December 13, 2022

Charger Bulletin The

A rundown of the political turmoil within USGA

BY STEPHEN GANGI AND MIA ADDUCI

After a week of heavy scrutiny from students within the University of New Haven community, eyes and ears settled onto the final Friday meeting for the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) this semester. However, it was far from a standard meeting as students looked for answers to recent allegations made by former Senior Vice President (SVP) Hailey Perez, a junior marine biology major.

At the USGA meeting on Dec. 2, Perez alleged that her resignation stems from the “bullying” and “belittling” she has faced from the USGA executive board (e-board). This caused confusion among students who were unsure of what

happened, pushing the USGA to address it at their meeting on Friday. What resulted was a look into the fallout of the allegations, and the changes within USGA for next semester.

The day before the final meeting, the USGA e-board released a statement in acknowledgement of the prior meeting’s activity in an email sent to the undergraduate student body. The statement said, “We were not aware of the senior vice president’s intent to resign until the letter was read at last Friday’s USGA meeting. Being one of the most influential organizations on campus, we must hold each other accountable for our actions and decisions.”

The statement also said, “Our main priority within our elected positions is to collectively build a strong and positive campus

community; we remain focused on this important goal.” The statement was signed by each of the remaining e-board members.

Saniyah Brinney, a political science major and the president of the USGA e-board, began the General Assembly meeting by saying, “throughout this meeting I just want everyone to be peaceful, reflect and to leave and come in here with positive intentions.”

Prior to the transition into new business on the meeting’s agenda, the advisor for the USGA e-board Gregory Overend said, “I take these [situations] very seriously and I’m doing my due diligence to assess the next steps.”

Overend also said, “I take students’ concerns very seriously. Let’s move forward for

the betterment of USGA, our students and the university community.”

After Randy Cox

BY CARLOS REBOLLO Contributing Writer Perspective

Richard “Randy” Cox, a New Haven resident, was paralyzed from the neck down from an injury sustained during a ride in a police van after Cox was arrested for allegedly brandishing a gun at a block party. When the officer driving the van abruptly hit the brakes, a video shows that Cox’s body was tossed from one side of the vehicle to the

other. The video also shows that New Haven police officers ignored Cox’s pleas for help, while saying that Cox was “fine.”

The charges against Cox were dismissed in October.

I watched the entire coverage from a prison cell, including the $100 million lawsuit that was filed on his behalf. An apology was issued by the New Haven police department, then new policies and training were issued to prevent a simi-

The student news source for the University of New Haven

The USGA e-board and Greg Overend on the stage at the meeting, Dec. 9, 2022. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Krista Smith.

Another announcement made

‘No More Chemo Rally’ raises money for St. Jude

BY MIA ADDUCI AND AMBER CHOLEWA

Charge Through the Night for St. Jude is an up-and-coming student-run organization whose mission surrounds fundraising and increasing awareness for St. Jude Children’s Hospital within the university community.

This past Tuesday, the organization hosted their No More Chemo Rally—one of their major fundraising events for the semester. The Peterson Auditorium in the Bergami Center was loaded up for a night of “FUNdraising,” with the incentive set in place that if their goal was reached, some of their executive board members would shave their heads in solidarity with those undergoing cancer treatment.

The event opened up with events and logistics manager

Brisa Velasquez, a sophomore international business management major, providing a presentation on the No More

Chemo party hosted by St. Jude whenever a child completes their final round of chemotherapy. She explained how the fundraising taking place at the University of New Haven will be applied towards helping more kids have that celebration.

The evening’s fundraising

goal was $400, yet by the next morning, the total raised was clocked in at $1745. Their fundraising total for the semester is over $5000.

Jeremy Wilson, a sophomore biochemistry major, is the events and logistics chair of Charge Through the Night. He

said, “I joined St. Jude because I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I also want to make sure that no one has to worry about being able to afford to take care of their child.”

Wilson is one of the members who vowed to shave his head if their fundraising goal was met.

He opened up about this decision, saying, “I am shaving my head in support of St. Jude’s and to show that I support the children through their journey.” This is his first time shaving his head for the cause. He will be joined alongside Justin Coviello, DEI chair and senior communication major, who has shaved his head in solidarity of childhood cancer prior to this semester.

Wilson also discussed how he spreads awareness on campus, saying that he does such “through social media posts and telling people. I plan on supporting the mission by raising as much money as possible to help the families and support them in any way possible.”

Charge Through the Night has also alluded to more No More Chemo Rallies being hosted in the future and have encouraged the student body to keep an ear open for even more events in the coming semester.

A rundown of the political turmoil within USGA

BY STEPHEN GANGI AND MIA ADDUCI

Continued from page 1

during the General Assembly meeting by the remainder of the executive board was that a vote would be opened up regarding the resignation of the SVP, which was unable to be held at the prior general assembly meeting on Dec. 2. Due to the aforementioned events, the resignation of the SVP was unconstitutional in accordance to Article VI, section 4, clause 4 of the USGA constitution, which says, “Letters of resignation must be submitted to the USGA president at least 48 hours prior to the meeting in which it will be voted upon.”

At 3:01 p.m. on Friday, the vote was met with a majority decision to affirm Perez’s requested resignation. This was then followed by an announcement from the Vice President of Community, Advocacy and Diversity (CAD) Mary Lippa, a senior psychology major, who moved to resign from their position at the end of the current semester on Dec. 20.

On the matter, Lippa said that the resignation was “due to professional and personal reasons” but that she “greatly enjoyed my time in this role.”

The request was also voted

upon and affirmed by those in attendance and Lippa’s resignation was passed at 3:02 p.m. This means that there are now two executive board positions that will need to be filled going into the spring semester. The meeting this past Friday did not indicate any motions to begin the process of filling these positions yet.

