The Quinnipiac Chronicle, Volume 92, Issue 7

OCTOBER 20, 2021 • VOLUME 92 • ISSUE 7

The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929

Former RA reveals dark moments of the job

DANIEL PASSAPERA/CHRONICLE

NEWS P.2: PUBLIC SAFETY DIVERSITY The department reports fewer officers of color since layoffs in 2020

Indigenous Peoples Day

Arts & Life p.6

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

OPINION P.4: INDIGENOUS DISREGARDED The a dministration needs to acknowledge the university’s Indigenous roots

CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE

SPORTS P.11: MIDTERM GRADES

DANIEL PASSAPERA/CHRONICLE

Which teams passed Sports Editor Riley Millette’s midseason assessment?

Quinnipiac nurse anesthesia community skeptical over program’s closure

By CHATWAN MONGKOL News Editor

Before Quinnipiac University’s School of Nursing announced the closure of its nurse anesthesia curriculum in June, alumni expressed support for the success and potential growth of the program. That’s why they said they were shocked to learn that the school would discontinue the program.

Nurse anesthesia alumni and the program’s founding director Judy Thompson disapproved of the shutdown and questioned the university’s motive behind the closure. They also called for transparency from administration.

Sebastian Fernandez De Soto, class of 2020 nurse anesthesia graduate, heard about the program’s closure through an email and said it was a “shortsighted move,” because the program was doing well.

Graduating classes had a 100% passing rate for the national nurse anesthesia certification exam in 2019 and 2020, and 77% in 2021.

However, the second-time passing rate this year was at 100%.

“It made no sense in my mind,” Fernandez De Soto said.

Class of 2020 nurse anesthesia graduate Josh Neagle said he had a positive experience during his three years at Quinnipiac, especially with the program’s leadership.

“Within the School of Nursing, however, it always (seemed) like there was a bit of a disconnect between our program’s leadership and the School of Nursing’s leadership,” Neagle said.

“There was some sort of friction, or I guess, tension is a good way to put it, that existed.”

Both Fernandez De Soto and Neagle emailed President Judy Olian, Provost Debra Liebowitz and School of Nursing Dean Lisa O’Connor to oppose the decision, but what they received back was not what they hoped for.

“I did hear back but it was a very, it was essentially, ‘thank you for your time, but we’ve already made the decision,’” Fernandez De Soto said.

For Neagle, he said he received an email from O’Connor, which he said looked like a template and felt “very impersonal.”

“It seemed as though she just kind of took a template, added a couple of lines that may have (been) tailored to me, and then sent it my way,” Neagle said. “It was to kind of echo

what I was saying before, a bit dismissive of me, as a former student and of the current students and student body.”

The provost confirmed the university heard from alumni expressing their disappointments. Liebowitz said the closure was a “difficult decision.”

“While the program may be a good program, that doesn’t mean you do everything,” Liebowitz said. “Difficult decisions, some that are strategic, have to be made.”

Liebowitz told The Chronicle in September that the university decided to close the program after it evaluated how to best allocate its resources.The nurse anesthesia unit is one of the university’s smallest programs because its accrediting body limits it to 15 students per year.

Thompson said there were many options that the university should have considered rather than just shutting down. She said several interested parties approached Quinnipiac to offer help financially.

“If QU did not want to bear the total expense of the program, it could have considered shared authority with a hospital or healthcare system,” Thompson said.

Liebowitz said no one else approached the university but rather it was the other way around.

Quinnipiac reached out to hospital-based systems and nurse anesthesia groups for help, however, no deal was made.

“While one was willing to make some commitment, it was limited,” Liebowitz said.

“It did not make continuing the program a strategic investment.”

The provost did not comment on how much Quinnipiac loses per year from running the nurse anesthesia program, but said the loss has been “significant.”

In terms of the limited class size, Thompson said she was told that the small number of students per class made expansion impossible. She said that was only partially true because the programs are capped by clinical experiences available. Nurse anesthesia students are required to have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical experience, which is doubled from what’s mandated for other nursing programs.

“Saving a high (quality) program with over 100 strong applicants each year for 15 spots, See NURSE ANESTHESIA Page 3

2| News

MEET THE EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Sicoli MANAGING EDITORS Emily Flamme Toyloy Brown III CREATIVE DIRECTOR Connor Lawless NEWS EDITORS Nicole McIsaac Chatwan Mongkol ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Melina Khan OPINION EDITOR Xavier Cullen ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Ashley Pelletier ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIFE EDITORS David Matos Neha Seenarine SPORTS EDITOR Riley Millette ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Peter Piekarski PODCAST PRODUCER Kalleen Rose Ozanic ASSOCIATE PODCAST PRODUCER Brendan Samson COPY EDITOR Katie Langley ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Daniel Passapera 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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Minorities make up 18% of Public Safety since 2020 layoffs

By WILLIAM GAVIN Staff Writer

Three semesters after Quinnipiac University’s Public Safety Department (PSD) faced layoffs that reduced diversity, the department is predominantly white, the department reports.

The PSD has 56 active-duty officers: 50 men and six women. Of those six women, five are white and one is Black. Of the 50 men, 41 are white, four are Black and five are Hispanic, according to statistics obtained by The Chronicle from the PSD. Associate Vice President for Public Relations John Morgan denied a request for a further breakdown of demographics.

Tony Reyes, chief of public safety, said while the numbers are accurate, they don’t account for individual officers who have multiple ethnic identities, or for officers’ sexual orientation.

Following the university’s budget cut in 2020 to offset a $55 million loss, the PSD lost 10 officers. All LGBTQ officers, 33% of the Black officers, 50% of the female officers, 44% of international officers and 13% of the white officers were laid off.

As The Chronicle reported last year, then-President of the Public Safety Officers Association Paul Violano, condemned the layoffs, which left the department with just 45 officers and less diversity.

“Students in crises or students dealing with roommate problems feel more comfortable talking to certain people as compared to others,” Violano said. “What confuses us is that President (Judy) Olian is trying to institute more diversity into the university — we understand the economic issues that are going on, but when it comes to safety, there’s no price on safety.”

The Public Safety Officer Association did not respond to The Chronicle’s requests for comment at publication.

Quinnipiac gave all of the furloughed officers a chance to return at some point last year, but it was not clear when. Reyes said “many” of the officers returned to the university, but did not specify the exact number of officers.

While the PSD has returned to about the same size it was before the layoffs, Reyes is considering whether or not it should reduce or increase its size.

“I am conducting a full audit of the department to not only determine appropriate staffing levels, but also ways to be more effi-

By ALEXIS CERVANTES Contributing Writer

Future lawyers discussed steroreotypes around human trafficking, underresporting problems and strategies to help those who became victims.

The Human Trafficking Prevention Project (HTPP), a student-led organization raising awareness about human trafficking in Connecticut, provided the training for students on Oct. 15, at Quinnipiac University’s Buckman Theater. Its purpose was to help the community dismiss previous misconceptions about trafficking and understand ways to address it.

Brittany Bogle, a law student, began by discussing common stereotypes when it comes to victims of trafficking. She said people often associate women as the main victims, but trafficking can happen to anyone.

“There’s not just one single profile for someone who’s being trafficked,” Bogle said.

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cient,” Reyes said. “Ways we can reduce redundancies, and to ensure we are providing the highest levels of public safety services to our entire community.”

The PSD is working on improving community relations with Hamden. The department created a Community Response Team (CRT) to address concerns from locals involving students living off-campus as well as to protect and help students as needed.

The CRT is currently made up of administrative staff, including Reyes, Director of Student Conduct Steven Sweet and Administrative Lieutenant Don DiStefano.

PSD is also meeting with the Student Government Association (SGA) and other student organizations to identify concerns and ways to improve students’ experiences. The meetings usually involve topics such as parking and the New Haven shuttles, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion in public safety.

The two organizations are also identifying

new pathways for students to feel comfortable reporting instances of bias, including a plan to streamline the process.

SGA President Nick Ciampanelli said when he met with Reyes, he told him about student concerns of implicit bias and discrimination from some officers.

“That’s really what spearheaded this initiative ... so all members of the ‘Bobcat Community’ really feel that they are protected and safe on campus,” Ciampanelli said.

Currently, there is only a framework of a plan, but some ideas involve creating an accessible form for students to report incidents, Ciampanelli said. Both Reyes and Ciampanelli, separately, stressed that it is important to remember that the officers are on campus to protect students, and many of them “genuinely care” about the students.

Creating effective communication and an overall better relationship between the officers and the student body is important, Reyes said.

The reason for this common misunderstanding is because not all trafficking crimes are reported, Bogle said.

Statistics from the Department of Children and Families show that women are trafficked at higher rates, but the numbers are skewed due to the unreported cases that occur every year among men. They are less likely to report their circumstances to authorities because of preconceived stereotypes for men, Bogle said.

Despite the discrepancies in reported cases, the basis of human trafficking falls under the same categories for everyone. For a person to be trafficked, there needs to be one out of three factors present: the use of force, fraud or coercion.

