Fairfield Mirror 04/14/2021

THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of April 14, 2021

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Vol. 46 Iss. 19

Covid-19 Causes Study Abroad Cancellations

By Madeline West Assistant News Editor

Photo Contributed by Fairfield University

Fairfield nursing students help facilitate weekly testing on campus. Since elegibility in Connecticut has opened up to all residents above the age of 16, the Univeristy urges its students to get vaccinated and plans on becoming a vaccination site.

University Encourages Students to Get Vaccinated

By Molly Lamendola Editor-in-Chief

On April 1, the State of Connecticut expanded their eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination to include individuals 16 years of age and older.

With this decision, a majority of the Fairfield University student population is now able to receive the vaccine.

“We are encouraging all students to take advantage of this opportunity in Connecticut.

The CDC, State Department of Health and other medical experts believe the best way to protect our community is to get vaccinated,” said Vice President for Student Life, Karen Donoghue.

She continued by stating that Fairfield is trying to make this process as easy as possible for students. They’re doing so by offering travel vouchers for those who need transportation and raffling off prizes for those who are able to receive the vaccine before the semester closes.

To further help in this process, Fairfield University is attempting to bring a vaccine clinic right to campus.

In an email sent out by the Office of the President on March 31, President Mark Nemec Ph.D. stated that “We have recently learned that Governor Lamont has announced that the Johnson

& Johnson vaccine will be made available to the campuses of the state’s universities by early May, so we anticipate that our students will be able to receive this vaccine on campus at this time.”

Julia Duffy, Director of the Student Health Center, said that the goal is to bring a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on campus.

“The timing of the clinic is dependent on Fairfield University receiving a vaccine allocation from the State of Connecticut. Our understanding is the allocation will be granted in early May,” Duffy said.

There have been discussions circulating on whether or not Fairfield will mandate the COVID-19 vaccine, especially after President Nemec announced in his March 31 email that “we are preparing for a full schedule of in-person undergraduate classes when the fall semester begins, and that we will resume to the degree possible the in-person on campus events that accompany student life.”

Donoghue stated that “Decisions regarding vaccine mandates have not been made.

However, 75 percent of students surveyed last month indicated a willingness to get vaccinated and over 475 students have already been vaccinated!”

The survey Donoghue is referencing was released to

students on March 22 by the Office of Institutional Research.

Jennifer Anderson, Vice President of Marketing & Communication, released a summary of the results to The Mirror.

She stated that the overall response rate of the survey was 47.6 percent, with a total of 2,571 students responding. 81 percent responded that they have either received at least one dose of the vaccine or that they would want to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.

15 percent of the students said their willingness to receive the vaccine would be dependent on the brand/type they would receive, while four percent of students indicated that they would not receive the vaccine.

Junior Shamrock Barrera, would’ve been part of that 15 percent of students whose willingness to participate was dependent on the brand of vaccine.

“I was unaware that Fairfield had any plans to offer on-campus vaccinations,” He said. “But, I personally wanted to get the Pfizer or Moderna Vaccine, so hearing rumors that Fairfield is only offering Johnson & Johnson would’ve pushed me into looking off-campus anyway.”

Junior Luka Zedginidze disagreed and said he’d receive the vaccine on campus even if it was the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.

The chance to study abroad is an opportunity that many college students look forward to experiencing in their time here at Fairfield University.

Fairfield offers study abroad programs in Aix-enProvence, France; Brisbane, Australia; Florence, Italy; Galway, Ireland; London, England and Madrid and Spain.

Fairfield also offers students additional study abroad opportunities through their partnerships with other universities which affords students the choice to study abroad in 40 couontries around the world, according to their website.

Despite an increase in students receiving a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, as well as the continuing distribution abroad, the status of study abroad programs remains uncertain.

This same uncertain status of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes and cancellations for the study abroad programs being

Photo Courtesy of @fairfieldabroad on Instagram

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FUSA Recognizes Female Leaders Across Campus

By Molly Lamendola Editor-in-Chief

Fifty years ago this year, with The Carpenters, The Beatles and Edwin Starr ringing across campus, the first class of female undergraduate students moved in. It’s been a milestone that Fairfield University has pulled out all stops to try and celebrate.

But, the mission to truly honor this occasion has seemingly been headed by one organization, the Fairfield University Student Association.

Last semester, FUSA wanted to focus on celebrating the accomplishments of past Fairfield students, and women off-campus. They held two events to do this — one was a panel with former female FUSA presidents, and the other allowed students to hear entrepreneur and activist Shiza Shahid.

Students who attended the event were given custom “50 Years of Women” crewneck sweatshirts to further spread the word of this momentous occasion.

This semester, they wanted to focus on the future, and what current female-identifying students are doing in and around campus.

Members of the FUSA Marketing and Public Relations Board worked on a four-part IGTV video series, and then a digital magazine, that fea-

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INSIDE

offered for the upcoming school year.

Due to recent cancellations for Summer 2021, as well as some programs already cancelled in preparation for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, students who are looking to participate, and those who are not, both face housing concerns related to the status of these programs.

tured female student leaders who have made an impact on their peers.

“I think it’s important for FUSA to help celebrate this milestone because we represent the student body, and students are the present and future of Fairfield University,” Jaclyn Burns, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for FUSA stated.

Going on to say, “While this anniversary celebrates the accomplishments of women over the past 50 years, it also reminds us that there’s more to come, and that starts right now with female leaders on our campus.”

The digital magazine was a particularly large feat. It is 27 pages of fully designed content, featuring 24 women who were nominated by their peers to be part of the campaign, for their efforts in making a difference across campus.

“I felt incredibly grateful to be nominated for my efforts on campus, and that some people saw potential in me,” Chloe Riven ‘21, a student featured in the campaign stated. “My main goal in life is to help others, regardless of the recognition. This nice gesture reinforces my knowledge that what I do for others is appreciated.”

Senior

Jessica

Castillo

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News

Opinion

Vine

Sports

Read about FUSA’s second annual Pride March.

Student states Fairfield University should have an on-campus COVID vaccine clinic.

Learn about the tastiest pizza joints in Fairfield!

