Volume 102, Issue 13
April 13, 2021
THE
CHARGER BULLETIN
West Haven, Conn.
The student news source of the University of New Haven.
WHO ARE THEY? Cover courtesy of Kayla Mutchler, Editor-in-Chief and Lismarie Pabon, Photography Editor Pictured: Madison Walker, Elisa D’Egidio, and Hobbes Parisien, non-members of Secret Spirit Group
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April 13, 2021
BU L L E T I N B OA R D
Bulletin Briefs
The
Charger Bulletin
Page 3 Spring Week is the new Spring Weekend
300 Boston Post Road | West Haven, CT 06516
chargerbulletin@newhaven.edu | www.chargerbulletin.com
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Watch these terrible movies
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A new, secret group on campus
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Library or Bergami Center?
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The stigma about student athletes
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Office: 203.932.7182 Our office is located on the second floor of 46 Ruden Street, Room 202.
Editor-in-Chief Kayla Mutchler Managing Editor Amanda M. Castro Student Life Editor Beth Beaudry Sports Editor Joe Klaus Entertainment Editor Tiara Starks Opinion Editor Kristen Marcus Staff Writers Elisa D’’’” Egidio, Isabelle Hajek, Barry Lewandowski, Shaylen Stancil, Samuel Weinmann, and Tyler Wells Multimedia Editor Jada Clarke Associate Editor for Photography Lismarie Pabon Associate Editor for Graphic Design Christopher Colquhoun Associate Editor for Videography Nick Meaney Advertising Manager Hannah Providence Community Engagement Editor Victoria Cagley Advisor Susan Campbell To view previous issues, go to www.OurSchoolNewspaper.com/Charger or issuu.com/chargerbulletin
When students misbehave off campus
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Try to solve these puzzles
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The Charger Bulletin staff strives for excellence and accuracy in writing and reporting. We recognize that mistakes may occur and encourage readers to notify the Bulletin if they feel a correction is necessary. Please email the Editor-in-Chief at chargerbulletin@newhaven.edu.
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Since 1938, The Charger Bulletin has been the official student news source of the University of New Haven. Advertising The Charger Bulletin ad rate sheets are available upon request or by calling 203.932.7182 or via email at chargerbulletinads@gmail.com. The Charger Bulletin reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Advertisements within The Charger Bulletin are inserted by outside sources identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the University of New Haven. Advertising material printed herein is solely for informational purposes. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.ChargerBulletin.com/advertise. Letters to the Editor The submission deadline for letters to the editor is 5 p.m. on Friday for publication in Monday’s issue. Letters to the Editor are also published online the same day as the release of print issues. Letters should not exceed 300 words if they are to be considered for print publication. All submissions by outside writers to The Charger Bulletin, unless otherwise approved by the Editor-in-Chief, will be treated as letters to the editor. Letters to the Editor are published under the discretion of the Editor in Chief, and not every submitted letter will be published. The Charger Bulletin also reserves the right to withhold Letters to the Editor that are excessively vulgar or nonsensical, or do not meet our editorial standards. Letters can be sent via email to ChargerBulletin@newhaven.edu and must contain the writer’s name and contact information for verification purposes. The opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are of the authors themselves and not The Charger Bulletin.
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The Charger Bulletin
April 13, 2021
NEWS
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Goodbye, Spring Weekend; Hello, Spring Week BY KAYLA MUTCHLER Editor-in-Chief On April 7 at 7 p.m., the Student Committee of Programming Events (SCOPE) hosted the Spring Week 2021 Reveal Party, announcing the Throwback Block Party that will be hosted from April 25 through May 2. At the reveal party, students enjoyed music in the Bixler/ Gerber Quad and had the opportunity to participate in giveaways on a first-come-firstserve basis. During the events, members of SCOPE revealed the Throwback Block Party, which was also streamed to Instagram Live. SCOPE posted the week’s events to Instagram with the caption, “We have been work-
ing hard to bring a series of COVID-19 compliant events to finish off the semester and take it back to the block parties of our childhoods!” This year’s event will be different than past years. Spring weekend is normally celebrated in the last week before finals, but this year, celebrations will last for an entire week. The week will begin with a human
claw machine on April 25 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bixler/ Gerber Quad. On April 26, there will be a t-shirt giveaway and a tie-dye event followed by the “Grit and Wit” event on April 27. There will be an opportunity for students to create studded animals and cool off by visiting an ice cream truck on April 28. April 29 will be a packed day,
with a field day lasting from 1 p.m to 7 p.m. and an “After Dark Park” from 8 to 10 p.m. at Kathy Zolad Stadium. In addition, students can head over to North Campus on Apr. 30 for the “Headphone Disco” from 6 to 11 p.m. Ending the week will be a food truck festival on May 1 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at North campus. The day will end with
a show from stand-up comedian Trey Kennedy, with students having the option to watch in person or on Zoom. On the final day, May 2, there will be spin art bags and a drive-in showing of “Bring It On” in the Bixler/ Gerber Quad. For a full list of events, visit @newhavenscope on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of SCOPE on Facebook
The university’s JEDI program is hard at work BY KELLY ADKINS Contributing Writer The student body asked for promotion of diversity and inclusion, and the university responded, creating the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) program in the fall of 2020. The program includes paid ambassador positions open to undergraduate and graduate students at the university. Under the direction of Alvin Tran, assistant provost for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access, the current eight JEDI ambassadors work towards projects that support these values. According to Tran, some projects these students have been working on include ensuring that preferred names are used on legal and marketing material and creating a Lavender Graduation Ceremony. The ceremony is a celebration and recognition of members of the LGBTQ+ community for
earning their respective degrees, while the project with current names stems from errors by the marketing department where given names were used on media announcements. “It serves as a model for why including the student voice in decision-making is pivotal in making positive changes on campus,” Tran said in an University of New Haven article. Daniel Stott, criminal justice and national security ’21, attested to the value of students being the ones to facilitate these changes. “It allows students to be the driving force behind change at the University, and it can show all students that our voices mean something,” said Stott. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion cannot be achieved solely by a small group of people – it is a result of the actions of the entire campus community.” In addition to big-picture issues, JEDI Ambassadors are also working towards change within specific colleges and
communities. Jennifer Edwards, forensic science ’21, has been working on enhancing diversity within the Henry Lee College and modifying the curriculum within the race & ethnic studies minor within the English department.
