The
Charger Bulletin
The student news source for the University of New Haven
Volume 103, Issue 5 | October 5, 2021 | West Haven, Connecticut
Rocks in the quad: A mysterious campus tradition BY ELISA D’EGIDIO Student Life Editor What’s the deal with these painted rocks in the Bixler-Gerber Quad? Unfortunately, no one knows. The quad is outlined in big, decorated rocks representing selective recognized student organizations (RSOs). As the University of New Haven is not known to hold many campus-wide traditions, these rocks
hold a special spot in the Charger nation’s heart. “I think the significance of them, for the RSOs who have them is the sense of pride, the sense of history,” said Greg Overend, executive director of the center for student engagement, leadership and orientation (CSELO). CSELO oversees the process of rock distribution. Rocks must be upkept to policy standards. If an organization loses recognition, they lose their rock.
The BSU rock in the Bixler-Gerber Quad, West Haven. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Lismarie Pabon
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Overend said that information was shared with him, and that “the rocks were available as a way of building identity for student organizations.” Kappa Gamma Rho (ΚΓP) houses one of the rocks. Matthew Kozek, a mechanical engineering senior and member of ΚΓP, said: “The rock represents the longevity of the organization, we are currently coming into our 25th year at UNH, and as long as the rock is present so will KGR.” The hunter green, red and gold rock sits facing health services decorated with a shield emblem, which Kozek said is representative of the fraternity as ΚΓP is the longest active chapter on campus in the interfraternity council. As the Black Student Union (BSU) was the first multicultural organization to be created at the university, Saniyah Brinney, political science junior and vice president of the BSU, said, “This rock represents not only our organization, but our culture and union as a whole. Without any of those important factors, we wouldn’t have anything on campus that represents us as a community.” Lou Annino, associate vice president of the office of facilities and alumni of the university, said, “The RSO Rocks represent a very important part of University history and student tradition.” “For this reason, I believe the rocks should be carefully preserved,” said Annino. “However, now with so many student organizations, rocks may not be a practical way to properly represent and celebrate all such groups. While preserving the
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The KGR rock in the Bixler-Gerber Quad, West Haven. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Lismarie Pabon
history of our past, I would like to see students perhaps consider some new and more inclusive transition that represents all student organizations.” “Personally, I believe the university should add more rocks on campus to highlight and show off all the amazing RSOs on campus, there is so many originations filled with great persons who would love the opportunity to speak on their beliefs to the general population of the university,” said Kozek. “If more rocks cannot be added, another idea could be to allow each RSO on campus to take a section of concrete sidewalk in the [M]axcy quad and allow it
to be painted however the RSO wishes, allowing every RSO to have a public area to highlight the hard work they provide to the beautiful area of New Haven County,” said Kozek. Overend and Annino said that the rocks were on campus long before they came to the university, so the origins are still a mystery. The library does not hold any records on them in their archives, either. If an organization wants to add a rock to the quad, Overend suggests reaching out to Undergraduate Student Government Association President Sofia Martinez.
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Lil Nas X is breaking music industry barriers BY KELLY ADKINS Student Life Editor Since Lil Nas X came out as gay on the last day of Pride Month in 2019, people have criticized him for everything, from publicly coming out when he did to giving a CGI Satan a lapdance. Meanwhile, the rapper-songwriter has continued to use his platform to promote LGBTQ+ representation within the music industry. Cultural critic for NBC Trey Green wrote about the significance of “MONTERO,” Lil Nas X’s debut album, and said: “In an industry still steeped in homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and overall anti-LGBTQ attitudes, Lil Nas X is a bold symbol of freedom.” Homophobia in the music industry is nothing new and it’s stil prevalent. In July, rapper Da Baby made homophobic remarks at the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami, specifically targeting gay men and stereotypes about the immunodeficien-
Lil Nas X in an Instagram Post Photo courtesy of @lilnasx on Instagram
cy virus, HIV. Members of the music industry, including Elton John and Nas X, were quick to tweet their disapproval of Da Baby’s comments. While staying on brand, Nas also incorporated Pride themes into his latest music videos, including “INDUSTRY BABY” and “THATS WHAT I WANT.” On top of gay love scenes and
nudity, Nas also embedded Easter eggs into each track. “INDUSTRY BABY” refers to the homophobia within the music industry after the harsh criticisms of “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” specifically from the imagery in its music video. In the “THATS WHAT I WANT” music video, the camera zooms in on Nas opening a
Durex condom, which may be a response to Da Baby’s remarks about HIV. Nas also promoted Durex on his Instagram for Sexual Health Month, and wrote “Let’s celebrate by recognizing sexual health and wellness for everyone, whatever their gender/ sexual identity and expression.” Earlier this month, the pop star was named the first-ever Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year by the Trevor Project, a non-profit that focuses onsuicide prevention and awareness within the LGBTQ+ community. In the Trevor Project’s press release, Nas said “Discrimination around sexuality and gender identity is still very real, and our community deserves to feel supported and totally free to be themselves… If using my voice and expressing myself in my music can help even one kid out there who feels alone, then it was all worth it.” By the release of his debut album, using his faux pregnancy publicity tactic, Nas raised awareness and funds for 16 different charities–one
corresponding to each track on MONTERO–in his ‘baby registry’ including those supporting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC causes, such as the Transinclusive Group, Thrive SS and the Bail Project. This year, Lil Nas X won three VMA awards: video of the year, best direction and best visual effects. Nas claims that “MONTERO will be awarded album of the year. Whether this comes true, the debut remains a historic moment for Lil Nas X’s personal and professional transformation and the communities to which he belongs. Denzel Baptiste, co-producer of Nas’s album and previous works, told the Rolling Stone that during his first production year in 2019, Nas was “quiet and reserved,” and he said he is honored to be a part of his musical transformation. “Fast forward two years to him being a style icon, an outspoken representation of his community, and really being a thought leader in that community,” said Baptiste.
