MARCH 24, 2021 • VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 16
The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929
Open for tours p.2
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ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT
OPINION P.5: EVERYONE DESERVES HEALTH CARE COVID-19 vaccines should be made accessible for everyone globally
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT
A&L P.6: BURNOUT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM College students everywhere are feeling the effects of not having time off
CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE (2020)
SPORTS P.12: QUINNPIAC KNOCKED OUT OF ECAC HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobcats will play in NCAA tournament despite loss to St. Lawrence
QU administration faces criticism amid racism allegations and its response By DANIEL PASSAPERA Contributing Writer
Quinnipiac University has been heavily criticized by students for its lack of respect toward its minority populations while failing to address the issues outside of emails. The university released a statement on March 19, in solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities following the events in Georgia. On March 16, an assailant targeted and murdered eight people, six of which were women of Asian descent in the Atlanta area. In collaboration with President Judy Olian and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Don Sawyer III, the statement also offered three “virtual community healing sessions.” “The sessions will provide a space for us to explore practical ways to strive for a healthier culture, both on campus and in our society, and to stand up against hatred as a unified community,” Olian and Sawyer wrote in the statement. Nearly an hour after the statement, Quinnipiac’s Bobcats for Justice (BFJ), a platform on Instagram for students to speak out about racism in the Quinnipiac community, posted an anony-
mous allegation on behalf of a first-year student who had experienced repeated incidents of racism, verbal harassment, assault and trespassing into their dorm room. The student claims to have been grabbed by the neck, called racist slurs by multiple students, and had their room broken into, along with more heinous acts on a consistent basis. “This student reported this months ago repeatedly, to RA (Resident Assistants) and administrators still no actions discouraged the students’ demeanor whatsoever. These incidents have been occurring since last semester,” BFJ wrote in the post. Current and former students flooded Quinnipiac’s social media with comments and mentions regarding the allegation. Nearly 70 comments, a majority of which tagged Olian, demanded change and expressed their dismay with the school under the post. “This is so ridiculously disgusting. Unfortunately due to the lack of action that Quinnipiac has displayed before, this isn’t the first incidence of racism being ignored, and with the constant poor leadership and blatant ignorance that this school exemplifies, I sadly don’t ex-
pect it to be the last,” junior psychology major Leilah Carneiro commented. The Student Government Association (SGA), Asian Student Alliance (ASA) and South Asian Society (SAS) released announcements of their own following the university’s statement and BFJ’s post. “It’s crucial for EVERYONE to denounce hate against Asians and learn about our struggles. Our voices need to be heard and action needs to be taken,” ASA wrote. The alliance proposed three changes to be implemented in the Quinnipiac community including diversifying staff with more Asian representation, offering more support for international students and including a diverse group of faculty and students in the disciplinary process regarding racial incidents. Quinnipiac sought to release its statement with the backing and collaboration of SGA, but the organization declined. Instead, SGA plans to release a resolution in collaboration with ASA and SAS following a board meeting on Wednesday if it receives adequate votes. See RACISM AT QU Page 2
ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS
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. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, by emailing Brendan O’Sullivan at bgosullivan@quinnipiac.edu. Search “Chron-versations” and “Chronicle Weekly Report” on streaming platforms for the latest news. THE CHRONICLE is distributed around all three university campuses every Wednesday when school is in session except during exam periods. Single copies are free. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or subject to university discipline. Please report suspicious activity to university security (203-582-6200). For additional copies, contact the student media ofice for rates.
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Quinnipiac community responds to in-person tour changes By NICOLE MCISAAC Associate News Editor
Quinnipiac University recently announced the addition of allowing prospective students and families into designated “showrooms” within the Irmagarde Tator Hall and Commons residence halls during campus tours. Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett sent out an email to the Quinnipiac community on March 21, to inform and describe what these adjustments look like. “As we prepare to welcome who we hope will be the newest members of our Bobcat family entering as part of this Fall’s incoming class, we are structuring campus tours specifically for accepted students,” Ellett said in the email. Reserved tours for Quinnipiac’s class of 2025 are structured at a maximum of nine participants who must complete a prior health form and temperature check-in addition to wearing masks during their time on-ground. Four participants are allowed into the residence halls for five minutes at a time, while the rest of the group waits outside. “We have chosen a ‘show room’ room on the first floor that is closest to the exterior entrance/exit door so tours will not walk the hallways of the residence hall,” Ellett said in the email. “Tour participants cannot use the restroom in the residence hall or travel to any other part of the building.” The changes align with the university’s recent steps to slowly reopen activities corresponding to the state relaxing some of its COVID-19 guidelines. However, some students within the Quinnipiac community are actively voicing their opinions on the university’s recent decision. Julia Cogan, a first-year law in society major who lives in Commons, said by the time she received an email regarding the restructure, there were already tours occurring in the building. “While I understand opening up is important for the economic component for the school, it’s easy to critique when you as the student, are receiving less than nothing in return,” Cogan said. “Honestly, it’s hard to have an opinion because it’s happening whether we like it or not.”
MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE
Irmagarde Tator Hall is one of the residence halls that has a ‘showroom’ for prospective students to view on a tour.
In contrast to Cogan’s ideas, other students feel that these changes come conjointly and timely with the structure of campus restrictions and guidelines. “I think that as long as it’s not a double standard and students are allowed in other residence halls as well, then these changes are perfectly fine,” said Maddie Denvir, a first-year English major. “These past few days with more restrictions lifted, it definitely feels a lot more normal than it did the first semester and we will continue going back to normal safely and efficiently.” Despite the continuation of weekly COVID-19 testing in March and encouraging community members to receive the vaccine at their designated time, some students feel that this change will undo all of the work that the university has done thus far in protecting students’ health and safety. “Personally, I feel this decision to allow campus tours in residence halls undermines the idea of the ‘Bobcat Bubble’ because we as students have worked very hard to keep ourselves as well as other safe while upholding Quinnipiac’s restrictions,” said Brianna Loguercio, a junior accounting major. “Allowing individuals onto our campus who do not attend the weekly testings puts myself as well as others at risk.”
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First-year students have expressed their concerns about people bursting the ‘Bobcat Bubble’ on the tours.
In addition to jeopardizing health and safety on campus, Loguercio said she fears new difficulties might arise if potential exposure from tour participants affect COVID-19 rates on campus. “I do fear that this could increase the risk of COVID-19 because individuals who are potentially not taking proper caution are now allowed to be on campus,” Loguercio said. “Additionally, I fear this new lessening of campus tour restrictions could send the wrong message to the students that are on campus, which could possibly sway the attitude of keeping the ‘Bobcat Bubble’ safe.” Similar to Loguercio, other students fear how these adjustments will come into play with COVID-19 rates on campus and more specifically, how the university would react to those situations. “I do think that if these tours were to be the source of an outbreak in Commons or Irma, the school would not be prepared,” said Melissa Beretta, a first-year media studies major. “I am worried about my building going into specialized quarantine again because someone else brought (COVID-19) in.” Beretta emphasized that she is optimistic about a sense of normalcy on campus, but said she feels that this decision should align with current students’ situation about allowing visitors on campus. “I understand that the students need to see the dorm rooms before moving in, but there’s a reason they filmed tours of all the dorms on the school’s YouTube channel and should be promoting them,” Beretta said. “Parents are paying large sums of money to send their kids here and should be allowed their own touring system where they sign up for a time slot and are allowed to be in my room for a short period like the new prospective students.” Ellett wrote in email that students are encouraged to welcome prospective students to the QU community if they see them around touring on campus.
