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September 15, 2021

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President Toro Announces Campus Changes During Opening Meeting

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CONTRIBUTOR

resident Zulma Toro addressed the unveiling of new construction plans and university goals to the Central Connecticut State community in Alumni Hall on Friday, Sept. 10.

Construction Plans Chief Operations Officer, Sal Cintorino, announced multiple new construction plans for the campus. Among the upcoming building projects was free student-run clinic for members of the New Britain community, which is projected to be built next to Copernicus Hall.

An extension will be added to the Burritt Library that will include new classrooms, labs and office spaces. The project is expected to begin in summer 2022 and conclude in the fall.

Additionally, updates were provided about existing projects, including an estimated completion deadline of December 2021 for the Willard-Diloreto parking garage. The garage will house 600 new spaces and a bridge connecting the Willard-Diloreto academic building.

Volume 131 | Issue 1

‘Afghanistan to Jihadistan:’ Professor Explores the Afghan Dilemma

Dr. Toro addresses the Central community in her opening meeting.

BY MOLLY INGRAM

@CENTRALRECORDER

New Academic Programs New programs introduced included a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and a new academic school: the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Enrollment Worries President Toro shared that enrollment is historically low this semester, with only 9,692 undergraduate students currently taking classes, since 1978 when enrollment was at 11,433.

“Let me emphasize, enrollment is not solely the responsibility of one office or individual,” Toro said. “Each of us plays a role in attracting new students and in retaining them.”

The School of Graduate Studies has declining numbers in all three categories of new, continuing and part-time students.

Central is the only of its sister institutions to see a decrease in graduate student statistics.

2030 Strategic Plan President Toro announced five strategic plan goals to reach before 2030. The goals

are to “ [1] Enhance academic excellence and prepare graduates to thrive in a changing economy. [2] Increase access to higher education and ensure student success. [3] Foster an inclusive and safe campus culture that values and encourages individuals to participate in a free and respectful exchange of ideas. [4] Strengthen stewardship- advance scholarship, service learning and community development for the public good. [5] Assure sustainability for the future.”

Closing Remarks President Toro closed the meeting with a video compilation of students sharing their favorite classes and professors.

Alongside the student videos were old recordings from the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona ‘97 and retired founder and CEO of Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Carol A. Ammon ‘73 speaking about their times as a Blue Devil.

“As we close out this opening meeting, let us not forget what you do for our students, on behalf of our students,” Toro said. “They are the inspiration that carried us through the tough times, they have proven that. Their success is our success.”

MOLLYINGRAM@MY.CCSU.EDU

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BY RYAN BROOKS CONTRIBUTOR

n Sept. 1, the last U.S. soldier departed the harsh sands of Afghanistan to return home. The journey to that climactic moment is filled with intricacy, complication and nuance.

Ghassan El Eid, a Central Connecticut State professor of political science who specializes in Middle East policy, offers his view on the subject.

“You have to go back at least 40 years to understand how we got involved in Afghanistan,” El Eid said. “We got involved after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979... [President Jimmy Carter’s] National Security advisor, a fellow by the name of Brezenski, felt that it was an opportunity for the U.S. to retaliate against the Soviet Union for Vietnam.”

This had numerous adverse effects.

“We helped the so-called mujahedeen, who were mostly Islamist fighters that were trained,” El Eid said. “Throughout the 1980s, Afghanistan became Jihadistan, meaning that it was a land that attracted Jihadist Islamic fighters, fighting in the name of religion. [They] were fighting who they considered an enemy of god: the Soviets.”

The United States did not simply help train the Jihadist fighters; billions were sent over the course of the Soviet-Afghan war to supply the fighters with advanced weaponry able to contend with Soviet armor.

Eventually, the prophecy of a Soviet Vietnam came to fruition. The Jihadists won and the U.S. left the country to its own vices.

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Students and Faculty Reflect on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

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BY THEODORE SHERIDAN CONTRIBUTOR

tudents and faculty at Central Connecticut State faced the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with reflections on those who were lost, and the ways that the event has shaped their lives.

While some have clear memories of that day in September, others were too young to witness it themselves.

Regardless, the anniversary was seen as a reminder of the importance of remembrance, security, service, and education.

Catherine Cavanagh, 24, a CCSU student from Freeport, New York, explained how the anniversary feels as a Long Island native.

“It’s just kind of crazy that it’s already been 20 years. I think there’s still levels of shock that haven’t worn off,” she said. “It shaped everything with how I grew up. There’s a distinction of, like, growing up post-9/11 on Long Island.”

Cavanagh’s mother had worked in the World Trade

Center, and her family had friends in the New York City Police Department and New York City Fire Department, so the tragedy hit close to home.

“I remember going to funerals for months after, and it’s still a very somber day at home,” Cavanagh said.

“Typically, we maintain a lot of silence, and we make sure to go to Catholic Mass. There’s a small memorial service within our town for those that lost, in addition to watching the nationally televised ones.”

Thomas Andrews, 21, a CCSU student from Simsbury, Connecticut, does not have a clear recollection of 9/11 himself, but the event still had a significant impact on the course of his life. Andrews’ father was working at Mellon Investor Services, a financial institution in New Jersey, at the time of the attacks.

“My dad saw the towers come down,” Andrews said.

“He was in New Jersey, right across the Hudson, so he had a front row seat.”

In the aftermath of 9/11, Mellon Investor Services asked Andrews’ father if he would like

a change of scenery considering what he had witnessed.

He accepted their offer and moved to their branch in East Hartford.

“So, 9/11 did shape my life because if it didn’t happen he wouldn’t have been relocated,” Andrews said. “That’s how I ended up here in Connecticut.”

Chris Gutierrez, 53, of New Britain, Connecticut and the Coordinator of Veterans Affairs at CCSU, was working in undergraduate admissions on 9/11 and recalled the swift activation of the Connecticut National Guard following the attacks.

“A lot of the students that were in the National Guard came to see me, and I’m like ‘call your units, because this changes the game,’” Gutierrez said in reference to the afternoon on 9/11 after watching the events unfold on TV. Gutierrez explained the heightened sense of caution that he felt had developed following 9/11.