The Fairfield University baseball team is the only undefeated Division I team in the nation.

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News

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

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FUSA & GSA Host 2nd Annual Pride Event

By Molly Lamendola Editor-in-Chief

By Madison Gallo Head News Editor

The Mirror / Madeline West

(From left: Eddie Nicolas ‘22, Mikaela Pratt ‘24, Lindsey Gallagher ‘23, Manjot Singh ‘23, Valentina Montalvo ‘23, Ruby Francis ‘22, Stephanie Prado ‘22, Julia Talamini ‘22, Renee Babin ‘21) The second annual Pride March at Fairfield was hosted FUSA and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance hosted the second annual Pride March.

On Sunday, April 11, the Fairfield University Student’s Association partnered with the Gender and Sexuality Alliance to hold the Second Annual Pride March. Though the event was originally set to be held outside, due to inclement weather, it was moved into the lower level of the John A. Barone Campus Center.

At the event, attendees were able to tie-dye shirts that featured the FUSA logo atop of Pride flags, make bracelets and pick up pride flags, stickers and pins.

There were sever-

al speakers at the event including Professors Niall Brennan Ph.D. and Tiffany Wilgar Ph.D. President of GSA Ruby Francis ‘23 also spoke at the event and the importance of creating visibility for the LGBTQ+ community on campus.

“When I first came to Fairfield, I had no idea if there was a queer community here, and if there was, where would I find?” Francis said. “I’ve gotten to know so many lovely people through the club, but GSA is not the end all be all of the LGBTQ+

community on this campus.”

Francis echoed the calls made for visibility and stated that “visibility is more than just showing people that we exist.”

However, Francis remains hopeful that not only visibility will be achieved, but that Fairfield will become “A place where LGBTQ+ students can truly and authentically not only exist but thrive.”

In a statement sent to The Mirror, Francis emphasized the importance of Pride.

She went on to state that it allows those in the LGBTQ+ community, “A chance to celebrate, as well as remember those who came before us and the work that still needs to be done.”

She went further to state the importance of a Pride Event at Fairfield University, due to its position as a Jesuit Catholic University, “Many LGBTQ+ students here feel out of place or even unsafe at times and an event like the Pride March is an important step in making this campus more accepting. The LGBTQ+ community here deserves to be celebrated and supported and it must go beyond events like this,” said Francis.

This is not the only Pride March held this year, there was one held last semester but it was thrown solely by FUSA, and GSA was not included in the planning of this event. This caused some disappointment felt by Francis and other members of GSA. Though they were included in the planning for the event last year, this year they were only notified of the event a few days prior, and as Francis stated that, “The

event had little to do with Pride besides rainbows, despite it occurring during LGBTQ+ history month.”

In an attempt to rectify the situation, they reached out to FUSA and Francis states that they simply stated GSA’s lack of involvement was an oversight and that they were focused on the University’s COVID-19 guidelines.

“Which in my opinion” Francis stated, “Does not excuse not involving us, especially as we were included in planning the Pride March the year before.”

She went further to state, “Our club’s involvement is very necessary as representatives of Fairfield’s LGBTQ+ community. We know how to rightfully represent the community and what LGBTQ+ students want to see in an event like this.”

The Mirror reached out to

FUSA for comment, and Aarushi Vijay ‘22, the Director of FUSA’s Diversity and Inclusion Board stated that they acknowledged the mistake and apologized for not including them.

She went on to state, “Since then, we have moved forward and worked closely with them on the planning and execution of the Second Annual Pride March. We are excited that we were able to partner with GSA for this event and hope our collaborative effort will serve to make this tradition more meaningful for the LGBTQ+ community on campus” For students who want to get involved in GSA, you can find them on Life@Fairfield, email them at fairfieldualliance@gmail.com, and follow them on Instagram @fualliance.

The Mirror / Madison Gallo

Sophomores Carmen Phan and Tess Morrissey tie dye shirts at the Pride March event. Other activities available for attendees included bracelet making and listening to speakers.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

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Inspirational Women Look to Fairfield’s Future

Compiled by Madeline West Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

4/10 1:08 a.m.

There were narcotics violations at the townhouses.

All of the peripheral and marjuana was confiscated.

Referred to student conduct.

4/10 1:58 a.m.

There was tampering with fire equipment on a residence on North Benson Road. Referred to the University fire marshal and student conduct.

4/10 6:32 p.m.

A television was thrown out of a second floor window of the townhouses. No one was injured in the incident. Referred to student conduct.

4/10 11:15 p.m.

DPS assisted Fairfield P.D. regarding an individual reporting missing. Student was found on campus and a student host was referred to student conduct.

4/11 9:51 p.m.

Motor vehicle accident regarding two Fairfield Prep faculty. No injuries were sustained.

4/11 1:56 a.m.

Disorderly conduct from a student who failed to comply with officers requests while at the checkpoint. Referred to student conduct.

4/12 10:26 a.m.

Fairfield Prep reported two windows smashed in the ladies bathroom in Xavier Hall.

THE MIRROR

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

agreed, “Honestly, it was such a high honor to know that someone that mentors me or teaches me thought of me as a worthwhile leader, especially during these uncertain times.”

Senior Stephanie Brij-Raj stated that though the recognition is “awesome” it was not the sole reason for her motivation as a leader, “I do what I do simply because I enjoy it — I know how much I have benefitted from the strong women leaders in my life and they have influenced who I am and how I lead.”

She went further to state, “I believe that the role of a leader is to positively influence others and this nomination made me feel as though it was being recognized, which is the best outcome I could ask for.”

Though the milestone is important to celebrate, there is still a focus on the work that still needs to be done, both by FUSA and the woman celebrated.

“I am fortunate enough to have not experienced gender discrimination on campus but unfortunately, I have witnessed negative experiences regarding gender discrimination on campus,” Brij-Raj stated. “I was a TA for a class composed of two girls and eighteen boys, so the ratio was already skewed.”

She goes on to state that there was a group project that was composed of one girl and four boys. By the time they were ready to present, they were unable to, as something about

the group dynamic was off.

