. The effort was made by Paige Lowry ’23 who excelled off an assist by Kratz. Kent State managed to put themselves within one goal of the Stags as a last-ditch effort, but with 20 seconds remaining they ultimately fell to Fairfield, 2-1.

Fairfield moved on two days later on September 15 determined to continue their four-game hot streak. They played on neutral territory, this time against the Indiana University of Bloomington Hoosiers (4-2).

Zoe Rosen started again in the cage for the Stags, where she remained for the full 60 minutes of regulation time. Her two saves brought her to her second shutout of the season. Only one shot was executed in the first, and the second quarter is where action picked up. In four shots, the Stags made it past Indiana goalie Sachi Ananias twice and secured a two-goal lead in the first half.

In the third quarter, Indiana started the scoring but Fairfield was an unstoppable force, answering back and outshooting them 6-1.

At the start of the fourth period, Spaziano, who had a remarkable game just two days earlier, scored on a helper by Lowry. Lowry lead the team in shots, recording 3 shots atop the assist that put Fairfield ahead 3-0. They maintained the upper hand and finished out the fourth untouchable. The extra tic in the win column established a now five-game win streak.

They return home to face Columbia University on Fri., September 20, where they stand undefeated 2-0.

Weekly 4x5

Your 2019-2020 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Lexi Thimble, Katherine Klima and Julia Monteleone

Because we have witty things to say ...

What advice do you have for Thoughts on the new the class of 2023?

Dunkin' Donut locations on campus?

Where is your favorite place to study on campus?

Why should students contribute to The Mirror?

What's your favorite thing about fall?

The Mezz, no doubt.

It's the perfect way to get involved on campus... and meet a pretty cool group of people.

Hockey. Season.

Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor

Stay on top of your workload while I have not gone a single day withit's still early in the semester! out getting Dunkin' so it's safe to say I'm enjoying it. I just wish all of them accepted gift cards.

I tend to hermit myself away in my room; my goals for this year include trying to see all of my roommates at least once a day.

I've made so many wonderful friends through The Mirror, I've improved my writing and you feel super connected to everything happening on campus!

Love me some nice thick sweaters under a denim jacket, apple cider donuts and apple picking. The New England in me really jumps out during the fall.

I try to go to the library, but usually end up being on my bedroom floor.

Because we're awesome.

Ah everything– pumpkin picking, sweater weather, Halloween– you name it.

The basement of the library is the best place to go when you really need to get stuff done. When I go with my friends though I love to be where the coffee is in the front.

The Mirror has allowed me to explore so many different aspects of journalism and has given me some of the best frienships!

Sweaters! Pumpkin Picking!

Dunkachinos! Leaves!

Lexi Thimble Editor-in-Chief

See my Ed Board piece in Opinion this week--long story short, be kind to everyone and you'll get kindness back!

I'm from Mass and back home I have three Dunks within walking distance of my house. Now, at my home away from home, I again have three Dunks within walking distance of my home. That's what we call a full-circle moment.

Go to clubs, make friends and just It's okay. I'm more of a Starbucks Katherine Klima enjoy the next four years! They go kind of gal.

Executive Editor real fast.

Don't worry too much about

Julia Monteleone what is "cool." Make friends Managing Editor with everyone and pursue every

interest you have! You will never know what you'll find out about yourself.

I love Dunkin' so this news made me ECSTATIC. I am also happy that they kept the same nice employees even though they switched the brand.

Sports

Page 15

THE MIRROR | Week of September 18, 2019

Opinion: Major League Baseball Postseason Picture

Photo taken from MLB.com

Ronald Acuña Jr., of the Atlanta Braves, hit a two-run double in the seventh inning, contributing to a 10-1 win against the Washington Nationals and clinching a postseason berth.

By Tyler Zikias Contributing Writer The beginning of a new school year marks the end of the 2019 Major League Baseball season. While home run numbers are higher than ever before in baseball, a common theme while putting together a list of predictions was the strength of teams’ pitching. As showcased in arms like Madison Bumgarner and Chris Sale in recent playoff memory, starting pitching is key for going deep in games and keeping your bullpen arms rested. This playoff picture is, of course, subject to change with about two weeks left in the season. Every team mentioned here can win the World Series because it’s been an incredible year for baseball.

The National League division leaders at the moment are the Los Angeles Dodgers, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves (NL West, Central and East, respectively). Due to their substantial leads in the NL West and East, the Dodgers and Braves will certainly hang on to their division titles for the remainder of the season. Each team is stacked to the brim with bats, including two MVP candidates, Cody Bellinger in L.A. and Ronald Acuña Jr. in Atlanta. The Dodgers certainly pack more of a punch than Atlanta does with their deep pitching rotation, but definitely expect to see both of them play many games in October’s postseason.