Asian Student Alliance: ‘Our voices need to be heard and action needs to be taken’ RACISM AT QU from cover One day after BFJ’s allegation post, its founders announced that they will no longer post similar incidents in the future saying they, “have played a role in re-traumatizing not only the students who shared their stories but also the people who are reading them.” BFJ archived and removed 39 stories from former and current students. Nearly a dozen of
those stories mentioned no action was taken following a report or concern, including those made out to resident assistants, orientation leaders, public safety, the administration and more. Formerly known as QUEnoughisEnough, BFJ gained statewide media recognition last year for the platform it provided for students to speak out anonymously. Following the momentum which included nearly 4,700 petition signatures, Quinnipiac responded with a 10 Point Plan of Action.
BFJ will begin operating in a different capacity, including collaborations with different student organizations and creating a reporting form, without detailing the incidents. The page seeks to bring positivity while becoming more informational. Quinnipiac encourages students who have been discriminated against to use the “bias incident reporting form.” The statistics recorded by this form are not available to the public.
March 24, 2021
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
News |3
Admitted students question length and costs of Quinnipiac’s three-year housing requirement By CHATWAN MONGKOL Associate News Writer
While some Quinnipiac University admitted students think the new three-year housing requirement is beneficial, they are not sure if three years will be too long and if the expenses will add to their financial burden. Quinnipiac will require all incoming students beginning in the fall 2021 semester to live on campus for at least six academic semesters, according to its 10-year master facilities plan. The reason for the mandate is to provide students with the full residential experience and maximize their personal and professional development. Annie Patwell of East Greenbush, New York, who was admitted to the athletic training and physical therapy programs, said she agrees with the requirement. “(It) helps me lean more toward QU because I know I have guaranteed housing,” Patwell said. “It will just be easier to be on a campus since I probably will not have a car.” Melissa Robles of Brooklyn, New York,
who already committed to the university, said she did not know about the new requirement before, but she thought it might be the right move considering COVID-19 and other safety reasons. “It was definitely shocking, but I loved QU so much that this requirement didn’t affect my decision,” Robles said. “All the pros to this school outweighed this rule.” Living on campus is an important aspect of college life for highschoolers, Robles said. However, she thought three years might be too long. “As cheesy as it might sound, living in a dorm, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Robles said. “It’s all about the experience, but after freshman year, you lived that experience and should be able to have the choice of where you want to live.” Alex Robinson of New York City was admitted to the psychology program. She said she is in favor of the requirement but not with the three-year length. “I personally like (the requirement) because I want to work in CT, and it feels like
a good option, but I would have preferred it to maybe be a two-year commitment, not three,” Robinson said. “In junior year, most of us will be 20, if not older.” Robinson could not say for sure whether she wants to live on campus for three years as she does not know a lot of information about the dorms. She also thinks living off campus during the last two years of college is important to start her life journey as an adult. For admitted students from Connecticut like Cailyn Zanesky of Trumbull, the requirement drove them away from committing to Quinnipiac. “I don’t agree with the on-campus required housing,” Zanesky said. “I was about to make the deposit until I saw that housing was required and that set me back.” Quinnipiac made an exception to this requirement for students who live within a 25-mile drive of campus at their permanent legal residence. Zanesky said she is not ready to live on campus yet.
“I think living at home would allow me to be able to perform better,” Zanesky said. “On top of this, I don’t feel comfortable living on campus as we’re going through a global pandemic.” Financial burden was also a concern among students. They said it is expensive considering the lifestyle they will be living, which they said it is not even the nicest. “I wish I had the option to not pay as much for the dorms in the last two years, considering it’s required and I could probably find something cheaper outside of campus,” Robinson said. Students also said that housing is not the only expense students have to think about since there are other costs like their student loan debts. “Yes, if living off campus is less expensive then why wouldn’t that be a choice when so many of us are in college debt,” Robles said. “It’s definitely very concerning.” According to Quinnipiac’s website, room and board fees for incoming first-year students is $15,690.
Views on future of virtual learning at Quinnipiac divided By MELINA KHAN Copy Editor
After a year of virtual learning, a post-pandemic normal in academia remains unclear. While there are plenty of challenges to learning at a distance, there are also many benefits that students have grown accustomed to. In 2020, Wiley Education Services found that 78% of online students who have experienced in-person instruction felt as if their online participation was the same or better than learning in person. “Sometimes I just genuinely am comfortable in my bed or on the couch or want to eat and not disrupt the class,” said Shannon Flaherty, a junior media studies major. “Being able to do things from the comfort of my room virtually is sometimes enjoyable.” Though the future of online learning is still being hashed out, Quinnipiac University’s administration is taking a stance against it. Students are not allowed to opt for hybrid or remote learning in the fall unless approved through an appeal process. However, Provost Debra Liebowitz said virtual learning may not go away completely. “When I think about this investment that Quinnipiac has made and the technology, the reason Quinnipiac did that was because there was a recognition that these tools can be useful in normal times,” Liebowitz said. Students have mixed opinions on whether online options should continue. “I feel more comfortable in my own workspace because it allows me to focus more on the professor’s lecture rather than the more tense classroom environment,” said Emma Bonica, a first-year 3+1 biology major. Shawn Baker, a sophomore film, television and media arts major, said not being in person hinders the college experience. “There’s a reason why I chose to go to college, and that was to get hands-on experience and education,” Baker said. “If I had wanted to do virtual classes I would have gone somewhere else where the tuition was a lot cheaper.” Some students feel as if the virtual learning experience depends on the class. “For my sociology classes, I am getting almost the same education on Zoom minus the in-class experience,” said Alyssa Baker,
a sophomore film, television and media arts major. “However, my film classes have been really hard to do online, and I would prefer them to be in person as much as possible. I think (virtual learning) can be productive for classes that don’t require in-person work.” For professors, virtual learning presents different challenges. Part-time math professor Lisa Zarcone also teaches at North Haven High School. She said the hardest part of teaching online at both levels is trying to connect with students from behind a screen, especially if students keep their cameras off. “I think about that all the time, how we’re supposed to be there to support you guys and to help you build your careers, but there’s that roadblock preventing it,” Zarcone said. Zarcone said she doesn’t support the hybrid model continuing, but she could see more virtual-only classes as a possibility. Overall, she is glad her students have an opportunity to prioritize their mental health if they need to within the hybrid format. “I think now with so many people having either some mental health concerns or just emotional struggles, if you need to stay at home in your bed, put your camera off and just listen, you can,” Zarcone said. “We have that opportunity now to take care of ourselves and everyone to really do what they need to do to support their own well-being.” Clorinda Velez, associate professor of psychology, said virtual learning can exacerbate problems for students that struggle with their mental health. “I often worry about students who tend toward depression,” Velez said. “If it’s already hard for you to get out of bed and go places, the fact that you don’t have to get out of bed and go anywhere may in the moment seem like a good thing, but I think it can actually be counterproductive and make things spiral down instead of up.” Velez also said learning format preferences depend on the student. “To be able to do it all in one place may actually be less stressful for a number of students, which I think is a benefit, or if they’re just students who, for whatever reason, just aren’t comfortable in the classroom,” Velez said.
