The
Charger Bulletin
The student news source for the University of New Haven
Volume 103, Issue 3 | September 28, 2021 | West Haven, Connecticut
Students protest lack of action after 9/11 ceremony remarks BY CHARGER BULLETIN STAFF After an incident at the university’s 9/11 ceremony, students gathered in the Maxcy quad on Sept. 20 for a protest hosted by the Muslim Student Association (MSA). At the 9/11 ceremony, American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) president Jillian Fiore used the phrase “Islamic extremist group” to describe al-Qaeda during her speech. The protest was also meant to draw attention to what the MSA called a lack of action within the university community, administration and the ACJA. Students held signs that said, among other things: “Hold AJCA & their advisors accountable,” “My voice can’t be silenced it is too strong” and “Publicly said publicly apologize.” Students said that they attended in solidarity, and to support Muslims and Arabs on campus. Jillian Chmela, a forensic psy-
Protesters gather outside of Maxcy Hall and hold signs, West Haven, Sept. 20, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Victoria Cagley
chology student, said, “My goal today is to show support to the Muslim community and prevent any further bigotry on this campus, and to show support for my friends in the Muslim community because this cannot be tolerated.”
Chmela said that she hoped her presence would help the Muslim community feel safer and included on campus. Other students said they hoped to accomplish action plans toward change after being left
dissatisfied at the open forum. Youssef Ossama, sophomore business analytics major and treasurer and sergeant at arms of the MSA, said that after nothing came out of the open forum, and after a vigil to display unity, “we
also decided to do this [protest] in order to make sure that everyone is accountable for what was said.” “I am tired of watching my friends suffer because the school won’t apologize for something that is very easy to apologize for and to take accountability for it,” said junior forensic psychology major Mary Lippa. An email with the subject line “Putting words to action” was sent to the student body by Steven Kaplan, university president, on the morning of the protest. The email did not refer to the remarks made at the remembrance ceremony. However, Kaplan announced that the dean of students and chief student affairs office, Ophelie Rowe-Allen, will be “taking a more formal role in overseeing our DEIB [diversity, equity, inclusion and balance] work on campus.” Destiny “DJ” Jenkins-Rubins, president of the National
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Blue and Gold is proudly represented on campus during Family Day BY ELISA D’EGIDIO Student Life Editor The University of New Haven beamed in blue and gold as family and friends of the Charger Nation gathered together to participate in this year’s Family Day on Sept. 25. The festival reached registration capacity days before the jam-packed event. An itinerary of the day was published on the University of New Haven website. The campus welcomed families and guests, giving a preCOVID-19 feel. The day allowed for admission tours, resident hall visits and trips to the Crime Scene Training House. At check in, lawn games and breakfast greeted the guests at the Beckerman Recreation Center. The Career Closet/Campus Pantry hosted in the Beckerman Recreation Center gave visitors access to donate new or gently-used professional attire. Non-perishable and wellness items were encouraged. The Student Committee of Programming Events (SCOPE) engulfed the Bixler/Gerber Quad with inflatables. Guests of any age bounced around and competed in the Inflatable Fun Fest obstacle courses and slides. Here, visitors could sit with a cari-
cature artist and munch on the provided popcorn and snacks. Freshman paramedicine major Macy Nesbit said, “I think it’s really nice. I like that my parents are here and there are a lot of activities and free food.” Activities such as Stuff-a-Bear, Cupcake Decorating and DIY Picture Frames were scattered across the campus for family fun and to kick off the autumn season. New Haven athletics were spread throughout the day with Women’s Tennis v. American In-
ternational, New Haven Football v. SCSU, and Men’s Soccer v. Saint Anselm College, with each sport winning its games. The football game had over 4,000 fans in attendance. Beckerman Recreation Center also hosted kickball and other obstacle courses. Junior criminal justice major Kira Liethblau said that she is happy that the school offered so many activities but wished there was no overlap between activities and athletics. “I like family day,” said Licht-
A student runs across an inflatable s at at Family Day, West Haven, Sept. 25, 2021 Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Elisa D’Egidio
blau. “I think the university is doing a really good job trying to keep everyone safe and still having a lot of activities. I’m really happy to see my parents.” A salsa demonstration was available in the Alumni Lounge along with Kaiholunuie Dance Company demonstrating the Hula in the Bartels Student Activity Center Patio. The event Charlie’s Family Chase was a day-long scavenger hunt where the winner wins a Charger Pride basket. An
on-campus escape room, Escape New Haven, had teams working together to escape the German Cub. Declan Sullivan, freshman cyber security and networking major, said, “[Family Day] is looking good so far. There are a lot of people out here, a lot more of a turn out than I was expecting. The atmosphere is good.” The night came to a close in the Bixler Gerber Quad with a showing of “Raya and the Last Dragon” for movie night.