Maggie Richardson, a law student, said these can manifest as the use of violence, lies or threats. She said this leads to traffickers normally targeting people’s soft spots.

“For example, they’ll often take advantage of people who don’t have citizenship,” said Gabrielle Anastasio, a law student.

This is how traffickers fulfill their intentions.

They coerce people into trafficking rings with the promise of eventually obtaining citizenship. It’s a benefit to the traffickers since undocumented people are less likely to report any crimes against them for fear of repercussions, per Richardson.

“What traffickers tend to take advantage of are vulnerabilities,” Richardson said.

In order to help those that have fallen victim to trafficking, the HTPP informed students of potential signs to look out for. These include people suddenly have more money, obtain valuable pos-

sessions and are more secretive with those they know and many more.

If these signs are displayed by someone, the HTPP advises to not directly intervene but to report it. Directly approaching the victim may do more harm because they could not be aware of their circumstances.

“Some people who are trafficked don’t realize that they are being trafficked in the moment,” Marina Siegel, training co-chair of HTPP, said.

Personally interfering could also lead to unwanted consequences for those wanting to help.

“Report it, leave it to the professionals,” Richardson said. “You could be put in danger and targeted too.”

When approaching victims of trafficking, Bogle said body language is just as important to make sure the victims feel comfortable and to avoid singling them out.

“Think before you speak and think before you act,” Bogle said. “Be very mindful of your body language.”

When a victim is telling their story and confiding in someone that displays distraught behaviors, it can lead to the victim feeling as though what happened to them is their fault Bogle said.

With a basic understanding of the purpose and signs of human trafficking, Kaylyn Fagan, executive chairwoman of HTPP, says that talking with others about their knowledge of the subject is useful in increasing awareness.

Fagan encouraged students that attended to use the information presented to continue spreading awareness about human trafficking.

Law students bring awareness to human trafficking

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October 20, 2021

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Law students held a panel on human trafficking.

October 20, 2021 NURSE ANESTHESIA from cover with a stellar rate of board certification success is worth it, and, in most universities, the support is loud and clear,” Thompson said. “There has to be a hidden agenda for this decision and lack of effort to try to make it work.”

Liebowitz denied any hidden agenda and the lack of effort to save the program.

“There were efforts over a period of about a year, maybe even a little bit more than that to try to broker a partnership that would make it work,” Liebowitz said.

The two alumni told The Chronicle they would react the same way if they had to deal with what the current students are facing because of sacrifices they had to make prior to enrolling in the program.

Neagle explained that he had to undergo four and a half years of intensive care unit experience, quit his job, give up his income stream and take out a student loan. During the three-year education, Neagle had to complete over 40 hours of clinical practice per week on top of studying for exams and keeping up with readings and lectures.

“To have something like this (the closure) added to that level of stress is just, it’s unimaginable, really, the lack of communication from the School of Nursing leadership has been disappointing,” Neagle said. “Up until your involvement, The QU Chronicle, up until it has become public, (the school) seemed to be rather dismissive.”

Fernandez De Soto, who moved from California to Connecticut for Quinnipiac, said being in the nurse anesthesia program is challenging because it’s a change from being at the top of the field with years of ICU experience to quitting and starting from scratch again. He said

The Quinnipiac Chronicle he would probably be “enraged” if the closure happened during his time at Quinnipiac.

“If we’re looking at it from any standpoint, as a business, as a teaching institution, it’s completely unacceptable that they would treat the students the way that they have been treating them,” Fernandez De Soto said. “I think what makes it worse is that now that it’s out in the open.”

“...it’s completely unacceptable that they would treat the students the way that they have been treating them.”

ferent community outlets such as larger teaching hospitals so the university can reduce costs and keep the program running.

However, if Quinnipiac continues with the closure, he also called for transparency with the students at a base level.

“Sit students down, let them know why they want to close the program,” Neagle said. “If it’s a financial thing, go over the line items. I mean, we are adult students.”

The university already submitted a teach-out plan to the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) for a

News |3 review earlier this month. Current students in the program will be able to graduate from Quinnipiac under this plan.

In terms of finances, the university’s Board of Trustees decided to freeze the tuition and fees for the remaining duration of the nurse anesthesia program. Liebowitz said it was one of the requests from the current students.

While Liebowitz already emailed students an update about the submission, she said she will meet with students again after the COA approves the plan. That would happen by the third week of November.

– Sebastian Fernandez De Soto NURSE ANESTHESIA ALUMNUS What these two alumni said they want to see from the university’s administration is transparency. Fernandez De Soto said he wished the best outcome for the current students because they are the ones directly affected by this decision.

“I hope that the leadership at Quinnipiac can come up with something that they can show and make it public to all of them (current students) and that they stick to it more than anything else,” Fernandez De Soto said.

For Neagle, he wanted the program to endure because he said it is “exceptional” and “wellworth” the investment given the facilities and physical environments Quinnipiac provided.

Neagle recommended partnering with dif-

DANIEL PASSAPERA/CHRONICLE

Quinnipiac University submitted a teach-out plan that will graduate the 43 students in the program, which will be finalized in November.

Graduate students support Hamden community with free health care at the event advocating for breast cancer awareness with the Connecticut wisewoman program.

Quinnipiac University physical therapy (PT) Powell encouraged people to come to a mobile senior graduate students hosted a free health fair mammogram clinic at the center next week. on Oct. 16, at the Keefe Community Center in “Get your yearly screenings so that you Hamden as a part of their capstone project. can catch it early, and we’re here to support you,” Powell said.

Another table at the event was EQUIP Rehabilitation. Rachel Harris, a member of the free physical therapy clinic, said that EQUIP provides community resources and screenings and currently runs classes on campus with the North Haven Senior Center.

“We are hoping that people see that physical therapy has a huge role in wellness and prevention in general and not just rehabilitating from injury,” Harris said.

Nicole Mawhirter and Christina DePaulis are part of the Quinnipiac graduate PT club.

They presented on back and spine health and how physical therapy benefits people.

“We hope people learn some tips about posture, body mechanics and sleep habits as well as some RILEY MILLETTE/CHRONICLE general education on physical therHamden residents attended the health fair at the Keefe Community Center on Oct. 16. apy,” DePaulis said.

The organizers said they hope Organizers offered both Zoom and in-per- tion, chronic illness, heart disease, diabetes, son options. Presentations were provided in women’s health and breast cancer. The fair that people who attended the fair will take care English and Spanish. also offered drive-through child car seat checks of their health and will be aware of the resources available to them.

Julianne Smith, one of the student orga- through Safe Kids Worldwide.

“As future health care providers, we can nizers, said the partnership with the center “Safe Kids did do one car seat safety check was a great opportunity to help out the larger for someone who came from Bridgeport,” said work on getting that community connection community.

Julie Booth, associate director of clinical educa- and practice connecting our patients to the “The whole point of the capstone is to have tion in PT. “The car seat was installed incorrect- proper resources that they need to promote their that partnership and that community connec- ly so they fixed this and the Dad is coming this health and wellness and make sure that they know how to be an active participant in their tion,” Smith said. “That way, we can work on week to have the car seat in his car reinstalled.” identifying the needs of the Keefe Center and Quinnipiack Valley Health District was health care,” Smith said.

Meaghan Johnson and Gabrielle Neiss, both the needs of the community and offer our help. at the fair to offer COVID-19 vaccines. Even We are trying to bridge the gap between the thoughBooth said none were administered, vol- sophomore nursing majors, said they did not community and those health resources.” unteers were able to share information on the hear about the free health fair. However, they believe that this fair would be another way for Smith said as many as 30 people came to importance of getting booster vaccines. the fair, counting families with children.

Suzanne Powell was one of the presenters people to gain access to health care and will be

By KATIE LANGLEY and JACKLYN PELLEGRINO

The center provides many community resources, such as a monthly diaper bank and a food pantry on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There were different demonstrations at the fair such as tabling and presentations on nutri-

beneficial for the community.

“We’re students in the School of Nursing and overall inter-professionalism with working with different providers is really important so I think the more that people know about it the more people can work together and really emphasize the inter-professional aspect of health science programs at Quinnipiac,” Johnson said.

Preventive care was the emphasis of the fair, with student organizers such as Reilly Zajac trying to reduce the amount of preventable illness.

“Even if just one person goes and gets a cancer screen or just one person changes their nutrition so they can stop taking their diabetes medicine, it will have a very impactful and meaningful purpose for the fair,” Zajac said.

Organizers stressed nutrition during the fair by offering healthy food such as fresh fruit.

Meaghan Scullin, another organizer from the PT program, said that many people coming to the fair rely on the food bank because they do

“We are hoping that people see that physical therapy has a huge role in wellness and prevention in general...”

– Rachel Harris

QU FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

not have access to healthy foods.