On the other hand, the NL Wild Card race is the most fun thing to watch in sports right now. I can see a scenario where the Cardinals hang on to their division title, but there are several scenarios where they may resort to one of the two available Wild Card spots. The Cards will have to face off against four Wild Card contending teams in the last two weeks of the season in the form of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Washington Nationals, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs. While the Cubs have had their own struggles this season, they have been pretty

evenly matched with the Cardinals and have a significantly easier schedule down the stretch. The Nationals, who currently lead the Wild Card race, are playing their best baseball of the season right now and are a shoe in for the top Wild Card spot. The Brewers are a tricky nut to crack because, while they lost 2018 MVP, Christian Yelich to a fractured kneecap they’ve still managed to win seven games in a row as of September 13. Even teams like the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies have been hot as of late and can possibly move into the second Wild Card spot.

This is definitely the race to watch right now. While it may be tough to predict, I can see the Cubs taking the division lead by the end of the season, with Max Scherzer and the Nationals ultimately eliminating the Cardinals in the Wild Card game.

The American League is a very top and bottom heavy league. While the talent at the top of the standings are incredibly formidable foes, the teams at the bottom, like the Baltimore Orioles, the Kansas City Royals, the Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays, stand as the bottom of the barrel for all of baseball.

For this reason, I find it hard to judge the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins, who are first place in the AL East and AL Central, respectfully. While there is no argument that these two teams are talented and will make the postseason, it is difficult to truly analyze how far their run can go against similar caliber teams. Winning a lot of games isn’t a simple task, but when your division features some of the league’s worst teams, it isn’t too challenging to rack up win after win. Aside from easier schedules, a lack of starting pitching would be my fear for either of these teams to make a deep postseason run. Both the Twins and the Yankees have top tier bullpens, but they also have starting rotations that grow weaker and weaker the deeper you go. Both teams would have definitely benefited from acquiring a starting arm before the trade deadline, but their big bats will certainly get

them into the playoffs.

The AL Wild Card race is really only a three-team competition between the Oakland Athletics, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians. All three teams at the time of writing this are half a game within each other in the standings with no clear leader in sight any time soon. When it comes down to predicting who I think will end up with the final two AL Wild Card spots, I believe experience down the stretch is the most pivotal aspect in making a postseason run. Both the Indians and Athletics have been in situations similar to this in recent years. The A’s were a postseason staple through 2012-2014 and the Indians have been the kings of the AL Central for the past five years. The Indians’ dents in their pitching staff as a whole may hurt them in a Wild Card game against the A’s hot hitters, so for the American League, I think the Oakland A’s will ultimately go on to enter the postseason beyond the Wild Card game.

I have left out one team from the American League because they are my favorite to win the World Series. The Houston Astros may only be playing decent baseball at the moment, but a team with postseason experience is especially dangerous for other teams. Not only do they have possibly the best lineup in baseball, but they have the best “one, two, three” punch in their rotation with Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Grienke.

With easily the strongest rotation in baseball right now, this team is primed for the playoffs.

Shockingly enough, I see this shaking out as an exact replica of the 2017 postseason, with the Cubs getting beaten by the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series and the Astros sending home the Yankees in the American League Championship Series. The World Series rematch from two years ago will most likely end again with the Houston Astros on top.

Fairfield and Bryant Break Even After Double Overtime, 3-3

By Kevin Stush Contributing Writer The Fairfield University Stags (2-1-1) and the Bryant University Bulldogs (2-3-0) faced off in a competitive match this past Thursday night, September 12, 2019. After a hard fought game, followed by two nail-biting overtimes, the game ended in a tie with a score of 3 to 3.

With a Bryant goal 3 minutes and 40 seconds in, the Stags immediately started to fall behind. Fairfield’s Liz Dumas ‘21 was not going to let that happen. Dumas was able to find the back of the net scoring, her second goal of the season assisted by Stephanie Tsangaris ‘22, about halfway through the first half and tying up the game. The first half finished in a standoff with both teams having a goal each up on the scoreboard.