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Entertainment
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“Only Murders in the Building” second season gets green light BY TIARA STARKS Entertainment Editor Hulu recently released “Only Murders in the Building,” a mystery-comedy series starring comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short, and singer and actress Selena Gomez. Martin created the show alongside John Hoffman. The series follows three residents of the Arconia, a pre-war luxury apartment building in New York City, who team up to solve the mystery of a murder in the building. The trio creates a podcast, documenting their journey as they encounter clues and obstacles along the way. The show doesn’t shy away from adding celebrity cameos, including Tina Fey, Sting, Nathan Lane and Amy Ryan. In the show, Martin plays an overlooked actor, Charles-Haden Savage, who has only been recognized as Brazzos, a character Savage portrayed in a fictitious crime show. Short plays Oliver Putnam, an unemployed Broadway director who is having difficulties balancing finances and family, while Gomez plays Mabel Mora, a mysterious young resident who lives in her aunt’s old apartment. The show has been critically acclaimed for its storyline and the chemistry between the three actors despite their generational gap. Martin and Short have been collaborating together since
A ad for the 2021 Emmys. Photo courtesy of @televisionacad via Instagram
Here’s what won at this year’s Emmy Awards BY TIARA STARKS Entertainment Editor
“Only Murders in the Building” teaser poster. Photo courtesy of @selenagomez via Instagram
their first film, “Three Amigos,” which was released in 1986. The duo has since appeared in four more movies together, including “Father of the Bride” and “The Prince of Egypt.” This series marks Gomez’s return to a main role in a TV show. She last portrayed Alex Russo in Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” which ended in 2012. Gomez recently told People about the cast members’ offscreen relationships. “They immediately made me feel like I was a part of a trio,” she said. “They’re just the best. They are extremely humble and kind, and they just have a different human perspective on life than anyone
I’ve ever met.” According to Deadline, the show was the most-watched Hulu Original comedy on premiere day and it’s the mostwatched comedy across all subscription video on demand (SVOD) titles on the platform. This news comes on the heels of the announcement that the show has been renewed for a second season on the platform as well. After the three-episode premiere, each following episode of the comedic murder-mystery series has been pushed out weekly at midnight on Tuesdays, a shift from the norm of streaming services dropping an entire season on the platform for viewers to binge.
Christopher Nolan leaves Warner Bros. for Universal Pictures BY EMILY MCDONOUGH Staff Writer Deadline recently revealed that Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to finance and distribute Christopher Nolan’s untitled upcoming film about J. Robert Oppenheimer’s role in developing the atomic bomb at the end of World War II. The film is expected to follow Oppenheimer’s decision to later call for more international control of nuclear weapons, and his eventual opposition to the development of the hydrogen bomb. Nolan has written the script and will produce the film with his producing partner and wife, Emma Thomas. Filming is expected to begin sometime in 2022. This new deal comes after No-
lan ended his 19-year partnership with Warner Bros. According to Indiewire, industry watchers expected Nolan to leave Warner Bros. after his interview with ET Online in late 2020. The interview occurred after Warner Bros. announced that they would push their 2021 film slate to a hybrid release model, meaning titles would premier simultaneously in theaters and on the company’s streaming service, HBO Max, for 31 days. Nolan told ET Online that he was in “disbelief” about the decision made by Warner
Inside a crowded movie theater. Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Jake Hills
Bros. “There’s such controversy around it, because they didn’t tell anyone,” he said. “In 2021, they’ve got some of the top filmmakers in the world, they’ve got some of the biggest stars in the world who worked for years in some cases on these projects very close to their hearts that are meant to be big-screen experiences.” Earlier this year, Universal Pictures made a theatrical window agreement deal with theater chains such as Regal and AMC.
The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards premiered on CBS on Sept. 20 with comedian host Cedric the Entertainer. This marked the return of an in-person awards ceremony held by the Television Academy. The cold open of the ceremony featured many of this year’s nominees and other distinguished contributors to the television industry who performed a karaoke rendition of “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie sung by Cedric the Entertainer, Rita Wilson, LL Cool J and Lil Dicky. Comedian and actor Seth Rogan presented the first award of the night, outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. Nominees included “Saturday Night Live” cast members Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant and Kate Mckinnon; “The Flight Attendant’s” Rosie Perez; and “Hacks’” Hannah Einbinder. Hannah Waddingham from the Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso’’ won the award. Other nominees and awards presented during the televised event included outstanding supporting actor in a comedy. Nominees were “The Kominsky Method’s” Paul Reiser, “Saturday Night Live’s” Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang and “Ted Lasso’s” Brett Goldstein,
Nick Mohhamad, Jeremy Swift and Brendan Hunt. The winner was Brett Goldstein from the Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso.” Actress and comedian Mindy Kaling presented the outstanding writing for a drama series award, which she joked wasn’t the category she was hoping to present. The nominees included writers from “The Crown,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Mandalorian,” “Pose,” “Lovecraft Country” and “The Boys.” The award ultimately went to Peter Morgan, the creator and showrunner of “The Crown” for the episode “War.” “The Amber Ruffin Show,” “Saturday Night Live,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The “In Memoriam’’ included prominent figures in the television industry including “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek, actress Cicely Tyson, actor Michael K. Williams and comedian Norm MacDonald. The segment was accompanied by music from Leon Bridges and Jon Batiste. At the end of the night, the two Netflix series “The Crown” and “The Queen’s Gambit” each won 11 awards, with the streaming service also topping HBO with 44 wins overall. Apple TV+ earned four awards for “Ted Lasso.”
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Entertainment
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2021 Nintendo Direct brings long-awaited games and a movie BY ELDRICK GREENWAY Videography Editor The 2021 Nintendo Direct event took place on Sept. 23 via the Nintendo YouTube channel. The event highlights upcoming games and other projects that the company will be working on within the next year. Here’s everything that was mentioned during the event: Starting off strong, viewers got to see a preview of the new “Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak’’ expansion pack that’s set to be released in summer of 2022. After the announcement came the introduction of the Direct Event’s host, Yoshiaki Koizumi. He is a well-known video designer, director and producer for Nintendo. Koizumi introduced multiple downloadable content (DLC) expansion packs and new games.
This included “Mario Party Superstars” DLC (Oct. 29), “Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars’’ (Oct. 28) and “Disco Elysium: The Final Cut” (Oct 12). “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity” is also getting an expansion pack, which introduces two DLCs (Wave 1: Pulse of the Ancients and Wave 2: Guardian of Remembrance,) which will be available on Oct. 29 on the Nintendo E-Shop. This Nintendo Direct included a wide variety of party-heavy game content like the new “Chocobo GP” (2022), a “Mario Golf: Super Rush” update, and “Hot Wheels Unleashed” (Sept. 30). They even previewed a remake of “Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic,” which is available for pre-order now. “Dying Light: Platinum Edition” (Oct. 19) and “Dying Light 2: Stay Human - Cloud Version” (Feb. 4, 2022) were also announced.
