Volume 101, Issue 2
September 10, 2019
West Haven, Conn.
THE
CHARGER BULLETIN
The student news source of the University of New Haven.
A CONVERSATION WITH DR. HENRY C. LEE
University Mainstay Discusses His Reputation Being Called Into Question Story on pg. 3Photo by Anna Downs/The Charger The Charger Bulletin
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September 10, 2019
BULLETIN BOARD
Bulletin Briefs
The
Charger Bulletin
Page 4 West Haven Mayoral Candidates Debate
Page 6 Why We LOVE “Lover”
Page 8 Technology in the Classroom is Necessary
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Editor-in-Chief Anna Downs Since 1938, The Charger Bulletin has been the official student news Managing Editor Corina Rodriguez source of the University of New Haven. Staff Writers Ethan Cardona, Matt Verrilli Advertising The Charger Bulletin ad rate sheets are available upon request or by Student Life Editor Jennifer Korn calling 203.932.7182 or via email at CBBusiness@newhaven.edu. The Sports Editor Zack Pincince Charger Bulletin reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Advertisements within The Charger Bulletin are inserted by outside sources Entertainment Editor Kayla Mutchler identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the University Opinion Editor Erin Cuomo of New Haven. Advertising material printed herein is solely for informational purposes. For the most up-to-date information, visit www. Multimedia Editor Kailey Feshler ChargerBulletin.com/advertise. Associate Editor for Photography Nicole Rivera Associate Editor for Graphic Design Seth Harrington Letters to the Editor The submission deadline for letters to the editor is 5 p.m. on Friday Staff Graphic Designers Victoria L. Page, Serena for publication in Tuesday’s issue. Letters to the Editor are also pubPiervincenzi lished online the same day as the release of print issues. Letters should Associate Editor for Videography Nathan Gagne not exceed 300 words if they are to be considered for print publication. All submissions by outside writers to The Charger Bulletin, unless otherwise Community Engagement Editor Victoria Cagley
The Campus Climate Survey Results
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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Page 12 Postcards From Prato
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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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September 10, 2019
Page 3
NEWS
Dr. Henry C. Lee Defends His Name and Career BY ANNA DOWNS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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n June Connecticut’s Supreme Court overturned the convictions of two men who in 1985 were sent to jail partly because of what the court said was inaccurate testimony, regarding the evidence, from Dr. Henry C. Lee, the renowned forensic scientist and University of New Haven stalwart. The cases were reviewed at the urging of the Connecticut Innocence Project, a part of the state’s Division of Public Defender Services. The court found that “the state’s failure to correct Lee’s testimony” about physical evidence “deprived the petitioner of a fair trial.” According to a university
spokesperson, “Dr. Henry C. Lee has been a distinguished member of the University of New Haven faculty since 1975. The University’s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, considered one of the best and most comprehensive in the country, is named in honor of Dr. Lee. He also is the founder of the Lee Institute of Forensic Science, which was established on campus in 1998.” said university spokesperson. In an interview with the Charger Bulletin, Lee said the overturning was a judicial matter. When asked how he felt about the case being overturned, Lee said “That’s fine, I don’t care. That’s the judicial issue.” The two men were found guilty of the murder of Everett Carr, 65, of New Milford. The men,
Shawn Henning, 17 at the time of trial, and Ralph Birch, then 18, were sentenced to 50 years, and 55 years, respectively. The teens, who were homeless at the time, were prime suspects for the murder in part because of their past criminal history with burglary, according to the CT Post. In the trial, a stained towel was presented as a piece of evidence. It appeared to contain the blood of the two convicted men, although at the time there was no technology to detect DNA. In addition, the men were convicted based on testimony from family members. But after leaving the crime scene, there was no blood found on the clothing of either men and no blood found in the car in which they were living, according to the Connecticut Post. Lee said, “I did not participate
in the investigation, I really don’t know what the grandma said, girlfriend said, or the witness said because the whole case is focused on the witness statement. Scientific evidence we did not find, except the shoeprint, we found two different kinds of sneaker prints, those are partial prints.” Lee added that forensic practices have changed “You cannot use today’s techonolgy to judge what police did thirty years ago,” which include no technology to gather DNA and no emphasis on protecting the crime scene by wearing gloves. The university spokesperson said, “Dr. Lee has been involved in thousands of cases over his long and distinguished career.
