March 10 Print Edition

Essential Workers Discuss Vaccine Rollout| Page 3 Advising Time Tips| Page 5 Volleyball Sweeps Home Opener| Page 8

WWW.CENTRALRECORDER.ORG @TheRecorder on Twitter Central Connecticut State University

March 10, 2021

The Recorder

Volume 126 | Issue 4

The Donyell Marshall Era Comes to a Close

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BY RYAN JONES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

fter five seasons coaching Central Connecticut men’s basketball, Donyell CCSU (Youtube) CCSU President Toro (above) speaks during the virtual launch ceremony.

Marshall’s contract was not renewed by the university after the conclusion of the regular season.

Marshall coached the Blue Devils to a 40-104 record over his five season tenure along with one playoff appearance.

In the athletic department’s press release, Marshall said that “it has been a privilege to serve as the head coach for this program for the past

BY RYAN BROOKS ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR five seasons, and that he was “grateful to have Learning and Engagement, young opening then shifted the conversation to had the opportunity to coach these young men. I people were the group most likely to the man behind it, and the contributions thank each of them, as well as my coaching staff, say that racism is a serious problem in Lewis made in healing and cleansing the United States, and three-fourths the soul of America. for making this a memorable experience. I thank entral Connecticut State Lewis was born on Feb. 21, 1940, everyone for their commitment to me and this University honored civil rights of youth said that they believe that the program and for working hard every day to make icon John Lewis Feb. 25 with criminal justice system in America to sharecroppers outside of Troy, Alabama. He attended the Historically the opening of the “John Lewis Institute needs an overhaul or major changes. us better.”

“Following the death of John Lewis, Black College and University (HBCU) for Social Justice,” which will act as a Since the news of Marshall’s departure from gateway for CCSU students to become I asked faculty and administrators to Fisk University in Tennessee where he the program, Tre Mitchell and Xavier Wilson informed and involved in public affairs. create a program that would honor attained a bachelor’s degree in religion have entered the transfer portal and have likely “An important component of CCSU’s his legacy, to identify educational and philosophy. played their final games as Blue Devils.

In 1961, at just 21-years-old, Lewis mission is to prepare students to be experiences and opportunities that Interim Athletic Director Tom Pincince said thoughtful, responsible, and successful will inspire our students to not only participated in the famed “freedom in an interview with the Recorder that he has identity inequality, but foster a deeper rides” in the south, with segregated citizens,” President Dr. Zulma R. Toro understanding of its roots, ” Toro said. interstate busing terminals.

A few years met individually with every player since the said in a recorded statement. “Many of our students have expressed a desire to “The John Lewis Institute for Social later, Lewis became the Chairman for announcement Friday. Some players are still become more informed and involved Justice hopes to develop students who the Student Non-Violent Coordinating making the decision on if they want to stay or in social justice initiatives, especially become advocates and leaders who Committee, which held sit-ins and not. Pincince said that no matter what their final after the killings of George Floyd and pursue careers in public service or other activities that would push the decision may be, the athletic department will become inspired to stand up and get nation into a greater understanding of Breonna Taylor.” have their full support. involved. ”

the plight of Black Americans.

According to the Center for The short video of the institutes Information & Research on Civic

CCSU Opens John Lewis Institute for Social Justice

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“Justice4Dukes” Rally Held on Campus

BY SAMANTHA BENDER

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NEWS EDITOR

crowd gathered outside of Central’s Student Center to fight for justice for former Director of Student Conduct, Christopher Dukes, who was accused by his wife, Christine A. Berenbach, of assaulting and kidnapping her at their Hartford home back in 2018.

Dukes has a 30 year history working for Central, where he started off in an entry-level position and worked his way up to Director of Student Conduct.

He has been fighting for more than two years to get his career back.

“I need to introduce myself to people because, for whatever reason, people thought it was appropriate to create a new identity for me. So I need to let

you know who I am,” Dukes said. “My name is Christopher Dukes… the most important thing to know about me is that I am a child of the most high God who has seen me through everything that I’ve been through.”

He provided detailed proof of his innocence at the rally held on Friday, Feb. 26. Phone records read at the protest Friday revealed Dukes activity leading up to the incident as well as Berenbach’s phone activity during and after the incident.

Dukes shared that approximately four months after his arrest, on Sept. 4, 2018, the Hartford Police Department claimed that Dukes used duct tape to bound and restrain his

wife. They submitted duct tape evidence to the state forensic lab and received the results on May 14, 2019.

“They knew, on that date, that I was an innocent individual,” Dukes said. “They knew beforehand, because on January 30 of 2019, I reported to the court and to the prosecutors that I was being falsely accused, that my children and I were swatted.

They laughed at me.”

At the rally, Dukes stated when they took a collection of the DNA evidence from his basement floor it was fabricated by his wife and a Hartford police offer. The results show that on one particular piece of duct tape, there was a mixture of DNA.

The mixture of DNA consisted of Dukes, the owner of the duct tape, who had used it eleven days before and put it down on the counter, his wife’s DNA which was found PAGE 7 Mick D’Arcy discusses on the nonadhesive side, along spring soccer season with the police officer who’s identity will not be confirmed by the Hartford Police Department. On the second piece of duct tape, there was no mixture of DNA, it was only his wife’s.

“They knew, by my DNA not being on both pieces, there’s no way I committed that crime,” Dukes said. “They withheld these results for seven weeks before they gave them to the defense.”

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PAGE 4 Exploring the recent controversy surround the “Bachelor.”