How to enter the music business after college SHAYLA HERNANDEZ Contributing Writer We’ve all thought about our futures. However, this inevitable reality of growing up has mostly been stored in the back of our minds, collecting dust until we are ready to cross that bridge. The burden of picking a career amid the struggle of adulthood always was something to worry about later on. Until now. Music, sound recording and music industry majors at the University of New Haven, this piece is for you (though other majors might gain from it). We’re all in the same boat, trying to make a name for ourselves. It can be difficult and discouraging to make strides in our field since it is one of the most competitive fields of study. Many of us, though, have had this dream of what our futures would look like for a long time. Here are a few crucial pieces of advice: Work on your current experience, or work on getting experience Experience is key to achieving your goals. As a person striving to make a name for yourself in the industry, you need to become comfortable with stepping out of your comfort zone. This requires gaining exposure while also honing in on your music skills. This may include gigging,
posting covers on social media or collaborating with other producers and creatives; the options are endless. The more experienced you are, the more well-rounded you’ll become. Put together a resume Along with gaining experience in your field, be mindful to keep track of it all. This includes jobs, volunteer opportunities, internships and any extracurricular activities you’ve taken part in. Doubt might settle in when comparing your experience to that of your peers.’ It can also be incredibly discouraging to submit a resume you’re proud of and not receive a response from a potential employer. Nevertheless, continue to be proud of all that you’ve accomplished along the way and be your biggest advocate. You’re putting in the effort to build a career of your own. If you’re looking to spice up the exterior appearance of your resume, try Canva. It’s free, easy and contains thousands of templates from which to choose. Make yourself versatile Be a jack of all trades. The more you do, the more valuable you are. I’m a singer/songwriter at heart, but I became interested in social media marketing and music journalism. Additional hobbies expand your capability. Essentially, you are able to create more opportunities for yourself and potentially sustain longevity
Inside of a private recording studio in West Hollywood, C.A. Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Caught In Joy
in the music business. Network, network, network! Connecting with like-minded individuals in your field can work in your favor when getting your foot in the door. They make for great contacts for collaboration, potential work partners and friends. As nerve-racking as it may be, it’s as simple as getting to know students who share the same major as you, or introducing yourself to others at an event. However, you should never solely seek benefits from a person. A brief introductory sentence of who you are and what you do
can be the key component in getting acquainted with gatekeepers of your chosen industry. Take advantage of campus resources The university offers different resources, organizations and staff members to answer any professional inquiries. Ask for advice from your music professors, attend a Music Industry Club meeting, perform in school events or participate in Rein Records. It’s a matter of taking the initiative and seeking out the guidance you need. The contacts you make in school can make
your post-graduation networking journey much easier. Make sure to check out the university’s Career Development Center to inquire about one-on-one resume workshops. The future can be nerve-wracking. But, embracing the realm of the unknown is what makes the journey exciting. If you can take anything away from this list, continue to manifest your future goals and aspire to be a well-rounded, innovative member of the music industry.
Entertainment
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Saturday Night Live is back with new guests BY TIARA STARKS Entertainment Editor After months of speculation, Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) 47th season’s first batch of hosts and musical guests, along with an updated cast and writing staff list is here. “Loki” actor Owen Wilson will kick off the season as host on Oct. 2 alongside musical guest Kacey Musgraves. On Oct. 9, socialite and T.V. personality Kim Kardashian will host along with musical guest, Halsey. Actor Rami Malek will host the Oct. 16 episode with Young Thug as musical guest. The month will end with actor and former SNL cast member Jason Sudekis hosting along with musical guest Brandi Charlie. According to the Los Angeles Times, Beck Bennett, who has been a cast member on the show since 2012, announced on Instagram that he was leaving the show. The caption on his post read, “Love you, SNL, Gonna miss you so much, Thank you for 8 years of remarkable people and incredible experiences that completely changed my life. I had so much fun.” This announcement comes after months of rumors regarding casting of the show. Aside from Bennett, all of the cast members from the previous season return. Aidy Bryant, Michael Che, Pete Davidson, Mikey
Day, Heidi Gardner, Colin Jost, Kate McKinnon, Alex Moffat, Kyle Mooney, Ego Nwodim, Chris Redd, Cecily Strong, Kenan Thompson, and Melissa Villaseñor will reprise their roles as repertory cast members. Former featured players Bowen Yang and Chloe Fineman have been promoted to repertory cast member status as well. Viewers will also see some new faces as three comedians have been added to the featured players list. James Austin Johnson, who can be seen on “Better Call Saul” and “All Rise” and is known for doing impressions of former-President Donald Trump; Sarah Sherman, a quirky, absurdist comic from the Chicago comedy scene; and Aristotle Athari, a Los Angeles-based comedian who has appeared on Silicon Valley and has a special on Comedy Central will be joining. Athari will be the second Iranian-American cast member on the show after Nasim Pedrad. According to Vulture, the latenight sketch show has also added 10 writers to their staff which includes Mike DiCenzo, Billy Domineau, Alex English, Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, Vannessa Jackson, Tesha Kondrat, Ben Marshall, Jake Norwind and Ben Silva. Kent Sublette, Anna Dresden, Micheal Che and Colin Jost will return as head writers. “SNL” airs at 11:30 p.m. Saturdays on NBC.
