The Quinnipiac Chronicle, Volume 91, Issue 14

MARCH 3, 2021 • VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 14

The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

Parking fees cause outrage ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

A&L P.6: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IS A RIGHT The new organization is starting conversations about women’s health

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News p.2

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JONATHAN SWEENEY

A&L P.7: STUDENT INFLUENCERS Two students use social media to share their voices

Opinion p.4 COURTESY OF QU ATHLETICS

SPORTS P.12: SPOTLIGHTING BLACK ATHLETES QU sports page reflected on former Black Bobcats during Black History Month

By EMILY FLAMME

Quinnipiac to begin construction on new health and wellness center

News Editor

Quinnipiac University will start constructing a new health and wellness center in the coming months after it got approval from Hamden Planning and Zoning Department on Feb. 23.

The health and wellness center is an addition to the current recreation center and is part of the university’s 10-year master facilities plan. It will include the health center, clinical facilities, a counseling center for mental health and a place for recreation.

There is no plan to renovate the current recreation center. However, construction will be done to create a seamless transition between the new health and wellness center and the existing building.

Vice President for Facilities and Capital Planning Sal Filardi said the locker rooms will be redone. The weight room will be converted into a space for “varsity sports,” so the athletic teams don’t have to compete with the general student body for the equipment.

The new center will also include a climbing wall, which Tami Reilly, director of fitness and well being, said will be there to provide an alternate way to exercise.

“It’s super exciting because it’ll grow the rec team and what they’re able to offer,” Reilly said. “I think we’re just trying to broaden the scope of how we move and look at other ways to get people to

be involved in the space that maybe they normally wouldn’t walk into our current gym.”

Reilly said that her team is also looking into setting up a personal training program for students. As a result, the jobs available for students on campus will increase.

“How can we now pull on some of our students that are interested in being personal trainers?” Reilly said. “Maybe even as we’re talking about the academic piece, a lot of our athletic trainers are already going through that course.”

The plan for the new center comes because Reilly said she wanted to find a way to create a space for students to have all their health needs in one place.

“The world of fitness has grown, and we do look more at wellness,” Reilly said.

There will be outdoor spaces available for activities such as meditation or fitness classes. The area will be where the current tennis courts are now, which will be removed on April 16, in the construction process. However, they will be rebuilt north of the rugby fields for the fall 2021 semester.

Filardi has said that despite the construction beginning soon, the team hopes to have as little disruptions to the student body as possible.

“Because there are some points when (construction is) connected to the building, we may have some disruption where we may have to temporarily move some of the program that’s happening now for

three to six months, in order to get a certain amount of work done,” Filardi said.

Since COVID-19 testing takes place in the recreation center, the set up will be modified once the walls of the building are being reconstructed.

The timeline for the plan was pushed back a year due to the pandemic, but Reilly said that COVID-19

has also had a positive effect on planning.

“COVID has strengthened the technology piece like ‘Should we have a video camera in a studio,’” Reilly said. “We’ve learned so much about how to use the technology and to capture video and how we want to use it for our consumers.”

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY QU FACILITIES

The new health and wellness center that will be completed by fall 2022 is going to be focused on alternate ways to be healthy.

2| News

MEET THE EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brendan O’Sullivan MANAGING EDITORS Toyloy Brown III Jessica Simms CREATIVE DIRECTOR Connor Lawless NEWS EDITOR Emily Flamme ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITORS Nicole McIsaac Chatwan Mongkol OPINION EDITOR Michael Sicoli ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Emily DiSalvo ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Ashley Pelletier SPORTS EDITOR Riley Millette ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Peter Piekarski DESIGN EDITOR Michael Clement PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Morgan Tencza PODCAST PRODUCER Xavier Cullen ASSOCIATE PODCAST PRODUCER Kalleen Rose Ozanic COPY EDITOR Melina Khan THE QUINNIPIAC CHRONICLE is the proud recipient of the New England Society of Newspaper Editors’ award for College Newspaper of the Year in New England for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2015-16.

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The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Commuter students protest new parking fee policy

By JESSICA SIMMS Managing Editor

Quinnipiac University students are banding together to combat a new parking fee policy that Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett announced via email on Feb. 25. Starting in the fall 2021 semester, undergraduate commuter and off-campus students will need to pay a $90 per semester parking fee.

In the email, Ellett wrote that this fee is to help ensure that there will be parking availability for students that choose to reside on campus as part of “a desire to encourage students to benefit from the full residential experience by living on campus.”

“However, we recognize that increasing the number of students who live in our residence halls and potentially reallocating some parking for these important facilities improvements will affect the amount of existing on-campus parking,” Ellett wrote.

Though, many students said they feel as if this policy is not taking into account financial struggles.

“I think some students might find the additional $90/semester to be nominal, for others, it is gas, groceries, money for bills,” said Gabriella Colello, junior political science and law in society double major. “Many students are barely able to afford Quinnipiac as it is …

Commuter students are more likely to be low income, often one mishap away from being unable to afford their education.”

Colello expressed her concerns by sending a letter to Ellett that other students signed.

“When I woke up to read that email and saw the reasoning behind this policy, I was inflamed,” Colello said. “The points brought up to justify this immediately struck me as egregious poor tax. Even for students that commute from rentals in the area — this is ridiculous. The rates of rentals in the surrounding area are still cheaper than on-campus housing. Why punish students trying to make the best financial decisions for their situations? I knew I had to say something.”

In the letter to Ellett, Colello discussed that for her and other commuter students, having to reside off campus is not a choice.

“Commuting for me and most others is not a voluntary choice, the grim reality is that despite my 4.0 GPA, maxed out transfer scholarships and various forms of student employment — I still have to take out 25k/year in loans to go here,” Colello wrote.

Joshua Gorero, a senior political science major, commutes to Quinnipiac. He said he came to this university because it seemed like a place that welcomes commuter students. However, he said over the years, his thoughts have changed and a

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March 3, 2021

SCREENSHOT FROM CHANGE.ORG

Daniel Passapera created the petition because he feels the parking fee unfairly targets commuter students.

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

lot of this stems from parking issues.

“I try to feel welcome as a commuter,” Gorero said. “... Parking has always been a problem that feels like it’s getting worse every single semester, every year. Parking has been important for us …

They were trying to find a way to give preferential parking for residential students at the cost of commuter students losing parts of North Lot.” Even though this is Gorero’s last semester as an undergraduate student, he signed Colello’s letter to support his sister and other younger commuter students who will be affected by this policy.

“I just wanted to raise this concern as a senior because I don’t think this is the right way to address this balance between the commuting student body and the student body that lives on campus,” Gorero said.

Madison Stout, a junior political science and applied business double major, also signed the letter. She said that most of her “anger and despair” came from the assumption that commuters should just live on campus.

“Honestly, I can’t even say this move is a privileged oversight,” Stout said. “It was definitely a decision made from a place of privilege to further profit, but definitely not an oversight.

It was made knowing that the low-income students who can manage to live on campus, would most likely no longer be able to. Intentionally or not, it’s a move that is placing Quinnipiac deeper into the fiscal elite by weeding out lower-income students.”

Other students shared their concerns by signing a petition created by Daniel Passapera, a sophomore journalism major. Currently the petition has 1,153 signatures as of March 2.

“Quinnipiac is a commuter school and it’s evident that this institution is neglecting to recognize the voices of those in financial need and those who garner the same education whether being a residential student or not,” Passapera wrote.

Naomi Gorero, a freshman undecided major and Joshua Gorero’s sister, signed and shared the petition. She said she thinks the policy change was not delivered well.

“I think the institution, especially Tom Ellett, didn’t handle it in the way that could make it appealing because when that whole thing was released, the whole email, I got texts from group chats and all that and they were really pissed off,” Naomi Gorero said. “I was really pissed off as well. I feel like he didn’t explain well enough and explain why … Now it’s a big whole mess and I hope things are handled better.”

In the email, Ellett recognized that this policy may not be welcomed by the student body, but said that it is “an important step in our efforts to create a best-in-class residential experience at Quinnipiac.”

On Feb. 28, Ellett responded to the letter written by Colello by sharing that there are ideas to improve the commuter experience such as starting a program that would create a position similar to resident assistants that will support and connect commuter students. Along with that, Ellett said he is working to see if there is a parking app that will assist students with finding parking spaces.

In the email, Ellett also admits that a big

portion of what he is doing is “deepening the residential experience.”

