The Quinnipiac Chronicle, Volume 91, Issue 7

OCTOBER 21, 2020 • VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 7

The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929

Students advocate for gender and sexuality inclusion

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

By EMILY FLAMME News Editor

A first-year student at Quinnipiac University decided to withdraw from the university this semester after facing weeks of targeted homophobic acts.

Peter Jordan is moving home within the next four days but has not decided yet what his future at Quinnipiac is.

Jordan said his experiences began four weeks ago when his small pride flag was removed from its location and stuffed under his blankets after leaving his room for 20 minutes.

“I asked my roommate at the time if he moved it and he said ‘No,’” Jordan said. “No point in arguing.”

The first day after Jordan got a new roommate, he heard banging on the door at random hours for two days. One day, he found a pile of trash when he opened the door.

Then, over the course of the next four weeks, Jordan said pouding on the door continued along with trash and baby powder being left outside the door.

Even though Jordan reported the incidents to his resident assistant (RA), he said the only action taken was extra attention in his hallway.

Jordan said he had an anxiety attack the first night his door had baby powder thrown on it. That same night, he missed a Fourth Wall, a Quinnipiac theater company, rehearsal for the production of the production “4 AM,” and was removed from the show because of it.

“It hurt,” Jordan said. “I didn’t find the energy to fight my way back into the production as they had already made up their minds. All the bridges collided and led me to decide QU was not the place for me.”

Jordan said he eventually was connected to Mike Guthrie, assistant director of residential life, in which he had more serious discussions about how to handle these incidents.

After meeting with Guthrie, Jordan’s mother, Lauren Jordan, wrote a post on the Quinnipiac Parents Facebook page on Oct. 18, about the hateful acts.

“I started getting messages from other freshmen, friends, upperclassmen I’ve never met or talked to and staff, all offering support,” Jordan said. “Knowing I wasn’t alone has helped me push through the final days here living at QU.” In response to Lauren Jordan’s Facebook post , the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) called for a more LGBTQ-friendly environment at Quinnipiac. The organization released a statement and a petition, which has over 1,380 signatures.

“Unfortunately, attacks like this are far too common at Quinnipiac and are often met with inadequate action,” the See GSA Page 3

Facilities stressed out amid COVID-19 pandemic The facilities department is stretched thin during a hiring freeze

By EMILY DISALVO Arts & Life Editor

Facilities workers at Quinnipiac University perform the necessary cleaning and maintenance tasks to keep the community safe while facing staff shortages and the fear of losing their jobs if the university closes.

According to John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations, administration at Quinnipiac implemented a hiring freeze for the 2020-21 academic year for all faculty and staff. This means that those that retired, left or no longer work at Quinnipiac facilities for any reason were not replaced.

A source in facilities, who chose to remain anonymous for job security reasons, said the hiring freeze is forcing workers to step up and perform tasks outside of their assignments.

“Everyone is trying to become as irreplaceable as possible,” the source said. “People are doing more than just their day-today jobs. They are working more out of their classification.”

A second anonymous source in facilities described the “additional work” created by the hiring freeze.

“The burden of their job falls on everybody else to pitch in which then makes it more difficult,” the second source said. “In the past, we have been able to cover when other people are out, but now with the extra sanitizing we have to do in the morning,

it is pretty difficult to do when you are short staffed.”

The facilities team has always been committed to keeping campus clean, but Morgan said the expectations are greater this year.

“Quinnipiac’s facilities team is performing regular intense cleaning of all public spaces to disinfect classrooms, common areas, workspaces and dining areas to minimize transmission,” Morgan said.

Morgan would not confirm whether the facilities department is short staffed this year due to the hiring freeze.

Facilities managers went through training through the Global Biorisk Advisory Council so that they can become “Microbial Warrior” certified, according to Morgan.

“They brought back to us what they got from (the training),” the second source said.

While both sources said that they feel as safe on the job as they would in the grocery store or any other location, the job still isn’t without daily concerns. The first source said facilities workers have “daily conversations” about what will happen to their jobs if the university closes due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We play out different scenarios as to what could happen based on the timing for a potential closure,” the first source said.

See FACILITIES Page 3

ALENA DELUISE/CHRONICLE

OPINION P.4: Long lines for COVID-19 testing The lines while waiting for tests contradict social distancing guidelines.

ILLUSTRATION BY AMANDA RIHA

A&L P.6: Breast cancer awareness Access to breast cancer detection saves lives.

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MEET THE EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brendan O’Sullivan MANAGING EDITORS Jared Penna Jessica Simms CREATIVE DIRECTOR Connor Lawless NEWS EDITOR Emily Flamme ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITORS Chatwan Mongkol Kalleen Rose Ozanic OPINION EDITOR Toyloy Brown III ASSOCIATE 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 COPY EDITOR Nicole McIsaac 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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Send letters to editor@quchronicle.com. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Chronicle.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

October 21, 2020

Discussion about attendance during COVID-19

By NICOLE MCISSAC Copy Editor

Professors from Quinnipiac University and the University of Connecticut (UConn) discussed the complications of attendance in the Zoom era by holding a virtual discussion Oct. 16.

Jonathan Torres, assistant teaching professor of English at Quinnipiac, partnered with Lois Lake Church, a first-year writing professor at both UConn and Quinnipiac. Together, they led an interactive discussion called “Showing Up: Rethinking Attendance in the Pandemic Age,” that talked about the need for advancing more traditionalized concepts of attendance. Professors throughout Connecticut went to the event to share their ideas on the topic.

“Assessment is a very powerful tool that helps student learning and attendance is a very powerful tool that also helps student learning,” Torres said in the Zoom call. “Both of those are dangerously coming close to just becoming accountability and compliance based measures, rather than actual learning strategies.”

The conversation covered an array of topics such as acknowledging more than oral participation as a form of student involvement, how listening is a part of student engagement, ways that professors can build a sense of community between their students to encourage further participation and how that engagement can be measured during and beyond synchronous sessions.

“When students are given a chance to participate on their own terms and are given the choice on how they best would like to participate, they actually end up participating in the way that faculty wanted them to,” Torres said during the Zoom call. “If we can think of a list of participation strategies that are not threatening or allow students to come up with a list themselves, they are more likely to move from trying to protect a space that they think is safe and in control and into a growth zone of trying something new.”

Torres and the rest of the professors shared their individual skills and tactics that help them interact with their students, despite the physical separation. One major struggle that Quinnipiac students have expressed is the lack of connection they have with their professors and peers.

“A sense of community is definitely impacted by online learning,” said Daniel Comcowich, a sophomore film, TV and media arts major. “It’s

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Back a lot harder to generate a connection with classmates online in any capacity.”

Comcowich said that being online is challenging because of the physical separation. The ability to immediately socialize with the people seated next to him is no longer available. He said he has turned to the use of social media for interaction because he cannot engage in the same behaviors he’s used in previous semesters.

“I would be open to professors trying to foster those regular-style connections with students as best as they can,” Comcowich said. “I feel like the classroom is lacking that element of connection, and I would be all for it if any effort was made in that area.”

Gabriella Martinez, a first-year nursing major, said so far, college has come with many difficulties due to the online learning format and a lack of a sense of community is just the foundation of her struggles.

“I’m a very shy person, and participating has always been a push for me,” Martinez said. “Online classes have made it even harder for me, it’s almost easier just not to participate.”

Martinez said her professors have started using breakout rooms and increased collaborative group work to help students familiarize themselves with one another inside of the virtual classroom.

“The effort professors are putting in so far is great,” Martinez said. “They are definitely pushing for us to have a better learning experience, despite the circumstances.”

COVID-19 testing solutions for students

By KALLEEN ROSE OZANIC Associate News Editor

While testing positive for COVID-19 may be incredibly stressful, there’s a big step that comes before one’s results: the test itself. Not being selected for a weekly COVID-19 test may be worrying as well.

