May 5, 2020
Volume 101, Issue 13
West Haven, Conn.
THE
CHARGER BULLETIN
The student news source of the University of New Haven.
Personal Insight from the Challenge this Campus Holds Story on pg. 8
Photo By Seth Harrington/The Charger Bulletin
The Charger Bulletin
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May 5, 2020
B U L L E T I N B OA R D
Bulletin Briefs
The
Charger Bulletin
Page 4
300 Boston Post Road | West Haven, CT 06516
Pres. Kaplan Adresses Students about Uncertainties with Fall 2020
Page 6 Senior Day for Chargers Women’s Lacrosse
Page 8
Wheelchair-bound Student Speaks Out About Campus Inaccessibility
Page 10
ChargerBulletin@newhaven.edu | www.ChargerBulletin.com office: 203.932.7182 | text: 203.909.0646 Our office is located on the second floor of 46 Ruden Street, Room 202.
Editor-in-Chief Anna Downs Managing Editor Corina Rodriguez Student Life Editor Jennifer Korn Sports Editor Zack Pincince Entertainment Editor Tiara Starks Opinion Editor Erin Cuomo Multimedia Editor Diana Perez Associate Editor for Photography Nicole Rivera Associate Editor for Graphic Design Seth Harrington Staff Writers Hannah Providence, Beth Beaudry, Lauren Fligg, Lyndsay Miller, Maddy Orcales, Rebecca Tatera, Amanda Castro, Gianna Scire, Earl Givan, Jada Clarke, Ariana Ferrante, Serena Piervincenzi Associate Editor for Videography Nathan Gagne Community Engagement Editor Victoria Cagley
Outer Banks: Netflix’s Newest Hit
To view previous issues go to OurSchoolNewspaper.com/charger.
Page 12 Senior Farewells
Page 2
* The Charger Bulletin staff strives for excellence and accuracy in writing and reporting. We recognize that mistakes may occur and encourage readers to notify the Bulletin if they feel a correction is necessary. Please email the Editor-in-Chief at chargerbulletin@newhaven.edu.
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Since 1938, The Charger Bulletin has been the official student news source of the University of New Haven. Advertising The Charger Bulletin ad rate sheets are available upon request or by calling 203.932.7182 or via email at CBBusiness@newhaven.edu. The Charger Bulletin reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Advertisements within The Charger Bulletin are inserted by outside sources identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the University of New Haven. Advertising material printed herein is solely for informational purposes. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.ChargerBulletin.com/advertise. Letters to the Editor The submission deadline for letters to the editor is 5 p.m. on Friday for publication in Tuesday’s issue. Letters to the Editor are also published online the same day as the release of print issues. Letters should not exceed 300 words if they are to be considered for print publication. All submissions by outside writers to The Charger Bulletin, unless otherwise approved by the Editor-in-Chief, will be treated as letters to the editor. Letters to the Editor are published under the discretion of the Editor in Chief, and not every submitted letter will be published. The Charger Bulletin also reserves the right to withhold Letters to the Editor that are excessively vulgar or nonsensical, or do not meet our editorial standards. Letters can be sent via email to chargerBulletin@newhaven.edu and must contain the writer’s name and contact information for verification purposes. The opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are of the authors themselves and not The Charger Bulletin.