“That is why as we developed the new threeyear residency requirement (which only applies to future incoming classes beginning this fall), we determined it was the logical time to introduce the parking fee, both to give an incentive to those choosing to live on campus, and to help us cover costs associated with new residential and commuter programming we want to develop,” Ellett wrote.

In response to this letter, Colello sent Ellett another email.

“The previous response has failed to address any of our concerns, nor did it provide definitive answers to the questions we posed,” Colello wrote. “… Ellett, we have also noted that you are copying and pasting email responses to the concerned students reaching out to you. Please let it be known that this is only adding to the hurt and anger of commuter students and showing (again) how much value the university places on our feelings, opinions and experiences.”

Helen Tran, a sophomore nursing major, also commutes and said she does it because it is more cost-efficient than living in dorms. She said this $90 per semester fee defeats the purpose of why she chose to go to Quinnipiac.

Tran created a GroupMe with other students to stand up against this policy change and also signed the petition.

“We have a lot of supporters, so hopefully we will all work together on this and stand for what we believe in,” Tran said. “Hopefully they will revoke this new policy that they have. As a commuter, I saw the email that they want to support residential living and learning. My first initial thought is it’s not supporting my living and learning though.”

Stout said she is happy to have signed the letters to Ellett.

“As someone whose only chance at leaving the small-town, generational poverty cycle was to step into the larger, debt-driven academia poverty cycle, I don’t regret signing that letter one bit,” Stout said. “Not for myself, and not for my fellow commuters and low-income students who took that leap of faith by putting themselves into debt for that shot at creating a better life for themselves and those after them to hopefully, one day, end that poverty cycle.”

On March 1, Colello and Ellett spoke privately. In an email sent to Colello, he said that a reason behind the new three-year residency requirement starting with the class of 2025 is due to the lack of residential students this year.

“One of the other reasons for a three-year residency requirement is that with the nearly 400+ empty beds, we will use revenue to provide more financial aid,” Ellett wrote.

Ellett also admitted that this parking policy will be a change for the university community.

However, Colello said that after this discussion she feels as if this new parking policy will not be revoked despite the outrage.

“I got the impression that there wasn’t much room for change,” Colello said. “(Ellett) dismisses any possibility of inequity because there is a proposed financial appeals process. If that will operate anything like the current financial process, inequity will certainly exist.”

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

March 3, 2021

News |3

Academic dishonesty at Quinnipiac on the rise amid online learning

By CHATWAN MONGKOL Associate News Editor

The number of academic crimes reported at Quinnipiac University has increased steadily every semester since 2017, Vice President for Academic Innovation and Effectiveness Annalisa Zinn and Director of Academic Integrity Lisa Bartone said.

One of the reasons was because reporting a violation became mandatory after the academic integrity policy revision in 2017.

The trend also suggests that another reason is the transition to virtual learning as an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Office of Academic Integrity disclosed to the Chronicle that many cases reported at Quinnipiac involved the use of online resources such as Chegg and Course Hero. That supports a recent study revealing that Chegg has seen an increase of nearly 200% in usage since March 2020.

As the existing policies already addressed dishonesty in an online environment, Zinn and Bartone said the use of those websites is considered cheating.

“Posting work on academic sharing websites with the intent to provide unauthorized assistance to other students qualifies as facilitation and is prohibited under the (academic integrity) policy,” Zinn and Bartone said in an email.

Yet, there have been over 17,000 documents — including study guides, assignments, essays and lab reports — uploaded to Course Hero from Quinnipiac. The majority, over 2,300, were from chemistry classes.

Associate professor and chair of chemistry and physical sciences department Carol Fenn said the department is aware of the access students have to online resources. However, she did not comment further on the matter.

Bartone clarified that a large number of postings on a sharing site does not necessarily mean that they are incidents of academic integrity because it is unclear whether information being posted is authorized or unauthorized.

To make it clear between the two, the contents of those documents need to be reviewed.

Zinn said she knows that most documents that were being uploaded were what students made to share among themselves such as their notes and their own study guides.

“It could be that a really large number, though, are students who have taken documents that they have created for themselves,” Zinn said. “We know from surveys that most students work with other students, study, (prepare) for exams, and that’s like part of what they’re doing.”

Professor and chair of math department Cornelius Nelan said math instructors also see the rise of cheating because of the significant advancement of technology. However, he said the trend was like this even before the pandemic.

“You can access websites that can answer your questions accurately and amazingly quickly,” Nelan said. “It is also fairly easy to use a camera to communicate with other students in the class or have previously taken the class.”

Besides Quinnipiac, other universities have caught more students cheating in the recent semesters using various tactics such as using group-texting applications GroupMe and Telegram.

Despite the increased cheating rate in the institutional and national level, professor and chair of Quinnipiac history and geography department David Valone said the rate within his department remains consistent with pre-pandemic level.

Spanish professor and chair of modern languages, literatures and cultures department Aileen Dever also said her colleague has only encountered one instance of cheating since the shift to online learning.

However, according to an anonymous survey the Chronicle sent out to Quinnipiac students, eight of 11 students admitted that they have cheated in some way in exams during online learning while only four of them did so before the pandemic hit.

Zinn and Bartone said it is unrealistic to believe that every student who commits an academic violation has been reported.

Although, the university has provided faculty with resources to help detect and prevent violations both in the virtual and on-ground learning environments.

“SafeAssign continues to serve as a valuable resource to help detect plagiarism,” Zinn and Bartone said. “In addition to the technological resources available to faculty, the Office of (Academic Integrity) provides instructors with strategies to help ensure integrity in online testing.”

Examinations also took a hit. According to the Washington Post, a test-taking service company that takes exams on

behalf of students administered over 1.3 million exams between April to June 2020 while it took only 340,000 exams during the first three months.

That forced Quinnipiac professors to come up with different ways to minimize the possibility of cheating from happening in their sight.

The biological sciences department uses proctoring softwares LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Those programs allow instructors to monitor students through their camera and microphone, as well as prevent students from opening new tabs or windows.

Department chair Lise Thomas said it has been using Respondus softwares several years before the pandemic mostly for its online classes during summer.

“The number of Academic Integrity violations decreased substantially when we started using the Respondus software,” Thomas said. “In particular, there have been many fewer cases of plagiarism in responses to open-ended questions.”

For the math department, Nelan said instructors require students to turn their cameras on and most of them ask that students turn the focus of their cameras to the papers instead of their faces.

“Several of us make up multiple versions of the same test, which discourages unauthorized cooperation, while other instructors coordinate cooperation by putting the class into teams,” Nelan said.

After experimenting with numerous techniques, Nelan said the most effective one to discourage cheating in math classes is to make grades based on students’ presentation instead of only their answers.

“You provide organized, detailed explanations that show how you arrived at your answer and demonstrate you understand the material,” Nelan said. “The answer by itself gives you no credit.”

Other departments approach testing and assignments through different designs.

“In many of our language courses, we are using interpretive testing methods and have moved away from rote memorization,” Dever said. “Students are showing their understanding and ideas through writing.”

The history department undertakes a similar approach.

Valone explained that most of the assignments within the department are written analysis of original and unique historical sources, and he said it makes cheating extremely difficult.

“We encourage instructors to create assignments tailored to their specific class and based on the analysis of sources they choose,” Valone said. “We also use a lot of project-based learning and experiential learning through activities like ‘Reacting to the Past’ role-playing simulations in which students must do their own work to participate in the class.”

While the majority of Quinnipiac students are working to uphold the academic values, professors said creating an encouraging and cooperative environment is needed to prevent wrongdoings.

To achieve that, Dever said her department makes sure that students understand that their professors are there to help them learn.

“Students are future professionals and most want to safeguard the integrity of their degree as much as professors do,” Dever said. “I also think most students want to be proud of the work they have achieved — honestly.”

Nelan and his department have students sign an honor pledge before taking a test in hope for physiological effects.

“Some people think these are ineffective, but studies have shown that they can be remarkably effective not just discouraging cheating, but promoting an atmosphere of honesty,” Nelan said.

The Office of Academic Integrity’s effort to expose students to the high standards begins as soon as students arrive on campus in their first-year seminar course.

“We remind students of the consequences of engaging in academic dishonesty,” Zinn and Bartone said. “Our office also provides information and resources to students throughout their time here at Quinnipiac.”

At the end of the day, Nelan said cooperation among the community members is needed to educate people on academic dishonesty.