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NEWS

March 10, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

THE RECORDER Student Center 1615 Stanley Street New Britain, CT 06053 860.832.3744

editor@centralrecorder. org centralrecorder.org

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Jones ryan.michael.jones@my.ccsu.edu Managing Editor Kellly Langevin kelly.langevin@my.ccsu.edu News Editor Samantha Bender samanthabender@my.ccsu.edu Ryan Brooks, Assistant rbrooks@my.ccsu.edu Lifestyle Editor Julia Conant juliaconant@my.ccsu.edu Sarah Wall, Assistant sarahwall@my.ccsu.edu Sports Editor Layout Editor Copy Editors Jurrel Racine jurrel.racine@my.ccsu.edu Social Media Editors Isabella Chan chan2017@my.ccsu.edu

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THE RECORDER

BY AVERY JONES STAFF WRITER

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resident Joe Biden made some major remarks in the state dining room on March 2 in regards to the progress of the country’s battle with COVID-19.

Biden and his team have been closely collaborating with Big Pharma. Biden noted that Johnson & Johnson, a medical device company that manufactures pharmaceutical products, made a huge effort to contribute to the vaccines.

Their manufacturing is behind, but Biden has been able to begin work with his team to help accelerate the processes, and the company has committed to operating its facilities 24/7.

Biden also announced that the company will be partnering with Merck and Co., an American multinational pharmaceutical company that is among one of the largest of its kind in the world. This will help develop a third, highly effective vaccine.

In terms of vaccine rollout, Biden said just a few weeks ago that we can expect enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of July.

Currently, Biden has voiced that we can expect that supply even sooner.

“I’m pleased to announce today, as a consequence of the stepped-up process that I’ve ordered and just outlined, that this country will have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May,” Biden said. “That’s progress – important progress.”

Biden does not ignore that the virus is still fighting back in many ways. With the increased amounts of vaccines and the aggressive plans to get every essential worker vaccinated, and then every adult vaccinated, there is an increased need for vaccinators.

To combat this part of the problem, there have been thousands of retired nurses and doctors brought back to service and more than 1,500 federal medical personnel have been deployed.

As vaccine production ramps up, with an increased and growing amount of medical personnel, the next issue lies in finding locations to administer the vaccines. To date, millions of doses have been sent to over 7,000 pharmacies.

Biden and his team have been working hard alongside each individual state to set up thousands of additional places for vaccines to be given. These

centers will utilize large infrastructures like stadiums, or even smaller places like community centers or parking lots, allowing the capacity to administer thousands of vaccines per day.

Biden has also begun to point out a connection between schools being closed and the large strain the pandemic has put on our economy. As distance learning presents struggles for many students, many parents have been exiting the workforce more rapidly than in recent history, to tend to the changes online learning brings for their children. With so many parents not working, the economy is struggling even more.

Biden claims that issues within the economy grow worse with each day that schools remain closed. Not only are families and the economy struggling, thousands of school districts are facing budget crises. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has since issued new guidelines advising how to reopen schools safely.

“I have given schools a roadmap. I’ve asked Congress to give them the tools,” Biden said. “And today, to add one

more tool to school reopeninga vaccinated workforce.”

Biden and his team have promised to work hard to treat in person learning like an essential service so that educators are prioritized, however he emphasized that he could not do this alone.

“My challenge to all states, territories, and The District of Columbia is this: We want every educator, school staff member, childcare worker to receive at least one shot by the end of the month of March,” Biden said.

To provide incentives, throughout the month of March, federal pharmacy programs will prioritize vaccinations for educators and staff that teach pre-K through grade 12, allowing them to book appointments.

Biden has made it a point to state the importance of continuing to wash hands, practicing social distancing, wearing masks where they are needed and getting vaccinated when it is time.

As of March 6, 515,013 American lives have been lost to COVID-19. Biden and his administration promise to continue to combat this global pandemic.

CCSU Opens John Lewis Institute for Social Justice

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”I’m so proud that you’re starting up the John Lewis Institute for Social Justice,” Governor Ned Lamont said in the video. “He was a fighter for social justice, and I’m glad he’s going to inspire generations of CCSU students to get involved in your community, help those most in need, fighting for economic and racial justice near and far.”

Representative John Larson, a CCSU alum and colleague of Lewis, also

weighed in. “[John] embodied the teachings of Dr. King, and lived them through the movements and peaceful protests for human rights and racial equality which he nobly led,” Larson said. “I’m incredibly proud of my alma mater for establishing this institute in honor of John Lewis to both inspire and prepare a new generation of leaders. John Lewis was a humble man, who got in the way and caused good

trouble.”

Later in his life it was imperative for Lewis to reach out to younger generations, urging them to get involved and informed. In a Vermont Public Radio (VPR) Interview two years ago, Lewis shared his optimism that the next generation of America will boldly tackle the issues of social equality.

“The young people will be our salvation,” Lewis told VPR. “The young people will save

our country, save democracy, save the Constitution, and help make this little piece of real estate we call America better for all of us, and maybe inspire people around the world to stand up, to be brave, bold and courageous.”

For more information regarding the John Lewis Institute for Social Justice visit https://www.ccsu.edu/ johnlewisinstitute/story.html

The Recorder is looking for writers/ Editor positions for next semester!

If interested, email ryan.michael.jones@my.ccsu.edu Open to all sections and positions!

News, Opinion, Lifestyle, Sports, Layout and Photography

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NEWS

March 10, 2021

THE RECORDER

Essential Employees Still Waiting On Vaccination

BY KELLY LANGEVIN MANAGING EDITOR

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rocery store workers across the state of Connecticut now no longer qualify for the next vaccine rollout phase, which took effect March 1.