However, Velez said adjusting back to inperson instruction will be challenging for everyone, so keeping virtual options available will be helpful to ease the transition. “A lot of us haven’t been that connected to others for a while, and for anyone who tends toward social anxiety, it’s going to be a little scary I think to try to get back there,” Velez said. “Or if you mentioned students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, if they found that remote learning was working for them, if they now have to make a big transition back to in person learning, it may be challenging as well. I think many people may have gotten comfortable with a smaller life.” Chair of media studies Nancy Worthington emphasized the cultural shift created by Zoom and other media platforms. “I do think things have changed,” Worthington said. “There are some people who just want to hop on Zoom, sometimes outside of what’s considered normal work hours. I see pushback on that. I know many companies are allowing more of their employees to work remotely, sometimes from different time zones. Others plan to reduce the amount of time employees have to be physically in the office. And, sadly, I think we’ve seen the end of snow days.” Worthington said she thinks some things are “here to stay,” like the use of Zoom for meetings or having guest speakers. Education Data projects the online learning industry will be worth more than $370 billion by 2026. “I think that you’re asking a bigger question also, though, which does speak in some ways to the future of education and how does all of this disruption that we’ve lived through, what does it mean in a bigger way about alternate modes of accessing higher education,” Liebowitz said. “I don’t have the answers to those questions, but those are things that we’re talking about.” Liebowitz said she suspects there are as-
ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS
pects of virtual learning that will continue, but above all, the No. 1 priority is to do what is in the students’ best interest. “We might want to do certain things mediated through the technology now that we wouldn’t have done before, and that would be in the best interest of learning and would be able to foreground the kinds of instruction that are going to be the most efficacious,” Liebowitz said. Though a consensus was not found among the students and faculty members who spoke to The Chronicle, many have said virtual options should at the very least exist for students who may be sick or cannot attend class inperson because of extenuating circumstances. “I think virtual classes should continue post-pandemic only if there are weather, personal, or other issues to disrupt in-person academics,” said Jakob Potemri, a first-year film, television and media arts and English double major. “I think people should have a choice to attend the way they feel they best perform, and what fits best with their schedules.” Regardless of the future of education, students agree that models implemented during COVID-19 will have a lasting societal impact. “As much as we want everything to go back to normal in society, we have to also accept the fact that some things are going to change, and I think we need to see how we can create progress in moments of change,” said Ambar Pagan, a junior political science major.
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4| O p i n i o n
March 24, 2021
Opinion Questioning faith
Labeling same-sex marriage as sin shows how an antiquated Catholic Church hurts God’s image BY MICHAEL SICOLI Opinion Editor
People who know me are well aware that my relationship with God has gotten me through some tough times. While I do not follow my religion to the letter of the law, I see the value in a close relationship to one’s religion and spirit. It’s a connection that I wish more people felt during stressful times — a pandemic, for instance. To me, God is all-loving. He’s always there to guide you during a time of need, and he’s there when you feel lost. That’s why this week it hurt so much when the Catholic Church let me down after denouncing gay marriage. On March 15, Pope Francis approved the Vatican’s announcement that the Catholic Church will not bless same-sex marriages because God “cannot bless sin.” The church is far from a progressive organization so perhaps this shouldn’t have let me down as much as it did. Every single person deserves a life of happiness. It is a human right, and it’s something that everyone wants for themselves. There is not and
should not be a force in this world that has the right to keep someone from pursuing that life. As Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” And I promise, I won’t toss any more religious verses at you. But believing in God has provided a trusted voice when I needed it most. Last spring’s quarantine took a mental toll on me. I biked. I ran. I did my best to get out of the house and never thought for too long, because whenever I did, negative thoughts popped up. What kept me going was my daily chat with God at the end of my bike ride. I’d sit at the Kings Park Bluff in New York, and have a chat, talking about whatever was on my mind. It was healing and personal. It’s something I wish more people had in their lives. When the church comes out and disparages the LGBTQ community, it’s a sad reminder that God is so misrepresented in our society. It was easy, even a century ago, to give the church so much power as the speakers for God. But we have seen an innumerable amount of examples that priests aren’t the end-all-beall voices for God. No one needs to be reminded of the church’s child molestation cases — priesthood and morality do not always go hand-in-hand. Far too many people associate the church and God as the same thing when that isn’t the case. Believing in God is believing in a higher power than yourself. It’s about believing in a greater plan where, if you push through the dark times, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Organized religion should be seen as a branch off of believing in God. Regardless of how I believe religion should be viewed, the church possesses the greatest platform. Yet, its inability to empathize with people takes God away from life. According to barna.com, “by 2018, Christianity in the United States had witnessed a significant loss of followers, from 81 percent in 2003 to 72 percent in 2018. Meanwhile, the atheist / agnostic / none segment has seen the greatest increase of all groups analyzed, nearly doubling in size from 11 percent in 2003 to 21 percent in 2018.” In no way am I discouraging atheism or any other
PHOTO FROM ROBERT COUSE-BAKER/PXHERE
God does not discriminate based on sexual orientation, and neither should the Catholic Church.
belief system. Believe what you want to believe. But from my experience, a relationship with God is an unbreakable bond that keeps me moving on a daily basis. The Vatican gives God himself a bad name by enforcing outdated ideals that hurt the same people that God made in his image. It is discouraging to see an increasing number of people grow up without experiencing a relationship with God, and even more dispiriting when those people have misguided views on what it means to be faithful — not everyone who believes in God stands hand-in-hand with the church’s mouthpieces. It’s these moments I step back and reflect how I have drifted from the church I grew up loving. I will always have God in my life, but the church? I’m not sure anymore. This discrimination leads to hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ community. If there’s one thing this country doesn’t need more of, it’s hate. That blame can be laid at the feet of the Pope and the Vatican. God loves and cares for all. Be better and support the LGBTQ community who often need strength to overcome the obstacles society places in its way. The Pope was an unprecedented supporter of the LGBTQ community in the past — what happened? Speak for God.
1,429LGBTQ-related hate crimes committed in the U.S. in 2019
PHOTO FROM FLICKR
Data from the FBI’s 2019 hate crime statistics.
Pope Francis and the Vatican released a statement shunning same-sex marriage.
Bobcat Buzz QU Dining shows that representation includes food, too
INFOGRAPHIC CONNOR LAWLESS
BY MELINA KHAN Copy Editor
As a minority student in college, not having access to the traditional ethnic food I have at home has been an adjustment. Thankfully, QU Dining recently embraced the diversity of palates in our community. All last week, the Bowl Life station in Cafe Q was transformed into an Indian-style pop-up, complete with curry chicken, chicken tikka, samosas, roti and more. In addition to being absolutely delicious, I can also confirm that the level of spice was perfect. As a student of South Asian descent, this pop-up not only made me more excited to spend my meal points, but it also made me happy because it was a little slice of home. Aside from being a new food option for students, this
pop-up deserves to be celebrated because food representation is incredibly important, especially at a predominantly white institution like Quinnipiac University. Having food options that reflect the cultures of minority students shows them that their identity and background are welcomed here. It also encourages their white peers to try something new and unfamiliar, which is a step toward educating them on the cultures that are around them. When considering inclusivity and representation, food is often something that is overlooked. Hopefully there are more week-long pop-ups that reflect the diversity of students in our community. Not only is it sure to be delicious, it’s also an important and subtle way to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity.