His contributions to the University of New Haven and to our students have been immeasurable. For that we are forever indebted.” In June, Lee held a press conference at the university to address the reports surrounding the cases which have been brought to question. At that press conference, according to WNPR, Lee said, “Further laboratory testing should have been done to confirm that information. Laboratory tests conducted decades later found that the stain was not blood..” But Lee said to the Charger Bulletin, “The towel never even played a factor, because the conviction was basically by the witness.”
Dr. Henry C. Lee in his office at the University of New Haven, Aug. 2019 Photo by Anna Downs/The Charger Bulletin
September 10, 2019
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NEWS
West Haven Mayoral Candidates Debate BY EARL ALEXANDER GIVAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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he University of New Haven hosted the West Haven democratic mayoral debate between two of the three candidates, Mayor Nancy Rossi and former mayor Ed O’Brien. The third candidate, Debbie Collins, declined the university’s offer to attend. The debate was six days before the primary election on Sept. 10. A post from the Facebook Page of Collins’ campaign states that she had already made plans for her campaign that would not allow her to attend. Chris Haynes, the coordinator of the political science program on campus, said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to see democracy in action.”
The debate demonstrates the growing relationship between the university and the town of West Haven. Multiple times during the debate, both candidates referenced the importance of this relationship Rossi began her opening statement by thanking the university for hosting the debate and said, “West Haven has a strong working relationship with the university, and I look forward to continuing the good work we do together.” Rossi also discussed how the university’s involvement has made the inner workings of the mayor’s office easier. She said student involvement has led to one student receiving a letter of recommendation from her to intern for U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. O’Brien said he reached out early onto work with Haynes to create the university’s Mayor Advisory Commission, when he was mayor in 2015.
O’Brien said, “We want UNH students involved in the process, we want to know what it’s going to take to keep them in West Haven.” During the debate, the candidates spoke about different directions they would like to take the city of West Haven. Rossi focused on upholding the financial stability of the city, and would like to continue in the direction that she has taken the city’s finances. O’Brien was vocal about turning West Haven into a city that is attractive to
large businesses, so that its residents don’t feel that they have to leave West Haven to satisfy their wants and needs. At the end of the debate, the floor was opened for questions from the audience, which included West Haven residents and university students. Two of the most-discussed topics were taxes on businesses and a general decline in the arts in town. At the end of the event, both candidates, as well as Haynes were asked to give comments to the Charger Bulletin.
Rossi said, “I believe that I am the best person for the mayoral position, my credentials as a certified public accountant, put me at an advantage.” O’Brien said, “I think it was a great debate, I think it was a great opportunity for me to tell people my views and my vision for the city.” Haynes said, “I was very proud of the way in which both of the candidates represented what democracy should be about.”
The City of West Haven Mayoral Candidates Debate in the Bucknall Theater. (Left) Ed O’Brien (Right) Nancy Rossi Photo by Earl Alexander Givan/The Charger Bulletin
September 10, 2019
E N T E RTA I N M E N T
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Lana Del Rey Releases New Album “NFR!” BY KAYLA MUTCHLER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
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bout a year after being announced, on Aug. 30, Lana Del Rey released her fifth studio album, “Norman F*****g Rockwell!” “NFR!” features 14 tracks. Del Rey began releasing singles for the album in 2018, beginning with “Mariners Apartment Complex,” and followed by the nineminute-long “Venice B*tch.” In 2019, she released “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have – but I have it,” and a cover of Sublime’s “Doin’ Time,” which is also featured on “NFR!” Del Rey teased this album for almost a year, leaving clues for fans to piece together. Billboard said that the title of the album
was released in the lyrics of “Venice B*tch,” where in a verse she mentioned American painter, author, and illustrator, Norman Rockwell. Four-time Grammy Award-winning producer, Jack Antonoff, collaborated with Del Rey for “NFR!” He previously worked with artists such as Lorde and Taylor Swift. Del Rey said in a Billboard interview that she was not in the mood to write music, until she met Antonoff. He played ten minutes of atmospheric riffs, and she was able to envision her new album, which she calls “a folk record with a little surf twist.” Del Rey said she’s finding her muse through her music: “My little heart’s path has such a distinct road that it’s almost taking me along for the ride.” The album officially announced in June 2019. She posted a pho-
to on Instagram of her four singles on Jun. 15, with the caption “I luv the songs I put out over the last year.” The same day, she posted a video of herself singing along to a song, with the caption “Title track” and a hashtag featuring the name of the album and song. On Jul. 31, Del Rey posted a photo with the album artwork, and announced that it would release on Aug. 30. Currently, “NFR!” is number one on the Official U.K. Albums Chart Update. This is Del Rey’s fourth U.K. number one since Born to Die (2012), Ultraviolence (2014), and Lust for Life (2017). Del Rey promotes her new album in with live shows beginning on Sept. 21 at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY, spanning to some other events in North America, followed by European shows in 2020.