“I am disappointed that grocery store workers were bumped from the vaccine and feel that we are on the front line every day waiting on customers who may or may not be following protocol,” Kim Bradshaw Mentone said.

Mentone, who has worked at a grocery store for six years as a front-end supervisor, worked during the initial lockdown, running the curbside pick-up department for people who could not go into the store for safety reasons.

Mentone said that she works 40-50 hour weeks and that, “[grocery store employees]

sometimes have to work longer than usual days, or extra shifts to cover people who have to quarantine due to exposure elsewhere.”

She also stated that her workplace has taken various precautions to keep the staff as safe as possible, including checking workers’ temperatures, limiting capacity, ensuring customers use the store’s hand sanitizer upon entrance, and installing plexiglass at registers.

Along with these measures, Mentone said grocery store workers should also have been eligible on March 1.

“I believe that due to the amount of people we encounter in a day, that we [grocery store employees] should have been kept on the list to get the vaccine as soon as possible.”

Mentone is not the only

one who has expressed disappointment.

“I was extremely upset to find out that grocery store workers were not able to receive the vaccine for March 1,” Noralea Chesanek of Thomaston, CT, said.

Being denied completely from the next phase, “kind of felt like a slap in the face especially during the past year when a large focus was put on essential workers being heroes. We went to work every day, seven days a week. We are constantly exposed to people and put at risk.”

Chesanek said she has worked at a grocery store since Sept.

2018, and also worked throughout the lockdown. After losing one of her other jobs, Chesanek said her managers immediately came to her aid, giving her 30-40 hours a week to work.

“Between March to about June my hours were different each week because sometimes our produce delivery would show up at very late at night instead of early in the morning because our warehouse just couldn’t keep up with everything going on,” Chesanek said. “It’s understandable because the grocery store itself couldn’t keep up.”

She also said that the store had empty shelves for weeks, but since lockdown and in the following months, “things have calmed down substantially, but there are still products we are not able to get.”

Another factor adding to Chesanek’s frustration is being around customers who tell her they have family who recently tested positive, or people who refuse to wear masks.

Chesanek’s co-worker Alyssa Rakowski also worked during the lockdown and has been at the store for over a year.

“As a cashier, we put our customers above our own safety, and especially in Thomaston, the way cashiers are treated is unfair. We are constantly being disrespected and yelled at although we are putting our own safety on the line to provide service to those who don’t appreciate it,” Rakowski said.

Rakowski, however, is not upset about not qualifying for the next rollout.

“I am not upset because I take my own precautions to stay safe and I would not feel comfortable receiving a vaccine that has not been tested for a long period of time. I do understand, however, why others are upset,” Rakowski said.

Dukes Continues To Fight For Justice

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The state was presented with an analysis of all of Berenbach’s statements and identified 506 false statements from every time she testified, from the 9-1-1 call to the DCF report. Of those statements, 442 were allegedly found to be provable violations of perjury, though Berenbach has still not faced any jail time.

The accusation that Dukes lured his wife to the basement between 10 p.m and 12 a.m. and started choking, strangling and beating her was overturned by phone records which reveal that at 10:21 p.m., Berenbach texted her alleged boyfriend at the time, who Dukes claims was also her accomplice.

“How can you text your boyfriend at 10:21 if you’ve been beaten for the last 21 minutes?” Dukes asked. “How come that text message was never provided to authorities?”

Dukes pointed out that CCSU has dealt with several misconduct cases where students were victims which were all buried and resulted in very little disciplinary action, even after Dukes brought reports up to administration. Dukes pointed out

Dukes speaks to the crowd outside of CCSU’s Student Center

that all of them had one thing in common: they involved white males.

After firing Dukes and claiming to have

Samantha Bender

done an investigation, CCSU never wrote a report on Dukes. He has voiced several demands he has for the university.

“I would like to see a complete, full investigation into the collusion between the state attorney’s office in Hartford and the chief state attorney’s office that’s in Rocky Hill, as well as the corruption that they have been aware of since September 3 of 2021,” Dukes said. “I would also like that given that CCSU and the system office made all efforts to blacklist me, to discredit me throughout this entire state, to make students and faculty and staff believe that they had a reason to fear my presence on campus, if they fear for someone’s presence they put them on what’s called a persona non grata list. I am not on a persona non grata list. So why am I not on the list if I am not a threat to the campus?”

On Nov. 30, 2020, an arbitrator conferred Dukes was credible and was terminated from CCSU without just call.

According to the arbitrator, the allegations were “not corroborated” and “contradicted by evidence” and they have ruled Dukes be reinstated as Director of Student Conduct and fully compensated. CCSU is currently appealing the arbitrator’s decision.

Mental Health of College Students in a Pandemic

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BY PETER ALLEN STAFF WRITER ver the last year, the impact of COVID-19 has been incredibly taxing on college students’ mental

health.

“We’re definitely seeing higher rates of anxiety and depression across the board, it comes from the limited ability to employ some of the coping abilities that everybody is used to. Whether it’s organized sports, or social gatherings, or events, or you name it, just a way to destress and cope,” Tim

Dowling, a counselor who specializes in young adults, said in an interview.

Dowling works for Apple Valley Behavioral Health. He said that isolation has exacerbated the struggles students regularly deal with and warned about added stress.

“I work with a lot of people on trying to find a balance between staying informed with everything that has happened in 2020 and now into 2021, but also not over exposing yourself to constant, chronic fear.”

According to Dowling, taking in constant bad news over the last year has

put people in uncomfortable positions.

However, that same unwanted state has also pushed people in a better direction.

