WEEK OF April
WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM
16, 2009
The independent student newspaper of Fairfield University
Vol. 34, Iss. 25- 16 pages FREE - Take one
The College Drug Students turn to Adderall as a quick fix for studying and weight loss by
Carole Mancarella
It is officially prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but students at Fairfield and other colleges have long used it – Adderall – illegally as a "study drug." Now, college students are following the lead of Hollywood celebrities and are turning to the drug to lose weight. According to a November 2008 study in the Journal of American College Health, although the main reason for the illicit use of Adderall is academically motivated, "a disproportionate number of women in this study touted stimulants for their ability to suppress appetite." "My friend lost almost 15 pounds in two months from using it," one anonymous Fairfield student said. "She took it and her appetite was killed." Another Fairfield student who wishes to remain unidentified said she uses the drug not only to get her work done but also to lose weight. "I am almost never hungry
when I'm on it," she said. Although the student does not take it daily, when she wants to lose a few Jon Ollwerther/The Mirror pounds or before Students have turned to Adderal not only for study benefits, but also to lose weight. spring break, her intake increases. An additional Fairfield student who wishes to remain anonymous said that although her main reason for using Adderall is to help her study, her loss of appetite is "an extra plus." The New York Daily News reported in March 2008 that a number of female celebrities have used Adderall for weight loss. An August 2008 article in Allure Magazine also highlighted this diet fad. "When a high-profile celeb suddenly drops a lot of weight, the rumors start that she is on 'A,'" Kym
See "Amphetamines" on p. 3
The Mirror in brief
Featured Column:
"Wikipedia book" — The vast emporium of knowledge, Wikipedia, has written a book. See p. 7.
Entertainment:
Photo Illustration by Chris Simmons
Fairfield will be switching over its e-mail to Gmail next fall.
by
"Prince attempts comeback with a new double album" — Yes, we know that's not really Prince. But aren't you more interested in the story now? See p. 9.
Featured Sports story:
"Smashing success" — Coverage of men's and women's tennis. See p. 16.
New e-mail system to be implemented in the fall Val Bertolami
The StagWeb email system will be getting a facelift next fall when it switches over to the popular Google e-mail system known as Gmail. At the beginning of the spring semester, a group of faculty and students began planning a new e-mail system that would prove to be more efficient that the current StagWeb system. Brian Remigio, assistant director of Computer and Networking Services, was the chairperson of the Student E-mail Committee. "Due to the constraints of the aging hardware, it was necessary to
University announces tuition increase amid budget meeting by
Kristen McManus
make a change now, rather than sink resources into upgrading the current StagWeb e-mail system," said Remigio. "Storage space, including attachment size on StagWeb mail is considerably limited in comparison to Gmail." The amount of storage available with Gmail will allow students to keep almost every e-mail they receive during their four years at Fairfield. The Student E-mail Committee was put together and composed of faculty from departments such as Student Affairs, Information Services,
As the global financial crisis continues to impact businesses, families and individuals, Fairfield University has revisited their budget for the 2009-2010 school year, though the Budget Committee says they will remain committed to achieving all goals. "We are prepared to meet challenges," said University President Father Jeffrey P. von Arx. "Though at the same time we are committed to our strategic plan." The University Budget Committee, comprised of the president, faculty, administration and a student body representative, met with students last Monday to present details of the new "strategic plan." Vice President of Finance William J. Lucas '69, member of the Committee, described the budget as "the toughest one we've ever had to put together." "This year we are reallocating almost all of our budget needs," he said. "We are deep into trying to fund
See "Student" on p. 5
See "Depending" on p. 3
Just click it! www.fairfieldmirror.com
Watch this week's Read The Mirror online as exclusive video produced an electronic paper. Click on by The Mirror.
e-Mirror on the top bar.
2 April 16, 2009
News
PAGE 2
The
Mirror
... where only three more weeks ...
Gobble, Gobble
Jesuit R undup
News from the 27 other Jesuit colleges in the U.S. by
Courtney Kern
Georgetown Outrage Over Hoya April Fools' Issue About 60 students staged a sit in at 11:30 p.m. on April 2 and lasted for a half an hour. This sit-in was in response to The Hoya's April Fools issue, which they believed included racist and inappropriate remarks. The sit-in in the office occurred after a meeting at the Intercultural Center. The students remained silent and would not talk to the Editor in Chief, Andrew Dwulet, when he offered to discuss their concerns with him. The Department of Public Safety came to the scene to make sure it did not escalate. A Facebook group was created to facilitate meeting times and highlight the articles that they were angry about. These articles include, "Is 'Georgetown' a Synonym for 'Diversity?' Hell Yeah!"; "We Need More Interracial Loving"; "Georgetown Ruined My Life"; "DPS Plotter: Saturday March 28"; "Russell, Inc. CEO — Slavemaster"; "Brown to the Virgin Mother: Gimme That ‌ Or Else"; "Thompson III to Take Pop's Advice Next Year." Source: The Hoya
Peter Caty/The Mirror
Two turkeys enjoy a leisurely stroll on campus. They were thankful to have survived Thanksgiving and Easter break.
Don't Rock the Boat
How this year's Mock Wedding will be different from previous years by
Loyola New Orleans Student Breast Cancer Survivor Holds Benefit Concert A Loyola New Orleans junior, Ashley Fallon, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 21 is organizing a "Breast Cancer Awareness Benefit Show" featuring student and local bands. The Susan G. Komen Foundation will receive all of the donations. Their fundraising goal is $10,000. This money will benefit a three day, 60 mile walk that Fallon plans to participate in. Fallon wants to spread awareness and share her story to show that even teenagers and young women can get breast cancer. She worked with fellow music students to plan this benefit concert. The two seniors that she worked on this show as a part of their senior seminar project. Source: The Maroon
St. Joseph's Commencement Speaker Announced This year's commencement speaker is Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball. Matthews graduated from Holy Cross and grew up in Philadelphia. The St. Joseph's community is anticipating some anger from conservatives of the university because of their liberal guest speaker. Chris Matthews has penned four books and was the speech writer of former President Carter. The last political speaker to visit St. Joe's caused a stir because of his controversial views on homosexuality and during his address, a walk out was staged. Source: The Hawk
Daniela Caso
Hickey was not willing to discuss any details about the event, but was completely liable. Unfortunately she did not have the funds to pay for it, SBRA officers Robinson and Maia explained. Yet this year, the SBRA has assured the B&B bus
What used to be, "Just another excuse for seniors to drink on a Saturday night has become a tradition," said David Mattei '98. The tradition is the Fairfield University Mock Wedding, which began in 1996, as a theme party at Lantern Point with seniors dressed as either a bride or groom. Thirteen years have passed since the first annual Mock Wedding, and with each Fairfield University graduating class, 13 new Mock Wedding traditions have emerged. The Mock Wedding tradition is a week of alcohol involving wedding festivities, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the bride and groom's exchange of vows and a reception with a wedding cake. To keep this Fairfield University beach tradition alive, the Student Beach Resident Association (SBRA) took extra precautions for this year's event because of complications with Mock Weddings in the past. Mirror File Photo Precautionary actions were initiated by SBRA There will be a few slight changes to this year's Mock WedPresident Kyle Robinson '09 who informed the ding to compensate for any damages. Cruise reception event coordinator that the event will be a "mock" wedding. company that students will not be permitted to bring However, in previous years and as tradition stands, alcohol on the buses, and will provide trash bags for any not until 400 intoxicated college students arrive at the alcohol related emergencies. After all, there will be, "450 reception venue are the employees to know that it is not wasted kids on a bus," Robinson commented. a real wedding. Charles Sousa, the assistant director of Resident Life This forewarning will prevent the five hour recep- and the advisor to the University affiliated SBRA, spoke tion from ending early like the Mock Wedding of 2007, about last year's unfortunate situation. "My best advice when students were forced out of the Aqua Turf Club at that I can give students is that you need to take care of 11 p.m. and drinking at The Grape by 12 a.m. like it was yourself and protect yourself." any other Saturday. As president of SBRA, Robinson was obliged to put Because of this long standing tradition, "Most busi- everything under his name for the approximate $60,000 nesses in Fairfield know of Mock Wedding and the time of wedding, but has learned from Hickey's situation and year it takes place, so even if you call to book a reception taken Sousa's advice. they will say, 'This isn't that Fairfield University wedding Unlike past events, "We have had more disclosure and thing, is it?'" SRBA Secretary Catarina Maia '09 said. transparency with companies we work with so they know Last year's Mock Wedding also went awry. The what they are getting into," Robinson explained. 2008 SBRA President, Erin Hickey was charged for the In addition, this year's $95 Mock Wedding ticket, damage students wreaked on several buses during Mock Wedding. See "Many" on p. 4
www.fairfieldmirror.com
by
Alexandra Gross
The Green Scene
Air
Two scientists utilizing both aerial and ground tracking technology have both come to a similar conclusion: Air pollution in the most populated regions of the world is more serious than predicted. University of Alabama atmospheric specialist Sundar Christopher compared satellite data with ground measurements in order to accurately record particulate matter from populous regions of the world. These heavily populated regions often lack the monitoring mechanisms and funding to track pollution. Using two NASA satellites – Terra and Aqua – Christopher and other scientists analyzed 20 cities with populations of more than 10 million people. In 15 of these cities, pollution levels were up to 10 times higher than what was reported on by the World Health Organization. University of Houston environmental engineer Shankar Chellam recently collected filters he placed around the Texas city to track metals released by industry. Chellam found the highest levels of pollution and particulate matter when oil refineries reported equipment flaws.