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May 5, 2020
Page 3
NEWS
Students Voice Concerns Over Cuts in Counseling Center BY CORINA RODRIGUEZ MANAGING EDITOR
T
he university has furloughed employees from various departments across campus. One cut, in particular, has concerned students. During one of her sessions with the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), freshman Danielle Leahey’s therapist told her that she, along with two other therapists, have been cut from the department’s staff. “I am going to be honest,
Photo Courtsey of The Charger Bulletin
I broke down in tears,” said Leahey. “Changing to online classes, not being on a college campus, not being with friends, having to work during the pandemic; nothing was stable in my life, but I thought CAPS was that stability.” In response to the news, Leahey started a petition to restore the staff, and it currently has 1,141 signatures with a goal of obtaining 1,500. “Three out of six therapists being cut for the summer just does not make sense,” said Leahey. “Students need easy access to counseling, especially during the summer because we are unsure of the conditions of
next semester.” Comments on the petition have flooded in. One user said, “I’m signing because CAPS is a necessity for our college, and cutting counselors is a premature decision that should be rectified.” In an email to the Charger Bulletin, Rebecca Johnson, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said that “student health is a high priority for the university” and the decision was made after consultation with senior professional staff and respective supervisors. “I hope you can understand that with students away from campus the demand for certain
services and the number of individuals needed to provide those services will be diminished over the summer months,” said Johnson. “While students may not be able to continue therapy with the same individual, we will continue to meet the counseling needs of those students who desire support.” Johnson said that furloughs are expected to be for two and a half months and CAPS should be fully staffed in the fall. “I have been working closely with one therapist there and have made major improvements in my life,” said Leahey. “It was my first time going to therapy and CAPS made me feel like
the stigma against mental health was gone.” Charles Anderson, university director of counseling and psychological services, said the center continues to offer its services, including individual therapy, psychiatric services, support groups, consultation, and emergency/crisis services. They also feature the daily activities of Brue, their staff therapy dog, on the Instagram account @dogsinthehall. He said that the main difference is that all treatment is now being conducted using secure, HIPAA-compliant online video platforms. “While it is not the same as being physically in the room with students, we have found that telehealth therapy is very effective and students (and therapists) adjust very quickly to this new way of working,” said Anderson. “An additional benefit is that this mode of treatment will allow us to continue to support students through the summer months in ways that were previously not possible.” He said that a challenge for students is finding a private location where they do not have to worry about being disturbed during their therapy sessions. The counseling center is available 24/7 by calling (203) 932-7333 and pressing option 2 to reach the on-call clinician. “I recommend that students strive to establish a healthy routine that creates some structure and predictability in their day,” said Anderson. “Find ways to interact safely with supportive friends, family members, and fellow students.”
May 5, 2020
Page 4
NEWS
Pres. Kaplan Adresses Students about Uncertainties with Fall 2020 BY KELLY ADKINS STAFF WRITER
A
s universities across the country are remote learning, students and university workers may be itching to return to business-as-usual in the fall. Northeastern states such as Massachusetts and Maine have extended their “stay-at-home” orders, and Boston University announced their Recovery Plan which would close their campus until January 2021. What does this mean for the University of New Haven? No one knows for certain, but the University appears to be prepared for the fall semester, no matter how it may look. Pres. Steven Kaplan recently sent the campus community an
email that outlined the behindthe-scenes preparations for the fall semester, accounting for all COVID-19-related eventualities. The email identified the university’s three main goals: putting the university in the best financial position in the long-term and the short-term, delivering a high-quality educational experience, and preserving jobs as much as possible. These goals will be addressed by three groups operating similarly to task forces, according to Kaplan. To prepare for the inevitable impact of financial complications, a group has been formed to make sure the university is ready for a full resumption of on-campus activities in August. According to the email, preparations include factors such as the number of returning and newly enrolled students on both under-
Photo Courtsey of University of New Haven website
graduate and graduate levels,as well as those who elect to continue their studies online. This group includes George Synodi, vice president for finance & administration, and Gregory Eichhorn, vice president for enrollment & student success. Provost Mario Gaboury and Summer McGee, dean of the School of Health Sciences, head the second group dedicated to “exploring academic contingencies for a variety of scenarios that may come into play regarding the resumption of teaching and learning in the fall,” according to Kaplan’s email. Specifically, they will determine what courses will suffer from remote learning—especially labs and clinicals—and what accommodations will be made to ensure student success. The last group identified by the email is a task force co-chaired
by McGee and Ron Quagliani, associate vice president for public safety, which will focus on proper public health responses and on establishing a safe, prepared environment for the eventual re-opening of the university. For now, Kaplan said that financial burdens are being offset by the halt of $12 million dollars in capital improvements, university-wide pay reductions and altered employer retirement contributions, and the temporary furlough of 173 university employees through July 31, 2020, among other measures. As for how students will be affected, according to Kaplan, room and board credits will be available in their ePay accounts by April 30, while students who are graduating or not returning to the university will be eligible
for refunds. To compensate for lost in-person classes this semester and the potential challenges in the fall, the university will expand the number of summer 2020 courses under “an online and/or distance learning format” including undergraduate core courses, major courses, electives, and graduate courses. In the meantime, the university is supporting students in need, with the Chargers Helping Chargers Fund, and other initiatives to assist students suffering from hunger. “If we continue to work together – and work harder and smarter than anyone else – we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. I look forward to taking on these challenges with you,” wrote Kaplan.