According to the meeting minutes sent out from USGA to recognized student organizations (RSOs), Perez said “I will be resigning from my position effective immediately for the benefit of myself and my mental health. I wanted to make changes in the House but felt bullied and belittled. I felt humiliated and silenced by my Eboard.” Perez did not respond to any requests to comment on the situation.

When asked to comment on the situation, several RSOs declined.

Following a request to comment, the USGA e-board said, “Our Executive Board is working together to reflect and grow following last week’s events. As a cohesive team we are striving to listen to the feedback undergraduate students provide us with to create a more positive campus community. During the winter break, the USGA Executive Board will aim to establish a road

map for how we can address the concerns that have been brought forward to us. We are looking forward to addressing these concerns through positive initiatives and actions through-

out the Spring semester.”

Overend also provided an additional statement, in which he clarified the events from his point-of-view. He said that “Hailey [Perez] came by office

20 minutes before the USGA that she resigned and shared that she was resigning. She did not share her letter. She thanked me for my support.”

The table at Charge Through the Night, Dec. 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Charlotte Bassett.

USGA VP of CAD Mary Lippa speaks at the meeting, West Haven, Dec. 9, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Krista Smith.

After Randy Cox: Dangers of police vans Georgia runoff

BY CARLOS REBOLLO Contributing Writer

lar tragedy.

A month after Cox was paralyzed, Karl Jacobson became police chief in New Haven, and Jacobson, a member of the New Haven Police Department for more than 15 years, was faced with the reality of Cox’s treatment. He must also face the reminder that a promise to reduce crime would begin by holding his officers accountable.

After 24 years in prison, I was released into a society that was amped with criminal justice reform efforts, four months after the Randy Cox tragedy. Two correctional officers led me outside of the prison and into a van-just like the one Cox had been placed in. I asked how it was possible that that particular model was still being used after the

tragedy. I was told that the best vans were taken by third-shift officers. Whatever vehicles remained would be put to use.

On my ride, I thought I would die in the vehicle that contained no seatbelts and sent me from one side to the other.

I was nauseous. I was dizzy. I threw up. There was little air circulation, and while the officers blasted their favorite music, my complaints were met with the same indifference as had met Cox’s. The correctional officers said at that time that I had a weak mind and a weak stomach. Before me, a young man was left paralyzed. Families were devastated and communities were outraged, yet the practice of dehumanization had not stopped.

According to the CT Mirror, governmental immunity was claimed on behalf of the city of New Haven, and Mayor Justin Elicker and Chief Jacobson said that “the city was just covering its bases.” The

reality of the officers’ conduct disappeared into arguments of abstract institutions denying accountability. The culprit became the city–the entity made up of the very citizens and police officers that compromise it. The lawsuit and the paralysis would only be borne by those paying for the security of their rights. The claim by the involved officers is that Cox failed to act as a “reasonable, prudent person under the circumstances.” I was also in the same van, on my way to freedom; what could I have done to be more “reasonable,” and “prudent” to not have been treated with such disregard? If the headlines, from the New Haven Register for example, are going to read “New Haven seeks ‘reasonable settlement’,” then the consequence will always be that the victims of the city, state and country will always pay the costs for government violations of human rights.

BY TYLER WELLS Editor-In-Chief

Last Tuesday, in one of the most important elections for Senate control during the 2022 midterm elections, incumbent Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock won against Republican challenger Herschel Walker. It was a runoff election from the original Nov. 8 election date, which saw neither candidate earn more than 50 percent of the vote.

According to Georgia’s state election rules, this pushed the two candidates into the Dec. 6 runoff election.

Once again, the runoff results were very close. However, Warnock took the slight edge later in the evening and finished with 51.4 percent of the vote.

Warnock performed much better in the runoff, especially within Republican counties where he saw slight bumps to his percentage of votes. One issue for Walker was the absence of Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp from this ballot following his Nov. 8 win over Democrat Stacey Abrams. When Kemp was on the ballot, it helped carry votes along party lines to Walker in the original election.

The win gives the Democrats control of the Senate 51-49 once again, keeping Vice President Kamala

Harris from having to become a tie-breaking vote.

The Georgia election also became highly publicized because of Walker, the former Heisman Trophy winning running back and one of the greatest college football players of all time. Since entering into the political world, Walker has drawn the support of former President Donald J. Trump, adopting many similar policies. Despite some glaring character flaws, including allegedly paying for a partner to have an abortion despite being strictly anti-abortion, he garnered support from the GOP.

Walker also had many questionable statements when speaking on public record, including saying that the late Rep. John Lewis, a notable figure in Civil Rights activism and legislation, would not be in favor of the voting rights legislation written in his name. Another was when he claimed to have worked as a police officer, something for which there is no record of.

Following a relatively weak showing in the midterm elections for Republicans, especially Trump-supported Republicans, the loss in Georgia comes as yet another blow. While the Republicans did retake control of the House of Representatives, it was with less support at the voting polls than was anticipated.

Historic Respect for Marriage Act passes in House

BY LILLIAN NEWTON Politics Editor

Early on Thursday, the House passed legislation that will protect both same-sex and interracial marriage in the United States. This bill was recently passed in the Senate, now moving to President Joe Biden’s desk, who will likely sign the legislation into law.

The vote was 258-169-1 in the House, with 39 Republicans voting in favor of the bill, titled the “Respect for Marriage Act.”

Over the summer, an earlier version of the bill gained the support of 47 Republicans within the House. The updated version, passed on Thursday, included additional Republican-supported protections for religious liberty and faith-based non-profits.

In the previous week, the bill passed the Senate with a vote of 61-36. This included all Democrats within the Senate as well as 12 Republicans.