First camel cloned in Dubai After a lengthy five-year process, the world welcomed its first cloned camel last week, due to the efforts of scientists in the Dubai. The one-humped female camel named Injaz – meaning "achievement" in Arabic – was born on April 8, after a 378-day gestation period. Injaz remains a breakthrough not only in cloning research but in the survival of racing and milk-producing camels, according to Dr. Lulu Skidmore of the Camel Reproduction Center. The new camel is genetically identical to the camel from which parent cells were taken, according to several United Arab Emirates newspapers. Source: BBC News
Source: CommonDreams.org; MSNBC.com
Contributed Photo
Amphetamines used for study, weight loss boost alcohol counselor at Fairfield University, said that anybody prescribed Adderall for weight loss should at first undergo both a physical and mental-health examination. Birge said that using a stimulant, whether it is Adderall or cocaine, for weight-loss is dangerous. "You are compromising your well-being by doing so," she said. Non-prescription users of Adderall pose the risk of experiencing side effects such as increased heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, headache and dry mouth. According to Birge, there have been a couple of students in the Health Center in the past few years for rapid heart rate and dizziness due to doubling up on Adderall or other stimulants. Besides physical symptoms, there is also the risk of addiction. Curry explained how the drug is a controlled substance. "It is basically pharmaceutical speed," he said. Birge encourages those who feel dependent on Adderall as a "study drug," an appetite suppressant, or as a pick-me-up when partying to visit the Counseling and Psychological services for a confidential assessment. "Adderall should only be used for those with ADHD," Birge said. "Using Adderall as an appetite suppressant is incredibly unhealthy," added Birge. "Instead of reducing calories, eating nutritionally and exercising, an individual puts him or herself at medical risk and may end up dependent on a stimulant ... as well as the potential for arrest."
3
Fuel
Dallas school district becomes first to run on bus on veggie oil The Fryer Flyer, a school bus that can run on vegetable oil, is the latest addition to Texas’ Dallas County school district vehicle fleet. According to district officials, the Flyer has been in testing for over a year and a half, and is part of the $80,000 investment by the district that converts donated cooking oil to biodiesel. AlContributed photo though the price of regular diesel has declined, the school district is expected to save $400,000 per year. Dallas County expects to convert its 1,700 vehicles to this latest technology.
Contributed photo
Adderall has been used for weight loss by many college students.
Douglas, co-author of The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets, told Allure Magazine. The use of stimulants to suppress appetite is not a prevalent problem, but is troubling one to Fairfield administrators. "Although I don't think that the use of Adderall to lose weight is widespread, I am aware that it is taken to suppress appetite," said Susan Birge, director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Fairfield University. "The likelihood exists because in term of trends … Fairfield usually falls into the national mold." "It is hard to estimate its use as an appetite suppressant because there is shame around having an eating disorder or weight issue. … I don't think a lot of students are going to want to talk about their disordered eating," Birge added. Adderall, an amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, was first marketed as "Obetrol" as a diet pill in the '60s and '70s. Amphetamines are known for their ability to suppress appetite by stimulating dopamine in the brain. Dr. Fuad Ziai, a pediatric endocrinologist from Illinois, has prescribed Adderall "off-label" to over 800 children and teenagers for weight loss. Ziai claimed that about 90 percent of these patients lost weight, according to a report by CNN in March 2007. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved ADHD drugs for weight loss, and the use of the drug "off-label" has caused criticism. Kevin Curry, a certified drug and
April 16, 2009
Environmental news in brief
Animal
New particulate data shows air pollution worse than reported
Continued from p. 1
News
Source: NPR.org
Depending on financial climate, University may make a series of cuts Continued from p. 1
the various elements of this." Von Arx credited one of the biggest impacts on next year's operating budget to enrollment, noting that applications decreased 5 percent this year. He described Fairfield as a tuition dependant institution and said that next year's tuition will only increase 3.9 percent, the smallest increase since 1973. Endowment funds are down 20 percent, causing the Budget Committee to reallocate some funds in the operating budget. "Fairfield is fortunate in many respects," von Arx said. "We've always had a fiscally conservative approach." Despite the decrease in applicants and funding, the Committee remains committed to increasing financial aid by 10 percent next year. Von Arx said that accepting a slightly larger class of 925 first year students will offset this cost. The Committee took $2 million from savings and put it into von Arx a contingency pool as the first step in the reallocation process. This then went into the financial aid plan. To offset this, von Arx said that the University is deferring all hiring and has implemented a pay freeze across all departments. "We are aware that everyone in our campus community is making sacrifices and we are aware that some of these may be difficult," said von Arx. "We will emerge on the other side as stronger and more dynamic." The new budget plan includes a series of cuts. If the financial climate calls for it, the Committee will make a series of 5 percent cuts. If the situation gets worse, they will go to phase two and make 10 percent cuts.
Students present worried that these cuts would impact FUSA and other student life programs and questioned what these cuts would entail. Vice President of Administrative and Student Affairs Mark C. Reed assured students that "one of the reasons we raised tuition to put back into financial aid is to keep the retention rate high," and said that student life was important to the Committee. "We want to be strategic in our cuts," he said. "And we don't want to cut things that will impact our strategic goals." "The wildcard in all this is the economy," Reed added. The Committee did not specify what they would cut if necessary. When pressured by students, the Committee asked what the students would be willing to see cut. "It would be very difficult to go to 10 percent cuts and not cut programs," said Lucas. They assured students that cuts would not be across the board, as that would "weaken everything." They said if they could find ways to avoid costs instead of cutting costs, they would. Jeff Billingham '09 said that he "wished the budget meeting could have been more than just disingenuous reflection about the fact that making budget decisions is difficult." "I get it. It would be the budget committee's benefit to make known the specifics about potential budget cuts to allow for discussion and debate to take place now," he said. "Instead of abruptly making brash budget cuts without the University community's input if such a scenario plays out in the coming months." Student leaders at the meeting said that they did not know what programs or funds should get cut before others, and expressed concern that the economic climate would alter life at Fairfield. "The core things you came here for will be kept intact," said Lucas.