“Triangle Strategy” (Mar. 4 2022) was mentioned, as well. A second demo separate from their initial one will be released; however, this one will include a survey that every player can participate in to give feedback to the developers. This is a great way to interact with their players and improve their game for future endeavors like graphics, storytelling and more. Shigeru Miyamoto, a video game designer, producer and game director at Nintendo, announced the cast for the upcoming “Super Mario” movie. The cast includes: Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike. Full of comedic actors, the movie is expected to
Super Kirby Clash being played on a Nintendo Switch Photo courtesy of Unslapsh/Branden Skeli
be a nostalgic yet reimagined interpretation of the highly entertaining franchise. This year’s Nintendo Direct brought even more than what consumers were asking for. The upcoming 3D “Kirby and the Forgotten Land,” “Bayonetta 3” and “Splatoon 3” will be released in 2022 in addition to more from this event. We even got the date and time for the final Mr. Sakurai presents for “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” It will be held on Oct. 6 at 10:00 a.m. PST, where you
can tune in via YouTube. As it was announced the day before it was released digitally, tons of fans were completely in awe of this Nintendo Direct. The commitment from the entire Nintendo team actively demonstrates how much they love their fans and they have been using unique ways to involve their community to present what they have been working on. To rewatch the 2021 Nintendo Direct Event, visit the official Nintendo Youtube Channel.
Lil Nas X’s “MONTERO:” An impressive debut album BY KAYLA MUTCHLER
Editor-in-Chief
Since his debut two years ago, Lil Nas X has managed to defy the odds. Beginning his career with the 2019 hit “Old Town Road,” the longest-running number-one song since the chart’s creation; it was a memorable start. With the release of his debut album “MONTERO” on Sept. 17, he proves that he is here to stay. “MONTERO” focuses on Lil Nas X’s identity, with multiple songs about his sexuality, success and pop culture presence. The album title is inspired by his birth name, Montero Lamar Hill. Nas described the inspiration behind the album to Variety. “The idea of ‘He’s a cool gay person; he’s an acceptable gay person,’ I used to see things like that as a compliment, but it’s not,” he said. “I wanted to be even more authentic in my music and let people into my life.” The album hosts four singles out of the 15 total songs: “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name),” “SUN GOES DOWN,” “INDUSTRY BABY” and “THATS WHAT I WANT.” Each is better than the next. Nas started off strong, with “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. “INDUSTRY BABY,” featuring rapper Jack Harlow, is currently doing well on the Hot 100. Peaking at number two and currently sitting at number six, you’re bound to hear this one
Lil Nas X debut album, MONTERO, album art. Photo courtesy of @lilnasx via Instagram
whenever you turn on the radio– and “Call Me by Your Name,” too. Let’s get into some of the music. Starting off the album is “Call Me by Your Name.” This one is an earworm. Especially with the controversy with the music video’s use of religious imagery tied in with gay imagery, Lil Nas X kept his head held high and was unapologetic for his sexuality–as it should be. To put it simply, this song is great. “INDUSTRY BABY” comes next. I love the marching band brass and drums combined with rap beats. I believe Nas and Harlow complement each other’s voices well. Imagine this song played by a marching band at a football game–impeccable.
The most recent single, “THATS WHAT I WANT,” is fourth on the tracklist. With a more upbeat tempo and driving guitar, it feels more pop than rap. I can picture this song doing well on the pop charts. The sadder lyrics and upbeat instrumentals juxtapose one another but fit perfectly at the same time. And if you want to be in your feels, watch the music video. “THE ART OF REALIZATION” is an interlude that fades perfectly into “SCOOP” featuring Doja Cat. “SCOOP” is one of the best on the album. Doja was a great pick for this song. Her voice has a unique tone as compared to other artists, and adds a fast-paced lyricism to Nas’ laid back verses.
“DOLLA SIGN SLIME” featuring Meghan Thee Stallion is my favorite on the album. With the trumpets in the background, it nearly sounds like a renaissance-era song mixed with hip-hop production. All of the features on this album complement Nas’s vocals well. Though Meghan’s feature lasts only 30 seconds, she packs quite a bit of lyrical punch into this short time. “SUN GOES DOWN” has a different feel than other songs on the album. It’s much slower and more pop compared to the rest. While not one of my favorites, I can appreciate its lyricism and meaning, being about his youth and struggling with his identity. It is nice to see an artist that can branch out of their usual rhythm and explore other genres. The album ends off with “AM I DREAMING” featuring Miley Cyrus. Similar to “SUN GOES DOWN,” this one also isn’t rap. It’s easy to scream the lyrics with how held out some of the notes are. I am surprised that the
two artists fit so well together because of their differences in voices and styles, but they really shine in their harmonies. With the last lyrics being “Never forget me and everything I’ve done,” it’s easy to see that Nas wants his pop culture impact to be remembered–and I think it will be. “MONTERO” is an impressive debut album. It shows that Nas X is not a one-hit-wonder, as he previously was thought to be during the “Old Town Road” era. In “DONT WANT IT,” he highlights some of his accomplishments by including voiceovers of winning an award and getting a number one song. With the last lyrics of his album being “Never forget me and everything I’ve done,” it’s easy to see that Nas wants his pop culture impact to be remembered–and I think it will be. I am excited to see what else Nas accomplishes in the future. Based on this album, his career is just beginning.
Student Life
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Protest
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Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said that they hope to sponsor regularly-scheduled conversations, and for ACJA to be held accountable, whether that means impeaching the executive board, or training the members to be more sensitive. Jenkins-Rubins said since ACJA is the biggest RSO on campus, they should represent who the student body is as a community, yet “we feel as though their actions don’t.” Laila Soliman, sophomore general engineering major and director of communications and event coordinator of MSA, said that the people at the MSA protest were there to stand against the fact that Fiore, when talking about al-Qaeda, “used the word ‘Islamic’ because that perpetuates the idea that all Muslims are terrorists and we are not.”