“I was actually impressed in a lot of ways in that this pandemic has pushed people out of their comfort zones and forced them to be uncomfortable. And looking at that discomfort can be a good thing because it motivates people to do new things.”

Dowling also said that people struggling should try and find positive habits to keep their spirits and motivation high.

Check out the broadcast package that goes with this story as well as other stories that didn’t make it into print!

centralrecorder.org

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LIFESTYLE

THE RECORDER

C.A.N Lifts School Spirit To Combat Pandemic Lows

BY ISABELLA CHAN

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SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

year ago from today, Central Connecticut students would probably be preparing for spring break and bustling across campus to get to class. This year, students are finding themselves in a different predicament but not any less excited.

Though coronavirus has managed to impact and change much of the university’s behavior, CCSU’s school spirit remains intact thanks to clubs and organizations like Central Activities Network, better known as C.A.N..

“We’ve actually been doing events ever since the pandemic started, even during the summer,” C.A.N. President Nadia Santone said.”We’ve been doing in person and virtual kind of on and off for a year, and it’s been really fun.”

This spring, CCSU can expect to see C.A.N. in action as they host multiple activities on-campus and virtually.

“For March, we’re doing a Vegasthemed month of events. So we’re doing a lot of casino nights, virtual game nights, we’re doing a comedian,” Santone shared.

Santone also revealed that students can look forward to the annual spring concert this April. Much like other events during the pandemic, the performer will be virtual

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nostalgia have been a big part of C.A.N.’s events this spring. During January and February, the student organization offered several activities that reflected childhood memories.

On their Instagram, C.A.N. hosted their Retro Camera contest, asking students to recreate old photos and make Tik Toks to have a chance to win an Amazon gift card, a Polaroid camera or Nintendo NES game system.

“We also did an ice skating rink and a roller rink, and that was really There will still be a spring C.A.N Instagram fun cause we got to see a concert this year, both in perlot of people on campus son and virtual participate,” she added.

As one of the first clubs but students will have the option to attend in-person while on-campus or virtually to conduct events on campus again after lockdown, Santone shared C.A.N. had a from home this semester.

Though the artist has yet to be revealed, lot of responsibility to protect the campus Santone hints “it’s kind of like a good community while still promoting Blue throwback. It’s a really big artist, they’re Devil spirit.

“We wanted to make sure that we still big now but they are also very relevant had all the right guidelines in place, that to us growing up.”

The theme of throwbacks and everybody is safe at the in-person events.

So we did a mix of in-person and virtual

events,” she added.

According to Santone, C.A.N. requires participants to follow all CCSU guidelines while attending on-campus events, such as mandatory masks onsite and fulfilling the daily symptom survey.

C.A.N. also conducts events in waves of 25 students or less to include as many students as possible while following CDC guidelines.

With numbers showing a reduced spreading of coronavirus, Santone believes that C.A.N. has been and will continue to be successful with hosting more in-person events on campus in the future.

“It’s been a little harder creatively to get things online because you see a lot of the same things, like trivia or bingo, which are great but we don’t always want to do those,” she admitted.

“I think after this year, we’ll primarily want to go back on campus just because we can really serve a lot more students that way” Santone said.

Santone hopes that with CCSU students and the community continue to come out to their events to stay connected with their Blue Devil spirit.

For those looking to stay up to date on more upcoming C.A.N. events, you can follow them on Instagram @can_ccsu .

Central’s Director of African American Studies, Dr. Felton Best, said he agrees with Lindsay that the photos are not a good look ever, but acknowledges that Harrison has been placed in a controversial position. Best also said that Harrison tried to explain what he perceived as a young person that was caught in an existential dilemma because she is dating an African American male and, because of Kirkconnell (far right) pictured at Kirkconnell’s Facethis, is perceived to an “antebellum” party. book (now deleted). have no bias.

Mikayla Martin, a 22-year-old fan of “So this decision the show, said she thinks the photos have to go to this party that did take place sparked such a big conversation due to the at a southern plantation is something fact that Kirkconnell is dating a man of that is controversial and something color. that [Kirkconnell] feels not inclined to “Obviously [she has] to learn from this, answer to,” Best said. “I think [Harrison] hopefully [she’s] learning the best way, you is somewhat defensive in that context know,” Martin said. “I don’t want to be like because it is probably very embarrassing. you can’t dwell on the past, so obviously fix It probably does not reflect the image that it and figure it out for the future.” she would like to convey and it certainly Since the interview, Harrison has does not reflect a person living in an era posted several apologies on Instagram and of the Black Lives Matter Movement, so it’s announced his decision to step away from bringing so much attention to that.” the Bachelor franchise for some time.

Best pointed out that this situation

shows similar ties to recent controversies in the past regarding other prominent figures.

“This reminds me of many southern politicians that are conceived as liberal. who they discover, of course, went to parties where they had black paint on their face,” Best said. “And they would say things such as, ‘that was years ago and I’ve evolved since that time’. [Kirkconnell’s] problem is that this was a recent episode, and not something that was a couple of decades ago.”

Best also said in his interview that because Kirkconnell is a white female, she has a high chance of being forgiven and white privilege plays a key role in this.

“It’s not only about what a person does but who can do this. If I, an African American, went to a private group that became public in 2018… If I was saying racial and rude things against Jews, or sexist language against women, or even derogatory terms against whites, I would not get a pass in any of those areas being African American because I would not have the privilege of giving an explanation that because it happened a few years ago that I was not aware,” Best said. “The assumption would be that what I said is who I am.”

Best also mentioned that educating people on race is extremley important and wants future conversations to hold a deeper meaning.