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
March 24, 2021
Opinion|5
Opinion Publicize life-saving care
Vaccines are a human right, not a vehicle for profit BY EMILY DISALVO Arts & Life Editor
While the COVID-19 vaccine rollout process may seem ridiculously slow for college-aged students, the United States is moving at a breakneck pace when compared to developing countries. The BMJ reported that at least 90% of people in 67 low-income countries stand little chance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021. The vaccine drought in these countries is not incidental. It is a result of wealthy countries, like the U.S., reserving more vaccines than they need because they can afford it. This is another classic example of white Western exceptionalism in which developed countries think they are superior simply because they have more money. “We find that although high-income countries only account for 19% of the global adult population, collectively, they have purchased more than half (54%, or 4.6 billion) of global vaccine doses purchased to date,” a report from the Kaiser Foundation read. In addition to being wealthier, many of the countries with access to vaccines are more white. While the U.S. has successfully stockpiled vaccines, many countries in Africa have not been as lucky. “We first, not me first, is the only way to end the pandemic. Vaccine hoarding will only prolong the ordeal and delay Africa’s recovery. It is deeply unjust that the most vulnerable Africans are forced to wait for vaccines while lower-risk groups in rich countries are made safe,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa. This is disgraceful. The vaccine is a life-saving medication that every human is equally entitled to. The United Nations reported that many developing countries lack the capacity to withstand a global pandemic because of limited health care and funds to help the economy recover. According to a policy brief by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the reported number of COVID-19 related deaths per 100,000 people is higher in lowerincome countries compared to developed countries and regions. As the U.S. and other wealthy nations hoard vaccine
doses simply because they can, it makes me consider why money and access to life-saving health care are so closely linked in the first place. The research that these private companies compiled to create the vaccines is currently not even in the public domain. By privatizing this information, pharmaceutical companies are ensuring that other organizations cannot use the information to create their own vaccine. Creating another vaccine would actually be a positive for society, but since it would create more competition in the vaccine business, private companies have an incentive to keep their data private. The vaccine process should not be spearheaded by private, profit-seeking companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Instead, it should be led by WHO or other public agencies that would work to distribute vaccines without profit in mind. In a pandemic, I can understand the “every person for themselves” mentality. But over a year into the pandemic, the U.S. now has the tools to keep people safe. We have plenty of vaccines hoarded away — “enough potential doses of different types of vaccines to immunize their entire populations several times before some poor countries have any vaccine at all,” according to NPR. It is time to reconsider the real pitfalls of allowing the free market to do its job when it comes to human lives. The entire theory of capitalism is that of empowering private companies and their ability to market and profit from individuals who can pay. Why is a vaccine for a deadly illness considered within the bounds of the free market? This current plan is allowing the rich to win and survive while letting the poor continue to suffer and die. This sounds horrible and apocalyptic, but I argue that this is the same evil system governing the private health insurance industry that Republicans and moderate Democrats are so attached to here in America. When we make health insurance a business, we are asking companies, whose main job is to provide lifesaving care, to also have profits in mind. We are acting like human lives deserve to be part of some game on the stock
market. Like vaccine production and distribution, privatized health insurance denies lower-income people the access to something that should be a human right. It is time to take profits out of health care in general. Hospitals, health insurance companies and the manufacturers of any life-saving drug should not be competing for profit. Instead, they should be racing to save as many lives as possible without considering money. When you get your vaccine in the next few months, it might seem like you waited forever. But consider that the only reason you got it at all was that your country had the means to stockpile vaccines, effectively withholding them from people who need them more.
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT
Pay attention to anti-Semitism
Educating people about Jewish history is the best way to fight ignorance BY NOAH EPSTEIN Staff Writer
Anti-Semitism is a huge issue in the world and more specifically in our country. In 2019, there were the highest levels of anti-Semitism in the United States since the 1970s — more than 2,100 cases of assault, vandalism and harassment of Jews, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). As a member of the Jewish community, this issue means a lot to me. There are two incidents in particular that need to be addressed, both being anti-Semitic comments made by professional athletes in the past year. Although these aren’t examples of physical violence, they’re vital to the overall issue of anti-Semitism in the nation and how a lack of education plays a role in ignorance.
PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Jewish wide receiver Julian Edelman offered to educate both DeSean Jackson and Meyers Leonard after their anti-Semitic incidents.
In July 2020, NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson posted on his Instagram story a quote often attributed to Adolf Hitler, saying “Jews will blackmail America.” He singled out the quote that says “they will extort America, their plan for world domination won’t work if the Negroes know who they are.” I was shocked when I saw this. Claiming that the Jews will blackmail, extort and take over the country, so everyone else should watch out was ignorant of him to say. Jackson ultimately apologized for the post, and fellow wide receiver Julian Edelman offered to take him to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., to help educate Jackson about Jewish history. The other incident happened recently on March 9. During a Twitch livestream, NBA player Meyers Leonard called his video game opponent a “kike,” a derogatory word used against Jews. It’s extremely anti-Semitic, and Leonard’s ignorance when saying it was concerning. When Leonard apologized, he said that he didn’t know the history or the exact meaning of the word. Edelman, just like with Jackson, reached out to Leonard and offered to help educate him on Jewish history and culture. I love that Edelman offered to have a Shabbat dinner with Leonard. Both athletes sent a message that Jewish people have bad intentions for everyone but themselves, which creates a stereotype of Jews being selfish and morally bad people. It’s also a false claim that disrespects the entire religion. People have no right to attack Jews in this manner, and I’m offended by the thought of being targeted just because of my religion. The problem with these incidents is more than just individual accounts of anti-Semitism. The issue is that there are people all over the country who share the same ignorant thoughts Jackson portrayed or make anti-Semitic comments like Leonard did. However, not all people are being educated like the two athletes are. More education about antiSemitism and Jewish history could help lower the levels of hate against Jews in the nation and help prevent anti-Semitic events from happening again. As a Quinnipiac University student, I’ve had to mentally adjust from living in a town with a high Jewish population
PHOTO FROM TED EYTAN/CREATIVE COMMONS
Anti-Semitic incidents rose 12% from 2018 to 2019, with 56% more harassment cases, according to the ADL.
to dorming at a school where I’m a minority. Out of the 7,425 undergraduate students at Quinnipiac in 2019, only 350 were Jewish (4.7%). Out of the 2,782 graduate students, 50 were Jewish (1.8%), according to Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. This is a huge issue in terms of awareness of Jewish history and culture, as there is likely a low amount due to the number of Jews at Quinnipiac. I’m doing my best to help the Jewish community thrive. I’m a member of the Suffolk County Jewish Advisory Board, which deals with issues regarding the Jewish community, including anti-Semitism. Our board is currently working on a contest for all schools in Suffolk in which students can write a paper about anti-Semitism for a prize. This encourages students to conduct research about anti-Semitism, which will go a long way toward spreading awareness about the problem. Hopefully, more people spread this kind of information that can help limit anti-Semitic incidents from occurring in the country. That would mean a lot to the Jewish community.