May 5, 2020
Page 5
NEWS
Room Selection Distresses Students: “This is Completely Outrageous” Bixler Hall, a first-year residence hall. Photo Courtesy of Anna Downs/The Charger Bulletin
BY AMANDA M. CASTRO STAFF WRITER
S
ince the room selection
process began at the University of New Haven, students on social media have been speculating that some juniors and seniors may end up displaced next semester. In the Class of 2022 Facebook group, students began questioning the room selection process after sophomore criminal justice and national security major Sofia Salazar shared a post, originally on the Class of 2021 group page, that said that it appeared that all housing was taken. In the comment section, Salazar wrote, “Considering the guaranteed housing policy, this
book post, “if there really are
solved by simply not accepting
not hinted at how they will fix
only 688 beds, that means three
as many students every year
this issue.”
major Jordan Robinson said
of us would have literally no
until we have enough room for
that she paid a $500 housing de-
chance of getting a bed, which
all of them.”
posit to find out that there’s not
is already a problem.”
is completely outrageous.” Sophomore forensic chemistry
enough room for students in the
Another part of the problem
Associate Dean for Residen-
McGrath said that ORL anticipates that they will be able to assist all eligible students who
tial Life and Housing Nicole
are seeking university housing
university’s housing. Robinson
is the fact that the university
McGrath said that every concern
and said, “multiple commu-
said that she “along with other
is taking in more students than
eligible students have voiced
nications have been sent to
students, currently do not have
they can house, according to
regarding university housing has
confirm room reservations, and
housing for next year.”
junior forensic science major
been tended to in the past.
to outline our ongoing housing
According to Salazar, the
Morgan Crumrine.
“The room selection process
current room selection process
“The University would love
involves the Office of Residen-
to accept larger class sizes, and
assignment process for returning
tial Life (ORL) sending eligible
I do not blame them for that,
students,” said McGrath, “We
in the Facebook group, ORL
students a randomized room
but they did not prepare for the
will continue to work closely
has slowly begun to reach out
selection number, which sets the
number of people to hold in the
with eligible students to ensure
to them saying that those who
order and time at which students
dorms,” said Crumrine, “I do
they have university housing for
became eligible for housing
can choose their housing pref-
not think they evaluated their
the 2020-21 academic year.”
after March 6 “will be accom-
erences.
number of student to bed ratio
“Three out of the four people in my roommate group (in-
correctly.” “There are a few solutions,”
is the first phase of the housing
assignment process and the
Crumrine, however, says that
room change request process.” According to multiple students
modated” and that they have
she has “received an email say-
“historically” been able to assist
ing that they would be assisted,
every student that has applied for university housing.
cluding me) had a number of at
said Crawford, “but really, the
but the students without housing
least 700, ” wrote sophomore
main problem is that the univer-
have not been assisted yet.” She
communications major Harrison
sity is accepting more students
continued, “I know they are still
Crawford in a reply to the Face-
than it has room for. This can be
figuring this out, but they have
May 5, 2020
S E N I O R WO M E N ’ S L A C R O S S E
BY ZACK PINCINCE SPORTS EDITOR
T
Page 6
his week’s Senior Day will focus on the women’s lacrosse team. This group of seniors leaves behind an impressive resume. They
had an overall record of 41-18, amassed 553 saves, 226 goals, 132 assists, and 358 points. This group of eight seniors accomplished a lot during their time at New Haven and should be proud of everything they achieved.