“Everything became, ‘always look at your surroundings, be aware of your surroundings,’ you know?

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September 15, 2021

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Students and Faculty Reflect on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Before, it was like, you know, ‘pay attention and stuff,’ but now it’s for real,” Gutierrez said. “A lot of people like to think ‘oh, I’m living here, I’m fine, nothing’s going to happen to us, that’s so far away.’

Well, there are people out there and groups that are being funded to do exactly that: come in here and attack the United States.”

Christian Deltano, 20, of Bristol, Connecticut is a student at CCSU who is currently enlisted in the U.S. Army. He explained that while he does not remember or have any direct connections to 9/11, the event inspired him to serve his country.

“Ever since I was young, it definitely gave me an idea that I wanted to join the military in some way or form in the future,” Deltano said. “It made me think, ‘well, I want to do something for my country, whether it’s serving overseas or over here in the United States.’”

Dr. Matt Warshauer, 56, of West

Hartford, Connecticut is a history professor at CCSU. He recalled a clear difference in the general feeling before and after 9/11.

“I think it was a turning point for the 21st century, you know. Here I was, still a young professor, I was a young father, I had two children,” Warshauer said. “I felt like coming out of grad school in the late nineties and starting a new career at CCSU, there was this overall spirit of excitement and positivity... that the world was going in the right direction. Then it was like somebody flipped a switch and it was over.”

Warshauer teaches a class at CCSU focused on his theorized concept of the “9/11 generation,” or the generation of people that grew up during and in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

“I’ve been most interested in the concept of a 9/11 generation, and sort of

theorizing that what so many people have called Generation Z… that they are in fact the 9/11 generation,” Warshauer said.

“9/11 is the event that creates a very clear demarcation between the millennial’s and the generation that follows, and the event that is most resonant in their lives is 9/11.

It goes beyond just that moment, that day.

It’s all of the chaos that follows.”

Warshauer asserted that the United States faces an important challenge in educating the public about 9/11, along with the history and legacy connected to it.

“In my experience, most Americans only know about the 102 minutes. While we do have to focus on that tragedy and on the people, the 2,996 people that perished that day, 9/11 is much bigger than that and Americans need to know more about it.”

TSHERIDAN@MY.CCSU.EDU

Copy Editors Kiernan Foster fosterk@my.ccsu.edu Social Media Editors Coordinating Editor Julia Conant juliaconant@my.ccsu.edu Contributors Jessica Bravo Molly Ingram Ryan Brooks Daijah Ogletree Alexis Dascher Katherine Neilan Theodore Sheridan Xavier Wellington Charles Hosek Andrew Decapua Leonardo Guerrero

The 9/11 memorial in front of the Newington Volunteer Fire Department.

THEODORE SHERIDAN

Students Divided on Mask Mandate

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BY JESSICA BRAVO CONTRIBUTOR

ome students at Central Connecticut State say that the mask mandate this semester is unfair and unnecessary.

Over the summer, Central announced that all students would be required to get vaccinated to attend on-campus classes.

Last semester, President Dr. Zulma Toro announced that the fall 2021 semester will return to a near-normal campus. This caused many Central students to believe that if they get vaccinated, they would no longer have to wear a mask. The new mandate has upset some students.

“I’m not anti-mask,” Sean Oushana, a senior at Central, said. “I am perfectly okay with people wearing a mask if they are comfortable with that. There just shouldn’t be a mandate to wear a mask.”

Oushana, vice president of Central’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, started a petition on Change.org asking Central to change their policies, like wearing a mask if vaccinated. “Within a week, the petition had around 700 signatures,” he said.

Oushana said that since Central promised in spring 2021 that the campus would go back to a “normal semester,” it’s only fair to keep their promise.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those who are vaccinated have a reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 or the Delta variant. The CDC’s website said the vaccine isn’t perfect, and there are cases where those who are vaccinated can still contract COVID-19. Because of this, the CDC recommends that

people still wear their masks indoors.

“On the off chance people do test positive [once vaccinated], the chances of you having symptomatic COVID and being able to transmit it is extremely low,” he said.

Oushana continued, saying that the mask mandate is adding an “unnecessary constraint to campus life.” There’s a lot of social interaction that comes with facial cues,” he said. “When you’re trying to meet people for the first time, it’s hard when you’re cutting out half of that language.”

Jenna Noce, a sophomore at Central from North Haven, said she likes Central’s mask mandate this semester.”I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect ourselves and others from COVID,” she said.

“So, I think this is a good way to hold everyone responsible. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

Noce said though the university made a good call on the mask mandate, she is unhappy that some students get non-medical exemptions from getting the COVID shot.

“It’s disappointing,” she said. “I believe it isn’t fair to other students who went through the trouble to get vaccinated. Other students are going to get out of it and then rely on the vaccinated students to not get sick.”

In response to students who are unhappy with Central’s mask mandate, Noce said people should forget that it is annoying to them and focus on the “bigger picture”. “You should think about the people who need you to wear that mask most,” she said. “I think that’s a great way to encourage yourself and other people to wear it.”

JNBRAVO@MY.CCSU.EDU

3 September 15, 2021

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‘Afghanistan to Jihadistan:’ Professor Explores the Afghan Dilemma

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

This, according to El Eid, left a power vacuum in Afghanistan from which the Taliban were direct beneficiaries.

“When you have a power vacuum, the warring factions are going to try to settle the score. Who’s going to be in charge?”

By this time, the Islamic doctrine of Wahhabism was already at the core of the Taliban’s belief. Wahhabism is essentially a strict interpretation of Islam, where the act of dying for god guarantees one a place in the kingdom of heaven.

Armed with this doctrine, the Taliban usurped the power vacuum and came into power in the late 90s.

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the Taliban’s deep connections with al Queda—the organization behind the attacks—came into public view. “The Taliban basically were partnering with Bin Laden, they allowed him to establish training facilities [in Afghanistan], offered him shelter [and] he had close ties with Mohammed Omar, who was the leader of the Taliban at that time in 2001.”

Armed with this information, along with the full force of the U.S. military, President George W. Bush invaded Afghanistan in 2001, ousting the Taliban from power.

However, the war never truly ended.