Screenshot from Lana Del Rey’s Instagram showcasing the arrival of new music. Photo Courtesy of Lana Del Rey’s Instagram
New Streaming Service: “Disney Plus” Arriving This November BY KAYLA MUTCHLER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
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etflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video are some of the most popular streaming services, and on Nov. 12, 2019, Disney Plus. The Disney Plus is a subscription based application that will cost $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually. Disney Plus will feature an immerse library. It will include their classic Disney content as well as Disney-owned movies, TV shows, and new releases. Disney owns multiple companies and franchises—including
Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, National Geographic, and more— so most programs under those will be available through the subscription. The Disney Plus website says that the streaming service “delivers your favorite entertainment to smart TVs, phones, laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles.” With the new platform, Disney is ending a licensing deal with Netflix this year. That means all Disney programs will be removed from Netflix. All new theatrical releases will go on Disney Plus when it is available. Business Insider said that Disney predicts the service will
have 60 to 90 million subscribers by 2024. They will spend $1 billion during its first year of streaming, and $2 billion annually in original content. Disney Plus will feature new shows and movies. There will be multiple new Star Wars
series and movies, such as “The Mandalorian,” a new season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” and an Obi-Wan Kenobi series. New Marvel content will also be available, such as “Ms. Marvel,” She-Hulk,” “Loki,” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons
Spin-offs and reboots of Disney shows and movies will also feature on Disney Plus. Two revivals include a “Lizzie McGuire” series starring Hillary Duff, which does not have a release date yet, and “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” which will be available at launch. Disney also merged with 20thCentury Fox, allowing it to stream programs such as all 30 seasons of “The Simpsons” and “The Sound of Music,” among others. More shows and movies will be available as Disney Plus matures.
September 10, 2019
E N T E RTA I N M E N T
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Why We LOVE “Lover” VMAs Rewind BY REBECCA TATERA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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aylor Swift shocked the pop music world when she released her much anticipated seventh studio album, Lover, on Aug. 23. Swift described the 18-track album in an interview with Vogue. “This album is really a love letter to love, in all of its maddening, passionate, exciting, enchanting, horrific, tragic, wonderful glory.” This theme of describing the different kinds of love echoes throughout the entire album. Specific tracks like “Soon You’ll Get Better” quickly grappled at listeners hearts. “London Boy” became increasingly popular since Swift performed it on BBC Radio 1. “Cornelia Street”
speaks about the vulnerability of friendship. Swift chose to tackle political issues happening throughout our world that inhibit love and acceptance of others. “The Man” describes how Swift had to do more in her career to reach success, while men do not have to work as hard for the same level of success. “You Need to Calm Down” references anti-LGBTQ+ people and encourages them to analyze why they are filled with hate. While these songs were intended to encourage others to be politically active in upcoming elections, the album did not hit home for some. According to Cosmopolitan, Lover is “manufactured by a pop-hits algorithm.” If Lover didn’t have all of these drastically diverse components, fans would be complaining that there weren’t enough.
Swift writes about her life with ex-boyfriends , feminism, past friendships, and current relationships. Swift is ultra-relatable with this album, especially towards the fans that grew up with her who are now in their 20s, too. This album is drastically different from the previous era of Reputation. It is also the first album that Swift owns by herself, after Swift expressed her struggles with owning the rights to her music in Jun. 2019. Her record label, Big Machine Records was acquired by record executive, Scooter Braun, who now owns the masters to all Swift’s previous discography. Fans cannot get enough of this album and rejoiced upon its release. Lover is a fresh, light, and lovely summer sound that leaves the listener proud that Swift finally owns her music.