May 5, 2020
T
S E N I O R WO M E N ’ S L A C R O S S E
Page 7
hank you, seniors, for all of your hard work and congratulations on your amazing careers. Best of luck to all of you and remember, once a Charger, always a Charger!
May 5, 2020
Page 8
S T U D E N T L I F E Wheelchair-bound Student Speaks Out About Campus Inaccessibility BY JENNIFER KORN STUDENT LIFE EDITOR & BETH BEAUDRY STAFF WRITER
“I
couldn’t even get in the door, so how am I supposed to find my school spirit?” said Maria (Ria) Maisonet. Ria Maisonet, freshman communication and music and sound recording double major, has been battling the university to improve campus safety and accessibility. Maisonet has a neuromuscular disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1E, which affects muscle and nervous system function. Maisonet needs a wheelchair to navigate campus. For classroom and living accommodations, Maisonet works with the campus Accessibility Resource Center (ARC). Maisonet has a room on the second floor in Bergami Hall, with an attached bathroom that is wheelchair accessible. ARC has also helped Maisonet obtain accommodation letters for classes. However, Maisonet said the campus experience has been a struggle. In the event of a fire, for Maisonet to exit her second-floor room via wheelchair would have been difficult, if not impossible. Linda Copney-Okeke, director of ARC, told Maisonet to call 911 in the case of an emergency, but Maisonet’s mother said she did not feel that this was a safe solution. Maisonet’s mother, Jessica Purcell said, “I had reached out stating that I didn’t feel it appropriate Maria continually dial 911 because most of these instances could be a planned
drill or an accident and not necessary for 911 to be dialed. I found it difficult to believe that there was no plan placed with a school in particular that has a fire program.” Rebecca Johnson, dean of students, declined an on-camera interview, but said in an email: “The University Fire Marshall is available to speak with students regarding individually tailored evacuation instructions.” When Johnson put Maisonet in contact with Chirs Reed, the university fire marshall, Maisonet and Purcell said they learned that Reed should have been informed of Maisonet’s disability, for the school’s database that lists students with disabilities and their dorms. However, Reed said he was unaware of Maisonet’s condition until he spoke with the student. Copney-Okeke said in Maisonet’s grievance which Purcell and Maisonet shared with the Charger Bulletin: “I was contacted to provide a list of students who I was aware might need assistance in the case of emergency. I have not been contacted prior to this for a list and can only assume that Residential Life has been providing any information needed to the Fire Marshall given that they are aware of a student’s request for modified housing related to a disability.” “I had one [classroom] where they told me it was appropriate for me to sit in a staircase during class without a desk,” said Maisonet. “My response was, ‘Well, why am I paying all this money to not have a desk in a room?’” Maisonet encountered a similar situation in a physics lab
Maria (Ria) Maisonet, struggling to gain access to Studio C in Dodds Hall. Photo By Jada Clarke/The Charger Bulletin
this semester before the campus closed. It took three weeks to get a desk low enough for Maisonet to complete lab work, she said. Maisonet said Harugari Hall, Charger Plaza, Echlin Hall, Bucknall Theatre, North Campus, Dunham Hall, Bixler Hall, Gerber Hall, and Winchester Hall are inaccessible in her wheelchair. Copney-Okeke declined an on-camera interview with the Charger Bulletin about accessibility issues on campus, and as of press time, had not responded to emailed questions. “The University has engaged in a continuous program of remediation, with a goal of eventually bringing all of its buildings into full compliance with the ADA... The University’s older buildings (e.g. Maxcy, Echlin, Bethel, South Campus,