Students who are not selected in the weekly sample of COVID-19 tests are not allowed to be tested at the Quinnipiac testing site, according to John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations.

The university recommends another option for students who wish to be voluntarily tested.

“Students who are interested in getting tested can either contact their healthcare provider or visit one of the multiple drive-up or walk-up locations around the state, where Community Health Center Inc. is offering free COVID-19 testing,” Morgan said. “No appointment is necessary.”

Community Health Center offers tests throughout Connecticut without health insurance. There is no limit to the amount of tests one can perform and individuals seeking a COVID-19 test do not have to be symptomatic.

Results are expected within two to three days after the test is administered. Community Health Center has a location in Waterbury at 51 North Elm St and another in Meriden at 134 State St., among the 12 locations for testing in Connecticut.

Similar to the university’s advice, the Connecticut State COVID-19 portal recommends that individuals seeking a COVID-19 test speak with their primary care providers first.

Students and individuals without health insurance, or whose health insurance does not cover out-of-state expenses, can seek out tests from the Community Health Center’s locations, per the portal.

More information for testing locations

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Professors are also working towards building the gap between students and want to create strong connections despite the several difficulties that arise from online instruction.

“My biggest challenge is splitting my classes on Zoom and on-ground,” Torres said. “Students feel disconnected, awkward and often left out.”

Catherine Takizawa, assistant teaching professor of biology, teaches a hybrid class where she can physically work with some of her class, although some students chose to completely do remote learning.

“I do have some students whom are completely remote, but I still feel a connection to them,” Takizawa said. “I try to greet everyone as they join the zoom meeting and I have learned to recognize everyone’s voices, even if I can’t see their face on the zoom gallery, which was a nice surprise.”

Takizawa said she understands that what works for one student doesn’t always work for another and that teachers should try to vary their activities and learning strategies employed during class to keep students engaged.

“I would suggest that professors deploy a mid-term check in and ask the students what is working to enhance their learning and what suggestions students may have to improve learning,” Takizawa said. “Students oftentimes have great ideas on little things that can be implemented to improve overall learning.”

What to do when you’re not selected

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The Quinnipiac Chronicle

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE

DOCS Urgent Care in North Haven has rapid COVID-19 testing available to people who don’t have symptoms.

can be found at the Connecticut 2-1-1 website or by dialing 2-1-1.

If students are looking for more shortterm solutions when seeking a COVID-19 test, DOCS Urgent Care of North Haven, located at 163 Universal Drive North, offers rapid COVID-19 testing.

For this rapid test, there is no referral needed.

The location only accepts walk-in patients and the test is covered by almost all insurance, according to its website.

Without insurance, the COVID-19 rapid test costs $195, per the website.

Even though students have off-campus alternatives, they think the university should offer testing options to its student body.

“I think there should be (walk-in testing) because I heard of multiple students who have not been tested yet, and we’re eight weeks into school,” said Michael Smith, junior health sciences major. “I think it’s pretty odd that the random tests have been selecting some of the same students multiple times, and as far as I’m sure, not all 100% of the student body has been tested. I think that’s where walk-in testing would be helpful.”

While some students are concerned that the testing sample isn’t wide enough, there are other concerns related to student comfort and confidence in the safety of the Quinnipiac community.

“I understand how the school may not want students to potentially abuse the resources of being able to walk in and get tested at any time, and maybe that decision also factors in to trust in the algorithm, I don’t know,” said Jacqueline Callinan, a sophomore in the entry-level master’s physician assistant program. “However, I do wish students who felt uncomfortable or nervous about being exposed to others now in quarantine were able to walk in and get tested.”

October 21, 2020

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

News |3

‘Everyone is trying to become as irreplaceable as possible,’ the second source said.

FACILITIES from cover Nora Madjar, associate professor of management at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and an expert on workplace negotiations, said that the situation is an opportunity for a discussion between the facilities union and Quinnipiac administration.

“The union should have some power to negotiate with QU,” Madjar said. “Having said that, I see it really as an opportunity for the union to negotiate and not to just pressure QU from a position of power.”

Universities across the country that have already closed due to COVID-19 are dealing with the same quandary. The University of Texas at Austin recently closed its doors, but administration there has not yet laid off any staff like facilities workers, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

“At this time, we are not aware of any planned employee layoffs,” said Andy Brantley, president and chief executive of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources at University of Texas at Austin, in a written statement. “In fact, we are hearing stories from across the country that emphasize how our higher-education leaders are working to continue services, create teleworking plans, and expand leave options to help employees bridge any gaps that temporary COVID-19 closures will create.”

Morgan said he was unwilling to speculate

about the job security of these employees if the university was to close.

This fear of a potential layoff isn’t the first time COVID-19 has cut into the Quinnipiac facilities workers’ potential livelihood. Between April and June all faculty and staff took a 3-5% cut in their salary because of the financial hardship, according to Morgan.

The facilities union negotiated a 6.25% cut, the equivalent of four furloughed days.

“We altered the situation on behalf of the university and the hardship,” the first source said. “We chose to take four days of furlough.

We didn’t get paid for those days. We also didn’t show up.”

During this time, most Quinnipiac employees and all of its students were at home. Meanwhile, facilities workers, like the two sources mentioned here, were at the school cleaning and helping to pack up students’ belongings that were left in residence halls.

“My wife also had her hours cut ... I had been cut pay and was still working the same hours ... but we made it through,” the second source said.

These facilities workers encourage all students to take the virus seriously, for everyone’s sake.

“Aside from the potential of getting sick, if enough people get sick they might close the school,” the first source said. “They may be able to continue their education online from home or wherever, but I cannot perform my job from online or at home. I would be unemployed.”

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE

Facilities managers underwent training to become certified on how to properly clean during a pandemic.

Cuttle: ‘You want to feel comfortable here and if you can’t be yourself, it’s not going to be a good experience’ GSA from cover GSA stated. “We would like the university to address the homophobic environment that LGBTQ students are subjected to.”

The petition calls for change at Quinnipiac including formally recognizing this incident, adding gender-inclusive and LGBTQ housing, instituting bias training for administration and staff on campus and using the Campus Pride Index.

The Campus Pride Index is an independent website that allows universities to complete an online assessment that rates its friendliness toward the LGBTQ community. The organization then sends a report back of where the university needs to make changes along with suggestions of how to do so.

The GSA is hoping the university will reach out to it and have discussions about how to implement these changes.

“In the past, we tried to make these steps,

and clearly we haven’t had much progress with that,” said Athena Cuttle, senior psychology major and current president of the GSA. “We’re hoping the school realizes that it needs to happen and that the world is changing, and they need to start changing with it.”

Lindsey Downey, a senior criminal justice major and former president of the GSA, said the most important part of the call to action was the Campus Pride Index.

“This is kind of the most important thing for us because it encompasses a lot more than any one thing on our list,” Downey said. “I’m assuming right now, the university — if the university were to take it, wouldn’t score the best.”

Cuttle said gender-inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly housing should be a priority for the university.

“You want your dorm to feel like home,” Cuttle said. “You want to feel comfortable here and if you can’t be yourself, it’s not going to be a good experience.”

Downing also agreed that gender-inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly housing is an important aspect of a welcoming campus.

She said her roommate last year was transgender and the process of planning housing together was a challenge.

“The process — while Quinnipiac does offer gender-neutral housing if you ask for it — included us having to out our roommate to anyone that was a prospective roommate,” Downey said. “They basically had to say they were OK with living with a transgender roommate. Then, Residential Life manually had to match us and place us. It made the whole process very difficult. It was honestly frustrating and disappointing.”

Downey said that her and Jordan’s experiences on campus are not isolated incidents, and there needs to be change on campus.

“We know there were most likely students on (Jordan’s) floor that knew what was happening and why,” Downey said. “Unless the students are standing up for their LG-

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

BTQ peers, then change won’t happen.”