“We are providing an incentive to come that we have healthy foods, health screenings and COVID vaccines but at the same time we are giving people the tools and the knowledge that they need to take care of their own health,” Scullin said.

Scullin said that it should be a priority for Quinnipiac to give back to the Hamden community.

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44 | O p i n i o n

October 20, 2021

Opinion

Quinnipiac owes more to its Indigenous roots

BY MELINA KHAN

Associate News Editor

In 1950, the Junior College of Commerce decided to expand its offerings to include bachelor’s degree programs.

In turn, a name change was needed, and administrators asked the student body for ideas.

Pete Moore and William Denison, students of the college at the time, lived on Quinnipiac Avenue in North Haven.

The pair decided it would be a good name for the college, especially since the school was situated in Quinnipiac Valley and was once occupied by the Quinnipiac people, Denison said in a video on the university’s YouTube channel.

A year later, the school was officially converted to a four-year college, it was renamed Quinnipiac College per Moore and Denison’s suggestion.

This is a piece of Quinnipiac’s history that is seldom known on campus.

Students who actually know the origin of the word “Quinnipiac” believe our university is named after the tribe. But in fact, it was a suggestion from students based on a street name.

The name showed up on that street sign in the first place because of the Indigenous tribe that once inhabited 300 square miles of land in southern Connecticut, including Hamden.

But nowhere on the university’s history webpage does it mention the Quinnipiac people.

The naming of an institution after a historic group of individuals is something that should be done in honor of them, not just because it sounds like a good name for a school.

Today, administration is still falling behind when it comes to honoring the indigeneity of the land we occupy.

Baffling barely begins to describe my sentiment when the university failed to even acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 11.

While that date has historically been recognized as Columbus Day, colleges around the country have increasingly adapted to celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day instead. Not to mention, most universities have the day off in honor of either of the day’s holidays.

President Joe Biden was also the first U.S. president to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day over Columbus Day, proclaiming it a national holiday this year.

Quinnipiac still held classes.

There was not even a social media post in recognition of the day, like there has been for other recent significant dates like LGBTQ+ History Month, Yom Kippur and 9/11.

This is simply inadequate on Quinnipiac’s part. A social media post, which is not difficult to do, would at least be better than nothing. But our school did not do the bare

Bobcat Buzz You should watch women's sports

minimum, which is beyond disappointing.

Inaction like this makes it hard to believe the university’s 10-Point Plan to Advance Racial Justice is being acted upon beyond marketing purposes. The plan lists Indigenous recognition as one of its points and didn’t recognize the one day dedicated to Indigenous peoples.

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

The Indigenous Student Union (ISU), which works to amplify Indigenous voices on campus and highlight Quinnipiac’s Indigenous history, has in my opinion, made more progress than the university itself.

The organization has hosted educational and powerful events for students to understand the Quinnipiac tribe and other Indigenous people. Its vice president, Gabriella Colello, is making great strides in creating an Indigenous

BY AIDAN SHEEDY Staff Writer

The Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team is on fire.

There’s no denying how dominant this squad has been. The Bobcats are unbeaten after eight games this season, and are ranked No. 1 in the ECAC and No. 8 in the nation.

Unfortunately, their toughest challenge this season has been getting well-deserved appreciation. Even within our own student media, the women’s ice hockey team’s performance has been well overlooked. There was a feature on the men’s team’s practice before anything featuring the women’s team.

The Frank Perrotti Jr. Arena has only held 2,309 people in total this season for women’s ice hockey team games, hosting seven of the team’s eight games, according to gobobcats.com.

In contrast, the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey team had recorded an attendance of 20,791 fans go to its through their first seven home games in the 2019-20 season. That’s nine times more than the women’s total. To make these statistics even worse, the men’s team was only 4-4-1 going into their sixth home game.

That begs the question: Why is there an abysmal number of fans in attendance for an unbeaten women’s team compared to an average men’s team?

A common preconceived notion about women’s sports is that the games are “boring” or that men are “just better athletes.” If you believe that, I encourage you to watch a wom-

studies minor. It was even named Judith Frank Organization of the Year last year.

In an email statement to The Chronicle, ISU said it is “disappointed but not surprised” at the university’s actions.

“As an institution that profits off an Indigenous name, sits upon Indigenous land, and has pledged (from a marketing perspective) to fulfill a commitment to the Indigeneity Initiative through its ten-point plan for ‘Inclusive Excellence,’ we feel that an acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day would have been a no-brainer, baseline level of support,” ISU said.

The ISU added that it “heard the administration’s silent answer, loud and clear.”

A silent yet powerful answer is the most accurate way to put it. Quinnipiac’s lack of an acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples Day is the culmination of my discontent in the university’s diversity inaction. It is incredibly disappointing to pay tuition at a school that does not recognize the origin of not only its name but also the land it occupies.

As students, we must first educate ourselves. Knowing the history of our university, from its origins as a junior college to the way it got its name, is important. From the day the university acquired the Quinnipiac name, it did not do so in an honorable way, but rather an appropriative one.

When you see the name Quinnipiac, understand that it represents a diverse history, and a group of people who were forced off this land hundreds of years ago. When you attend class, hang out in your dorm or hike in Sleeping Giant State Park, keep in mind that the land you are doing it on is not just Quinnipiac University’s land. It is also the Quinnipiac tribe’s land.

As for the Quinnipiac administration, my hope is that it will one day do the bare minimum of acknowledging and honoring the day the way it should, even if it isn’t a university holiday.

I hope that one day the university will acknowledge how it gained its name — that it was per student suggestion and not for historical significance.

I hope that one day the administration will begin to truly understand its obligation as an institution that holds a great deal of power, and reflect that in its actions. I remain optimistic that progress will be made in its biannual Equity and Inclusion Report.

But also, my expectation is that the university will choose to progress in its acknowledgement of the indigeneity of this land, not only from a marketing perspective, but a genuine one.

en’s ice hockey game. There is not one negative aspect of the team’s game. They’re aggressive, fast, quick to score and are downright fun to watch. You can even experience a hat trick, a top-shelf snipe or even see the goaltender score.

This special group of athletes is led by its fearless leader, women’s ice hockey head coach Cass Turner, and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. As a unit, the Bobcats have held their opponents to eight goals in eight games. As a result, they hold a combined score of a remorseless 31-8. They are simply toying with their opponents.

Junior forward Sadie Peart led the way. Peart racked up six goals and seven assists for 13 points in just six games. Among all ECAC skaters, she currently sits at second in goals and fourth in points. I know many fans go to hockey games for the goals. Do you not want to see Sadie Peart and company put up nine goals?

As if her on-ice presence isn’t enough, graduate goalie Corinne Schroeder is one of the best goalies in the nation. Schroeder is the conference leader in goals against per game (0.74), and boasts a nearly immaculate save percentage of .963.

I ask you, the reader, why have you not been to a women’s hockey game yet? Buy a ticket, grab a hot pretzel from The Den and please support your school and its female athletes. They have earned — and deserve — every ounce of the respect and appreciation given to male athletes.

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October 20, 2021

Opinion|5

Opinion Women’s clothing isn’t size-inclusive

Several clothing stores fail to have sizes for the majority of women

BY SANIYA POWELL AND CHARLISE LEBRON

Going shopping for female-presenting people who wear a size 12 and lower is easy. They can shop all over the mall and don’t have to worry if anything is not going to fit.

Even though the average American woman’s “normal size” is a size 16-18, it’s an agonizing and humiliating experience to not find clothes that fit you.

We both don’t wear conventional sizes and understand the struggle young women have faced. We all have felt a wave of emotions during a multitude of shopping trips. These experiences are never perfect, and we are often left empty-handed.

This makes everyone feel invisible and not valued.

Companies brand themselves as being “size inclusive.”

Size inclusive means that companies are producing more sizes above an XL in stores. But most companies are on the opposite end of the spectrum. These brands only go up to a size XL, which only fit a small number of people. According to an article by Hillary Geroge-Parkin, “Plunkett Research estimates that 68 percent of American women wear a size 14 or above.” In most stores, XL is the biggest size.

We understand how most young women feel when a retail employee tells them that an XL is their biggest size in stores and online. We all want to shop in these trendy places like our peers , but are discouraged when we learn XL is the biggest size.

One clothing brand that isn’t size inclusive is the newly launched Kylie Swim. The store was designed to be a new line of swimwear with adjustable features that was advertised with women of all different shapes and sizes. Yet, the biggest size offered is a size 14.

Looking closer into Kylie Swim’s size chart, there is a flaw with the sizing. When looking at the sizing chart in its FAQ part of the website, XL is within a range of size 14 to 16. However, looking at each individual swimsuit, there is a different size chart which shows an XL only going up to a size 12.

One clothing company that grinds the gears of all plus-size women is Brandy Melville. The European brand claims it is “one

size fits all,” which isn’t true. Influencers, parents and teens have called it out countless times for being a one-size-fits-all.