“I understand that all people make mistakes,” said Soliman. “However, what you do after that is your choice, and she chose to not publicly apologize during the forum–we gave her many opportunities to apologize.” Former treasurer of the ACJA Eve Hein said she aimed to initiate change within ACJA, which removed her from the executive board, alongside former executive assistant Renae Giard, after speaking at the open forum on Sept. 14. “As a past part of ACJA e-board, I’ve personally seen the effect it’s had on the community, and especially the Muslim student population,” said Hein. “I have seen the hurt and upset and how exhausting it has been experiencing this. And it is so upsetting that this continues to happen.” Hein said it is upsetting that one of the largest RSOs on campus continues to “perpetuate ignorance and refuses to educate themselves.” Some of the demonstrators went to ACJA’s weekly meeting to express their feelings.
At the meeting, representatives from multiple on-campus organizations–including MSA, NAACP, the Marine Conservation Society, Chariot Yearbook, Latin American Student Association, Hillel Club and PRIDE, among others–asked for the impeachment of Fiore as ACJA president. Hein said that she spoke out against ACJA’s actions at the student forum and apologized to students on campus who were hurt by Fiore’s statements. “And for those reasons, I was removed from the ACJA e-board this past week in an attempt to silence my voice and a movement for change,” she said. “According to my advisors, my views no longer aligned with the values of the organization.” Giard said that during the forum, she spoke to a student who said they were uncomfortable going to general ACJA meetings, telling them they could sit by her to make them feel more comfortable. “In my statement at the forum, I also said that anyone who wanted to come to ACJA to
participate, yell, scream or raise hell was welcome to do so–it is their right as a student on this campus,” she said. “I was told by the advisors of the organization that I was inciting violence while I was supported by countless other members of the University of New Haven community as well as higher up administrators for the same statement. For these reasons, I was removed from the AJCA executive board at the instruction of the advisors.” MSA vice president Shahd Omar said, “Because terrorism has no religion, this rhetoric is highly harmful, and the fact that it was used is concerning.” “We recognize that a large number of you club members plan to work in law enforcement, and this is why it is of the utmost importance that individuals must be educated about this sort of bias,” said Omar. Other student organization representatives mentioned the removal of Fiore as president. After they spoke, a criminal justice first-year spoke out against the speeches given during the good of the order. The student sug-
The Charger Bulletin chargerbulletin.com gested that rather than impeach, educate Fiore. When Fiore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Michael Desir, a senior music and sound recording major, stood up to object. He said, “I believe if all of our goals is to move forward, constructively, and to understand one another, it’s better that we have this conversation now while we are gathered… We have the ability here and now, as living, breathing people, to speak for what you stand for today.” Fiore said that she understood Desir’s objection, but said that she did not have the proper resources for the discussion. “This general meeting is not the place for it as there are students here that are uncomfortable and this doesn’t affect them and they are choosing to sit here because they’re too afraid to leave,” Fiore said. “So, I promise that there will be a discussion but I need the proper resources here to facilitate the discussion because we cannot have screaming back and forth.”
University celebrates life of Justine Bernard on her 20th birthday BY ELISA D’EGIDIO & KELLY ADKINS
Student Life Editor
“Purple today, purple to stay.” On Sept. 23, The Bucknall Theatre was adorned with purple, and family, friends and members of the university community wore butterflies to honor and celebrate the life of Justine Bernard on her birthday. Purple signified Justine’s favorite color and butterflies embodied her symbol. On June 2 of this year, Bernard died as a result of a tragic domestic assault while visiting a friend in Atlanta. Her mother, Hazel Crichlow, expressed her gratitude to the university community for hosting this celebration and sup-
porting her during this time. Crichlow said that this gathering is “what an ethic of love and care should look like… the unity displayed is an all-inspiring thank you.” A reception for friends and family preceded the celebration, hosted by the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA). USGA President Sofia Martinez introduced the vigil, saying, “It is with great sadness that I welcome all of you here today, but it’s wonderful to see when a community gathers.” Crichlow later shared a similar sentiment by quoting former U.S President General Ford. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
The ceremony for Justine Bernard, West Haven, Sept. 23. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Elisa D’Egidio
Martinez also said, “I’ve been told that Justine envisioned for herself a future of change; one of equity and justice in a way I know we will see her lead these changes by the lives she has touched.” By all, Justine was described as intelligent, determined and empathetic. She was said to have a big heart and was known to dedicate her time to helping people around her. Director of Athletics and Recreation Sheahon Zenger said that after speaking to Justine’s mom, he knew that Justine “was a fighter, a future doctor of psychology, if not more. A woman of great character. And empathy paid great attention to detail as a young girl, someone who would visit nursing homes, and saved lunch money to buy clothes for those less fortunate than her.” Crichlow said that in high school, Justine organized fundraisers for cancer patients, volunteered to work for the elderly, danced in nursing homes, donated to the homeless and tutored students with special needs after school. Living through love and activism was something natural to Justine; her mother said, “She saw the world through a unique lens: always loving.” Bernard’s academic advisor, Rosemarie Lillie Macias, attested to her academic promise, saying that her passing is a tremendous loss for the field of forensic psychology, and that she would have undoubtedly been an excellent psychologist.