“Each college and school has different concerns related to DEI, and it’s important to have representation in each of them to make sure the voices of students are heard and addressed,” said Edwards. During a Nov. 13 meeting
with the Undergraduate Student Government Association, Tran said that they are hoping to expand the program and are eager for student applicants. Tran also encourages students to continue applying, even if they did not receive the position this year. Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
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Nominations for the 2021 Oscar Awards are here BY ELDRICK GREENWAY Contributing Writer
From “Actor in a Leading Role” to “Best Picture,” the 2021 Oscar nominations are finally here. The 93 Oscar nominations were announced by actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas and singer-songwriter and actor Nick Jonas on Mar. 15 live from London. Academy members from each of the 17 branches voted to determine the nominees in each category except the Animated
Feature Film and International Feature Film categories where nominees are selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees and all voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees. From April 15 through April 20, all active members of the Academy are eligible to vote for the winners in all 23 categories. People all over the world are making their 2021 Oscars winner predictions. From Variety to Goldberby, everyone seems to have high hopes for their favorite nominated movie to receive
an award this year, predicting that Best Picture “Nomadland” directed by Chloé Zhao ito win. Zhao, a Chinese film director, screenwriter and producer, is also predicted winner for Best Director, This film is about a woman embarking on a journey through the American West, dwelling in the modern-day norm after losing everything from the Great Recession. Another feature film that is nominated and predicted to win an Oscar is the documentary called “Time,” an Amazon Studio film directed by Gareett
Bradley, an American filmmaker and director for a wide variety of short films, television shows, feature films and documentaries. This documentary is about the Fox Rich fights for the release of her husband, Rob, who serves a 60-year sentence in prison. Furthemore, other predicted winners include: Chadwick Boseman, for his performance in the Netflix film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” as he receives the Best Actor award making this his first ever oscar nomination in history; Carey Mulligan for her performance in “Promising Young Woman,” a Focus
Feature film for Best Actress; Daniel Kaluuya, for his performance in “Judas and The Black Messiah,” a Warner Bros film, for Best Supporting Actor; and Maria Bakalova for her performance in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” an Amazon Studio film as she receives the Best Supporting Actress award and more. The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, Apr. 25, at Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Terrible movies that you should watch immediately BY BETH BEAUDRY Student Life Editor
A movie with negative ratings can come from poor acting, a weak story or faulty production. Here are 10 movies that didn’t get positive reviews or plummeted at the box office, but are still pleasurable despite the guilt that may ensue. “Batman & Robin” When looking at the entirety of the “Batman” franchise, Joel Schumacher’s 1997 “Batman and Robin” almost seems like a parody. At first glance, the film has a lot going for it, with a star-studded cast as well as the inclusion of infamous villains Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy and Bane. However, this caused incredibly high expectations for fans that the movie could not meet. Throughout, Batman and Robin are seen fighting with each other more often than the villains. While some of Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze’s background was offered, their story arcs often revolved around trying to Graphic courtesy of Christopher Colquhoun
split the bond of the two heroes. Still, this movie has the villains, (occasional) action and nostalgia that all “Batman” movies should have. “The Kissing Booth” Netflix’s “The Kissing Booth” franchise hit the streaming service in 2018. The movie series centers around the high school friendship of Elle Evans, played by actress Joey King, and Lee Flynn, played by Joel Courtney. Elle gets into a relationship with Lee’s older brother, Noah, but it must remain a secret because of the made-up rules of friendship that Elle and Lee created as children. This is a classic high school rom-com with way-too-old actors, unrealistic party scenes and extremely bad dialogue. There are many cringe-worthy moments that’ll make you question how healthy the friendship between the main protagonists really is. That being said, none of those elements stopped the first film from being one of the most-watched movies of 2018. “Treasure Planet” It seems rare that a Disney
movie would not succeed in theaters, but this 2002 film did not break even, causing a $74 million loss. This animation feature follows Jim Hawkins as he embarks on a treasure hunt across space in a steampunk version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.” The movie is an exciting and heartfelt story. There isn’t a solid explanation as to why the movie did so poorly at the box office. “Crawl” “Crawl” received mixed reviews upon its 2019 summer release. This thriller takes place in Florida where Kaya Scodelarios’s character, Haley, goes searching for her father as a hurricane strikes. The storm causes a rise in water levels, exposing the characters to a pack of alligators. Trying to flee from a monstrous animal may seem like an overused concept by now, but “Crawl” is a surprisingly entertaining movie. While slow in the beginning, tensions rise in the second, grotesque half of the movie. “Percy Jackson & the Olympi-
ans” Book-to-film adaptations can be a hit or a miss, and unfortunately, this adaptation as Rick Riordan’s best-selling series was a miss. The main reason it received such backlash was because of how different it was from the novels. Not only were many plot points different, but some aspects of the modern fantasy world that Riordan created were changed, and the characters who were meant to be 12-year old were played by adults. When looking at the movie as a stand alone film rather than an adaptation, it is a good watch. It still offers a solid look at Greek mythology, fight sequences and comedy. “Grease 2” It is almost expected that “Grease 2” couldn’t compare to the original story. Set in the 1960s, this musical follows another class of Pink Ladies and T-Birds at Rydell High School. The songs definitely aren’t as well-known and the characters aren’t as memorable but “Grease 2” accomplished the