“Brandy Melville’s one size is creating a reputation which applies being small or extra small is a reward for wearing their clothing” said Mia George in a Medium article. Females who are larger than the one-size-fits-all shape are shamed into being an outcast in the brand’s eyes.

Companies like Brandy Melville are body shaming women and telling the public that we have to be S or XS to wear its clothing.

This type of influence on young women causes all sorts of problems in the long run. They could develop mental issues and eating disorders. Images from social media are often the cause of body dysmorphia, a complex disorder which is characterized by one’s obsessive idea of being severely flawed.

Companies have been advertising with what they think are plus-size models who just wear a size 10. While models who are plus size, are being put on the back burner because they are too big. Most girls who are plus size look up to these models but not to the media. Social media and companies convey that being small is better. But in reality, this concept is messing with the young and impressionable minds of American plus-size youth.

The impact of having non-inclusive clothing doesn’t just affect whether or not people on the curvier side are able to get fashionable and trendy clothes, but it also leaves a mark on society.

When today’s youth see people who don’t reflect them and the people around them, they may begin to question themselves. Many of us have experienced personal thoughts telling us that we were too big for nice clothes. Why should we shrink ourselves to fit into a fashion society that wouldn’t accept us?

However, something positive has come out of this. Body positivity is a social media movement about loving the bodies we are in. A recent trend of the last nine years coming from companies trying to expand their brands. Now, companies in 2020 like Old Navy, which expanded their store line from a size zero to 28 in stores. And Target is selling its entire size range in stores.

Future generations of teens hopefully won’t have to experience dreadful shopping trips like we did. Hopefully, they can shop in every store in the mall — unlike most women today.

Yet another NFL firestorm

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

When will the league finally fix its cycle of controversy?

BY MILTON WOOLFENDEN Contributing Writer

When it rains, it pours in the NFL. After the fiasco that was players kneeling during the national anthem, the league has failed yet again to handle a public relations nightmare after Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden got caught in the hot seat.

The NFL is the epitome of a system that allows those in positions of power and influence to evade persecution regardless of their actions.

The dumpster fire started when Meyer traveled to his restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, instead of traveling with his team after a tough 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

A video of Meyer surfaced Sept. 30 that showed him un-

professionally touching a woman at the restaurant, despite Meyer being married for over 30 years.

This is Meyer’s first job in the NFL, and he’s already kneedeep in controversy. If I was Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, I would give Meyer the hook once the season is over, especially considering the team’s horrible start to the year.

If the NFL administration thought that Meyer’s incident was bad public relations, it must’ve had a heart attack when reports came out against Gruden.

This past week, a ten-month investigation surrounding Gruden and the Washington Football Team went public following a story by The New York Times.

The report included around 650,000 emails sent to thenWashington Football Team general manager Bruce Allen from 2011 to 2018. The emails included an assortment of racist, mi-

GRAPHIC BY XAVIER CULLEN AND CONNOR LAWLESS

sogynistic and homophobic slurs. Gruden also received numerous revealing photos from Allen of Washington cheerleaders.

In a press conference following Gruden’s resignation, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr criticized the leaking of these private emails.

“If we just started opening up everybody’s private emails and texts, people would start sweating a little bit,” Carr said.

“Hopefully not too many, but maybe that’s what they should do for all coaches and GMs and owners from now on.”

Come on, Derek. The league would collapse into rubble. I don’t care what these coaches say, everyone has dirt on them.

With the NFL having a long-standing tradition of behindthe-scenes controversy, Washington has to win the award for being the worst.

From the controversy surrounding the team name — and now these emails involving Gruden — team owner Dan Snyder has been at the center of controversy for years.

Allegations of creating a toxic office environment, making misogynistic comments, and forcing cheerleaders to wear extremely revealing clothing have surrounded Snyder since The Washington Post reported on it last year.

Washington cheerleaders also said they weren’t allowed to look at Synder, they had to stare at their keyboard or the ground. If you were late to a meeting or broke etiquette, you would face verbal and often sexual harassment from the Washington owner. Female employees couldn’t be in the same hallway as him.

If Gruden is going to be held accountable for his participation in this secret cabal, then why aren’t we hearing Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder’s names being brought up? In this scenario, Gruden is collateral damage.

While Synder isn’t directly connected to the emails, that doesn’t mean he should be able to walk away from these allegations completely scot-free. It should not matter how much power you hold or how much money you have, you should be held accountable for your actions.

The NFL has to raise the white flag and admit that it has major organizational issues that need to be addressed. The league is complicit while trying to prop themselves up as if it is without faults.

A new era of accountability must take shape in the NFL, and it must start right at the top with commissioner Roger Goodell.

6|Arts and Life

October 20, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts & Life

'I DON'T THINK THAT I CAN DO THIS ANYMORE' DANIEL PASSAPERA/CHRONICLE

A former RA breaks the silence about mental health and the struggles associated with the position Responding to an incident of self-harm, Sugebo witnessed the struggle of a mental-health crisis but couldn’t react, restricting Imagine responding to an incident involving self-harm and her emotions until a professional arrived. RAs are not allowed you can’t relate to, reassure or connect with the person. to directly intervene due to the risk of the student developing an Your title is to “provide personal and individual assistance to emotional attachment. each student and (you) are responsible for the well-being of the “I wish I could have sat down with the person and talked to unit,” but this situation isn’t in the job description. them from a personal level,” Sugebo said. “But at the same time, It’s simple, right? Let the professionals step in and take control I’m like ‘how do I stop myself from having this very human of the situation. However, the gap between suffering and assistance reaction to want to just go and give them a hug.’” is traumatic for everyone in the room. This is what many Resident In a position based on peer-to-peer connections, Sugebo ran Assistants (RAs) across the country encounter while on the job. into barriers finding her own connection with fellow RAs. It was The mental toll the position brings leaves its mark on students, hard to describe what transpired and the emotions that followed including here at Quinnipiac University. her after the incident. She was one of two RAs of color in her College campuses have experienced increases of 40% unit and felt a general “discomfort” disclosing any personal or more in scenarios involving student alcohol abuse, drug information that the other RAs “won’t understand.” use and instances of self-harm according to a 2014 study on “That night I remember, going back to my room and I’ll be RA self-efficacy. All examples of which Quinnipiac graduate like, ‘OK, I don't think that I can do this anymore,’” Sugebo said. student Mahlet Sugebo encountered in her first weeks as a Given the stressful situations RAs encounter they are sophomore RA in fall 2019. “particularly susceptible to experiencing a lower mental health “No matter how thorough the training, it doesn’t really status, or developing a mental illness,” according to a 2015 mentally prepare you for the weight of the job,” Sugebo said. research project based on the mental health of college leaders Immediately put to the test on her first night, Sugebo was and resident assistants. faced with a student experiencing a drug-induced asthma attack.

Sugebo served two semesters as an RA, not returning after She said handling a situation like this wasn’t something she was spring 2020. Many RAs like Sugebo leave their positions due to accustomed to, and that she was “shaken to the core.” Neither is those stressors affecting their mental health. However, for some, what she would witness weeks later. witnessing these types of crisis situations has mental repercussions that can be prolonged if RAs experienced it themselves.

“They're going to develop something like post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Clorinda Velez, an associate professor of psychology.

“It might bring up other difficulties that you've had or you just already had to struggle with some really significant events in your life.”

Stressors are not limited to what you observe on the job but the time crunch as well, balancing being a student yourself while being responsible for up to 70 students.

In an accelerated program, on top of the rigorous commitment to being an RA, Sugebo felt as if she had no time for the DANIEL PASSAPERA/CHRONICLE true college experience — Mahlet Sugebo, a public relations gradute student and former resident assistant (RA), and she wasn’t alone. struggled to cope with the harsh reality of being an RA.

By DANIEL PASSAPERA Associate Photo Editor

“You're going to talk to people about things that are going on in your life and there were times, where I’d say to my friends like ‘I’m sorry, I’m really tired,’” said a former RA who requested to remain anonymous for personal reasons. “‘I’m sorry I’m really out of it, I was up until 4 a.m. last night,’ and then naturally they'd be like, ‘why?’”

Sugebo isn’t the only RA at Quinnipiac to leave due to the mental toll the position can entail.

“I know there are a lot of RAs that I work with that had really, really stressful situations that took a toll on their mental health,” said a current RA who also wishes to be anonymous for job security. “Some of them even left being a RA because, I guess they didn’t know that could’ve happened to them.”

Despite RAs receiving eight to nine hours of mental health training and certification for 15 weeks in a semester, there are resources available on-campus for those who seek further assistance.

However, there are currently seven full-time and no part-time counselors as Director of Counseling Services Ariela Reder told The Chronicle. With an enrollment total of nearly 9,800 students, the ratio is 1,400 students to one counselor.

Sugebo was able to receive help from Counseling Services, but stressing self-care as an RA, or in general, is equally important.

“Sometimes you need to take a step back and recognize that self-care matters, that we have to sleep well, we have to eat well, we have to take care of ourselves,” Velez said. “You aren't ever going to be perfect — that is just not a possibility — and so taking time to say you know rest matters too.”