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
6|Arts and Life
March 24, 2021
Arts & Life
QUCHRONICLE.COM/ARTS-AND-LIFE ARTSLIFE@QUCHRONICLE.COM
Bash that burnout Addressing exhaustion from school is the best way to take care of yourself By ASHLEY PELLETIER Associate Arts & Life Editor
A normal academic semester is stressful enough, but when you don’t get the breaks that you need, it can hinder your mental and physical health. Quinnipiac University is one of many colleges and universities that canceled spring break to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While the best interests of the community were taken into account, an extended period of stress from school can lead to burnout. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an “occupational phenomenon” that is caused by chronic stress in the workplace. It can lead to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. At this level of mental exhaustion, productivity is decreased and one is likely to be apathetic to their job or assignments. You can also have body aches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. In a survey conducted by the University of Michigan in fall 2020, around 83% of students said that their mental health impacted their academics in a negative way at some point during their academic career. Burnout exacerbates these impacts, especially around midterms. Over the past few weeks, I experienced the worst case of burnout that I have ever dealt with. I could barely push myself to do school work. Little things such as someone coughing would make me so angry that I would shake. I needed to step away from
my environment and take a break. So, I went home for a weekend. My mother and grandparents are all vaccinated, so I felt that it was safe enough for me to go home, where COVID-19 cases are much lower than they are in Hamden. I spent the weekend hanging around the house, spending time with my family and most importantly, my dogs. While going home is not a safe and viable option for everyone, there are other ways that you can treat burnout. The most important one is finding out why you are feeling the way that you are. Academic stress is a big reason many students get burnt out, but tough romantic, platonic or familial relationships can also cause you to experience it. Once you determine what is causing you to feel this way, find different techniques to alleviate stress. If you can’t or don’t feel safe leaving campus to take a break, set up a weekend during which you prioritize self-care. Order takeout you enjoy. Watch your favorite movie. Do something that eases your stress. If you are in several extracurriculars, try and take a step back from the ones that are the most work. Don’t add more to your plate if you are struggling to handle your current situation. When burnout is so severe that these suggestions do not help, reach out to someone you trust. They may help you find insight in the situation, or they could help you get help from a professional. Quinnipiac offers resources through the counseling center. If you want to start seeing a counselor at Quinnipiac, email counseling.center@qu.edu or call 203-582-8680 #1.
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT
Women’s History Month: Sexism in health care ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT
By LEXI PEPE Staff Writer
Dr. Marissa McKinley, an assistant teaching professor of English at Quinnipiac University, won a major research award alongside colleague Jonathan Torres. But McKinley isn't just an English professor. But, McKinley is not just an English professor. She also researches the intersections of feminist and medical rhetoric. In honor of Women’s History Month, it is important to acknowledge women in science and their contributions to the medical field. McKinley is just one female scientist making a difference in the world. Importance of medical rhetoric & PCOS In McKinley’s spare time, she researches women who live with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that enlarges ovaries and develops small cysts on the outer edges of the ovaries. “It affects 5% to 10% of women of childbearing age,” McKinley said. “Because I am mostly a feminist medical rhetoric researcher, I really think about how my research should serve the community at large.” McKinley said that women often come second to men when it comes to medical studies and treatment. The ways in which women who have PCOS experience symptoms can vary. “Some features are outwardly (physically) such as cystic acne, male pattern baldness, an excess of facial hair and a rise of abnormal levels of testosterone and androgen as well as an elevation of insulin,” McKinley said. There are no current cures available for PCOS. Due to the lack of awareness and diagnosis, most women do not realize they are carrying the disorder. Receiving recognition as a woman Women’s History Month not only gives women recognition but gives them a voice to speak out about the troubles they have endured, whether their troubles derive from sexism, economic inequality or mental health. “Any women’s issues need to be talked about more,” McKinley said. “The pandemic and the effects it has on women, for example, there is recent reporting that women have left their
PHOTO FROM MARISSA MCKINLEY
Professor Marissa McKinley researches women who have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
jobs in mass numbers.” McKinley said a parental figure has to stay home and make sure their child gets to school or at least during COVID-19, make sure they are attending classes online. “Unfortunately, men don’t see that as their job as much,” McKinley said. “Some do, but not often. As a result, we have mass numbers of women leaving their jobs because they have to do child-rearing. It’s as if we stepped back in time into the 1950s.”
Throughout the pandemic, women have lost much progress economically and politically as society pressures them to conform to womanly societal roles around the house. Some white men, specifically those who aren’t in marginalized groups, also have the luxury of feeling safe — a luxury women cannot afford. “How many white men can say when I walk to my car in the grocery parking lot I have to have my keys ready in my hand ready to go?” McKinley said. “When I am out, I’ve always had my keys in my hand just in case because I don’t want to have to fumble through my bag to find my keys. It’s a big risk.” Coming together to show support Men and women can agree that both face different struggles. However, in a new generation, it is important for men to support women as well as women supporting women. “I think having a month dedicated to women’s issues is only good if we actually have important conversations about the positions many women are in and thinking about the pandemic’s effects it has on women’s careers,” McKinley said. As previously mentioned, PCOS is a disorder associated with women, but is neglected by mainstream media and certain budget issues said by McKinley. However, it develops a new question on how many issues are being overlooked, and why these are less important. “I think in order to progress as a society, we need to have men almost see from our standpoint of what we’re going through because it’s not until we put them in our shoes will they actually understand,” McKinley said. “I also think women need to be more open to having these conversations and universities, for instance, need to do a better job of highlighting women’s voices on how they’ve been marginalized for so long. Especially women of color.” As a woman, I believe it is important for women to facilitate these ideals, sharing their stories, speaking up about issues and giving one another a voice so we can finally act and generate some results. To learn more about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and in order to spread more awareness, go to PCOS Awareness Association, https://www.pcosaa.org/
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
March 24, 2021
Arts and Life|7
Six feet, sex and cyberspace
COVID-19’s impact on sex and online dating By JESSICA WINSTANLEY Contributing Writer
In times of six-foot separation and covered faces, it is hard to imagine dating and sex as we knew them. Lockdowns and stayat-home orders have put a damper on face-to-face meetings, and many people have taken to the internet to meet people to build romantic and sexual connections. When a pandemic becomes a bigger mood-killer than your roommate, it may be difficult to navigate dating and sexual gratification. With this new obstacle in the way, people have had to find new ways to connect. Online dating has been a huge asset for those facing this challenge. While apps like Tinder, Bumble, Grindr and Hinge have been around a lot longer than COVID-19, there is a newfound demand for these virtual platforms. When a coffee shop meet-up isn’t in the cards, a mutual right-swipe will have to do the trick. In March 2020 — the beginning of lockdowns for most Americans — Tinder recorded a record-breaking three billion swipes in one day, and Bumble reported a 70% increase in video calls. When the in-person dating world is severely limited, people adapt. Technology and social media displayed their strengths in helping foster connections when they could no longer be built in class, in the park, at the gym or anywhere else. But what about sex? Virtual dating and hangouts are great for maintaining human connections, but what happens when we want our sexual needs fulfilled? The world of cyberspace may have a solution for that, too. An October 2020 survey by Basic found that of 2,000 single millennials and Gen Z members, 61% had engaged in some form of cybersex since the pandemic’s beginning. The methodology behind virtual sex varies, with about half simply talking virtually and showing some skin while the other half mixes in visible masturbation, but no matter the method, the outcome is consistent — sexual release. This increase in cybersex demonstrates how the pandemic has impacted individual’s means of gaining sexual gratification. With instances of cybersex and masturbation on the rise from the start of the pandemic, it is clear that people still want sex, no matter the form. When avoiding physical intimacy in response to a pandemic, it has become popular and important to find pleasure from yourself and from your virtual counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for individuals to build connections and find ways to meet personal sexual needs. Online dating and virtual sex offer solutions that have helped maintain social distancing guidelines while also promoting relationships and pleasure. Young people have capitalized on our digital knowledge and social media savviness to continue feeling fulfilled despite the circumstances. So hop on your phone, open up FaceTime and have a blast.