“One of the professors blamed the whole thing on the one girl in the group and said it was her fault and claimed that as the girl in her group, it was up to her to make sure that the group was communicating well and on track in terms of completing the project,” Brij-Raj continued, “I was completely shocked that this was coming from a professor, as I believe that as a professor, he should be encouraging to his students.”

Brij-Raj reported this incident but is not sure what ended up happening.

But, this incident taught her that one of the best ways to combat gender discrimination is, “To keep persevering to show that we, as women, are capable of doing what men can do,” she said. “Actions are the most effective form of proof.”

Senior Chloe Riven states that she has faced discrimination not necessarily based on gender, but due to, “being a female minority Asian American student that resided in predominantly White surroundings.”

Though she is studying remotely this semester, on-campus she stated that she has, “Always faced casual racism or heard comments related to my ethnicity. Even if the comments were not intentional or even directed towards me, I would notice discrimination.”

She said that the best way for her to stand up for herself was to take action, and “To be open and honest,

upfront

and understanding.”

“I usually do not like to approach any negative situation with hostility, as I believe this will not get people to change for the better. Rather, I appreciate sparking genuine conversations.”

If we do not talk about problems like discrimination, this will never better the environment we live in,” Riven remarked.

“

Gender equality isn’t just going to come down to lifting up women, it comes from making space and promoting equality for everyone.”

- Kiersten Bjork ‘21 She continued to say that she commends Fairfield University for taking action in vital instances when necessary, such as after the death of George Floyd, and as well as the violence against the Asian and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) after the “devastating” Atlanta shootings.

Many stated that the campaign was a step in the right direction in terms of bettering gender equality.

Senior Kiersten

Bjork agreed with this sentiment, but stated, “There is always more to be done.”

Bjork believes that “Making sure to market the women’s sports teams and their events to the same extent that the men’s team are promoted, creating spaces for people outside of the conventional straight, white, able-bodied male box that so many fields and industries expect to be the norm.”

She continued to state it can just be simple alterations to everyday statements, like “men and women” or “ladies and gentlemen” to make them more gender-inclusive to people “thriving outside of those two terms.”

“Gender equality isn’t just going to come down to lifting up women, it comes from making space and promoting equality for everyone,” Bjork said.

She goes on to say that she does think Fairfield has made progress in the past few years in terms of equity initiatives.

“Now, I’m speaking from a place of privilege, but from what I have seen there have been numerous events highlighting women in powerful career positions, pushes for more initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion, and programming from a variety of areas on campus directed at starting conversations about such topics,” she said.

CONTINUED ON WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM

Concerns Raised over Lasting Psychological Effects of Quarantine

Incorporated 1977

Molly Lamendola, Editor-in-Chief Sheila McCombs, Executive Editor Julia Lanzillotta, Managing Editor Editors Madison Gallo, Head News Madeline West, Assistant News Peyton Perry, Opinion Brooke Lathe, Vine Julia Lanzillotta, Sports Thomas Coppola, Assistant Sports Tristan Cruz, Coffee Break Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Lila Condon, Chief Financial Officer

Advisor Matt Tullis Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

The Mirror is the recognized student newspaper of Fairfield University. Opinions and ideas expressed herein are those of the individual student authors, and not those of the Fairfield University or its Board of Trustees

By Claire Brown Contributing Writer

Fairfield University student Brigid Protzmann ‘23 woke up early on November 6 expecting it to be like any other day. Little did she know it was bound to be the start of two weeks in quarantine at Bridgeport’s Holiday Inn. After her roommate, Laura Zaccardi ‘23, tested positive for COVID-19, Protzmann knew that regardless of if she was positive or negative she would also have to quarantine as a close contact. Her experience in isolation, like most college students, was extremely difficult.

“My mental state was very bad,” Protzmann explained. “I don’t think I was necessarily anxious, but I was absolutely depressed.

I was just a sad individual.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic still at the forefront of the United States’ priorities, quarantine is still very prevalent and something that a lot of people have to endure.

The negative psychological effects of the 14-day quarantine are still being discovered but are prominent among those who have experienced it.

Zaccardi, unlike Protzmann, was in quarantine while also trying to recover from the COVID-19 virus.

“On the first day [of

quarantine] I lost my sense of taste and smell,” she said.

“That was very scary and it freaked me out for a bit.”

Her symptoms continued to worsen to the point where she felt so weak that she could not stand up out of bed. Having to deal with the symptoms of the virus alone caused her a lot of anxiety, but even as she began to recover the anxiety still remained.

Both Protzmann and Zaccardi would spend most of their days staring at the ceiling and counting the minutes.

The Student Health Center called every day to check in with them to see how they were doing mentally and physically during the weekdays but, unfortunately, these calls did little to nothing in terms of helping their mental health.

Protzmann explains she would try to break up her days by taking showers and watching TV, while Zaccardi did so by doing her homework and playing video games.

Professor Margaret McClure, chair & associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Fairfield University, stressed the importance of staying busy while in isolation.

“Quarantine is hard for everybody, of course,” she explained, “but people that are college-age, their social support very often comes from interaction with

their

peers and friends.”

She also emphasized the importance of remaining social even if it is over the phone.

“I think staying connected through Zoom, although is not the same as being in person, is important. Just reaching out to people trying to do Facetime or Zoom is better than texting.”

Some other strategies she suggested to stay mentally healthy include exercising, maintaining a good sleep routine, getting fresh air if possible and keeping a sense of humor.

Fairfield University is trying its best to ask for feedback from students and make improvements to the quarantine process, like now allowing students to be outside for an allotted period of time.

The ultimate goal of

the University is to keep everyone safe and they are clearly trying their best to take care of their students, but quarantine is going to continue to be difficult on students regardless of the circumstances.

In terms of the overall psychological effects, they are still unclear and undefined.

McClure explains how people in her field are going to be researching the effects on everyone, not just students, for the next few years so the long-term and short-term impacts are still an open question.

With vaccinations continuing to be rolled out all over the United States, COVID-19 quarantines will soon be a thing of the past but while they are still frequently occurring it is important to stay safe not only physically, but mentally as well.