“Education should be a cooperative effort between student and professor,” Nelan said. “Do students take pride in putting forth their best effort and achieving what they can honestly, or is it only grade the only thing that matter?”

8 out of 11 survey responders said they have cheated Documents have been uploaded to Course Hero from QU Chegg has seen a 200% increase in usage since March 2020 INFOGRAPHIC BY CONNOR LAWLESS

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

4| O p i n i o n

March 3, 2021

Opinion Commuters unwelcome

Quinnipiac’s money problem extends beyond what you see on the surface

BY DANIEL PASSAPERA Contributing Writer

On Feb. 25, Quinnipiac University Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett announced in an email that undergraduate commuter students would be subject to a $90 fee per semester to park on university grounds starting in the fall 2021 semester. It was an act of economic discrimination. In short, it’s Quinnipiac’s subtle way of indicating it needs more money while prioritizing on-campus students.

You would think raising tuition during a pandemic would be enough, but when college institutions such as Quinnipiac are operating like corporations, it doesn’t come as a surprise.

What does amaze me is penalizing a demographic on campus that is already economically disadvantaged. Most commuters can’t afford the luxury of living on campus — which, in hindsight, is probably for the best. They avoid having to wait hours for food, or constantly losing power. Many commuters have lower income than residential students, so implementing this fee or forcing them to live on campus is not a suitable solution.

Imposing these fees widens the gap in economic diversity, which Quinnipiac already lacks. This institution ranks among the lowest for median family income in the bottom 20%, according to the New York Times. To put it in perspective, out of 2,395 colleges and universities, Quinnipiac came in at 2,362, almost dead last.

Personally, as a commuter student, this decision by the school is disrespectful and makes it hard for me to continue to support the institution. Admittedly, without scholarships or grants, I wouldn’t be here, but it appears those awards will mean nothing if these money grabs continue to occur. My single parent doesn’t work two jobs just to continue to rack up the debt. Hell, I don’t work to accumulate debt either.

It’s frustrating to understand why these decisions are being made for the student body without our input or why these decisions are being made by Ellett. Quinnipiac pays him, yet he still receives retirement benefits from his previous position as senior associate vice president of student affairs at New York University (NYU).

Ellett is making decisions as if every student is as financially stable as him.

Ellett has a history of student mistreatment, even having a 40-page manifesto written regarding his tenure at NYU, which highlights many issues.

“The manifesto outlined various issues around mental health, compensation, unionization and general mistreatment in the role,” said Mina Mohammadi, former deputy news editor at NYU’s Independent Student Newspaper.

In response to these accusations that came mainly from NYU resident assistants (RAs) that worked closely with Ellett, he said, “I’m sorry if there are some RAs, whether it is 5%, 20% or 85% (which I don’t believe) of RAs who were unhappy, but what role did they play in the creation of their own unhappiness?”

Here’s a reminder — he “retired” amid this

scandal just to get hired by Quinnipiac while still embodying the same demeanor, by saying “while this decision may appear counterintuitive to some” and “this change may not be welcomed by some students ...” in the recent announcement. Currently, over 1,100 people and counting support revoking the fee. However, Ellett never asked for input and the narrative that a “few” students would be upset is based upon one’s opinion — his own.

“I have no doubt in my mind that he has convinced himself that he cares about us, but when approached with difficulties about the role, he turns it on its head repeatedly,” said an anonymous source included in the manifesto.

On Feb. 28, Ellett responded via email to commuter students who voiced their concerns. Unfortunately, he deflected and contradicted himself by saying, “Please know that we do very much value the commuter population at QU, and I would agree with you that we can, and need to, do more for our commuters … These changes are all part of a much broader vi-

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sion to enhance the student experience at QU. And yes, a big portion of that is also deepening the residential experience.”

Again, reiterating the point that Quinnipiac focuses more on residential students.

The response also included a draft for plans regarding a “Quinnipiac University Commuter Assistance Program.”

Funny how it took angering the community for feedback, although whether or not he uses the response is yet to be seen.

Our comments regarding the fee — ignored.

There are still many vague details of which have been left unanswered including, how financial assistance would work if the fee went into effect or what “investments” this will go into to “improve” the student experience. No matter how many times the word “investment” or the phrase “improving the student experience” comes up, you can’t help but wonder where our tuition money is going.

Ellett is not the sole root of all evil, it’s up to the entire administration to be held accountable for approving things like the $90 parking fee for commuters. Unfortunately, this administration began this purge starting with staff in the 2019-20 school year, issuing furloughs and layoffs because its money magically disappeared with its “incredible efforts” to curb COVID-19. Now the commuters are under attack, and it’s only a matter of time before the residential students get a taste of the Ellett NYU experience.

Don’t forget about the apparent $55 million budget deficit of which $45 million was not COVID-19 related. Where did all that money go? Was low enrollment the sole reason for this? I doubt it.

The university would rather focus on residential life than the entire student body’s experience. By doing this, they seek to discredit the work ethic and educational advancements of commuters. As condescendingly stated in Ellett’s email, if it is true that “students who lived on campus had stronger GPAs and an 11% higher retention rate,” that says more about who the school is prioritizing with its education. We, commuters, know we are excelling in our respective majors, but the school clearly doesn’t.

Quinnipiac is completely out of touch with its students. We should be focusing on the important issues. We should be addressing and welcoming LGBTQ students on campus after students committed a hate crime last semester in an on-campus residence. These important changes will make Quinnipiac an inclusive environment for all as well as diversify the campus, its curriculum and more. But the current battle the university decided to choose is parking.

That’s where it chooses to keep its guards up — shocker.

A $90 fee compared to other schools within Connecticut isn’t nearly as terrible in its entirety. But when students are the ones constantly funneling money into an institution that clearly doesn’t know how to handle money, or care how much debt we acquire, it all adds up. Focus on the real issues Quinnipiac — get your house in or-

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

Bobcat Buzz Appreciating new meal point options

BY RILEY MILLETTE Sports Editor

I know it’s a community activity to blast the decisions of Quinnipiac University officials. Trust me, I do it too. But the school deserves credit where it’s due.

Since students have been sent home multiple times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve built up an abundance of meal points. I remember thinking last spring that I wouldn’t be able to use the over $2,000 worth of meal points that I had stored away. But the school has made a considerable effort to see to it that this doesn’t happen.

Food trucks have made an appearance almost every day for the past couple weeks, which now accepts meal points instead of QCash — a seperate debit account from students’ meal plan. Tons of non-food items have been strewn across the cafeteria, also available to purchase via meal points.

The school made it clear more than once that leftover meal points at the end of the spring semester would not be

refunded. I worried that all the money that we spent on food during the last three semesters would be up in smoke.

And while the school can’t refund the money, it’s going out of its way to give students a creative way to use their meal points and also be able to use them on things other than food. A recent email sent by the Dining Advisory Board mentioned that house plants would be for sale in exchange for meal points.

Quinnipiac could just as easily let us continue to buy cases of Gatorade over and over until our money ran out.

But it saw a need for its students and fulfilled that need, not to mention helping local businesses by inviting their food trucks to campus.

I reiterate that the school has plenty to be criticized for, but if we rip it apart for every bad thing it does, we should praise it for its good deeds.

Bobcat Buzz is a new column covering Quinnipiac’s smaller but important topics.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

March 3, 2021

Opinion|5

Opinion One week to recognize a lifetime struggle

Here’s why National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is worth more than a social media post

BY MELINA KHAN AND EMILY DISALVO

Every year, the last week of February is observed as National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Organized by the National Eating Disorders Association, each year has a different theme to raise awareness about the dangers of eating disorders as well as the importance of treatment.

This year, the theme is “Every body has a seat at the table.” In a year in which our tables are a lot farther apart, this theme feels both fitting and ironic. It’s also a reminder to make sure whoever is seated at our table is met with compassion and understanding.

That’s why it’s important to take this week as an opportunity to learn and not just passively repost something about it on your Instagram story.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with one death every 52 minutes as a direct result of an eating disorder, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. People who suffer from eating disorders often restrict what they eat, purge food that they have eaten or over-exercise to burn off calories. This can lead to extreme weight loss and damage to internal organs.

That’s why it is so important to understand that eating disorders are not a trendy diet or a way to get skinny fast. They are dangerous, deadly and can last a lifetime.

As two people with first-hand experience of the consuming and crippling effects of eating disorders and disordered eating, these are the things that we feel are the most important for everyone to become aware of and carry with you through the rest of your year.