Halsey and Kim Kardashian’s announcement from SNL’s Instasgram Photo courtesy of @nbcsnl on Instagram
Streaming on a television. Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Glenn Carstens-Peters
Stream these shows this month BY ANDREA ALVERCA
Staff Writer
October has just begun, meaning new shows and movies are coming to streaming services available to you. Here are a few shows to check out: On My Block: On Jan. 29, Netflix announced the return of its hit coming-ofage show, “On My Block.” This will be the show’s last season with a full 10 episodes. The show’s leads will return, following Ruby (Jason Genao), Jamal (Brett Gray), Monse (Sierra Capri) and Cesar (Diego Tinoco) in their last year of high school. Jessica Marie Garcia and Julio Macias will also reprise their roles as Jasmine and Spooky, respectively. Peggy Blow, who portrays the fan-favorite Abuelita, has been promoted as a series regular for the finale. Season three ended on a bittersweet note, with the four friends promising that they wouldn’t drift apart. In the season four trailer, we find that our East LA crew has gone their separate ways after a two-year time jump. However, when a secret is unburied, the group quickly learns that you can’t run from the past. Luckily, we won’t have to wait long to see what season four will bring, as the finale premiered on Oct. 4. You can stream current seasons of “On My Block” on Netflix. You: Almost two years after the release of season two, our favorite murderer is coming back for a new chapter in his life on the Netflix original series “You.” The third season was announced on Aug. 30 with an ominous teaser trailer of Joe cutting a birthday cake for his newborn son. The teaser trailer ended with not only
the reveal for his son’s name (spoiler alert, it’s Henry), but with the announcement that the show would premiere on Oct. 15. Netflix dropped the official trailer on Sept. 17, which included footage of Joe (Penn Badgley) and Love (Victoria Pedretti) burying a body in the woods while their newborn son coos in his stroller. Season three includes a wave of new cast members including Scott Michael Foster (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), Dylan Arnold (“After”), Shalita Grant (“Bones”), Scott Speedman (“Underworld”) and Tati Gabrielle (“The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”). You can stream the first two seasons of “You” on Netflix. Insecure: Created by co-star Issa Rae and writer/comic Larry Wilmore, “Insecure” will be back for its fifth and final season on Oct. 24. The comedy series began with eight episodes, delving into the love lives of two contemporary Black women, best friends since college Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) as they struggle to navigate the complexities of their careers and relationships. Season five will span for 10 episodes. This season is set to return with more mirror raps, love triangles and awkward moments as we will continue to follow the characters while they evaluate their relationships in an effort to figure out who and what comes with them in this next phase of their lives. You can stream current seasons of “Insecure” on HBO Max. Just Beyond: Disney+ is coming out with a new series just in time for the Halloween season. Based on the R.L. Stine graphic novels, “Just Beyond” focuses on multiple journeys of supernatural self-dis-
covery through the worlds of witches, aliens, ghosts and parallel universes. “Just Beyond” will have eight stand-alone episodes, all with different plots and casts. The premiere episode’s cast includes stars such as McKenna Grace (Gifted), Nasim Pedrad (“New Girl”), Henry Thomas (“Haunting of Hill House”), Lexi Underwood (“Little Fires Everywhere”) and Riki Lindhome (“Big Bang Theory”). The American horror-comedy anthology series is created by Seth Grahame-Smith, author of best-selling novel “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’’ and screenwriter of “Dark Shadows” and “The Lego Batman Movie.” You can stream this new series on Disney+ on Oct. 13. Dopesick: On Oct. 13, Hulu will air “Dopesick,” a limited series following the creation of OxyContin by Purdue Pharma. The show will highlight how the drug became a commonplace in doctors’ offices along with its long-lasting and devastating effects. The series’ eight episodes will give viewers a compelling look into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, led by an all-star cast who play multiple people that are part of the drug epidemic. The cast includes Michael Keaton (“Batman”), Will Poulter (“Midsommar”) and Kaitlyn Dever (“Booksmart”). Keaton portrays a small-town Virginia doctor, Poulter plays an ambitious medical sales representative and Dever as an unlucky miner. The cast also includes Rosario Dawson (“The Mandalorian”), Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven”), Phillipa Soo (“Hamilton”) and Jake McDorman (“Ladybird”). You can stream the series when it airs on Hulu.