Due to COVID-19, many couples have turned to their devices to find virtual intimacy.
WORD SEARCH
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
8|Arts and Life
March 24, 2021
Pokémon celebrates its 25th anniversary
“Pokémon Pearl.” All three games take place in the Sinnoh region, which was introduced and last seen in the 2006 games.
By DAVID MATOS Staff Writer
Pokémon commemorates its 25th anniversary this year with an ongoing celebration for fans of all ages. Pokémon made its debut with “Pocket Monsters: Red” and “Pocket Monsters: Green” for the Game Boy in Japan in 1996. Players role-played as trainers whose goal was to collect all of the Pokémon and prepare them for battles. This basic game format is still used in Pokémon games today. The games were massively successful and later re-released in 1998 as “Pocket Monsters: Red” and “Pocket Monsters: Blue” in North America. Its ongoing game series is the major reason why the franchise is the second best-selling video game franchise, only behind Nintendo’s Mario. Pokémon went on to produce other successful forms of entertainment, such as an anime TV show, toys, a trading card game, music, a live-action film and a theme park. Pokémon still remains the highest-grossing media franchise of all time. The creators of the franchise are holding virtual events, releasing merchandise and announcing new games to celebrate the past 25 years of Pokémon’s legacy.
Video Games
Pokémon announced three new games for the Nintendo Switch. “Pokémon Brilliant Diamond” and “Pokémon Shining
Music
Pokémon is collaborating with Universal Music Group and musical artists such as Katy Perry to create Pokémon themed music. The franchise also partnered with Post Malone to produce a free virtual concert, which is available to watch on Pokémon’s YouTube channel.
Merchandise Collaborations
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA
Pokémon is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of events and products.
Pearl” are set to release in late 2021 and “Pokémon Legends: Archeus” is planned for an early 2022 launch. The 2021 releases are remakes of the 2006 games, “Pokémon Diamond” and
The Pokémon Center teamed up with Bear Walker skateboards to release a limited-edition skateboard featuring the franchise’s most iconic character, Pikachu. Though it is only available to be purchased second-hand, fans can expect more themed merchandise to be announced this year. McDonalds also collaborated with the brand to produce exclusive Pokémon trading cards that can be purchased with a Happy Meal. In addition, the Pokémon Trading Card Game will be releasing exclusive anniversary cards later in the year. Since the franchise’s 25-year impact is so massive, it requires a yearlong celebration. Fans, old and new, can stay up to date on current announcements on Pokémon’s 25th Anniversary website. Anniversary events have already come and gone, but it’s still not too late to join in on the celebration.
Dining halls turn into gift shops: here's what I found By NEHA SEENARINE Staff Writer
QU Dining is helping students use their meal points. It has filled the dining halls with goodies, activities and even appliances. Here are some items you can grab with your lunch in Cafe Q.
Starbucks Drinkware - Starting at $9.95
Alarm Clocks - $12.99 It is easy to fall back asleep when you hit snooze on your phone that is sitting right next to you. An alarm clock across the room can wake you up and get you out of bed. Your roommates may not thank you, but you will be glad you got your productive day started.
You can start your day with a Starbucks mug for your coffee. It is a perfect way to kick off your morning Zoom class. Cafe Q is also selling reusable Starbucks cups, which can also be a cute gift for a friend.
Lasko Fans - $49.99 Fans are perfect for your room when it starts to get warm. You can keep it in your dorm and bring it back home for the summer. NEHA SEENARINE/CHRONICLE
The dining halls on Quinnipiac's campuses now offer items reaching far beyond food.
How to order a snack box:
1. Install the Transact app (available in the App Store or Google Play) 2. Click on Snack Box Delivery on the home page
The following options are available Candy Coffee Creamer K-cups Hot chocolate Hot tea Chips Crackers Snack Mix Cookies Pretzels Meat snacks Trail Mix Popcorn Pastries Snack Bars Hot meals 3. Select the box or boxes you want to purchase and add them to the cart 4. At checkout, list your campus P.O. Box Boxes are usually delivered within the week. You will get a notification from the post office as you would with any other package.
Candy Assortment - $9.99 I have only seen candy assortments at my doctor’s office. It is not the popular brands you would find at your local gas station. I was tempted to buy this and make a candy bowl next to my desk.
Frisbees - $4.99 Since the weather is getting warmer, you and your friends can maintain six-feet distance by throwing Frisbees. You get cardio and fresh air at the same time.
Snack Box Delivery through Transact The Transact mobile ordering app allows students to purchase food and beverages in bulk. The orders are delivered to the oncampus post office with all other packages. You can also send orders to your family back home. Transact orders will be delivered 3 - 4 days after being placed. There are a range of items students can buy from chips to coffee to hot meals.
SCREENSHOT VIA TRANSACT APP
March 24, 2021
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
Arts and Life|9
Book of the week A rare second-person narration: ‘It is Wood, It is Stone’ explores sexuality, relationships By EMILY DISALVO Arts & Life Editor
In a whirlwind two days of turning pages and dreaming of Brazil and love, I finished “It is Wood, It is Stone” by Gabriella Burnham. I loved every minute. A disillusioned wife, Linda, follows her academically driven husband, Dennis, as he pursues a teaching opportunity in São Paulo, Brazil, despite having no desire to leave her life in Hartford, Connecticut. Linda tells the story of her feeling helpless and useless by writing in the second person, “you” referring to her husband. This stylistic decision shaped the tone of the book. Linda’s life was a reflection of Dennis’. Although Dennis was never abusive toward her, the book highlights the subtle ways in which some heterosexual relationships can subvert the woman without being outwardly toxic. His decision to move to Brazil and hire a maid to do work in the new apartment effectively strands Linda in a country where she cannot work and have autonomy while her one remaining job of household chores is taken over by the maid, Marta. A power struggle between Linda and Marta ensues while both fight to please Dennis. Linda develops a schedule in an attempt to divide the chores and allow herself to feel useful again. Marta isn’t OK with the plan. Linda begins to venture out of the apartment on her own and the voice of “you” in the story becomes less and less relevant. She becomes infatuated by an actress and theater director, Celia, who shares her phone number with Linda. In hopes of developing autonomy and a sense of self, Linda begins painting portraits. She quickly realizes all of them are of Celia. Dennis finds one hanging on the wall and takes it down because the eyes creep him out, furthering the divide between him and his wife.