First, do not glorify weight loss or excessive exercise. When you talk about people who aren’t eating a healthy amount or are exercising too much, this makes people with eating disorders feel very uncomfortable. Part of recovering from an eating disorder is positive self-talk. Hearing someone talk about dieting and burning calories in such a positive way can make a person with an eating disorder consider restricting what they eat or resorting to old disordered habits.

Seemingly harmless comments like, “Wow I should really go on a diet,” or “I eat way too much,” can be difficult for a person with an eating disorder to hear, especially while eating.

Meals are something that a person with an eating disorder puts a lot of consideration into, so it is insensitive to bring up eating less during a meal.

Reframe the idea of skinny as beautiful. Many people with eating disorders obsess over other people’s bodies — especially bodies that they perceive as skinnier. If you know someone

who is unnaturally skinny, like a celebrity, try to avoid talking about this person as if their skinniness equates to beauty. Find realistic role models to emulate.

Learn how to offer support to someone enduring an eating disorder. Every person may need a unique kind of aid, so understanding the different ways you can support them is important. Do not force them to eat, but instead encourage them to make healthy choices and seek professional help. Telling them that they are already skinny isn’t going to help — instead remind them about the importance food has in keeping us alive and well. Find healthy ways to distract them such as playing a game, making a craft or watching a movie. Avoid activities that include food or exercise.

Lastly, do not comment on someone else’s eating habits. If someone in your life is exhibiting abnormal eating habits, or even if they are eating more than normal, don’t say anything.

You have no idea how that comment could affect them so it is better to not to bring it up. If you are concerned about their well-being, submit a CARE report at Quinnipiac University or seek a trusted adult, but do not take it into your own hands to give eating advice.

With all of this in mind, every person struggling with an eating disorder will have different experiences. If they seem uncomfortable with a situation or a conversation, ask how you can be more sensitive.

College is a challenging, and often toxic, environment to be in eating disorder recovery. There are stages, including the possibility of relapse, which means you can help support someone with disordered eating habits just by being mindful of your own actions and comments.

Especially now, during COVID-19, the anxieties of everyday life can amplify the challenges of being in or working toward recovery. Eating is difficult because of the inability to do so while wearing a mask, and everyone is consuming more meals alone. Without the social aspect of eating, those who already have disordered habits may resort to old tendencies in an isolating time.

It’s also important to be aware of your own misconceptions about eating disorders. Remember that eating disorders do not discriminate based on gender. Males are just as likely

INFOGRAPHIC BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

to experience an eating disorder as females. Furthermore, females are more likely to seek help than males, and health practitioners are more likely to consider an eating disorder diagnosis in females than males.

Data shows that 95% of those with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. That means that you could have a friend, roommate or classmate struggling and you may not even know it. Your sphere of influence is a lot greater than you realize, so it’s important to use your voice for good. Educate yourself on the dangers of eating disorders, the ways you can support those who are struggling and be aware of the implications of your actions.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is just seven days, but for those who face an eating disorder, the implications can last a lifetime. Before posting on social media, learn more about the reality of these illnesses so you can be an active support system for someone struggling.

Merrick Garland deserves to lead the Department of Justice

BY JAMES DOBSON Contributing Writer

The Senate will soon vote whether Merrick Garland, a United States circuit judge for the District of Columbia, will become the next U.S. attorney general. Garland has the experience and skill to make an effective and consequential leader of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In 2016, Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court. Former President Barack Obama picked him as the replacement to Justice Antonin Scalia. The reasons for this were clear — the American Bar Association unanimously gave Garland a “wellqualified” rating, the highest that the committee could give. Additionally, Garland had more federal judicial experience than any other Supreme Court nomination in history.

However, the Republican-controlled Senate refused to consider this nomination. In an unprecedented move, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not hold a vote on Garland to fill the vacant seat. As a result, Garland’s nomination eventually expired after 293 days without a vote being held. Eventually, this vacant seat would go on to be filled by Neil Gorsuch during former President Donald Trump’s administration after 422 days of being vacant.

Not holding a vote on a Supreme Court nominee to fill a vacant seat was an abuse of constitutional norms and many legal scholars and political scientists alike decried this action. Refusing to even consider a qualified candidate like Garland speaks to the issue of partisanship in government. Nonetheless, there was nothing legally forcing McConnell to hold the vote, so the empty Supreme Court seat remained vacant up until Trump’s presidency.

Garland had also been considered for the Supreme Court on two separate occasions before his nomination. In 2009, he was one of the top picks to fill Justice David Souter’s seat, but the nomination ended up going to Sonia Sotomayor, who was a sitting judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Again, in 2010, he was a leading contender to replace Justice Paul

Stevens, but the nomination was given to Justice Elena Kagan.

You can’t keep a good man down forever. Though Garland did not ever become a Supreme Court justice, President Joe Biden has recently nominated Garland to become the next attorney general.

His confirmation hearing began last week, with Garland testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee to make his case on why he should get their vote to be confirmed to the position.

During the hearing, the nominee gave a vow to keep politics out of the DOJ, which is vital for the attorney general to do.

“I don’t care who pressures me in any direction,” Garland said.

“The Department, if I am confirmed, will be under my protection for the purpose of preventing any kind of partisan or other improper motive in making any kind of investigation or prosecution.

That’s my vow. That’s the only reason I’m willing to do this job.”

PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Merrick Garland’s emphasis on non-partisan judgement is a refreshing and needed change as the attorney general.

Keeping personal politics aside would be a breath of fresh air for the DOJ if Garland is serious about doing so. His predecessor, William Barr, showed his partisanship in multiple instances, such as by meddling in the criminal prosecutions of Trump allies, approving unusual maneuvers by the DOJ against political foes and working to undo many of the conclusions of the Mueller investigation. Meanwhile, Garland can provide the nonpartisan balance that is needed when it comes to the justice department — which would be most welcome in a country that is so divided.

He also said during his general confirmation hearing that one of his big focuses would be taking on systemic racism in the justice system, something that Barr did not consider an important issue, let alone an issue at all.

“I think it is plain to me that there is discrimination and widespread disparate treatment of communities of color and other ethnic minorities in this country,” Garland said. “They have a disproportionately lower employment, disproportionately lower home ownership rates, disproportionately lower ability to accumulate wealth … (there) is no question there is disparate treatment in our justice system. Mass incarceration is a very good example of this problem.”

The confirmation vote is going to happen soon, and when it does, Garland is expected to get the votes he needs for a confirmation. So far, he’s seen a good amount of bipartisan support from both parties. Prominent Republican senators such as Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham and John Cornyn have also spoken positively about Garland and his qualifications for the job during the confirmation hearings thus far. Even McConnell, who had blocked his Supreme Court vote, has said that he plans to back Garland.

If confirmed, Garland will be in charge of leading the justice department. And it’s a critical time for the DOJ. The department is currently taking on a number of important issues, including the Jan. 6, storming of the United States Capitol. There is no better candidate to take on the job at this pivotal time.

6|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

March 3, 2021

Arts & Life

QUCHRONICLE.COM/ARTS-AND-LIFE ARTSLIFE@QUCHRONICLE.COM

The balancing act

How to be a student while juggling other commitments

By JESSICA SIMMS Managing Editor

For many students, college life consists of more than just academics. It includes participating in extracurriculars, working a job, spending time with friends (safely of course), talking with family members and taking time for themselves.

As a student who is working and a member of many different student organizations, I understand that trying to balance many different things can be difficult. Here are some tips that I have been using to help me manage my classes and clubs, while also taking care of myself.

Schedule it out: If you’re like me, you like to write things down. I own a planner and when I am trying to figure what needs to be done when, I create a to-do list. This way, I can visualize what assignments, readings and projects need to be done each day.

However, there are people that like to “write things down” on their computer. If you are one of these people, there are many different online calendars that you can use, such as Google Calendar or the calendar program that is directly connected to your Quinnipiac University email. This way, you can visualize your day and be able to see when you will have time in between classes, meetings and activities in which you can get some work done.

Try to say no when you don’t have the time: Disclaimer — I have a lot of trouble saying “no” to others, but this is definitely a skill that I will continue to work on. It is important to make sure that you are not doing too much in one day. So, if your friend wants to grab lunch at the cafeteria or go for a walk and you just have too much going on already, be honest with

them. School comes first and even with upholding so many other responsibilities, it is important to keep that in the back of your mind.