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Student Life
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Bring your own P(rop)ineapple Johnny’s Improv Club BY KELLY ADKINS Student Life Editor It all started with a pineapple and a dash of imagination. After being created on a whim by close friends on a pre-COVID campus, Pineapple Johnny’s Improv Club has roughly doubled its members since last year, and they’re looking for new recruits. Improvisation, also known as improv, is a form of impromptu acting where the actors have limited to no time to prepare for a skit. Improv is less restrictive than traditional acting, and it allows for more off-the-cuff moments. Sometimes, the audience has a say in contributing; in fact, this is how the name of Pineapple Johnny’s came to be. Benjamin Schmitt, environmental science major and president of the club, said the unique name stemmed from a simple improv exercise. In this exercise, you have the audience shout out a prop and a name for your character. “They had a pineapple and
Johnny, and then they just thought that was the funniest thing in the world and that’s the name,” said Schmitt. According to Schmitt, this name has lent itself publicity. At this semester’s involvement fair, the recognized student organization (RSO) adorned its station with a cardboard cut-out of a pineapple with a pair of sunglasses drawn on. “It was just weird enough that people would stop and stare and come over,” he said. Once the pineapple and curiosity creates interest, students will find that the RSO consists of what Schmitt describes simply as a lot of fun. The group completes various improv games within their meetings, but they begin with warm-up exercises. These range from the classic game of freeze, to activities where you are an expert on a subject, but you are one of three heads and each head can only say one word at a time. Actors may conduct an interview but have no idea why the
interview is being held, and they can only glean answers based on what the audience is telling them. Schmitt encourages students who are even slightly interested to come down, experienced or not. According to Schmitt, most people have been doing improv their whole lives without realizing it. “You can use improv everywhere,” Schmitt said, “if you’ve ever done an assignment 10 minutes before you hand it in, that’s improv.” Improv can mean something to anyone, he said. “It helped me forget about all like the stress and tension of all these due dates, all these new responsibilities, for just like an hour on a Tuesday evening everything went away,” he said. “When I came to campus, I was an introverted mess, I had no idea how I was going to survive around all these people who are much more confident in me,” he said. “So I just started looking for clubs with similar hobbies.” He walked into a room in
Graphic courtesy of Kelly Adkins
Harugari on a Tuesday night, and there were just eight people there, most of whom were seniors and executive board members who were all friends. Now, Schmitt estimates there are roughly 25 to 30 active members. Although pandemic protocols keep the club from holding campus-wide events, Schmitt said that he and the executive board plan to hold improv workshops and shows in similar scale to the
pre-COVID theater club productions. “If you are really good at just taking what life can throw at you and making it work for you, I think you would have fun,” said Schmitt. “Or if you just like random nonsense, if you like, creating something from nothing.” Pineapple Johnny’s Improv Club meets from 5 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays in room 301 of the Bergami Center.
It’s Italian-American Heritage Month: Is the university celebrating? BY ELISA D’EGIDIO Student Life Editor Perspective October is Italian-American Heritage Month and honors the achievements, contributions and success of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the U.S. During this month, Italians are recognized for their influence in medicine, literature, theatre, fashion, cuisine, art and more. Italian immigrants came to the U.S. as tradesmen, stonemasons, marble workers, shoemakers, dressmakers, artists and artists, which helped build our nation into what it is today. With the many attributions Italians have made to our nation, the month should be better highlighted. Italian immigrants began arriving in the late 1800s and were used as labor workers for American factories and mines as they helped boom the industrial economy by building roads, dams, tunnels and other infrastructure. Italians helped build the Brooklyn Bridge and carved the Lincoln Memorial. During World War II around 2 million Italian-Americans served in the U.S military. Fourteen of them earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. As of 2017, there were about 17 million Americans of Italian descent, which explains why so many Italian words and terminol-
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
ogy have made their way into the American language. You will find Italian enclaves in cities and neighborhoods across the U.S., including Little Italys in San Diego, Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston and New Haven. The New England Historical Society said, “Roughly half the populations of East Haven, West Haven and North Haven are descended from Italian immigrants.” In these cities with large populations of Italian-Americans, every year one can find cultural celebrations going on in honor of this special month. The Columbus Day Parade in New York City is the nation’s largest celebration of Italian Heritage. This year’s 77th annual
parade takes place on Columbus Day, Oct. 11. New Haven’s Wooster Square Park will host the traditional wreath-laying ceremony, where the local Italian-American organizations gather. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, North Haven will not host its annual parade this year. Italian-American Bart Giamatti is the former president of Yale University, which is not surprising as Italian-Americans make up around 22 percent of New Haven’s population. A majority of New Haven’s Italian population originates from Naples–which explains the superiority of the local pizza at Zuppardi’s Apizza, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana: Coal Fired
Pizza and Sally’s Apizza. With a great deal of tradition and culture, the University of New Haven has ample opportunity to share the significance of this month with its students–but why don’t they? Our students have the opportunity to experience first-hand Italian heritage by studying at the Tuscany Campus in Prato, Italy. During this month of celebration, the university should take advantage of their connections. Having guest speakers from the Prato campus, even remote or virtually, could allow a growth of interest in study abroad along with giving the student body an opportunity to learn more about the significance of Italian culture. Alpha Phi Delta (ΑΦΔ), an Italian heritage fraternity, is part of the interfraternity council at the university. Being the only Italian organization on campus, one of their honorary brothers is the iconic singer Frank Sinatra. Amiel Perez-Wilson, criminal justice senior and member of ΑΦΔ said, “Italian American Heritage Month is important because like so, so many other cultures and backgrounds, Italian Americans brought with them unique cultural, lingual, and many other types of differences.” Perez-Wilson said the university could do more to celebrate the month. “Honestly, I think it could be highlighted a little bit better and not just Italian American heritage
but all heritage,” Perez-Wilson said. “I think the school should do more for each heritage each month, they talk [a] big game but sometimes that effort and recognition fall flat and I think especially for those who it means the most to. “I just think it is important to recognize and appreciate the diversity in our country and taking the time to appreciate the contributions everyone brings is vital to improving our global and cultural awareness and giving everyone their own month is a great way to do that.” Anthony Graziano, homeland security and emergency management junior and head of philanthropy in ΑΦΔ, said that this month is a time to acknowledge the contributions made by those before him. Juan Dominguez, general manager of dining services at the University of New Haven, met with dining staff and the school’s dietitian Samantha Zajac to create a menu for October highlighting Italian Heritage Month. The menu includes specialty pasta dishes, desserts, pizzas and sandwiches. “We are very dedicated to international students at the University of New Haven,” said Dominguez. “I have heard that Italians ‘discovered America, named America, and built America’ and that is a source of pride among those in the community,” said Graziano.