While this bill does not set a requirement for all states to legalize same-sex marriage, it does require individual states to recognize other states’ legal marriage regulations under federal law as valid marriages.

The Respect for Marriage Act quickly gained momentum and support after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade over the summer, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. With the passing of this bill, states will be required to honor same-sex marriages from other states, even if Obergefell v. Hodges — the Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage — was overturned and a state passed a law to ban same-sex marriage within their own borders.

The Respect for Marriage Act re-

peals the 1996 Defense for Marriage Act (DOMA). This act, signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton, denied same-sex couples federal benefits and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages that had been legalized in other states.

The act also officially protects interracial marriage. While interracial marriage was legalized 55 years ago by the Supreme Court ruling in

Loving v. Virginia, the Respect for Marriage Act officially protects it under federal law.

A bill enrollment ceremony was held by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Jerry Nadler and Sen. Susan Collins to celebrate the passage of the bill.

Pelosi, who will soon be leaving her role as Speaker of the House,

said, “Once signed into law, the Respect for Marriage Act will help prevent right-wing extremists from upending the lives of loving couples traumatizing kids across the country, and turning back the clock on hardwon progress.” She noted that she is “particularly happy” that the act will be one of the last ones she signs in her current role.

President Biden said in a state-

ment from earlier in the week, “For millions of Americans, this legislation will safeguard the rights and protections to which LGBTQI+ and interracial couple and their children are entitled” He continued, saying, “I look forward to welcoming them at the White House after the House passes this legislation and sends it to my desk, where I will promptly sign it into law.”

The front of the U.S. Capitol, April. 3, 2007. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

University record label releases ‘All at Once’ EP

BY MIA ADDUCI Campus News Editor

This past Friday, student-run record label Rein Records released their EP “All at Once,” which they described as “an eclectic collection of previously released tunes that effortlessly unifies the unparalleled artistic personalities of its first signees.”

The EP showcases five artists: Big Tuesday, Malachi McLegend, iumi, Final Call and Chris Chase.

According to Maddie Rund and Alex Masaffa from the Rein Records staff, Big Tuesday is referenced as providing a “dose of tasteful nostalgia.” Malachi McLegend adds “a lush blend of pulsing rhythms and silkysmooth vocals” and iumi “a dreamy acoustic movement that breathes peace into the EP.”

Final Call showcases “their grungy sound with a vibrant, playful twist.” The final artist on the EP is Chris Chase, who

is discussed as having “catchy beats that accentuate his unmistakable sound.”

Solo artist McLegend spoke on his experiences thus far in the production process with Rein Records. Holistically, he said that “I’m really grateful for the opportunity that they gave me.”

In respect to his single that is featured on the EP, McLegend discussed his work on fusing different genres of music in his career. The song “That Type of Night” is a clash of EDM with R&B which plays into the nightlife scene.

McLegend said “I was inspired by the club life; it was a whole new atmosphere for me.” This drove his inspiration for the single.

McLegend also reflected on the inner workings of the label, discussing his experience in obtaining a manager role through the university’s

new artist management class, in addition to commenting on the interconnectivity and bonds present between artists featured on the EP.

He even gave a shout out to alt-rock group Big Tuesday, who also made a statement on the experience. As a collective, they said that “We’re just happy to be able to share our music in a different format with people around campus and in record stores. Although the artists are all different genres, it’s the coming together of local music on one CD that is the coolest part of this project.”

As the label has said, “‘All at Once’ is just the beginning.”

Rein Records’ mission surrounds their efforts to “guide today’s most enthusiastic musicians toward the career of their dreams, allowing artists to grab the reins and control their destiny.”

Spring 2023 is all about new events and exciting opportunities

BY ANCHAL BHATIA Contributing Writer

Perspective

The fall semester is officially ending and it is exciting to see everyone prepare for the much-deserved and desired Winter Break–the best time to rejoice and rejuvenate. As the semester wraps up, there has been a bunch of learning and unlearning everyone has gone through, which is an accomplishment. It is beautiful to gear up for the new semester with some new energy, motivation and inspiration. As the spring semester rolls around, there will be a lot to do then.

With the spring 2023 semester, we will not only be welcoming new academic energy but also a will to network more, meet new groups of students and interact with diversity. From club meetings to fashion shows, this list will largely cover everyone’s interests in this upcoming semester. Apart from considering these as networking events or learning opportunities, do not forget that these events are also a chance to explore your talents and build them further.

The university has several platforms where students can RSVP to upcoming events. The Student Committee of Planning and Events (SCOPE) plans multiple cool events and Charger Connection is the primary platform where students can access this information. The mobile application known as CORQ and several organization Instagram pages are also helpful tools to keep an eye on what’s happening on-campus.

As you will be welcomed back to campus in January, you can participate in the New Year’s Resolution Snowflakes event, which is one of the initial events happening on campus when the semester begins. The RSVPs are now open on SCOPE’s Charger Connection page; it is a great opportunity to say your new year’s resolution out loud while decorating your wooden snowflakes. Sounds exciting, right? So, register yourself and build your snowflakes with this event happening in the Moulton

Lounge on Jan. 19.

Another exciting opportunity for those interested in fashion shows is the Caribbean Student Association’s (CSA) fashion show, which students can now RSVP for on Charger Connection. The CSA Fashion Show auditions will be happening on Jan. 25 at 9 p.m. at the Alumni Annex, which you certainly would not want to miss. Register your spot before it gets all booked, and enjoy a fun evening with old and new faces.

Those interested in partici-

pating in the Incendio Dance Project–a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) focused on connecting students with Latinx culture through dance–must first connect with the Incendio group and understand the audition requirements, deadlines and timings. However, those who are already part of it must attend the exciting Incendio Dance Project Rehearsals starting Jan. 22 at the Beckerman Recreation Center and will continue all semester long.