job of any musical to offer the viewer an escape from reality and provide catchy songs to get stuck in your head. “Alice Through the Looking Glass” Tim Burton and Disney teamed up to create live-action movies of “Alice in Wonderland.” “Alice Through the Looking Glass” is the second movie, and while Alice is still the protagonist, the movie focuses on the Mad Hatter and Red Queen. Although it is interesting to see more backstory for these characters, there was too much going on between navigating Wonderland and the new element of time travel. Nonetheless, the movie offers beautifully made visuals and encompasses the oddness of Wonderland. Even if the plot may seem to be scattered, the world-building and performances of Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway make up for it. “Star Wars: Episode 1- The Phantom Menace” Chronologically, the “Phantom Menace” is the first movie in the “Star Wars” saga. Like the other prequel movies, “Episode One” brings a different atmo-
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Movies
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Continued from pg. 8 sphere to the series than the others. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the prequel movies exist in a time prior to Darth Vader’s first appearance along with different planets being introduced. However, some of the aspects of these new planets, such as Jar Jar Binks, seemed unnecessary and childish. I would say that the only upside to this movie were the on-screen performances from Liam Nelson and Ewan McGregor as well as the intensity of the lightsaber battles. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” The “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise is widely loved, but the fifth movie in the series didn’t quite receive the same praise as its predecessors. This is because of the film not carrying the same wit and adventure as the original movies. Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow is the face of the franchise and this movie continued his story by portraying him as a worn-out pirate. This stole the liveliness from the character and ultimately, dulled the movie. Even though the story and new characters weren’t as compelling to viewers, this movie provides another chance to be back in the world of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” “Armageddon” In “Armageddon,” an asteroid is predicted to hit Earth, so a crew of drillers is sent to space in hope of destroying the asteroid. While many of the logistics and action sequences are unrealistic, this movie didn’t aim for believability. It was meant to be as chaotic as one imagines Armageddon to be, and it was meant to feature many cool, space explosions, and it did just that. This movie is two and a half hours good for space visuals, action and terrible one-liners from famed actors Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck and Steve Buscemi.
Tracy Wolff’s “Crush” belongs in your hands BY SELENA SOTO Contributing Writer If you haven’t checked out Tracy Wolff’s fictional series “Crave,” then this is your sign. “Crush” is the second book of the series and there is no way to prepare for the bombshells that Wolff drops throughout the novel’s 704 pages. With an intriguing storyline and a set of powerful supernatural characters to root for, this series is a must-read. The first book in the series, “Crave,” is told from the point of view of 17-year-old Grace. Grace is forced to move from California to Alaska to attend the Katmere Academy boarding school after her parents are tragically killed. Grace’s uncle is the headmaster of Katmere and her cousin Macy is a student. Grace soon finds out that the school is designed for supernatural students. Not only does she discover that her cousin is a witch, but her relationship with the mysterious and very attractive Jaxon Vega leads her to discover that she’s fallen hard for a vampire, who is convinced that she is his mate and that the two have an unbreakable bond. Jaxon is also a prince, who has a dark secret that involves his older brother Hudson. The second book, “Crush,” begins with Grace waking up from a long slumber, but she wasn’t greeted by her handsome vampire prince Jaxon. Grace doesn’t remember some recent events prior to her waking up – all she recalls is throwing herself in front of Jaxon to save him from Hudson. Grace’s life quickly evolves from complicated to insane when she learns that she is a gargoyle and the first of her kind to be born for generations. Grace has to juggle exploring her new powers and identity, a steamy romantic relationship with Jaxon, and
compete for a place on the supernatural court as the only gargoyle. All while having to be the center of attention, much to her chagrin. As if things couldn’t get any more complicated, it is revealed that the spirit of Jaxon’s older brother, Hudson, has been trapped with Grace for the past few months while she was stone, creating memories that she can’t remember no matter how hard she tries. To all the “The Vampire Diaries,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and “Twilight” fans out there, the characters of “Crush” make the love triangles between your beloved characters look simple. Not only does “Crush” follow Grace’s journey as she discovers what it means to be a gargoyle, but readers get an inside look as to why the Vega brothers have such a tense and rocky relationship. Above all, the one thing that the Vega brothers do have in common besides their birth parents is their intense feelings for Grace. Wolff does not disappoint with the second book of her “Crave” series and lucky for us, Grace, Hudson and Jaxon’s story continues in the third book, “Covet,” which is now available in Barnes and Nobles, and available to purchase on Amazon. The fourth and final book of the “Crave” series, “Court,” is set to be released on Sept. 28 and can be pre-ordered on Amazon. Don’t wait any longer to grab your copies of the first, second Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
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Coming of age BY CAM GARDEN Contributing Writer