Though al Queda was severely weakened over the course of the last 20 years, terrorism is still a constant. “You have to keep in mind that terrorism is a special type of warfare.

You’re not talking about conventional war. Here, you’re fighting an enemy that is almost invisible, it is a non-state actor, they are highly mobile, and for al Qaeda, of course, you’re talking about an organization that has a structure that is cellular, which means that it is composed of various cells scattered all across the world,” El Eid said.

This cold reality puts into question the very reasons for going into Afghanistan in such a conventional way. El Eid says that precise, targeted operations carried out by U.S. special forces would have been more useful than the invasion of 2001.

Moreover, the Afghan government that the U.S. spent billions of dollars to maintain was proven to be ineffective and, in certain regards, corrupt. “We trained this army

of individuals who saw serving the army as not a duty to protect the homeland, but as an opportunity to make money. They were not disciplined, many of them were drug addicts, and there were questions about their loyalty to the government. And the army put no resistance what so ever,” El Eid said.

With the Taliban now firmly back in power after the U.S.-backed Afghan government collapsed, many are raising concerns about how extreme the new Taliban government will be, particularly in the area of women’s rights.

“How they behave, not what they say,” El Eid said.

“They say they have changed, and are more open now, but we’ll see how they behave, what type of government they create, if the government they are going to form is going to be inclusive, not only as far as women are concerned, but also other leaders who might represent other tribes, so if they are willing to include others, and believe in the power-sharing concept of government, then that would be a positive sign.” Senator says let’s do this and everybody just agrees,” Kuo said.

At-Large SGA Senator Johanna Zukowski agrees that the club no longer functions as smoothly as it could or did in the past.

“This is my fourth year in the Senate,” Zukowski said.

“I’ve seen [the SGA] at full membership and full function, and right now, it’s not.”

Zukowski said that many of the SGA’s committees have no chairs or vice-chairs, including the committee assigned to run the elections last week, whose initial chair and vicechair resigned.

Much like Kuo, the Senator attributed some of the resignations to the new realities brought on by the pandemic.

“There are a lot of [difficulties] in the sense that we used to be able to promote with posters and conversation and be able to walk to the Department of Student Activities for help.

Everything is online now, which makes [communication] that much harder,” Zukowski said.

In an effort to gain more members, Kuo, and others, suggested the SGA hold a special election in which there

would be a major social media campaign to get students to run for office, which would include reaching out to other clubs, dorm directors and professors.

On a positive note, the club is attempting to move forward with a variety of social justice initiatives. These initiatives include a possible 3-D diversity sculpture mural on campus and sending CCSU students to a diversity inclusion conference to speak.

However, emblematic of the struggles the club has faced this semester, both members of the committee assigned to handle this, have resigned.

“This is my fourth year in the Senate,” Zukowski said.

“I’ve seen [the SGA] at full membership and full function, and right now, it’s not.”

Zukowski said that many of the SGA’s committees have no chairs or vice-chairs, including the committee assigned to run the elections last week, whose initial chair and vicechair resigned.

Much like Kuo, the Senator attributed some of the resignations to the new realities brought on by the pandemic.

“There are a lot of [difficulties] in the sense that we used to be able to promote with posters and conversation and be able to walk to the Department of Student Activities for help.

Everything is online now, which makes [communication] that much harder,” Zukowski said.

In an effort to gain more members, Kuo, and others, suggested the SGA hold a special election in which there would be a major social media campaign to get students to run for office, which would include reaching out to other clubs, dorm directors and professors.

On a positive note, the club is attempting to move forward with a variety of social justice initiatives. These initiatives include a possible 3-D diversity sculpture mural on campus and sending CCSU students to a diversity inclusion conference to speak.

However, emblematic of the struggles the club has faced this semester, both members of the committee assigned to handle this, have resigned.

RBROOKS@MY.CCSU.EDU

Central’s Community Reacts to Vaccination Guidelines

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BY ALEXIS DASCHER & DAIJAH OGLETREE CONTRIBUTORS

entral Connecticut State is holding 90 percent of its classes on-ground this semester and the Board of Regents enforced students and faculty to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption prior to arriving on campus.

Residents, commuters and athletes will be tested for COVID-19, while also be required to wear face masks indoors and outdoors to comply with health and safety guidelines.

To maintain social distancing guidelines in the classroom, student’s desks must be

three feet apart from one another. “[Holding classes in person again] is a better educational experience for us all to be in the classroom,” Professor Burlin Barr, Head of the English Department and Cinema Studies program coordinator, said. “I am following the guidance provided to us by the university which is very clear and reasonable.”

He added that he is positive about next semester being on campus. “I do not see the re-entry into the new semester as problematic in the least, and I look forward to it,” Barr said.

Central has reconfigured its classrooms into a safe and enjoyable workplace that students and faculty can comfortably

New student opts to get the vaccine after orientation.

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accommodate to.

Classrooms have been successfully modified to stop the spread of COVID-19 by relocating desks, chairs and taking out various pieces of equipment.

“The design of the classes has been similar to what it would be in a regular semester,” math professor Frederic Latour said.

Latour added that in-person classes continue to be unpredictable. “The big challenge is just the uncertainty,” Latour continued.

Physical spacing has been properly laid out for the classroom by Sal Cintorino, the Chief of Operations. Social distancing regulations continue to be adjusted as CCSU attempts social gatherings outside of the classroom.

With the rise of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), CCSU may be looking to do more than change their on-campus classroom policies.

With more students returning to campus housing in the fall 2021 semester, the issue of where to hold the campus activities arises and to keep students amused as they focus on studies while maintaining a safe environment.

The Student Government Association (SGA), is one of the many clubs and organizations on campus that are taking the extra steps to ensure safety.

“The SGA is operating hybrid this year. We have an on-ground space with a tech setup for

our weekly meetings,” SGA President, Nicole Elsinger, said. “This way, if anyone is feeling unwell but still wishes to attend a meeting, they can participate online. The amount of exclusively in-person functions will be kept to a minimum for the safety of our Senators and the student body.”

Unfortunately, with strict safety precautions now being in effect, some events being held by organizations, specifically SGA, could no longer allow mass groups of people, now that they have to abide by the capacity limit.