4 April 16, 2009
News
Many University officials refuse to comment on Mock Wedding Continued from p. 2
which includes transportation, dinner and an open bar on the cruise, was more expensive than in the past purposely so SBRA could put aside $2,000 for any potential damages. According to Sousa, "At the end of the day, students need to remember that your peer is responsible." Sousa was the only Fairfield University administrator who agreed to speak about the event. The Dean of Students, Thomas Pellegrino and Assistant Director of Student Activities and Facilities, Duane Cady Melzer were not willing to discuss the Mock Wedding because it is not a, "University sponsored event," as Pellegrino reiterated several times in an email. Mock Wedding has been completely student run and financed since 2006. "The school wants nothing to do with this because of all the issues in the past," Robinson said. Robinson, along with the other SBRA officers and board member Jen Barish '09, have been working hard since September to plan the event. Several seniors are appreciative of the SBRA's efforts. "If it saves us from getting kicked off the boat, then I support them," said the 2008 Mock Wedding priest Andrew Chapin, who also writes for The Mirror.
Mock Wedding was created by two Fairfield students, Chris Tucker '96 and Steve Xeller '96. They based the event on the 1975 film, "Rocky Horror Picture Show," according to a Connecticut Post article. "It is one of the biggest senior events of the year. You get to go to a wedding with all of your best friends" senior Liz Lupo stated. This is exactly why current SBRA officers are working hard to assure this tradition continues. "Our class will act more responsible about the event and realize that we can have a good time without breaking a window," said Robinson. On Saturday, April 18, Jamie Butler and Joe Pijanowski will be able to walk down the path at Fairfield beach and be married by "priest" Andrew Chapin as arranged. Following the ceremony, to be held at The Vatican beach house, the love boat, nautical-themed wedding celebration will continue aboard the three-tiered Skyline Princess Cruise. Although aspects of Mock Wedding traditions have been altered to assure smooth sailing, Mattei is certain one thing still remains the same: "the presence and the consumption of alcohol."
The
Mirror
The
Tom Cleary EDITOR IN CHIEF Lily Norton EXECUTIVE EDITOR Chris Simmons MANAGING EDITOR
The Print Edition News Department Phone Number (203) 256-6600 Editor in Chief Phone Number (203) 256-6529 EDITORS
NEWS ...........................................................Chris Simmons COMMENTARY.....................................Veronica Florentino ENTERTAINMENT...................................Whitney Douglas SPORTS............Keith Connors, Tom Cleary, Chris Simmons MULTIMEDIA...............................................Jon Ollwerther EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY...........................Peter Caty ASSOCIATE NEWS/FEATURES...................Courtney Kern ASSOCIATE MULTIMEDIA........................Meghan Schelzi ASSISTANT EDITORS
NEWS...........................................................Mikaela Tierney COMMENTARY.......................................Elizabeth Connors ENTERTAINMENT.....................................Gabriella Tutino PHOTOGRAPHY...............................................Ali Foreman STAFF WRITER............................................Meghan Schelzi CARTOONIST..................................................Timo Wilson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Val Bertolami, Megan Smith, Drew Garland, Annie Rooney, Kristen McManus, Janelle Cecco, Sarah Frank, Andrew Chapin, Brendan Monahan
The Web Edition Michelle Morrison MANAGING EDITOR EDITORS
ONLINE PROJECT MANAGER..........................Joe Cefoli ASST ONLINE CONTENT EDITOR............Traci Dantoni VIDEO EDITOR.............................................Andoni Flores STUDY ABROAD BLOG WRITERS.............Annie Rooney, Christina Tobia
Classifieds
Go to www.fairfieldmirror.com to place your ad for as low as $10! MIRROR BE A MIRROR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE. The Advertising Director of The Mirror is seeking undergraduate students to grow and service the Mirror's advertising clientele. Responsibilities include site visits and phone correspondence for ad sales. Work on your own schedule. Paid position, commission of sales. Freshmen and sophomores preferred. Contact Christopher Haliskoe at chaliskoe.gmail.com. PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED. The Photography Editors are looking for students interested in taking pictures. Minimal experience required. Contact one of the Photography Editors for more information at mirrorphotos@gmail.com WRITERS WANTED. Section editors are looking for students to write on a weekly basis. E-mail Assistant Managing Editor Lily Norton at lily.m.norton@gmail.com FOR RENT Newer Beach House 2008-2009 School Year 3 Bedroom Great Waterviews 203-464-1516
PT Nanny Needed Experienced nanny needed to care for 2 year old & infant on Tu, & possibly W, Th, or F in Monroe. Easy commute, hrs negotiable. 203-895-4149. Dr. Jennifer Lee Magas FOR RENT 2008-2009 ACADEMIC YEAR FURNISHED BEACH HOUSE LANTERN POINT 3 BEDROOMS FOR 4 STUDENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (203)261-6336 Fairfield Beach - College Place House for Rent 2008/2009 4 BR, 2 BR, 5 people max. Furnished. Off St. parking. $41,500.00/school year plus utils plus sec. Also avail over Summer 2008 if interested. Pls call Sarah at 203.256.9436 DANCE INSTRUCTOR WANTED For Fairfield Studio 2008-2009 Season Sept. - May To teach intermediate/semi-advanced jazz and tap class Thursday evenings: 7:00-8:00 P.M. Please call: 255-2775 or 256-8666
Business Department Phone Number: (203) 256-6594 Fax Number: (203) 254-4162 Keith Connors GENERAL MANAGER Christopher Haliskoe MANAGING DIRECTOR
ADVISER
Fran Silverman TO CONTACT US:
MAIL: 1073 North Benson Road, Box AA, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824 OFFICE: Barone Campus Center Room 104 MEETINGS: Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Mirror Office E-MAIL: General: TheMirror.feedback@gmail.com Advertising: fairfieldmirrorads@gmail.com
The Mirror strives to report accurately in all its stories. If you encounter any errors, please contact Editor in Chief Alexandra Gross at (203) 256-6529.
Affiliated with:
ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS
www.fairfieldmirror.com
Student representatives help initiate changes to student e-mail Continued from p. 1 and Marketing and Communication, as well as Student Senate members. They hope that the new e-mail system will be ready to launch in the fall for the incoming freshmen next year. Sophomores, juniors and seniors will be changed over as well. Remigio said that the complaints about StagWeb mainly came from students. Two student senators, Elizabeth Rogers '09 and Lauren Nugent '11, served as student representatives of the Student E-mail Committee. In addition to Rogers and Nugent, there were informal polls conducted from students working in CN&S and through Residence Life. These results showed the student's unhappiness with the StagWeb e-mail system and the liking students took to the Google e-mail system. "I was able to talk to all my friends and ask their input as well, and report back to the committee with their thoughts," said Nugent. "In a room of 20 faculty and administration, it was just Beth and I as students, and they wanted to know our opinion about what we wanted to see in an e-mail system." Nugent also noted that there were many things to keep in consideration including security, attachment size, inbox
News
size, the domain name, the format and layout of the new e-mail. Scott Barnett, director of web communications, and a member of the Student E-mail Committee said that the student input of Rogers and Nugent was very helpful, and they helped to make the issues that students were facing very clear. "Their desire to 'compartmentalize' school e-mail from personal was clear, and a system like this lets students keep their academic careers separate from their personal accounts" said Barnett. The switch to Google is a growing trend among many universities. Fairfield has been in contact with colleges around the country such as Hofstra University, Delaware Community College and the University of Southern California, which have all replaced their in-house e-mail systems with Google Mail. One of the main reasons that this switch is becoming so popular is because the cost of maintaining an in-house e-mail system is very expensive. Remigio explained that Fairfield University does not have to pay Google for the e-mail service because Google is using the service as a way to promote Google Apps. "I hope it proves to students on our campus that their voice does matter, and they can have a say in change that they want to see on campus," said Nugent.