“I think education will help break stereotypes across gender, class, racial issues,” Best said.

“Bachelor” Controversy Sparks Debate Over Race

BY SAMANTHA BENDER NEWS EDITOR

s the ABC dating show, “The Bachelor,” wraps up its 25th season, photos of a current contestant have surfaced on social media, sparking racial controversy.

This season of the bachelor stars the first black bachelor in the show’s history, Matt James. It also features contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, and despite remaining in the final three, she has been at the heart of the current nationwide discussion on race.

Photos of Kirkconnell attending an antebellum-themed college party in 2018 have circulated around social media platforms. Fans and contestants from past seasons of the show were quick to share their reactions.

A former star of “The Bachelorette” and “ExtraTV” correspondent, Rachel Lindsay, was the first Black bachelorette in the show’s history in 2017. She interviewed Chris Harrison, the host of the show to get his perspective on the situation.

“Well Rachel, is it not a good look in 2018?” Harrison asked in the “Extra” interview. “Or is it not a good look in 2021?”

Lindsay was quick to acknowledge that Kirkconnell’s actions are not a good look ever. The 13-minute interview garnered immediate backlash on Harrison’s behalf for what some fans saw as ignorant, racist remarks.

Harrison also said in the interview that the Bachelor franchise was not aware of the photos and wouldn’t release a statement and speak for Kirkconnell who has since taken to social media to apologize.

March 10, 2021

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LIFESTYLE

THE RECORDER

Amazing Indie Artists You Should Listen To

BY SHWAR ZAIDI STAFF WRITER

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year ago Indie Music (Independent Music) is an amazing genre with soft, mellow, relaxing songs that people can listen to while studying for an exam or just trying to relax. Here are a couple of great artists, a bit of their history and some examples of their best songs.

Daughter

Petit Biscuit Mehdi Benjelloun, better known as Petit Biscuit, is a 21-year-old French DJ and producer that makes songs with soft melodies while channeling the electronic sound. Benjelloun was first recognized from his Sound Cloud. Here are some examples of his best songs that you should check out:

relationship history. My favorite songs from her are: · Evermore · Willow · Champagne Problems · Closure · Tolerate It · Nobody, no crime · Happiness · Ivy · Exile · Long Short Stories · Gold Rush · The 1 · August · Peace

Ed Sheeran

· Sunset Lover · Night Trouble · You · Alone · Memories · Full Moon · Palms · Iceland · Oceans · Midnight Skypi

world of how sad girls would be and their emotional effect on bad boys, which helped her come up with music that was “melancholy and genuine glamor.” Del Ray’s sound is famously depressing, dreamy and beautiful. According to BBC, Del Ray has been criticized for glamorizing abuse, but she says she was honest and transparent in her music about her experiences in emotional and physical abuse. Here are some examples of her music: · Born to Die · West Coast · Summertime Saddness · Video Games · Dark Paradise

ColdPlay

Billie Eilish Billie Eilish is pop’s savior. Eilish, who wrote her first song at four years old, has gained national notoriety over the past year with her hit song “Bad Guy.” Eilish’s indie-pop music has deep and depressing lyrics that showcase her Sam Briggs great writing skill. Eilish’ songs sound Daughters is a European band dreamlike, gloomy, and soft for people to comprised of three people: the band’s listen to. Here are some examples of her singer, Elena Tonra, is from North work: London, guitarist Igor Haefeli hails from Switzerland and drummer Remi Aguilella · Lovely · Ocean Eyes · Bad Guy is from France. Their sound can be best · Everything I Ever Wanted · When the described as indie-rock. Their music is Party is Over · Six Feet Under · I Love soft, gentle, and relatively peaceful to You listen to. Many of their songs were also played in a famous video game called “Life is Strange: Before the Storm.” The group was formed in 2010 and has released four EPs and three albums to date. Some of Swift is a songwriter as well who their best songs are: loves to write country music and has

Taylor Swift

· Flaws · Youth · Glass

a lot of amazing indie music from her new albums “Evermore” and “Forklore.”

Her music is famous around the world and many people are fascinated with her soft voice and deep meaning found in her lyrics. Swift is famous for her break-up songs that highlight her storied

London band ColdPlay is one of the longer tenured bands that make this list. The band was formed in 1996 and won their first Grammy Award for Best Album with their 2000 album “Parachutes.” Their music ranges from electronic to indie with a dash of pop.

Here are some examples of their music: Mark Surridge

Ed Sheeran is an English pop star who gained notoriety with his 2011 debut album “+.” Sheeran’s music is honest and raw which is the perfect fit for his powerful voice. Here are a couple of examples of his most famous tunes: · Shape of You · Thinking Out Loud · Give me Love · Lego House · Photograph · Beautiful People · The A Team · Castle on the Hill

Lana Del Ray

· A Sky Full of Stars · Fix You · The Scientist · Sparks · Something Just Like This · Yellow There are still many more songwriters, bands, and music producers out there making amazing music. For now, check out the above artists if you need to chill, overcome anxiety or study for exams. You can find the artists songs on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify and Sound Cloud.

According to AllMusic, Lan Del Rey’s history of music comes from her dream

Advising Season Reminders

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dvising season is approaching quickly! Students are currently able to view the course catalog for the fall 2021 semester.

With that in mind, keep these tips and reminders in your back pocket as you plan to meet with your advisor.

Knock out Those Required Classes…

The long summer break means you may be more excited to get back into the swing of school. This mentality means you’re more likely to be motivated to complete some required classes. Check your degree evaluation for the general education classes you’ve been avoiding, or the boring class that’s required for your major.

