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Charger Bulletin The official student newspaper of the University of New Haven since 1938. Volume 95, Issue 12 | November 20, 2013 | West Haven, CT
Students Petition to Eliminate Math Zone
Senior Commencement Split
By LIANA TEIXEIRA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LTEIX1@NEWHAVEN.EDU
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CAMPUS Delta Phi Epsilon’s annual Deepher Dude event, a male pageant, featured many entertaining performances SEE PAGE 3
The famous Rev Run visited UNH to share some inspirations wisdom The Math Zone is located in the new, state-of-the-art Math Learning Center in North Hall, directly adjacent to Echlin Hall.
PHOTO OBTAINED VIA WWW.NEWHAVEN.EDU
SEE PAGE 14
OPINION Are you the middle child? Maybe you can relate with Thanksgiving. Read how it is an overlooked holiday SEE PAGE 7
SPORTS UNH’s football team concluded their season with a win over Assumption SEE PAGE 11
ENTERTAINMENT About Time was released last week, and proved to be more than the expected cheesy romantic comedy SEE PAGE 13
By LIANA TEIXEIRA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LTEIX1@NEWHAVEN.EDU
–––––––––––––––––––––––––– When classmates and friends approached freshman Brianna Stefano with concerns about the new MathZone program, the newlyelected USGA Senator knew she had to act. “I have to represent the student body,” she said. “When they come to me with these issues, I have to speak about them. It’s my obligation.” In response to dozens of students, Stefano started a petition on Change.org to raise awareness about the issues facing freshmen in MathZone. It has reached almost 200 signatures, 100 of which occurred within the first 24 hours of its creation. Each time a person signs the online petition, an email is sent to President Kaplan. “They’ve got to see something is wrong here,” Stefano said. Stefano has heard nothing but
By ELISSA SANCI
complaints about MathZone, a computer-based class which was introduced to incoming freshmen this year. It is designed to be a nontraditional approach to mathematics that allows students to learn at their own pace. A growing number of low or failing math grades at UNH prompted the math department to introduce this innovative program for students. Students are usually “pushed along” by their teachers when it comes to math, Department Chair of Mathematics, Joseph Kolibal, said. “In self-paced learning, each student does math at the rate they can absorb it.” Now, Kolibal added, students can control the speed at which they learn the material. “The big factor to us was how to get students who are a little bit behind to catch up,” Kolibal said. Students are placed into their respective math clases depending on placement exams taken when registering for their first semes-
ter classes. They read assigned chapters, and complete the homework and tests, all while using the new state-of-the-art Math Learning Center at North Hall, directly behind Echlin Hall. Once a student completes all chapters related to a specific course and receives a passing grade, they can move along to the next math course. According Kolibal, some freshmen are on their way to complete two math classes in a single semester. Students can also choose to take a “Challenge Exam” to advance to a higher level of math if they believe they are ready. MathZone bypasses the typical classroom setting, opting for an individualized learning experience. Instead of having a physical textbook, students read and learn the material online. Also, instead of having a single teacher lead the lesson, students review the chapters and may ask for assistance from instructors or tutors in the See PETITION page 2
Sigma Chi’s SigSuit
OPINION EDITOR ESANC2@UNH.NEWHAVEN.EDU
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Kellie Pickler stays true to her country roots with the release of The Woman I Am, read a review of her latest album
SEE PAGE 15
After a night of gowns, swimsuits and performances, sophomore Victoria Rizzuto was named winner of SigSuit Monday, Nov. 11. SigSuit, Sigma Chi Fraternity’s annual philanthropy event, is a beauty pageant where the women of he University of New Haven campus compete in four different rounds to be crowned winner. Each contestant was required to raise a minimum of $100 to participate in the contest, and all proceeds went to Sigma Chi’s philanthropy, the Children’s Miracle Network. The Children’s Miracle Network is a children’s charity organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children’s health issues. The Children’s Miracle Network has been Sigma Chi’s philanthropy since 1986. The 12 contestants raised $2,575.44 in total. Many different groups throughout campus were represented through the contestants, including Phi Sigma Sigma, Delta Phi Epsilon and the Army ROTC, among others. Christina Rodriguez and Dean Bandong, the MCs for the night, set the tone for the night, creating a laid-back and fun environment for the crowd in Dodds Theater. Guest judges included Patrick Kelland,
PHOTO PROVIDED BYDELTA PHI EPSILON
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Due to a 15 to 20 percent increase in the number of seniors graduating this upcoming May compared to last year, the spring commencement ceremony, traditionally held in a single time slot, will now be split into two ceremonies. President Kaplan informed students about this change at a Undergraduate Student Government Association meeting held on Nov. 1, where he addressed any questions or concerns. Kaplan said UNH will host two ceremonies this spring, with two colleges in the morning ceremony at 10 a.m. and two colleges in the afternoon at 3 p.m. Both undergrads and graduates from the respective colleges will commence together. So far, the college pairings have yet to be finalized, but according to Provost Daniel May, the most likely pairings will be the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Business, and the Henry C. Lee College with the Tagliatela College of Engineering. Talks of splitting the spring commencement ceremonies were happening as soon as September, after the administration had to shift 90 undergrads to the graduate afternoon ceremony the previous May. In recent years, UNH moved spring commencement Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, due to space limitations on campus. Still, the increasing number of undergrads graduating each year has become a challenge even with a bigger venue. Additionally, more students who are qualified to graduate after December are now opting to walk in May with the rest of their
former Undergraduate Student Government Association President, Kaitlin Rohonczy, former Sigma Chi Sweetheart, and Scott Kazar, the founder of the Lambda Epsilon
chapter of Sigma Chi at UNH. Held on Veteran’s Day, SigSuit was USA Themed, with the last two rounds centered on America. In the first round of the competi-
See SENIOR page 5
tion, the contestants, escorted by a Sigma Chi brother, showed off their formal wear. In the next round, contestants showcased their confidence as they walked across stage in their swimsuits. The third round, “Support the Troops,” had the girls create military-inspired outfits, and each contestant was asked where the inspiration for her outfit came from. In the fourth and final round, named “Stars and Stripes,” contestants wore American themed outfits. Some of the outfits included the Statue of Liberty, the Bald Eagle and Uncle Sam. Following round four was the quiz portion of the evening. Bandong and Rodriguez asked contestants various questions relating to the history of America. Bandong described this portion of the contest as “a little bit of common sense mixed with don’t be dumb.” Rachael Wurst, a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon, placed second and Sarah Alley, also a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon, placed third. “I think the event went really well, and I’m really happy we raised over $2,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network,” said Richard Rotella, a brother of Sigma Chi. Winner Victoria Rizzuto raised the most money of all the contestants, collecting $556, something that Kazar said he’d be looking for as he judged, along with who had the most passion for the cause. See SIGMA page 2