April 16, 2009
5
6 April 16, 2009
News
The Mirror announces new staff for upcoming year
The
Mirror
Staff report
With just three weeks left before finals, The Mirror has continued its tradition of turning over the paper to next year's staff. With one of the most experienced staffs in recent memory, the paper should continue to be in good hands. Alexandra Gross, '09, completed her term as Editor in Chief after last week's issue and will be succeeded by former Managing Editor Tom Cleary '10. Cleary was also formerly the sports editor in his sophomore year. Cleary will be joined in the upper management by Executive Editor Lily Norton '10 (formerly the assistant managing editor) and Chris Simmons '10 (formerly the news editor). "This new staff is probably one of the strongest I've seen during my years at Fairfield," said Gross. "Almost all of the rising seniors have the advantage of being on The Mirror since early on in their freshman year and have been exposed to many different leadership styles and personalities. "The new staff has exciting things planned for online and in terms of reinventing the purpose of the print, which definitely shows how in tune they are with the real shifts happening in journalism," Gross added. Cleary said that he is excited about next year's staff. "We have worked together for three years and I am looking forward to continuing to improve on what we have done in the past," Cleary said. "I learned a lot from three great Editors in Chief, Alex, Stephanie Lauto '08 and Ben Doody '07." Taking over as news editor will be Keri Harrison '10, who was the associate news editor last year before going abroad. Harrison will be joined by associate news editor Courtney Kern '12 and assistant news editor Mikaela Tierney '12. Kern will also be in charge of the features section, which will replace campus life. Veronica Florentino '10 will remain as commentary editor, while her assistant, Elizabeth Connors '11 remains as her assistant editor. Rising sophomore Whitney Douglas will take over at entertainment editor for the only other graduating senior, JP Porretta. Joining Douglas will be new assistant entertainment editor Gabriella Tutino '12. The sports section will be edited by three experienced editors, current sports editor Keith Connors '10 who will be moving primarily to the business side of the paper as general manager, as well as former sports editor Cleary and former assistant sports editor Simmons. In online, Michelle Morrison '10 remains as online managing editor, with Joe Cefoli '10 continuing to serve as online projects manager. Melissa Mann '10 will be online content editor and will be assisted by Traci Dantoni '10. In business, Christopher Haliskoe will remain as managing director and is joined by general manager Connors. Janine Martire/The Mirror Peter Caty '11 returns as executive photo editor and is joined in the multimedia de- Staff selection: From back, left: Chris Simmons '10, Christopher Haliskoe '10, Whitney Douglas partment by Jon Ollwerther '10, associate multimedia editor Meghan Schelzi and video '12, Peter Caty '11, Michelle Morrison '10, Meghan Schelzi '10, Ali Foreman '12, Gabriella Tutino '12, Andoni Flores '11, Tom Cleary '10, Veronica Florentino '10, Lily Norton '10, Joe Cefoli '10 editor Andoni Flores.
Commentary
Editorial
Editor: Veronica Florentino
Editorial Board Tom Cleary - Editor in Chief Lily Norton - Executive Editor Chris Simmons - Managing Editor Veronica Florentino - Commentary Editor Peter Caty - Executive Photo Editor Meghan Schelzi - Associate Multimedia Editor
April 16, 2009
7
www.fairfieldmirror.com
Mock Wedding hits the high seas
University fails to adequately plan for registration site traffic
On Tuesday, the class of 2010 was the first class to use the new registration system. The first groups of the day registered without problems, happy that they were able to get all the major, minor, core and elective courses they wanted stress free. Unfortunately, they were the only ones. At about 2:45 p.m., everyone's worst fears came true — StagWeb stopped responding, despite many students' desperate attempts to register. The unusually large amounts of traffic on the Web site became too much for the site to handle, and students were left pointlessly clicking buttons on the Web page, hoping that the classes they wanted would still be open when the site's wheels started turning. At the end of the day, students who were amongst the last registration slots were forced to register for the wait-list for their major and minor classes, for their senior year. Associate Academic Vice President Mary Frances Malone told The Mirror in a previous meeting that Computing and Network Services assured her that the server would be able to handle the load of students attempting to register. Computing and Network Services and Administrative Computing were unavailable for comment. We all knew that this new registration system was an interesting concept, but again, problems always arise when we rely on technology. How many times has one of your classes been put on hold because a professor can't get their movie or PowerPoint to work? While that situation is amusing, the failures of technology are destructive when it determines if you are taking an 8 a.m. turbo instead of your desired afternoon class. This is especially irritating when it fails for seniors who are supposed to easily get the classes they want. The question on everyone's minds was how could the University ensure that all students would get the courses they needed to take fairly with the ease of onestop online course shopping? At the end of the day, seniors had to find alternatives to the planned courses which they were shut out of. Further, some courses only allowed a certain number of seniors on the roster, leaving desired electives out of the question. Hopefully in the time remaining until the class of 2011 registers, the registrar and individual departments will assess the wait-list, and help students fulfill their requirements before they graduate.
In reference to "Don't Rock the Boat," by Daniela Caso on page 2, and how Mock Wedding is on a boat this Saturday.
A personalized Wikipedia, now for sale
by
Sarah Frank
Sure, citing Wikipedia as a source for a research paper in high school was at least half-tolerated (as in, teachers wouldn't laugh if you asked to use it), but the online encyclopedia isn't nearly as accepted, or thought of as a 'credible' source at the university level because of it's open-source policy. But after Wikipedia announced that they will be creating a book compiling popular Wikipedia entries, people have been asking: will a Wikipedia book be any more useful than its online counterpart, especially when anyone can already access the Web site for free? Born at the beginning of a new era in 2001, Wikipedia started as a populist experiment created by entrepreneur Jimmy Wales, and philosopher Larry Sanger. At the site's inception, anyone had the ability to write new articles or edit existing ones. This encouraged the organization of an online community of unpaid volunteers dedicated to further developing the scope and accuracy of Wikipedia's entries. Now, however, Wikipedia is one of the 10 highest traffic Web sites, with tens of thousands of contributors, and about 2.8 million articles, according to salon.com. Wikipedia's latest venture is a partnership with a German company called PediaPress. This partnership will allow users to choose their favorite articles and drag and drop them into book form. Wikipedia and PediaPress began working together in 2007, but only earlier this year did the web-to-print service begin creating books out of German Wikipedia articles. According to uwire.com, the venture has been successful so far. Managing Director of PediaPress Heiko Hees said that "many people who received books came back and ordered more." A s for the
price of the tangible Wikipedia books, 100 pages will cost approximately $8. This cost seems minimal compared to the cost of other books of its type, especially when you would be able to pick and choose exactly which articles you want. However, would it really be more effective to buy a book comprised of your favorite articles, when you can already look up any of the 2.8 million articles online for free? "I don't think there would be any need for a book, when you can already look up any article you want," said Stephanie Melillo '09. But Wikipedia is more reliable than some may think; the site has a clear power structure that gives volunteer administrators the authority to exercise editorial control, delete unsuitable articles and protect those that are vulnerable to vandalism, according to a New York Times article. So, the notion that anyone can edit Wikipedia articles doesn't mean that just anyone does. However, Stephen Pinker, an acclaimed Harvard psychology professor said, "I think Wikipedia is a fantastic resource, although I don't allow students to use it as a source for their papers," according to an article on uwire.com. But Sheila Hughes '09 points out that the Wikipedia is unnecessary in book form because once you look at an entry, you typically remember that definition, summary, or description after one read. "How many times would you have to go back to the same article anyway?" she said. A Wikipedia book of all of your favorite articles might be worth the cost if you don't have a computer nearby (which is probably unlikely), but if you're not willing to pay $8 for every 100 pages, the site isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
The editorial represents the opinion of the majority of The Mirror editorial board. What is your opinion? Write to us: mirror.comment@gmail.com
THE FAIRFIELD MIRROR The Mirror welcomes the opinions and contributions of its readers:
Letters to the editor must be timely and submitted by disk, e-mailed to themirror.feedback@mail.com or submitted through our Web site: www.fairfieldmirror.com. Once received, all letters become property of The Mirror. There are no guarantees of publication and all submissions must be signed. The Mirror reserves the right to edit letters and articles for content, length and grammatical error. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks, and should contain correct and factual information. Please keep letters to under 350 words. Include a daytime phone number at which the author can be reached.