The Mirror / Molly Lamendola

Fairfield University’s Media Center/Conference Center is currently where students who test positive for COVID stay. during the required isolation period.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

Students Express Study Abroad Concerns CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Additionally, various students have raised concerns not only with issues related to housing, but also on impacts related to course selection and overall disappointment with communication from the Office of Study Abroad.

Sophomore Maddie Coogan expressed her disappointment over the cancellation of the Spring 2022 London, England study abroad program.

Coogan stated, “I had to make sacrifices in my course load as well as housing in order to accommodate studying abroad.”

Coogan added that she felt as though this was a sacrifice willing to be made, however, disappointment continued when the program was canceled “With little explanation or logic behind the decision.”

Sophomore Meredith Montella shared a similar sentiment as she was set to attend the Galway, Ireland Spring 2022 program as well.

“The whole process made it hard to plan for classes for next year and there was not great communication early on, ” she said.

Montella continued, “I had to make sacrifices in housing and the whole time uncertainty about the situation was stressful. ” The Mirror reached out to the Office of Residence Life multiple times for comments on how the housing lottery and future housing situations would be impacted by this situation and they did not respond in time for publication.

The summer program in Florence, Italy, set to take

place in the middle of May of 2021 was also recently canceled.

Some of the impacted students were disappointed, but not surprised given the circumstances of traveling during this time.

Sophomore Drew Vaughan stated, “I am very disappointed in the cancellation of the study abroad summer program, however, I am not surprised. During times like this, we can’t be certain of anything, so this was not too unexpected for me.”

Vaughan went on to say in regards to the Office of Study Abroad, “They kept us updated on the situation in Florence when they found out any information regarding COVID-19 and the impact it would have on our program.”

Sophomore Cecily McNamara was also planning on attending the Summer 2021 trip to Florence who also felt disappointed, yet “hoped to be able to attend next year.”

The study abroad program to Brisbane, Australia for the 2021-2022 academic year was also canceled due to COVID. Sophomore Ailish O’Beirne who planned to attend the program as a nursing major for the Spring 2022 semester expressed her disappointment for the cancellation and dissatisfaction with the Office of Study Abroad as a whole.

O’Beirne stated that initially, “The study abroad options for nursing majors was the deciding factor for me to go to Fairfield.”

The Study Abroad experience for nursing students is different from non-nursing students. For instance, ac-

Fairfield Hopes to Open Vaccine Clinic on Campus CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“I think if Fairfield wants to go in person next year they have to offer vaccinations,” Zedginidze said.

He went on to say that he’d “Feel much safer and would definitely be the first in line to get vaccinated.”

Yet, this clinic could be affected by Connecticut’s recent decision to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine due to the fact that, “Of 6.8 million individuals who have received the J&J vaccine nationally, six individuals have developed a rare and severe type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) within two weeks of receiving their vaccine” as stated on the state of Connecticut’s website.

The Mirror attempted to reach out to the university regarding how this decision would affect the timing of the clinic and did not receive a comment in time for publication.

Those who were actually the first in line to get vaccinated were those in Fairfield’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies.

Meredith Kazer, Dean of the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies stated that “All Egan undergraduate and graduate nursing students who are engaged in clinical experiences were offered the opportunity to receive COVID-19 vaccinations early in 2021.”

She goes further to state that their records indicate that approximately 90 percent have been fully vaccinated to date.

“Clinical sites have not yet mandated nursing student COVID-19 vaccination to attend clinical. These decisions may be un-

derscored by the emergency use authorization and current lack of universally available vaccinations for all age and population groups” she said.

Kazer went on to say that due to the fact that nursing students are required to provide proof of a number of other vaccinations in order to attend clinical, “It appears highly likely that clinical sites will require COVID-19 vaccination in the future” and that, “In light of the high morbidity and mortality rates of the virus, we remain highly concerned for the health and safety of unvaccinated nursing students who may become infected with COVID-19.”

For students worried about receiving the vaccine, she states that they have repeatedly been shown to be safe and effective.

“In clinical trials and subsequent mass vaccine rollout in people across ages, races and ethnicities, no serious safety concerns were reported.”

“Vaccinated students will be significantly less likely to become seriously ill or be hospitalized,” Duffy said, continuing that, “Vaccination helps to break the chain of disease transmission and will protect others as well as the vaccinated individual.”

Duffy states that those vaccinated will help avoid the disruption associated with exposure-related quarantine and that it will, “decrease the chance that the college experience will be negatively affected by illness and isolation/quarantine protocols.”

Duffy ends by say-

ing that she believes that the “COVID-19 vaccination is the path forward out of the pandemic.”

cording to the academic catalog a nursing student must “have completed all semesters prior to studying abroad and have a GPA of 2.00 or better in sciences.”

Additionally, nursing students have the opportunity to participate in the Australia program from February to June, or the Ireland program from January to May. When they return, students must “complete a medication and skills review, enroll in a six-week medical-surgical summer course, and continue in the traditional nursing profession with some minor curriculum adjustments.”

Nursing students are responsible for the costs of the summer course and housing arrangements.

She continued that the application process was timely and the Office of Study Abroad was able to get a response back by February 1, however “The date for decisions was pushed back twice until late March when we found out the whole program was canceled.”

The disappointment that was felt by all of the students was also felt by O’Beirne who said “It was a very hard thing to hear because of how long I have been dreaming of going abroad and because of all of the work that went into the application.”

The Mirror reached out to The Office of Study Abroad via email and phone call for comment and did not receive a comment in time for publication.

If students have any questions or concerns about housing or study abroad they can reach out to The Office of Residence Life or The Office of Global Fairfield/Study Abroad.

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Opinion

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

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Editor Peyton Perry » peyton.perry@student.fairfield.edu

Student Believes Fairfield University Should have a COVID Vaccine Clinic on Campus

By Kaitlyn Drake Staff Writer Over the summer of 2020, during one of the peaks of the pandemic, I was chatting with my dad about the idea of going back to normal as he was working from home. I had received the news that Fairfield University was allowing the option for students to move back onto campus for the following fall- albeit with restrictions - and though I was excited to go back to my new home, I was fearful that students would not be responsible and campus shut down was inevitable. I remember my dad mentioning the vaccine trials that were taking place, and that perhaps we would be out of this sooner than we thought. Though the pandemic lasted for a lot longer, we have been following the development of the COVID vaccine since its early trials. Now that it’s time to get the vaccine, it feels like our conversation in the summer was more prophetic than speculative.