Two years later, Sugebo is pursuing a master’s degree in public relations. After leaving her position as an RA she has seen significant improvements in her mental health.

“I actually had time to take care of myself in the time I used to spend doing work for Residential Life, which felt great,” Sugebo said. “I was no longer getting exposed to stressful incidents.”

In what is advertised as a financial incentive for tuition assistance with the ability to help others, there’s a lot beneath the surface people don’t normally see — the mental toll.

“I thought that the free room-and-board would be worth it, but I had to remind myself that I'm not going to college to be an RA but to get an education,” Sugebo said.

The Chronicle reached out to Residential Life but did not receive a comment before publication.

It’s not easy being a college student, juggling perfection, extracurriculars and with the added stressor of COVID-19, it can be especially hard. If you or anyone you know is going through a tough time, there are resources available within Quinnipiac’s Counseling Services. There are outside resources available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Sugebo wrote four articles for The Chronicle from 2019-21

October 20, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts and Life|7

The Indigenous Student Union reclaims the narrative Quinnipiac students celebrate Indigenous Peoples Week

By ASHLEY PELLETIER and NEHA SEENARINE

Indigenous people all over the world continued to reclaim their story on Oct. 11, celebrating their heritage — Quinnipiac University was no exception.

The Indigenous Student Union (ISU) hosted a week of events from Oct. 11-15, to celebrate and educate the Quinnipiac community on Indigenous cultures and history.

The ISU kicked off its week of events on Oct. 11 with an “Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration” on Zoom. It recognized the Indigenous peoples of the past, present and future.

“These conversations in this space are particularly important as we walk on Quinnipiac land,” said Kiara Tantaquidgeon, president of the ISU and a member of the Mohegan tribe. “Indigenous Peoples Day is not just important for those with Indigenous backgrounds, heritage and history, but for all of us as it is an integral part of our community on this campus that is on native land and carries a native name.”

The event focused on taking back the narrative of colonization that has been stolen from Indigenous people in American history. The second Monday in October has been celebrated as Columbus Day since 1971. But in 1977, Indigenous peoples went to the United Nations to propose the idea of Indigenous Peoples Day to correct the whitewashing of both American and global history.

“Indigenous Peoples Day is not only about decolonizing the holiday,” Tantaquidgeon said. “It also allows us, Indigenous people, to be empowered to decolonize ourselves by occupying spaces and making our voices heard in a way that our ancestors were not able to.”

The celebration featured guest speaker Adam Soulor who serves on the Center for Native Youth advisory board and is chairman of the Mohegan Youth Council. Soulor emphasized the power of education when unveiling the truth.

“A lot of times just rewriting that narrative — that education piece, because we go through school and we learned so much about Columbus,” Soulor said. “When we’re younger, he was such a great, great guy. He was a hero, but as you get older you start to learn the truth. The horror of all the stories — I think now as society advances we're coming to that point, education is power.”

In September, the Hartford City Council unanimously voted to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. This is also the first time a president recognized Oct. 11 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, since President Joe Biden acknowledged Indigenous Peoples Day as holiday on Oct. 8.

“Our country was conceived on a promise of equality and opportunity for all people — a promise that, despite the extraordinary progress we have made through the years, we have never fully lived up to,” Biden said. “That is especially true when it comes to upholding the rights and dignity of the Indigenous people who were here long before colonization of the Americas began.”

The ISU’s second event on Oct. 12, was called “Indigenous at CT Universities: a Student Perspective” with panelists from Quinnipiac, the University of Connecticut and Yale University. Each speaker discussed the importance of an Indigenous presence on their school’s campus. The panelists shared their journeys through higher education and how the lack of a multicultural environment impacted them.

An Indigenous presence at Quinnipiac is crucial considering the university was built on native land. The university lacks ties with the Quinnipiac tribe and has misrepresented the tribe and its mythos in the past, as seen with the Legend of the Bobcat, which fictionalizes the story of Hobbamock. Tantaquidgeon founded the ISU only two years ago to build a community for Indigenous students and faculty on campus.

On Oct. 13, the ISU took a step away from Connecticut and focused on the Inupiaq tribe of Alaska at its general board meeting, “Kickin’ it with the Inuit.”

The ISU treasurer David Rosenbaum focused on the Inupiaq tribe because he was inspired by their adaptability in the harsh conditions of the most northern regions of Alaska and Canada. He focused his presentation specifically on Utqiagvik, the Alaskan town formerly known as Barrow.

The Inupiaq still primarily eat meat despite some commerce in the region. Agriculture is all but impossible because of a layer of permafrost, preventing the ground from thawing. The tribe’s diet consists of whales, seals, caribou and other arctic animals. They make use of every part of an animal, including bones which can be used for tools and artistic carvings.

“I am insanely inspired by Alaska,” Rosenbaum said. “I plan on, after I graduate, (going) up to Utqiagvik for two years and emailing someone to be like ‘I just graduated college, I want to go into ethnography, teach me how you live, put me to work.’ I believe (the Inupiaq) are heavily overlooked because when you think of native and Indigenous people, whether we like it or not, we all have an image in our minds.”

“Indigenous Peoples Day is not only about decolonizing the holiday. It also allows us, Indigenous people, to be empowered ... by occupying spaces and making our voices heard in a way that our ancestors were not able to.”

- Kiara Tantaquidgeon,

Indigenous Student Union president Tantaquidgeon agreed that the learning about the Inupiaq tribes helps challenge traditional ideas of what it means to be Indigenous in the U.S. “I think from an ISU perspective it’s really important to look at these different cultures and the dichotomy between what we think of as American … and the vastly different experiences that (the Inupiaq have) had in the face of colonization and the different kind of attitudes towards that are definitely important to highlight,” Tantaquidgeon said.

To round off the events specific to Indigenous Peoples Week, the ISU did a viewing of the documentary “Gather,” which is set to come out on Netflix on Nov. 1.

“Gather” is an “intimate portrait of the growing movement amongst Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political and cultural identities through food sovereignty, while battling the trauma of centuries of genocide,” according to the film’s website.

The documentary followed the experiences of several Indigenous people, including Elsie DuBray, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation who is an undergraduate at Stanford University. DuBray placed fourth in the biology division at the 2018 Intel World Science Fair, where she presented her studies on buffalo meat, which her family harvests.

She researches traditional indigenous diets to combat the diabetes epidemic that Indigenous people face. According to a study conducted by the Canadian Medical Association Journal, eight in 10 First Nations people will develop diabetes compared to only five in 10 non-First Nations people. While that study was specific to Indigenous peoples from Canada, the issue extends to Native Americans as well.

Another story from the film is that of Nephi Craig, a member of the White Mountain Apache that founded the Native American Culinary Association, a network “devoted to the development and preservation of Native American foodways.”

Food insecurity is a serious issue for Indigenous peoples.

Native Americans face food insecurity as a lasting impact of centuries of persecution from colonizers that continues to this day. According to Hunger and Health, one out of four Indigenous people in America face some form of food insecurity.

The team behind “Gather” also ran a journalism project from 2017-19, hiring Native American journalists and photographers to cover stories important to food soveriegnty in Indigenous communities. The project ended with several stories published across several platforms, including a story published by The San Francisco Chronicle about the restoration of tribal traditions in northern California.

The week ended with the Multicultural Student Leadership Council’s Culture Fair, where the ISU executive board had a table to advertise their club and an upcoming fundraiser with fraternity Alpha Sigma Phi. The fundraiser is to support the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, a group that advocates for Indigenous women and children, and the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. The ISU has progressively made a significant impression on Quinnipiac, and it has been long overdue for Indigenous presence to be acknowledged at the university

ASHLEY PELLETIER/CHRONICLE

Rania Bensadok (left) and Kiara Tantaquidgeon (right), secretary and president of the Indigenous Student Union, spread the word about the organization at the Multicultural Student Leadership Council's Culture Fair on Oct. 15.

8|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

October 20, 2021

Fairs and Finding Your Place

By ANYA GRONDALSKI Staff Writer

The smell of fried food filled the air as pop music rang through the quad. Within the first 10 minutes of the Culture Fair, student organization tables were crowded by interested students and friends celebrating community.

On Oct. 15, Quinnipiac University’s Multicultural Student Council (MSLC) hosted its annual Culture Fair on the quad. All cultural and identity organizations that are a part of MSLC were invited to table, hoping to showcase the array of identity organizations open to students looking for a home on campus.

In addition to speaking with organization leaders, attendees played cornhole, jumbo Jenga and inflatable Connect 4. There was lots of laughter and hugging and even some dancing, as friends came together to celebrate who they are.

The first 100 people at the fair received free vouchers to the food trucks: Jim’s Ice Cream, Mamoun’s Falafel Cart and Los Mariachis On Wheels.