“We reached the maximum capacity at our Devil’s Den last week and started turning students away to ensure we followed safety guidelines,” Elsinger said. “Students were also not allowed to re-enter the event once they left and mask-wearing was enforced where necessary.”

“It’s completely reasonable to be apprehensive about joining the Student Government right now. The Delta variant is a very real and serious concern, and everyone’s health and safety is a priority,” Elsinger said. “The SGA has the means to function fully online. Rest assured that the online infrastructure will not be going away because the university is transitioning back on-ground.

ADASCHER@MY.CCSU.EDU DAIJAHOGLETREE@MY.CCSU.EDU

4 September 15, 2021

NEWS

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Elihu Burritt Library Updates Policies

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BY RYAN BROOKS CONTRIBUTOR

ince the start of the pandemic, Central Connecticut State Elihu Burritt Library has implemented a litany of safety restrictions. Now the library adjusts to a new normal, as many previous limitations are lifted, and students return to campus.

“We’re happy to be back open to the students… we’re here now, fullfledged,” Carl Antonucci, Director of Library Services at Elihu Burritt Library said.

Director Antonucci extolled the services provided by the library to students and faculty; some of them older like the library’s vast collection of books—also known as “stacks”— and newer ones, cultivated during the past year when more strict COVID-19 guidelines were in place.

Online options include access to electronic books and media, as well as academic, news and magazine articles.

In addition, there is an interlibrary loan system, where students can request books or other materials not found in the Elihu Burritt library and have them delivered to them

electronically.

A newer resource available to students is “Book a Librarian,” where a librarian will actually assist the student — one on one — with research.

“Book a librarian, and we’ve done this through COVID, is where there is a half-hour or more session where you can ask the librarian any type of question on research,” Antonnuci said. “So say you’re doing a psychology research paper, you ask the librarian and they could do customized research with you,” Director Antonucci continued,” this can be done online or in person, we actually have a computer at the reference desk now where the librarian will sitting at one desk and you’ll be sitting further away, and what’s on their computer is on yours, so they’ll be able to walk you through all of [what you need].”

More traditional Elihu Burritt library services, like printing and scanning, are available to students and faculty on the first, second and fourth floors. However, unlike years previous, students must place money

on their bluechip card before printing.

A single-sided black and white page is 10 cents.

The library is also a top destination for students to study, providing a number of quiet study spaces.

However, library staff has noticed a lack of adherence to COVID mask and food protocols established by Central’s fall COVID blueprint.

“We’re glad that everybody is back,” Antonucci said, “the only thing we ask is that everybody follows the rules that were established by CCSU’s blueprint.”

At a Student Government Association (SGA) meeting last week, Senator Ana Cruz, who also works at the Elihu Burritt Library, brought the issue up to Professor John Tully, who is serving as the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs.

“I work at the library and we’ve been kind of short-staffed, and with the mask policy now, a lot of people are going into the library with food and drink and not keeping their mask on, and I wanted to suggest that we get a little bit of support from the student

ambassadors... because it’s becoming a little bit cumbersome sitting at the desk and constantly having to attend to that instead of helping students,” Cruz said.

Tully agreed with Cruz, saying, “The library is the first place we’re sending our student ambassadors.

We realize there’s an issue, and we want to make sure students feel safe to do research, do some homework, do some reading, in a quiet place, and we want to make sure that that’s the safest possible place for them.”

Aside from the issues of masking, food and drink, the library has been operating in full, attending to the issues and concerns of students.

“We’ve been getting a lot of questions, which is great, directional questions, computer questions, because you have to realize that there’s the freshman who are coming in, but also the sophomores who were not here last year.” Antonnuci said. “We’re trying our best, it’s like opening anew again, but we’re trying our best here in the library to meet the needs of [students and faculty] as they come.”

RBROOKS@MY.CCSU.EDU

Barnard Hall Reopens After Years of Renovations

BY XAVIER WELLINGTON CONTRIBUTOR

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arnard Hall reopened at the start of the fall 2021 semester at Central Connecticut State University, with new renovations for the building still planned.

Plans of Barnard Hall’s expansion have been in the works since May of 2017. The estimated cost of the project was around $22,000,000, according to facilities management. However, COVID-19 significantly impacted these costs, which lengthened the building process.

Dr. Cherie King, the department chair of counselor education and

family therapy, gave insight as to why the renovation was necessary.

“The original building was old,” King said. “It was built around the 1950’s.”

King went on to explain that Barnard Hall contained asbestos, which was a health hazard.

Barnard Hall also needed the expansion because many of the office spaces were, according to King, the size of closets.

The counseling department in particular required more office spaces.

Barnard Hall now contains classrooms and numerous offices with extended space to accommodate private or public meetings. Classes are currently

The exterior of Barnard Hall after its renovation and expansion.

being held in the building, and it houses the School of Education and Professional Studies, which had been temporarily located in Carroll Hall through most of the renovation process.

Located near the main entrance, there is a recently added meeting room large enough to accommodate two large tables, each one seating approximately 20.

A pullout divider between the two tables is designed to split the room into two halves if needed.

The Literacy Center is located on the second floor. The center is staffed with graduate students at Central who are certified to help children and adolescents who have reading difficulties.

XAVIER WELLINGTON

A recently renovated computer lab in Barnard Hall.

XAVIER WELLINGTON

On the fourth floor, there are Macinnis, a CCSU junior who is social work offices that are not majoring in social work said. She entirely completed just yet. also told The Recorder how she Faculty are pleased with the likes that there are enough charging new renovations. Peg Donohue, stations and space for everyone. associate professor of counselor The first departments to move education and family therapy is one into Barnard Hall after its opening of these faculty members. are social work, special education “I have been at CCSU for several and teacher education. Education years, and this is the nicest office,” leadership and the dean of the Donohue said. “By and large, the department will be the last to move furniture is very nice and I am in. looking forward to welcoming CCSU facilities expect to put the students to the office.” finishing touches on the building Students have also noticed the by the end of the school year by new architecture of the building. finalizing all the social workrooms “It came out nice. I like the on the last floor. design of the floor,” Jordan XWELLINGTON@MY.CCSU.EDU

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5 September 15, 2021

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Music Bingo Fills Semesters To Capacity

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BY JULIA CONANT

COORDINATING EDITOR

he Student Government Association (SGA) of Central Connecticut State University hosted the first Devil’s Den event of the semester.