Harugari) were constructed prior to the existence of the ADA’s accessibility requirements. These buildings are currently identified for future, major renovations,” said Johnson in her email response. Until renovations are made, some buildings and classrooms remain inaccessible, and that includes some classes necessary for Maisonet’s degree. For example, Studio C in Dodd’s Hall is at the bottom of a flight of stairs with no wheelchair access. The room is used for several classes that are required for all music majors. “My friends didn’t want me to miss out so I went down the stairs and they carried my chair up and down,” said Maisonet. Chad Celini, a freshman majoring in forensic science and Maisonet’s friend, said, “It’s been so difficult to get the
university to see how much of an issue it was” for his friend. Maisonet said the ARC also failed to act on other safety concerns, including navigating the campus during inclement weather. Maisonet was originally told to carry an umbrella. And then there were the shuttles. “I learned that there were shuttles and I asked about that and they said they don’t have them,” said Maisonet. Friends often helped Maisonet get around campus because they said they were concerned about Maisonet’s safety. Celini said that he once had to “push [Maisonet] all the way to Bergami from Bartels” when Maisonet’s wheelchair broke down in the rain. Purcell said, “ARC is supposed to be a department put in place to help her be able to
May 5, 2020
STUDENT LIFE
Campus Accessibility Issue Continued from pg. 8. access this school the same as everyone else, yet somehow has made her feel like a complainer, a burden, and not heard.” Before committing to the university, “we were assured that everything was accessible and if it wasn’t, it would quickly be fixed,” said Maisonet. Maisonet says if she had been aware of the accessibility issues on campus, “I wouldn’t have come here no matter how good the program was.” Maisonet said she considered “dropping out because I felt like college wasn’t a place for people with physical limitations and that was the message I was getting from campus.” “I hated this school,” said Maisonet. “I felt like an outcast, I felt like an inconvenience, and definitely not like a Charger.” After a semester of arguing for proper accommodations, Maisonet and Purcell filed a grievance for violation of the ADA. By law, the ADA says that students with disabilities should have the same access to school as all students and receive accommodations to do so. A grievance allows a student to open a university investigation
about a “complaint alleging any policy, procedure, or practice,” according to the student handbook. Frederic Baker, senior associate dean of students, investigated Maisonet’s claims against the ARC and Johnson, but according to school protocol, as accessibility coordinator, “Dean Johnson has the ultimate authority,” said Baker. However, Baker investigates claims and makes findings and recommendations to Johnson. Failing that, “there is a way to contact the state of Connecticut to resolve a higher level grievance if they are not satisfied with the campus’s ultimate findings,” he said. The grievance -- which Maisonet and Purcell provided to the Charger Bulletin -- offers Purcell’s written statements about why she believed Johnson and Copney-Okeke were not taking the proper steps to help Maisonet. Johnson, Copney-Okeke, and Baker offered a response to each statement. In the end, Baker made four recommendations as to how Johnson and the ARC would improve the disability issues on campus.
The final recommendation, made by Baker in the grievance, says that the ARC will inspect each class before the term starts to make sure that they are accessible and that if Maisonet wants to join any student club, Maisonet should contact that club to discuss accessibility. The recommendation about fire safety says there should be “A review of the communication protocols between the Accessibility Resource Center, Office of Residential Life, and the University Fire Marshal for students with documented physical disabilities that impact fire safety protocols.” Maisonet feels the school did not take steps toward improving the accessibility and safety plan for students with disabilities, but Maisonet isn’t done fighting. For students with disabilities who consider attending the University of New Haven, Maisonet said, from experience, “You’re going to have to fight to prove every day that you belong here and you deserve to be here.” “Remember you have a voice.”