Contributed photo
With the publication of Wikipedia articles in print, the site is even closer to taking over the world.
8 April 16, 2009
Commentary
The
Keep the stripper pole, lose the pet: by
Daniel Leit達o
a hidden appearance on campus in large quantities. The Student Handbook states, "Pets are not permitted in student residences, with the exception of fish in a container of no more than 10 gallons," which is actually a relatively large tank. But are live-in pets such a huge problem? It seems that there has been an abundance of cats on campus this year, roaming around campus, which probably started as cute kittens in the dorm. Dogs tend to be too difficult to hide in a dorm because they don't use litter boxes, but that does not mean they have not called Fairfield home before. Gerbils, hamsters and bunnies are often more common than cats and dogs, because their small size makes them easier to hide.
Wouldn't it be great to walk into a dorm room and there, in the center of the room, was a golden stripper pole? Most guys would instantly agree to come to Fairfield if they saw a stripper pole in a dorm room on their tour. Kent State University, on the other hand, has officially banned stripper poles from residence halls. Putting aside all of the physical benefits that a stripper workout can provide its students, Kent State has banned the item because bolting it to the ceiling and floor is destructive as well as a fire hazard, as crazy as that sounds. Luckily, it is only the pole that is banned, and students can be resourceful with other items. One might be surprised by what is banned from Fairfield dorms, even after lifting the ban on drinking paraphernalia this year. You've seen the 'Not Allowed' posters hanging in the dorms that forbid items like fireworks, halogen bulbs, candles, airsoft guns, George Foreman Grills, etc. This is not to say that students have not found themselves shot by an airsoft pellet or have not had their printers melted by halogen bulbs. However, our student handbook does not ban anything like stripper poles per se, nor does it say that strippers are not allowed on campus to the best of this writer's knowledge. Quite possibly the worst day in recent history at Fairfield was the day when kegs were banned. This one rule completely changed the party atmosphere on campus. Unlike all other banned items, kegs are the ones that have not made The physical benefits of a stripper pole are endless
by
Daniel Leit達o
In a college town such as Fairfield, certain things are expected to be available and to work properly, such as a cab system. It would make sense that with around 400 seniors living at the beach, we should be able to get to and from campus to the beach by cab and have it not be an extremely tiring affair. However, in the town of Fairfield, it is an incredibly defunct system. Fairfield Cab Company is the only taxi service allowed on campus, and cabs take over 30 minutes to arrive after receiving a call, even during the middle of the day. At night you might as well forget it, and walk to the beach or Bravo; chances are you will get their before a cab gets to you. Last year on a Tuesday night, there would be a gathering of students at the front gate to get a cab because they knew that the cab would never make it past the first gate, no matter what you said to the dispatcher. With fewer than 10 cabs from Fairfield Cab Company for a school of over 3,300 students, the math just does not seem to work out, especially when they are also serving the rest of the town of Fairfield with a population of 57,340. That is 10 cabs on a Friday night for basically 60,000 people. The stories reMirror file photo
Fairfield Cab serving the town of Fairfield ... or at least trying to.
Mirror
Adhering to Residence Life violations
For the more adventurous types, it is known that turtles have found residency at Fairfield, serving as betting props for staged races. Those lovable fighting beta fish given out by FUSA have also found themselves engaged in a few battles against each other to see whose fish would live. Besides violations with the school and possible cleanliness or allergy issues that a pet presents students with, it would seem that there is no moral issue with having a pet in your dorm as long as the animal has a home over the summer. However, any animal subjected to living with college students could provide grounds for animal cruelty. Whether liquor ends up in the fishbowl or loud drunken students scare hamsters at 1 a.m., students are bound to find something entertaining at the expense of the animal. Then again, most people do not get an animal to torture it, and most pets that call Fairfield home are in a loving environment. Let's be honest- what beach house, townhouse, apartment or dorm does not want an animal like the one Kenny Chesney sings about? "We had a dog named Bocephus livin in the front yard. He liked sleeping out on top of the car, he drank beer out of a mason jar and he'd climb up on everyone in bed." As students, we all hope that our pet becomes like a college student, like Bocephus. However, if you don't feel like adding another resident to your room, don't forget you can still always get a stripper if you want to feel unconditional love, just Peter Caty/The Mirror without the pole.
Dude, where's my cab?
garding the Fairfield cab services present a wide spectrum of unique situations from drivers coming to pick students up in their pickup trucks when they are off-duty, to buying alcohol for passengers after the students' fake IDs have been turned down, to a driver being issued a criminal trespass warning (not being allowed back on campus) earlier this year after doing donuts in the snow with passengers behind Donnarumma, Not to mention, they are known for their extortionist prices that they charge when squeezing in an illegal passenger. With drivers doing donuts on campus, one would wonder whether a drunk driver or a cab driver would be the safer person behind the wheel. Students, for the most part, look past these many shortcomings because of the end result: they get us where we need to be eventually. Eileen Delaney '11 said, "Whenever I walk in there, they're good about service, but sometimes on the phone they blow you off." But a cab service
should never give you the feeling of being blown off. Whether you are sitting in a cab station or on the phone with the cab service, the customer expects good service. However, it seems as though the Fairfield Cab Compnay may have something against the students of Fairfield. Sarah Kennedy '11 said, "Well I think some of the drivers are creepy; it's just a pain sometimes having to wait for them because there are so few cabs for the number of students who want to take them, especially on popular going out nights at Fairfield." A surprising factor about Fairfield Cab is the state of the cabs themselves. You would expect in a town such as Fairfield that they would want their cabs to be pristine. I could under-
stand sending cabs that are worse for wear to Fairfield on a Friday night because of the risk of vomit or other damage. However, when families take these cabs from the train station to the admissions building on campus, what type of message does it send about the town of Fairfield? While Fairfield Cab provides students with a service, having only one cab company does a great disservice to students. When they are late, students can miss trains; when they drive recklessly and act in a sketchy manner towards passengers, it turns off students from using the cab company all together, forcing them to walk to their destinations if they have no other option. Having under 10 cabs on a Friday night is just not practical, and something must be done, even if it means a new cab company.