However, Cuttle said she’s happy about the response the statement and form have received and hopes this will finally bring about change.

“This has definitely given us the leverage we needed to start to get our points taken more seriously,” Cuttle said. “The fact that we’re getting this many signatures is mindboggling, it’s so exciting.”

President Judy Olian released a statement in an email to the Quinnipiac community on Oct. 20, regarding the incidents Jordan faced.

“We are proud and grateful that members of the LGBTQ+ community are part of the essential fabric of our institution, among our leadership, faculty, staff and student groups,” Olian said in the email. “At QU, we celebrate differences as a source of understanding and distinction and are stronger because of such diversity of backgrounds and thought.”

The Title IX department is looking into the incidents, according to Olian.

In the Department of Cultural and Global Engagement, a LGBTQ fellowship position was created earlier this semester, Olian said.

She also said that she and her staff will be working to “explore the various recommendations” the GSA stated.

The GSA released a statement on Instagram saying that it was disappointed in Olian’s response.

“These incidents with this student have been ongoing since September,” the GSA stated. “The school stated that it was this weekend. With 1,380 signatures at the time of writing this, the Gender Sexuality Alliance feels more members of administration should have reached out directly.”

The GSA said it is also disappointed in the school’s advocation for bystander intervention instead of creating stronger policies.

“Please continue to share the petition and have friends and family sign as this matter is important in making LGBTQ students comfortable, safe and welcome at this school.”

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October 21, 2020

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Opinion In defense of the Electoral College

BY WILLIAM DEAN Contributing Writer

The Electoral College is unpopular. Historically unpopular in fact, with 89% of Democrats and 68% of Independents supporting its abolition, according to a recent Gallup poll. Republicans are the only major political party to support the Electoral College’s existence, with less than 25% of its members saying they want “to amend the Constitution so the candidate who receives the most total votes nationwide wins the election.”

On its face, the proposition seems like an easy one to support.

Why shouldn’t the person with the most votes win? This method is by far the most popular form of governance in the world and seems to be the most fair.

The desire to change our elections to a simple majority creates an outsized focus on the inputs of our system and leaves its output as little more than an afterthought. As is too common with a revolutionary spirit, the desire for change puts rose-tinted glasses on the future.

Promises of a better world and the realization of true democracy overshadow the consequences of abolishing America’s secondoldest national institution.

Thanks to the vast influence of the British Empire, a parliamentary system can be found on all six inhabited continents. In this system, the chief executive is chosen by the Parliament, similar to our House of Representatives voting for a president.

Such a system worried our founders, as there is no separation of the executive and legislative powers. Because Parliament appoints the prime minister, it can convene at any moment and with a simple majority, remove the prime minister through a vote of no confidence.

This is not to say that a presidential system is uncommon. Countries such as Ireland or Pakistan slightly modify the parliamentary system, adding a ceremonial president who acts as a cultural ambassador and does not hold power. Across South America and portions of Africa, the president is elected by popular vote.

However, these countries have a landmass and population usually comparable to two or three of our states. Their governance by a parliament or popularly elected president is more similar to a state governor than our president.

Because of our size and population, the United States faces a unique challenge. The guiding principle for governing this country has been subsidiarity which was most simply put by Pope Pius XI in his encyclical Quadragesimo Anno when he said “it is an injustice … to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do.”

Combining federalism and a republic with an independent executive is by no means a common practice. Across the world, only three countries aside from the U.S. do so. Even among this

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small group, the U.S. is unique. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico hold popular elections for their president while America does not.

The founders sought to establish a thoroughly independent executive while at the same time obtaining consent from the governed states. In an age now dominated by national politics, the Electoral College remains an important way for localities to have a voice.

Today, national policy is increasingly written by the president through executive orders. If the president was elected in the same way that Congress is, then Congress’ purpose would vanish. The entire purpose of electing the House or Representatives by popular vote was to give the people the right to introduce legislation and thereby national policy. On the other hand, smaller states are given more power in presidential elections, so that their rights might not be trampled by a vindictive majority in higher population density areas.

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Once that point is acknowledged, the issue then becomes determining where that line should be drawn. If the input that decides the presidency are changed, can we seriously expect the powers of the office to remain the same?

An election by popular vote would quickly give way to the president claiming they have the “will of the people” on his side, such was the way Rome went with Julius Caesar. With the most lethal military in the world subject to his orders and Congress effectively neutered, the president would become the jury and executioner. For those who don’t remember, giving one man the ability to create and enforce laws is called a dictatorship.

Hypothetically, imagine that the United Nations were an international government, able to pass legislation, enforce its will and undertake other normal government functions. If the U.N. secretary-general were elected by popular vote, it would surely be more democratic than a system with some intermediaries, but would it be fair?

The massive Asian countries like China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh would contain roughly half of the global voting population. Meanwhile, the small nations of the world would be effectively powerless to prevent these countries from imposing their will.

Does anyone honestly think that these countries would not go mad with power and try to crush their opponents? Of course they would.

All politics are power politics at the end of the day, and if this system were used for our country, disaster would ensue.

None of this is to suggest that the Electoral College is a perfect system. It is clunky and archaic. But is it broken? Absolutely not. The hidden privilege of America’s institutions is that power ambitions are put in direct opposition to equally powerful ambitions from different electorates.

Before the president is able to take power, he must receive the approval of multiple regions and cultures within the country. Under a democratic election, major population centers such as southern California, the Northeast and others could obtain a monopoly on the presidency through sheer numbers of votes.

Today, the Electoral College stands as the last bulwark defending political minority rights. Remove it and risk destroying any meaningful partisan opposition. For those tempted by this, remember that no group holds power forever.

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Detractors will label the Electoral College as anti-democratic. There is no denying this, as it is the entire point of the institution. Voting for the chief law enforcement officer is an incredibly dangerous activity, which is why the Constitution assigns it to the state legislatures and not the fleeting whims of an easily divided citizenry.

Political talking heads will claim our system isn’t democratic enough, but what would removing the barriers to democracy look like? Inherent in the democratic system is the belief that a vote confers the will of the people. Do we want to apply this to the execution of the law?

Any attempt to impose limits on simple majority rule is an admission that the public does not always know what is best.

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Students risk contracting COVID-19 from Quinnipiac’s testing procedures

BY ALENA DELUISE Contributing Writer

Quinnipiac University has been diligently monitoring its campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a medium-sized university, it has been able to control organized cohorts for classes, sanitation protocols and limitations on activities and events held on campus.

ALENA DELUISE/CHRONICLE

Students are not social distancing while waiting for their COVID-19 tests.

As students arrived back to school, randomized testing began. Administration introduced this necessary testing for all students who would be visiting any of the three campuses for classes or extracurriculars.

Quinnipiac has checked some boxes when it comes to safety for students in the process of getting tested for COVID-19, but it hasn’t checked the boxes that matter the most.

While social distancing is the top priority for students, they shouldn’t feel greater danger when required to stand in long lines for testing.

The university’s solution to the social distancing problem should be implementing specific time frames that will ensure sporadic arrivals and timely tests. Not to mention, social distancing will be easier to enforce with fewer people in line.

Initially, 15% of on-campus and 25% of commuter students were tested. So far, students have been experiencing long lines and negligent social distancing standards. With the university recently transitioning from a green to yellow alert level, more commuter students are being tested while on-campus residents testing remains the same.

Abby Blumenfeld, a junior political science major, who was randomly selected for a test, is an example of a student feeling unsafe while waiting for her test at the Burt Kahn Court.

“I was shocked to see so many people gathering and nobody regulating the line,” Blumenfeld said. “I expected there to be stickers on the ground for social distancing.”

Instead, students clustered together like they were used

to years prior. Even when I was tested, I couldn’t even measure a foot between myself and the girl standing behind me.