Maisonet shows how she gets to her desk in a classroom. Photo By Jada Clarke/The Charger Bulletin
Page 9
SAAM Re-Cap
BY KELLY ADKINS STAFF WRITER
A
pril marked a period of transitions as the university adapted to remote learning styles. But that did not stop Chargers from participating in Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) while away from campus. SAAM aims to spread education and awareness for sexual violence in all forms including—but not limited to—harassment, family violence, assault, exploitation, and stalking. Ashley Dunn, director of Title IX/VAWA Compliance, said that the cause is important in college communities because “research shows a disproportionate number of victims of sexual violence are between the ages of 18 to 24; the age range of a traditional college student.” Sofia Martinez, wellness liaison for the Undergraduate Student Government Association since spring 2019, coordinated with Dunn to recreate the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Pledge video that they produced for SAAM in 2019. This year’s video included clips from the pledge, taken by the University of New Haven students, faculty, and staff within their remote learning destinations. Martinez said the pledge video’s goal was to show familiar faces taking a stance on sexual assault and showing that people on campus officially support survivors. She stressed the importance of this because Title IX can be a sensitive, awkward, and daunting topic for students
to discuss. “Reading a pledge can be powerful, but hearing those peers that you know and respect engage in this public commitment holds more meaning than a signature on a piece of paper,” Dunn said. Martinez said she hopes that the university community “knows that they are not alone, even if they feel like it,” said Martinez. “Whatever feelings you have are valid, and when you are ready to take any first step, there are so many individuals on campus who are ready to support you.” COVID-19 has increased social isolation, which increases domestic violence incidents. This creates added purpose and importance to this year’s SAAM goals. “Our individual commitments to engage in a community that is free from harassment and violence is no less important, but we must not forget the ability we have to maximize our impact when we come together as a community,” said Dunn, “Although we are physically distanced, this video reminds us that we can still impact one another and our community if we stand as one.” What made this year’s pledge video unique was its balance between education and hope that connected students and faculty despite distances. Community members looking to utilize support services can review the Resource & Referrals for Students Experiencing Sexual Misconduct, or contact the Milford Rape Crisis Center’s by visiting their website or calling the 24/7 Hotline at 203-878-1212.
October May 5, 2020 16, 2018
www.ChargerBulletin.com
E N T ESRTA I NSM E N T P O RT
Page 10 13
Outer Banks: Netflix’s Newest Hit HBO MAX Streaming BY JADA CLARKE
BY MATT VERRILLI STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
I
Photo Courtsey of IMBd
W
ith everyone stuck inside for what seems like an endless amount of time, many people turn to streaming services to fill their time, and Netflix’s newest show “Outer Banks” aims to quench some of that thirst. The show was released onto the platform on Apr. 15, 2020. At first glance, the show doesn’t seem like much, simply a group of friends trying to make the most of their summer - by finding a lost ship with riches beyond their comprehension that sank almost 300 years prior. Viewers are introduced to the setting by the show’s main character and narrator, John B., portrayed by Chase Stokes - the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The show does well at keeping certain things hidden from the viewers, but the pilot does an excellent job of preparing them for what they are getting into. The Outer Banks area, as described by the main characters, is a place of class struggle, where the working class (Pogues) are uniquely separated
from the rich, dubbed the Kooks by our main cast. John B., along with his tight-knit group of best friends, JJ (Rudy Pankow), Kiara (Madison Bailey), and Pope (Jonathan Daviss) set out to make the most of the summer before they (at least Pope who is the smart one of the group) go off to college; that is until the storm sinks a boat just off the shore where they typically hang out. While investigating the boat, John B. discovers two things: a key to a motel room as well as a compass that belonged to his father, Big John. At this point, Big John, who had been obsessed with finding the treasure associated with a ship called the Royal Merchant, has been missing a presumed dead for about 9 months. All seems normal until a body washes ashore, and wads of cash along with a gun are found in the apartment. Mixing in many elements from classic movies such as The Outsiders and The Goonies, John B. slowly becomes more and more obsessed with finding the $400 million in gold associated with the Royal Merchant,
at least in the hopes that it helps find out what happened to his dad, and he brings his reluctant friends along for the ride. What ensues is a mixture of class struggle between the rich and poor kids as well as some treasure hunting, with a mixture of romance thrown in there as well. When it comes to “Outer Banks,” viewers are likely to be hooked by the first episode. The character arcs are engaging and with the different plotlines slowly starting to converge, the show is one that is very easy to binge with its 10 episodes running at about 45 minutes each. The shooting locations in South Carolina do a great job as well at transporting the viewers to a realistic interpretation of the Outer Banks. Without revealing too much of the plot, “Outer Banks” provides a perfect escape from the world we live in. Viewers will become connected to the characters and with a somewhat cliff-hanger ending, there is no doubt the Pogues will return for more adventure and chaos in a second season.