“Music Bingo” took place on Thursday, Aug. 26 in Semesters. Instead of numbers, each bingo card was full of popular song titles. A DJ at the front of the room played snippets of songs one by one, and students crossed off titles on their cards. The catch was that students had to figure out the name of the song that was playing, because the answer was not always given.

SGA Vice President Olanrewaju Olamuyiwa said that SGA collaborated with Student Activities and Leadership Development to come up with the idea to host Music Bingo.

“I am glad that students were able to come together for a fun time,” Olamuyiwa said. “It was very nice to see students who may not have known each other prior to the event, work together to try and figure out the titles of the songs. It sounded like a lot of students were having a really good time while playing.”

Each round, every student was provided with a paper that had two bingo sheets printed on it. Rounds one and two consisted of pop music, and round three was dedicated to rap and R&B. Some rounds contained songs with similar song titles, so students also had to be attentive. For example, both Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” and Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” were on the same card. In another round, both Eminem’s “Lose Yourself ” and Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself ” were played.

Upon entering Semesters, students were presented with free items such as SGA masks, shirts and fanny packs. Food vouchers were also provided for the nacho truck parked outside of the Student Center.

Shortly after 10 p.m., Semesters was filled to capacity.

Students who arrived later had to be turned away at the door to ensure social distancing could be maintained.

Students inside Semesters were not allowed to come back in after leaving, for the same reason.

“I felt that the huge turnout really helped to bring students closer together,” Olamuyiwa said. “After having gone through an entire school year that was virtual, I

Students at SGA’s Music Bingo put their hands in the air during DJ Khaled’s “All I Do is Win.”

feel that it was very important to have this event to make students feel like we are a physical campus community again.”

Some of the songs played during bingo caused students to sing, dance or simply put their hands in the air. In those cases, the DJ played the song longer than he normally would, allowing everyone to enjoy.

Prizes were given away to winners, such as a self-care gift basket, a speaker and a TV. For those who may have missed bingo, SGA is currently working on other event ideas.

“SGA has plans for future events to welcome students

JULIA CONANT

back to a sense of normalcy,” Olamuyiwa said. “We will be partnering with IRC and CAN for multiple events this year like the Pep Rally, which is going to be a really big one with lots of giveaways, fun games and plenty of food and apparel, so please don’t miss it.”

Anyone who is interested in getting involved with SGA can either register to be part of the senate, or attend weekly senate meetings. There, they can voice any questions or concerns.

Follow @ccsusga and @ccsusald for more updates on coming events.

JULIACONANT@MY.CCSU.EDU

OPINION

“Donda” Versus “Certified Lover Boy”

I

BY CHARLES HOSEK CONTRIBUTOR

f you haven’t heard of either of these two albums, then I’m sorry, you’ve been living under a rock.

Kanye and Drake, two music industry giants, have been catching us in the crossfire with their discourse, leaving hip hop fans with two full-length albums and a leak to dictate who landed the harder hit.

Both of these projects took months if not years to come out, and fans have had lots of time to build up anticipation for their sudden releases.

But the beef between the two dates back to Drake’s first album, when Kanye helped produced “Find Your Love” in 2010— you’ve probably heard of it, that song was everywhere.

This would eventually lead the experienced Kanye to worry about the younger Drake’s success, as younger rappers tend to replace the older ones on the charts.

Since then, the two have spent 12 years playing 4D-Chess, one-upping and outmaneuvering one another.

Their relationship has caused them to push each other creatively, and they even teased a joint album together once.

But their escalating competitiveness

made things incompatible, which went as far as to call out Drake’s secret son.

With such poisonous shots affecting the direction of their careers, it’s impossible to dive deep into their discography without avoiding the drama.

Now, at the tail end of the pandemic, the tensions were reignited after Drake’s feature on Trippie Redd’s “Betrayal.” Meanwhile, Kanye took nearly an entire month to release “Donda.” After his first listening party on August 4, he set up a makeshift studio inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where he performed making last-minute edits, refusing to release his largest project to date.

Another live stream occurred on August 27 with a similar outcome.

For Kanye fans, it was agonizing, but unsurprising, as it’s on-brand for his creative work method. It all came together on a Sunday morning; “Donda” was released on August 29th. A day after, Drake announced that “Certified Lover Boy” would be released at the end of the week.

“Donda,” Kanye’s 10th studio album, is a grandiose 27 track album in the name of his late mother. It has gospel, it has bangers and it seems to take a little bit from everything from his discography, from “Yeezus” to “Jesus is King.”

Despite this, it’s one of Kanye’s most consistent albums quality-wise to date, which isn’t much on its own merit, but it’s a comforting sign after some of Kanye’s most erratic and bipolar years in music.

The album contains tons of features and guest producers to accommodate for its 109 minute run time, such as The Weekend on “Hurricane,” Playboi Carti on “Junya” and a posthumous Pop Smoke track “Tell The Vision.”

Being the largest album to debut this year and not just in run time, you couldn’t say that Kanye didn’t push himself.

“Certified Lover Boy” is Drake’s sixth studio album, where he starts to embrace the fatherhood aspect of his life while maintaining enough distance to rap about the impulsive lifestyles of rap-stardom.

It’s more low-key than “Scorpion,” containing mostly R&B chops with a delivery closer to his 2016 album “Views.”

The album includes features from Future on “Way 2 Sexy” and “Knife Talk,” Ty Dolla $ign on “Get Along Better” and Kid Cudi on “IMY2.” If you’ve been a fan of Drake’s stuff for the past five years, you’re definitely gonna recognize these sounds as Drake’s approach on this record is not nearly as experimental as Kanye’s; but it’s notable how much Drake has been influenced by

this drama put out against him.

The story would end here once the albums finished, but Drake saw fit to reveal an unfinished and unreleased track from Kanye’s album called “Life of the Party.”

