October 30, 2018
THE
Volume 100, Issue 6
West Haven, Conn.
CHARGER BULLETIN
The spooky news source of the University of New Haven.
Photo Illustration by Tyler C. Butler
HALLOWEEN EDITION
The Charger Bulletin
@ChargerBulletin
@ChargerBulletin
@ChargerBulletin
October 30, 2018
www.ChargerBulletin.com
HALLOWEEN EDITION
Page 3
Haunted Tales from Maxcy Hall
Spooky Spoilers A
BY SOMMERS SMITH STAFF WRITER
Page 4
Halloween Story Contest Winner
Page 5 Race is Not a Costume
Page 6 Best of Halloween Playlist
Page 7 P.I.R.O Brings the Paranormal to Campus
Page 8 Student Costume Hall of Fame All clip art in this edition was taken from public domain.
s Halloween ap-
“I became well accustomed
they heard. One said ‘a
of the Paranormal Investi-
to Maxcy, and got a little
whisper and a giggle’ and
gative Research Organiza-
freaked out going through
the other said that she only
tion (PIRO), Lauren Risley,
the building alone,” said Es-
heard the laugh. Once we
“There’s a lot of history
posito. “One night, I had two
came to the conclusion that
surrounding almost all the
of my friends accompany
we all heard the same thing,
buildings on our campus.
proaches, the spirit of ghouls
me, and we walked through
we quickly chose to leave the
I believe the stories I hear
and ghosts is very much
the building.We stopped
building. The only thing is,
about spirits wandering the
alive.
in one room on the second
we questioned why only the
halls of Sheffield and Ruden
But the haunted houses,
floor, and shut off the lights.
two of us sitting next to each
Street Apartments. Too many
scary costumes, and hay-
Out of curiosity, we planned
other heard the whisper. We
things have happened on this
rides, don’t compare to the
on just sitting there for a bit
came to the sort of haunt-
campus for it to not be true!
real-life chills students get
to see if anything happened,
ing realization that what
Now whether these haunt-
walking through Maxcy
as I had already had some
or whoever whispered may
ings are residual or intelli-
Halls.
interesting experiences in the
have been sitting or standing
gent is the real question we
Maxcy Hall is one of the
building -- doors slamming
right between the two of us,
should be asking.”
oldest buildings on campus,
shut or flying open when no
and that’s why our friend
and it’s more traditional look
windows were open, lights
had not heard it.”
stems from a time when it
flickering or turning off and
was an orphanage. For 46
Although there is no secret about how to detect spiritual
Despite its supernatural
activity, students are encour-
on by themselves. So, we
anecdotes and campus histo-
aged to behave accordingly if
years, Maxcy was the New
sat in the room in the pitch
ry, Maxcy Hall isn’t the only
they do feel a presence. There
Haven Temporary Home for
dark, waiting for something,
building on campus to give
was time when this campus
Children. In the past, stu-
anything to happen.
students goosebumps.
may have been someone
dents and staff claim to have
“We had been sitting for
heard the sounds of activity
about 15 minutes, and I was
relating to children echoing
getting a little impatient.
down the halls.
Just as I was about to try
Skeptics may argue that
and “provoke” something,
those old tales are just
which you aren’t supposed
stories, but others feel the ee-
to do with anything para-
riness of the building stems
normal, a voice whispered
from more than just old age.
out of nowhere. It sounded
During his time as a student
like a boy, or a man, and
patrol member for Cam-
was inaudible. Immediate-
pus Police, Senior Zachary
ly following, there was a
Esposito, conducted night
giggle, a little girls giggle.
walkthroughs to lock up
Before I could say anything,
academic buildings and make
my friends shot up and were
sure lights were turned out.
making it for the door.
He recounted his experience for The Charger Bulletin:
“As we got to the hallway, I called out and asked what
According to the president
else’s playground.
October 30, 2018
www.ChargerBulletin.com
Page 4
HALLOWEEN EDITION Contest Winner: Falling Apart clear, but the melancholy
instance, though to where the
and pumpkins plumping
liveries between the gaps of
within the scarecrow was
scarecrow could not know.
larger and larger by the day.
burlap. The crows had been
T
overbearing. A single crow
Moments later, he could
It was some time before the
stuffing the scarecrow, piece
landed on the bent stick that
hear the ferocious flapping of
scarecrow, that daft jumble
by piece, clump by clump, the
was his shoulder. Its sharp
more wings, and insisted to
of hay and potato sacks, real-
whole time. Overjoyed, the
claws dug into the branch
himself all was as it was sup-
ized his arms and body were
scarecrow let his gaze drop
denim overalls hardly looked
through the thin layer of
posed to be. Things fall apart,
not losing straw at all, but
to the pumpkins below him.
