APRIL 15, 2026 • VOLUME 96 • ISSUE 24
The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929
Former assistant coach starts petition to reinstate rugby Division I status
Quinnipiac student petitions for fair agreement for dining services staff
By AVA HIGHLAND News Editor
p. 2 TYLER MIGNAULT/CHRONICLE
Quinnipiac announces discontinuation of QCash for the 2026-27 academic year By CHLOE GRANT Copy Editor
In an email sent out to Quinnipiac University students, faculty and staff last Monday, Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett announced the discontinuation of QCash effective May 29, claiming the change is the result of the university’s ongoing efforts to modernize campus operations and improve the overall community experience. QCash is a debit account that is separate from your meal plan. It allows you to make purchases at off-campus merchants, the university bookstore and the on-campus post office. QCash is also accepted at a handful of other off campus merchants, according to Quinnipiac’s website. The school is working towards a system that adheres to more “commonplace transitional pieces,” according to Ellett, such as Applepay, Venmo and Paypal — platforms that can be utilized with students’ phones. The apparent lack of students regularly using QCash on campus has also provided administration with a window to shift directions in terms of campus currency. QCash will remain a feasible form of currency on campus through the 2026 Spring semester and students are encouraged to use their remaining QCash balance before their discontinuation date. Issues regarding granting students refunds for
their unused QCash have also been an ongoing issue leading to their discontinuation. With the process of refunds being lengthy, and there being a $5 minimum on each, administration felt it was time to make the switch. Students with remaining QCash after May 29 will be issued a refund at some point during the fall 2026 semester. Additional details regarding the refunding process will be released when the time comes. “It’s really about reducing the administrative time and effort to actually do this effectively, as quickly as possible without making errors. So, you know, it’s the first time we’ve done it in this massive way, so we want to do it right,” Ellett said. Ellet highlights the inconvenience of QCash with complaints about there being a multi-day waiting period when additional money is wired to each student’s account. This often inconveniences students who need the money immediately. Students were surprised by the abrupt announcement and had mixed feelings on the matter, but ultimately emphasized the convenience of the new system. “I mean, I think everybody has their QCard card, as well as their credit card or debit card. So I don’t think there’s really a difference,” sophomore health sciences major Erion Risvani said. With many Quinnipiac students express-
OPINION
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ing frustration regarding the cost for printing on campus, junior occupational therapy major Jillian Galvin shared her thoughts on the matter. “I think it’s annoying, and it’s unfortunate because, you know, you pay so much for tuition to begin with, and so many other schools do free printing,” she said. “If you have to increase the technology fee by, like, 100 bucks or even 50 bucks, it wouldn’t be a huge difference.” With amenities on campus like printing making the switch to systems like Apple Pay, Venmo, Paypal, etc., Ellett reassures students that the new systems will be thoroughly tested before the fall semester begins to ensure they don’t cause issues when taking payments. “I think it will be in the eye of the beholder to say whether they think it’s better or not based on whether or not families were, there were some families using it pretty regularly, and there’ve been a lot of families who don’t use it,” Ellett said. “So I think for the majority of, a high percentage of students, this won’t affect at all because they’re not using it. Ellett advises anybody with concerns to contact him and he will be in touch. “Any change can be discombobulating to a student, but looking at the amount of money and the number of people using it, I don’t think it’s going to be a huge issue,” Ellett said.
ARTS & LIFE
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In response to Quinnipiac University’s Division I rugby program being cut, Assistant Coach Colleen Doherty created a petition to “Reinstate Women’s Rugby at Quinnipiac University” Tuesday afternoon. The petition has nearly 3,00 signatures in about five hours since its creation, at the time of publication. “Quinnipiac University’s recent announcement of athletics realignment cites long-term financial sustainability, competitive success, and Title IX compliance as guiding priorities,” Doherty wrote. “However, the decision to eliminate the women’s rugby program directly contradicts these stated goals and undermines a program that has been central to Quinnipiac’s national identity, athletic success, and leadership in women’s sports. Doherty highlights two previous lawsuits against Quinnipiac: Biediger v. Quinnipiac University in 2011 — which found that “Quinnipiac failed to provide equitable athletic opportunities” for women.and a 2013 settlement — where Quinnipiac committed to expanding women’s athletic opportunities, which specifically noted the women’s rugby team. “Cutting women’s rugby now raises serious concerns about whether Quinnipiac risks falling out of compliance with Title IX once again,” Doherty wrote. “Title IX requires institutions to provide equitable participation opportunities for women; removing a women’s sport, especially one created to address a prior gender equity gap, could reduce those opportunities and recreate disparities that federal courts have already ruled unlawful. Doherty also notes that rugby is “one of the least financially burdensome programs” totalling at $128,000 per year. Doherty calls on Director of Athletics Greg Amodio and President Marie Hardin as the decision makers. A smaller first petition, “Restore Women’s Rugby Team at Quinnipiac University,” was also created by a petitioner listed at “b c” and is now closed. The team is being transitioned from varsity to club status, per a QU Athletics press release Tuesday morning. “Supporting 27 student-athletes whose dreams were shattered by the sudden decision to eliminate Quinnipiac’s Division I women’s rugby program, downsizing it to a club team,” “b c” wrote. “After years of See RUGBY Page 3
SPORTS
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IN THIS ISSUE It’s time to bring back bullying
Rory Mcllroy secures secondstraight victory at Augusta-National
Trading rugby for men’s indoor track and field