Additionally, try not to sign up for too much. While it is important to take time for yourself and your social life, do not feel pressured to participate in every social event that pops up on your student organization’s calendar. According to the Balance Careers’ website, find an activity that “makes you feel good and recharge your batteries so that you can face your commitments and responsibilities with renewed energy and a renewed sense of purpose.”

Take breaks: We all have been there — overworked, overtired and checked out. Don’t be afraid to take a break and clear your mind.

“You may hear the phrase ‘burnout’ being casually thrown around campus, however don’t be fooled – this is a serious issue for many young college students,” Gloria Kopp wrote for Hey Sigmund. “It’s a state of mental and physical exhaustion that can have a negative (effect) on your grades, your relationships and your mental health.”

Recognizing that you need to help yourself is not a weakness — it is a strength. There is no benefit from making yourself feel overwhelmed by attending every club meeting or rushing to an event at the end of a busy day. Take some time to give yourself the opportunity to get stronger and ready to conquer the next day.

Ask for help: Do not feel intimidated to ask for help.

Whether you are struggling in a class or feeling as if you can’t uphold your duties in a club, reach out to the person that you think can help you. Go to your professor’s office hours if you are not understanding a concept in class, reach out to the Learning

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

Commons for some additional help with a skill or talk to peers that may be able to offer assistance.

When it comes to extracurriculars, remember you are confiding in peers who are also upholding classes and other responsibilities. Therefore, they will understand if you need to step away for some time to handle class assignments, personal problems or even just so you can have some time to relax. We all need help, and it is always best to recognize that.

Resource for reproductive care A new club hopes to serve as a safe place for women and as a connection to Planned Parenthood ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

By NICOLE MCISAAC Associate News Editor

In an era of social isolation, a new student-run organization at Quinnipiac University is pushing the boundaries by creating a space that is safe for women to turn to and have open discussion.

“This is a movement that's here to stay,” said Audrey Gladu, a junior nursing major. ”And that's something that's important to a lot of people. We're not here to infringe on anyone's opinions or beliefs, we're here to support the people that do believe in it.”

Gladu founded The Women’s Rights to Safe and Legal Reproductive Care (WRSLRC) this semester at Quinnipiac to promote the importance of women’s rights to proper reproductive care that is deemed safe and legal. Despite being in the early stages of making its voice heard at the university, Gladu said the organization is determined to start new conversations within the campus community and its students.

“One thing that people don't understand about Planned Parenthood is it's not just abortions,” Gladu said. “It's access to birth control or going to get regular checkups for women. It's much more than what sometimes people think, so it's really important to get that out there for college students to know.”

According to statistics provided by Student For Life of America, 46% of abortions are performed on women younger than 25 years of age. Those studies show that out of all abortions performed, 12% are on adolescents and 34% are on women ages 20-24.

Gladu said she came up with the idea to develop the club on campus after being inspired by several abortion clinic escort videos on TikTok. “These people would escort others into Planned Parenthood away from the picketers,” Gladu said. “I thought that would be really cool if we could make a Quinnipiac group with Planned Parenthood to try and better the community around us and provide that safe opportunity for these women and the people who need this type of medical care.”

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

In the midst of finding an adviser to sponsor the organization and creating social media accounts for the club, Gladu said she was able to recruit members by reaching out to individuals in her other extracurricular activities.

“I’m in the sorority of Gamma Phi Beta, and we're all about building strong girls and having each other's backs,” Gladu said. “I sent a message in our group chat, and I had a couple of girls reach out to me, so that’s what really got the whole ball to start rolling.”

Jalen Worstell, a sophomore marketing major, immediately expressed interest in the club. She said her encounters with

watching others go through these types of situations inspired her to join.

“I just think it's so important to have someone that's there for you to help you through those kinds of things,” Worstell said. “It can be very traumatic and very stressful, especially in college.

It's just so nice to know that there's a group of women that are willing to help you and do whatever it takes to get you to be more positive and just to help out.”

A main priority of the organization is to advocate for privacy but also to educate other students on why the topic directly affects others in the school community .

“Even if you're not in that place, it's good to understand that other people are,” Worstell said. “It's unfortunate that stuff like this happens a lot of the time so even if you don't personally know people that go through it, it does happen. So it's good to bring it up and start that conversation on campus.”

Establishing an official organization amid the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the members, but Wostell said they are in the process of implementing weekly Zoom meetings, putting out flyers and gaining student’s attention on campus.

“It's hard to get the word out at first, but we're trying to do that very soon,” Wostell said. “We're super open to other people's opinions and talking about it very openly. If anyone wanted to join, they could obviously talk to any of us.”

The organization is open to any student at the university, regardless of gender affiliation. Gladu said prospective members can reach out to her or any current members of the organization to get involved, and more information will be released once the group finds an adviser.

“I want to see this club flourish as much as I can in the next year and a half,” Gladu said. “I want other people to take over and lead it. I want this to keep going and to keep these discussions flowing because what's most important to me is just getting these conversations out there.”

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

March 3, 2021

Arts and Life|7

Students to follow Meet two students who made a name for themselves on social media and on air

By NEHA SEENARINE Staff Writer

A portfolio is not limited to school work and participation in school organizations. Quinnipiac University students Paul Cappuzzo and Jonathan Sweeney are making sure their voices are heard through different social media outlets.

Let’s Talk Paulitics Paul Cappuzzo turned quarantine boredom into his personal platform to express his thoughts.

Cappuzzo, a sophomore political science major, could not work at his day camp during the summer as he had in previous summers. So, “The Paulitics Show” was created on YouTube to fill his free schedule until he returned to Quinnipiac’s campus as an orientation leader.

“I felt like I had nothing to do this summer,” Cappuzzo said. “I sort of sat there from May when the semester ended until August. I have a passion for politics. I have a passion for speaking. I love to talk. I voice myself on Twitter and all those different platforms, all the time. I thought, ‘Why not make something useful out of it?’”

He said he was used to scrolling through Twitter and voicing his opinion online, but social media can be used at anyone’s discretion.

“I can say whatever I want almost like a bathroom wall,” Cappuzzo said. “You can write it on there, and it’s going to say whatever you want. The thing is that I will only retweet things I agree with. When I don’t like it, I’m going to voice my opinion.

I’m going to quote tweet them. I’m going to reply to them. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that my voice is heard whether or not it is going to be seen. It could go into the abyss forever, but it is getting out there.”

He wanted to take a step forward, so his voice could be heard.

“The Paulitics Show” is a one-man show.

“I can flesh out my thoughts more than a 280-character tweet,” Cappuzzo said. “Making episodes for the show is basically taking on another class.”

Cappuzzo is involved with different organizations at Quinnipiac. He is an orientation leader, treasurer of Quinnipiac Democrats and a brother of Beta Theta Pi. Producing “The Paulitics Show” is another task to keep him busy.

PHOTO FROM PAUL CAPPUZZO

Producing 'The Paulitics Show' gives Paul Cappuzzo a break from some of his other commitments.

reaches out to politicians to have various conversations.

“I get rejection after rejection,” Cappuzzo said. “I have a small platform — people don’t want to talk to someone without a big audience, which I get.”

However, “The Paulitics Show” has featured guests like New Jersey State Senator Declan O’Scanlon.

“I had him come on and we had a very productive conversation,” Cappuzzo said. “I kind of slid into his Twitter (direct messages) asking him if he wants to come on the show, and he responded. You just gotta shoot your shot like that.”

Cappuzzo welcomes all spectrums of political views on his show.

“I’d love to have more Republicans come on the show,” Cappuzzo said. “I feel like that really engages in the further dialogue we had. I want to be able to share my views and with interviews, I want to share the perspectives of others that I can’t provide on my own.”

While on campus, Cappuzzo plans to extend his passion for politics by starting a debate club.

“For the last two-ish years, I’ve been toying with the idea of wanting to introduce one,” Cappuzzo said. “This past fall semester, I became committed to the idea once I was approached by a friend of mine who was questioning if the university had a student-run debate organization. In my view, it can’t just be the two of us wondering why the university doesn’t have a debate organization; it’s a staple of nearly every academic institution.”

The Influence of TikTok TikTok has long consumed Jonathan Sweeney’s screen-time, but now he is using it to his advantage.