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At some point in life, everyone feels as if they’re the main character in a coming-of-age movie. Here are some great songs to sing at the top of your lungs while you settle into the realization that this moment could very well be the best one of your life. 1. Tongue Tied – Grouplove Everyone knows and loves “Tongue Tied.” Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, just one listen and you’ll immediately remember the words to the chorus. It’s the perfect song to sing while you drive up the coast with your best friends. 2. Ghost Town – Kanye West, PARTYNEXTDOOR You’ve probably heard this song on TikTok recently over edits of friend groups. Case in point, it’s great to include because of it. The best lyric in the song to make you feel like the main character is “And nothing hurts anymore, I feel kinda free.” 3. Mariposa – Peach Tree Rascals The perfect song if you’re planning to have a day at the beach or to enjoy the warm weather outside.“Mariposa” is an easy, feelgood song. 4. Play Date – Melanie Martinez Moving into the more nostalgic end of the spectrum, “Play Date” reminds us all of the beginning of quarantine, when everything was about whipped coffee and “Tiger King.” Even better, you don’t need to know the words to this song to be able to vibe and dance along. 5. Please Don’t Go – Mike Posner Here’s another song that gained popularity through TikTok. It’s soon to be a staple of the coming-of-age genre. This song is sure to make you want to roll the windows down and let the cool breeze run through your hair. 6. Wait a Minute! – WILLOW Willow’s hit song “Wait a Minute” is the perfect song to sing as if nothing else matters in the world. It works well for both a high-energy scream sing or just a chill vibe. 7. No Place I’d Rather Be – Cassa Lio This 2014 hit is sure to get everyone singing. It was truly a song before its time. It perfectly embodies the coming-of-age feel. 8. Put Your Records On – Ritt Momney Although Momney’s version of the song has become more popular, both his and the original singer Corinne Bailey Rae’s voices work perfectly for this song and this playlist. Each version gives off nice, peaceful, ‘laying-in-the-grass’ spring vibes. 9. Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners Another hit song, perfect for getting people excited. Again, if you don’t know the words, they’re easy enough to learn or just to dance along to the melody. 10. We Are Young – fun., Janelle Monáe It wouldn’t be a nostalgia playlist if this song wasn’t included. Whether you’re still in your coming-of-age phase or you’re long past it, this song is sure to make you feel as youthful as ever. At the end of the day, when you’re with your best friends, you can be young at heart and that’s more than enough.
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STUDENT LIFE
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A new campus tradition emerges with the Secret Spirit Group BY ELISA D’EGIDIO Staff Writer In a Weekly Roundup email sent to the student body on March 28, a new campus organization referred to as the “Secret Spirit Group” was introduced. The email described it as “a prestigious secret group of student leaders on campus, spreading… Charger pride through a variety of in-person and virtual events and social media campaigns.” The official name of this organization has not yet been revealed. Selected students will take on a persona or character, masking their identity in full uniform or costume, and will attend different programs and events to promote school spirit. Whether it be Homecoming, SOAR, sports games or other on-campus programs, this masked spirit squad Madison Walker
Photo courtesy of Lismarie Pabon
will be there. They may be seen hosting pop-up events, giving out university merchandise like Charger Bars or t-shirts or hanging out in the Gerber/Bixler Quad. Other organizations will be able to request them to attend their events. Steve Marcchiarolo, director of Graduate Student Engagement and chair of the Charger Pride Committee, said that the idea stemmed from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). “We thought it was a really cool way to get students involved, especially some students that may not want to put themselves out there or maybe want that individuality to express themselves and express that Charger Pride we have been looking for.” In 1946, the president of the BGSU, Frank Prout, handpicked six students and assigned them the mission to “do all in our power to help make Bowling Green State University a better
place by promoting school spirit and goodwill among the students and faculty.” These students formed the university pride squad called SICSIC. While wearing uniforms and masks, they attended sporting events, wandered campus, passing out candy and boosted overall morale on campus. Senior theatre arts major Theresa Tillman found the idea of the new club interesting but fears it may not be the best fit for the University of New Haven. “I fear that the people who are dressing up would be made fun of, even though their face wouldn’t be shown,” she said. “I think when you’re putting yourself out there you are invoking the ability to be judged.” “They can totally decorate or wear whatever; however, they want to do it. It is really up to them to express creativity and individuality,” said Marcchiarolo. Junior film production major Thomas Chung is hopeful that this organization brings back a sense of normalcy to campus life. “Hopefully this would help bring the campus to be less self-involved and more outgoing and stuff,” he said, “I think if these outreach members are actually out and about, and you know interacting with the
community in a positive way it’ll encourage people to go out especially with the pandemic.” “I think it’s not really until you get later into your college experience that you realize the value of community so I think especially with the younger grades,” said Chung, “sophomores and freshman, it will be a job of this organization to get these students involved.” Marcchiarolo shared the importance of keeping everything “hush hush, top-secret,” and how withholding one’s identity is essential for this group to run smoothly. Students would be contractually obligated, having to sign a nondisclosure agreement to hide their identity from the campus community. They will be given access to a secret office location to change into their uniform. All identifiable marks such as tattoos must be hidden. If the identity of the student comes out, they will no longer be a part of the group. “It is very secretive,” said Macchiarolo. “I think that the intrigue and the excitement with it will hopefully get students excited that want to be a part of that.” The Charger Pride Committee is looking for about two sophomores, two juniors, two seniors and a graduate student to fill the shoes of these mystery members. Those selected are of-