...But Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

BY JULIA CONANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Don’t get overambitious when it comes to taking difficult classes. Consider your experience with past semesters, and plan accordingly. If you’re taking three or four demanding classes, toss in an interesting elective to keep you afloat.

Location, Location, Location Gone are the days of attending back to back classes from your bedroom. As of right now, most of the fall 2021 classes are set to take place on campus. So make sure you have time to walk from building to building in-between classes. A ten minute sprint from Copernicus to Willard DiLoreto is hard, but not impossible.

Timing is Everything An obvious piece of advice is to take classes that keep with your schedule. If you

work during the day, take night classes. But a less obvious piece of advice is to space your classes to avoid burnout. Scheduling three classes in a row may seem efficient, but evaluate whether that will result in the most productivity. If you would like a relaxation break in between, give that to yourself.

Consider Coordinating with a Friend A social life is something that can be easily overlooked when planning a school schedule. But planning time during the day to see your pal could be the motivation you need to get through the day. If you’re recharged by socialization, leave a gap in your schedule for a friendly visit.

Have a Backup Plan As you probably know from prior

experience registering for classes, sometimes a class fills up by the time your registration date rolls around. It’s a pain in the butt, but it’s inevitable. Get on the waitlist if you can, but if not, keep a couple extra classes in mind. A plan b, or even plan c may come in handy in a pinch.

Email your Advisor If you have any questions, your advisor is there for you! You should also book an appointment with them as early as you can, since you don’t want their schedule to become packed and not leave any room for you. Once you obtain your registration PIN from them, you’re all set to register on your set date.

Good luck with the rest of this semester, and good luck planning for the next one!

6

LIFESTYLE

March 10, 2021

THE RECORDER

Waterparks Debuts Their ‘Greatest Hits’

BY JULIA CONANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR

T

he alternative band, Waterparks, is releasing new music and it’s different from anything fans of the band have heard before.

Their upcoming album is slated to be released on May 21 of this year and will have 17 tracks.

Waterparks follows alphabetical order when releasing records. Their three EPs are titled “Airplane Conversations,” “Black Light” and “Cluster.” Their three following studio albums are titled “Double Dare,” “Entertainment” and “FANDOM.” Their upcoming album is confirmed to be titled “Greatest Hits.”

Despite what the name suggests, the new album will not be a compilation of the band’s most popular hits thus far. Only two of the songs on the album have been released as of today. Track three, “Lowkey As Hell” was released on Sep. 25 of last year and track six, “Snow Globe” was released last Friday, Feb. 26.

Waterparks has been releasing music since 2012. Their earlier material was more rooted in punk rock, featuring heavy drums, loud guitars and punchy vocals.

However, as they developed as a band, they have tended to stray more toward the electronic and indie side of alternative music.

“Snow Globe” seems to rebel against fans’ previous objections to the progression of Waterparks’ sound. The song heavily features auto-tune, which has been a point of contention for some fans.

“I put auto-tune on ‘Worst’ and / Caught all their disgust,” frontman Knight sang on the song “Watch What Happens Next.”

The group’s newest album debuts on May 21.

This line references when Waterparks released an early demo of “Worst,” which featured auto-tune. Some listeners didn’t like this change, and criticized the band for it.

Knight has expressed his discomfort with fans ruling over his career and life through song lyrics before. During the bridge of “Watch What Happens Next,” Knight says the fans basically respond

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@Waterparks on Twitter

to him asking if Waterparks can try new sounds by saying, “Go f*ck yourself.”

“Snow Globe” begins with an unsettling combination of rushed piano notes and white noise that progressively becomes louder. This leads into a more calming piano melody and the first verse.

Knight sings about a repeated nightmare, brought on by the meaningless of his fans’ praise for him.

“Cause all I hear is, ‘I love you so much’ / But it starts to mean nothing / When my heart is shut from you,” Knight sings.

The refrain is where the backbeat and bassline come into play. Knight lowers the pitch of his voice as he compares his life to a snow globe and tells the listeners to “shake him up.”

Backing vocals provide “ooo”s and “aaa”s during the chorus, as Knight recounts the recurring arguments he has with himself in his head.

Knight sings, “In the daytime, I get to debate myself / And quiet all the evil things I say like / ‘Everybody hates you’ / ‘People miss the old you’ / ‘They hate everything that they all changed you into’” This idea of Knight’s world being a snow globe is only emphasized in the second verse, when Knight repeats, “My tiny little world is in your hands / So shake it like a snow globe, f*ck my plans.”

As the song comes to a close, there are two sets of overlapping vocals. The primary vocals sing that this song is the soundtrack to, “giving up,” “living down” and “getting out.”

The secondary, quieter vocals repeat, “I don’t have the sympathy, I think that you need more from me / If life is just a game, then I’mma flip the board and break the peace.”

The music video was released shortly after the song and features Waterparks performing the song in low light.

Underwhelming, but not necessarily bad.

Keep an eye on Waterparks over the next few months if you’re curious to hear the rest of the album.

WORD BANK Bachelor Marshall Roma Lewis Waterparks Vaccine

7 THE RECORDER

March 10, 2021

CCSU Soccer Gears Up For Spring SPORTS BEGINS ON BACK PAGE

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BY GEORGE ATTWOOD FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

he world is slowly going back to normal as we approach the oneyear anniversary of the start of pandemic. The sports world is just the same, most leagues have begun playing games again.

Central Connecticut women’s soccer is one of these teams. It has been 15 months since they last played a competitive game.

Head coach Mick D’Arcy is happy that his team is going to be on the pitch doing what they love.