In Connecticut, the COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to people as young as sixteen. This means that everyone on campus is now able to get the vaccine as long as they are in the state of Connecticut. If most people on campus are willing and able to get the vaccine, campus life would change drastically - and for the better. We’re already seeing groups of friends hanging out outside playing sports, doing homework or just getting some sun, without the anxiety of contracting COVID-19. Though the risk is still prevalent (in fact, there are multiple strains of COVID that are highly contagious and not as well fought off by our

existing vaccines), we have already seen a shift in campus life. As the weather continues to warm up and more students start getting vaccines, residents will be more inclined to treat life as if it were normal.

To counteract this premature sense of normalcy, I’m here to be a more pessimistic voice: as long as Fairfield University is not requiring vaccines, and since we are still in the beginning stages of supplying vaccines, only a small portion of students are protected from the COVID-19 virus.

Even then, the students who are vaccinated could be carriers. As the weather continues to warm up and we receive more hopeful news, we must still remain vigilant against this deadly virus.

The first thing we all must do is to continue wearing our masks. We have known since the beginning of the pandemic that wearing masks can save lives, and it has been one of the only constants throughout this past year. We should not abandon our masks just because the vaccine and Fairfield’s COVID-19 guidelines are working. We must remain respectful towards ourselves and others, whose conditions we do not know, and continue to follow both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Fairfield University’s rules to stay safe.

As for what Fairfield itself should do, I would like to see a vaccination clinic on campus. I, along with most first years and sophomores on campus, do not have a car to get to a vaccination appointment.

As much as I appreciate the Stag Bus, it takes a total of two hours just to pick up something from the bookstore because of the route it takes. For the

purposes of getting a vaccine, I would much rather be in and out of the public as quickly as possible, especially because of the pandemic. As well as this, some of the places that are offering a vaccine are not reachable by Stag Bus. Students should have access to this life saving medicine, and having a COVID vaccine clinic on campus is the perfect solution.

Having the option to get the COVID vaccine on campus would also increase the likelihood of students to get the vaccine. Getting off campus can be difficult or inconvenient when a student is swamped with work (like all of us are this semester). If the vaccine were provided on campus, I believe that students would make the trip to get it. Students already have to go to the Rec Plex for weekly testing, too - since everyone makes that trip every week, students would know how to manage their time to get the vaccine as well.

Letting students get the COVID vaccine on campus would also allow for a safer environment.

Students are already playing outside without masks, and though it is heartwarming to see everyone enjoying their time together, I cannot help but feel that this would simply increase the rates of COVID on campus than diminish them. Even though being outside is safer, it is still not a good idea to have students gathering in small patches of lawn without masks on. Having the COVID vaccine on campus would decrease my own fears about the increase of socialization between students.

Fairfield should have a COVID vaccine clinic on campus, but in the end, as long as everyone keeps wearing their masks, going to weekly testing

and following guidelines, we should be okay. I am excited to see how next semester will change given the increased opportunities to get the vaccine, and hope that while we are here, we do not throw away the hard work we have accomplished.

Creative Commons/Patch

It's Time for Fairfield Students, Faculty, and Staff to Ignite Their Inner Activist

By Peyton Perry Opinion Editor

What is an activist? To my understanding, an activist is any individual entity who earnestly acts towards a cause, in the hopes of yielding a certain result against an injustice, whether collectively with a larger group or singularly. I use the word

This sets them at an extreme disadvantage, ultimately serving as a devastating injustice.

Where does this drawback actually stem from? Despite the irony, I believe it comes from a lack of education.

The ongoing presence of poor menstrual education ultimately

Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

“acts” in the definition because, although it may be repetitive to the word being defined, its generality is essential. In other words, it is the only term broad enough to encompass all that is needed to make an activist.

An act can be as simple as spreading awareness by word of mouth or reposting an informative piece on social media, to protesting in front of the White House.

There are a multitude of acts that fall scattered across an immense spectrum, all of which serve as important assets to an activist.

Now that I have defined the mere role itself, I beg the question... who is an activist?

Rather than simply stating the answer, I want to invite you into the context of a real, ongoing issue that is prevalent in our world today.

Around the globe, girls are struggling and fighting for a means to receive their education. They face barriers unfair to humankind, brought upon by their own natural biological processes. Sexist ideologies and devastating myths fence them in both psychologically and physically from reaching their full intellectual capacity.

feeds into the downfall of girls’ access to a full education globally. Lack of government funding and priority buds from a wide scale neglect of understandment. For how can one visualize the importance of something when fully dependent upon false stigmas?

Devastating myths of menstruation being dirty, an indication for marriage and shameful, allow governments to get away with financial abandonment towards young girls universally. As societal perception remains veiled behind ostracism, seclusion and banishment, government funding aligns in unison, leaving victims to fend for themselves at a cost.

As stated by period poverty activist Amika George, “800 million girls around the world miss school for a week every single month and, yet, no one was trying to solve this huge problem that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Putting this into perspective, according to another study, one in four girls struggles with a lack of menstrual products. Further, also shared by George, those who choose to still go to school often have to utilize unsanitary alternatives, such as socks, newspapers, and toilet paper. The

absence of menstrual education impacts a large majority of female youth in a negative way that also, silently, targets society.

If all girls were to receive a good quality, 12-year education, according to Malala Fund, the benefits that would be reaped include a boost of $30 trillion to the global economy, a creation of jobs, slowing the effects of climate change, reducing poverty, and cutting “the risk of war in half in developing countries.”

Are we to ignore this detrimental issue running rampant throughout the world, especially throughout third-world countries? Are we to do nothing but merely sympathize from the comfort of our own home, where sanitary pads are stuffed in our bathroom cabinet, ready at any given moment to be packed for school? What about the psychological warfare being created in these girls’ minds between their natural biological functions and clouded misconceptions?