The lack of urgency by the university is concerning given it is so willing to act upon those who miss their testing appointments. Quinnipiac has proven that, in a heartbeat, it is ready to punish those who do not follow testing protocol. If a student misses their assigned testing date more than once, they will face consequences such as denial to enter any and all campuses and immediate suspension. The university needs to implement this urgency while ensuring student safety on the testing site.

Senior film, television and media arts major Julianna Coscia shared the same ideas when she noticed large groups.

“The facility is way too clustered and not monitored at all,” Coscia said. “A lot of people stand on line with their friends in a group.”

Quinnipiac is obviously putting in hard work to test as many students as it can each week, which isn’t easy to do on one court in a gym. That doesn’t excuse the overcrowded lines and groups of students standing together. The university should anticipate students arriving as early as possible to get their tests over with.

Students are risking their own health and safety as well as others’ while crowding together at testing sites. Why are people who wouldn’t normally be in contact with one another being forced to herd?

October 21, 2020

Opinion|5

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Opinion Why everyone should try to live a more sustainable lifestyle

BY STEPHANIE SUAREZ Contributing Writer

Every year, it seems as if people evolve and discover new things. There are certain species that are going extinct, scientists are making medical discoveries and the planet is continuing to deteriorate at a rapid rate. According to NASA, carbon dioxide is at its highest level it has ever been in the past 615,000 years, and the arctic ice minimum has gone down to the lowest levels ever recorded by scientists since 2012. Before we know it, the movie “2012” will go from being a Hollywood fantasy to our devastating reality.

Fortunately, there is a remedy for the damage done by the general and manufacturing society: being more eco-friendly and moving toward a more sustainable lifestyle.

Of course, it’s easier said than done. People may believe that they couldn’t possibly have the funds to live this way.

Unfortunately, this is the kind of mentality that will result in our beloved natural resources being diminished to nothing and a variety of species going extinct because their habitat is disappearing right underneath their feet or fins.

It may feel like it’s utterly hopeless, but there was a moment in time when the sky was shining a little bluer, the beaches weren’t covered with trash, animals could travel in their habitats freely and the air quality was not contaminated with a cloud of gray, and it happened while we were all trapped inside our houses due to COVID-19. This allowed our planet to take some self-care time for itself.

According to The Atlantic, studies were conducted during the COVID-19 lockdowns and Earth-observing satellites detected there was a decline in nitrogen dioxide that’s caused by cars, buses and power plants. NASA is learning that the Earth’s temperature has decreased because cars cause a reflection of sunlight. Since there wasn’t a pileup of cars sitting in parking lots, it allowed for the Earth’s core temperature to decrease. NASA is preparing to conduct research on how impactful COVID-19 was on marine life because many endangered species and the coral reef are showing new signs of life.

Now, before everyone just runs to Google and types “ecofriendly versions” of everyday products, it’s important to know

what it means to live a sustainable lifestyle and the brands that go the extra mile to help heal our planet.

Living a more ecofriendly lifestyle represents reducing a person’s or society’s usage of Earth’s natural and personal resources. This can be done by amending means of transportation, energy, consumer consumption and diet.

Major companies and brands have been undergoing changes behind the scenes to help reduce their carbon footprint. Apple is committing to clean energy by 2030 and is investing back into the planet’s natural carbon removers (forests, wetlands and grasslands). The popular phone case brands, Pela and Casetify, are adopting a new strategy to create their cases. Both companies have 100% compostable cases, and Casetify makes the majority of their cases with over 50% recycled plastic.

Some brands are founded with the sole purpose of giving back to the planet. The apparel company 4ocean takes out up to one pound of garbage from the oceans with every purchase of their bracelets and plastic alternatives.

Some eco-friendly alternatives include using recyclable bags when going grocery shopping, investing in non-plastic straws or using recyclable containers. For people who want a good substitute to makeup wipes, the most eco-friendly option is reusable cotton pads. But for people who want to remove

GRAPHIC BY CONNOR LAWLESS

stubborn build-up on your face after a long day, cleansing balms and oils can be incorporated right into skincare routines.

These minor changes in your lifestyle will lead to future generations enjoying our natural resources and will leave a planet in a better state than we found it. It’s also essential to remember that the mentality of “I don’t need to live more ecofriendly because there’s already enough people doing it” is not a positive mindset. Rather, it should be shifted toward “although these changes are minor, I know they’ll make a longlasting impact.” In the end, if you won’t do it for yourself, do it for future generations and our beloved planet.

The increased popularity of sports gambling puts young adults at risk of developing a betting problem

BY KEITH SAVAGE Contributing Writer

With commercials promoting gambling and companies like Barstool Sports making shows about it, young adults can easily get sucked into the addictive world of betting.

Gambling sites appeal to young users by offering them a promo code to play for free the first time. Many people get hooked after that one game, especially if they made a profit.

Avid sports fans in college are the perfect targets for sports gambling since there is already a track record for this demographic to engage in other risky behaviors. Students as young as 18 years old are susceptible to its addictive nature and persistent advertisements and may develop a gambling problem later in life.

Sports gambling grows exponentially every year. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two main powerhouses for sports gambling. According to Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, a research firm, the two platforms control 66% of online sports betting as of February 2020. You can bet on any sports game on any given day. For example, FanDuel gives you $60,000 to spend on basketball players. Los Angeles Lakers star player LeBron James would cost $15,500 for the game, while a bench player like teammate Alex Caruso would only cost $7,000.

One of the worst things that could happen in gambling is winning big money in one day because the huge success could get participants hooked. It is vital to understand that sports gambling gets more addictive over time.

One first-year student shared that he is currently hooked on gambling and that there are likely more like him. A young adult can

become consumed with gambling over time because of the feeling of success.

Daily fantasy sports gambling is legal in Connecticut, but that is the only type of sports gambling that is allowed in the state. Sports betting such as spreads, money lines and over/unders are not yet legal, but a student told me he has a “bookie.”

According to rotowire.com, a bookie is “someone who facilitates gambling by setting odds, accepting and placing bets and then paying out the winnings.” You also have to be at least 21 years old in those states to be able to bet on games.

The student who has a bookie told me he spends $200 each week just betting on the results of a sports game. That is $150 more a week than he spends on daily gambling.

Overall, that one student spends over $1,000 every month on sports gambling and betting. Although this may be a lot of money to some, he is likely not the only student who bets that amount of money. Because of all the promotion that is

shown about sports daily gambling as well as betting, it isn’t too difficult to imagine how someone is compelled to give it a try and later get hooked.

With sports betting and gambling becoming more popular in recent years, many students have started participating as young as 18 or 19 years old and may continue in their 20s. Students older than that usually have better jobs and will generally have more money to spend and more expenses to pay off. For example, students who recently graduated college are close to start paying back their college loans and are wondering how to earn money quickly. It is plausible to believe some older students could resort to sports betting and gambling to help them out of that hole. This is an example of how sports betting can become a problem.

They also know that small amounts of invested money will not win them big cash. Students need to spend hundreds of dollars on any given week to win a suitable amount of money.

With popular Barstool Sports podcasts and shows like “Barstool Pick Em” and “Voices of Wall Street” promoting which sports teams to bet on, it is entertaining for viewers and entices them to continue betting. Barstool is also trying to get into the sports betting world, so one day people can make bets on its websites.

Something else to also keep in mind is the demographics of Barstool viewers. According to CivicScience, “15% of all collegeaged kids visit Barstool properties every day and 26% every week.”

Young college students have a greater chance of getting addicted because of the need for money, the wide range of promotion and the likelihood that they are avid sports fans. It is going to continue to get bigger over time.

GRAPHIC BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

6|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

October 21,2020

Arts & Life

GRAPHICS BY AMANDA RIHA

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

Early detection

ensures prevention Access to breast cancer screening saves lives

By KELSEY PAUL Staff Writer

October is breast cancer awareness month, and if there’s one thing to take away from it each year, it’s that access to regular screenings for breast cancer (and all necessary checks) saves lives. This is especially consequential this election and pandemic-filled year when women's healthcare has been a source of conflict and uncertainty.