SCOPE offers a great chance to

build your winter-themed stuffa-buddy on Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. in the German Club, so mark your calendars right away and get a cute stuffed toy for yourself or anyone you admire before Valentine’s Day.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, several RSOs and SCOPE will come together on Feb. 14 to share all about the love practices celebrated around the globe with an event called “Love Around the World” at 7 p.m. at the Alumni Lounge.

There are more exciting events on campus during Feb. 2023, including creating DIY snow globes. All you need to do is schedule the time on your calendar and build your snow globes on Feb. 21 from 7-8 p.m. at the Moulton Lounge.

An exciting chance to enjoy a New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers game is happening at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. With SCOPE, you can sign-up for this game on Feb. 25, where the UNH shuttle bus will take you to the venue. Know more about the game by checking this event on SCOPE.

With so many opportunities on campus, you can enjoy spending time with old and new friends and give yourself a break from the rush of academic hours. Keep looking on Charger Connection, SCOPE, CORQ and RSOs’ social media pages to update yourself at all times about what’s going on at the university. Certainly, these are the right opportunities to interact, network and explore your academic journey here on campus.

The Rein Records logo. Graphic courtesy of Rein Records.

Side of Anemone and Steven Kaplan Hall decorated for the holidays, West Haven, Nov. 30, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Presley DePugh.

Women in Business club readies for spring with e-board elections

BY ANDREA ROJAS VIDEOGRAPHY EDITOR

On Friday, the Orange Campus Atrium became an open forum for the annual Women in Business club e-board elections, which are held each fall semester. As both an in-person and virtual event, the goal of the day was to successfully vote new members into office before the semester concludes, allowing the new e-board some time to plan.

Formed in 2020 during the start of the pandemic, the Women in Business have worked their way to being able to hold regular in-person meetings and events.

Unlike other clubs, the president is appointed, rather than elected, by the advisor to serve for a year, while the rest of the e-board is decided via regular elections within the club.

Current Women in Business President, Kiana White, a senior business management student, is heading into her second term, appointed by club advisor and Interim Assistant Dean Candice Deal.

According to White, the Women in Business club isn’t just for students that identify as women, but rather has the goal of providing a platform for students of all gender identities.

The focus on the female expe-

rience within business is one that the founders of the club saw as particularly important. “We have a lot of well-versed and very inspirational women who’ve been in the field of business but also have that contact and experience of being a female in a male dominated industry,” White said.

The Women in Leadership series exemplifies the effort the Women in Business club makes to share real world experiences and skills by bringing in entrepreneurs like Bobbi Hamilton, the CEO of Chi Universe, and Mary Barneby, regional CEO of the American Red Cross and member of the Women’s Leadership Council at the Pompea College of Business.

The club also hosts red table talks, giving members and attendees the opportunity to talk about controversial and difficult subjects.

One of the most prominent events that the Women in Business club hosts is an annual spring pitch competition named EntreprenHer. The event focuses on female entrepreneurs as they pitch their businesses to a panel of judges for the opportunity to win cash prizes in first, second and third places to help fund their ventures.

Looking ahead, White looks forward to working with an e-board of new faces, personalities and backgrounds. White commended the diversity of the club, noting the

number of international students and students from different states within the club and e-board.

“Through our diversity we also need to know how to manage inclusivity as well, so I think that’s something I’m taking into the spring,” White said.

After an hour of speeches from different candidates running for each position on the e-board, the voting portion of the event took place, with members scanning a QR code to take them to a form.

Thirty minutes later, the results

were in. Joining White were a few familiar faces: Abby Murphy, a junior business management major and the former secretary, moved up to vice president; Emily Bogdanowicz, a senior sport management major and former member engagement and community head, moved up to secretary; Ramyasri Sai, a junior business analytics major, returned to her position as executive representative; and Yashvi Fadia, a graduate business administration and marketing student, returned to her social media position.

Joining the familiar faces are two newcomers, as the director of finance position was left unfilled at the end of the meeting. Taking over as Head of Student Engagement is Megan Ringuette, a graduate business administration student. Filling the last voted-on position of the day was junior business management major Abigail Fleisig taking the position of diversity, equity and inclusion committee head.

Holiday Fest of 2022 finishes the semester strong

BY PRESLEY DEPUGH Arts & Life Editor

With students cramming for finals and packing to go home for winter break, students might want to take a break and enjoy some upcoming campus events.

Last Wednesday, members of Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) came to the Holiday Fest to educate attendees on various holidays, while giving students the opportunity to have fun. The event started with a speech from Kelvin Vasquez, an undergraduate intern for the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership and Orientation.

“I know you have all worked hard this semester, and we hope this event allows you to relax, enjoy some good food and learn more about the many holidays that members of our campus community celebrate,” Vasquez said.

Graduate Student Council (GSC) President Prateek Mansingh and Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) Vice President of Finance Ella Galvan spoke about holidays.

“My dad used to say this one thing when it came to holidays,” said Mansingh. “There are three stages in a man’s life: first, when he believes in Santa; second, when he doesn’t; and third when he is Santa.”

Yashpreet Malhotra, the executive assistant and secretary of the Indian Student Council (ISC), gave a presentation on Diwali, which ISC hosted an event for in October. Diwali is a celebration with good food, dancing and “diyas,” which are lamps that Malhotra said, “[give]

blessings to everyone.”

Hillel’s presidents Noa Zide and Shoshanna Dansinger gave a presentation on Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday which translates to “dedication” in Hebrew. The holiday “spans eight nights to commemorate the re-dedication to the Second Temple in Jerusalem,” said Dansinger. During the re-dedication, there was said to be only enough oil to light the menorah for one day but lasted for eight. This year, Hanukkah lasts from Dec. 18–26.