Jomanah Samy, a sophomore biomedical science major and member of the Black Student Union, ordered soft tacos from Mariachis. Samy attended the fair hoping to have fun and feel included.

“We don’t have a lot of things like this on campus,” Samy said. “I feel like it’s really important to involve cultural organizations on campus.”

Kailen-Jade Wiggon-Brownie, a sophomore biomedical science major and international student from Jamaica, is not involved in any multicultural organizations. However, many of her friends are part of clubs on campus, and she said that being involved in identity organizations has done more than help them find their place at Quinnipiac.

“They go out for more leadership opportunities,” Wiggon-Brownie said. “And do stuff that they didn’t think they could do or thought they wouldn’t end up doing.”

Wiggon-Brownie offered a piece of advice to first-year students struggling to settle in.

“Don’t give up, you’ll find your people,” WiggonBrownie said. “You’ll find who makes you feel at home.”

Sean Doyle, a junior biochemistry major, echoed this sentiment.

“If you don’t have people around you who are like you, you are always going to feel like the odd one out,” Doyle said. “It’s really important to feel like you belong somewhere.”

DANIEL PASSAPERA/CHRONICLE

Kayla Bedford, a sophomore nursing major, plays with bubbles at the Multicultural Student Leadership Council's Culture Fair.

Doyle tabled at the fair with the Italian Cultural Society. to learn more about them,” Thippa said.

The organization decorated its table with a paper Italian flag, Thippa shared that there were added obstacles getting encouraging students to write positive messages and spread the event back on-ground this year after hosting it virtually mental health awareness. Doyle is not Italian, but joined the in 2020, such as new procedures and extra steps required for organization because it was so welcoming. getting events set up safely. But she loved seeing facilities “There will be an organization for you,” Doyle said. and student organizations working together to bring back “You will find people who you vibe with.” in-person events.

Executive chair of MSLC and senior in the entry level Thippa said the fair aimed to help students find people master’s physician’s assistant program, Pratibha Thippa, first like them, people who share their values and identities. joined MSLC as a sophomore when the organization was “It gives more confidence to students to be able to officially chartered by the Student Government Association. express their identity and culture,” Thippa said. “...

“I wanted to be in a community where I could interact Everyone feels welcome.” with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and get

A smashing Good Time Car Club's fundraiser revs up over $300 for breast cancer research

money funds goes to the next Car Smash.

“You can bring anybody to a baseball game, and they’ll have fun,” Zak Polak, the president of the Car Club, said.

“But you can also give anyone an opportunity to smash a car and they’ll have fun. So that was why we thought that bringing a wrecked car somewhere on campus and letting people smash it and raise money would be a good idea.”

Stress and anger relief is not the only benefit attendees get by hitting the car. It's also a bonding experience that “brings people together,” Polak said.

There were no restrictions on how or where to hit the car, and the Car Club provided tools and safety equipment such as sledgehammers and safety goggles for participants.

“Be safe, watch your surroundings and make sure no one’s around you, but when it comes to where you want to aim there are no rules,” said John Marquardt, Car Club’s head of social media.

Participants were allowed to keep whatever car parts they broke off the vehicle as a souvenir.

“We let them keep some of the parts,” Polak said.

“Like if they want to take the Honda logo off they can get that. That’s a reminder of that one time they helped raise CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE money for breast cancer.”

Students relieve their stress at the Car Smash charity event for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

By DAVID MATOS and KRYSTAL MILLER

Beating a car with a sledgehammer is one way to spend your Wednesday afternoon.

The Car Club held its fourth Car Smash event on Oct. 13, in the Hill circle lot. Students and faculty looking for an exciting way to de-stress paid $3 to hit a ruined Honda five times or $5 to hit it 10 times.

This year’s event raised about $350 in cash and Venmo donations. Half of the proceeds went to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and the remainder of the

Former Car Club president Caroline Ringle came up with the concept of starting a Car Smash charity event for breast cancer research in 2016.

Jessica Matson, a first-year microbiology and immunology major, recently joined the Car Club and has had an overall positive experience.

“All these guys are really fun to be around, and it’s for a good cause,” Matson said. “My aunt actually recently died of breast cancer so it’s a topic that is pretty important to me, so I love being here.”

The Car Smash was effective for students trying to take a break from midterms and release the pressure from the work they have been doing the past few weeks. It was welcoming to all students who want to get in on the action.

“It just helps people get that midterm anger out in a fun way,” Marquardt said.

The car smashing brought new students to join in on the excitement and discover more about events on campus.

“I just took a test, so I felt like I should get some anger out,” Sophia Stamos, a first-year entry level masters physician assistant student said.

The Car Club plans to carry on the tradition of the car smash, and if the club doesn’t need the portion of the money in the future they will donate it entirely to breast cancer research.

The fundraiser was originally located in the North Lot but due to a significant lack of foot traffic, the Car Club received permission from Leah Richards, the facilities events coordinator, to relocate to the Hill circle. Only about 20 to 30 people participated the first year, but after the move, around 120 people engaged in the gratifying activity.

It solidified the Hill circle as the event’s new home.

“You don’t typically get to smash cars for fun in other clubs,” Matson said. “I would say, it’s like ‘oh let’s watch this presentation,’ like ‘no, let’s smash a car (because) why not?’”

October 20, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts and Life|9

Highlighting the intersections of Latino and LGBTQ communities

By LEXI PEPE Staff Writer

Quinnipiac University has made various efforts to bring diversity to campus by hosting cultural events, but is it enough? Intersectionality between the Latino and the LGBTQ community is a forgotten topic among students due to lack of awareness.

In honor of Latino and Hispanic Heritage month, Luz Burgos-Lopez, assistant dean of students at the University of Connecticut and the co-founder of Colectivo Bambula, and her colleague, Sergio Gonzalez, a doctoral candidate teaching at Claremont University discussed the challenges within the Latino community, the struggles of identifying as queer and how allies can support the queer Latino students in higher education.

“I also have the awareness and the understanding to recognize that being a white Puerto Rican cis woman makes me more acceptable and provides me the ability to challenge anti-Blackness and whiteness in ways that my Black peers can’t,” Burgos-Lopez said.

Burgos-Lopez and Gonzalez engaged the audience by analyzing terms and definitions individuals may be uncomfortable or unfamiliar with. For example, cisgender is a term commonly used to describe people whose gender identity corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth.

“Being cisgender or passing (cisgender) is considered a privilege,” Gonzalez said. “Of course, those of us who are cis don’t understand what it’s like to be trans or non-binary, but if someone says something problematic, correct them and have a conversation on why it’s wrong.”

Another term that stood out was jotería. This is a term that derives from the derogatory colloquial Spanish-language term joto, meaning sissy, typically used to degrade men. To be queer and bullied into a stereotype of femininity is unfair because everyone has their own individuality that makes them unique. Identifying as queer is not someone’s entire personality. However, jotería has been reclaimed as a word of empowerment meaning, fun, laughter and associated with radical queer love.

There are ways to help these communities overcome oppression, homophobia and transphobia like spreading the word and sticking up for friends. Burgos-Lopez mentioned most people consider themselves an ally, but if you have

to think about the last time your friend has asked you for help, are you really an ally?

Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement said in an interview with Jeseina Santana, program officer of Novo Foundation in June 2016, “The thing I don’t like about the word ally is that it is so wrought with guilt and shame and grief that it prevents people from doing what they ought to do.”

It’s all about stepping down from the pedestal and giving up power in exchange for empowerment and reassurance.

Many men follow the status quo of wanting to be perceived as masculine. Gender is a social construct where we should be able to disassociate from what is LEXI PEPE/CHRONICLE on the outside and focus on how On Oct. 13, Luz Burgos-Lopez, assistant dean of students at the University of Connecticut, we feel on the inside. Attraction, hosted a dialogue about the intersectionality between LGBTQ and Latino identities. hobbies and interests shouldn’t help diversify your knowledge and prompt mutual understanding. determine your gender identity.

“Having a FYS (first-year seminar) that has content According to an article from the Human Rights Campaign, similar to the event would be so beneficial,” said Leeya 37 transgender people were killed this year, with the majority Joseph, a first-year chemistry major. “I know other students being Black women. Burgos-Lopez displayed a graph with personally who would have liked to be at this event but the names and dates of when the trans victims were murdered. can’t because of their class schedule. We have classes like Burgos-Lopez noted that, since article came out, three more were Blackness in Media and Black In Higher Ed but there are no killed, raising the death count to 40. With three months left until to little classes about LGBTQ+, intersectionality, or even the new year, who knows how many more lives will be targeted? Latinx. We lack classes for the Latinx community in general.”

“Seeing how many deaths there has already been this To get yourself more engaged or if you would like to year is crazy, especially since the death count is higher than learn more, here are some resources Burgos-Lopez and last year’s. It is so much different when you are seeing the Gonzalez provided. numbers versus hearing about it,” Olivia Ealim, a first-year The X in Latinx is a Wound, Not a Trend- Alan Pelaez psychology major said.