Macias also honored Bernard’s innate qualities, saying “Justine has realized some of the most valuable human abilities: gratefulness, compassion, warmth. Justine grew into a strong woman you would enjoy being around and be fortunate to teach and work with. She will be deeply missed.” Prayer was led by the University Campus Minister, Marty O’Connor, who quoted Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight in all your ways, acknowledge our God, and our God will make the paths straight.” This verse was mentioned again by Crichlow, who said that the loss of her miracle-child and her mother is difficult but will not break her, for she knows her faith has another plan for her. Crichlow encouraged the audience to leave with their own purpose to continue in honoring her daughter’s passion for advocacy and justice, as well as her kindness, humility and compassion. Her mother said that thanks to her daughter, she has turned into an activist to contribute to her daughter’s unfinished work. “I urge us all to imagine a world governed by ethic, of love and kindness. Devoted to restoring, repairing and transforming fear and injustice, ” Crichlow said. Fransheli Ventura and Madison Manzo, two friends of Bernard, spoke at the vigil and led the crowd in singing Happy
Birthday. “It was an absolute pleasure being friends with someone as outgoing, funny, hardworking, reliable, and organized as Justine,” said Ventura. Manzo similarly motivated attendees to take a lesson from this heartbreaking loss, and strive to move forward to help others in the future. She did not find it coincidental that purple happens to also represent Domestic Violence Awareness. Manzo shared that the Domestic Violence Crisis Center hotline is 203-853-0418 and is located in Norwalk, Conn. At the closing of the ceremony, Dean of Students Ophelie Rowe-Allen led a moment of silence, and Martinez, on behalf of the USGA, gave Crichlow and their family purple flowers to celebrate Justine’s life. Justine’s mother urged the community to donate to Justine’s Scholarship Fund–$20 on her 20th birthday— to keep her vision alive, exercise agency in one’s life and support the making of healthy decisions along the way. “Remember, twenty can help plenty,” she said. Grief counseling is available through the University of New Haven’s Counseling and Psychological Services Office by calling 203-932-7333.
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Student Life
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New campus recreation director plans to redefine club sports BY ELISA D’EGIDIO & JOSEPH KLAUS
Staff Editors
From early in the morning until late at night, the Beckerman Recreation Center is up and running with new faces, leading activities for everyone. Jess Scibek has been made the new director of campus recreation. She graduated from Sacred Heart University with a degree in exercise science. She continued her education later at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), where she got her Master’s in exercise physiology and a second Master’s in sports and entertainment management. She has been working in the field of fitness and recreation management for 20 years and in higher education at SCSU for 15 years. Scibek says that she has had a warm welcome as “[The University of New Haven] has been a neighbor and a friend for many years.” As director of campus recreation, Scibek oversees the entire recreation department including taking care of the facility, staffing and organizing events hosted in rec. “Charger Rec is not just necessarily the four walls,” Scibek said. Scibek looks forward to taking programs outside and building relationships with existing departments at the university, such as counseling services or working with dieticians in dining services to expand in the campus community.
Sciebek will be working alongside associate director of campus recreation Steve Dradis, who she says is mainly in charge of club sports on campus, originally from the University of Connecticut. “He’s going to bring a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas and lots of support for our clubs in their journeys to get back to training, competition, building their rosters back up, and reaching their goals.” Dradis said, “obviously we want to continue to do what we’re doing well in other programs for our students. I think it’s offering a safe environment where people can come and recreate in various programs and stuff that we have. You know, I think we’re trying to look at doing things right; we’re not trying to go crazy with all the offerings, we’re not offering a million Fitness classes.” “I think you know we’re not trying to do anything extraordinary but I think once we get a better understanding and hopefully with [COVID-19] restrictions we get to a good spot where we know we’re following policies to be safe and we can we can really kind of look to open things up and kind of try new things or just expand upon the offering,” said Dradis. Junior finance major Matthew Petrone is a player on the men’s club soccer team. He hopes for the opportunity to build up the roster as “not only does it help with new skills as a player being introduced to the team but it increases the diversity on the team.”
Petrone critiques the ineffectiveness of club sport e-boards as, “The school does not necessarily care for club soccer since there is a varsity team at the school, so most of the benefits that are provided by the school would rather go to the varsity soccer team rather than club soccer.” Allie Santora, senior psychology major, is a founding member of the women’s ice hockey club. She says that she looks forward to the opportunity for her brand new team to have a chance to reach their full potential on campus. “With new [COVID-19] updates I’m hoping our team can carry on our legacy of commitment and perseverance starting from myself, Kelly Adkins, and others when we founded the club back in 2019,” said Santora. “I know that the safety guidelines are put in place for good reason so we will continue to thrive in our own ways within these fine lines I just wish better for our future.” “The only thing I would include would be that no matter who our director is or who leads club sports, I know that our team and others will be just as strong. I know change is hard and Alycia will be sincerely missed, but with new professional staff in the [B] eckerman [R]ecreation [C]enter we will still continue to hold our positive reputation on campus,” Santora said. Scibek has seen so much positivity on campus. She says that she is looking forward to learning and seeing more to know how she can play a role in
Beckerman Recreation Center Staff Steven Dradis, Jessica Scibek and Marissa Vittorio. Photo courtesy of Sydney Bednar
assisting students to achieve their goals. She intends to ask questions, send out surveys and meet students to gain relationships and knowledge on how to improve recreation. “COVID led to lots of isolation and preventing togetherness and so I would really like to bring back that feeling of community,” said Sciebek. She emphasized the importance of finding what the students’ needs are. The university has added group classes, reopened the track and are permitting open Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
events. She explained that it is a slow process, but changes are coming and there will be a fresh start. Coming to students this May will be a new recreation membership program. “We are already reviewing our systems and processes to simplify ways for the University community to access fitness, recreation, club sports and wellbeing, and are planning to implement a new membership software this May to enhance the member experience even more. Look for an evolving and expanding offering as we learn more about what our current population of students need and want!” In addition to a new membership, Scibek hopes to expand employment opportunities to students. She is planning to collaborate with the exercise science program on campus to develop experiential learning and internship opportunities. A new group exercise instructor course may be implemented, too, to allow students to become certified to teach group classes, which will give them the opportunity to be hired as instructors. “I’m passionate about providing opportunities for University communities to engage in wellbeing through fitness, recreation and sport because in different ways, these contribute to student success. These are habits and skills that can last a lifetime and contribute to social connections, physical health, mental health and more. That’s what motivates me and what I am here to do at New Haven!”