Campus Crusaders for Christ President Christiana Sainvil and Vice President Kiana White gave a presentation on Christmas. The holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ “who came to die for our sins,” said Sainvil. Sainvil also said people celebrate it on Dec. 25 by putting on Christmas skits, exchanging gifts and giving back through charity. White then read a poem, “The True Meaning of Christmas: Heeding the Father’s Call.”

The Black Student Union’s (BSU) sergeant at arms Janel Slade and treasurer Ashley Blaine gave a presentation on Kwanzaa, created in 1966 and celebrated by Africans, Black Americans and Canadians, along with people from the Caribbean. Slade said, “[Kwanzaa] is a secular holiday that focuses on Black self-sufficiency and rejection of white imperialist narratives.” The holiday lasts from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2 and on each day, a candle is lit to represent the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Galvan spoke about New Year’s

Day. She said, “[New Years is] the start of the new year and people create new goals for themselves that most of the time we kind of give up on.”

The Latin American Student Association’s (LASA) treasurer, Gabriella Gonzalez, gave a presentation on Three Kings Day, which is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas, on Jan. 6. Gonzalez says the holiday is about when “the three kings, or three wise men, met baby Jesus for the first time and brought him gifts.”

The gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense were meant as “a distinct part of the baby’s destiny,” said Gonzalez. She discussed traditions, one of which includes people of Mexico making a sweet bread in the shape of a crown called rosca de reyes.

The Muslim Student Association’s (MSA) Vice President Youssef Ossama spoke about Eid-Al-Adha, which lands on June 29. Ossama said EidAl-Adha is held “in remembrance of the prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and faith.” MSA’s vice president also said the meaning behind the holiday is “giving,” along with “giving [to] people who need it.” Eid-Al-Adha is celebrated through prayer and having everyone dress up in their finest clothing.

Vasquez also discussed Lunar New Year, which is celebrated in China and other Asian countries on the first new moon of the year and ends on the first full moon.

“The festival marks the new beginning of spring and the arrival of the new year,” Vasquez said. The

holiday is celebrated by giving out New Year couplets, which are red strips with black or gold calligraphy on them.

After the presentations, students could go to the RSO tables to learn more about each holiday, and to pick up items. USGA’s table had pens and cards for people to write down their New Year’s resolutions, while Hillel brought jelly donuts fried in oil to represent the oil that let the menorah stay lit for eight nights. A table for the diversity and wellness peer educators from the Myatt Center had a station for decorating cupcakes. For more information, check out their Charger Connection pages, and be sure to have a restful winter break.

Booths at the Holiday Fest in the Beckerman Recreation Center, West Haven, Dec. 7, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Krista Smith.

Kiana White (left) and Emily Bogdanowicz (right) at the open forum, Orange, Conn., Dec. 9, 2022. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Presley DePugh

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Opinions

There should be no ‘debate’ on same-sex marriage

BY EDITORIAL STAFF

Editorial

On Thursday, the United States House of Representatives voted to pass a bill (258-169) that would protect same-sex and interracial marriages by codifying it into law.

The bill now moves to President Joseph R. Biden’s desk, where he will have the final say on whether it passes. This would not allow the Supreme Court to revisit past

landmark cases and attempt to overturn them, which would thus make same-sex and interracial marriage illegal.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier this year, it seemed like Obergefell v. Hodges could be next. This was the fundamental case in marriage rights for same-sex couples which was decided in 2015, finding that the right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses

in the 14th Amendment.

If Obergefell were to get overturned, same-sex marriage would be banned in at least 25 states and likely to be banned in another seven. Citizens in these states would be ostracized and targeted, not allowed to pursue the very liberties that people in free nations should never need to worry about.

With a Supreme Court that has been pushed to the right wing with recent appointees, many have feared that such liberties will be

Page Six View

BY LINDSAY GIOVANNONE Columnist

Column

No other man on television fascinates and disgusts me quite like Tucker Carlson; there’s just something about him. His Fox News show, “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” is a trainwreck that you can’t help but watch.

His entire childhood is like something out of a movie. One where the protagonist is incredibly privileged but still manages to have a wild childhood that’s good for the plot. Carlson’s parents divorced so his mother could pursue a lifestyle that is described as bohemian and free spirited. He grew up in La Jolla, one of San Diego’s wealthiest neighborhoods, and attended La Jolla Country Day School. Carlson’s father later married the heiress to the Campbell Soup Company fortune, Patricia Swanson.

For high school, Carlson attended College du Leman, in Switzerland but said he was “kicked out” and did not state why. From there, he attended St. George’s School in Rhode Island and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from Trinity College in Hartford. After his job application to the CIA was rejected, Carlson went to work as a journalist after his father said, “they’ll take anyone [in that career field].”

Ironically, Carlson started out his career as a fact-checker before writing for a slew of publications, including The New York Times Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. While on an assignment for the New York magazine, he was involved in a plane crash in Dubai.

After a short-lived career at CNN and an even shorter one at PBS, Carlson emerged as a contributor on Fox News in 2009. This brings us to where we are today: “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”

“Tucker Carlson Tonight” became one of the highest-rated cable news shows of all time within only a few years. His first telecast at 7 p.m on Nov. 14, 2016, had 3.7 million viewers. His popular show was then slid to primetime after Megyn Kelly departed Fox News and The O’Reilly Factor was canceled. However, this is where things begin to take a tumble.

I don’t know how it happened, but Carlson went from being a mildly disagreeable pundit to berserk

within two decades of working in the media. At the end of 2018, 20 advertisers boycotted “Tucker Carlson Tonight” after he said that the U.S. taking in immigrants makes the country “poorer and dirtier and more divided.”