In The Thick Podcast: Black Trans Resistance During this time, it is important to come together, Disclosure on Netflix making sure Quinnipiac and all communities are safe NEGRO: A docu-series about Latino Identity spaces. Reaching out to friends by asking how they’re doing New Haven Pride Center and what you can do to help makes all the difference. Even The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color attending an event to learn more and get yourself involved can Network (NQTTCN)

A TASTE OF EVERY NATION

The ISA introduces food from around the world at the Global Autumn Festival This event was a collaborative effort that required an immense amount of planning. All the members on the ISA The alluring smells of colorful platters of food neatly executive board (e-board) helped materialize this appetizing displayed buffet-style directly enticed guests while subdued celebration of different cultures. music played softly in the background.

“Everybody has kind of done a little bit of a small part,” The International Student Association (ISA) hosted said Haktan Ceylan, president of the ISA. its first-ever Global Autumn Festival on Oct. 16, in the The ISA presented six local vendors at the festival. recreation center. The Student Government Association co- Each was given the opportunity to share a multitude of sponsored the event. international cuisines with the Quinnipiac University “It was meant to be a celebration of international food and community. One of the ultimate objectives of this event was cuisines across the world that we don’t really get to see that to connect with local businesses. much here,” said Génesis Iscoa, vice president of the ISA. Every e-board representative had an opinion on the types of food and community businesses they wanted to showcase at the festival.

“I really wanted to bring in the local businesses that don’t get supported as much and that students would be hesitant to try because they don’t really know them that well or it’s food that they never tried before so we tried to bring them an arrangement of all of that together,” Iscoa said.

The local restaurants showcased were DiSorbo’s Bakery, Midori, Aunt Chilada’s, Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant, Whitney Donut and Sandwich Shop, and Claypot Chef.

“It’s all about supporting the local businesses that are very authentic,” Iscoa said From rice drinks and cinnamon tea from Korea to quesadillas and miniature chicken burritos from Mexico, guests had a diverse array of signature options to choose from. My favorite dishes were the chicken burritos and Gobi DAVID MATOS/CHRONICLE Manchurian, which is essentially The International Student Association celebrated diversity around the world fried cauliflower. with food from different cultures.

By DAVID MATOS

Associate Arts & Life Editor

To honor the autumn theme of the event, pumpkins were available to any guests that wanted to decorate them with the provided paint and paint brushes, or simply take one to go – only after they finished their free cuisine, of course.

“In my country (Honduras) there’s not even a fall, so we tried to center it in U.S. culture by having apple cider donuts and having pumpkins to paint to sort of bring it all together," Iscoa said.

Though one of the objectives of the event was to bring cultural awareness and food to the general student population, it was also meant for the international students to get a feel of their home here at Quinnipiac. Iscoa said it created a sort of a bond between domestic and international students.

In spring 2021, Quinnipiac introduced its first equity and inclusion report to highlight the strides the university, students and faculty have made, and plans to make, for better cultural awareness and inclusion.

“I think that we as Quinnipiac have made great progress over the last even year or two, that I have least witnessed, in bringing more diversity to the school and enabling more conversations to be held out for different diverse backgrounds,” Ceylan said.

With a majority of the student body and faculty being white, it’s important to show up to events like this that honor the historically underrepresented cultures that make up the rest of the university’s population. Also, who doesn’t love free food?

“I just really hope that students who maybe necessarily wouldn’t be so inclined to check out something like an ISA event generally come out to something like this and taste different cuisines and taste different meals,” Ceylan said.

“And generally just have a fun time.”

The Global Autumn Festival was a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and local businesses while bonding over something everyone loves – a good meal.

“It’s always important to know, to be curious, to want to know more about what you were not raised around and sort of be open to try new things,” Iscoa said. “Because if you’re open to trying new foods then you’re open to talking about the people who represent them.”

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

10|Sports

Scores & Schedule Wednesday 10/13

MSOC lost 3-1 against Iona WSOC won 3-0 against Canisius

Friday 10/15

FH lost 2-1 OT against Georgetown WIH tied 2-2 OT with Providence

Saturday 10/16

RUG lost 26-20 against Brown VB lost 3-0 against Iona WSOC lost 1-0 against Siena MSOC lost 3-2 against Niagara WIH tied 1-1 with Providence MIH won 2-0 against Vermont

Sunday 10/17

GOLF 5th of 11 at Sacred Heart Invitational VB won 3-0 against Manhattan

OCT. 16

PEYTON MCKENZIE/CHRONICLE

OCT. 16

JACK SPIEGAL/CHRONICLE

Upcoming

October 20, 2021

A turn for the worse How men’s soccer can return to form after falling to No. 9 in the MAAC

By MICHAEL SICOLI Editor-In-Chief

What happened?

The men’s soccer team has been the shining light of Quinnipiac athletics over the last year and a half. Yes, both hockey teams have impressed, but soccer offered something that neither of them could — an outside venue.

After a year of resolute restrictions, students excitedly filled the stands to watch both the women’s and men’s soccer teams stroll into the MAAC playoffs. The women’s team pushed, but lost in the semifinals.

The men’s team fought on, paving its own way to the finals as more and more fans returned. An emotional loss to the Monmouth Hawks set the building blocks for a 2021 season built on getting over that final hurdle.

The men’s soccer team set the stage for fans to roar together after a year of stringent COVID-19 restrictions in search of something timeless — a MAAC title.

That’s why it’s so disappointing to see the team that captured the hearts of so many Quinnipiac students falter.

The men’s soccer team kicked off this season with seven straight wins, five of which were non-exhibition games. The winning streak was unprecedented.

Then the Bobcats played No. 9 New Hampshire, and it all went to hell.

Quinnipiac lost 5-0 to the Wildcats, and would go on to win just two of its next seven matchups. It now sits 2-4 in conference and ninth in the MAAC, a conference the Bobcats controlled as the No. 1 seed less than a year ago.

So what’s going wrong? Well, the defense has been leaky.

The Bobcats allowed just one goal per game on average last season through nine games, which included playoffs. Quinnipiac is allowing almost double that rate this season in the 13 games thus far.

Allowing goals comes with an obvious footnote — the team is giving up too many shots on goal. Thanks to the tireless efforts of sophomore goalkeeper Antreas Hadjigavriel, who leads the MAAC in saves, the Bobcats could have easily allowed more than the 25 goals they’ve already let slip by.

They’ve tried switching it up. After primarily running a four-defender backline with strong wingbacks like senior Jordon Bennett, Quinnipiac tried something new by running a 3-5-2 — three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards.

To the average eye, a 3-5-2 may appear like men’s soccer head coach Eric Da Costa is sacrificing defense for offense.

But that’s not the case, despite what a 3-2 loss to Niagara might indicate.

A 3-5-2 puts extreme emphasis on those outside midfielders. They have to run until their shoes light up, transitioning in the upper third to offer offensive width to spread the defense while still rushing back to slide in as an outside back, converting seamlessly to a five-back system.

That’s a testament to a winger’s fitness but also to a team’s

depth. Most college athletes can’t run all day, and if they do, then they likely aren’t playing at their best due to fatigue.

Quinnipiac has a lot of depth but not as much on the defensive end, so why not play to its strengths? Start with a back-three defense of Bennett, and juniors Henry Weigand and Magnus Reistad, who all bring something different.

Weigand is the enforcer and leader of the group while Bennett and Reistad have the athleticism and vision to cover the extra space and play the long ball.

Five midfielders get broken up into a midfield triangle and two wingers on the side. This creates a strong shape in the middle that slides together. As the ball gets swung to the other side of the field, one of the three center midfielders steps up. Simultaneously, whoever is at the top of that threeman triangle steps back to reestablish the base. It requires constant communication and strong in-game IQ, but it’s the way elite teams operate.

Place stalwart sophomore defender Luke Allen, who leads the team in minutes, at the base with graduate student midfielder Paulo Soares in defensive midfield roles. Soares has an endless work ethic that is welcomed in the midfield.

At the top of the triangle, let star junior forward Brage Aasen go to work. It puts him in a position to be a facilitator as well as a goal-scorer — the more touches, the better for the Norway native who is tied for the most goals in the MAAC. On the wings, let junior forward Tomas Svecula and senior midfielder Alex Holle play. Svecula is a versatile talent that could slide up top as a target forward with his 6-foot-1inch frame. Holle has taken a larger role this year, and the North Haven native is fourth on the team in shots on goal.

Those can convert, it just takes some statistical regression.

That leaves the two forwards up top. One plays a bit higher than the other so the defense has to be just a bit more spaced out while it creates an easier connection from midfielders to forwards thanks to the bottom striker checking down.

The 3-5-2 is a good way to get freshman forward Sam McCann on the field. It’s nonsense to keep a player of his ability off the field anymore, and this formation allows him to thrive.