Sweeney, a senior film, television and media arts major, uses TikTok to educate strangers around the world about genetic disorders. However, Sweeney initially downloaded the app to

PHOTO FROM PAUL CAPPUZZO

Paul Cappuzzo uses his show as a way to make his voice heard on many political topics.

“It becomes a little bit more tricky, but it’s not that I’m a part of all these different organizations,” Cappuzzo said. “I love keeping busy. Otherwise, I’d go insane.”

The production of “The Paulitics Show” is a three-day process for Cappuzzo, so he can upload an episode by noon on Monday.

“I would decide the topic in the middle of the week,” Cappuzzo said. “I should choose topics that are broad enough where they can stand alone. They are almost timeless per se.

Topics aren’t timeless like I talked about my 2020 election predictions and they were way off.”

The following day, Cappuzzo conducts research and finds additional content such as previous interviews to feature in his upcoming episode. He makes sure he has 35 to 45 minutes of content.

“I would spend the next day drafting like a six-page document, full of notes,” Cappuzzo said. “I would make a new document and delete what I had. I would just make an outline of what I want to talk about.”

Cappuzzo also features guests on “The Paulitics Show.” He

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE

Jonathan Sweeney uses his platform on Tik Tok to share his story and break down assumptions about people with rare diseases.

see what the fuss was about.

“I was like everyone else in America when I got started on TikTok during quarantine,” Sweeney said. “I kind of made stupid videos like it was just me being dumb on the internet. I’ll delete them after quarantine. One night over winter break I made this video about a 1-of-20 story. I had a one in a billion story, so I shared it and it blew up. It got 10,000 views in two days.”

His videos were about his experiences. He started off by sharing his prior experience of quarantining.

“It was about how (in) my senior year of high school I spread whooping cough to my math class,” said Sweeney. “We all had to quarantine. I spent my 18th and 21st birthday in quarantine.”

Sweeney’s videos became more personal when he started explaining his rare genetic disorder, fatty acid oxidation disorder.

TikTok viewers grew curious about his situation and wanted to find out more. His videos drew in students studying biochemistry and genetics.

“I made my first video, and I got a lot of comments,” Sweeney said. “I’ve been making some videos answering questions, and I want to educate people on rare genetic disorders and living with chronic illness.”

He formed a platform for himself, connecting with people and helping them understand more about genetic disorders.

Sweeney runs into comments by viewers who might have a misconception of him.

“I like the idea of having a conversation with a platform with different people,” Sweeney said. “Personally, for my own satisfaction, I don’t go out of my way to put people in their place.

I think it’s really satisfying being able to educate someone and have them not have a defeated feeling. Maybe they misspoke and instead of leaving a nasty comment, they should have asked.”

PHOTO FROM JONATHAN SWEENEY

Jonathan Sweeney had a rare childhood disease and is now passionate about raising awareness for those with rare illnesses.

The internet is a difficult place to be when people are hiding behind a screen. It gives audiences a chance to say hurtful things, but Sweeny said it will not break his tough skin.

“Growing up, we all face people that pick on you,” Sweeney said. “I’ve built an immunity to mean comments. I’ve grown up, I’ve lived my journey and my truth that the mean comments don’t get to me. I’m sure there’s a comment down the line that’s going to sting where it hurts, but I’ll get over it.”

Sweeney had zero intention of becoming so popular on TikTok. It is his main source of procrastination watching house tours of his favorite creators. He does not pencil in at a certain time of day to create content. Videos are made based for leisure, not as an obligation.

“I won’t wake up, roll out of bed and answer questions,” Sweeney said. “If I get comments and or have something to talk about, I’ll definitely make a video about it. I thought it would be cool if I blew up on TikTok. I knew deep down inside I’m a college student from Connecticut. I don’t have anything special that they’re looking for. It would be cool to be an influencer, but I’m not going to spend my whole life and sacrifice my education.”

The platform Sweeney grew on TikTok inspired him to create his own podcast, “1 of 20 Podcast.”

“It’s going to be me talking about my experience with a rare genetic disorder living with chronic illness,” Sweeney said. “My day-to-day with asthma, hypoglycemia and ulcerative colitis. I don’t think I’m going to be the next big podcast sensation. I’ll be fine if I have a few hundred listeners if it will make someone’s day or I’ll educate someone. I have an agenda with educating people.”

The “1 of 20 Podcast” is produced in the School of Communications podcast studio. Sweeney plans to have guests on the show.

“I’m going to have guests from Quinnipiac,” Sweeney said.

“Also, people who are going into the healthcare field, have a genetic disorder or chronic illness. People who want to talk about lifestyle.”

The podcast and TikTok allow Sweeney to take time for himself. He is the president of Lambda Pi Eta Tau Delta and the multi-media chair of QTHON. “I never really take time for me,” Sweeney said. “I think this will be a perfect opportunity while I’m helping others and educating others to help me stick to more self-care. Honestly, just to treat myself better than I usually do during the semester.”

8|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

March 3, 2021

Clothing, movies and culture of the 2000s return in 2021

By DAVID MATOS Staff Writer

It’s time to dust off those low-rise jeans and velour tracksuits because the 2000s are making their way into 2021.

If you have recently scrolled through Instagram and TikTok, you may have noticed some familiar fashion trends from the 2000s. This trend is known as Y2K. People often associate the term with the literal meaning, “year 2000,” but it’s much more complex. Y2K fashion is essentially a modern reimagination of popular trends and aesthetics from the decade of 2000-2009.

Those who are old enough to remember, may believe the term has a different meaning. In the late 1990s, many people feared what was known as the “Y2K bug,” also known as the millennium bug. This was the fear that digital calendars wouldn’t generate dates after the year 2000. Many people viewed this problem as the end of the world, which was luckily later proven nonsensical by computer scientists. Today, the term is usually associated with 2000s nostalgia.

The resurgence of Y2K fashion was inevitable as fashion trends from the past tend to make a comeback in later decades. We also recently entered a new decade with a similar state of mind to those who experienced the Y2K bug in the late 1990s. Due to the pandemic, we have acquired a new reliance on technology and are wary of the future. Naturally, this fear of uncertainty has caused young adults now to yearn to go back to a simpler time, the 2000s.

Some of the more notable fashion trends that are making a comeback are matching velour tracksuits, low-rise jeans, designer pieces, cardigans, denim on denim and blinged-out clothes, to name a few. People who indulge in Y2K fashion often take direct inspiration from movies and pop culture icons of the time.

Many of us who grew up in the 2000s might recall the popular doll brand, Bratz. Aside from their oversized heads and

removable feet, Bratz dolls are known for their trendy, more controversial fashion choices that earned media attention for the entirety of the 2000s.

Despite the doll brand no longer being sold in stores, Bratz is more relevant than ever among adults who grew up with the brand.

It has become heavily associated with Y2K fashion. Popular clothing brands, Dolls Kill and Hot Topic, have already capitalized on their new-found popularity with their recent collaborations with the brand.

Movies like “Legally Blonde”and “Mean Girls” have also had a major resurgence. The hyper-feminine and rather dated fashion choices in both films have recently become a prominent inspiration for today’s trends. Due to their new status within today’s pop culture, both films are receiving reboots with “Legally Blonde” getting a third movie and “Mean Girls” being recreated as a musical. The 2000s trends have heavily influenced celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Chloe X Halle. It can be seen through their music and fashion choices.

Several of the fashion choices from the decade are often seen as questionable. Those who grew up during that time remember being ridiculed for something that is now seen as trendy. Needless to say, many of the adults who were at least teens during the 2000s are not so fond of the decade making a resurgence.

“I can’t believe GAP hoodies are now a trend???? 10-year-old me is still traumatized because people bullied me and said it stood for gay and proud and that’s why I was wearing it. F—- everyone,” Social media influencer Shea Vance tweeted.

Though it’s unclear how long society’s recent obsession with the 2000s will last, it is wise to take advantage of the moment before the inevitable happens again to the next decade, the 2010s.

PHOTO FROM FLICKR

Bratz dolls are making a comeback this year, along with many other 2000s trends.

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

Dave Chappelle seeks redemption in his return to Netflix

By MATTHEW TRAVIA Staff Writer

One of the best comedians of right now announced on Feb. 12, that his show is back on Netflix.

“Chappelle’s Show,” hosted by long-time comedian Dave Chappelle, was the first of its kind because it had multiple sketch comedy bits that were shown to a live audience. After Chappelle left, “Key and Peele” took its place on Comedy Central, but it has since ended.