blue under all the grime built
straw threatening to slide off.
and I am just a thing.
rather plumping just as the
He saw their vines sprawling
pumpkins were.
towards his spine stick plant-
BY SKYLER HUSON CONTEST WINNER
he loose fitting
up from the storm. Every
Sighing, the scarecrow took
Each bird landed, the
row of pumpkins had been
care not to sigh too deeply
weight straining his artificial
decimated by the harsh blows
and rattle his weak spine. His
limbs. They creaked and
few rows of crop, he only felt
hoped that maybe they too
of wind and cutting rain. The
voice could not be mustered
stretched, bowing but not
as if he was growing stronger.
were trying to restore him.
crows knew better than to
in his dilapidated state, but
breaking. As soon as they
The wind no longer gave him
Perhaps in a few more weeks,
stick around, the scarecrow
the crow chirped despite his
came, the crows fluttered
a shiver. The warmth of the
the vines would let him see
could do nothing but. His
silence. Talons trampled on
away. Resigned to his fate,
sun stayed longer on his hay
his full garden again.
tattered burlap skin seeped
the scarecrow’s still damp
the scarecrow found no relief
padded stick skeleton. The
straw, and his hat blew
edges until he was inches
in their absence. He knew
crows darted to and from,
away long ago. When the
from the beak of that which
they would be back to take
and in a moment of clarity
sun finally slipped in front
he was supposed to ward off.
more of him, piece by piece,
the scarecrow knew it was
of the clouds, it shined to
It was then when he felt the
clump by clump. So it was a
their doing. He strained his
reveal the scattered remains
beak slip through a sliced
routine for some time, and
button eyes to glance at the
of vines and hay. His head
portion of his burlap. It has
as the crows came and went,
crows resting on his out-
tilted down, the scarecrow
come to take my straw for its
the scarecrow saw his garden
stretched arm. Some just
only looked forlorn onto his
nest, he thought solemnly, I
regrow. His slumped neck
landing held small bundles
garden. Across the soil the
suppose this is a fitting end.
reached a section of rows that
of straw in their beaks, while
evidence of destruction was
The crow flew away in that
saw the vine creeping across
some were working their de-
Still unable to see above the
CHARGER COMICS
ed firmly into the soil, and
Graphic Illustration by Tyler C. Butler
BY TYLER C. BUTLER GRAPHICS EDITOR
October 30, 2018
www.ChargerBulletin.com
Page 5
HALLOWEEN EDITION Encourage Candy, Not Alcohol BY KARINA KRUL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
W
hat do you do
with Halloween and you’re not an adult and you’re not a child? While children take their candy and costumes, adults enjoy the same luxuries, often swapping candy for cleverly-named drinks. However, there is one group, too old to be children and too young to be adults, whose members have begun to use the holiday for binge drinking and slutty costumes. High-school students are beginning to drink alcohol at younger and younger ages, consuming the alcohol at parties. And Halloween parties are no
intoxication, in some cases.
stop encouraging them to get to
exception. High school parties
trick-or-treating, and they’ve
happen year-round. We do not
attached a hefty $200 fine.
need to make Halloween anoth-
Multiple cities in the U.S. also
ment of heavy-drinking, with
The next time you see high
er reason for high schoolers to
have laws that cut off trick-or-
Halloween as the prime holi-
school students trick-or-treat-
get blackout drunk with their
treating for children as young as
day for blackouts. We already
ing, resist the urge to laugh or
closest friends.
12. Aside from laws, many high
know college students love their
yell and remind yourself that
school students are peer pres-
Halloween parties, but only if
they could be ringing in the holi-
against high schoolers trick-
sured to stop trick-or-treating.
they include a healthy supply of
day doing shots out of a 15-year-
or-treating. The U.S. Census
They are made fun of for being
hard liquor. They will find the
old’s belly-button next to their
Bureau defines “potential
“childlike” and, in some houses,
alcohol without any help, so let’s
best friend doing a keg stand.
trick-or-treaters” as children
people outright refuse to give
aged 5-14. Why? Are we afraid
them candy.
Yet our culture is vehemently
they might actually enjoy going
This helps fosters an environ-
it early.