Take it from me — I’ve watched my mom battle breast cancer twice over the past six years, and I’ve witnessed the consequences of not being able to get regularly checked.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still important to have yearly mammograms. However, there is often confusion surrounding the practice — such as when to start being screened, how to do so and why it’s necessary in the first place. In a time when many medical facilities are operating on limited hours and unemployment rates are on the rise (often meaning a loss of reliable healthcare), it becomes increasingly difficult to figure out how to have these procedures done. Many people feel that it’s easier to just put it off for a few months. My mom was one of those people.

After unexpectedly losing her health insurance, she chose to put off her yearly mammogram for six months. When she eventually scheduled a mammogram, it was too late — she had developed stage zero breast cancer, meaning it was not yet considered invasive. She was one of the lucky ones. Many find it for the first time in higher, more serious stages, which is why early detection is of the utmost importance.

“Finding breast cancer early and getting high-quality cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Getting regular screening tests is a critically important part of finding breast cancer early,” said Dr. Laura Makaroff, senior vice president of prevention and early detection for the American Cancer Society, in a press release. “Breast cancer screening disparities are already evident and, without focused attention, are likely to increase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Makaroff emphasized that it’s important to promote regular screenings, even in this uncertain period of time and to encourage people to talk to their doctors about how to proceed during the pandemic.

“Efforts to promote breast cancer screening and overcome barriers for populations with low screening prevalence must be at the forefront of our focus,” Makaroff said in a press release.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a walk that occurs

nationwide, took place in New Haven this past Sunday, Oct. 18.

To make the event socially distant and safe under COVID-19 regulations, the organization modified it to be a car parade. One of the best ways to raise awareness for the cause as a Quinnipiac University student is to attend walks and events sponsored by breast cancer foundations, or even simply raise money for nearby causes.

Stephanie Balesano, communications director of the American Cancer Society, urged those that were participating in the event to recognize that cancer will not halt for COVID-19, and neither should they.

“Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has always been more than a walk — it is a movement,” Balesano said. “Because of the pandemic, this fall may look different, but the community’s passion to end breast cancer must stay the same.”

The pandemic is doing more damage to patients than expected.

With significantly less funding than usual, facilities cannot carry out as much cancer research as they previously could.

Donating to organizations like the American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a great way to make a difference.

“The impact of COVID-19 will reduce the ability to fund cancer research by 50% in 2020 — the society’s lowest investment

this century if current trends continue,” the American Cancer Society stated in a press release. “Communities, survivors, and caregivers are encouraged to rally around the fight and help raise crucial funds.”

The website of Susan G. Komen, one of the leading breast cancer organizations, notes that although all survivors of breast cancer are at risk of it coming back, “most people diagnosed with breast cancer will never have a breast cancer recurrence.”

It happened to my mom, and at two stages worse than before.

Regular checks are absolutely necessary, even when it seems like a yearly annoyance.

In reinforcing the importance of routine screenings to prevent recurrence, the American Cancer Society website also says that low-risk women should begin to get mammograms done at age 40, repeating annually until age 55, when they should go every two years (or continue annually if they choose).

The numbers are much different for high-risk women, however. A woman may be considered at high risk for breast cancer if a relative tested positive for having the BRCA (breast cancer) 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutation, which is currently the leading risk factor for having breast cancer. Essentially, having one of the aforementioned gene mutations means that breast cancer could be passed on genetically. In this circumstance, the American Cancer Society recommends starting to get mammograms at age 25, repeating every six to 12 months.

It’s not always widely publicized that clinics such as Planned Parenthood offer free or low-cost mammograms for those who don’t have health insurance or can’t afford to go to a specialized doctor or radiology center. It’s important that these clinics remain open — over 276,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States alone each year, and this number could rise significantly if access to free and affordable screenings is restricted.

My mom is only one of millions who have been affected by breast cancer in their lifetime. Chances are you know someone who has been affected by this disease, too. The numbers are alarmingly real, and the effects last a lifetime. The next time a family member laments needing to get checked yet again, encourage them to go. It just might save their life.

“COVID-19 is putting a lot at risk right now, including the fight against breast cancer,” Balesano said in a statement to the greater New Haven community planning for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. “But this is one fight that can’t be cancelled or postponed.”

STATISTICS FROM BREASTCANCER.ORG

October 21. 2020

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts and Life|7

book of the week Searching for a good coming-of-age novel?

'Looking for Alaska' is a find

By MICHAEL SICOLI

Associate Opinion Editor

John Green’s first novel is one that struck a chord and one that has left a lasting impression. “Looking for Alaska” is a book every person should read, especially high school and college students.

Full disclosure — there are spoilers. You’ve been warned.

A simple coming-of-age story becomes so much more through the eyes of Miles “Pudge” Halter, the protagonist. In search of his “Great Perhaps,” Pudge finds himself at Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama. He meets his roommate, Chip “The Colonel” Martin. Immediately, it’s clear that they are entirely different people. Pudge comes from money; The Colonel is poor. Pudge prioritizes education whereas The Colonel loves his pranks and tomfoolery. Pudge is nervous; The Colonel is confident.

But hey, opposites attract. The duo quickly became friends as Pudge learned how to fit in. As the nickname suggests, The Colonel led the way, and Pudge followed as the faithful secondin-command. The duo then met Alaska Young, one of the best characters in any story. She’s mysterious, bold and spontaneous — everything that Pudge came to boarding school looking for. Pudge became infatuated with Alaska, loving her but also envying her. She became his “Great Perhaps” and Alaska’s character demands the reader’s attention every time her name graces the page.

The novel is styled in a terrific way. The first half of the book is labeled as “Before” with each chapter ticking down a certain amount of days until you reach “After.” This focus on time is incredibly important. The younger generation that this novel targets are the same that believe we should live each day as if

it’s our last. YOLO and all that. And as such the first half reflects that character with Pudge, The Colonel, Alaska and a few others pranking, smoking and living life to the fullest.

Then, it happens. Alaska dies while drunk driving one night, never stopping before crashing into a truck in what appeared to be suicide. She was able to leave campus since Pudge and The Colonel caused a distraction with fireworks, leaving the two of them overflowed with guilt, depression and despair. They learn to deal with the devastating loss of a dear friend they both loved.

Pudge and The Colonel tossing a cigarette in the lake where they smoked as tribute for Alaska, or working out a huge prank to commemorate Alaska’s love for jokes are just some of the ritualistic coping mechanisms the duo employ. The journey to acceptance is what makes this story compelling and unforgettable.

Pudge and The Colonel never stop searching for reason why Alaska crashed — was it really suicide after she asked Pudge “To be continued?” after sharing a first kiss? They learn that she missed the anniversary of her mother’s death, a death she blamed herself for since she was too young to know to call 9-1-1. Green created a debate on whether Alaska committed suicide out of frustration for missing the date of her mother’s death or if she simply tried and failed to speed around the car to get to the cemetery where her mother was buried quicker.

Which is true? We may never know.

As you may be able to tell, this is impossible to cover in a short article, but Green’s storytelling ability is unmatched. A key concept of this novel is how time is valuable — people need to spend it wisely before the well runs dry — and “Looking for Alaska” is worth every second of yours.

PHOTO FROM TWITTER

'Looking for Alaska,' John Green's first novel, is separated into 'before' and 'after' sections to emphasize the importance of each day.

Iddrisu Awudu School of Business

Quinnipiac University is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Excellence in Teaching and Service to Students Awards. These awards represent Quinnipiac’s highest recognition and complement its core values: high-quality academic programs, a student-oriented environment and a sense of community.

Quinnipiac University is educating tomorrow’s leaders in arts and sciences, business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, law, medicine and nursing.