“Chappelle’s Show” lasted two seasons before Chappelle left Comedy Central. He left because he felt that the show wasn’t his. Between the working environments and lack of creative control, he didn’t feel comfortable being there anymore.

He left the business for 12 years before coming back in 2017 to air a few stand-up specials for Netflix.

Fast forward to around the time of the 2020 Presidential election. Chappelle agreed to be the host of Saturday Night Live that weekend. HBO Max and Netflix aired his show on its platforms.

Chappelle posted a video on his Instagram called “Unforgiven” in late November 2020. In the video, he explains his story of what happened to his career, why he left and why he’s talking about his show.

He spoke about how an older comedian tried to take one of his jokes when he was just starting out in the comedy industry.

When Chappelle wouldn’t give up his joke, the comedian told him, “I can just take it.”

Chappelle also recalled a time when he called out a three-

card monte dealer for cheating. He mentioned that the dealer, who was about to “maul” him, eased back and told him, “Don’t ever come between a man and his meal.”

Both of those moments had a significant impact on Chappelle’s life. This would be important as he relates these events to how he had similar encounters while in the entertainment business with the network he worked for.

In his video, Chappelle talks about his past with HBO and how they rejected him when he pitched his show to them originally. When Netflix was airing the show, it took down the show due to Chappelle’s request.

He said that’s why he works with Netflix — because it is willing to listen to its clients.

There were issues with Chappelle not getting paid and he demanded to get the money he deserved for his show.

In order for Chappelle to get back at Comedy Central, he went to the fans that he called his “real boss.” He turned to the fans and asked them to stop watching “Chappelle's Show” until he got paid.

In February, he released a second video called “Redemption Song,” in which he thanked his fans for not watching “Chappelle’s Show” at his request.

He revealed that he finally got the money he deserved and called out the “monsters” of the entertainment industry that have made his life difficult.

The end of the video shows that he got his identity back from Comedy Central and that “Chappelle’s Show” is back on Netflix.

PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Dave Chappelle will return to Netflix after a fallout with Comedy Central.

March 3, 2021

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Arts and Life|9

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10|Sports

March 3, 2021

Atlantic City is calling Quinnipiac women’s basketball’s favorite month has arrived

By BRENDAN O’SULLIVAN Editor-in-Chief

It’s March. Spring is almost here, and the winter weather may finally come to an end — hopefully.

But for the Quinnipiac women’s basketball team, the month represents another chance to cut down the nets at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

It’s an enormous moment for teams as they prepare all season for the tournament. It’ll be even more potent since players and coaches haven’t celebrated a MAAC championship since the 2018-19 season.

That’s the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. No celebration, no confetti, no cutting down the net. The teams only played six postseason games last year until MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor canceled the remainder of the tournament.

And unfortunately, the pandemic hasn’t receded. But the difference between this year and last is the information we have on the virus itself. Testing protocols are in place, and vaccines continue to roll out throughout the country.

With that knowledge, the tournament is on, and it’s far more likely a champion is crowned this year. Players and coaches will have their shining moment — climbing the ladder to cut off the nylon as they celebrate with their team.

It’s a familiar scene for the Bobcats. Since joining the MAAC prior to the 2013-14 season, Quinnipiac has played in all six conference championships, winning four. In fact, it has won the last three MAAC tournaments — excluding the unfinished 2020 tournament, of course.

Entering the 2021 MAAC tournament, the Bobcats could claim their fifth MAAC title — a feat only Marist has accomplished this century. But while the championship is still in mind, Quinnipiac will be playing just its first game since 2019.

Last year, Fairfield and Siena played the sixth tournament game, and Quinnipiac was set to play Manhattan just after. Obviously, they didn’t, and the tournament was curtailed with the two schools’ names on the scoreboard.

This year, the Bobcats hope to see their name on the scoreboard at the end of the tournament again — this time, though, with a trophy in their hands.

Head coach Tricia Fabbri leads Quinnipiac’s charge as she completes her 26th season at the helm of the program. She’s eyeing her sixth tournament title after winning the 2013 NEC tournament — the same year she won NEC Coach of the Year.

Furthermore, she’s maintained a formidable roster throughout her tenure, no matter which player leads the on-court charge.

In the 2020-21 season, those players have been junior guards Mackenzie DeWees and Rose Caverly and sophomore forward Mikala Morris.

Morris leads the team in points per game with 13.6 a game, DeWees adds 13 PPG and Caverly averages 10.4 PPG. Together, the three — who have started all 20 games — combine for 37 PPG of the team’s 64.2. Add in junior guard Amani Free’s 8.3 PPG and the total rises to 45.3.

DeWees’ offensive output has been impressive to say the least. She scores her 13 PPG on a team-high 50% from the field. Additionally, she drains 3-pointers at a 36% clip.

Then, add in her 2.6 assists per game which is second to Caverly’s team-high 4.8 APG. By way of the aforementioned four, Quinnipiac tops the MAAC with 64.2 PPG. However, it’s not just its offense that makes the team so potent on the floor. The defense is what stands out. Quinnipiac ranks fifth in the MAAC and 38th in the NCAA with just 57.9 PPG allowed, at time of publication.

Once again, DeWees and Morris lead the MAAC charts in defensive categories. DeWees averages 2.6 steals per game which is fifth in the MAAC, but her total steals is 52 — second in the MAAC. Morris, on the other hand, averages 1.5 SPG, 10th in the MAAC. In terms of blocks, Morris ranks second in the MAAC with 2.2 blocks per game. She’s tallied 44 total blocks — first in the MAAC. Lastly and arguably the most prominent aspect of the Bobcats’ 2020-21 team is its rebounding.

Morris tops the MAAC chart, averaging 10.8 rebounds per game and totaling 215 boards — the only player in the conference above 200. Furthermore, Quinnipiac as a whole leads the MAAC with 41.5 RPG. Behind Fabbri’s leadership and the team’s on-court abilities, the Bobcats finished the season with a 13-7 record, second in the MAAC. Quinnipiac topping the MAAC statistical charts and standings is nothing new, and it’s evident through the 202021 regular season. Nevertheless, the Bobcats’ journey to capture their fifth MAAC title is still en route.

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2019)

Quinnipiac women’s basketball head coach Tricia Fabbri hoists the trophy after winning the 2019 MAAC championship.

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2020)

March 3, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Sports|11

What to be aware of for QU men’s basketball’s upcoming appearance in the MAAC tournament

By JORDAN WOLFF Staff Writer

Last March, the Quinnipiac men’s basketball team was looking forward to once again appearing in the MAAC tournament. What the Bobcats learned is sometimes you can’t foresee your future.

Concerns grew about if it was even safe enough to play because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as multiple Division I conferences decided to cancel their conference tournaments. MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor was one of the last commissioners to cancel his conference tournament.

A year later, the Bobcats will travel back to Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the MAAC tournament. In terms of the competition, Quinnipiac is the No. 8 seed in the MAAC standings. When it comes to tournament play, it’s all about late regular season results.

The Bobcats have been streaky, as they won three in a row, followed immediately by losing their last two games. This results in an 8-11 overall record and 6-9 in MAAC play. After defeating Rider on Feb. 20, senior forward Jacob Rigoni described what he thinks the key can be to being consistent.

“For us, it was about coming together and learning from our losses and setbacks,” Rigoni said. “I think that’s what makes or breaks a team, and for us ... it’s communication by everyone, that’s what’s going to set us apart.”

If the Bobcats finish the season as the No. 8 seed, they’d be set to take on the current No. 9 Iona Gaels. Iona canceled its remaining regular season games due to COVID-19 issues, but in recent history, Iona has been the team to beat in the MAAC tournament.

The Gaels have accumulated 12 MAAC championships, eight of which this century, but now have a different look with accomplished first-year head coach Rick Pitino at the helm. Does Quinnipiac have what it takes to beat a team like Iona? Well, if it does, it’ll rely on these strengths.

The 2020-21 squad has emphasized specific aspects of its defensive scheming, mainly compelling its opponents to take poor shots from anywhere on the court and protecting the rim. As of March 2, the Bobcats are forcing opponents to shoot 40.1% from the field. That’s second in the conference to Saint Peter’s, who limits teams to 38.3%.