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Student Life
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University organizations honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month BY KELLY ADKINS Student Life Editor October marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Charger Nation has been quick to support the cause. Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus are hosting breast cancer awareness-themed events scattered throughout the month. The first event of the month was on Oct. 3, with the Forensic Science Student Association (FSSA)’s involvement in Bridgeport’s breast cancer awareness walk. Junior forensic science major and FSSA community service committee head Kaitlyn Russo said that they invited all FSSA members to participate this year. “We chose to support this event because a large percentage of all
people on campus are connected to someone who has had to face breast cancer,” said Russo. Resident assistants (RAs) in particular are programming to support the cause this month. On Oct. 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. students can attend the “Bling a Bra” event in the Celentano lobby, put on by junior RA Skylar Seabert. At Seabert’s event, students of all gender identities are welcome to bedazzle a bra to spread awareness and support survivors of breast cancer, while also learning about breast health and exams. On Oct. 22 from 4 to 6 p.m., three RAs, Lexi, Sarah and Jimmy, will host a “Pie an RA” event in the Gerber/Bixler quad; all proceeds will be donated to a local non-profit that helps women with breast cancer. Chi Kappa Rho (XKP) sorority
is also hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness walk on Oct. 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at the German Club Pavilion. This on-campus walk aims to support those battling breast cancer and will consist of free food and free giveaway items. Senior criminal justice major and XKP community service committee chair Tara Franklin said that although this is not an annual event, their organization is hoping to make it one. Franklin said that any money raised will go directly towards research for the cure of breast cancer. Anyone who wishes to donate to XKP’s fundraiser with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation can do so at: bcrf. org/team/377710. “We wanted to make the fight for the cure for breast cancer a more established cause on
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
campus,” Franklin said. “We hope to be able to increase unity surrounding breast cancer aware-
ness on campus.”
Charging into the biggest event of the semester, Homecoming BY NIKKI BIBEAU Contributing Writer Homecoming Weekend is back. From Oct. 8 to 10, students can relax, connect and reconnect with university peers. On Oct. 8, it is the all-day homecoming virtual kickoff on social media to start Alumni Day, which includes the Charger V5K, a virtual five-kilometer run where individuals may do the course at their own time. Attendees can also stop by the Career Development Center in the Bartels Student Activity Center (BSAC) in the first-year quad to learn more about the resources for alumni, including workshops, LinkedIn 101 and more. This will be a great opportunity to discuss networking with students to hire and recruit them from campus. Simultaneously, campus tours will be available between 9 and 10 a.m. Later that night from 6 to 8 p.m. is Charge Home, the Charger Huddle and Homecoming Weekend Kickoff Celebration, at Trinity Bar in New Haven, Conn. This event celebrates the classes of 2021, 2020, 2016 and 2011. Admission is open to all and includes two drink tickets, food and a giveaway. To end the night, Lewberger, a comedic musical trio, will perform. Students can sign up through Eventbrite, which will be available through the Student Committee of Programming Event’s (SCOPE’s) Charger Connection page. Next up, The Centennial Class Commencement Celebration will take place on Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. at
Students during the first football game of the season, West Haven, Sept. 5, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Lismarie Pabon
Kathy Zolad Stadium. 88.7 WNHU will also host an open house that will take place between 9 to 11 a.m., where students and families can tour the Lois Evalyn Bergami Broadcast Media Center, home of the student radio station, to record their own station ID. The Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion will also have a
live, virtual tour between 10 and 11:30 a.m. where individuals can meet the staff, network with alumni and learn about the Myatt Center’s mission and plans. There is a softball alumni game at 10 a.m. at the softball field, North Campus. The 12th Annual Football Alumni Reunion will take place between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a
private football alumni tailgate party at the North Campus parking lot until the Chargers football team plays Saint Anslem. To celebrate the alma mater of 1971, 1996, 2001 and 2006 with friends and family, there will be a #Blueout Alumni Tailgate Party. A tailgate buffet will be included with beer, wine, entertainment and a giveaway.
Ending off the weekend, The Charger Alumni Brunch will be held at the German club pavilion between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 10. Campus tours will be available as well. Students with any questions can contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@newhaven. edu.
Politics
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Is the U.S. ready for booster shots, or is it too soon? BY SAMUEL WEINMANN Politics Editor Perspective On Sept. 21, during the United Nations’ (U.N.) 76th Session in New York, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said that despite the world’s progress with vaccines, wealthier countries like the U.S. get an “F in ethics.” Guterres said that more than 90% of Africa has yet to receive a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes at a time when multiple countries, including the U.S., are starting to roll out booster shots. When large portions of the world are still unvaccinated, should the U.S. go forward with booster shots? The nation is faced with an ethical dilemma. On one hand, booster shots are scientifically proven to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; on the other hand, there are still billions across the globe who are at a significantly increased risk for COVID-19 without access to vaccines. Increasing global vaccine distribution would also benefit people in the U.S. As long as COVID-19 is spreading in other parts of the world, it is still a risk in the U.S. because we need to reach herd immunity.