Politics
Pg. 6 | Sept. 28, 2021
The Charger Bulletin chargerbulletin.com
North Korea displays recent rise in missile tests BY LILLIAN NEWTON Contributing Writer On Sept. 15, North Korea and South Korea test-fired missiles; this is the latest development in the arms race between the two nations. Continued development of these weapons signals increased tensions between North and South Korea, with talks of reducing tensions between the nations coming back empty-handed. This recent missile test is North Korea’s first ballistic missile test since March, when two ballistic missiles were fired into the nation’s eastern sea. Only days before the country’s most recent ballistic test, North Korea conducted a cruise missile test; analysts later determined the tested missile could have nuclear capabilities. South Korea tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), making them the first nation without nuclear weapons to develop a system of this nature. South Korean President
Moon Jae-in was attending the SLBM test when word arrived of the North Korean tests. North Korea’s motivation in such blatant military action lies in the country’s determination to use its missile program to increase its national security. Missile tests serve as the ultimate showcase of military power, warning other nations to not interfere with North Korea. The U.S. condemned North Korea’s recent launch, and a State Department spokesperson cited violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning North Korea’s ballistic missile systems and the danger other local nations face from the tests. Continued testing on behalf of North Korea indicates that talks of denuclearization will not come to fruition anytime soon. At the same time, North Korea has refrained from testing ICBM or nuclear tests, indicating some level of willingness to, at the very minimum, reduce tests and production in the future. North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has announced his
intentions to continue developing and testing weapons of this nature, so the rise in North Korean missile tests should come with little surprise. The inability of the U.S. and the international community to halt the increase in missile tests and production through discussion is what likely contributed to the decision of South Korea to elevate their own missile strength. The recent South
Korean missile tests showcase the nation’s own missile-defense system to oppose North Korean threats. A continued rise in missile testing could continue to increase tensions between North and South Korea. With South Korea already starting to match North Korea’s displays of power, it is likely that the nations will be locked in a tug of war, stuck
Korean Nuclear Missiles Photo courtesy of CreativeCommons/Danielfoster437
trying to present themselves as the stronger entity. For the U.S., North Korea’s tests currently pose less of a physical threat and more of an ideological threat. But, as time continues, the increasing likelihood of North Korean missiles having the ability to hit Hawaii and the U.S. mainland will force the U.S. to improve and develop its own defense systems.
Joe Biden’s foreign policy outlook: Where does the U.S stand on the global stage? BY SAMUEL WEINMANN Politics Editor Perspective President Joseph R. Biden has only been in office for 251 days, yet in that short timeframe, he has experienced more foreign policy crises than previous presidents have in a full four-year term. Whether it be the Taliban taking over Afghanistan, increased nuclear testing in North Korea or complications with the Iran Nuclear Deal, Biden has had to make some quick decisions, garnering support and criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken from Sept. 15 and 16, 44% of American adults approved of Biden’s performance while 50% disapproved. The rest of the participants were unsure. This public opinion poll indicates that public approval for Biden is at an all-time low, with participants objecting to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Specifically, some of the most defining foreign policy decisions that Biden has had to make are the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, navigating tense relations with China and Russia and dealing with the potential for
a renewed Nuclear Deal in Iran. With the long-term effects of these issues, one important question arises: where does America stand from a foreign policy perspective? According to an analysis by Foreign Affairs, if Biden continues down our current realist path, the “security-focused analysis… applied to Afghanistan would also lead to force reductions elsewhere in the world.” This could mean that our overall military involvement in other countries could be declining. Another analysis by Foreign Policy says that Biden’s inaction in the Middle East “will come back to haunt Washington… as conflicts transform and regional actors feel emboldened.”
Both analyses point to one recurring trend in our foreign policy: a decline in global military involvement. This could go multiple ways but the foreign policy experts seem to agree on the notion that inaction could ultimately harm our national security. While many foreign policy experts seem to target Biden’s handling of Afghanistan as a way to define his foreign policy outlook in an absolute way, there are also other factors that play into his strategy regarding foreign policy. For example, Biden has repeatedly promised to be a more diplomatic leader, increasing the U.S.’s involvement on the global stage. Rejoining the Paris
President Joseph Biden giving the CUNY Foreign Police Speech in 2019 Photo courtesy of CreativeCommons/Biden for President
Climate Accords and the World Health Organization are prime examples of those priorities put into action, but most recently, these priorities can be shown in Biden’s recent summit at the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly. The summit, held on Sept. 22, was about global vaccine distribution and addressing global vaccine inequalities. In a speech in front of the General Assembly, Biden said he’s “keeping the promise that America will become the arsenal of vaccines,” and that the U.S. will be donating approximately $1.4 billion for global oxygen support, increased testing and other strategies to
enhance Member States’ health infrastructures. While the U.S. may be decreasing global military involvement, as seen in Afghanistan, we are also increasing our involvement in global health initiatives. Although the U.S. is reducing our military presence in other countries, we are also increasing our diplomatic presence. While no decision can fully define Biden’s foreign policy outlook, it is clear from both the recent U.N. meeting and our re-integration onto the global stage that America will be taking a more active role in global affairs–whether it be through hard or soft power influence.