Here’s where the question, “Who is an activist?” comes into play. The reality is that any of us at Fairfield University, whether we be students, faculty or staff, have the potential to become an activist at the blink of an eye. As I shared in the beginning of this article, the beautiful thing about becoming an activist is the freedom surrounding the directions you may take.

Support of these young girls is the best way for us to aid in the placement of menstrual education, thus creating a waterfall effect to the reversal of stigmas and governmental negligence. Through self-conducted research, reinstituting normalcy, relaying affirmations and charity work, we can further spread awareness and information on menstruation, as well as the importance of menstrual hygiene funding for low-income families, globally.

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook serve as an excellent mechanism for posting vital information and updating viewers on the importance of this issue. I, myself, created an Instagram account (@ fairfieldmakesanimpact) where I posted educational content on the severity of the cause and how to donate to my fundraiser.

There are also multiple organizations present to work with in the support of these young girls.

You may choose, for example, to lend your assistance to the organization Alliance

for Period Supplies, where you can either donate directly through their website, create your own fundraiser or drive by following their guidelines, or “join their alliance” through the creation of your own program.

You may also choose, as I did, to donate directly to or sign petitions for Malala Fund, where your proceeds will benefit their Education Champion Network.

An even simpler way to work on reinstating the true narrative surrounding menstruation and the importance of putting an end to period poverty is sharing the stories of girls who have utilized their education in a highly impactful way.

As shared by Malala Yousafzai in an interview with George, when more people see for themselves what “educated girls can do,” it helps normalize and affirm girls’ capabilities and “why education is so valuable.”

It is important to note, however, that these mechanisms for impactful activism are not strictly for this particular cause.

Malala Fund, although near and dear to my heart, is not the only organization, nor is this injustice the only one. As we have all surely seen, there are thousands of social injustices still being fought against on a wide scale and millions of organizations to accompany them.

I can only encourage Fairfield University students, faculty and staff to take the time to become an activist.

If this cause is not one that particularly strikes you as it does for me, take the time to find one that does and become involved!

What you will learn along the way from others and your findings will not only benefit those working with you, but also yourself immensely.

Just take action, no matter how small! You never know what may positively influence the world around you.

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

Opinion

The Challenge of Forgiveness: How Absolution of Major Infractions Can Provide Peace to the Soul

By Tomas Di Leo Contributing Writer

Forgiveness, one of the most noble and altruistic actions a human can perform. It requires a lot of courage, empathy and self-understanding to truly forgive those who have wronged you. In fact, it seems that this action, at times, goes against every fiber of our human nature. It seems illogical to willingly pardon a person who has committed even a mundane act of treachery or dishonor. Would you willingly forgive a friend who robbed something precious from you? Is there truly an innate desire to forgive a partner who’s broken a sacred vow of monogamy? Can a murderer, rapist, racist or war criminal ever be forgiven for the heinous acts they’ve committed?

If you were to ask me this question a couple years ago, I would have hastily answered, “No.” However, as time progressed so too did my understanding of this action. It’s easy to forgive someone who has committed an insignificant sin: we can forgive those who have argued with us, stolen trivial material objects, and hurt our feelings. This level of forgiveness does not require much from the human soul or mind, for in the larger picture these actions have not affected us deeply.

What if we change the sin; instead of dealing with minor infractions we now face the major ones. If you are walking late at night and a person assaults you based on your skin color or ethnicity, can you forgive them? If someone breaks into your home and steals a precious family heirloom, can you forgive them? If your brother, sister, mother or father is sexually, physically or verbally assaulted, can you forgive the perpetrator?

There is no shame in admitting that you or I cannot impart clemency upon the person who has wronged you. In fact, I believe that it is impossible to forgive major infractions

the same way we forgive minor infractions. When a child steals a lollipop or a friend doesn’t show up for a plan you guys made, there is a sense that reconciliation can occur. In this moment of resolution, we tend to forgive and forget the trivial wrongdoing.

However, in the presence of major infractions we must use a different form of forgiveness.

Whereas reunion and forgetfulness lay the foundation

Creative Commons/ National Park Service

of simple forgiveness, complex forgiveness is supported by understanding. Rather than looking past the action committed by the individual, we must now look within it and the person committing it. Examine their rationale, their philosophy and, most importantly, their past. Once each of these topics has been covered you will have imparted forgiveness upon the wrongdoer.

By no means is this a way to justify heinous crimes, rather we have willingly offered our time to someone who is not worthy of it. By our own judgement, we have decided to look inwardly and have attempted to attain personal consolation through empathy and understanding. Instead of finding peace through forgiving the action, we find peace by understanding why that action was taken. This will not make the burden of the sin any less, but it will enlighten the man or woman who has decided to determine the origin of evil.

Truthfully, this may be one of the most difficult actions to take as an imperfect human being. Whenever I come face to face with evil, I am drawn towards an emotional response.

At the worst of times, I wish unimaginable horrors upon the wrongdoer for the rest of eternity. Frequently, I have to calm myself and recall my moral code before attempting to tackle complex forgiveness. I can tell you one thing for sure, and it is that this attempt at understanding evil never gets easier. I do not want to give the impression that this ability comes naturally to anyone. It is human to feel anger and hate in the presence of wickedness, and you should never allow someone to tell you to withhold such feelings. Instead, allow them to run free and liberate them from your inner self.

Still, it is my belief that a person should strive to achieve this form of forgiveness. Not because of any sense of pride or because it is the morally superior choice to make, but because it can provide peace.

I think many times people underestimate the effect closure can have on the soul. I hope that the knowledge I have imparted upon you liberates you from pain and can provide you a form of peace in the face of horrendous circumstances.

Students of All Ages Should be Learning More About Current Events in the Classroom

By Emily Miller Contributing Writer

The tumultuous times we are facing as a human population will go down in history. A deadly unrelenting virus, a new President and a charged political climate is what we are experiencing in 2021. There are a plethora of global issues that plague our world today. There is no shortage of news. Updates on current events are now at our fingertips, at the touch of a button. Catching up on the latest news requires little to no effort, as we are spoon fed information from hundreds of news outlets on every social media platform.

Young people have no excuse to not stay informed. I believe that we have a responsibility and duty as a society to expose ourselves to world affairs and current events in order to have a deeper understanding of what is happening in our local region and our world. The time that this exposure begins is as a student.