According to Dr. Manisha Juthani from Yale Medicine, “For the variants in the U.S., these vaccines will continue to work against them,” but if we let the pandemic run wild elsewhere, there will likely be another variant, “against which the vaccines will be less effective.” Essentially, in countries with high COVID-19 rates, variants will continue to pop up, subsequently increasing the spread of the pandemic here in the U.S. By increasing vaccine access in other countries, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 in both the U.S. and the world. That means we’ll need to alter our vaccine approach to create a balance between domestic and international vaccine needs. To do so, it will be necessary to drastically increase the amount of vaccine aid to other countries. President Joe Biden promised to do so at the summit. “To beat the pandemic here, we need to beat it everywhere,” said Biden, after announcing that the U.S. will double its vaccine donations, and move more than one billion doses of the Pfizer vaccine. While this shows that we are moving in the right direction internationally, we still have domestic issues to sort out before proceeding with the booster shots. There is still a concerning number of anti-vaxxers who continue refusing available vaccines.
Graphic courtesy of Samuel Weinmann
According to Forbes, states such as South Dakota and Idaho have vaccine refusal rates of more than 30%, which contributes to higher COVID-19 cases in certain areas of the country.
Perhaps, in addition to implementing booster shots, we should pay more attention to getting the American population vaccinated. The U.S.’ main focus should not be on booster shots; first, we
must ensure that Biden sticks to his promise of vaccinating other parts of the world, as otherwise, we’ll never be able to escape this pandemic.
The scorching of Spain: September’s recent wildfire LILLIAN NEWTON Contributing Writer On Sept. 13, a wildfire tore through Spain’s Andalusía region, forcing an estimated 2,600 people to evacuate. The blaze has consumed at least 18,285 acres of land so far, releasing huge plumes of smoke above the mountains in the region that can be seen miles away. According to the deputy director of the Regional Operative Center of Infoca, Andalusia’s fire prevention and extinction plan, Alejandro Garcia, the blaze, fanned by strong winds, had an “unusual power and strength” and was recorded moving in multiple directions. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the deployment of a military emergency unit to the area of the blaze because of the wildfire’s intensity. Countless emergency workers have aided in attempts to slow and reduce the fires as well, with Andalusia’s regional forest fire agency noting that hundreds of firefighters have helped in tackling the wildfire, with the
The Thomas Fire burns in the hills above Los Padres National Forest during a fire operation, Dec. 20, 2017. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons/Forest Service Photography
support of 41 aircraft and 25 vehicles. The blaze has claimed the life of one emergency worker. According to Infoca, conditions had improved overnight as of Sept. 13, with efforts focused on reducing the impact of the eastern wall of the fire. At the same time, Infoca noted that the fire was on a scale unlike any seen in recent years, with greater complexity than other wildfires
in the area. Infoca also said that climate change and neglected rural areas were partially to blame for the intensity of the fires. The director of Infoca’s regional operations center, Juan Sánchez, said, “Right now, we’re probably dealing with the most complicated fire that Spanish firefighting services have faced in recent years.” The fire started in Sierra Ber-
meja, a mountainous area located above the popular Mediterranean tourist destination Estepona. The regional forest fire agency asked residents of local towns Jubrique and Genalguacil on Saturday to remain inside due to the increased levels of low-lying smoke in the region. The fires, according to Regional environment chief Carmen Crespo, are believed to have been started deliberately. Inves-
tigations into uncovering the details of the case are underway, with investigators working tirelessly to track down those responsible for starting the fire. Andalusia’s regional president Juanma Moreno stated his commitment to bring those responsible to justice after visiting the area. Since the end of August, 183,500 acres of Spain have been destroyed by wildfires. These statistics put Spain above the average destruction within the past decade. 2012 still remains the most devastating year for regional forest fires in the past decade, with 469,500 acres of land being destroyed. Environment Ministry data shows a troubling trend of the years on record, seven out of ten of Spain’s hottest years on record have occurred in the last decade. This trend can also be seen globally, with unusually large wildfires causing devastation around the world, especially this year. Scientists note that dry and extremely hot conditions, both symptoms of climate change, are to blame for the uptick in largescale wildfires.
Opinions
Pg. 7 | Oct. 5 2021
Our Staff
Editor-in-Chief Kayla Mutchler Managing Editor Amanda M. Castro Associate Editor Tyler Wells Entertainment Editor Tiara Starks Opinions Editor Isabelle Hajek Politics Editor Samuel Weinmann Sports Editors Lindsay Giovannone Joseph Klaus Student Life Editors Kelly Adkins Elisa D’Egidio Photography Editor Lismarie Pabon Community Engagement Editor Victoria Cagley Multimedia Editor Jada Clarke Videography Editor Eldrick Greenway Business Manager Kiana White 88.7 WNHU Liasion Carl Gianelli Adviser Susan L. Campbell 300 Boston Post Road | West Haven, CT 06516 chargerbulletin@newhaven.edu | www.chargerbulletin.com Office: 203.932.7182 Printed by Valley Publishing Co. Derby, CT Since 1938, The Charger Bulletin has been the official student news source of the University of New Haven. Recipient of 1st Place - ASPA Annual Contest/Review for Scholastic Yearbooks, Magazines and Newspapers, 2020. 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 f they feel a correction is necesary. Please email the Editor-in-Chief at chargerbulletin@ newhaven.edu. The Charger Bulletin ad rate sheets are available upon request or by emailing cbads@newhaven.edu. 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.