Taylor Swift sends a love letter to her fans with a 13 track album that looks at politics and human rights - and you can dance to all of it . Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons
BY KAYLA MUTCHLER
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Follow the Charger Bulletin on Spotify!
T
he VMAs took place on Aug. 26. why not listen to some
award-winners, and throwbacks? Take a listen to these songs that won “Video of the Year” from 2008 to 2018. “Piece of Me” – Britney Spears Though this was not Britney’s first nomination, this down-tempo, electronic song is her first and only to win in this category. Dance In The Dark – Lady Gaga Even though this song has very high energy, Gaga sings about the touchy topic of woman being harassed by her boyfriend. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – Beyoncé This song isn’t just for the single ladies—it’s a hit that anyone can jam out to. “Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga Did you know Lady Gaga had two songs nominated at the same time in this category? “Bad Romance” and “Telephone” were nominated, but this song won the award. “Firework” – Katy Perry Hold onto summer imagery of fireworks with this feel-good throwback. “We Found Love” – Rihanna (feat. Calvin Harris Rihanna’s vocals and Calvin Harris’ beats is a combination that is sure to make a hit. . “Mirrors” – Justin Timberlake “Mirrors” is another down-tempo hit from Justin Timberlake that will have you screaming the lyrics. “Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift (feat. Kendrick Lamar) This video featured much of Taylor Swift’s best friends. Though her and Selena Gomez are close, they play enemies in the video. “Formation” – Beyoncé Did you know that Beyoncé holds the record—being 5—for most female nominations in this category? “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar raps to “sit down,” but it’s hard not to dance when this song comes on. “Havana” – Camila Cabello This song played on repeat on radios all across the country during 2018, so why not reminisce and listen to it one more time?
September 10, 2019
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S P O RT S
Men’s Soccer Scores First Win BY ZACHARY PINCINCE SPORTS EDITOR
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he University of New Haven’s men’s soccer team started their season Friday, Sept. 6 with a home game against the University of Bridgeport. This game was more personal than others, as was shown on the field. Head coach, Brian Quinn, previously spent 16 years as the head coach for Bridgeport, where he had many successful seasons, including winning three conference tournament titles. New Haven started the game off strong, scoring the first goal just ten minutes in. Senior, Nate Peduzzi, took a pass from teammate, JP Viruet, to put a nice move on the keeper to get a free shot at the goal and sunk
it into the back of the net. The game got physical as both teams were constantly fighting to get position on the other, which resulted in a combined eight yellow cards between the two teams. A penalty in the box by New Haven led to the first goal for the Purple Knights off a penalty kick in the final minute of the first half. New Haven and Bridgeport went into the break tied at one a piece. The second half kept up the physicality with neither team backing down. Bridgeport struck first in the 58th minute off a free kick from just outside the box. The impressive shot made for a nearly impossible save for the Chargers as the ball sailed into the top right corner of the net. The lead did not last long. In the 64th minute, junior, Estanislao Desseno, sent a corner kick up into the box where it
bounced off of multiple players and eventually landed in the net, hitting a Purple Knight for the own goal. With 11 minutes to go in the game, Bridgeport had a golden opportunity to score. They were able to get off two shots in the box, but a save by senior goalkeeper, Stefano Lorusso, and a stop by a New Haven defender kept the ball out of the net; an impressive team effort to keep the Purple Knights from taking on another score. With seven minutes to go in the game, the Chargers had yet another corner kick. Desseno served it up perfectly and junior, Zachary Almonte, came soaring in for a beautiful header that struck gold. The Chargers pulled ahead, 3-2, and never looked back, securing their first victory of the year.