Students of all ages should be taught about the importance of current events inside the classroom in order to help them develop into worldly citizens. Current events help us gain a deeper understanding of human interaction and issues that we deal with on a daily basis. I believe that elementary school students, specifically, should be exposed to certain current events that are appropriate for their age group. Starting young with news that grade school children can understand can be beneficial for their overall appreciation of how people interact in our society.

I do not, however, believe current events should replace learning history from centuries ago. Being educated on the present should complement our study of history, not replace it. I believe there should be a balance between current events and past events, especially for younger students. Educating students on important events of the present should be equally as important as learning about historic events.

Editorial Board "March Madness and Female Athletics' Lack of Recognition!"

Sheila McCombs Executive Editor

Current events cover a wide array of topics, including both positive and negative news. Similar to studying different subjects in school, students should be exposed to the same diverse subject matter when it comes to world news and events. Exposing children to reading the news and following world events can turn them into lifelong readers and not just on their smartphones. Sadly, smartphones have made reading a nearly impossible task for some. Studying current events would enable teachers to expose students to the benefits of reading and absorbing new material outside the scope of a history textbook.

The goal of education is to foster better thinkers.

Limiting education to the past compromises the potential of each student and the impact they can make on the world.

Teachers and professors have such an important role in the shaping of our future generations. The great philosopher, George Santayana, once said, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” History teachers should put more emphasis on the importance of current events, because current events are nearly always shaped by the past. History is a valuable teacher; current events supplement those valuable lessons of the past.

Students can also have open dialogue with their parents about worldly subject matter, giving them an opportunity to practice having mature discussions about difficult topics.

There is information to be attained every day starting with current events. Moreover, as students get older, it is important that they have obtained the knowledge and resources to build informed opinions. Gaining knowledge in world affairs enables thoughts and opinions on controversial issues. Everyone deserves the right to form their own opinion on important matters, and the first step is becoming an informed citizen.

Competition also persists with professionals in the global marketplace. To set yourself apart from competitors in the workplace, it is beneficial to have a broad

The end of March is enough to bring a tear to any sports fan's eye as one of the most watched sporting events in the world comes to an end. March Madness is one of the great unifiers in terms of college sports and I was so sad when this tournament came to an end. Through this one tournament alone the National Collegiate Athletic Association makes about 850 million dollars in TV rights, making it the most profitable event that they put on all year.

After the cancellation of the tournament last year due to COVID-19, fans, players and I’m sure the NCAA themself were anxious to see the games return this year. Sadly, I am not here to wax poetic about my love of NCAA basketball even though I am an avid March Madness fan. I want to talk about the lesser known side of the tournament; the women’s games that happen simultaneously with the men’s tournament. It has always been true that in the majority of cases, female athletics do not get the recognition that they deserve, but this problem came

understanding of international affairs and diverse groups of people. Finding individuals who may not share the same cultural background as you is common in the United States of America. We live in a melting pot where diversity is encouraged and appreciated. Being knowledgeable about the world around you and diverse groups of people will help form better friendships, partnerships and business relationships.

I believe that it is extremely important that students of all ages should be learning about current events. No matter your age or education background, there is always more to learn. After all, “[T]he man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after,” said Newton D. Baker. The exciting part of life is knowing that each day comes with a new experience, a new lesson to learn and a new outlook to gain.

into even more attention during the 2021 NCAA tournament.

This year the men’s tournament was held in Indianapolis, Indi. in state of the art arenas (and importantly for this topic,) a brand new training facility. As usual, the fanfare around the men’s tournament is something that is seldom ever seen at any other college sporting event. The women’s tournament was held during the same time in San Antonio, Tex. They were met with a sparsely equipped single-room area to train, which was shockingly different from the football field sized training room that the men’s teams had been supplied with.

Many players, rightfully outraged, took to social media in order to catalog the difference between what they had seen of the men’s facility and their own. Outrage grew so much that the women’s players got not only a formal apology from the NCAA, but also a brand new training area. But this is not the only difference between the two tournaments, the men’s teams were also

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provided with different welcome bags with more expensive products than the women’s teams, more sensitive COVID-19 tests for testing throughout the tournament and of the “March Madness” trademark was used solely for the men’s games. These differences have now led to a formal investigation of the athletic association by civil rights lawyer, Roberta A. Kaplan.

This is sadly not a new phenomenon.

Everywhere you turn, there is a form of discrimation against female athletes.

Whether it is something apparent like this or something more on the sly like saying that female dominated sports like cheerleading are not really sports. There are no bounds to the horrible way that women athletes can be treated in our society and this is something that goes far behind just the March Madness tournament and one investigation. This is something that needs to be addressed on a larger scale; the fact that for just as much work and effort, women need to be treated the same as men.

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

The Vine

By Kayla Amelung Contributing Writer The weather continues to get better and better, which means more outdoor picnics and spontaneous dates with friends. A common question that comes up is, “where should we eat?”

Well, let me give you some ideas from a pizza lover like me. Here are the top three pizza spots in Fairfield that I crave 24/7.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana Frank Pepe Pizzeria has been a weekly restaurant for my friends and me. This is the place to go when you want a large, hot, coal-fired pizza. A pretty random and fun part about this restaurant is the way they cut their “pies.”

All of the pies are given in more of a rectangular shape than a circular shape like most restaurants. This diner serves many different types of pizzas, my favorites being Frank Pepe’s Original Tomato Pie, Margherita and Amanti Della Carne.

Pepe’s makes sure there is enough food going around for the whole group to enjoy. I will never leave on an empty stomach, that’s for sure. I am usually too stuffed to even leave the restaurant!

Stop by Frank Pepe’s after a long hard day of classes and homework. It is a quick seven minutes away from campus.

How much closer can they be!

Colony Grill Colony Grill is one of the most popular restaurants in Fairfield, CT, especially in the Stag community. It is also one of my top three pizza joints. All the hype for Colony is definitely worth it.

It is a more Connecticut-style pizza; they are a lot smaller and thinner than most, which I enjoy because I get full pretty quickly.