n the new world of digital streaming, WarnerMedia will release its new streaming service, HBO Max, on May 27. After an earlier announcement about the subscription service, some of the content is postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. HBO Max leans on the expensive side, at $14.99/month. With an increasing collection of streaming services, how will HBO Max compete? The company hopes that its selection of hit shows like “Game of Thrones” and “Friends” will attract customers. Blockbuster hits such as “Wonder Woman” and “The Matrix” are other
strong additions to the HBO family. HBO Max will also include new original programming called Max Originals. Fans can look forward to a “Gossip Girl” reboot from the original creators of the series. They can also await a sequel to the hit show “Adventure Time” titled “Adventure Time Distant Lands.” The service will include programming for kids and teens such as “Sesame Street,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Euphoria.” AT&T projects that HBO Max will have 80 million subscribers by 2025. But other companies have streaming services. Apple TV+ has recently launched Quibi, a platform for content that is ten minutes or less. NBCUniversal plans on debuting Peacock in July.
May 5, 2020
Page 11
OPINION
Theater Arts Courses Cut Short by COVID-19 BY ARIANA LASHER STAFF WRITER
A
lthough all classes and lectures have made the switch to Zoom virtual learning, not everyone is having an easy transition. Some majors, such as theater arts, have students struggling more to return to normalcy than others. This new way of learning is affecting multiple acting, dance, and other performance classes in a way that cannot be repaired by Zoom. “Our class is incapable of being an online class,” said Caston Otersen, a theater arts major and member of the Class of 2020. “Students were supposed to write, direct, design, and act in shows by ourselves, with the guidance from our professor,
that culminated in two performances for the public.” Otersen is referring to the major required theater course, Student New Works, instructed by Jonathan Yukich. This course offers experimental learning for students, allowing them to create and perform their own original plays in a festival at the end of the semester, while experiencing the process of developing new works along the way. Because of stay-at-home learning, the festival is canceled and this course cannot continue the way it should have. “This also impacts our resumes for graduate programs,” said Otersen. “Some schools require presenting our own original work and that work being recognized on a stage to even apply. Now we don’t have that opportunity.” Another theater course affected by this change is a dance class
Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons
is Special Topics: Jazz Dance Technique, instructed by Diana Harris. “We’re not really dancing anymore,” said Pepper Lavoie, class of 2020. “It’s weekly check-ins, learning a bit more about jazz as an art, and doing short responses to self-care and wellness videos Diana puts together.” With all of these changes, some
professors are feeling just as disoriented from the virtual shift’s impact as their students. “Suddenly, a class that relied on open space, physical interaction, and experimental learning has been reduced to being trapped in a small space, interacting with a screen, and watching dance instead of experiencing it,” said Harris. “While this adaption
could technically work with experienced dancers, my students are novices who need guidance on how to execute movements properly and safely.” This class has gone from learning and performing jazz style dances together twice a week to trying to figure it out from their homes on Zoom. “I’m a little sad about the changes,” said Lavoie. “I really enjoyed getting to practice the dance style together as a class, but I know it’s for the best.” This situation is out of everyone’s control. Students are unable to gain the knowledge and education that they registered for. Many seniors will never get the full experience of finishing their final classes and performances. Here’s to hoping for a better and brighter future.