“We’ve been doing a lot of things,” D’Arcy said. “A lot of Zoom calls, training in groups of four, to training indoors over the winter. The last piece of the puzzle is to go out there and play an 11 on 11 game.”

“I think everyone is excited just for that. We’re all involved in the game because we love to compete and that’s soccer in its purest form when you can play a full game,” he said.

The team comes into this season as winners of the last two Northeast Conference Championships and they are favorites to win it all again.

Polling is mostly based off of last

season’s performance.The team is completely different from the one that won it all a year ago but the culture that D’Arcy has created means that the team will still have the hunger and desire to win.

“It’s a different team, even if we had started in August it would still be a different team,” D’Arcy said.

“I think when you come to CCSU there is an expectation and a standard that we’re trying to reach all the time. That is the history and tradition of the program, that at the end of the year we’re going to be up there competing for a championship.”

The team was scheduled to play on 2 March but a positive case on the opposing team, Bryant, meant the game had to be postponed, meaning the Blue Devils will have to wait another week before their season can get underway.

With so much uncertainty surrounding when matches will be played, D’Arcy says that this might be an even shorter season than was once thought.

“We’re hoping it is postponed and not cancelled,” D’Arcy said.

“There are some gaps where we could play the game. From a

CCSU has won the last two NEC Titles

soccer point of view we want to play but from an administrative point of view we’ll have to get permission.”

Due to the shortened season, each game holds much more value to the players and coaches.

However, D’Arcy thinks that because of all the uncertainty, it is hard to know how the season is going to play out.

“One of the things with this season is that there are a lot of things outside our control. On any given day you could get a call that half your team is going into quarantine because of contact

tracing,” D’Arcy said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that there is going to be games over the course of the year where we will not be at full strength because of COVID-19.

With that in mind, it is hard to put emphasis on each game or even the season Ryan Jones as a whole.”

At any level of sport, fans are an important aspect of the game. At the collegiate level particularly, families are a crucial part of the fanbase. With fans not being able to watch the games in person, the team decided to stream all its matches on Facebook.

Not all the games are streamed during a normal season, meaning that you must be at the stadium to watch the action. By streaming the matches on Facebook, it means that no matter where they are in the world, fans can watch.

The team comes into this

season with one of the deepest squads they have had in years.

Over the winter they were able to play inter squad games with teams of 11.

The team is led by AllAmerican Roma McLaughlin.

The games being live streamed is particularly relevant for McLaughlin, who is from Ireland.

“It is nice because it means my family back home can watch,” McLaughlin said.

“It is gonna be a lot different,” Mclaughlin added. “Warming up and seeing friends and family creates an excitement and a buildup so it is not gonna be the same.”

Despite the All-American tag, McLaughlin is just happy to finally be playing soccer again after such a lengthy break.

“After achieving All-American you’re always gonna put that little bit more pressure on yourself to do better. Then again, I’m just so grateful that we’re going to be playing again. It has been over a year and a half, that is a long time to go without soccer.”

With so much uncertainty going on, one thing is for certain.

CCSU women’s soccer is back, well kind of.

Baseball’s Offense Rolling Early

C

BY RYAN JONES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

entral Connecticut baseball has steamrolled through its first two games of the season, scoring a total of 23 runs against its first two opponents.

The Blue Devils have hit four home runs over this stretch, including an inside the park home run in the team’s game against UMass.

Baseball was one of the many spring sports that were shut down last season.

The Blue Devils had not gotten into conference play yet and played their last game one year ago today (March 1o). The game that took place a year ago was a sneak peek into how things look now: no fans were allowed to attend.

The Blue Devils are returning four seniors to its roster, all of whom should be major factors in the team’s success this season. Dave Matthews, Andrew Braun, Brandon Fox and Buddy Dewaine are the

their season opener against Albany on March 7.

Brandon Fox got the start against Albany and had a tough going in his first game back. The senior walked six batters and gave up five runs in his three innings of work.

Matthews got started early against Albany, hitting one out of the park that brought home two base runners. His day was not done yet, however.

After giving up five runs over the first two innings, the Blue Devils stifled Albany’s offense the rest of the way, allowing only one run and Matthews (above) homered Steve McLaughlin delivering two no-hit innings. twice against Albany.

While Albany’s offense stalled, CCSU’s rolled on. returning veterans.

The Blue Devils scored nine runs over TT Bowens will not be returning to the diamond this year after getting picked by the sixth and seventh innings. Redshirt the Orioles in last season’s Major League freshman Noah Martinez started the sixth off with a two run homer and Matthews Baseball Draft.

With most of its core returning, the followed it up with one of his own.

Blue Devils did not seem to miss a beat in Matthews followed this up with an RBI in

Baseball: Friday, March 12 v. Stony Brook, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 13 v. Stony Brook, 12 p.m.

Sunday, March 14 v. Stony Brook, 12 p.m.

the seventh, bringing his total to six on the day.

Braun earned the win on the mound, striking out four with runs scored over his three innings of work.

CCSU’s next game against UMass was more of a nail-biter.

The game sat tied at two in the bottom of the fourth. Central Connecticut retaliated in its usual fashion: a quick five run inning, all of the runs coming from singles and groundout RBIs. In the sixth inning, Dan Covino hit an inside-the-park home run that put CCSU up 8-4.

Things got scary for the Blue Devils as they tried to seal the win. UMass brought the game to within two. Freshman reliever Jake Neuman was able to finish the game off and took home his first career win on the mound for CCSU. The Blue Devils will play three games against Stony Brook this weekend before rematching Albany and then starting their conference season.