Celia and Linda develop a friendship. Celia begins to teach Linda to speak Portugese, and Linda does not tell Dennis about the friendship. One day, Linda flees the apartment to go to the beach with Celia, taking on an alternate identity known as “L,” entirely separate from the reign of Dennis. Celia tells Linda that she is in love with her housemate, Raphael, who is dating another woman. The two bond on the trip, but Linda becomes increasingly jealous of Raphael, uncertain of why he is deserving of Celia’s exquisite love. On the final night of the trip, Celia and Linda sleep together but do not speak of it after — they return to their respective lives. I will keep the rest of the novel to myself because it is crucial that you pick it up for yourself. The subtleties of the relationship between husband and wife and two friends who become lovers are so intense. I loved the way Burnham said so much about how Linda related to others without ever saying it. She is a master at creating scenarios that you want to read over and over again just to make sure you didn’t miss a stunning detail. I have never read a book set in Brazil so it was interesting to learn about the culture there. I was also excited to see someone like Celia portrayed as one of the main characters because of her fluid sexuality. My one critique for the book is that it was disappointing to see the LGBTQ characters shown as only having an extramarital affair rather than a healthy relationship. I hope as time goes on there continue to be more books about LGBTQ characters who are portrayed in a loyal relationship. This book was published in 2020, so it is relatively new. I am really excited to see what comes next for Burnham as an author, and I suggest you check out this book because of the uniqueness of the characters, setting and narration.
EMILY DISALVO/CHRONICLE
'It is Wood, It is Stone' features a rare second-person narration used as a way to show female subversion.
What should we expect after the first episode of ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’? By MATTHEW TRAVIA Staff Writer
Finally, the long wait is over for Marvel fans as “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is streaming on Disney+. An article from “Deadline” wrote how the show was the most watched premiere of any series for Disney+ during its opening weekend. Although there were no exact numbers as to how many viewers watched. The first episode was released on March 19, two weeks after the season finale of “WandaVision.” One thing to keep in mind about “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is that it is set six months after the end of “Avengers: Endgame.” Since “WandaVision” took place a couple weeks after “Avengers: Endgame,” there are several months in between the plots of the two shows. The opening of the show starts off with Sam Wilson (Falcon) preparing himself for a formal event as he relives an interaction he had with Steve Rogers (Captain America) that happened at the end of “Endgame.” In the scene that Wilson is reliving, Rogers gives him the Captain America shield and says, “How does it feel?” in which Wilson replies, “Like it's someone else's.” Wilson talks about the legacy that Rogers has left behind as Captain America. He then retires the shield to a museum showcase for the public. He doesn’t want to carry on the legacy that Rogers left behind, but rather celebrate it and do what he can to make the people around him feel safe. Wilson also goes back and forth between working for the government to decide the future of the Avengers and being with his sister and her family to try saving their family home and boat. The audience gets its first look at James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes during a dive into his past while the fictional terrorist organization Hydra brainwashed him. Barnes wakes up from a
PHOTO FROM TWITTER
'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,' which is now streaming on Disney+, doesn't leave the audience with as many questions as its precursor, 'Wandavision.' nightmare, and next we see him in a therapy session. He is beginning to make amends with the people he has hurt in his past in order to make himself a better person. Throughout the first episode, we see Wilson and Barnes live their lives separately. That will definitely change throughout the show. We just don’t know when. So far, it is unclear who the main villain is, although we did get a hint in one scene when a group called the FlagSmashers appeared. Helmut Zemo, who we saw in the trailers as well as playing the main villain in “Captain America: Civil War,” could be the leader of the Flag-Smashers and have big plans for future episodes. At the end of the episode, there is a government announcement of the “new” Captain America. He came out
in the same gear and even had the shield that Wilson gave to the museum. I think that this was a public relations stunt by the government in order to make the American people feel safe that they have a hero to protect them and their country. This Captain America is just a fraud, and there is nothing special about him. I believe that throughout the series we will see Wilson carry on the legacy of Captain America. Barnes will start to find his own path while letting go of his troubling past. Both heroes’ paths will cross to keep the world safe as well as to uphold the legacy the original Avengers left behind. The first episode didn’t leave me with as many questions as “WandaVision” did, but there is still a lot of action and drama to come.
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
10|Sports
March 24, 2021
Dust off the diamond What you need to know about the 2021 QU baseball squad By JORDAN WOLFF Staff Writer
March 11, 2020, is a date that’s familiar to the Quinnipiac baseball team. That’s the last time it took the field, defeating Kennesaw State 7-5. Then, the world as we know it changed forever. A year later, the Bobcats have a chance to step back on the field and do what they love. Last season they finished 3-11, playing all out-of-conference matchups. The 2021 season is a different story, as all of Quinnipiac’s scheduled opponents play in the MAAC. The Bobcats were voted by the MAAC coaches to win the 2021 MAAC title in this year’s MAAC coaches preseason poll, along with senior catcher Colton Bender being named a finalist for the Buster Posey Award, which is granted to the best catcher in college baseball. So now one may ask, what’s exactly new for this Bobcat squad? Well, it’s not about what’s new, but rather it’s about the return of some important veteran pieces.
Elder statesmen One slight benefit collegiate athletic programs gained from the pandemic was the fact the NCAA granted seniors an extra year of eligibility. The Bobcats now have 21 of its 38 total players listed as upperclassmen, with eight being graduate students. One of those players is graduate student outfielder Andre Marrero. Marrero returns to a Bobcat offense that was atop the MAAC in 2019 in slugging percentage (.427%), hits (575), home runs (47) and RBIs (328). In 2019, Marrero was fourth in the MAAC in hits (74) and third in slugging percentage (.538). In the shortened 2020 season, Marrero struggled with a .125 batting average and .389 OPS. With the extra time to train, Marrero will look to get his numbers back to his 2019 totals. Another important aspect of sports are duos. Just like Batman and Robin, Marrero has a partner in crime, graduate student outfielder Evan Vulgamore. In 2019, Vulgamore was the player the Bobcats could count on with runners on base, as he was tied for second in the MAAC in runs batted in (55). In 2020, Vulgamore led the Bobcats in batting average (.277) and runs batted in (13). However, not all offense is about slugging and hitting. Teams also need players who can steal bases and bunt. As for junior utility player Kyle Maves, stealing bases is his specialty. As a freshman (2019), Maves finished seventh in the MAAC stolen bases (17). Teammate and senior infielder Ian Ostberg finished fifth in the MAAC in stolen bases (18) that year. In 2020, Maves finished the season tied for the team lead in steals with four. Also, the Bobcats have graduate student infielder Dylan Lutz returning, who finished fourth in the MAAC in 2019 with seven sacrifice bunts.
MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE
Senior catcher Colton Bender went 5-15 with two RBIs and one home run in four games this season. The Bobcats have a lot of experience and production coming back to their offense. But, when it comes to their pitching, that’s where the word unknown comes to mind.
Pitching prowess The Bobcats had a three-headed monster that really hit its stride, with its peak coming during their 2019 NCAA tournament appearance. The first part of that monster was Chris Enns, who finished sixth in the MAAC in ERA (3.47) and opposing batting average (.250). The second part was 2019 Arizona Diamondbacks draft pick Tyler Poulin. Poulin was someone the Bobcats were amped to play behind, as he was tied for third in the MAAC with seven wins and two losses. Then there was Christian Nicolosi, who became the ace of the staff during the 2020 season. Nicolosi finished the shortened season with a 1.80 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, a .235 batting average against, 12 strikeouts and five walks in three starts. That three-headed monster is no longer on this team, but graduate student pitcher Colin Donnelly is a piece to look out for this season. Primarily used out of the bullpen, Donnelly was tied for fourth in the MAAC in saves in 2019. Additionally, he led
MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE
the MAAC in total runs allowed (27) and finished second in the conference in earned runs allowed (25). The numbers are evident and so is the fact that this team has a lot of experience and talent. But, one more facet this team brings to the table is personality.