As Fairfield outshot Bryant 22 to 12, the Stags still found themselves down 3 to 1 relatively quickly into the second half. After consecutive shots by Gabby Diodati ‘21, Tsangaris was able to sneak her third goal of the season past Bryant goalkeeper Meghan Dalton with the assist from Brooke Hernan ‘22. Shortly after, Dumas netted her second goal of the night and third goal of the season, making the score 3 to 3 with the help of Tsangaris yet again with a little over 5 minutes left in the game.

Led by goalkeeper Aytana Muschajew ‘21, first year Stags Olivia Homan ‘23 and Josie Horosky ‘23, joined by Kelsey Gilbert ‘21, formed the Stags’ defense that forced the Bryant Bulldogs to fight for each and every possession. They were able to hold them scoreless throughout both overtimes where the Stags were outshot 6 to 3. The Bulldogs were led offensively by Amanda Spitaleri, Remi Manna and Corinne Rey who each scored one goal. Meghan Dalton played a strong game in goal, with 4 saves out of the 7 shots on goal.

With no conference games played yet, Fairfield’s record becomes 3-2-2 after Thursday’s

draw. On September 18 the Stags travel to Rhode Island to face Brown University and return home Saturday, September 21 at 12 p.m. for their first conference game against the Purple Eagles of Niagara University.

Photo taken from Sports Information Desk

On Thursday, Dumas registered four shots total, three shots on goal and scored two goals.

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports

Week of September 18,

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16

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

Battles Brings Volleyball to Victory

By Julia Lanzillotta Sports Editor The Fairfield University volleyball team (3-4) welcomed over 400 Stags fans to Alumni Hall on Fri. September 19 for their 2019 season home-opener. The Stags faced the Northeastern University Huskies (4-4) on their own George Bisacca Court to kick-off the weekend long Sacred Heart Invitational, claiming the 3-1 win.

Rookie Joelle Battles made waves on the court, posting a career high nineteen kills in four sets. The left-handed right side showed no hesitation in flaunting her skill, and was instrumental in securing the victory for her new team.

Head coach Todd Kress praised the first-year in a post-game interview saying, “Jo led the way hitting .640 on the right side. Those are unbelievable numbers for anybody, let alone a freshman playing in her first home match.”

Already, this group’s cohesive nature makes them a force to be reckoned with. Eleven different players were credited for a point in Friday night’s game, and Mayda Garcia ‘20 highlighted the importance of unified success on the court.

The senior said, “I thought we really played together. We did a really good job at coming together as one and supporting our team to do their job.”

Sophomore Laura Seeger trailed shortly behind with thirteen kills, six of which were in the final set, in addition to a service ace and three blocks.

Garcia and Kaylie Butts ‘21 each registered seven kills, showing leadership from the team’s upperclassmen. Senior Jamie Calandro shined in the back row, contributing eleven of the 52 total Photo Taken From Sports Information Desk digs coming from Fairfield’s side of the net.

The Stags cleaned up the first set 25-17 but faltered in the second, allowing Northeastern to Joelle Battles '23 set and then matched her career high of 19 kills in one game this weekend. start the scoring. Garcia claimed three consecutive points, declaring Fairfield’s only lead of the secHighlanders in the third, losing by a mere three points but they were quick to answer back in the ond frame. It was anyone’s game when Northeastern took the win in the second set. The opponents fourth when they beat NJIT 25-16. This improved their record to 4-4 entering a face-off later that went 1-1, forcing the match to four sets. day against Connecticut rivals Sacred Heart University.

“We let off the pedal in the second set. We panicked a little. We weren’t aggressive in our Fairfield entered the championship match of the three-game tournament thirsty for headspace,” coach Kress admitted, “I think that we kind of reset that in the third and fourth another win. Battles managed to match her career-high in finishers on Saturday evening, set the set.” night earlier, with another nineteen. This earned her the title of Most Valuable Player at the SHU In the third, Fairfield edged Northeastern 25-22 and entered the deciding set with the upper- invitational. Battles was named to the All-Tournament team alongside fellow Stags Manuela Nicohand. Fairfield concluded the night early when Boston’s .131 hitting percentage failed to measure lini ’20 and Luci Albertson ‘21. Nicolini coined a double-double, delivering 25 assists and seventeen up against Fairfield’s .333, wrapping up the final set 25-15. digs while Albertson posted five kills.