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
fered University of New Haven swag, funding for character’s costumes, priority sign-ups for specific university trips and events, early registration and move-in. Every year, either around Commencement or Founders Day, there are intentions to hold an unmasking ceremony for those graduating. Marcchiarolo said “We want this to become a new kind of campus tradition that students get excited about. We want people who are excited that want to share that Charge Pride and get other people excited about different programs and events. And really it is about community belonging and engagement and making people feel part of the community.” Applications on Charger Connection will be available until April 15, where students are asked to present a three-minute video of themselves, showing their charisma and personality. Applicants are also required to respond to a series of questions about the ideas they have and what they will bring to this group. Students with questions can reach out to Steve Marcchiarolo at SMacchiarolo@newhaven. edu.
April 13, 2021
STUDENT LIFE
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Students are going to the library less and the new Bergami Center more BY BETH BEAUDRY Student Life Editor The Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation has quickly become a popular spot on campus. It offers various seating areas, classrooms, the new Bucknall Cafe and study rooms. With students going in and out, sitting and socializing, it offers a sense of pre-COVID normalcy. To some, it is what the library used to be. The floors of the library vary in noise level, and the bottom floor used to be an open, loud study area where students could cram around a table and interact. But because of COVID-19 regulations and the need for social distancing, this energetic, crowded space has emptied. One of the most unfavored
changes is that students are now required to reserve seating and computers. This decision was made as a safety measure, as the library must be at half capacity and having an online reservation system ensures that the library does not exceed the 50% attendance maximum. University librarian Hanko Dobi said that she and other librarians have seen a decrease in student attendance, and according to a Charger Bulletin Instagram poll, the need to reserve seating is the main reason why. In the poll, 41 out of 57 voters said that they now prefer the Bergami Center over the library. Many of the written responses referred to the need to reserve a spot as an inconvenience. “I honestly don’t feel like making an appointment,” said user naneee_e.
User Madison.mcgh said, “It’s too complicated to use now [because] of covid.” User 624.Krf prefers the Bergami center because the library is “too quiet and stuffy” whereas the Bergami Center is more laid back and busy. However, according to some voters, there are some amenities that the library still has over the Bergami Center, such as the printers and Quiet Study Floor. This semester, there are also new study carrels, all placed at a six foot distance. “The Berg Center is just too crowded like all of the time,” said user angela.boland, who referred to the building as a COVID-19 “regulation nightmare.” Following the announcement that some COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in the fall
semester, Dobi said that the library hopes to reopen at full capacity, but will continue to take necessary precautions. “Our goal is always to provide a safe environment for students to conduct their research and study as well as the assistance
to succeed in their endeavors,” said Dobi. Whether or not the library will return to being an academic and social hub, well, that’s up to the students. Students work in the Bergami Center Photo courtesy of Lismarie Pabon
April 13, 2021
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S P O RT S
Charger Sports Spotlight: Daniel Labrie BY TYLER GARNET Contributing Writer Daniel Labrie is a freshman mechanical engineering major on the university’s track team who hopes to one day design and invent new cars. If there is one word that describes Labrie as a competitor it would be “fearless.” He is not afraid of the physical pain that comes with training hard and his events and is up to any challenge that running may bring. Labrie participates in different events including the 400, 600 and 800 meters and the mile run. Labrie first got involved with track during his freshman year of high school. He used to play soccer during but realized it was not the best fit for him. Labrie’s dad had wanted him to participate in a sport and Labrie said “since I am not tall I realized I could not do basketball so my Dad said I was going to run.” Labrie was on the fence at first because he never understood
“how people ran for fun” but as soon as he started, he fell in love with it. Since coming to the University of New Haven, Labrie attributes his love for the sport to his track teammates. He said, “I am extremely close with everyone on the team and between practices and meets I have gained a sense of family and closeness with the team.” Labrie is currently in season and his main goal for this semester is to get back to the level he was at in high school. Between quarantine and lockdown, he had fallen behind in progress; now, Labrie wants to get back into the swing of things. One of Labrie’s favorite memories from high school is running the four by four relay and how loud the crowd became as soon as the race began. He is a graduate of Union Catholic High School where track was the main sport for the school, meaning every meet was intense. “The feeling of being on the four by four at the end of the
meet for a conference championship and you’re leading off and hearing everyone scream and having the entire stadium rumbling,” Labrie says is like no other. Labrie hopes that the pandemic will settle down, so that he
may experience crowds like that again at college. If there is one thing this pandemic has taught Labrie it would be to “enjoy the little moments and enjoy being in the moment as well. The world is constantly changing so enjoy it while it lasts.”