André 3000’s feature was heartwrenching as he talks to his deceased mother through the late Donda West. It’s speculated that Drake’s intention was to make his own album more appealing by releasing an unfinished track, but unbeknown to him most of his critics preferred this leak over his whole album, which is hilarious.

I’ve listened to both artists extensively in the past weeks, and I’ve enjoyed both.

However, it’s been hard to stay neutral while all the fans are completely engaged in comparisons; and they’ve had good reasons too because “Donda” was clearly the better album.

Despite whatever your opinions are, you have to admit that hip-hop fans have been eating good. As fans, it’s helpful to understand that we’re the ones that get to sit back and enjoy the greatness. But are either of these projects worthy of being the album of the year? Well, no, Little Simz latest album “I Might Be Introvert,” released the same week, was still better than both of them, but those are just my thoughts.

CHARLES.HOSEK@MY.CCSU.EDU

6 September 15, 2021

LIFESTYLE

THE RECORDER

RECentral Releases Fitness Class Schedule

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BY JULIA CONANT COORDINATING EDITOR

ast week, RECentral announced their fitness classes for the fall 2021 semester. They offer a wide variety of classes several times during the day, Monday through Friday. Any students looking to get a structured workout or meet their peers should consider signing up for a class. Below you’ll find a description of each of the courses and the times they’re offered.

Bodyweight and Core Looking to gain some muscle? Join fitness instructor Thaea for a Bodyweight and Core class.

“Moderate-level class with some standing bodyweight exercises and some mat-based floor exercises,” the RECentral description reads. “Targets all major muscle groups.”

Bodyweight and Core meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:45-2:30 p.m.

Bootcamp In addition to teaching Bodyweight and Core, Thaea also instructs a Bootcamp class.

The nature of the class is intense, so bring a towel and a water bottle.

“Challenge yourself and improve your strength and fitness with something new every time,” the class description reads.

“Expect a high-intensity workout that includes strength training and cardio exercises.”

Bootcamp meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:45-5:30 p.m.

Crush-It Kickboxing Anyone looking to get a workout through punching and kicking should join fitness instructor Abbie for Crush-It Kickboxing.

“Kickboxing classes incorporate punching

and kicking motions into a fast-paced workout that will increase muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and balance,” the class description says.

Crush-It Kickboxing meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m.

Dynamic Recovery Stretch If you’re looking for a cool-down after working out all week, Thaea’s Dynamic Recovery Stretch class is for you.

“Recover from your week of workouts with a Friday afternoon stretch to get your blood flowing,” the description reads. “This class will include some yoga-like stretches as we move through dynamic exercises and end with a rewarding stretch session.”

Dynamic Recovery Stretch meets on Fridays from 5-5:45 p.m.

Fit and Flexible Pilates If you’re looking for a pilates class, look no further than Christie’s Fit and Flexible Pilates class.

“Pilates helps you to strengthen and tone your body and increase your flexibility using low-impact strength and endurance movements,” the description says.

Fit and Flexible Pilates meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-2:45 p.m.

High-Intensity Cardio Can’t seem to get enough of Thaea?

Join her cardio class, where you are also encouraged to bring a towel and a water bottle.

“Challenge yourself to improve your fitness in a cardio class incorporating high intensity,” the description reads. “You can expect tabatas and other similar work-torest ratio exercises.”

High-Intensity Cardio meets on Fridays from 4:15-5 p.m.

High-Intensity Interval Training Fitness instructor Aaliyah holds a HIIT class for those who are looking for an intense workout.

“HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a training technique in which participants give one hundred percent effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods,” the class description says.

High-Intensity Interval Training meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:15 p.m., and on Fridays from 3-3:45 p.m.

Ladies Who Lift Join fitness instructors Sam and Abbie for ladies who lift if you are, well, a lady who lifts.

“Ladies Who Lift is a class aimed to help women gain confidence in the weight room through learning proper exercise and lift form,” the description says. “Lessons will focus on growing muscles and learning strength-training techniques that women can use in the gym for life, all while centering around women empowerment.”

Ladies Who Lift meets on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m.

Strong Nation Similar to a Zumba course, MJ’s Strong Nation fitness class is synced to music.

“This class uses more traditional bodyweight fitness moves for a more athletic, conditioning-style workout that builds muscle definition,” the description of the class reads. “This class will push you past your limits to help you reach your fitness goals faster. You will gain muscular endurance, tone, and definition, and you will experience an increased after burn.”

Strong Nation meets on Thursdays from 5-6 p.m.

Yoga For those looking for a more relaxed fitness class, look no further than Joe’s Yoga class.

“In this class, the basic yoga poses are practiced to align, strengthen and promote flexibility in the body,” the description says.

“Breathing techniques and meditation are also incorporated in more ways than one.

You can expect an emphasis on simplicity, repetition, and ease of movement. With modifications for all, this class is designed for all ability levels. This class is also a great workout for athletes who need deep stretches and muscle relaxation.”

Yoga meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8-9 a.m., Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m. and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m.

Zumba Want to combine dance moves with music and get a workout while doing it? Join MJ’s Zumba class.

“Zumba routines incorporate interval training, alternating fast and slow rhythms, to help improve cardiovascular fitness,” the class description reads. “This is an aerobic activity that allows participants to have a full body workout. With fun and upbeat music, participants do not feel as it is as much as a workout than a typical gym workout. The instructor provides modifications to make this class accessible to all ability levels.”

Zumba meets on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m.

To join any of these fitness classes, visit myrec.ccsu.edu to sign up and guarantee your spot. All fitness classes are free to Central students, so take advantage.

JULIACONANT@MY.CCSU.EDU

Recent Scenes Around Central’s Campus PHOTOS BY JULIA CONANT COORDINATING EDITOR

Freshmen residents play large lawn games on the evening of move-in day (Aug. 24) in the Student Center Circle. The two students pictured here are playing “Connect 4.”

Kiara Burgos-Santiago (left) and Jordyn Williams play bingo under the Vance lawn tent, an event hosted on Aug. 24 by Student Activities and Leadership Development.

Central Orientation Leaders dance to Cupid’s “Cupid Shuffle” on Aug. 25 in the Student Center Circle, while waiting to lead sophomores on tours to find their classes.