Lighting up the field Throughout the 2019 season, every time a Bobcat hit a home run, you saw every teammate celebrate with a giant group hug, following a football being handed to the home run hitter to run through home plate with. During tournament time, you saw some Bobcats being playful during an ESPN interview with Quinnipiac baseball head coach John Delaney. Whether it was making funny faces behind his back or putting their arms around his shoulder, this is how the team likes to stay calm under pressure. Every time a Bobcat got to second base, the bench erupted with joy, with the man on second leading a dance. That dance was to pump your fists twice, then swipe to represent the Bobcat logo. There are also the in-between moments, whether it’s one teammate leading a bench-wide dance or just getting creative with chants. With similar pieces returning, look for these tendencies to continue in 2021.
The Quinnipiac baseball team is 1-3 after a four-game weekend series against the Monmouth Hawks.
MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE
March 24, 2021
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
Sports|11
Pecknold: ‘We had some guys that struggled in a big moment and we got to be better than that’ ECAC HOCKEY from Page 12 Lawrence caught all five Quinnipiac skaters below the dots, four of which were below the goal line. St. Lawrence capitalized on a rebound, sending the game to sudden death overtime. “You have to fight through things,” Quinnipiac assistant coach Joe Dumais said. “It’s hard to get to the net. You got to be willing to sacrifice to get bodies to the net. That’s how St. Lawrence scored two goals. They put a puck to the net, they won a battle and they banged home a rebound. That wasn’t something we were able to do. We really need to learn from those mistakes we made in last night’s game.” The Saints generated the game-winner from two things: Quinnipiac’s inability to clear the zone and its inability to dump and change. The same five skaters were caught in the zone for over two minutes. The average shift for any skater is 30-45 seconds. This elongated period of not being able to clear the puck drained those five skaters, which sequentially led to the St. Lawrence goal. Seven seconds after finally clearing the puck, which was just a quick chip that didn’t make it to the red line, junior forward David Jankowski had the opportunity to skate in, cut to the slot and fire an untouched wrist shot, clinching the ECAC Hockey title. “I’m just really disappointed in our effort tonight,” Pecknold said. “I thought we had some kids that really struggled. We need to be good in big moments. We had some kids that were awesome tonight. But we had some guys that struggled in a big moment and we got to be better than that.” There are a couple of aspects to the Bobcats’ game that need serious work if they want to be a contender in the NCAA playoffs. The first-period effort needs to be the first point of emphasis. Opponents who scored early dictated too many games this season. Quinnipiac is 3-3-4 this season, including the overtime loss in the championship, when opponents score first in the period. It is also 1-4-4 when trailing after the first period.
CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE (2020)
The Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey team will play Minnesota State in the regional round of the NCAA tournament. That is not a successful statistic. Especially when it comes to big games. Against ranked opponents, Quinnipiac has a minus-five firstperiod goal differential. Take away the eight-goal outing against AIC in December and it’s a minus-eight goal differential. Quinnipiac has also failed to score a goal in the opening period in nine of its 19 conference games this season.
If this team comes out storming in the regional round, effectively breaking out and providing consistent pressure, then it can be a competitor. The Bobcats are 14-3-1 this season when scoring first and 9-1-0 when leading after the first period. The first period is going to be the key to winning. Putting Minnesota State on its heels immediately will give Quinnipiac a much greater chance to advance to the next round.
12|Sports
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
Sports
March 24, 2021
@QUCHRONSPORTS
Pete’s pond CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE (2020)
Quinnipiac drops ECAC Hockey championship, will face Minnesota State in NCAA regional round By PETER PIEKARSKI Associate Sports Editor
No. 10 Quinnipiac entered the ECAC Hockey championship game Saturday evening as the heavy favorite against St. Lawrence, but left the People’s United Center three hours later empty-handed. The Bobcats came out flat to start the game — about as flat as a half-empty bottle of soda that hasn’t been closed in three days. It was uninspiring hockey from a team that has its sight set on a Frozen Four appearance. Despite the overtime loss just 24 hours prior, the NCAA handed Quinnipiac the automatic bid to the tournament after St. Lawrence’s head coach Brent Brekke tested positive for COVID-19 which forced the Saints to withdraw from the tournament. Nevertheless, Quinnipiac was very likely to receive a bid anyways due to its national rank.
However, Saturday night could be the lesson of the season for this team, a well-needed wake-up call that leads to tournament success. It’s going to all depend on how this team prepares to face No. 5 Minnesota State in the first regional round. An interesting matchup proceeds itself as both teams failed to win its conference title. Minnesota State had been a top-five ranked team all year and entered the Western Collegiate Hockey Association conference championship as No. 3 in the country, before losing to Northern Michigan. However, there is a major underlying issue for the Bobcats following their conference championship performance. For a team that typically bullies opponents on the offensive end with its speed and puck control, to open a championship game with an automatic NCAA playoff bid on the line and only manage roughly four minutes of offensive pos-
MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2020)
The Quinnipiac men’s hockey team was 5-1 against St. Lawrence in the 2020-21 regular season.
session with four shots on goal is dreadful. “I thought our first period was junk,” head coach Rand Pecknold said. “Our guys were nervous, and we shouldn’t be. We talked all week about being confident and dealing with adversity, and I thought we stunk in the first period. Just stunk.” Quinnipiac was 12-1-1 in the last 14 games against St. Lawrence dating back to 2016-17, including a 4-1-1 record this season. That’s pure dominance against a conference opponent. But Saturday’s game eliminated all favorite narratives. This was Quinnipiac’s first ECAC Hockey championship appearance since its win over Harvard en route to a Frozen Four championship loss to North Dakota in 2016. The first period was a mess. Breakouts were sloppy, passes missed targets, pucks weren’t kept in the corners to cycle and shots weren’t generated from anywhere on the ice. The Bobcats also gave up an early goal in the period, which would mark the 10th time it’s happened this season. During their opening power play they held the puck in the zone for about a minute and only managed to generate one shot attempt. St. Lawrence’s junior goaltender Emil Zetterquist went unchallenged for the first 20 minutes. “We got to prepare better for games and be better in first periods and lock in on our details,” Pecknold said. “Our details were poor tonight.” This No. 10-ranked power play in the country has struggled all season against St. Lawrence, only converting four of its 28 power plays against the Saints during the regular season for a 14.3% conversion rate. Three of four conversions occurred during the last two games they played on Feb. 26 and 27. Note that St. Lawrence touts the third-best penalty kill in the country and had shut down Colgate’s power play all four times just two nights prior. Even with the minute of possession, the passes remained outside of the dots and right near the blue line. The Bobcats generated nothing to force the penalty-killers to move to free up a shooting lane. However, Quinnipiac’s second power play was even more worrisome. With only about 25 seconds of zone possession, St. Lawrence generated more offensive opportunities on two half-breakaways despite being down a skater. Outside of the abysmal first period of play and ineffective power plays, Quinnipiac had a much stronger second period backed by goals from senior forward Odeen Tufto and junior forward Wyatt Bongiovanni just 12 seconds apart from each other. Tufto scored from an awkward angle and caught Zetterquist by surprise with a five-hole shot. Bongiovanni, who had not played since Dec. 26, collected a cross-slot pass from sophomore forward Skyler Brind’Amour and rifled it into the top-right corner. During the final regulation period, the teams would battle for about 16 minutes before a simple dump-in by St. See ECAC HOCKEY Page 11