Da Costa called McCann a “natural substitution” to graduate student forward David Bercedo on Sept. 3, and he’s proven to be a valuable asset on top. Pair him with Bercedo, who is tied with McCann for second-most goals on the team with three, to create a good mix of experience and new blood up top.

If Da Costa prefers McCann as a bench asset, slide Aasen up with Bercedo, move Soares to the top of the triangle and play senior midfielder Dejan Duric in the middle. There are a myriad of players who can fill roles on the bench.

This season is far from lost for the Bobcats. They have a well of talent and a true superstar in Aasen. But exploring a change to a 3-5-2 formation could provide a much-needed spark. Quinnipiac will host Monmouth on Oct. 23, another pivotal game as the Bobcats search for a turning point. Only the top eight teams make the playoffs, and a win against the Hawks would go a long way toward climbing back into the playoff picture.

Wednesday 10/20 WSOC vs. Iona 2:30 p.m.

Friday 10/22

WXC and MXC @ CCSU 3 p.m.

FH vs. Villanova 3 p.m.

MIH vs. North Dakota 7 p.m.

Saturday 10/23

RUG vs. LIU 1 p.m.

VB vs. Canisius 1 p.m.

WSOC @ Rider 1 p.m.

MSOC vs. Monmouth 2 p.m.

MIH vs. North Dakota 7 p.m.

Sunday 10/24 VB vs. Niagara 1 p.m.

Monday 10/25

GOLF St. John’s Invitational 8 a.m.

Tuesday 10/26

GOLF St. John’s Invitational 8 a.m.

MIH vs. Holy Cross 7 p.m.

After beginning the 2021 season 5-0, the Bobcats have dropped five of their last seven contests.

JACK SPIEGAL/CHRONICLE

October 20, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Sports|11

Midterm marks

DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONNOR LAWLESS

From A to D, sports editor Riley Millette’s midseason grades are in

Women’s Soccer

Men’s Soccer

A

B

Similar to the men’s team, the women’s soccer team went on a tear to open the season, ripping off five straight wins, but this team was able to keep the success rolling.

The Bobcats sit at the second spot on the MAAC table, looking up at Monmouth who have only one more point. This is a great team with a lot of moving parts that contribute to its success, and to subtract from that would be doing women’s soccer head coach Dave Clarke and his squad a great disservice.

But sophomore forward Rebecca Cooke is the story of this team, and it isn’t close.

Cooke holds the crown for most goals in the MAAC (12) by a margin of two. She has two hat tricks so far this year and second in the conference in points with 26, only two off the pace for the top spot.

This team is special. I don’t believe in perfect grades, but this 10-3 team gets tantalizingly close.

Volleyball

C The volleyball team’s overall record is misleading. The 6-14 mark is dragged down by strong out-of-conference opponents, which are responsible for eight of its losses.

The Bobcats are 5-6 in MAAC play, and have shown some spunk in the last couple weeks. They’ve taken a beating from the heavyweights in the conference like Marist, Fairfield and Rider, but they’ve won the matches they’re supposed to against teams like Manhattan and Saint Peter’s.

Sophomore setter Chloe Ka’ahanui has racked up 437 assists, sixth-most in the MAAC. Senior outside hitter Maggie Baker leads the team with 184 kills, with junior outside hitter Aryanah Diaz right behind her with 181.

Volleyball head coach Kyle Robinson has made it clear that this team is very focused on building a culture and having pride, and success comes secondary. But even in that case, this team has done what it’s expected to do.

The Bobcats profile as a middle-of-the-pack team whose talent is still relatively young. Ka’ahanui and Diaz still have at least one more year to give to the program and have exceeded expectations at their positions.

It’s tough to see any of the MAAC juggernauts being dethroned in November, but this team does have some definite juice.

This team has hit a wall lately. After starting the season 5-0, the Bobcats are now losers of five of their last seven games.

But don’t let the team’s recent woes be the only thing you remember. This team was unstoppable at the beginning of the season, and there are many players to thank for the team’s torrid start, like sophomore goalkeeper Antreas Hadjigavriel and senior defender Jordon Bennett, just to name a couple.

Perhaps the one who deserves the most credit is junior forward Brage Aasen. The Norwegian star has truly come into his own during the 2021 campaign, nailing in eight goals in 13 games so far this season. That figure ties him with four other players for most in the conference.

Seeding going into the MAAC tournament matters, but the Bobcats are too talented to miss out on a playoff spot. The lack of success against MAAC opponents since Oct. 2, leaves too much doubt to be cast upon this team’s future outlook.

field hockey

D There hasn’t been much to celebrate in the 2021 field hockey season.

The most exciting part of this team is freshman forward Emilia Massarelli, an Argentinian international student who leads the team in goals (6) by a long shot. Right from the jump, Massarelli showed that she was capable of commanding the Bobcats’ offense, and field hockey head coach Becca Main has called her one of the best players she’s ever coached.

“I know that there are special players out there, and I’d put her up there as the one-percent, because the team is enveloped in what she does,” Main said after the team’s 3-2 overtime win against Yale on Oct. 3.

And just when it felt like the 1-11 season couldn’t get much worse, Massarelli broke one of her ribs. She hasn’t missed any games, but her minutes were limited and she missed key moments on the field, including an overtime slugfest against Yale on Oct. 3.

The field hockey team plays in the Big East, not the MAAC, unlike most other Quinnipiac teams. The Big East features a lot of high-end, nationally-ranked talent.

Massarelli has been a bright side to an otherwise dark season, and her talent has lots of room to grow on a team in which she is already the focal point. Her potential is astronomical, but while her rib injury is on the mend, the team has struggled mightily.

12|Sports

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

October 20, 2021

Sports @QUCHRONSPORTS

CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE

Set ‘em up, knock ‘em down Robinson: ‘The setters are really the artists on the team’

By MICHAEL LAROCCA Staff Writer

Amid Quinnipiac volleyball’s difficult first full season since 2019, the pressure to be successful has developed a tense atmosphere for the team during its matches. Lucky for it however, when two players from some of the warmest places in the country step on the court, all that tension melts away.

Junior outside hitter Aryanah Diaz of Miami, Florida, and sophomore setter Chloe Ka’ahanui of Honolulu, Hawaii, have both cemented their roles on a Bobcat team that is working to find an identity after losing its fall season in 2020.

Quinnipiac volleyball head coach Kyle Robinson expects greatness from his squad, despite the team being a work in progress.

“Go be like Tom Brady,” Robinson said to his team.

That greatness is generally what he receives from Diaz and Ka’ahanui.

Through the team’s first 20 matches of the season, Ka’ahanui exemplified her role as the main setter by leading the team in assists (423). Diaz has been the true workhorse of this Quinnipiac squad, being second in kills (181), third in assists (128) and second in service aces (19). She has done all of this while virtually never leaving the court, leading the team in sets played (74).

“I have different goals every day when I come in,” Diaz said. “I know I have the ability to help the team with anything I do. Whether it’s setting, whether it’s playing outside, whether it’s playing right side. I just constantly feel like I have the talent and the energy to bring into the court and help everyone.”

Despite being an outside hitter, Diaz staked her claim as an impact player through her setting prowess during her freshman season in fall 2019. That year, she led the team in assists (667), similar to what Ka’ahanui is doing at this very moment.

“I didn’t recruit Aryanah,” said Robinson, who became the head coach in January 2019. “I didn’t see much film on

her until almost she showed up for preseason ... then she showed up, and she’s just a really good volleyball player.”

Robinson has developed a reputation for coaching many great setters and great players in general throughout his tenures at Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn, University of Oklahoma and Quinnipiac. He is credited with coaching four setters of the year and five conference players of the year, among other accolades.

His next player to be up for those awards would most likely be Ka’ahanui, the first setter Robinson recruited as the head coach of the Bobcats, bringing her to Hamden all the way from Honolulu.

“I recruited three Hawaiians when I was at Oklahoma, and one when I was at LIU,” Robinson said. “I love the Hawaiian style, the style of volleyball that they play has an international flavor but with just a different soulfulness and a different pridefulness ... they respect the game on a different level.”

As a star athlete in Hawaii, Ka’ahanui recognized the change in the level of competitiveness she had played against in her youth especially compared to MAAC volleyball.

“So back home, we don’t really have taller, bigger girls, but the competition is still high,” Ka’ahanui said. “We definitely have longer rallies than what we have up here. I think there’s just a lot more competition up here. There are bigger girls, harder swings, a lot more hustling. But, I mean, I love the competition up here, it’s really pushing me to be a better player on and off the court.”

With both Diaz and Ka’ahanui having a couple more years left of their athletic eligibility, Robinson will look to keep improving the surrounding talent he has on the roster to achieve a winning record for his first time as the Bobcats’ head coach and win the program’s first-ever conference title.

“The setters are really the artists on the team,” Robinson said. “They’re not painting a masterpiece yet, but they’re getting close.”

ALEX BAYER/CHRONICLE

Sophomore setter Chloe Ka’ahanui (left) is sixth in the MAAC in assists (423).