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October marks National Coming Out Month: Why should you care? BY MIA ADDUCI Contributing Writer October marks the peak of fall, from apple picking, to homecoming, all the way to Halloween. However, in the midst of all the red and orange of fall festivities, society tends to undermine the power of the full rainbow as October also houses National Coming Out Month, with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. For some members of the LGBTQ+ community, the process of coming out is long, complicated and, in some circumstances, dangerous. According to BBC, homosexuality is still outlawed in 69 countries. In many ways, the fact that the U.S. has explicit time in the calendar year dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community is still incredibly nuanced. From the Stonewall riots in 1969, it was not until 46 years later in 2015 that same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states. When stepping back and taking a retrospective look at the numerous months dedicated to
minority groups in the U.S.– from Black History Month running through February and Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, to Women’s History Month in March and Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month in May– one can quickly identify the ways in which all of these groups are tied to their own unique histories. For minority groups, the level of rights and safety they have today only came as a result of intense fighting in order to be viewed and treated as proper humans. For groups who face intense prejudice and hate crimes for existing, it is essential to take measures to properly acknowledge the sections of the year designated to the battles fought for such groups to earn their place in society. It boils down to the identities, which sacrificed many lives and put countless more on the line in the process, all to earn their right to exist in the country, properly allocated time for focused visibility. In reality it is the bare minimum that can be done after all that these groups have
Students walk across the rainbow crosswalk, West Haven. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/ Lismarie Pabon
historically endured. The University of New Haven is within the top 22% of most diverse schools in the country. Taking a step back using this ranking to further consider why these national months of visibility hold any substance to them, it becomes clear that as a student population housing minority groups, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety and appreciation of the diverse groups that comprise our student body. While inherently nothing can accurately work to capture the hardships endured by minority groups who have not always had a place within society, it is essential for members
of academia to understand that these groups are still fighting to gain access to equality. One major step that students can take towards a sound community is giving these months proper attention. The university campus must be transformed into a place where we embrace the diversity placed before us naturally.We cannot only grow to understand the amount of fighting that had to occur in order to place all of our peers alongside one another in class, but also evolve to be far more progressive in our understanding of the power behind our granted right to stand beside one another today.
Devious licks: Should it lead to discipline or detention? BY TIARA STARKS Entertainment Editor If you’re active on the social media app TikTok, you may have come across a challenge turned trend coined “devious licks.” The challenge involves the user recording themselves stealing items of value from their schools. The first occurrence came from the user @jugg4elias who posted themselves stealing disposable masks from their school’s bathroom, which has led to other objects being stolen from schools around the country. The caption of the post read, “A month into school absolutely devious lick.” The trend’s name is derived from the slang phrase “hit a lick,” which implies getting something of value quickly. The vandalism and theft-based trend has made its way across America to parts of Canada and Europe. More recently, it has found its way to local Connecticut schools in Fairfield and Hartford counties. Darien High School reported incidents related to the trend that consisted of vandalism. According to one USA Today article, most of the response has been teachers and school administrators begging for parents to monitor what their child looks at but also escalated to students being charged and
Graphic courtesy of Samuel Weinmann
fined. According to USA Today, nine students from Marion County Public Schools in north Florida were arrested for incidents including hand dryers and paper towel dispensers being pulled off the wall and destruction of a urinal, school officials said. While monitoring may work in theory, in reality, it likely won’t stop children from influencing each other’s behavior in person, without the mode of social
media. TikTok began removing videos featuring the trend, and the original “devious licks” video was removed on Sept. 13. The trend has been banned by the app since Sept. 15 for violating TikTok’s community guidelines. The “devious” hashtag has over 235 million views. There is a counter-trend emerging called “angelic-yields.” According to Insider, this acts as a direct response to the devi-
ous licks trend. A user named @j.uher7 posted an “angelic yield” video which showcases the user returning the items that they stole from their schools. Another form of participating in the trend includes bringing gifts to public places like bathrooms. While this is perceived as a positive alternative to the negative influence that the devious licks trend has, it goes to show how simple it is for kids and young adults to do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. This proves through the social learning theory that social behavior is learned by observing and imitating the behavior of others. Children are mimicking the bad behavior they see their friends doing just due to how widespread the online trend has gotten. There is no clear-cut way to prevent vandalism and stealing at school other than beefing up school security, or making stricter disciplinary protocols such as instituting in-school detentions, suspensions or taking away internet privileges in school. You can’t control the consequences for what a student does outside of school and most school systems in general don’t have the means to enforce monitored usage of the internet. The only way to stop bad behavior is to not encourage bad behavior; and that, of course, starts at home.
Sports
Pg. 8 | Oct. 5 2021
The Charger Bulletin chargerbulletin.com
Volleyball proves too much for Molloy, wins in straight sets The soccer team plays on Kayo Field, West Haven, Oct. 2, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Joseph Klaus
Men’s Soccer draws against Stonehill BY JOSEPH KLAUS Sports Editor
The Blue and Gold hosted the Stonehill College Skyhawks in a Saturday afternoon NE-10 matchup at Kathy Zolad Stadium. Coming off an overtime victory against the Golden Knights from the College of Saint Rose on Sept. 28, the Chargers looked to make it three in a row and improve to 3-2 in the conference. But after 120 minutes, they came away with a tie against their conference foe in a 0-0 draw. On the stat sheet, the Blue and Gold dominated, out-shooting the Skyhawks 18-7; but that stat line showed little as the performance for the Chargers was not what it has been this year. The team sent shots well-wide and way over the net, never truly testing Stonehill keeper Andrew Hammersley. The backline and Hammersley stepped up when they were called upon, but those times were few and far between. On the other side, Chargers keeper Themis Kastoris also had a quiet day as the Skyhawks had few chances to break through the center back pairings of Tiago Vintem and Tyler Jasknski in the
first half and Frantz Innocent Jr. and Vintem in the second. The center-back pairings and rotation of outside backs controlled the pace of play with possession coming through those four. This is a change of style for the Blue and Gold from earlier games that saw captain Francisco Guedes and the midfield triangle controlling possession and pace. Head coach Brian Quinn adjusted his normal starting 11 and went deeper into his reserves throughout the game, trying to find the connections needed to score, but that never came. At the end of regulation play, it was all even. The fans that came out got to watch overtime soccer that came with little differences from regular time. Neither team was able to connect in the final third, missing scoring opportunities with shots that went well wide or way over. In a match that took 120 minutes, neither team was able to send the other away with a loss. Instead, both teams walked away with one point and the draw. The Chargers continue conference play when they travel to crosstown rival Southern Connecticut State University on Oct. 6 with kickoff at 7 p.m.