The Bobcats average 32.4% shooting from 3-point range, but they give their opponents a difficult time shooting from beyond the arc. Opponents have attempted 417 total 3-pointers and are held to a miserable 30.5%, which leads the MAAC. Additionally, the Bobcats’ interior defense is potent. They’re third in the conference with 77 blocks and average 4.1 blocks per game. It helps having sophomore center Seth Pinkey, who’s

The Quinnipiac men’s basketball team is slated to enter the 2021 MAAC tournament as the No. 8 seed.

second in the MAAC in total blocks with 37.

The Bobcats are also effective on the glass, as they lead the MAAC with an average of 28.2 defensive rebounds per game (DRPG). They have accumulated 536 rebounds this season.

That’s an important stat because if the Bobcats do end up facing Iona, they’ll have to deal with the Gaels’ offensive rebounding.

Iona is currently second in the MAAC, averaging 11.2 offensive rebounds per game (ORPG) and accumulating 145 total offensive rebounds this season. The Gaels also lead the MAAC in total rebound margin with a plus-4.1 RPG. Conversely, Quinnipiac is second to last in the MAAC in rebounding margin, with a negative-3.7.

The numbers have shown that Quinnipiac has a lot of defensive metrics on its side, but what’s the Bobcats’ offensive identity? Part of it is the veteranship of Rigoni.

The Bobcats rely frequently on their 3-point aspect of their game. They’ve attempted 448 3-pointers and made 145 of them, both of which lead the MAAC. Throughout Rigoni’s time at Quinnipiac, he’s been considered the go-to guy for 3-pointers.

On Sunday, the Australian native hit his 254th 3-pointer, breaking the previous program record of 253. His running total is now 257 after Monday’s game against Marist. As for the 202021 season, Rigoni leads his team in 3-pointers made with 50, with the next closest total being 28. He also leads his squad with 13 points per game and a 40% 3-point percentage.

It also helps that he’s a career 1,000-point scorer and has played in MAAC tournament games before. So, if the game comes down to the wire, expect Rigoni to be one of the Bobcats’ primary options.

Only three players on the Bobcats’ roster have participated in a MAAC tournament game. Nine of its 14 players are underclassmen and Rigoni is the team’s lone senior.

Head coach Baker Dunleavy isn’t afraid to use his bench, as 14 players have at least seen the floor. Also, eight players average 21 minutes or more per game.

With a lot of youth, the Bobcats have needed some of its first-year players to showcase their skills. Two players who have grown into prominent roles are freshmen guards Tymu Chenery and Luis Kortright.

The pair each average 10 points per game, with Chenery’s focus being efficiency. The Philadelphia native shoots an average 41% from the field. Kortright is someone who’s filled into the secondary scoring role nicely.

Kortright has had an impressive late season surge, as in his last three games, he’s accumulated 25 (career high), 17 and 12 points.

There’s still a lot to be determined before tip-off in Atlantic City, but if some of those trends continue for Quinnipiac, it can go a long way in helping the team win its first-ever MAAC championship.

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE

Fay: ‘I’m starting to be able to connect and see athletes from 10, 20, 30 years ago’ BLACK HISTORY MONTH from Page 12 Sczerbinski said that the community allows for former athletes to be able to stick around. He cites Fay’s dedication to the program as a result of the department’s commitment to forming a family.

“She’s literally been here for like eight years in a row without leaving,” Sczerbinski said. “You can tell based on how willing and ready they are to do this kind of stuff.”

Sczerbinski reached out to former athletes for comments and quotes for the website. He acknowledged that although this is a project highlighting the accomplishments of Black athletes during Black History Month, the effort should extend to fit the rest of the calendar, not just during February.

“This is one month, and I think especially in terms of the Black history and recognizing those athletes and celebrating them, we need to make it all the time and not just right now,” Sczerbinski said.

Casamento created the DEI committee in October 2020, and this is one of the first major projects that the committee has rolled out. Sczerbinski says the goal is to continue to keep gobobcats.com the way it is now — Black athletes celebrated at the top of the page, where the viewer’s eyes are immediately drawn to, with the sports scores and news taking the backseat.

Casamento backed up this initiative. The committee is planning to do a program similar to this one for Women’s History Month in March, as well as other heritage months throughout the year.

But the first program honoring and celebrating former Quinnipiac athletes who are a part of the Black community was widely commended and appreciated by those involved.

Both former athletes and committee members are very eager to see where the initiative can go from here.

“Everyone is just excited by the fact that we’re getting to share different perspectives,” Fay said. “I think everyone’s getting represented at this time now, and I think our

players are really getting to see, ‘Oh, this player played 20 years ago?’ ‘I think I watched this player 10 years ago.’ The former athletes, we’re being able to connect with the past.”

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2018)

Assistant women’s basketball coach Jen Fay has been a part of the program for seven straight years as a player or coach.

12|Sports

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

March 3, 2021

@QUCHRONSPORTS

Sports COURTESY OF QU ATHLETICS

QU Athletics website celebrates Black athletes from program history

By RILEY MILLETTE Sports Editor

Gobobcats.com is a website that a lot of Quinnipiac University students, parents and athletes frequently visit. You can find scores, updates, team rosters and schedules, game recaps, anything to do with the sports teams on campus.

But if you went to gobobcats.com in the month of February, there was an interesting graphic at the top of the website. It read “Celebrating Black History Month.”

The article is led off by a graphic featuring former Black athletes who once donned a Quinnipiac jersey, all of whom are in recent memory.

“I was taken away by just the colors, it’s amazing,” Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support Kristen Casamento said. “I’m so happy with how it looks and the

ability to share it on so many platforms.”

From Graciano Brito of the men’s soccer 2009 graduating class to Jen Fay of the women’s basketball 2019 graduating class, there was a decade-long span of athletes who had something to reflect upon.

“I think it’s important to remember and celebrate the Black men and women who paved the way and continue to pave the way for not only Black student athletes but minorities as a whole in this country,” former men’s basketball forward Ike Azotam said to QU Athletics. “Without their sacrifices, there are no Black student athletes, there is no sports, there is no education.”

Casamento had the idea for the website, as she is the chairperson of the athletic department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Committee (DEI).

“We decided to focus on alumni because they’re the ones that built the programs here,” Casamento said. “They built a legacy.”

Fay, an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team, reflected on the history that preceded her at Quinnipiac.

“I’m starting to be able to connect and see athletes from 10, 20, 30 years ago,” Fay said. “African American athletes that we’ve gone back, and now we’re still kind of intertwined with the Quinnipiac community.”

The website is mostly centered around younger athletes who some alumni and current staff might remember. But the Quinnipiac Athletics Twitter page has delved into what Casamento calls the “Hall of Fame” of former Black athletes. The lineage stretches back to 1973, the year that former men’s basketball players Clifton Mosley and Frank Johnson graduated.

Johnson, a member of the Quinnipiac 1,000-point club, nearly averaged a double-double as a senior. His 9.8 rebounds per game (RPG) and 13.6 points per game (PPG) averages that year were a centerpiece of Quinnipiac’s National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) title, one of two that he won as a Bobcat.

Mosley was the leading scorer in both the 1972 and 1973 seasons. During his junior campaign, Mosley averaged 26.7 PPG and followed it with 20.6 PPG during his senior year.

Even after all these years, Casamento reiterates that being a part of the Bobcat community once means being a part of it forever.

“When you leave Quinnipiac, we are going to celebrate you forever and remember everything that you brought to the university and the athletic department,” Casamento said.

“I hope that they want to come back and talk about their experience, because I think that is the best part about being a part of the athletic department.”

Assistant Director for Athletic Communications Maggie Pruitt, the designer of the website, said that it was fulfilling to be a part of the process and learned a lot about the priorities and perspectives of athletes.

“A lot of people said their parents and the challenges their parents faced, whether they were coming over from a different country, if they were here and faced struggles, through growing up raising their children, wherever they were,” Pruitt said. “It was cool to just see how much of an impact their parents made on their growth and development and how they got to Quinnipiac.”

Even if you fast forward to today, there’s a small community that has been formed around the athletic department.

While a lot of athletes that used to play in Hamden have moved on to other programs, even some in other countries, Fay remains in touch and rallies around the Bobcat icon.

“Aryn (McClure) is now in Ireland, playing basketball overseas,” Fay said. “And I know Cam Young is overseas. But that Quinnipiac community, that ‘Q’ logo will bond us all forever.”

Associate Athletic Director of Athletic Communications Nick

COURTESY OF QU ATHLETICS

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity committee honored former men’s basketball player Clifton Mosley (1973).

See BLACK HISTORY MONTH Page 11