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Jonathan Blake

School of Engineering

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8|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

October 21. 2020

The good, the bad and the spooky Halloween movies to celebrate the season in a safe way

By ASHLEY PELLETIER

Personally, my favorite horror/thriller movie is “Get Out,” directed by Jordan Peele. “Get Out,” released in 2017, is a very unsettling film surrounding Chris Washington, played by Daniel Kaluuya, as he realizes that his girlfriend and her family are much more sinister than they appear to be. Peele won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his work on “Get Out.” “Get Out” is available to rent and buy from the iTunes store and Amazon Prime.

Associate Arts and Life Editor

One of the most popular consumerist holidays will look very different this year. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Halloween traditions such as trick-or-treating and costume parties are being canceled to prevent the spread of the virus.

Despite the risks associated with the more social aspects of Halloween, there is no reason to cancel the spookiest season of the year altogether. One of the best ways to get into the fall spirit is to get some hot apple cider, dress up with your roommates and turn on a Halloween flick.

However, there are many different genres within the category of Halloween movies. To help you decide, here is a selection of several genres of classic, scary and downright ridiculous Halloween films.

PHOTO FROM TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

'Young Frankenstein' is a comical Halloween classic.

Dennison, his sister, Dani, and his friends as they fight against the evil witches, the Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. With iconic actresses, quotes and costumes, “Hocus Pocus” is an absolute must-watch for a nostalgic Halloween season.

“Hocus Pocus” is available to stream on Disney+.

While “Young Frankenstein” could definitely also be considered a classic, it is one of the funniest Halloween movies I have seen. The 1974 film starring Gene Wilder is about a descendent of Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein.

After he inherits the estate of Victor following a relative’s death, Frankenstein decides to follow in his ancestor’s footsteps and attempts to reanimate the dead. When Igor, his assistant, steals the wrong brain, their experiment takes a dramatic turn.

“Young Frankenstein” is available to stream on Hulu.

Another set of classic Halloween movies are the four “Halloweentowns.” These Disney Channel original movies are about Marnie Piper, portrayed by both Kimberly J. Brown and Sara Paxton, as she goes from a 13-year-old girl to a witch.

“Halloweentown” and its sequels capture the warm childhood feeling of Halloween with fun and mysterious characters.

The first “Halloweentown” is available to stream on Hulu. All four movies are available to stream on Disney+.

The Scary The Classics No spooky season is complete without watching at least one original Halloween movie with your friends or family. These classics are typically older but have held their own over time and are just as enjoyable now as they were growing up.

My first recommendation is probably the single-most common thread between any article about Halloween movies, “Hocus Pocus.” Released in 1993, “Hocus Pocus” is about Max

PHOTO FROM BUENA VISTA PICTURES

'Hocus Pocus' is a classic Halloween movie to make you feel nostalgic this fall season.

GRAPHICS BY JENNIFER McCUE

Horror movies may not be for everyone, but they have become synonymous with Halloween. Whether you love the adrenaline rush of a scary movie or just want to see your friends freak out, these movies are for you.

Although the internet has turned it into a joke multiple times since its release in 2014, “The Babadook” is an essential thriller.

The film is centered around a single mother and her troubled son as they are harassed by a haunted pop-up book. Not only does the movie have jump scares and a genuinely creepy antagonist, it also pushes the stress and pain of the mother onto viewers.

“The Babadook” is available to rent and buy from the iTunes store and Amazon Prime.

PHOTO FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES

'Get Out' features Chris Washington as he discovers the dark side of his girlfriend and her family.

The Downright Ridiculous To balance out the horror films, round out your Halloween movie marathon with a laugh. These insanely absurd movies are so bad they are actually good, making for a fun end to a spooky night.

As the newest movie on this list, Adam Sandler’s “Hubie Halloween” provides an equally fresh and bizarre story about Salem, Massachusetts’s local buffoon. Armed with his thermos, Hubie DuBois, portrayed by Sandler, attempts to keep his community safe as the people who find the most joy in harassing him go missing. This film is a confusing amalgamation of funny moments that is quintessential Sandler and Halloween.

“Hubie Halloween” is available to stream on Netflix.

Last, but certainly least, “Zombeavers” is easily one of the best worst movies I have ever seen. “Zombeavers,” despite having a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, has some of the most atrocious acting and prop work ever seen in a film. The zombie beavers are puppets, but they look more like giant hairballs with white eyes and sharp teeth. If the movie wasn’t called “Zombeavers” I would have doubted that they were radioactive zombie beavers at all. Outside of the ridiculous looking props, the acting is no better than any slasher film, but at least that leaves something for audiences to laugh at.

"Zombeavers" is available to stream on Tubi.

Whether you are looking for a movie to bring back childhood memories, to keep you on the edge of your seat or you just want something to make fun of with your friends, Halloween is a great time to have a movie marathon with the people closest to you, especially in lieu of going out this year.

October 21, 2020

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts and Life|9

Comfort food from the comfort of your dorm GRAPHICS BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

By MICHAEL CLEMENT Design Editor

Too cold outside to make the walk to the nearest dining hall?

I’ve got something to warm you right up.

Throughout my experience living in Quinnipiac University residence halls I know the feeling all too well when it starts getting dark around 5 p.m., and it’s so chilly out that you’d rather stay inside. It’s especially tough when you have to attend online classes around dinnertime as well.

The solution? Make use of your kitchen if your dorm has one! Cooking for yourself might feel like a burden to those with a busy schedule, but I recommend it for a number of reasons.

For one, I find it cathartic to put together a quick meal when I am working remotely for my internship during the day and have class at night. It’s a great divider and de-stresser because it gives me a reason to be away from my computer screen.

Below are a few cheap and easy-to-make recipes for some of my favorite comfort foods to eat as temperatures begin to drop. If you’re someone who likes to cook, I recommend investing in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker because it simplifies the cooking process. These recipes can be made with or without an Instant Pot, so no stress if you don’t have one readily available.

Set your pressure cooker to high and cook for about 25 minutes and allow it to depressurize for another 15 minutes.

If you are using an oven, preheat it to 300 F. Put your pork and chopped onions onto a baking sheet. Let it cook in the oven for about three hours (or until you’re able to pull it apart with a fork).

Add your barbecue sauce once the meat is cooked and make a sandwich or some nachos with it and some cheese of your choice. Enjoy!

Mac and Cheese

Pulled Pork

This is my favorite recipe by far because it is so simple yet so delicious. I made it for dinner one night for my family earlier this year, and they raved about it for the rest of the week to the point where my mom requested me to make her some more on her birthday.

You can alter the recipe toward your personal preferences, but my philosophy is that the pork should be made sweet with a little kick to accompany the flavor of the barbecue sauce.

You’ll need: -Pork loin or shoulder -Barbecue sauce -Brown sugar -Cinnamon -Red pepper flakes -Salt -Water -Medium-sized onion -Olive oil -Cheese -Hamburger rolls In a large bowl, soak the pork in a warm salt bath for about 10 minutes. This will make the meat more tender when it comes out of the oven or pressure cooker and pulls out any bacteria.

Remove the pork and pat down any excess moisture with a paper towel. Then season both sides to your liking. I use a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon and red pepper flakes to make it sweet yet spicy.

Before you put your pork in the oven or pressure cooker, you’ll want to sear as much of the outside of the pork as you can.

You can do this by adding some olive oil to a pan, setting the burner to a high heat and rotating the pork every three minutes until the outside is golden brown.

If you are using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot, add in chopped onions and a cup of liquid so the meat does not burn (I use broth but water also works) and then the pork.

Do I need to say more? I regularly practice the belief that there is no such thing as too much cheese, so I like to load up on it. This recipe will have you saying goodbye to your favorite boxed mac.