Opinions
Pg. 7 | Sept. 28, 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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Can social media teach people to protect themselves against assault? BY PRESLEY DEPUGH Contributing Writer In the digital age of social media, people encounter information easier than ever. Social media is not just about sharing recipes or jokes anymore. It is being used by people who post self-defense lessons that users can easily access. With the rise of random assaults happening in public areas, self-defense is an important thing to know. Before social media, people had to pay for self-defense lessons, and the lessons were not always cheap. According to Very Well Fit, “In general,
online self-defense classes can range from about $30 to well over $200... In-person classes also vary and can cost between roughly $45 for a two-hour class to $400 or more for a more comprehensive program.” Social media has allowed those who teach self-defense to put their lessons onto free platforms such as TikTok or YouTube. For instance, TikTok videos under #selfdefense have 4.8 billion views and those under #selfdefenseforwomen have 308.6 million views. One of the most popular self-defense accounts on the platform is @ womenempoweredgjj, which has 119.2 thousand followers and 1.2
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
million likes. For more in-depth lessons, there are YouTube videos such as “5 Self-Defense Moves Every Woman Should Know.” Joanna Soh Official posted the video, which has accumulated 2.2 million views. Chloe Fleurantin, a freshman majoring in business management at the University of New Haven, has seen the benefits of such self-defense posts. “It helps prevent people from just standing there and not knowing what to do, and helping them have a clue of what to do in that situation,” Fleurantin said. For those who can afford to pay for a self-defense class, there are shops on Instagram that sell items such as stun guns, pepper sprays and bright keychain lights among other self-defense tools. Some shops include @hotgirlgadgets with 24,000 followers, and @she_defense, with 35,200 followers. Donna Palomba is the president and founder of Jane Doe No More, a non-profit organization that empowers women and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. One of Jane Doe No
More’s programs is the Escape Alive Survival Skills Class, a free self-defense class. As for information gathered on social media, Palomba said: “Any information that is correct is valuable. Nothing can replace being in person with a trainer who has had years and years of experience working with you.” In-person lessons allow the participants to learn the subtle movements that can make the whole technique work. Palomba also said that there might be people who need extra work or must use different techniques because of a disability. She cautioned against using pepper spray or tasers as a means of self-defense, as those devices can also be taken and used by the attacker. While a lot of self-defense classes or item shops are geared toward women, these teachers and shops can be useful to any one who wants to protect themselves against assault. While everyone would benefit from an in-person self-defense class and an in-depth lesson, information on social media can make a difference.
Schools have ruined reading for students BY AMANDA M. CASTRO Managing Editor Since I was a child, reading has always been a favorite pastime of mine. It was reading that first drew me to writing, and I still enjoy it. In fact, I am quietly attempting to read “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo in the midst of my senior year responsibilities. Although I may enjoy bending over backwards for a book, others don’t see it that way because they either have no time to read or dislike it. The majority would either say that they rather not read words off a page or that it was course readings that schools mandate during summers and the academic year. Having never read an enticing book for class, some students likely believe that all books are the same–boring. Unfortunately, schools tend to sabotage people’s motivation to read. It is disheartening to see how students do not enjoy reading. And in my opinion, the issue is in schools. Throughout high school, most of the books and novels I had to read were not considered any of the classics; they were either texts that the teacher enjoyed or were simple to incorporate into a current lesson plan–nothing that
would likely appeal to the average student. Some of the books could have also been chosen by the teacher years ago and were never updated because it was convenient for them. Only two or three of the more than 25 works we studied in my high school classes stayed with or appealed to me; the rest were neither amusing nor instructive and essentially caused me to regard reading as a duty rather than a joy. Not only did I see reading this way, but most of my classmates were equally unimpressed. And this is a problem. Preventing students from reading what they might enjoy, particularly young ones, leads to a more serious long-term problem. Written content is a world unto itself. The benefits people gain from reading are tremendous, whether it’s through how-to books, a New York Times op-ed or a blog post. Textual content may be so condensed that a two-minute essay can include considerably more information than a five-minute film on the same topic. However, people must gain access into the realm of written content. They don’t have to enjoy reading; they just have to want to read. I believe that it has a lot to do with not only the selected texts but also with what is meant to be done with the readings
afterward. In contrast to high school, college readings allow me to reach my own conclusions about a text rather than knowing that I am going to be examining what the color of curtains in the background means. This semester, I am taking a course with English professor Jeffrey Foster on American poetry. I have not yet felt forced to read the poems because, in class, the lesson is interesting, so I want to engage. It is important to allow students to choose the books they wish to read rather than dictating what they must read. It allows them to discover what they like and what they don’t. While it is important
for students to know literary classics, they should also have the freedom to explore their interests, and to choose what books they want for required reading assignments. One of the primary purposes of reading assignments, in my opinion, is to not only get students to read, but also to keep them reading. Schools are getting in the way of students and reading. This may not be any one’s intention, but it is an issue. When schools operate as a deterrent to reading, accessing the realm of written information–which is critical today–becomes more difficult than it needs to be. Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
Sports
Pg. 8 | Sept. 28, 2021
The Charger Bulletin chargerbulletin.com
Field hockey defeats AIC BY TYLER WELLS Associate Editor The New Haven field hockey team continued their impressive start to the season on Sept. 22 with a 2-0 win over No. 9 American International College on Wednesday. After a quiet first quarter for the offense, the Chargers came out firing in the second. The offensive onslaught sported eight shots on goal, with two of them finding the back of the net. Senior Alexis Rider was the first to get the Chargers on the board, as she drew in the Yellow Jackets defense and slipped a shot past the goalie. Another senior, Taylor Geaglone, fired a shot from the 15yard line past American International to put the Chargers up 2-0 in the second quarter. This proved to be more than enough as the New Haven defense stepped up as they have done all year. They were led by graduate student and goalkeeper Keira Integlia, who was not forced to make a single stop all game and collected her third shutout of the year. After the team’s first two games of the season, Integlia and the defense have only allowed two goals in their last
five games. Over this period, the Chargers are 4-1. The victory marks a major step for the relatively new program: it was their first win over a ranked opponent. In their fourth season as a varsity sport, the Chargers have become a competitive program in the Northeast-10 (NE10). With the win, New Haven improves their record to 4-3 (4-0 NE10) and bolsters their resumé. The Chargers have navigated a strong schedule so far this season, with four total games against ranked opponents. Their most recent was a 1-0 loss against No. 2 West Chester University, another display of the team’s defensive prowess. Despite a 1-3 record against ranked opponents, the Chargers have still looked strong against some of the best teams in the country. American International falls to 5-3 (3-2 NE10), with their next match coming against Mercy College on Sept. 24. The Chargers return to Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium on Sept. 26 as they face another ranked opponent, the out-of-conference No. 10 Bloomsburg University. More information, live stats and a broadcast for the game can be found at NewHavenChargers. com.