The Brazen Blue Devils, a school spirit club, lead students in chants mocking Central’s competitor, Southern. This was at the first Football game of the season on Sept. 3

Hypnotist Michael C. Anthony explains what is in store for the evening (Sept. 9), while willing students sit behind him on the stage of Alumni Hall, waiting to be hypnotized.

Students sift through various boxes of small posters on the afternoon of the Poster Sale (Sept. 10), hosted by the CCSU Bookstore and held in the Student Center Circle.

7 September 15, 2021

LIFESTYLE

THE RECORDER

Central Art Graduates Celebrated in Capstone Exhibition

BY JULIA CONANT

COORDINATING EDITOR

A

fter two years of hiatus, the Central Connecticut State Art Gallery once again held their annual Capstone exhibition.

The gallery used to hold a Capstone exhibition at the end of each spring, highlighting the artwork of Central’s graduating art majors. However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary stop to the show.

Now that campus is slowly returning to normal, the 2020 and 2021 Capstone exhibitions have been combined into one show that is now on display.

“Comprising of a variety of works across different disciplines, Capstone is the celebratory conclusion of students’ period here at CCSU that propels them into their lives as independent artists,” the online description of the exhibition reads.

The students who are displaying their work in the show are Gabriella Dimaio, Sophia Firestone, Gerry Niemierowko, Paige Markel, Karina Marquis and Michaela Salvo.

Firestone’s watercolor and gouache artwork displayed

in the show was inspired by Greek goddesses.

“I have long been fascinated by Greek mythology, even before I started down my path as a witch and pagan,” Firestone said in her artist’s statement. “In this series I painted the seven goddesses of the feminine archetypes, as well as Hecate, who personifies the archetype of maiden, mother and wise woman in one.”

Firestone then explained the meaning behind the pieces.

“I included symbols traditionally associated with each goddess and drew inspiration from classic depictions of them in myth and art, but did my own interpretation of their appearances based on how I see them in my mind’s eye,” Firestone wrote. “Through doing these paintings, I not only connected with these deities, but also the archetypes they represent, and my own relationship with femininity.”

The subjects of Marquis’ work are babies and children, since Marquis says they are experts in communicating through expressions.

“I wanted to communicate feelings and emotions through kids expression,” Marquis said in her artist’s

An oil piece by Karina Marquis titled “This I Love.”

COURTNEY SILVIA

Visitors enjoy the opening of the Capstone exhibition.

COURTNEY SILVIA

statement. “I wanted the kids to be in different scenarios to make this project not only fun for me to create but also a way to entertain the viewers and make them think of their childhood.”

Marquis’ artistic process was met with both success and some struggles.

“The biggest challenge with this series was to use facial expressions without relying too much on the use of lines of expressions that would make the kids look old,” Marquis wrote. “To achieve this I relied on the different tones between the muscles on the face, highlighting the areas that are more prominent when creating a facial gesture.”

There are 27 pieces in total on display. To see the work of Firestone, Marquis and other graduated Central art students, visit the gallery on the second floor of Maloney Hall.

The Capstone exhibition will be on display until Sept.

22, and is open to view from 1-4 p.m. on weekdays. CCSU students, staff are welcome to walk in, while visitors must fill out a symptom survey before entering campus.

JULIACONANT@MY.CCSU.EDU

An oil piece by Karina Marquis titled “This I Love.”

COURTNEY SILVIA

Marching Band On Hiatus For Another Year

BY KATHERINE NEILAN CONTRIBUTOR

W

ith everyone in the stands on their feet, the Blue Devils marching band fueled the roaring crowd as they came out to perform their lively halftime show at Arute Field stadium. This one-of-akind energy ignited by the marching band’s performances on game day will now become a vague memory as the band enters its second year of being on hiatus.

The Central Connecticut State marching band will not be running again this fall season due to the lack of practice space and not having a marching band director to take on the role in time for the first show.

“We wanted to have a good product,” Dr. Charles Menoche, CCSU music professor and department chair, said. “Rather than rushing and scrambling and spending all that energy trying to get ready for the first show, we needed to start spending that energy [this fall] getting actual practice rooms set up and working towards hiring the person who’s going to manage the marching band full time.”

After two long-term faculty members announced their retirement in the spring

of 2020, the department of music has been struggling to fill important roles throughout the entire program, Menoche said. On top of faculty issues, stricter COVID-19 guidelines put in place by the university created even more barriers for the music department to overcome, Menoche said.

“I don’t want to say it was a perfect storm, but more of a combination of it,” Menoche said. “We didn’t want to rush into something without knowing what was going to be happening for it.”

These unique challenges presented in the music department left many ensembles, especially the marching band, in jeopardy for the 2021 fall season.

The announcement of the marching band not running for a second year in a row discouraged a lot of students who anticipated joining the team and actually performing this year.

Drew Benard, CCSU sophomore, said he was looking forward to being on the team last year and had a hard time accepting that he will not be marching yet again this season.

“As a music major I feel like I’m missing out on a key aspect of what a normal music student would encounter,” Benard said.

“Every other year has gotten to participate in marching band except for my incoming year, and now this year’s incoming freshman. We have never gotten to experience marching at CCSU, which was something I was really looking forward to.”

Benard said one of the main reasons why he decided to pursue his music career further in college was because of the positive experiences he had while marching for his high school team. He said how the marching band is the heart and soul of school spirit and wished he could’ve gotten the chance to relive that welcoming essence the marching band brings to a community.

“Marching band adds another layer of interests and school spirit,” Benard said.

“Marching band is such a welcoming group and everyone on campus appreciates it. There is definitely a hole left where the marching band would normally be.”

The marching band is expected to make a comeback for the 2022 school year. With that projection, music students like Benard said that they are worried for the future successes of the marching band.

“Having now two years off from marching band, we’re going to have a lot of inexperienced

marchers and players coming in,” Benard said.

“I feel like that’s going to present even more challenges when we start which makes me worried.”

While others, like Savannah Moore, who was an active member and Drum Major in the CCSU marching band from 2016-2019, said this pause offers a fresh start to the team’s goals and traditions.