You’ll need: -16 ounces elbow macaroni -1/4 cup butter -1/3 cup flour -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/4 teaspoon pepper -4 cups milk -2 cups shredded cheddar cheese -1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese -1/2 cup bread crumbs (optional) Preheat the oven to 375 F and spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.

Cook the macaroni, drain it and set the macaroni aside on the baking dish.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium and stir in flour, salt and pepper until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Remove the saucepan from heat and add 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese until melted.

Pour mixture over macaroni and add remaining cheeses (you can also add more than the recipe calls for like I do — cream cheese, for example, makes for a richer batch) and stir.

Bake for 30 minutes and enjoy!

Chicken Noodle Soup

This is a staple for the fall and winter season, so it’s only right that I share my recipe for it. It’s perfect for cold nights and pairs well with grilled cheese or some potato chips.

You’ll need: -2 cooked and shredded chicken breasts -4 chopped carrots -6 chopped celery stalks -Black pepper -Salt -8 oz. of egg noodles -4 cups chicken broth -6 cups water -Large chopped onion -Canola oil In a large pot, add oil and sauté the onion and vegetables for about seven to 10 minutes.

Add in broth, water and chicken and season with pepper and salt. Bring the pot to a simmer and let it sit for 20 minutes.

Add in egg noodles and cook for another seven to eight minutes until noodles are tender. Stir occasionally. Enjoy!

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

10|Sports MCCLURE from Page 12 an organization called “Globally Known: Athletes Serving Athletes” which is a platform that helps athletes when it is difficult to get exposure .

“I am hoping for this to kind of serve as the middleman,” McClure said. “It can be hard for international players to get a lot of exposure, both college and pro, so this can be beneficial so they’re not as alone in the process. I realized this when I negotiated my own contract and represented myself.”

McClure welcomes new opportunities with open arms, explaining the importance of not shying away from new experiences and being able to be “comfortable being uncomfortable.”

“I found a family that has helped me cope being so far from home. The Irish basketball community has become my family.”

– ARYN MCCLURE FORMER QUINNIPIAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER

“I think a lot of people limit themselves with potential opportunities,” McClure said. “I don’t know how long I will be staying, but I am just kind of taking it day by day, enjoying the moment and expanding my comfort zone every day. I also don’t want to get too comfortable here and stay stagnant.”

Following her impactful trip to Belfast, McClure went to Cork, Ireland, to join the Victory Scholar Program, which is what brought her there originally to play for SuperValu Brunell. The program allows her to simultaneously play and attend school for a Master’s in International Business at the Cork Institute of Technology.

The program is now in its 12th year and provides a unique opportunity to work with kids while earning a degree and playing pro basketball after college. With the competitor McClure has always been, it seems like the right opportunity for her. Just ask Quinnipiac women’s basketball head coach Tricia Fabbri about the type of competitor she is.

“She is an absolute competitor,” said Tricia Fabbri, Quinnipiac women’s basketball head coach. “She did not like to lose one drill, one game or one practice. Her compete level was second to none ... it propelled us to be a great team.

I still wish I had her here, even just in practice, because she was a shut-down machine defending the best perimeter guard on the other team. She couldn’t stand if someone took a possession off to catch their breath.”

While Fabbri not having McClure on her roster anymore is an unfortunate reality for the head coach, she is still ecstatic for McClure and her future.

“The competitor in her seems like, if you can still play and play well, there’s going to be a time where you are not going to have that opportunity anymore, and I love that she is finishing her master’s, and had an opportunity to go back and play.”

McClure was a starter for Brunnell in 2019-20 and averaged 8.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. The team struggled with a 5-13 record, but McClure was a bright spot in the starting lineup.

“It is very similar to places in the states,” McClure told the Irish Times. “It is a huge melting pot and everyone in my classes are from different countries, and with Brunell I found a family that has helped me cope being so far from home. The Irish basketball community has become my family.”

October 21, 2020

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2018)

Aryn McClure was second on the women’s basketball team in total points and points per game in the 2018-19 season.

Smile through it all Jared Mazzola proves that sometimes it’s just easiest to laugh it off

By RILEY MILLETTE Sports Editor

Who isn’t sick of reading about the COVID-19 pandemic? Anyone?

It’s inescapable. Sometimes it’s nice to pretend there’s a world where it doesn’t exist. Maybe have a sense of humor about it.

Quinnipiac University men’s soccer senior goalkeeper Jared Mazzola is trying his best.

When asked about what he’s been doing to stay in shape during the pandemic, he put on his most convincing and serious face before answering.

“I climbed a lot of trees to stay fit,” Mazzola said.He got the whole crowd with that one. Immediately after rattling off that quick joke, he reverted to a serious question-and-answer form.

It’s easy to tell that Mazzola isn’t exactly in his element on a Zoom call talking to four journalists. That’s really no one’s element. But the circumstances of the pandemic forces it, so Mazzola makes the best of it.

Mazzola is entering his third year with the men’s soccer team.

He redshirted during his freshman season at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), then took off for Hamden to play with the Bobcats. He immediately stepped in, starting 14 games. That year, his goals-against average (GAA) was .89, helping the Bobcats achieve their 10-6-3 record and their spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship.

His junior season saw him really break out. Starting every game that year, he recorded a GAA of 1.31 (second in the MAAC) and 81 total saves (third in the MAAC). He took home the Defensive Player of the Week award on Oct. 21, and secured a spot on the All-MAAC second team.

His performance puts him in a position where even though he didn’t start his collegiate career with the Bobcats, he’s in line to be a key leader. You could make the argument that he was a focal point of the defense last year, but this year, there’s little question that he’s a centerpiece of the entire team.

“It’s kind of one of my first years since my career began where I’m kind of like a true authority figure, so taking on that role is kind of difficult,” Mazzola said. “Keeping everyone in check, making sure nobody slips —

COURTESY OF QU ATHLETICS (2019)

Jared Mazzola is ready to step into a leadership role after his first two years at Quinnipiac.

hold on, my dog’s drinking water.”

And she was. He got a kick out of it. Truffle, his dog, went on for a few seconds, getting her fix of water. You could tell just by listening that she was the kind of dog that makes a world of a mess when they drink water. And that made everyone laugh.

“Dude! Get out of here,” Mazzola said as he shooed her out of the room. He then continued his train of thought.

“Trying to keep everyone in check is super tough because a lot of the freshmen don’t know what the culture has been like — yo I’m gonna kill you!”

Truffle was back with a vengeance. She slurped up as much water as she could before Mazzola waved her out of the room again.

Even during a difficult time, Mazzola hasn’t lost his touch. He took something as bleak as a Zoom press conference on a rainy day and made it a pleasure for everyone. He made the best out of it.

Once Mazzola was done giggling, he talked about how the culture has changed since he came to Quinnipiac as a sophomore.

Now that he’s a senior, he feels more comfortable than ever.

But he couldn’t just say that. He had to make the reporters laugh first. “(The culture has) definitely got a lot more good-looking (since I arrived),” Mazzola said. “It’s kinda cool because people have come and gone. Different personalities add different things to the team, so when one joker left, another one came.

Since I’ve came to now, it’s only gotten better honestly.”

That’s what helps about being a jokester like Mazzola. He knows when to work. Watch him on the field and you’ll see his competitive fire. But he’s exactly the guy you want as a leader.

We all forgot for a few seconds why we were on Zoom.

We forgot why the soccer team has yet to touch the pitch competitively this year, and that they would have to wait until the spring to quench their thirst for MAAC action.

Maybe Mazzola didn’t forget that COVID-19 existed. It’s disrupted his entire life: his living situation, his academic career, his athletic career. But the journalists certainly forgot.

Even though the meeting was forced to be over Zoom and almost everything we talked about was related to the pandemic, it was easy to get lost in the conversation and have fun with it. Mazzola is the type of guy to make you respect him by making you like him, not fear him.

And all it took was his dog drinking some water.