We are sending a bright flash-
door-to-door collecting candy?
ing signal to high school stu-
Do you think that they will hock-
dents that their time on Oct. 31
ey-check your 2-year old into
would be better spent at a party
a tree to steal candy from your
where they’ll drink so much they
elderly neighbor?
won’t remember that we’re forc-
Apparently, the answer is yes.
ing them out of childhood. They
According to Time magazine,
don’t have a choice but to grow
one Canadian town has banned
up quickly and to replace what
anyone over the age of 16 from
they loved as a child with...well,
Keep Your Ignorance at Home This Season BY KIANA QUINONEZ MANAGING EDITOR
I
t’s spooky season, and
every year costumes get more creative. Whether it’s putting on a sweatband to be an athlete, or painting whiskers on your face to look like a cat, costumes have gotten easier to pull off. So, why would you choose to offend an entire ethnic group by mocking their culture and traditions?
Let’s turn to, the latest expert
to be inoffensive and creative.
themselves black, line their
doing it in the 21st century. Take
in the field, and host of “Megyn
Yet people still choose to wear
mouths into big red smiles and
Julianne Hough’s costume as
Kelly Today,” Megyn Kelly, for a
ignorant outfits and makeup.
make their hair stick out.
Crazy Eyes from “Orange is the
textbook example of what hap-
“What is racist?” said Kelly on
pens when you ignore this rule.
the episode.”You do get in trou-
characters were used in minstrel
Kelly tried to give ignorance a
ble if you are a white person who
shows featuring white individu-
hall pass during a discussion on
puts on blackface for Halloween,
als parading around in black-
you may and may not wear by
an episode of her show where
or a black person who puts on
face, acting foolish and unedu-
someone who thinks they’re the
she said that when she was a kid,
whiteface for Halloween. Back
cated for a white audience.
boss of you,” said Kelly on the
blackface was acceptable.
when I was a kid, that was OK
Surprise! In 2018 ignorance can get you fired. And surprise! This is your not-
More often than not, these
This isn’t secret. It is a part
New Black.” Or Kim Kardashian for her makeup campaign. “There are strict rules on what
episode.
just as long as you were dressing
of American history, and even
as a character.”
though it was a major part of
boss of you, it’s that you think
19th century entertainment - far-
you’re the boss of me. By choosing to wear a costume that is ra-
Blackface was a tool used by
so friendly reminder to not be
white Americans to portray
ther back than most people can
racially offensive on Halloween.
black characters in their produc-
trace their lineage - people have
The problem is: it’s not hard
tions. A white actor would paint
routinely gotten into trouble for
No, Kelly, I don’t think I’m the
Read more on pg. 6..
October 30, 2018
www.ChargerBulletin.com
Page 6
HALLOWEEN EDITION
Leave the Ignorant Costumes Home Continued from pg. 5 cially and culturally insensitive,
ancestors stole this land. In 2014, rapper and producer
those people’s accomplishments and leadership in their tribe.
The issue with costumes like this are the intentions behind
ing just by being, like, normal people,” said Kelly.
it tells me that you don’t value
Pharrell Williams was criticized
an undeniable part of my hu-
for wearing a Native American
headdresses are earned. The
Mexicans by hats, mustaches
ing everybody. This is only
manity and identity. Of course,
headdress on the cover of Elle
more feathers, the more the
and ponchos.
a small sample of offensive
this goes beyond blackface.
Magazine.
wearer has achieved. Even early
“You cannot dress as a Native
Headdresses are worn by
The eagle feathers used in the
explorers knew this.
them. You cannot categorize
You’re tying together ran-
That’s because you’re offend-
costumes you can choose. From
dom, unrelated things from
terrorists to religious figures, if
another country and claiming
you’re wearing it, it’s probably
American, apparently, that has
elders in some Native American
been a rule for a long time,” said
tribes, as representations of
Mexican-based, no sombrero,
it represents an entire rich and
because you aren’t a part of that
Kelly.
their accomplishments. By wear-
no maracas: that’s cultural and
meaningful culture.
culture. Instead, be creative, be
ing one as a costume, you are
race-based,” said Kelly during
undermining the significance of
the episode.
You’re right, Megyn, it has been, since before even you’re
“You can’t wear anything
Best of Halloween Playlist BY NICOLE MANALL STAFF WRITER
A
Follow the Charger Bulletin on Spotify!
spooky ooky kooky special playlist just in time for Halloween.
Thriller - Michael Jackson Jackson’s hit could make any monster bust out into the “Thriller” dance. Ghostbusters - Fall Out Boy FOB put their spin on the classic, making audiences say “I ain’t afraid of no ghost.” Somebody’s Watching Me - Rockwell
“I can’t keep up with the number of people we’re offend-
basic, who cares? Just don’t be racist. It really isn’t that hard.
