Volume 94, Issue 2 | September 5, 2012
the
Charger Bulletin The official student newspaper of the University of New Haven since 1938.
www.ChargerBulletin.com
Chargers Open 2012 with 45-18 Nothing Sane about Mary Jane Victory over Merrimack By ELISSA SANCI
The game opened slowly for –––––––––––––––––––––––––– the Chargers, who were forced to punt on their first possession. Merrimack took advantage of A CHARGER ATHLETICS PRESS RELEASE
WEST HAVEN, Conn. - Senior wide receiver Jason Thompson (Indiantown, Fla./ South Fork) grabbed six catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns to lead the No. 13/16 University of New Haven football team to a 45-18 victory over Merrimack Saturday afternoon at Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium. In front of a standing-room only crowd of 3,508, the Chargers improved their season-opening record to 4-0 in as many years.
/ Univ. of Louisville) was sacked and brought up a long third-and-17 for UNH. Chris Ruffin (New York, N.Y./Phil-
PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MATHEWSON
the opportunity and immediately got on the scoreboard. The Warriors took the ball 75 yards on 21 plays over the course of 6:25 and scored the opening points of the 2012 season. A five yard pass from Joe Clancy to Jere Brown capped the drive and despite missed the extra point off the left upright, Merrimack took a 6-0 lead. On their second play of the ensuing drive, Ryan Osiecki (Seymour, Conn./Seymour
lip Randolph) caught a short pass for a seven yard gain and the Chargers were forced into a three-and-out on their second possession of the first quarter. The Warriors next drive was also stalled by the UNH defense and the Warriors were forced to punt. A 32-yard punt rolled out of bounce and UNH earned its third possession of the opening quarter. See VICTORY page 12
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UNH’s Fall Fest 2012
the football team said, “It’s crazy time went by so fast, and –––––––––––––––––––––––––– I remember being a freshman when coach said you’ll blink On Friday Aug. 31, 2012, and it will all be over, and that’s Chargers marched to North campus for Fall Fest to celebrate with music, food, and games. Music was provided by SCOPE, and the MC for the night was Ahjahta McDuffie, who introduced all the sports teams. Football, men’s and PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MATHEWSON women’s cross country and track and field, soccer, basketball, basereally true.” ball and softball, volleyball, This was Chalifoux’s last time tennis, and lacrosse were being introduced to his peers wished good luck in their upat Fall Fest, and even though coming seasons. he cannot believe the past four J.D. Chalifoux, a senior on By SAMANTHA MATHEWSON STAFF WRITER
See FALL FEST page 4
STAFF WRITER
–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Marijuana use in the nation is on the rise: 17.4 million Americans were recorded using marijuana in 2010, up from 14.4 million users in 2007. What is more shocking is that the rise in numbers is all thanks to college-aged users. According to a study held by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations, the percentage of college students who smoke jumped from 19.5 percent to 21.5 percent in only two years. Every day, the number of college students engaging in marijuana consumption grows. The problem with this? Marijuana, otherwise known as pot or weed, affects all aspects of a person’s life. Substance abuse leads to problems with schoolwork and health, and could eventually lead to changes in personality and an increase in risky, out-ofcharacter behavior. The main “ingredient” in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). When weed is smoked, THC activates the receptors in the brain, which trigger the drug’s effect; mainly releasing dopamine into the system, which causes the “relaxing” side effect of marijuana. Other side effects include uneasiness, anxiety and restlessness, coupled with paranoia and forgetfulness. One of the most common side effects of marijuana is memory
loss. Students throughout the UNH campus, for example, have reported noticing slight memory problems. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that after years of marijuana use, the drug “messed up [his] memory a little bit.” Students who smoke pot are less likely to spend time studying and concentrating on classes, and have been found to have difficulty concentrating, recalling facts and making good decisions. The numbers are rising; there is no doubt about that. But why do so many students use marijuana if they are aware of the side effects and know that it is illegal? “It’s relaxing,” a number of students replied with. “Classes are stressful, and weed helps me relax.” Most students at UNH see no problem with marijuana usage. “It’s just a way to have fun.” However, here at the University of New Haven, marijuana abuse is not a serious problem. “Considering the amount of students here on campus, the ratio of kids caught smoking is surprisingly low,” Officer Crawford said. However, if you are caught, the stakes are high. Students who get caught smoking are referred to the Dean’s office. Students caught selling or growing the weed? You will be expelled, arrested and will have to go to court.
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Neil Armstrong: The Death of an American Hero
to see an American safely to the moon by the end of the decade, –––––––––––––––––––––––––– thus adding new pressure to the “Space Race” against the former As recently as 50 years ago, Soviet Union during the Cold War. Even after JFK’s assassination, his ambitious goal was realized on July 20, 1969. The commander of NASA’s ship Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, became the first person to set foot on the moon. And, on Aug. 25, 2012, Neil Armstrong passed away in CincinAP PHOTO the idea of putting a man on the nati. moon was viewed as—no pun “As long as there are history intended—an astronomical im- books,” NASA Administrator possibility. Charles Bolden said, “Neil ArmIn mid-1961, President John strong will be included in them.” F. Kennedy announced a goal Armstrong is considered a By ANA ABRAHAM STAFF WRITER
legend of space exploration and an American hero. He was only 38 years old when the entire world watched him change history by taking the first steps outside of a spacecraft. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and fellow astronauts ‘Buzz’ Aldrin and Michael Collins landed on the moon after four days and 250,000 miles of space travel. Armstrong and Aldrin spent over two hours on the surface of the moon, during which they placed an American flag and collected samples for analysis back on Earth. None of the three men returned to space after the Apollo 11 mission. The USSR never did put a man on the moon. There have only been 12 people to set foot on the moon, all of them Americans from six separate Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972. There have been 23 unmanned landings in the years since. In 2005, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) told National Geographic that they would like to return humans to the moon by 2018. Neil Armstrong, the first See ARMSTRONG page 4