October 21, 2020

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Sports|11

Lasting legacies

Quinnipiac alumni Dave Clarke and Eric Da Costa reflect on their Bobcat careers

By ZACK HOCHBERG Contributing Writer

Dave Clarke has been coaching women’s soccer at Quinnipiac University for over 20 years. He began coaching at Quinnipiac in 1999, leading the Bobcats to a 16-5 record and a trip to the Northeast Conference (NEC) championship game. For Clarke, “It’s not about the wins or losses, but the moments.” He has also seen Quinnipiac change from a college to a university and move from Division II to Division I. “It’s not really a culture shift, it’s more of an evolution,” Clarke said. “It’s taking steps to improve the university, not just in athletics but in the schools and programs as well.”

Clarke noted that one of the more pleasant changes has been Quinnipiac’s increased reputation during his time here. He no longer needs to explain where he works now that the school is a nationally recognized institution, something he couldn’t say when he first started in Hamden. Quinnipiac is not just engraved into Clarke’s life; it’s also engraved into his children’s lives. His kids grew up attending hockey games. Now they attend the university themselves. Clarke came back to school in 2010 and earned a Master’s of Science in journalism.

“I think the degree in journalism has helped me interact with journalists better, especially the students ones. I have more appreciation for journalists than I did before I was one myself.”

Clarke’s influence reaches far outside Quinnipiac’s campus.

In 2008, Clarke was an assistant on the Irish National women’s soccer team when it played in the “Achieve Your Gold” tournament hosted by the United States women’s national team.

In 2013, Clarke was named to the Irish Sports Top 50, which is an award that recognizes notable Irish figures in sports. According to Quinnipiac’s Athletics Website, honorees included Tom Brady, Jim Calhoun, Terry Collins, Tom Coughlin , Brian Kelly, John Mara, John McEnroe, Pat Riley and Nolan Ryan.

Clarke followed that with an induction to the Irish American Soccer Hall of Fame in March 2015, which he considers one of his proudest moments. Clarke added that having his family there for the induction only made the occasion more spectacular.

Now entering his 21st season at the helm of the women’s soccer program, Clarke touts a 180-176-38 overall record, which features a 161-160-36 mark while at Quinnipiac. Even with a young squad last season, the Bobcats won their highest number of games since 2016 and earned themselves a trip to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) semifinals. In 2000, Clarke led Quinnipiac to a NEC title and a berth in the NCAA tournament. Clarke didn’t shy away from mentioning the women’s soccer team was the first of any kind in school history to qualify for the NCAA tournament at the Division I level. Once Quinnipiac reached the tournament, it took down Loyola (Md.) 2-1 in a play-in game. After that, Quinnipiac was eliminated by Harvard in the first round.

Clarke’s impact on Quinnipiac is immeasurable. His contributions to the school and the soccer community will resonate long after he decides to retire. A spot in Quinnipiac’s Athletic Hall of Fame is within reach for Clarke.

Dave Clarke is beginning the 21st season of his career as Quinnipiac women’s soccer head coach.

Eric Da Costa is the longest tenured coach in Quinnipiac men’s soccer history.

MORGAN TENCZA/ CHRONICLE (2018)

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE

For men’s soccer head coach Eric Da Costa, Quinnipiac soccer isn’t just his job, it’s his life. Da Costa played at Quinnipiac almost 20 years ago before he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in business management in 2001 and then a Master’s degree in management in 2003. During his time as a player at Quinnipiac, he was the team captain and a four-year starter. Da Costa has since moved over to the sidelines, where he’s been coaching at Quinnipiac for 15 years. He has led the team to a 116-109-52 record and a conference tournament appearance in eight straight seasons. He is the longest tenured coach in Quinnipiac men’s soccer history.

Da Costa mentions how proud he is of the way his team has handled the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It would be easy for us to look for excuses, but they don’t,” Da Costa said.

One of the most important things to Da Costa is making sure his team retains its ‘family’ atmosphere. He added that making sure there is diversity among the players, including players from all over the world, is something that is really important to him.

Even though Da Costa believes that having tradition is important, he doesn’t shy away from expressing how excited he is about how far the university has come since he first arrived. He said the university he sees now is almost unrecognizable from the one he started at, and that’s a good thing.

Da Costa mentioned that even though he’s had a lot of success as a head coach, he probably started a little faster than he was prepared for.

“If I were to go back, I probably wouldn’t do it the same way,” Da Costa said. “I probably should have been an assistant coach for seven or eight years.”

Last season, the team went 7-2-1 in league play to earn the No. 2 seed in the MAAC tournament. Additionally, the club went 9-6-3 overall, winning six of its last eight games to conclude the regular season. The Bobcats will look to improve on that record as they look toward the 2021 season.

12|Sports

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

October 21, 2020

Sports @QUCHRONSPORTS

Foreign family MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2019)

Aryn McClure is hungry for more after her Bobcat career concluded

By MATTHEW NYGAARD Staff Writer

Former Quinnipiac University women’s basketball guard Aryn McClure had an illustrious career during her time in Hamden. She cut down three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament nets and made a Sweet 16 appearance in 2017.

McClure made a major change in her post-college life, continuing her career overseas in Ireland for SuperValu Brunell.

Still, that didn’t mean that she was in completely untapped territory. Prior to coming to Quinnipiac in 2015, McClure attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, New York.

“The school was 75% Irish, my best friend’s dad owned an Irish bar in Queens, lots of my friends came from Irish backgrounds, and I grew up on shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage,” McClure said to the Irish Times.

When McClure first arrived in Ireland in fall 2019, she went from Dublin to Belfast, where she began working with the Sports Changes Life Foundation (SCLF). The program provides scholarships to young athletes in addition to giving them an opportunity to go to Ireland to improve their studies and sporting careers.

Being asked to join the SCLF is a prestigious honor, one that only three other MAAC players received in 2019 in addition to McClure.

“It was important to me to provide insight and build skill sets for young women here through basketball,” McClure said. “I really found passion for developing young student athletes to their potential and showing the girls in my club a different perspective than what they have been brought up on … I also wanted to show people how to expand their comfort zone and try things they hadn’t done, since that matters a lot to me.”

McClure said Edel Thornton, former Quinnipiac women’s basketball guard, can relate to her experience of moving far from home. She joked that Thornton did the “opposite” of what she just did last year, since Thronton came from Ireland to play college basketball in the United States four years ago.

“Her parents are actually right down the street from me here too,” McClure said. “So that was helpful, especially when I was transitioning.”

During McClure’s time in Belfast working with the SCLF she’s discovered there are similarities between the world no matter how far you go.

“It was the day I went to the Belfast Peace Wall that I kind of realized we have so much in common, even if our cultures are unique,” McClure said to the Irish Times.“The first thing I thought of was home when I saw it: the artwork, the political messages, they resembled the street art you would see in Queens or Brooklyn, only for us it’s all about race.”

Being reminded of home despite being so far away may seem odd since she is in Ireland, and New York is different.

Although Ireland seems to be a 180-degree flip in terms of culture, her mom supported the decision.

“When she initially went I was so excited,” said Shawn Dudley-McClure, Aryn’s mom. “I had done my research and saw Cork had a big international student population, and I love to travel so I was all for it.”

In March 2019, McClure was sent back to the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had to return to New York.

While this valuable time at home was good for McClure, she felt she had unfinished business back in Ireland and wanted to return this year.

“When she wanted to go back after COVID-19, I was a bit apprehensive,” Dudley-McClure said with a laugh. “But, Aryn is the type of person who finishes what she started,

which I was proud of. That is how she has always been, very diligent, organized, focused and hard-working.”

When McClure returned this time around, she found that the unique lifestyle has its benefits when it comes to multitasking. On top of playing professional basketball overseas and working with the SCLF, McClure has also started

Aryn McClure took home three MAAC championship rings during her career as a Bobcat.

See MCCLURE Page 10

COURTESY OF ARYN MCCLURE