“These two years have made it very difficult for the band to come back like it was preCOVID,” Moore said. “However, this break gives them the chance to come up with some new traditions and really focus on growing the band and making it better than ever.”

The music department is hoping to bring back that one-of-a-kind energy to the game day atmosphere and will be back in full swing for the 2022 season.

“The music department is hoping for a super successful fall 2022,” Menoche said.

“Everybody needs to be smart and try to work together to get this off our shoulders long term so that by fall 2022 we’re not having the same discussions about what we’re going to do with the marching band.”

NEILANK@MY.CCSU.EDU

8

SPORTS THE RECORDER Blue Devils Split First Two Games of the Season

September 15, 2021

Football opened their season against Division II in-state STEVE MCLAUGHLIN rival Southern, followed by a game against conference rival Wagner College.

BY ANDREW DECAPUA CONTRIBUTOR

T

he Central Connecticut State football team split the first two games of the season with a week one loss to Southern Connecticut State University and a week two conference victory over Wagner College.

The Blue Devils were defeated by the Owls at Arute on Friday, Sept. 3 with a final score of 28-21. Central struck first with a 42-yard first quarter touchdown pass from junior quarterback Romelo Williams to freshman running back Kenyata Huston on their opening drive of the game.

The Blue Devils’ next drive ended with a turnover when senior running back Nasir Smith fumbled the ball and was it recovered

by Southern Connecticut’s Ray Belton late in the first quarter.

The Owls answered in the second quarter with two touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky. Ostrowsky’s first touchdown pass came on the opening drive of the second half and was caught by junior

Tim O’Shea for 17-yards. The second of Ostrowsky’s touchdowns was a 19-yard pass to senior Tye Hodge to take a 14-7 lead with 6:32 left in the first half.

Central tied the game just before the end of the first half with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Williams to senior wide receiver Everett Wormley.

Both teams would remain tied throughout the third quarter. The game changing play came in the fourth quarter when Romelo Williams was intercepted by the Owls’ senior Richard Williams Jr., who returned it for a 90-yard touchdown.

Southern Connecticut followed up the “pick six” with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Ostrowsky to senior Izaiah Sanders on their next possession.

After the interception the Blue Devils decided to take Williams out and go with graduate student quarterback Shon Mitchell. Mitchell’s first drive would last only three plays and net a total of negative ten yards. Mitchell’s next drive was much more impressive, connecting on 41-yard touchdown pass to standout senior wide

Quarterback Romelo Williams threw a six-yard touchdown STEVE MCLAUGHLIN to Jiovany Pierre to ignite the offense against the Seahawks.

receiver Tayshaun James.

Despite the loss to SCSU, the Blue Devils were able to bounce back in week two against a conference foe. Central’s second game was a road game against Wagner on Saturday, Sept 11 that the Blue Devils won with a final score of 21-19.

The Blue Devils offense looked a little stale at the start of the game, either punting or turning it over on their first five drives of the game. The Seahawks came out of the gates scoring on their first drive of the game with a 5-yard touchdown run by sophomore Naiem Simmons giving them an early 7-0 lead. They followed that up with an 18-yard field goal by freshman Austin Hosier.

Central’s offense came alive late in the second quarter when they drove 50-yards and finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass from Romelo Williams to junior Jiovany Pierre before the end of the first half.

Wagner opened the second half of the game with a 38-yard field goal from Hosier giving them a 13-7 lead over the Blue Devils. Central answered right back with a touchdown on their next possession. It

Women’s Soccer Aims for Fourth Back-to-Back Title

C

BY LEONARDO GUERRERO CONTRIBUTOR

entral Connecticut State women’s soccer team, riding on the coattails of a threeseason Northeast Conference winning streak had four home games before it embarks on a long stretch on the road. The Blue Devils hope to capture their fourth consecutive title this year.

The reigning NEC champions established a 3-1 winning record at home. Central defeated the University of Albany and the University of New Hampshire both by the score of 2-1, followed by a 1-0 victory over Colgate. The Blue Devils had and unfortunate 2-0 loss against non-conference opponent, Oregon State, to the end their 36-game win streak at home.

After the match against Oregon State, head coach Mick D’Arcy described the feeling of the defeat as it was “the first time the players have lost on this field.”

“It’s been over four years without a loss, 36 games and we have to bounce back from it,” D’Arcy said.

“We were unfortunate not to be ahead in the first

half [and] proved that we can play at the level of a power five conference team.”

Central begins conference play to defend their crown with eight straight contests, with the first matchup on Sept. 18 at Mount St. Mary’s. The Blue Devils have five road games ahead of them and three at home against Sacred Heart, new conference opponent Howard and St. Francis Brooklyn.

Captain Roma McLaughlin has led her team to three championships and anticipates that a comeback after the recent lost, whether they have home field advantage or not.

“We’re ready no matter if the game is home or away,” McLaughlin said.

Despite starting off the season with four away games in their first five, D’Arcy convincingly remains indifferent about the disadvantage.

With nine championships with the Blue Devils under his belt, D’Arcy does not “have a problem being on the road.”

“Playing away doesn’t bother me at all, that’s the way the schedule falls,” D’Arcy said.

LGUERRERO@MY.CCSU.EDU

was a 70-yard drive that was largely created by a 50-yard completion from Williams to Wormley that got them all the way down to the Wagner nine-yard line. The drive was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Williams giving the Blue Devils a slim 1413 lead going in to the fourth quarter.

Central scored again in the fourth quarter when Williams connected with Wormley on a 34-yard touchdown pass that gave them a 21-13 lead in the fourth quarter.

Wagner’s senior quarterback Jaalon Frazier was able to drive the team down the field and cap it off with an 18-yard touchdown pass to junior Jayvin Little to bring them within a two-point conversion of tying the game. The Blue Devils defense showed up in crunch time and denied the Seahawks two-point conversion attempt. Wagner had one last attempt to win the game on the foot of Hosier, but he missed the 43-yard field goal that would have given them the lead in the final seconds of the game.

Next up for the Blue Devils is an out of conference home game at Arute field Saturday, Sept. 18 against Southeastern Louisiana University. Where they will look to improve their overall record to 2-1.

ANDREWDECAPUA@MY.CCSU.EDU