Besides COVID-19, making his transition to college has been fairly challenging. Labrie is grateful for the opportunity and is excited to continue improving in track and making more lasting memories at the school. Daniel Labrie
Photo courtesy of Lismarie Pabon
Sports stigma: The real life of a college athlete BY JOSEPH KLAUS Sports Editor TV shows, movies and real-life stories have commonly and inaccurately portrayed student-athletes. In 2010, the television show “Blue Mountain State,” depicted the crazed life of a fictional Division I football team and the student body, spending their time between parties at the “Goat House,” skipping classes, and even having “nerds” do their school work for them. Such media perpetuates this false idea that life for a college athlete is centered around their sports and nothing else matters. In Oct. 2012, then-Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones Tweeted, “Why should we have
to go to class if we came here to play FOOTBALL, we ain’t come here to play SCHOOL, classes are POINTLESS.” During his time at Louisiana State University (LSU,) Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons shared a similar view as Jones in his year at the university. On Twitter, Simmons openly admitted to skipping classes during college and missing out on receiving the Wooden Award in college because he was not academically eligible. In 2017, the University of North Carolina (UNC) was caught creating fake classes for their athletes to sign up for that were not taught by a professor. Simmons and Jones were both athletes at large Division I programs. UNC is a well-known
university and all were prioritizing their sports and athletes over their education. Events like this create a stigma surrounding the image of college athletes. Students refer to events similar to the UNC or Simmons actions and believe that is how all college athletes are. The University of New Haven prides itself on putting the education of athletes ahead of athletic performance. In the fall, 372 Charger athletes were named to the Northeast 10 academic honor roll and 196 were named to the university’s Dean’s List for posting a 3.50 grade point average or higher. Despite academically dedicated university athletic programs, media and outlying cases create a bad image of collegiate ath-
letics. Student-athletes are all judged as if they are a character on “Blue Mountain State,” Cardale Jones or Ben Simmons, who skip classes and do not care about their academic performance. In reality, this is few and far between but because of those
who are guilty of laying back on their academics to aid their athletic status at a university and the television shows that depict these stories, athletes face the struggles of breaking the stigma that they find themselves in. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons and Kayla Mutchler
April 13, 2021
POLITICS
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Derek Chauvin’s trial: What you need to know BY SAMUEL WEINMANN Staff Writer Derek Chauvin, the police officer being charged for the murder of George Floyd, began his trial on March 29. Chauvin is being tried for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. The trial is expected to last 2-4 weeks and is leaving millions awaiting an outcome. After Chauvin killed Floyd by holding his knee on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, global protests ensued, calling for police reform and a reallocation of police funding. Chauvin, who is pleading not guilty, is being tried along with three other police officers. Police Chief Medaria Arradondo has been on the stand and according to Jerry Blackwell, a prosecutor, Arradondo “will be very decisive: that this was excessive force.” Chief Arradondo was decisive, saying that Chauvin’s actions are “not part of our training. And it is certainly not part of
our ethics or our values.” This testimony directly opposes Chauvin’s defense of acting within use-of-force guidance. The longest-serving officer in the police department, Lt. Richard Zimmerman, said that Chauvin’s use of force was “totally unnecessary.” Other officers have also testified against Chauvin, which is a critical development in the case. Zimmerman, the leader of the police department’s homicide unit, said that the use of excessive force violated the department’s policies, according to the New York Times. Aside from police testimonies, there have been multiple civilian testimonies, including one from Floyd’s girlfriend, Courteney Ross. Ross spoke on her relationship with Floyd, how they met and their struggles with opioid addiction. “Addiction is a lifelong struggle,” Ross said. “It’s something I’ll deal with forever.” Ross gave other stories about their relationship and told the court about when they met, and when Floyd was a security
guard. Witnesses from the scene also testified at the trial. One of them was a 9-year-old girl, who spoke about what she saw. “I was sad and kind of mad… it felt like he was stopping his breathing, and it was kind of like hurting him.” Three other high school students testified at the trial; Darnella Frazier, who recorded the event, was one of them. She reflected on the event while testifying. “I have a Black father,” she said. “I have a Black brother. I have Black friends... I look at how that could have been one of them.” Frazier has been recognized around the world for her decision to record the event, but still recalls wishing that she did more to save Floyd’s life. In addition to Frazier’s testimony was Donald Wynn Williams II, an MMA fighter who called the police when he witnessed the scene, saying, “I believe I witnessed a murder.” Williams wasn’t the only one who called the police; a firefighter named Genevieve
Hansen also witnessed the scene while on a walk, saying that she wanted to help, but the officers refused her plea to check for a pulse. Among the other witnesses who took the stand at the trial was Christopher Martin, the Cup Foods employee who reported Floyd’s use of a counterfeit $20 bill, leading another worker to call the police. He recounted the event, including recognizing the counterfeit bill, reporting it to his manager, and being told to bring Floyd back inside the store. After Floyd refused, Martin’s