BY TYLER WELLS Associate Editor The New Haven women’s volleyball team continued their hot streak against out-of-conference Molloy College on Thursday night, winning in straight sets. This pushed the Chargers’ win streak to five, including their strong four-game homestand in the last two weeks. In the first set, the Lions came out looking strong with three straight points, jumping out to an early lead. However, the Chargers did not stay quiet for long; they quickly responded with three points of their own, led by two service aces from sophomore libero Rilee Jessee. New Haven did not look back from there, as their offensive attack proved to be too much for the Molloy defense. Senior right-side Jessica Akiona led the way in this first set, posting five kills and guiding the Chargers to a 25-17 win. With a 1-0 lead in the match,
the Chargers did not slow down in the second set. After an Akiona ace and kill extended the New Haven lead to 19-12, Molloy found a rhythm to cut into the lead and pull within one. With the score at 20-19 in New Haven’s favor, the Chargers finished the set with five consecutive points off trading kills from junior outside hitter Emily Barry and sophomore middle blocker Emily Smith. New Haven boasted a commanding 2-0 lead going into the third set, wasting little time in putting the pressure back on the Lions. The Chargers quickly opened a 7-3 lead with two kills from senior middle hitter Asiya Way. This would effectively end the match, as Molloy was unable to keep New Haven off the board. They went on to comfortably win the final set 25-18 and post a clean shutout of Molloy, sending the Lions home with a loss. Standout performances from Akiona, Way and Barry led the
Chargers to victory. Akiona continued showing her strong presence on the court, posting 14 kills and two aces after her career-high performance in their previous game against Bridgeport. Way added 10 kills, her career-high, while Barry contributed 12 kills of her own. Freshman Sophia Leon-Tabor, the Northeast-10 (NE-10)’s Rookie and Setter of the Week, added 35 assists and two service aces. As a team, New Haven dominated in the box score. Their hitting percentage on the night was .337, their third-best mark on the season, and dwarfed Molloy’s at .125. The Chargers also posted just 12 errors compared to the Lions’ 14. With the win, New Haven moves to 10-5 (2-0 NE-10) as of Saturday. The loss drops Molloy to 6-9 (1-2 in conference). Information and live stats on the Chargers’ upcoming schedule can be found at NewHavenChargers.com.
Volleyball players in a huddle during the game inside of the gymnasium, West Haven Sept. 30, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Joseph Klaus
Embarrassing! These teams continue to lose despite top draft picks and ‘good’ game strategies BY LINDSAY GIOVANNONE Sports Editor Perspective We all do embarrassing things from time to time, but these five football teams are putting themselves through unprecedented levels of humiliation. Halfway through week four of the 2021 NFL season, the totally defeated Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts are causing many of their supporters to consider becoming Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans. The Detroit Lions said their new coaching staff was “incredibly picked” and they were “excited” for the season. This
coaching staff pushed the team to an exciting losing start, rallying them to statistical mediocrity and a 0-3 record. Position coach Duce Stanley is even choosing not to play rookie running back Jermar Jefferson because he “wants him to be upset” and “to be mad.” This is a great strategy. Surprise your opponents by rendering players inactive. New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has been praised for his unexpected running game, consistently running for his life since his wide receivers play a game of hide and seek down field. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett of The New York Giants says he “[doesn’t] really think about scoring points.” Uhoh! Without any wins, maybe he should think about that.
The Jaguars had the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and scooped up Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He described his team’s game plan for their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals as “good” and then proceeded to lose 31-19. This continued their race to have the most consecutive losses in NFL history, with 19 in a row after a devastating Week 4 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fans can take solace in knowing they’ll break a record somewhere. The New York Jets, who went 2-14 in the 2020 season, had the second pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and chose Brigham Young University’s Zach Wilson as their new franchise quarterback. So far, he has been absolutely as-
tounding in leading the deprived New York Jets to the lowest average points per game in the League, at 6.7 (less than one combined touchdown and a point after touchdown). The Indianapolis Colts have decided that playing quarterback Carson Wentz through two sprained ankles will be the season turnaround they’ve been waiting for. It’s shocking that after 45 minutes of dodging five 300-pound offensive linemen, he just can’t hold it together in the fourth quarter. Colts’ fans went through the five stages of grief within 15 minutes, averaging one per three minutes–the team’s best statistic so far. At the end of the day, fans have to trust the process; these things take time–maybe even lifetimes.
But rest assured that your greatgreat-great-great grandchildren will see their favorite team have a winning season., if climate change doesn’t get them first.
A football on a field. Photo courtesy of Unsplash/ Dave Adamson