By January 2019, his viewership dropped six percent and he lost 26 advertisers. Audio surfaced of Carlson spewing a myriad of interesting thoughts on the radio show Bubba and Love Sponge. Some of the highlights include: “[underage marriage] is not the same thing exactly as pulling a child from a bus stop and sexually assaulting that child… The rapist in this case has made a lifelong commitment to love and take care of the person so it is a little different.” Yikes.

Another notable comment he made was saying that Warren Jeffs, an American religious leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints and convicted child rapist, is “in prison because he’s weird and unpopular and has a different lifestyle that other [people] find creepy.” And it somehow gets worse. On a 13-year-old boy being molested by his teacher, Carlson said, “That teacher’s doing a service to all 13-year-old girls by taking the pressure off [of them to sleep with the boy].”

After this audio was released, Carlson said he was “caught saying something naughty” and did not apologize, but instead said, “Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: I’m on television every weeknight live for an hour. If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why.”

I am a college student with no influential presence. While I (and many others) disagree with his views, we have absolutely no means of actually going and debating with Carlson, though he claims we can. He’s protected himself from criticism with his fame, even winning a defamation lawsuit against former Playboy model Karen McDougal with the defense that no “reasonable viewer” takes him seriously. Nonetheless, immediately after the audio recordings were uncovered, Carlson’s viewership shot up by eight percent. It is impossible to say whether this uptick was because new people agreed with him or if new people found the heavily-reported on audio recordings, then decided to tune in to watch the madness unfold

in real time.

This may have been one of the most defining moments in Carlson’s blooming career. He found that he was able to make a living from saying whatever he wanted, as long as it was absurd. He swindled all of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s supporters through his Trumpist ideology that pandered to far-right nationalists and paleoconservative radicals.

Carlson has been called the “most powerful conservative in America” and is the highest rated cable show host in history to back that up. Anything he says will be gobbled up by his millions of adoring viewers. I’m not even entirely sure Carlson is who he portrays himself as on his show.

His mannerisms are so comical that it appears he is playing a caricature of an ardent and misinformed American republican.

Regardless, Tucker Carlson is the loudest voice on television and he isn’t going anywhere. Let this be an inspiration to anyone thinking they aren’t good enough: If a man can say on primetime television that the metric system is a “creepy” conspiracy theory of the New World Order and still have 3 million viewers with a $30 million net worth to boot, you can do anything.

overturned. Why is this even a possibility? How can the United States even have such a conversation in 2022?

While we like to consider our country developed and at the pinnacle of society, we still have dated conversations that should not be a debate. Even entertaining a debate about whether people of differing sexual orientations deserve the same rights as anyone else proves that we as a society have not fully moved past the regular discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex and interracial marriages are natural and they should be respected as such regardless of what any person says.

It is the innate human right within this country’s borders for liberty and the pursuit of happiness, yet it continually gets challenged by those who claim to be in favor of personal rights.

But still, people within the LGBTQ+ community are nearly four times more likely to be the victim of a violent crime according to UCLA’s Williams Institute. Not to mention the recent mass shooting at a Colorado gay nightclub, Club Q, on Nov. 20 which took the lives of five people. Or the June 12, 2016 shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. which killed 49 people. This isn’t just a coincidence, it is the result of generations of vilifying the LGBTQ+ community.

As an editorial staff, made up of people from different backgrounds and sexual orientations, we recognize the importance of codifying the historic Respect for Marriage Act. No matter who you are or how you identify, you have the right to happiness and comfort in this country. This starts with ending the obscenely dated debate of whether same-sex and interracial marriage should be allowed and progressing our society to one that is more tolerant and accepting.

Women’s basketball wins defensive battle vs. Saint Michael’s

BY CHRISTOPHER ELWELL Sports Editor

The New Haven women’s basketball team continued their great start to the season against Saint Michael’s, winning the 5544 defensive battle. New Haven now starts the year 6-2, their best start since the 2019-2020 season. With the loss, Saint Michael’s falls to 1-6, still searching for their first conference win of the season.

New Haven was unable to click early on offense, with no points in the first two-and-a half minutes of play. Junior guard Marigona Bacaliu drilled a three-pointer to get the Chargers on the board and tie the score at three, then grabbed a key rebound to set up another three by guard Camryn DeBose to put them ahead.

Saint Michael’s made it a onepoint game after two free throws by Makayla Blake but forward Briana Van Cleaf continued the Chargers’ hot start from three with another to stretch the lead to four. The Purple Knights

continued the early trend of the game with another three from Paige Slaven to bring the deficit back to one with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Both offenses struggled for the rest of the quarter but Blake was able to end the three-minute scoreless streak with a layup to put Saint Michael’s ahead by one. New Haven could not hold on to the ball with three turnovers during the skid, unable to sink any shots for the remainder of the first 10 minutes of play.

Saint Michael’s built onto their lead with a three from Slaven with over two minutes left in the quarter, which would be the final basket made of the quarter. After a timeout was taken by New Haven, the offense still could not click, finishing the first with just nine points.

Senior guard Kameryn King started off the second quarter on a better note for the Chargers with a layup and the first of her 18 points, a team-high for the game. After a block by Anika Kapral, she finished her

own play with a layup to put the Purple Knights up by five. King answered right back with another layup, yet New Haven could not gain any ground after Slaven nailed a jumper to put Saint Michael’s back ahead by five.

Junior guard Gabrielle Stickle cut into the deficit with a big three-pointer but New Haven’s offense still struggled, not scoring another basket for the next six minutes until King added another layup with 10 seconds remaining in the half.