manager told another worker to call the police. Martin reflected, saying “If I would have just not taken the bill, this could have been avoided.” This case is still an area of uncertainty; however, a majority of police brutality cases result in the police officer being found not guilty. As this case is still in development, more information is to come regarding police testimony and potential witnesses. Until a verdict has been reached, the nation is left to wait. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
J&J vaccine production plummets: What this could mean for college students BY SAMUEL WEINMANN Staff Writer Fifteen million doses of the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine were thrown away at a major Baltimore facility, following costly employee errors. Rollout of the J&J vaccine has quickly slowed down because of issues with a major manufacturing plant in Baltimore. This facility -- run by Emergent BioSolutions Inc. -- is awaiting regulatory clearance, leading to a sharp decline in vaccine production. Less than a week ago, 4.9 million doses of the vaccine were sent to states, with the number now down to 700,000. This all comes in the wake of a
major vaccine mix-up, in which 15 million doses of the J&J vaccine were ruined after workers at the Baltimore facility mixed ingredients from the J&J and AstraZeneca vaccines. Despite this, once the plant receives authorization, J&J could deliver up to 8 million doses each week, with an estimated 100 million doses by the end of May. Although the estimated number of vaccines remains the same, J&J has also been facing other vaccine-related issues, as reports have been coming in of individuals experiencing blood clots after receiving the vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has responded to this, saying, “we have not found a causal relationship with
vaccination.” This decline in vaccine production impacts millions across the U.S., including college students, who have been waiting eagerly to get vaccinated and make the eventual return to normal campus life. Universities are making an increased effort to get students vaccinated, with many making it mandatory to return to campus. Subsequently, issues at this facility are presenting a problem for students wishing to get back to in-person classes and normal activities. According to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, this delay could also cause college students to leave campus half vaccinated. As there were previous plans to have more J&J
vaccines in stock, the shortage of vaccines may force many students to take a shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine before going home in May, without a guaranteed second shot. If this issue doesn’t get resolved in a timely manner, vaccine distribution will continue to fall, preventing millions from getting vaccinated at a crucial period in the pandemic.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
April 13, 2021
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OPINIONS
Should students be punished for actions outside of the university? BY AMANDA CASTRO Managing Editor In 2020, a University of New Haven alumna made controversial comments about the Black Lives Matter movement via Instagram direct message in the midst of the protests against police. The university suspended Graphic courtesy of Christopher Colquhoun
her acceptance into the university’s graduate program as well as her athletic eligibility and prohibited her from participating in the online and in-person class of 2020 commencement ceremonies. In a similar incident on Jan. 6, at least one University of New Haven student was seen at the Washington, D.C. insurrection. The student posted photos of the interior of a gun store and
two photos of the exterior of the Capitol to his Snapchat account, one of which contained wooden gallows. After the events, university president Stephen Kaplan sent an email saying that the Dean of Students Office and law enforcement were investigating. Such events bring forth conversations regarding where university jurisdiction lies in addressing student conduct not occurring on University property. The most apparent and insignificant contention is that students represent the university as an institution. Yet, frankly, the topic should not be arguable unless the conduct is specifically criminally or racially charged, as was the case of the New Haven students. In the 1965 Tinker v. Des Moines case, a group of students in Des Moines, IA called a meeting to organize a public demonstration of their support
for the Vietnam War truce. The students agreed to wear black armbands and to fast on Dec. 16 and 31. The Des Moines school principals heard of the proposal and gathered on Dec. 14, deciding to suspend any student that was wearing an armband. The Supreme Court sided with the students, deciding that the armbands constituted “pure expression,” which is different from the acts or attitudes of those engaging in it and ruling that schools can limit students’ First Amendment right to freedom of speech only if it interferes with school operations, not on the suspicion of interference. However, the line between onand off-campus speech remains unclear. Like the University of New Haven’s alumna and current student, this is mainly attributed to how students use social media to express their opinions, disseminate news and harass their peers.
Currently, holding students accountable for things that they do or say off a university campus is a debatable topic in the U.S Supreme Court – it wasn’t until this year that they agreed to hear the case of a high school student who was suspended for using the F-word online. In the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, the student sued the school board and won. The court ruled that public schools should not arrest pupils for speaking outside of school premises because of the First Amendment. Students have First Amendment rights that should not be infringed upon. However, if a student says or does something that is considered threatening and has the intrepidity to share it online for the world – and the university – to see, the student should be held accountable for their actions.