Entertainment
Editor: Whitney Douglas
April 16, 2009
Prince attempts comeback with new double album
9
www.fairfieldmirror.com
Nick Anderson (U-Wire/
Hendrix's "Foxy Lady." Why does he do this? Because he's Prince and it The Observer) works. Of course, this also serves as a reminder that Prince has no intention Being an aging artist is hard. The of giving up his position as Hendrix's Rolling Stones are a shell of their forheir apparent. "$," "Wall of Berlin" mer selves; Bob Dylan is on the verge and "Dreamer" showcase some of his of being incomprehensible; Elton best guitar work since the closing of John is selling out tours because of the 80's. songs that are 30 years old. It's incredSome of the best moments occur ibly rare for an artist to be relevant when Prince gives up his falsetto and in more than one era. About the only electric guitar and stops sounding so exception is Johnny Cash. The impormuch like Prince. "Colonized Mind," tant question for any artist attempting which could be found on Prince's a similar comeback is, "How?" Web site before the album, provides The easy answer to this quesa great example of this. Some of the tion is a "hip" cover and a couple of worst moments come when Prince strong albums. Prince started down sounds too much like Prince. Instead this road in 2006 with a festival stopof moving forward, Prince is treading ping cover of "Creep" (If you haven't water sonically. (In fact, his weakest heard it, stop reading and find it on moments of the last 15 years could be YouTube). Now all that is left is a summed up as this.) couple of strong albums for a full "MPLSound" reclaims the disPrince comeback. tinct funk and soul sound that Prince Instead of being content funnelhelped popularize years ago. Clearly, ing his last several years of effort into he hasn't lost his touch writing songs. a single album, Prince has decided to While his rock tracks were always go all out and release a double album more popular, his funk tracks are along with an album from his latest tighter, catchier, and better examples protégé, Bria Valente. Conveniently, of pop music. his two albums, "Lotusflow3r" and After three excellent tracks, "MPLSound," and Valente's "Elixer" Prince slows down for the soul ballad, all come packaged as a set, sold exclu"U're Gonna C Me", which proves to sively at Target for under $12. It's hard be the weakest song from both disks. to find cheaper music (legally). It feels both out of place and forced. Any Prince fan will know how Prince finishes strong with four excelContributed photo to handle Valente's disk. Expect that Lotusflow3r, half of Prince's new double album, does well to satisfy fans lent songs (one of which is an ode to same types of songs that we've heard Selma Hayek centering on her todfrom other earlier Prince protégés fall into two separate genres; "Lotusflow3r" The track (it's hard to call it a song) draws dler), which more than make amends such as Sheila E., Apollonia and Carmen plays as a straight rock album while "MPL- the listener into the world of Prince with for a sagging middle. Electra. The music, being wholly written and Sound" jumps between funk and ballads. Both a guitar solos, drum machines, and other As often happens when double albums produced by Prince, has its high points, but contain their fair share of highlights without worldly sounds. are released, Prince has spread himself too beyond that, it's entirely forgettable. After one outshining the other. The high points of the album come thin. There are easily enough good songs to a single listen, there isn't a single song that "From the Lotus …" the opening track, quickly. "Crimson and Clover," a pop stan- create a single great Prince album. would cause a listener to put this disk back welcomes the listener into what can only dard, becomes incredible in Prince's skilled E i t h e r w a y, a m e d i o c r e P r i n c e into a CD player. be described as a dark alley of the Internet hands. Not only does he play it like he wrote album is better than 90 percent of the Moving on to the Prince songs, the disks where these songs must have been recorded. it, he throws in a couple line taken from music out there. by
New student art exhibit a must see
Students of the Studio Art Program featured their work for the first time at the opening ceremony for the "Creative Scape Seminar Exhibition" on Tuesday. Students from the junior and senior classes presented projects of many different media, from video installations with accompanying sets, like Kathleen Reilly's "Allex Vous-En (Go)," and oil paintings on canvas, to on-wall magazine collages, to Kathi Sorretino's "Starbucks Man," a hanging paper sculpture made entirely of Starbucks materials. These works will be available to see in the Loyola Hall Galleries until May 7th. Gallery Hours: MondayWednesday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
All photos by Lily Norton
10 April 16, 2009
by
JP Porretta
Entertainment
The
Beautiful, yet dull in 'Spirit'
Mirror
Frank Miller's latest DVD release fails to wow
It's no argument that the comic book genre has taken the film industry by storm these last few years. With "Sin City" and "300," both box office sensations, writer/director Frank Miller seemed to be blessed with a golden lens, being a visionary and pioneer for the new innovative genre. Despite all this though, Miller's latest work "The Spirit" failed to capitalize on his potential. "The Spirit" tells the story of a police officer named Denny Colt (played by Gabriel Macht), who is gunned down in a line of fire, only to be mysteriously brought back to life. Discovering his power of immortality, Colt transforms himself into a masked superhero, watching over his beloved city and protecting it from criminals. A conflict of interests arises in our hero, though, when it appears that his long, lost love Sand Saref (Eva Mendes) is seemingly placed in connection with infamous villain The Octopus (Samuel Jackson). The story takes off from here as the Spirit attempts to learn the truth about his childhood sweetheart, while the villain The Octopus works hard with his partner Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson) on a plan to wipe out the entire city. While the filmed is blessed with a beautiful A-list cast and mesmerizing visuals, "The Spirit" is severely wounded by it's dull and predictable plot line and uninteresting character development. Like most of the movie's audience, I had never even heard of the superhero The Spirit before, let alone read one of his comics as a child. So, unlike the Batman or Spiderman franchises, I went into this movie with absolutely no attachment to any character, and sadly, I went out of this movie with absolutely no attach-
ment to any character. Along with a non-captivating story line, the film was hurt once again by its poor dialogue. Scenes that were supposed to evoke feelings of suspense and surprise only left me laughing or rolling my eyes, all because of the unintentionally comical and corny word choice. Despite a lackluster storyline, one thing "The Spirit" can do is draw viewers in with its incredible visuals. Just like Miller's previous works, "Sin City" and "300," the film's definitive aspect is in an innovative use of color and the magic of a green screen. While "The Spirit" may be a step down from his previous works, Frank Miller will no doubt learn from his mistakes, and hopefully make his next film his biggest one yet. While the story may be dull, "The Spirit's" stunning visuals and the gorgeous Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes are reasons enough to make this movie worth the $3 rental.
For more go online: www.fairfieldmirror.com/entertainment
Contributed Photo
Despite the stunning visuals, the plot of "The Spirit" disappoints. Advertisement
Coffee Break
Editor: Lily Norton
Josh Kenney
J
ust in case you’ve been living under a rock, there’s only a month left until graduation. As the bittersweet day draws ever closer, it leads us seniors to think about all the good times we still need to have before we say goodbye to this wonderful place we’ve called home for the past four years. So let’s cut the sappy bit, shall we? If you’re sober right now, I venture to ask, why? There’s certainly no excuse for temperance at this point in the game. After all, what could be so important? You just woke up? How about before you brush your teeth, go pound a beer. See, now you’re awake! You’re hung over? Good for you! You know, the best way to get rid of that pounding headache is to have another beer. You have to go to class? Not an excuse. Just bring a stiff drink with you. I guarantee it will make the experience all the more enjoyable. You have a test to study for? Psht. A good friend of mine goes
April 16, 2009
HE said / SHE said April: The final stretch
by the motto, “If you aren’t failing the class, there’s no need to study.” Hell, if it works for him and it works for me, I’m sure it’ll work for you. The best part about drinking 24/7 is that you never need to pregame for a party; you’ll always be halfway there. As an added bonus, your tolerance will become epic. Just throw in a morning beer pong workout and you’ll be guaranteed to trounce every opponent that comes your way. If you aren’t currently drinking or sleeping, there should only be one other thought that crosses your mind. Sex. We all know deep down that long distance relationships never work, so get it while the getting is good. The moral of the story here is to not have any regrets about your college experience. I, like some of you, have fallen into the category of “would have, should have, and could have” many times this past year. But screw it. We’re graduating in a month. Make it a good one.
I
f I see one more Facebook album titled “The Final Stretch” or “oNe LaSt SeMeStEr,” I may spontaneously erupt in tears. Not at the lack of creativity, but at the direct acknowledgement that after college, engaging in such debauchery is actually known as alcoholism. So, here is my personal bucket list (9 for 2009!) to complete before May 17th. Instead of citing the standard options, I’ve offered some more “creative” ideas in the hopes that you may join me in a few of these nonsensical ventures. 1. Somehow remove myself from Domino’s “black list,” a.k.a. list of callers who mysteriously “disappear” after ordering the 5-5-5 deal and 2 cheesy breads. “Blacklisting” occurs when the doorbell rings and the delivery man hears your snore in return. If you are a. significantly heavier than freshman year, b. still single because of your affinity for late night snacking rather than the latenight “hang out at my house” or “beer pong with my roommates” scenarios or c. all of the above, call me, because we can work together on removing our names from the list.
11
www.fairfieldmirror.com
Kristen McManus
2. Get He Said to come to the Grape, where anything can happen. 3. Find a way to express my extreme distaste at the angry, angry man who runs the Fairfield Cab Service. 4. On that note, wait outside Beachside Deli/Grape for a cab and steal it directly from a gaggle of freshman girls, only to take it halfway up Beach Rd. while waving at them. 5. Run a campus turkey off the road or roast one at a beach bonfire (apologies for sounding a bit violent). 6. Find out why Hutch is always so… energetic. 7 . Ta p t h e person who taptap-taps on their Blackberry during class on the shoulder and loudly whisper “Seriously, who are you texting?” 8. Ask the next person you see pushing the handicap button to open the doors to the BCC if actually pulling open the door causes them to become short of breath. 9. Cliché, but acting “college” for these last few weeks because this is the very last call.