(Top Left) NO. 6, Pedro Aparicio Sophomore, (Bottom Left) Team Huddle, (Top Right) NO. 23, Nate Peduzzi Senior, (Bottom Right) NO. 16 Francisco Guedes Sophomore. Photos Courtesy of Hunter Lang/The Charger Bulletin
Photo Courtesy of Charger Athletics
Chargers Season Opener BY LYNDSAY MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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hargers football team fell short in their season opener at Indiana University in Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Sept. 8. The Chargers let in two touchdowns before getting themselves on the board. Although New Haven led in both rushing and passing yards on the day, they were unable to cut their deficits and fell to the Indiana Crimson Hawks, 13-24. New Haven won the coin toss and took possession of the ball. After a slow start, Ju’an Williams caught a pass to move the chains and get a first down for the Chargers. Wasting little time, New Haven advanced the ball down the field, but were unable to convert in the red zone because of early penalties. After a Chargers punt, IUP’s Duane Brown was able to catch a 47-yard pass for a touchdown on the second play of the drive, putting the Hawks up 7-0 in the first quarter. By the end of the half, New Haven was losing by ten points. However, Brett Huber from the Chargers snagged a short pass from quarterback, Nick Robins, to give Robins his first and only passing touchdown of the game.
New Haven switched between two upperclassmen quarterback’s in their first appearance of the season, Robins and Christian Lupoli. Robins, who threw three interceptions, struggled to connect with his wide receivers. With 11 penalties, losing 102 yards, the Chargers battled with calls on both sides of the line of scrimmage, which stalled out their offensive drives. Penalties set the Chargers back all game and proved to be detrimental. Kicker Michael Staleny was a key player for New Haven this game as he went 3-3, scoring an extra point in the second quarter and then a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter, leaving the Chargers trailing by seven. Staleny stepped up as his team was only able to convert one touchdown all game. In the beginning of the fourth quarter, the score remained 1710, IUP. Staleny followed his first field goal with another in the fourth quarter, pushing the Chargers another three points closer. However, the Crimson Hawks had an answer, as they scored a touchdown with 9:07 left for the final points of the game. The Chargers will take on the Stonehill Skyhawks next Saturday, Sept. 14, at W.B. Mason Stadium in North Easton, Massachusetts.
September 10, 2019
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OPINIONS
Technology in the Classroom is Necessary BY ERIN CUOMO OPINION EDITOR
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he most distinguishing factor in the current century is technology. The digital world has become a part of everyday life, and has been implemented into almost everything we do. Within the first few days of classes, students get a feeling for their professors’ various teaching styles and practices. Though most professors implement modern technological systems in the classroom, for instance PowerPoint presentations, videos, and the use of laptops, there are still many who dislike the use of technology in the classroom and rely solely on lectures and books to teach
a class. Gracie Hancox, a senior and forensic science major, says that in a lot of her science classes, it’s easier to see images of certain programs and instruments when technology is involved, such as PowerPoint. “Taking notes on a PowerPoint makes it so much easier to look back and see what we were talking about. They could use paper copies, but for things you look at for only a minute, having it on screen is more sustainable and better for the environment,” said Hancox. Technology is used very often, and will most likely be used in our future careers. Having a digital and visual aid could help many students in their futures, and help them to absorb information more efficiently. According to the U.S. Department
of Education, technology plays an important role in motivating students, learning technical skills, collaborating with peers, and increasing the use of outside resources. In a study completed by scholars at the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the preferred style of learning was kinesthetic, or learning by carrying out an activity, followed by visual and auditory learning. Technology can be an asset to all of those styles of learning by providing project work, a visual and auditory aid, or a blend of the three. With technology also comes some troubleshooting. “I’ve had classes cancelled because the computer wasn’t working and IT (Information Technology) couldn’t get there in time,” said Hancox. In cases like this, faculty training on how to
troubleshoot common technological problems is beneficial. In addition, it is important that all professors receive training to implement certain media and technology into the curriculum. Since technology can be so beneficial in education, it should not be ruled out from the classroom because of teachers’ habits. For the professors that prefer to teach in a lecture style with no PowerPoints, they should be
encouraged to explore implementing certain technological resources into the classroom. College is an exciting time to take in new information, and apply it to our future careers, and lives outside of the classroom. By introducing technological training to our distinguished professors do not use media, I believe students would have more opportunity for growth and better motivation to learn.