Saint Michael’s continued to add to their lead, building it up to as many as 11 with 30 seconds left in the quarter. They were able to take advantage of missed shots by the Chargers, allowing them to control the ball in transition and dictate the pace of the game, closing out the half with a 28-19 lead.

Senior forward Aurora Deshaies got herself on the board with a layup to make it a seven-point game and after a layup by Kapral, New Haven was able to bring themselves back into the

game with 13 unanswered points to give themselves their first lead since 2:48 left to play in the first quarter.

DeBose started it off with a jumper, followed by another from Bacaliu and after a steal by forward Leighanna Lister, King nailed a three to tie the game at 30. King then added a layup, and Lister capped it off with a layup following an offensive rebound after a missed free throw by King.

Saint Michael’s responded quickly, tying the game back up at 34, which would stand until just over two minutes left in the quarter, broken up by a free throw from Briana Van Cleaf. New Haven’s one-point lead disappeared after a three from Blake but King was able to knot the score at 37 with four seconds left in the quarter with a layup to set up a tightly contested fourth quarter.

King added to her strong campaign, opening the fourth with another three, followed up by a jumper from DeBose and a three

by Bacaliu to give New Haven their largest lead of the game. The defense continued their strong play, forcing a turnover that led to a layup by DeBose that put the Chargers ahead by eight.

With just over four minutes to play, DeBose forced another miscue, leading to her being fouled and making two free throws to give New Haven a double-digit lead. Saint Michael’s could not generate enough scoring chances to get themselves back in it, failing to score a point in the final 2:25 of the game. DeBose and King added on two free throws each, sealing the game for the Chargers with a strong 55-44 win.

New Haven will come home for their final game before the winter break on Tuesday, Dec. 13 when they take on Assumption. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. as the Chargers look to go into the break strong and win their fourth consecutive game. More information can be found at NewHavenChargers.com.

Pirates land No.1 pick in first-ever draft lottery

BY CHRISTOPHER ELWELL Sports Editor

The first Major League Baseball (MLB) draft lottery was held last week with the Pittsburgh Pirates walking away with the first overall selection. Six teams were fighting for the first pick, including the Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics rounding out the top six picks, respectively.

In the latest collective bargaining agreement, which establishes certain terms and conditions that both the MLB and the players’ association must follow under the agreement, the two parties decided to implement a lottery for the 18 teams that do not reach the postseason. Odds for the first pick ranged from 16.5 percent, shared by the Pirates, Nationals and Cincinnati Reds, all the way down to 0.2 percent, held by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Pittsburgh now holds the first overall pick for the second time in three years and the sixth time in franchise history. Their last selection at number one overall was former University of Louisville catcher Henry Davis, who is currently with the team’s AA affiliate, Altoona Curve.

Picks 7-18 were determined by the team’s winning percentage in reverse order during the regular season, followed by

how teams fared in the postseason, slotting teams in by which round they were eliminated.

The draft will stay capped out at 20 rounds, with rounds 2-20 being slotted fully in reverse order of the team’s win percentage and postseason finish.

The MLB put rules in place for the lottery to prevent further “tanking,” prohibiting small-market teams from enter-

ing the lottery for three consecutive years and large-market teams from entering back-toback years. There were also 1,001 possible four-number combinations that were given out to teams prior to the lottery; the higher the team’s odds of holding the first pick, the more combinations they had.

Oakland was seen as one of the largest drops in the draft,

falling from the highest odds of winning the number one pick all the way down to the sixth pick. The biggest winner of the lottery was Minnesota, who started with the 13th best odds and walked away with the fifth overall pick.

The 2023 MLB Draft will be taking place this July in Seattle, with the Pirates officially on the clock. Pittsburgh is in the

middle of a rebuild with another chance to grab any player of their choosing to become a potential franchise cornerstone. Louisiana State outfielder Dylan Crews is the current number-one prospect in the draft, who has the potential to be a true five-tool player for a team that has lacked a true face of the franchise in recent years.

PNC Park, the Pirates’ home stadium, Pittsburgh, PA., Aug. 9, 2016.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Joshua Peacock.

Men’s basketball continues win streak, takes 2 at home this week

BY CHRISTOPHER ELWELL Sports Editor

This week, the New Haven men’s basketball team played host in two matchups, the first against Assumption College and second against Bloomfield College.

Assumption Recap

In front of a packed house last Tuesday, the New Haven men’s basketball team came away with a last-second win against the Assumption Greyhounds, holding on to a 74-73 win. Riding a dominant first half offensive performance, New Haven was able to survive the Greyhounds’ late comeback for their second consecutive win. The Chargers are now 5-2 on the season as they enter their last final stretch of games before winter break.

New Haven started the game firing on offense, scoring nine of the game’s first 11 points. Forward Davontrey Thomas got the scoring started with the first of his two three-pointers, following a knockdown jumper by guard Quashawn Lane to give the Chargers an early lead.

After a missed three-pointer by Assumption, New Haven would get the ball back and add to their lead with a layup by guard Kendall McMillan. Another missed three by Assumption gave McMillan another chance for a layup which he would make, forcing the Greyhounds to take a timeout.

Following the timeout, Assumption was able to respond with a three by Kani Glover and a layup from Isiah Gaiter to cut the deficit down to six with over 12 minutes to play in the half.

New Haven quickly put an end to the rally with a three by guard Victor Olawoye with an assist from forward Sean Braithwaite. After a foul by Braithwaite, New Haven brought some fresh legs into the game, with guard Justin Hendrick entering the game for the first time, and starters Ty Perry and Quashawn Lane back in the game.

Perry got the Chargers back on the board with a jumper and freshman forward Joshua Hopson added on with a score of his own.