12 April 16, 2009
Coffee Break
The
Mirror
Sports
www.fairfieldmirror.com
April 16, 2009
13
Tom Cleary
Lily Norton
Chris Simmons
Editor-in-Chief
Executive Editor
Managing Editor
Under new management
Better question, how sweet are these photos? What am I a serial killer? (Notice how I avoided offending the baseball team again.) Does it matter? It's MAAC lacrosse. That's like the NL West of college lax.
1. Can Stags baseball finish the year strong or is fast start a fluke?
With the pitching they have, this may actually be their year to make it at least to the MAAC tournament.
Win or lose, let's just hope they won't embarrass themselves like The Mirror club softball team did last week.
2. Can women's lacrosse finish the MAAC season undefeated?
Yes. The win over Marist was all they needed. But now they need to finish when it matters.
Women running around and hitting each other with sticks ... Isn't that an activity suited for people in lair?
Orioles. But it doesn't really matter when both teams have 70 wins.
Better question, what do you like more: Oreo's or ... Orioles win.
Let's go O's. Orioles Magic. O-R-I-O-L-E-S.
4. Better NFL prospect: Greg Greg Paulus knows how to take a hit and fall fast, so at least he has Paulus or Mark Sanchez?
Anyone who works out with the Packers is the green apple of my eye, so Paulus.
Only if Paulus can flop in the NFL. And Tom needs to stop subtly changing my answers and using them as his own.
5. Can Isiah Thomas turn Ask any Knicks fan that question around Florida International? and see what they say.
I give up.
3. Toss-up: Who will have better record: Orioles or Blue Jays?
that.
Yes. He'll be able to recruit. Next year's final: Fairfield vs. FIU. Cooley vs. Isiah.
Want more Mirror Sports? Visit us on our blog: www.mirrorsports.blogspot.com Advertisement
14 April 16, 2009
Sports
Mirror
Photo of the Week
Men's Lacrosse
Staggering back: Two consecutive losses has put men's lacrosse (6-4 on the season) in a difficult position heading into its last three games of the season. Needing wins in the ECAC to earn a spot in NCAA tournament, the Stags have the tough task of playing against No. 15 Loyola (MD) and No. 12 UMass, as well as St. John's. The Stags lost 18-11 on Saturday at Yale, a week after dropping a game to Georgetown, also on the road. But Fairfield still controls its destiny as the Stags (3-1 in ECAC play) remain in third place in the conference, but plays the two teams ahead of them, Loyola (3-1) and UMass (4-0). Fairfield will travel to play at Loyola in Baltimore on April 18 and then return home to face UMass on April 21 at 3 p.m. Softball
Pole position: After a rough start to the season on their spring trip to Florida, the Stags softball team has bounced back to start the MAAC season with a 5-1 record, putting them in first place. The Stags split their last series, against Siena on April 9 and 10 in Loudonville, N.Y. But a scheduled series against Iona this past weekend at Fairfield had to be postponed due to rain. Sophomore outfielder Kristina Lingo leads the Stags with a .304 batting average, while junior Meghan Borst has a team-high three home runs and 22 RBI. On the mound, sophomore Sarah Minice has a MAAC-high 11 wins to go along with a team-low 2.75 earned run average. Women's Lacrosse
©2009 ERNST & YOUNG LLP. Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm located in the US.
Still rolling: With a 4-0 conference record and only two games left to play in the MAAC, the Stags women's lacrosse team is once again on pace for an undefeated record. Overall their record sits at 11-2, already one loss more than they had a year ago, but still an impressive one. After a 18-8 victory over Holy Cross on April 7, the Stags faced LIU on Wednesday (see www.mirrorsports.blogspot.com for results and analysis). Fairfield finishes its season with two games at home this weekend against conference foes Canisius and Niagara. Kristen Coleman '11 leads the Stags with 56 points, (40 goals, teamhigh 16 assits), while senior Rebecca White has a team-high 43 goals.
Peter Caty/The Mirror
The men's lacrosse team takes the field. The Stags droppped to 6-4 after a loss to Yale on Saturday.
Male Stag-lete of the Week ATHLETE: Rob Gariano '10 SPORT: Baseball ACHIEVEMENT: The staff ace pitched a gem against St. Peter's on Sunday, throwing a one-hitter and striking out 15 Peacocks, while not allowing a runner past second base. The game was the third consecutive with at least 10 or more strikeouts for Gariano. On the season Gariano has a 4-3 record and a 3.16 ERA. His 55 strikeouts leads both the Stags and MAAC. He was named MAAC Pitcher of the Week for his effort.
Female Stag-lete of the Week ATHLETE: Sarah Minice '11 SPORT: Softball ACHIEVEMENT: For the second time this season Minice earns the Stag-lete of the Week honor after a MAAC Pitcher of the Week award. She threw a no-hitter against Siena in the second game of a doubleheader last week, bouncing back from allowing a walk-off home run in the first game. She finished the series with 12 strikeouts and just two hits allowed in 13 innings. She leads the conference with 11 wins.
Day one and the journey’s just begun
Day one. It’s what you’ve been waiting for. When your career star training and support. When your skills are developed through exp your success is driven by individual coaching, mentoring and coun to helping you achieve your potential. So, whether your career lie services, shouldn’t your day one be at Ernst & Young?
What’s next for your future? Visit ey.com/us/eyinsight and our Facebook page.
www.fairfieldmirror.com
Sports
April 16, 2009
Baseball
by
15
Stags look to close out season with strong effort
Tom Cleary
A strong start is not unusual for Fairfield baseball. A strong finish is. Last season the men's baseball team started strong in Metro Atlantic Athletic (MAAC) play, posting an 8-4 record. But the Stags collapsed down the stretch, finishing the season on an eight-game losing streak and ending with an 11-13 conference record. Fairfield missed the MAAC playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. This year, the pitching staff that was Fairfield's downfall at the end of last year is its strength. The Stags lead the MAAC with a 4.75 earned run average and while the offense has struggled as of late, the pitching has been quick to pick up the slack. Juniors Rob Gariano and Kevin Fico, who have been in the Stags starting rotation since their freshman seasons, combined to shutout St. Peter's in a doubleheader on Sunday. Gariano started the series with a one-hit, 15 strikeout performance in Fairfield's 3-0 win. Fico followed that by allowing six hits and striking out five in the Stags 1-0 victory. In his first two seasons at Fairfield, Gariano combined for an 8-12 record and a 4.41 ERA. Fico posted a 1-12 record with a 6.51 ERA in his first two season. This year, Gariano has started 4-3 and has a 3.16 ERA. He leads the MAAC in strikeouts with 55 on the year and has struck out at least 10 batters in his past three seasons. The key to the Stags early season Fico is 3-2 with a 3.29 ERA. success has been their pitching. The bullpen has also been solid for Peter Caty/The Mirror Fairfield's team ERA is best in the the Stags, led by senior Dan Gallagher, Junior pitcher Kevin Fico combined with classmate Rob Gariano to shut down the St. Peter's MAAC at 4.75. who set the Fairfield career record for Peacocks on Sunday. Fico allowed six hits and struck out five for his first career shutout. appearances with 57 and has a team-low Stags ERA leaders 2.41 ERA. Junior Justin Servino has taken "This year he has improved his secondary pitches. With three pitches of that quality, he can (minimum 10 innings pitched): over the closer role of late and has a 3.18 ERA to go be real good every time out." along with five saves. The Stags have seen important contributions from a trio of freshman, starter Sam RobDan Gallagher - 2.41 Head coach Jeff Slosar said that the key to his ertson (2-1, 3.78 in five starts), Ryan Furbeck (16 RBI as starting centerfielder) and Mark pitching staffs turn-around is their experience. Skrapits (.340 batting average, 17 RBI). Rob Gariano - 3.16 "With the addition of a couple new pitchers, "They have been very important," Slosar said. "They are all ballplayers and are along with an improved work ethic, the pitchers very talented." Justin Servino - 3.18 have been better," Slosar said. "With success has Tucker Nathans has continued to lead from the plate, with a team-high .381 come confidence." batting average and 20 RBI. Kevin Fico - 3.29 Slosar added that Gariano has improved this "We need to keep it going," Slosar said. "We need players to keep playing the way we can season as well, as he has throughout his career. and not look too far ahead. I hate to use that cliche, but it is true. We can beat anybody on the "It has been a steady progression," Slosar said. schedule and lose to anybody. We just need to focus on today's game."