Photo Illustration by Seth Harrington/The Charger Bulletin
Three Tips On Getting a Great Letter of Recommendation BY GIANNA SCIRE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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any things require letters of recommendation, including grad school, scholarships, jobs. At some point in a college career a student will need to ask a professor to write one. There’s a right way, and a wrong way to do this. University professors get asked to write many letters of recommendation, so make sure you’re asking the right person for the correct reasons. Here are three things to consider before asking a professor
for a letter of recommendation. 1. Make sure you stand out in class Chances are your professor sees hundreds of faces a day, so make sure you are standing out among the faces. Don’t ask a professor for a recommendation if you do just enough to get by in class. You want your professor to recognize who you are, but you want your professor to recognize you for the right reasons. According to University of New Haven professor, Paul A. Casella, a student asking for a letter of recommendation should have a relationship with a professor in some way, or the student should have been outstanding in class performance.
Casella said that before asking, a student should be fairly confident they will receive a “yes.” If you are not confident you will receive an enthusiastic “yes” from a specific professor, it is probably better to ask someone else. This leads to 2. Choose wisely Depending on the job you are applying for, choosing which professor to write a letter can be crucial. If you are applying for a job in marketing, it may be better to ask your business professor, as opposed to your art professor. Also, do not choose a professor just because of their name alone. They may be well known in a certain industry, but if they do not know you well
enough to be a reference, turn to someone who does. As says Indeed, an employment related search engine, “you should consider those with whom you had the most interaction, succeeded in their class or were particularly involved in your education in some way. The more they can specifically attest to your work as a student, the better the recommendation will be.” A recommendation letter can make or break your outcome, better to ask a professor who cannot only speak on your accomplishments and work ethic, but your personality as well. 3. Have multiple references in mind Even if everything is done right,
there is always a chance of rejection. Don’t take this personally, sometimes professors are too busy to write recommendation letters, or they are already backed up writing others. According to Indeed, you should gather a list of 5-10 references. Having multiple references in mind is a great back up plan and will leave you with less stress at the end of the day.
Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons
September 10, 2019
Page 9
OPINIONS
You Need to Stop Drinking Milk BY MADELEINE ORCALES CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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umans have been conditioned to believe that dairy milk is a cure-all elixir. In 1992, U. S. Department of Agriculture created the purposely generic food pyramid to convince the public to increase their dairy intake, while pushing the dairy industry and political lobbyists’ agendas forward under a thinly veiled attempt to better Americans’ nutrition. However, according to Harvard scientist Dr. Walter Willett, who ranks in the top one percent for citations as reported by Clarivate Analytics annual list of Highly Cited Researchers, dairy milk consumption does not reduce the risk for bone fractures. Willett said, “Most populations around the world don’t drink any milk as adults. Interestingly enough, they have the lowest fractures. And the highest bone-fracture rates are in milk-drinking countries such as northern Europe and the United States. Calcium is important all through life, but the amount of calcium that we need is probably overstated.” The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine conducted research that showed, “A plant-based diet that avoids milk and dairy products can help protect against prostate cancer.” According to meta-analysis from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Milk and dairy products are linked to an increased prostate cancer risk due to the hormone-insulin-like hormone insulin-like growth
factor (IGF-I), saturated fat, and dairy calcium and protein.” According to a Harvard Nurses’ Health Study, milk might be responsible for increasing the risk of bone fractures by 50 percent. The USDA’s suggestion that men and women need three cups of dairy milk per day is completely contrary to modern scientific research. This vague suggestion does not include the disadvantages of dairy milk consumption because of individuals, such as Land O’ Lakes and The Dairy Farmers of America, who are eager to enforce the industry’s interests to gain political influence. The science behind the research is sound; the dairy industry’s propaganda is not. If the research is not enough to stop you from drinking milk, maybe the inhumane treatment of dairy cows and the composition of their milk is. Cows, like humans, only produce milk while pregnant. This means a dairy cows are repeatedly and invasively inseminated within three months after giving birth to produce enough milk. Once a dairy cow can no longer handle the treatment she is subjected to, she is killed and used for her
beef. During a dairy cow’s shortened lifespan, she is often housed in poorly ventilated buildings, increasing the risk of infections, especially for mastitis. Mastitis is a painful infection that occurs in a cow’s udder and causes a higher somatic cell count. According to the USDA, “When a cow is infected, greater than 90 percent of the somatic cells in her milk are neutrophils, the inflammatory immune cells that form pus.” In the U.S., the FDA allows for 750 thousand of these cells per liter of milk, while other countries limit the cell count to 400 thousand. To avoid supporting the lobbyist agenda surrounding the dairy industry and inhumane treatment of dairy cows, try reaching for a milk substitute like rice, almond, coconut, or soy milk. These options and others are more cost effective in comparison to dairy milk because they have a longer shelf life. Plant based alternatives also provide similar nutritional profiles, which allows consumers to maintain their health and nutrition while promoting humane treatment of dairy cows.
Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons
The Aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Father and son directed the crew to the home to tend to three sick individuals.
Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons
That Time I Endured Hurricane María
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BY AMANDA M. CASTRO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
s a young girl growing up in Puerto Rico, I endured my fair share of hurricanes, but I never endured something like the angry monster that took the small U.S. territory by storm. For the longest time, I have sat through many hurricanes, but the thought of my life – and my family’s life – flashing before my eyes had never crossed my mind until Sept. 20, 2017 – the night hurricane María came to be the worst natural disaster to mark Puerto Rico. Hurricane Irma, a hurricane that passed over Puerto Rico just ten days before María, was quiet. A rehearsal. It made me – and most likely the rest of the island – think that María would just be another walk in the park, but we were wrong. Hurricane María’s category didn’t fit in the chart because of its strength. At home, as my parents and I huddled in their room, the winds felt as though they were going to make our home become rubble. The terrace my late grandfather would spend his time in and that once stood at the back of our house noisily fell to the ground, and with it, countless memories. When the winds and rain of the furious storm finally died down, I wasn’t able to recognize the place I grew up. There were pieces of cement and zinc rooftops everywhere, flooding and terrified looks on my neighbors’ faces. The power was gone, which was not easy for a type one diabetic, like myself, who needs their medication to be cold for it to function properly. Our water was also gone. And this wasn’t even the worst part… We weren’t able to get in contact with any of our loved ones. This event changed Puerto Rico. It changed my family. It changed me. I am not the same person I was before Sept. 20, 2017. 3,057 people died because of the lack of food, water and power for medications, mechanisms and anything that kept them alive. The Puerto Rico that’s standing today is a different Puerto Rico. We stood up and fought with everything we had to stay alive.
September 10, 2019
STUDENT LIFE
Page 10
The Campus Climate Survey Results BY HANNAH PROVIDENCE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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he chance for a gift card seems to have worked well, as more than 1,500 student, faculty, and staff responded. Regarding the perceptions of the university’s climate, diversity, and inclusion efforts were recorded and analyzed. University President Steven Kaplan sent an email on Sept. 3 identifying the key findings: Students and faculty agreed that bias in regard to socio-economic status is the most commonly
reported at the university. Only 59 percent of students and 67 percent faculty said that people with low socio-economic status are treated “respectfully” or “very respectfully” at the university. There were also many responses that did not agree that non-native English speakers are being treated respectfully. The Campus Climate Survey: Summary of Findings and Recommendations also revealed that approximately 80 percent of the student and faculty population agree that the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) and other student organizations display “visual leadership to foster diversity/inclusion
on campus.” this quote refers to a question asked on the climate survey. CDI which collaborated on the survey, was praised in open-ended responses. The survey showed that the university still has room to improve, with 64 percent of students and staff selected “agree” to the following survey question: “my work/school load prevents me from attending
diversity and inclusion events.” Students asked, instead, for diversity and inclusion events to be included in the courses they are already taking. The survey left room for open-ended responses about ways to address the barriers to inclusion on campus. Students said they want more support for the recruitment and retention of black and Latino students. They
Photo by Anna Downs/The Charger Bulletin
also want to ensure that proper space is provided for religious practices on campus. Faculty are looking for more clarity on whether they are expected to attend certain events during or after work hours, and faculty also would like to increase hires to diversify faculty/staff, as well as campus and university leadership. Kaplan acknowledged Dr. Danielle Cooper, assistant professor of criminal justice,and Ms. Ghata Vasavada, MA student in industrial and organizational psychology, for leading the work of the assessment subteam of the IDEA Council to produce the report.
Former University Police K-9, Nia, Passes Away BY JENNIFER KORN STUDENT LIFE EDITOR
O
n Friday, Aug. 30, a well known K9, Nia, died from medical complications. Her handler, Officer Jodi Novella, shared the news on Facebook in a heartfelt post. Nia was partnered with Novella in 2008 and started working with the University of New Haven in 2013. “My heart is completely broken on the passing of K9 Nia,” said Novella. “She truly made a difference in this world and she loved her work.” According to Novella, Nia participated in several programs on campus, including alcohol and drug awareness, search and seizure, and what it’s like to be on a K9 team.