College burnout: Why you’re feeling unmotivated BY KRISTEN MARCUS Opinion Editor As this semester comes to a close, the motivation to complete work seems nonexistent. Students are tired and just want to relax. Without a spring break this year, many are feeling the effects of burnout due to the lack of time to actually take a break. College burnout is an extended period of time where students experience extreme fatigue and stress which could lead to a decline in academic performance. Physical signs of burnout are a lack of eating, struggling to carry out everyday tasks, trouble meeting deadlines, procrastination, becoming irritable, as well as losing interest in social and extracurricular activities. With the ongoing pandemic, and the lack of fun social inter-
actions and activities, one could feel as though there is no time to rest with classes, projects, clubs, etc. The University has implemented “re-charge” days, where students do not have to attend classes and homework is not due. These days are making up for spring break. Many campus offices, like the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation (CSELO) and the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion have been hosting events both in-person and virtually to still have students engaged in campus-wide discussions and interactions. But it is still not the same as it used to be, due to restrictions and other medical concerns for the campus community; the in-person engagement lacks any real connection with our peers to actually feel like a community. I have experienced and am
still experiencing burnout. As a senior graduating in the next four weeks, I have become extremely tired and find myself unmotivated to do anything. Even hanging out with my friends feels like a chore, which should help relieve said stress. Some ways to curb this college burnout could be to
take a stroll or do a fun activity you have been postponing for a while like starting to journal, watching a movie or calling your friend. Even creating a little regime to stick to which lands you into having a set routine. When we were in quarantine/lockdown, we lost that routine which many of us were
so used to in our everyday lives. But I am hopeful that with only three more weeks of classes left and a glimmer of what could be a “normal summer,’’ we as students could feel the weight lift off of our shoulders as soon as we turn in our finals. A student working Photo courtesy of Lismarie Pabon
April 13, 2021
VIEWPOINTS
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Deconstructing taboo topics: Religion as a power structure BY CAM GARDEN & ISABELLE HAJEK Charger Bulletin Writers Religious freedoms have long been debated across the globe to justify power struggles and war. As they work in society presently, most governmental and cultural structures rely heavily on religion as a foundation and institutional framework. Though the U.S. has attempted to establish a separation of church and state, the foundations of American government and its law and order are rooted in a western religious moral code. In the U.S., Christian religions are idealized. The academic and social calendar year are centered around Christian holidays, providing time off for Christmas. Alternatively, no other religion’s holidays are provided the same courtesy. The social assumption becomes that everyone is Christian until proven otherwise. Conjunctively, religions that Graphic courtesy of Isabelle Hajek
are predominantly practiced in the Middle East are often stigmatized and chastised for participating in their cultural and religious activities. All of this creates a culture of religious taboo on a social and political level, in which certain religions are recognized, respected and visible, while others are villainized and hidden. This religious taboo perpetuates the perception of Christianity and Catholicism popularity, used by churches in the U.S., to assert their power and credibility to society. However, the reality of religious subscription is indicative of different trends. In the past 10 years, these religions have experienced a decline in population, the Christian population in the U.S. has declined 12%, Protestantism 8% and Catholicism 3%; while atheist or agnostic affiliations have increased 9%. Simultaneously, according to the PEW Research
Center, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddist and “spiritual” affiliations have also increased. A societal disregard for non-christian religions has created a false reality surrounding its popularity and strength. Such false strength is used to shape society in the image of religious values by maintaining the assertion of Christian and Catholic morals being most valid in order to argue policy. This has been seen most recently in LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights legislation. Despite the social and political implications of accepting some religions while stigmatizing others, there are many positive contributions that religion and faith bring to society. In general, studies have shown that faith and spirituality are beneficial to mental and physical health. It helps people organize morals and better understand the world in order to function in society. Although, there is a healthy threshold where these positive
effects are achieved before they impose on the wellbeing of others; placing more respect in Christian and Catholic religions while stigmatizing other faiths crosses this threshold. Overall, religions are classified and exalted based on an arbitrary set of rules to further solidify the power structure established by those who hold it. As such, a hierarchy of spirituality is developed where some religions are revered, others are recognized but not respected, and some are reclassified as mythologies. It is when the difference between mythology and religion is analyzed that the emphasis on power in religion becomes clear. The allegory contained in the Bible, Torah, Quran or other religious texts, in comparison to mythologies, achieve the same purposes. Each faith uses storytelling to account for natural phenomena and morally align its followers. For example, the Greek legend of Medusa tells of a story of a woman who turned to a monster to protect herself from male attackers and Matthew 5:29 teaches men to pluck out their own eyes before allowing themselves to lustfully
sin. Each is a story that contains lessons regarding lust and consent; however, the Greek version is regarded as myth while the Christian version is regarded as religion. Because faiths held by ancient peoples no longer have a large following, they no longer hold social power. This has reduced these religions to mythology so that majority faiths may sustain a greater platform at the price of the obsolescence of others. Greek and Roman faith was decimated by Catholic imperial rule, and now Catholicism is one of the world’s leading religions. Are currently stigmatized religions in danger of being demoted to the status of mythology in order to maintain the national power structure rooted in Christianity? An article by BBC proposes that the fate of religions is dependent on the quality of life in a country. If people are constantly fearful of their wellbeing, they are more likely to continue to be faithful, whereas those who feel secure are more likely to hold secular beliefs. In essence, in order for religions to maintain power, they must ensure a system that maintains insecurity and inequality. Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
April 13, 2021
FUN AND GAMES
Overused words in academic papers crossword
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
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Across: 5. Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously. 7. In addition; besides (used to introduce a fresh consideration in an argument). 8. For that reason; consequently. 9. As an extra factor or circumstance. 10. In a similar way. Down: 1. Lastly; to sum up. 2. A large or excessive amount of (something). 3. Plainly or obviously; in a way that is clearly seen or understood. 4. As a further matter; besides. 6. Used to introduce something chosen as a typical case. Also ___ instance.
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