Mound magic
uv & uv-free tanning specials just in time for spring break
A Z Z I P E FRE
WESTPORT PLAZA
DAY DNES CH E W Y EVER T IN MARersity NIGHFairfield Univ-6pm! for all
1864 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880
203-256-1109
ts 4 Studen
5 TANS
20
$
3 UV-FREE
TANS
39
$
PREMIER MEMBERS SAVE EVEN MORE.
Present this coupon at Palm Beach Tan and receive 5 silver level tans for just $20 or get $20 off first month Palm Beach Tan Premier Rewards membership and start-up. 5 Silver Tans expire 30 days from date of purchase. New and existing members, one time only. See salon associate for complete details
Present this coupon at Palm Beach Tan and receive 3 UV-FREE tanning sessions for just $39. New and existing members, one time only. See salon associate for complete details.
EXPIRES 3/31/09.
EXPIRES 3/31/09. 09-NET-068
Sports
Editor: Tom Cleary
Hope springs eternal
Baseball season brings optimism for all fans, even those from Baltimore and Fairfield
April 16, 2009
16
www.fairfieldmirror.com
Smashing success
Chris Simmons
Managing Editor
Every year, people predict the decline of professional baseball. Exorbitant salaries, steroids and now the economy are all reasons for fans to avoid the ballpark. But Opening Day erases all of those fears. Sure, attendance may be slightly down, but even after 11-straight losing seasons, even Oriole fans still get excited. (Side note No. 1): Jeremy Guthrie will make $650,000 this season. C.C. Sabathia, $23 million. Just saying.) As two Yankee fans, a Red Sox fan and myself went to a local watering hole to watch the O's play the Yanks on Opening Day, I was confident that the Birds could win. (Side note No. 2 to Alison Berger: I was drinking Cokes). Baseball is like that, just take one game at a time and any team can win. Now at 5-2, the Orioles look like a contender. For now at least. Peter Caty/The Mirror Being stuck in Connecticut, in the midst of Red Sophomore Rob Ferrante and men's tennis have a 17-1 overall record, earning them the number one seed. Sox Nation and Yankee Universe, is tough for any fan of another team. This has been especially true since the Red Sox won two World Series in the past 91 years and yet their fans act like they've won 26. (Side note No. 3: I'm told that Yankee Universe is by Tom Cleary ever been ranked. a cancer charity. But still. Nation? Universe? Unless Fairfield will face a tough task in the MAAC tournayou're from those areas, stay out of Camden Yards.) This spring the Stags men's and women's tennis teams ment, where it lost in the finals to Marist last season, a team Even Fairfield baseball fans can pull some hope out have quietly put together impressive seasons. Both teams the Stags defeated 5-2 at home earlier this season. of a fast start to the season. The Stags haven't had a win- are expected to find success at the MAAC tournaments that "The Marist win was huge," Paige said. "We are not sure ning record since 2000 when they went 26-20 and last will be played this weekend in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. who we are playing yet, but it will be a tough matchup, we year the team went 14-36 overall. This year, the team is The men enter the tournament as the number one seed and have to play at our best." off to a 14-14 start, including 5-4 in the conference. earned a bye for the first round. The women are the number The Stags will face either Loyola, St. Peter's or Niagara in (Side note No. 4: Of course, last year Fairfield two seed and are favored in the first round. their first round of play with a chance to move to the finals. baseball was also off to a fast start at 8-4 in the MAAC. Paige said that the team has to play with an attitude where But the Stags went 3-9 to end the season. Still, that was Veteran leadership and youth combine for men they are not "afraid to lose." a better finish than the Orioles, who went 6-28 to finish "It's been a good run, we broke the Fairfield record for team up last year. But hey, let's keep things positive.) During the Stags men's tennis fall tournaments, head wins, but the big prize is still ahead," said Paige. The Orioles probably won't make playoffs. The coach Ed Paige noticed that there was something special Stags might. Of course, I'm rooting for both teams to about his team. Balanced effort leads to strong play for women make it. And the opening of any season gives any fan "It really all started at the Dartmouth Tournament," optimism, except maybe a Pirates fan. But like Washing- Paige said. "Dan [Sauter] had big wins against highly ranked With a 13-4 record overall and a 6-1 record in the ton Capitals fans, I'm not convinced that they actually Ivy League opponents and we had big wins in doubles." MAAC, the Stags women's team has also had an impressive exist. (Side note No. 5: This only applies to years other At that tournament, played Nov. 1 and 2 in Hanover, N.H., season, only to be overshadowed by their male counterparts. than 1988 and your team starts 0-21 like the Orioles). the Stags had both Sauter and Ryan Berthod advance past the Junior Paulina Rys, now in her third season as one of the Fresh blood energizes any fanbase as it has first round. Sauter fell in the semifinals of the tournament. team's top singles players, has led the way for the Stags again, with the Yankees free agent acquisitions and the Now as the Stags prepare for the Metro Atlantic Athletic with a 22-8 record and is riding a 14-game winning streak. Orioles hot prospects. Sophomore Tucker Nathans Conference (MAAC) tournament, Paige's observations have "Paulina has played phenomenally," Paige said. "She and freshman Mark Skrapits have helped Fairfield proved to be true. His team is 17-1, with a lone loss to Vil- can do more with the ball than others. She has a slice with to its record along with some of its veterans per- lanova and an undefeated conference season. Senior Chip her back hand that can bring the opponent in." forming better than years past. Palumbo has been a perfect leader for the Stags, while a trio The doubles play of Rys and freshman partner Kristen (Side note No. 6: The Stags are going to have to rely of freshmen have led the way. Liu has also been particularly strong for the Stags as they on fresh infusion of talent on the field because it doesn't Those freshmen, Aaron Chan, Joe Michalisin and Dan have a 14-4 record together. The team's other singles teams, look like head coach John Slosar is going anywhere. Sauter are a combined 53-13 in singles play. junior Dana Postupack and seniors Marisa Voloshin (10-3), Twenty-five years as head coach and only three sea"The freshmen have not played like freshmen," Paige as well as juniors Michaela Cerrone and Gretchen Amberg sons with the team more than three games above .500. said. "Joe and Dan have big games, great first serves and (10-3), have also been keys to the season. Let's just say George Steinbrenner and Peter Angelos are consistent. Aaron is very, very talented. He had very big Last season, the Stags entered the MAAC tournament wouldn't stand for that.) wins at Marist and UConn." as one of the favorites to win, but like the men, fell in the A team may have a terrible track record and no Meanwhile, three returning players, Palumbo (16-5), finals to Marist 7-0. Unlike the men, the women failed to get logical reason for hope. But no matter what, that's what junior Ryan Berthod (16-12) and sophomore Rob Ferrante revenge on the women this spring, losing 5-1. the beginning of each season brings. Even for Oriole (14-11) have also been key contributors. Palumbo, Berthod "If we remain levelheaded and take it one match at a and Stag fans. and Sauter have all been ranked by the ITA as the best play- time, we have a shot," Paige said. "To win, we have to play ers in the nation, the first time any Fairfield players have error free tennis, as error free as possible."
Men's and women's tennis favored in MAAC tournament
insideSPORTS:
Pitching leads baseball to series win over St. Peter's p. 15, This Week in sports p. 14, 3 x 5 p. 13