Weekly Sports Schedule Lacrosse:

Cross Country:

Saturday, March 13 v. LIU, 1 p.m.

Monday, March 15 NCAA Championship

Men’s Soccer:

Women’s Soccer:

Monday, March 15 v. Merrimack, 2 p.m.

Friday, March 12 v. Bryant, 5 p.m.

8 March 10, 2021

SPORTS THE RECORDER Volleyball Sweeps First Home Series

CCSU is now 2-2 in the early goings of the season.

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BY RYAN JONES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

entral Connecticut volleyball swept its first two home games Tuesday against Merrimack. The games marked the first time in 480 days that the Blue Devils had played on their home court.

Volleyball, like many other sports being played this spring, will have a different format than normal. Teams will be facing off against each other two times in one day to reduce travel and possible exposure to COVID-19. Players are also required to wear a mask during the game.

The Blue Devils ran away with the first game against Merrimack, outscoring the Warriors 75-35 over the three sets played.

One of the biggest question marks heading into the season was how the team would fill in the roles of players who had graduated. Madelyn Kaprelyan, former Northeast Conference Player of the Year, was one of the most notable departures from the program. Her partner on the right

Steve McLaughlin

side, Erin McDermott, also graduated, leaving the right side wide open for the Blue Devils.

Luckily for CCSU, there has been a player waiting in the wings for this opportunity.

Junior Natalie Novak only played in eight matches for the Blue Devils last season and is now filling one of the most important roles on the team. So far, she has impressed both physically and mentally.

This has not come at a surprise to head coach Linda Sagnelli.

“She’s always had the ability, I just don’t think she was given the chance yet,” Sagnelli said. “She’s just going to keep getting better and better.”

Sagnelli had more high praise for the junior from New York.

“I give all the props to Natalie. We can coach and tell athletes how to get better, it’s whether they have the drive to do that.

She has enough drive for everyone on the team.”

After running away with the first game,

The Blue Devils game scheduled for Friday has been postponed.

the second match against Merrimack was a bit closer of a fight. The second set in particular was most troublesome for the Blue Devils. Sagnelli explained that the team had some problems dealing with Merrimack’s setter, which led to the Warriors holding a late 22-21 lead in the second set. CCSU snapped back into things following a timeout and rattled off a 4-0 run that sealed victory in the second set.

CCSU won the third and final set of the day by double digits.

At first, Sagnelli said the team questioned how they would be able to play so much volleyball at one time. None of their games so far have gone longer than three sets, which has made the transition to this style much smoother.

“I think that all the teams are finding that in the situation that we’re in, [the format] is a good enough to play, especially to reduce exposure, travel and things like that,” Sagnelli said.

Coming off the long hiatus was difficult

Steve McLaughlin

in CCSU’s opening matches of the season against Sacred Heart, Sagnelli said. While Sacred Heart had already logged five games in, CCSU was still shaking off the rust on the Pioneer’s court.

“Those 480 days were something,” Sagnelli said. “It was our first match and their fifth match, and boy could you tell.

We were just deer in the headlights for a bit.”

Sagnelli added that a win not only feels good but also “got us back into a rhythm.”

The Blue Devils were originally scheduled to play St. Francis Brooklyn this Friday for their next doubleheader, but positive COVID-19 test results from within SFB’s program has forced the postponement of that game. There are discussions about a possible fill in game against another NEC school, but nothing has been finalized yet for that. CCSU’s next scheduled games will another home series, taking on the LIU Sharks, who are 4-0 in the early goings of the season.

Coaching Search Begins For CCSU Basketball CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“If you decide you want to go, it’s not as if we cut off all ties at that point,” Pincince said. “We’re going to help you get to that next destination.”

The situation with players leaving is tough on both sides. Typically, a new coach will want to recruit their own players and if players decide to stay, they will have to buy in to that coach’s philosophy. The decision is possibly tougher on the players, Pincince said.

“You come to play for a coach and then you find out that coach won’t be there anymore, it’s difficult,” Pincince said. “We will give them some time to make that decision about what they want to do next.”

The coaching job will be a coveted one. Central Connecticut is one of only 16 Division I programs that are looking to hire a new coach this season, according to CBS, and interested parties have already been clamoring for the opportunity, according to Pincince.

“I’ve gotten more phone calls and texts in the last four days than over any four day stretch of my career,” Pincince said.

There will be a committee formed soon that will evaluate the candidates for the job and will vote on the final decision. Pincince said that at this time the committee has not been finalized but it is mostly complete.

The hopes are high for whoever is eventually picked.

Pincince acknowledged that “we’ve seen in this league that teams can turn it around pretty quickly and be successful and that’s what we’re looking for.”

CCSU is one of only 16 open coaching vacancies this year.

There will be a lot of things factoring into the final decision, Pincince said, but to him it’s someone “who can come in and set the tone from day one. Someone who can create the atmosphere that can be successful.”

The committee is focused on taking its time and not rushing into a decision. “This is a really important hire” for the program, Pincince said.

“There’s a lot that goes into it. We’re not going to sit there with a lot with X’s and O’s and those kind of things. They know their job is to coach once they get here and my job is to find the best person for that role.” The product on the

Steve McLaughlin

court plays a factor, “but theres a lot more to it than that,” Pincince said.

The final decision is certainly an important one, not only for basketball’s future but for the athletic department as well. Still, Pincince said he is confident they will be making the right decision when that time does come.

“I’m not interested in winning the press conference,” Pincince said. I’m interested in creating a program that gets back to the top of the [Northeast Conference] which is something that I know we can do.”