Kress commented, “What we did in the fourth, hopefully we carry that momentum into Sacred Heart started strong in the first set, claiming it 25-15, but they failed to catch up tomorrow morning against NJIT.” once Fairfield pushed back. The second set belonged to the Stags 25-21 while the third was a steady That is just what Stags volleyball did the next day, back on their home court against the back-and-forth. The Pioneers beat Fairfield to 25 but failed to increase the one-point margin. Two New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders (1-9). kills from Battles in conjunction with an attack error on Sacred heart pushed the match to 27 points Outside Hitter Sonja Radulovic ‘20 lead the attack with a career-high of nineteen kills, where Fairfield came out triumphant 27-25, with a 2-1 lead. eight of which were dished out in the second set. Sophomore Julia Kallan and Kaylie Butts ‘21 Match four concluded Fairfield’s onslaught of victories over the weekend when they recorded 12 kills and 11 kills respectively. Kallan tacked on fifteen digs to her stellar daytime edged the host 24-20, beating SHU 3-1. Fairfield, now goes 5-4 overall, will officially begin Metro performance, completing double-double, while libero Morgan Doll ‘23 reached a personal best of Atlantic Athletic Conference play when they travel to Poughkeepsie, NY to challenge the Marist nineteen digs.

College Red Foxes on Fri. Sept. 20.

Following a breezy pair of wins (25-22, 25-16), the home team was surmounted by the

Catching Up With NCAA College Football

By Michael Hoffman Chief Financial Officer College football season is officially in full swing after the conclusion of week three this past Saturday.

Week three kicked off on Fri., September 13 with many matchups, most notably, the matchup between the twentieth ranked Washington State University Huskies (3-0) and the Houston University Cougars (1-2) in the Advocare Texas Kickoff game. Washington State and head coach Mike Leach were able to defeat Houston and new coach Dana Holgerson 31-24, pushing their season opening undefeated streak to three. Quarterback Anthony Gordon

‘20 had a big game, throwing for 440 yards and three touchdowns. Houston’s star quarterback D’Eriq King ‘20 struggled through the air, but was able to add 94 yards rushing and 2 rushing touchdowns on 17 carries.

Saturday started with an uncharacteristically underwhelming slate of games, in which there was not a single matchup between ranked teams.

ESPN’s College Gameday headed out to Ames, Iowa for the very first time for the interstate matchup between the nineteenth Iowa University Hawkeyes (3-0) and instate rivals, the Iowa State Cyclones (1-1). Iowa came out on top by a point, 18-17 after a late field goal by kicker Keith Duncan ‘21. Iowa State University quarterback Brock Purdy ‘22 put in a valiant effort in defeat, completing 23 of 34 passes

Photo Taken From rolltide.com

Alabama football is currently undefeated, with an overall record of 3-0. They stand in first place in the SEC- West.

for 276 yards and a touchdown.

The top ranked Clemson University Tigers (3-0) won a big road game over the unranked Syracuse University Orange (1-2), 41-6. The defending national champions were led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence ‘22, who completed 22 of 39 passes for 395 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Wide receivers Tee Higgins ‘21 and Amari Rogers ‘21 both went for a combined 271 yards on 13 catches. The Clemson defense held the Syracuse offense to under 200 yards of total offense.

The second ranked Alabama University Crimson Tide (3-0) rolled over the South Carolina University Gamecocks (1-2) 47-23. Quarterback Tua Tagovalioa ‘21 threw for 444 yards and 5 touchdowns, with a near perfect QBR of 95.3. Alabama receivers Devonta Smith ‘21 and Henry Ruggs III ‘21 both had huge games. Smith caught 8 passes for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ruggs III caught 6 passes for 122 yards and an 81 yard touchdown reception.

Other notable results from this week included unranked Brigham Young University Cougars (2-1) upsetting the twenty-fourth ranked University of Southern California Trojans (2-1) 30-27 in overtime, the fourth ranked Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) dismantled the UCLA Bruins (0-3) behind another stellar performance from QB Jalen Hurts ‘20, 48-14, the ninth ranked Florida University Gators (3-0) escaped an upset bid from the Kentucky University Wildcats (2-1), winning on the road 29-21 and the thirteenth ranked Penn State Nittany Lions(3-0) won a tough matchup against the rival Pittsburgh Panthers (1-2) 17-10.

Week 4 is headlined by a couple of big games. Firstly, the Michigan University Wolverines (2-0) will travel to Wisconsin to take on the undefeated Wisconsin University Badgers (2-0) in a matchup of two undefeated Big 10 teams. The Texas A&M University Aggies (2-1) will look to get back on track, as they host the eighth ranked Auburn University Tigers (3-0). The biggest game of the week will see two blue blood programs collide as the seventh ranked Notre Dame University Fighting Irish (2-0) will head to Athens, Georgia, to matchup with the third ranked Georgia University Bulldogs (3-0).