A Refund for Coronavirus: Missing Learning Tools BY DEVINH VALENTINE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A
mong the chaos and cancellations that came with COVID-19, a serious question came into consideration: should colleges refund their students? Students all over the country continually worry about their financial well-being, especially since the majority of them are being denied stimulus checks. The lack of compensation has been the topic of discussion: Should schools should refund at least a portion of a student’s tuition. The university has refunded
room and board for students, but our tuition covers much more than that. Full-time students have noticed the plethora of campus resources that are not available to them, despite still being funded by tuition money. For example, an art student in Washington had to leave campus and did not have any art materials at home. She left behind necessities such as canvasses, paints, and solvents. The same thing can be seen happening at our own university. We pay for countless supplies and amenities that we can no longer use, so wouldn’t at least a partial reimbursement be in order? Who is using the recording studios in Dodds? We are not using the
Rec Center, library, labs or even regular classrooms and still we have paid around $40k before room and board. If refunds cannot be given, perhaps a free credit or two is doable? Some students are even starting to sue their own universities. Kunal Pasrija of Northwestern University came up with a great analogy. He said, “Would you pay $75,000 for front-row seats to a Beyoncé concert and be satisfied with a livestream instead? It doesn’t make sense for universities to charge full price while delivering a fundamentally different product than their customers paid for.” He also said that universities often have multi-million dollar endow-
ments, some of which could be used to fall back on. Shouldn’t they use them in times of crisis (such as this one). And if they
won’t, why should we donate to them?
Photo Courtsey of Creative Commons
October May 5, 2020 16, 2018
Erin Cuomo Opinion Editor “The Charger Bulletin has given me an outlet in which I have expanded my creativity. Being the Opinion Editor, I’ve gotten to work with a lot of talented writers and give feedback that benefited them and myself in the long run.”
Jennifer Korn Student Life Editor “Working with the Charger Bulletin over the last two years shaped my college experience. I have grown tremendously as a writer, editor, and investigator. I will always be grateful for all of the amazing people I worked with and our shared goal of making the Charger Bulletin the best it can be! Congratulations to my fellow seniors and the Charger Bulletin’s new editors!”
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S E N I O RS PFA R ESW E L L S O RT Ariana Lasher CBN Anchor “Any club or activity that I was a part of has really felt like a home away from home. One of those being the Charger Bulletin, which Susan Campbell very quickly convinced me to be a part of and convinced me to pursue journalism, which I don’t
Seth Harrington Associate Editor for Graphic Design “My time at the Charger Bulletin taught me discipline and methods of storytelling. I know the Bulletin will continue to prosper and inform the students.”
regret at all.”
Anna Downs Editor-in-Chief Nicole Rivera Associate Editor for “Without the Charger Bulletin, my college Photography experience would have “The Charger Bulletin has helped me gain more been much less exciting and I’m so thankful, confidence in doing looking back to have things I love, such as been involved in such writing, photography, an incredible organizaand reporting. I was given the opportunity to tion that continuously works so hard no matter become an anchor for the show my junior year, the situation, and that is something that I have and become the anchor really taken pride in and for the entertainment segment my senior year.” will carry it with me for a lifetime.”
Diana Perez Multimedia Editor “For me, the Charger Bulletin was a place where I could learn new things in a comfortable and fun environment. I started my sophomore year working as camera crew and was given the opportunity to be multimedia editor during my senior year.”
Susan Campbell Charger Bulletin Advisor “Hi, seniors! Every year the hardest part of this job is saying goodbye to some talented journalists, and I’m finding this year a little harder than usual. Thank you so much for all your hard work, your creativity, your ability to blow through problems, and light the way. You’ve been incredible!”
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Corina Rodriguez Managing Editor “Thanks to my professors and peers; I have grown as a professional and person. One of the biggest blessings I have received during my time at the university is the Charger Bulletin.”
Wayne Edwards Charger Bulletin Advisor “Hey, seniors! Congratulations, you made it! Your college career is over, but now your professional career is just beginning. I want to wish all of you out there the best of luck and success as you move forward,and remember if you need anything just reach out. We are always here to help out.