Is your roommate or friend... Feeling paranoid? Seeing or hearing things? Losing interest in everything? It may be psychosis. Treatment works. CALL NOW
203-589-0388
Rockwell offers a perfect song about the horror of having someone’s eyes on you. Time Warp - Rocky Horror Picture Show With a jump to the left plus a step to the right, anyone can dance to the spooky essential. Maneater - Daryl Hall & John Oates Hall & Oates urge you to watch out for a woman who will “chew you up.” Superstition - Stevie Wonder Wonder begs you to ignore broken mirrors, walking under ladders and black cats. Monster Mash - Bobby “Boris” Pickett This song is deemed the “most seasonal song,” according to Spotify. This is Halloween - Marilyn Manson Manson’s cover is a Halloween classic sure to send shivers down your spine. Monster - Lady Gaga Gaga sets a beat that’s easy to dance to with your own monster. I Want Candy - Aaron Carter Carter puts his spin on the classic, making you eat candy until your stomach hurts.
mindmapct.org
October 30, 2018
www.ChargerBulletin.com
Page 7
HALLOWEEN EDITION
P.I.R.O. Brings Paranormal Investigation to Campus BY NICOLE MANALL STAFF WRITER
T
he Paranormal
Investigation and Research Organization(P.I.R.O.) is a student-run organization that discusses and studies paranormal and supernatural beings. They also run paranormal investigations at various New England locations. Started in 2002 by a group of students who shared an interest in the paranormal, P.I.R.O. now has over 100
members and over 25 para-
classes that teach the proper
paranormal and supernat-
eral meetings Wednesdays at
normal investigators, accord-
way to conduct paranormal
ural, have our members to
10 P.M. in Henry C Lee 301,
ing to their profile in Charger
investigations.
study and learn about the
P.I.R.O. has multiple events
One important message
paranormal and supernat-
to celebrate Halloween.
that P.I.R.O. would like the
ural, and conduct legal and
From Thursday, Oct. 25 to
“expect the unexpected,”
campus community to know
scientific investigations to
Wednesday, Oct. 31, they will
according to president and
is that it is open to anyone,
determine whether or not a
hold Paranormal Awareness
head investigator Lauren Ris-
whether they believe in su-
location has any paranormal
Week (P.A.W.) to inform the
ley. The organization chooses
pernatural beings.
activity.”
campus about the supernat-
Connection Each week, members can
a different topic to explore during each meeting.
“We don’t judge people’s
Members not only look at
ural.
opinions or beliefs,” said
P.I.R.O as an organization
executive assistant Zariah
that shares their passion
will host paranormal jeop-
meetings, members can go
Morman. “There’s room for
for the paranormal and the
ardy in the student dining
on investigations with team
healthy debates on certain
supernatural, but also as a
hall from 8 p.m.. to 9:30
members for a hands-on
topics.”
way for students to get out of
p.m. On Halloween night,
their comfort zone.
P.I.R.O will host their annual
In addition to weekly
experience. Anyone who is
According to their consti-
part of P.I.R.O. can become
tution, P.I.R.O.’s mission is
an investigator after taking
to “educate peers about the
“It’s a space to discuss any-
costume ball from 8 p.m. to
thing your mind can think
10 p.m.in the alumni lounge.
of; it’s also a chance to learn
There is an entry fee for the
about vast topics, a lot of our
costume ball: $1 for students
members come to learn and
in costume, $2 for students
listen to what individuals
without a costume, $5 for
have to share,” said Risley. “I
non-university students in
have learned so much since
costume, and $6 for non-uni-
my first meeting my fresh-
versity students without a
man year. I tell people all
costume. Every year P.I.R.O.
the time, the paranormal is
donates the proceeds to a
an always changing, always
different cause each year.
growing field. You can never
This year’s proceeds will be
know it all!”
donated to WHEAT food
In addition to holding gen-
Graphic Illustration by Tyler C. Butler/The Charger Bulletin
On Tuesday, Oct. 30, they
pantry.
October 30, 2018
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HALLOWEEN EDITION Halloween Hall of Fame
Page 8
Senior forensic science and biology pre-med major Rachel Buck dressed as Ronda Rousey. Senior mechanical engineering major Joanne Yeung, senior criminal justice major Chelsea White, and senior forensic psychology major Alex Stroffolino dressed as 80s workout instructors.
Senior mechanical engineering major Nash Khairi and senior criminal justice and national security major Tiffany Barnes dressed Southside Serpents from “Riverdale.