Men’s soccer upsets Saint Anslem BY JOSEPH KLAUS Sports Editor As the day was filled with emotions for the university’s Family Day on Sept. 25, the day was capped off by the soccer team. After a 15-minute delayed start because of Saint Anselm University’s late arrival, the Chargers took to the field in front of a filled-up Kathy Zolad stadium. The Chargers won the game 2-0 with the goals coming from Pau Santanach and Imanol Ruiz. The Hawks, who sat third in the conference, came out fast, putting pressure on the Chargers and goal keeper, Themis Kastoris. The initial surge was met by the blue and gold and was soon matched and team captain Francisco Guedes began to control the pace of play for the Chargers through the middle and attacking thirds. The first goal came in the 26th minute when winger Alexander Gunnarsson took to the byline and laid a pass back to Santanach who found himself time and space and put his shot to the
far post out of the reach of Brian Underhill. The rest of the first half went back and forth with things getting chippy. But again, Guedes stepped in when he was needed most and controlled the tempo. Out of the half, it was the Chargers that put the Hawks on their back foot, with a surge of attacks as the Hawks had to call upon their back line and Underhill to keep it a one goal match. Coming off the bench in the second half, Gunnarsson proved to be vital down the stretch as, in the 81st minute, he attacked the byline again and slotted a ball across the face to find the charging Imanol Ruiz who tapped the pass in out of the reach of Underhill to give the Chargers a commanding 2-0 lead with only nine minutes left in the match. The Chargers held on and won, as they knocked off the Hawks and picked up their first conference win of the year. The Chargers return to action on Tuesday when they travel to New York to face off against the College of Saint Rose with kickoff coming at 4 p.m.
Football players stand on the sideline at the game, West Haven, Sept. 26, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Lismarie Pabon
Football wins their 12th straight Elm City Trophy, beating the Owls 38-9 BY TYLER WELLS Associate Editor The New Haven football team made a statement in the Elm City rivalry, upending Southern Connecticut State University 389. It is the 12th straight victory for the Chargers over the Owls, extending their lifetime record to 25-6-1 against their rivals. The Owls jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after a 50-yard drive ended in a field goal in their first possession. They added another field goal late in the first quarter to extend their lead to 6-0. The New Haven defense remained strong, despite Southern Connecticut running a total of 12 plays within the Chargers’ territory in the first three drives. The Chargers would respond in a big way, as quarterback Connor Degenhardt connected with wide receiver Javon Turner for a 70yard pass into the endzone to get New Haven on the board. With a 7-6 lead, the Chargers were able to keep Southern Connecticut off the board until the end of the first half. An interception by cornerback Devonte Myles was the most notable defensive play for the Chargers. New Haven added another field goal to extend their lead to four before halftime. While the first half highlighted the defensive strength from New Haven, the Chargers flexed their offensive muscles in the second. In four out of their first five possessions of the second half, New Haven found the endzone. Degenhardt took to the air for his, connecting with targets all around the field for major gains. Degenhardt connected with Turner for a 38-yard catch to place themselves deep in Owls’ territory. This set up a 5-yard
touchdown run from Shamar Logan to bring the score to 17-6. The Owls would respond with another field goal and bring the score to 17-9. Later in the third, Degenhardt found more success in the air, this time hitting receiver Dev Holmes for a 60-yard gain. This led to a back shoulder fade in the endzone to tight end Kevin Foelsch, breaking the game open and extending the Charger lead to 15. They didn’t stop there as New Haven dominated the fourth quarter. It started with a 93-yard bomb from Degenhardt, again to a wide-open Holmes who beat the cornerback in one-on-one coverage. In the following Owls possession, linebacker Khalim Cisse would recover a fumble within their territory. Degenhardt took to the air again on the first play after the turnover, finding Holmes for a 30-yard touchdown after a Southern Connecticut defensive miscue. In minutes, the Chargers turned a 24-9 lead into a 38-9 blowout. In the closing minutes, linebacker Sam Valerio had a pick-six taken back because of a penalty, setting up the Chargers’ offense for victory formation. They chewed the remaining
eight minutes off the clock and took home the 38-9 win. Offensively, Degenhardt’s 335 yards of passing and four touchdowns led the Chargers, while Holmes and Turner added 199 yards and 133 yards of receiving respectively, sharing Player of the Game honors afterwards. Ryan Hodgins and Jermell Brandon led the defense, who tallied 10 and eight tackles respectively, Cisse with eight tackles and a forced fumble and Myles with the interception. “It’s all we talked about all week,” Degenhardt said after the game. “The trophy never leaves our place. The receivers stepped up big, I think the O-line did a great job giving me time.” With the win, New Haven improves to 2-1 (1-0 NE10) and will hang onto the Elm City Trophy for the 12th straight year. Southern Connecticut drops to 2-2 (1-1 NE10) and will face American International College next week. The Chargers will hit the road for the first time next Saturday in a matchup against Pace University at 1 p.m. Live stats and a broadcast for the game can be found at NewHavenChargers. com.
Football players celebrate with the Elm City Trophy, West Haven, Sept. 26, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Nikki Bibeau