The Quinnipiac Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 13

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DECEMBER 4, 2019 • VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 13

The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929

OPINION: MORE THAN NEWS P. 4

ARTS & LIFE: COUNTRY MUSIC P. 6

Not your average Joe

SPORTS: HOGWARTS P. 11

For Joseph DiGioia, cleaning is just one small part of his job as a custodian By EMILY DISALVO News Editor

Joseph DiGioia has been cleaning the halls, classrooms, dorms and bathrooms of Quinnipiac University for the past 20 years, but this was the first year he realized anyone noticed the extra effort and enthusiasm that he brings to the job. Quinnipiac’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Service to Students awarded DiGioia with the Excellence in Service to Students Award on Oct. 17, but DiGioia said he wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. “It’s pretty nice that someone sees you just being yourself as something special,” DiGioia said. “It’s a good feeling but I am still kind of taken aback that I won it because I don’t think I did anything special.” DiGioia has been cleaning the fourth floor of the School of Health Sciences full-time for the past four years, but previously worked weekends on main campus while he was pursuing a career as a corporate chef during the week. Every morning, DiGioia helps to get the classrooms ready. Then he takes a break before cleaning both the men’s and women’s restrooms. “Just the mundane routine of the job gets a little boring at times because there is nothing new about it,” DiGioia said. In his time on the job, DiGioia has figured out some ways to make it more interesting, and they all involve people. “The people, the students, my coworkers, just the people in the Quinnipiac community – it’s a good place to work,” DiGioia said. Regulars on the fourth floor said DiGioia unlocks their office doors for them when their arms are full, helps people move equipment and greets every student and faculty member with a smile.

EMILY DISALVO/CHRONICLE

Joseph DiGioia has worked for Quinnipiac’s facilities department for the past 20 years and was recognized for his service to students this semester.

Leah Rubino, secretary in the School of Nursing, said she considers DiGioia part of the school’s family. “Last year when I was out on maternity leave, I was told weekly by other co-workers that Joe would ask how I was doing and how the baby was,” Rubino said. “He was also kind to send a gift for the baby.” DiGioia also enjoys helping the snow crews move snow, because he thinks they shouldn’t have to do it alone. But his favorite “extra” task involves helping local students. When DiGioia’s supervisor asked him if he would consider mentoring a few students with disabilities from the Cheshire Public Schools, DiGioia was immediately interested. Not only would the addition of a few cleaning buddies make the day more interesting, but DiGioia would be helping the community. The Quinnipiac-Cheshire Transition Collaborative is a program for students with disabilities ages 18-21 to learn professional skills that will help them obtain a job after graduation. This year, DiGioia doesn’t have any mentees, but he said last year’s group was a special one. “I enjoyed a lot working with them,” DiGioia said. “I miss it actually.” DiGioia said he was able to challenge the students with tasks to the point where he realized they were capable of much more than he or anyone thought they were. “Some of them it’s like they excelled beyond what I thought they would,” DiGioia said. “If you don’t give them a chance to see what they See JOE Page 2

Refocusing on our roots

Indigenous Student Union welcomes Native American students and those seeking to learn more about Quinnipiac’s past

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Students at Quinnipiac University are working to create a home for students of indigenous descent and educate the community about indegenous cultures. The Multicultural Leadership Council announced last month that the Indigenous Student Union is forming at Quinnipiac, led by sophomore biology major Kiara Tanta-Quidgeon. Currently, the Indigenous Student Union is in the process of having its club constitution reviewed and approved by the Student Government Association (SGA). “I definitely think that the fact that (Quinnipiac) has a Native American name is enough that I’m surprised that we don’t already have one,” Tanta-Quidgeon said. “I think getting people who are here together, and to inspire other indigenous people who may want to come here, to have a place to be with other indigenous students. I think that’s important.” While Tanta-Quidgeon’s goals are straightforward, there are many complications that come with the creation of such a club. Chief among them are the racial disparities plaguing Quinnipiac, as well as the history that the school shares with the Quinnipiac tribe.

The Chronicle reported in August on the Princeton Review’s 2020 edition of its “The Best 385 Colleges,” bringing attention to Quinnipiac’s ranking at No. 1 in the ‘Little Race/Class Interaction” category. Additionally that same article featured the racial makeup of Quinnipiac students, with an overwhelming 77% of identifying as Caucasian. While the lack of diversity may provide an initial challenge for the Indigenous Student Union, both Tanta-Quidgeon and Executive Chair of the Multicultural Leadership Council Andrew DePass view the overwhelming Caucasian majority as another reason for the creation of the club. Tanta-Quidegeon said that her goal wasn’t to make the club exclusive to indigenous students but rather to create a sense of community for indigenous students and educate non-indigenous students to learn about the history and diversity of indigenous people. “I think the fact that we do acknowledge there is difficulty in starting such a club is a reason to go ahead,” DePass said. “(When) you find yourself as a minority on campus you find that you need more support to help facilitate your experience.” In recent years, Quinnipiac has started to acknowledge its past with the native community.

Staff Meetings on Tuesdays at 9:15 p.m. in SB123

WILLIAM GAVIN/CHRONICLE

Director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute Sean Duffy started an initiative to help Quinnipiac understand its indigenous roots. In 2013, two School of Education professors, Mordechai Gordon and Susan Clarke, applied for grants that would allow them to promote the study of New England tribes and make Quinnipiac students aware of the history that surrounds the school. Both professors admitted, at

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the time, that most students were unaware that the university sits on an Native American reservation. At the time Clarke said that she hopes the See INDIGENOUS Page 3

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INDEX

Staff Writer

CONNECT

By WILLIAM GAVIN

Opinion: 4

Arts and Life: 6

Sports: 10


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