Assumption kept themselves in the game with a three by Rapolas Buivydas, but they were unable to catch up to New Haven’s high-flying offense. A layup from Olawoye and a three by Lane, who finished with a team-high of 19 points, built their lead up to double digits with seven minutes left in the half.

Perry and Lane played a big role at the end of the first half, scoring the team’s next 10 points to keep their lead intact.

The closing minutes of the first half was a back-and-forth scoring affair, as Assumption nailed three three-pointers to bring themselves closer, but Thomas was able to give them a comfortable 46-37 lead, closing out the half with his second three.

The teams exchanged scores in the opening minutes of the second half as the Chargers built their lead up to 11. New Haven broke out

a big play following a block and rebound by center Majur Majak, opening up the court for a fastbreak layup by Olawoye to stretch the lead to 13, forcing Assumption to take a 30-second timeout.

Neither team would score another basket for the next three minutes, but McMillan put an end to the scoreless run with a layup in transition after a missed three by Assumption. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Greyhounds looked to get themselves back in the game with a three by Cooper Creek, but then Perry sent the entire gym into a frenzy with a posterizing dunk to put the Chargers ahead by 16.

Assumption started their comeback with a dominant run by Gaiter and Njavan Stewart, scoring the team’s next 12 points to make it a nine-point game. After Assumption had a timeout, Majak responded with a posterizing dunk of his own to bring New Haven’s lead up to 12.

This did not last long, however, with the Greyhounds firing off eight unanswered points to cut the deficit to four, capped off by a jumper from Kyle Hicks. After New Haven had a timeout, Assumption got back to work to take the lead in the final two minutes.

Creek drilled a three with 1:13 minutes remaining to make it a four-point game again, and after a missed free throw from Olawoye, Njavan Stewart hit a huge three to bring the Greyhounds within one with nine seconds left to play.

After a missed free throw from Thomas, the Greyhounds got the ball back with one last hope to win the game in the closing seconds.

Stewart got off a three but could not sink it, giving New Haven a nail-biting win against a strong conference opponent.

Bloomfield Recap

The New Haven men’s basketball team won their fourth consecutive game on Thursday night, battling it out with a tough Bloomfield team and coming with a 74-66 win. Both teams struggled on offense in the first half, setting up a tight back-and-forth second in a

well-played all-around game. The Chargers’ win brought them to 6-2 in their last home game before heading into winter break.

Perry started the scoring for New Haven with a jumper, finishing with a team-high 20 points. Bloomfield answered with a three from Josh Morris to put them ahead, but their lead quickly disappeared when Lane sank a jumper to put the Chargers ahead by one.

Both teams struggled in transition, and Bloomfield took the lead back after a layup by Al Fatir Conner set up by a big block by Edward Ngene. After a layup by Perry to make it a one-point game, the offenses continued to struggle and could not sink a shot. The defenses were in full control up to this point in the game, with New Haven holding an 8-7 lead with seven minutes off the game clock.

A steal by Majak set up his dunk to score his first of 10 points in the game. New Haven’s high-powered offense could not operate like they have all season, faced with fullcourt coverage from Bloomfield all game, forcing them to make uncomfortable passes under heavy pressure.

After a missed jumper from Braithwaite, Bloomfield broke out and cut into the deficit with a layup by Andres Fulgencio. Halfway through the first half, it was still a low-scoring affair, but forward Joshua Hopson got himself on the scorecard with a layup to go ahead by three. Perry added to the lead with his first of four three-pointers, which was also a team-high.

After a timeout taken by New Haven, Fulgencio sank another jumper to make it a two-point game with just over six minutes to play in the half. He continued to haunt the Chargers’ defense with a three to tie the game at 16. Wesley Robinson sank a jumper to put the Bears up by two, but their lead was quickly erased with Majak’s jumper to even the contest again.

Perry added to his strong statline with a dunk and two more threes to keep New Haven in the game, but Bloomfield stuck around with threes from Fulgencio and Tyrek

Battle-Holley. The Chargers rattled off six straight points in the final minute of the half to give them a 33-24 lead, their largest lead of the game.

The offenses came alive for both teams in the second half, starting off with another three from Perry and a pair of Bloomfield three-pointers. The Bears continued to put pressure on the Chargers with a good jumper by Conner and another three by Morris, who finished the game with a team-high four three-pointers made.

Forward Davontrey Thomas followed them with his second three of the game to put New Haven ahead by five. The lead was then

cut to two after another three by Morris, but Olawoye built the lead back up to five after a layup and a free throw after a foul by Conner.

The Bears would go on a seven-point run to tie the game back up at 49 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, forcing the Chargers to take a 30-second timeout. The teams would continue to go back and forth, once again tying the game at 53. Wesley Robinson put Bloomfield ahead once again with a jumper, followed by a 30-second timeout by the team.

After the timeout, Olawoye knocked down a three to give New Haven a one-point lead, which they would hold for the rest of the game. Lane added on with a three of his own and then tacked on two free throws to make it a six-point game. Majak electrified the crowd with a dunk to further separate themselves from the Bears who refused to go down without a fight.

With 33 seconds remaining, Robinson drilled another three to cut the New Haven lead to just three, but that would be the team’s final score of the night. Olawoye and Thomas gave the Chargers a cushion in the closing seconds, and after a steal by Olawoye, he ended the game with a huge dunk to seal the 74-66 win for the Chargers.

New Haven took to the road for their final game before the winter break against Chestnut Hill in a non-conference matchup. The Chargers came up short of their fifth straight win in the matchup, losing 74-65. More information on their upcoming games can be found at NewHavenChargers.com.

New Haven’s Victor Olawoye dunks the ball, West Haven, Dec. 8, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Tyler Rodriguez.

The New Haven bench celebrates a basket, West Haven, Dec. 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Tyler Rodriguez.