“She enjoyed walking around campus and interacting with students and staff,” said Novella. While working with the New Haven police department, “K9 Nia recovered over 1.5 million dollars in drugs from the streets of Connecticut while working with local, state and federal agents.” Nia was hired by the University of New Haven after retiring from the New Haven police department, and according to Novella, “Nia also enjoyed assisting the West Haven Police Department’s narcotics unit while employed by the University.” Novella said, “It broke our hearts to leave University of New Haven, but it was time to move on.” The team left the university in 2016 and moved to Florida, where they joined the Palm Beach Shores police department.
“I will continue to keep Nia’s memory alive by continuing her Facebook page,” said Novella. “I can only hope that you all will continue to honor K9 Nia’s work and her life.” “She was an incredible work dog and partner, and she will be forever in my heart,” said Novella.
Officer Jodi Novella and her K-9 partner, Nia Photos courtesy of Jodi Novella
October 16,10, September 2018 2019
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Students Can Exercise Their Right to Vote
Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons
W
est Haven, has a pool of young voters who can change the political environment. And the first step is educating yourself, registering to vote, and encouraging others to do the same. In the Nov. 2016 election, the U.S. saw staggeringly low numbers of young voters at the polls. That followed the lowest turnout rates for voting among young people ever in 2014. This was predicted by pre-election polling. For the 2016 election, “more than half of American adults plan to cast ballots in November, but only a third of people ages 18 to 29 say they will,” according to New York Magazine. According to New York Mag-
BY REBECCA TATERA CONTRIBUTING WRITER azine, young people not voting range from difficulty with registering to vote or differences in the voting process across the states. In the same article, a young person named Tim says, “I tried to register for the 2016 election, but it was beyond the deadline by the time I tried to do it. I hate mailing stuff; it gives me anxiety.” Voting processes vary from state to state, and this lack of cohesion creates confusion and frustration among first-time voters.. According to YSA.org, an organization that works to engage young people in service, among the younger generations, “there is a significant lack of knowledge about how exactly the government works, and, therefore, how their vote actually matters- nearly 20 percent of young people said they don’t
think they know enough to be able to vote.” While this is an ongoing problem in the U.S., citizens are taking action. According to Callhub.org, when youth are “contacted by organizations or campaigns and are given the know-how regarding voting, they are more inclined to turn out to cast their vote.” So here are some voting rules that may help: ● According to Connecticut’s state website, the application for registering to vote begins on the 31st day before an election or the 21st day before a primary. If a voter is occupied during the time of the election in Connecticut, an absentee ballot can be filled out and must be returned by the day of the election.
● From NY.gov: the average time to register in New York State takes about five minutes. A U.S. citizen can register online with a New York State license, a New York zip code and a Social Security number. By registering to vote online, a voter can join or change their political party and update e their address or name. After registering online, election officials suggest the voter keeps the confirmation email for future records. ● According to the New Jersey Division of Elections, to register to vote, one must be a U.S. citizen, at least 17 years old (18 by the time of the election), a resident of the designated county for at least 30 days and not currently serving a sentence in prison or on parole after a felony conviction. After these criteria are met, applicants must mail
a voter registration application and a party affiliation form to county offices. The registration deadline to vote is 21 days before the election day. There is a specific form per county, which is displayed on the registration page of the website. ● A Maryland resident can use maryland.gov to register in federal, state, county, and city elections. A citizen may also request an absentee ballot, change name or address and update registration to a new political party. A voter may register through a portal available on the state website. According to the New York Times, new methods to interest young voters include reminder texts, digital ads and distributing voter guides to further educate more young people.
September 10, 2019
STUDENT LIFE
Postcard From Prato
University of New Haven students studying in Prato enjoy a dip in Rio Buti, a mile walk from the campus in Italy. The students have the opportunity to take weekly excursions. This photo was taken by Derek Nwaobi, a sophomore studying health sciences.
CHARGER COMICS BY SETH HARRINGTON GRAPHICS EDITOR
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