I was skeptical at first because many people were talking about having dinner here nearly every night, but I have

By Molly Lamendola Editor-In-Chief

As the weather warms and windows are flung open, the desire to do something other than click “I’m still watching” on Netflix rings throughout campus. But, with social distancing requirements still in place, the options on what actually to do with this beautiful season are incredibly limited.

Luckily for students, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Westport, Conn. just announced a new “Music at MoCA Concert Series.”

From April to October 2021, they’ll be holding a variety of outdoor concerts of thirteen jazz, pop and classical artists. You can bring friends, grab some lawn chairs, pop over to grab some food at the food trucks, drinks for purchase (alcoholic drinks only for 21+) and listen to some amazing music!

You might not have heard of the MoCA Westport. I probably wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for my Art History degree and a few months of interning there before the world shut down in the Spring of 2020.

But, it’s just ten minutes from campus, or 20 if you just want to drive straight on Post Road for a while until you hit the Starbucks on the water.

They’re a small museum, with just two big rooms to hold all the art, but sat in Martha Stewart’s old recording studio, they have a huge outdoor space.

This wide-open space helps with social distancing requirements, and part of what makes the concert series so appealing.

“Our spacious outdoor grounds allow us to

never been.

When I went to try the food at Colony Grill, I got an Irish-Italian pizza bar feel. It felt very welcoming, and you can smell the pizza right away.

It’s also super easy to order your meal at Colony. The menu basically consists of a plain cheese pizza with the option of adding extra toppings, which I found very interesting.

During the times I have eaten at Colony, I ordered one with meatballs and then a hot-oiled pizza. Both tasted amazing and left me wanting more.

What’s also special about this eatery is that most customers can finish their personalized pizza during one sitting due to their size.

I also found it amazing that Colony Grill is so affordable. I was worried at first because it looks like it would be an expensive restaurant to eat at, but I was thankfully surprised by their good prices.

I will definitely continue going to Colony and enjoy their pizza with my friends at the beach!

Pizzeria Molto First off, Molto is a very classic fancy indoor and outdoor Italian restaurant. The menu is pretty large, but as a pizza lover, their pies are always on my mind.

I usually order the Hot Oil Pizza or the Pesto Pizza. While they are both very different from one another, they equally “hit the spot.”

Another great meal on the menu is the Penne Alla Vodka. It is very creamy and filling.

Those are my top three favorite meals at Molto. Not only does the restaurant have great food and meal options, but their outdooring seating

share these talented performers with the public in a safe and beautiful setting. We look forward to bringing the community together once again to experience these exciting performances” said Ruth

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is quite beautiful too!

Make sure to try out these tasty restaurant spots with some friends after a busy day of work; you won’t regret it!

It’s always nice to try something new, and maybe it could be your favorite too.

ing to be stellar.”

Students can purchase a variety of Concert Series ticket packages including the Music at MoCA Season Pass (all 13 concerts), a Jazz Package (four

Photo Contributed by Leslie LaSala

MoCA auidence enjoys an outdoor concert while sitting socially distanced.

Mannes, Executive Director of MoCA Westport.

She added, “You don’t need to be an expert on any type of music to enjoy the complete series of concerts. We encourage people to try something new -- every single one of these performances is go-

concerts), a Pop Package (five concerts) and a Classical Package (four concerts). Tickets for each concert can also be purchased on an individual basis on MoCA Westport’s website (mocawestport.org) or by calling the Museum at (203) 222-7070.

Pexels

If interested in just attending one or two concerts, Leslie LaSala, Director of Communications and Marketing of MoCA Westport stated that the pop series might be especially appealing for collegeage students. She went on to say that, “These concerts will be particularly energetic and fun” and will feature award-winning performers like Matt Nakoa (April 30) and the high octane rock of siblings Jocelyn and Chris (June 11).

Further, for the upcoming Matt Nakoa concert, students can use the code STUDENTMUSIC to receive a 50 percent off discount on student tickets.

If you’re interested in seeing the art within the museum before the performances, a viewing of the collection is complementary to concert attendees.

Lasala tells me that, “Through June 13, gallery visitors will experience Smash, an exhibition exclusively dedicated to the videos of contemporary artist Marilyn Minter, including a never-before-seen AMC Pacer automobile featuring one of her videos.”

Then From June 24 to August 21, 2021, the Summer Group Show will open. This exhibition features a diverse range of artists juried and curated

by Max Teicher and Emily White, of the Gagosian Gallery in New York, NY. LaSala finishes by saying that, “Our Music at MoCA Concert Series is a unique opportunity to see award-winning artists, just one town over.”

If you want to learn more about the series or purchase tickets, visit their website at: mocawestport.org/concert-series.

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THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

The Vine

By Thomas Coppola Assitant Sports Editor This past Friday, pop icon Taylor Swift released an album onto all streaming services titled “Fearless: Taylor’s Version.” After a lengthy and tiring battle with managers and labels, Swift has set off a rippling movement throughout the music industry of owning one’s masters.

“Masters,” which refers to a master recording, is the final recording of a song. If an artist is signed to a major record label, then the executives of that label control all of the shots regarding where the music is distributed and used. Continually, they also collect a large portion of the earnings from each song or album.

Other artists like Taylor Swift have had enough of the greedy nature of these large labels. Her first label that she signed to, Big Machine, was sold in 2019 to Ithaca Holdings, led by none other than Scooter Braun, the manager of some of the world’s biggest artists like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Kanye West.

In 2019, Swift became upset that her first six studio albums, under the former ownership of Big Machine Records, would now be in the control of Braun, who controls what music from her own catalog that she can perform and use in new projects. This transaction was done without Swift’s knowledge.

With all these emotions in mind, Swift ventured out into relatively uncharted territory in the music industry: re-recording and re-releasing her previous work outside of the clutches of her former label.

That way, she “owns her masters” or gains every single penny from her re-recorded workstreams and sales.

Although this drew major controversy, it makes perfect sense for many smaller artists who do not exactly know what they are getting themselves into with a

By Sheila McCombs Executive Editor When I first came to Fairfield, I missed being able to visit a library so much at the beginning of my first year.

Though the university library is amazing, I missed that feeling of a truly public library.

I never considered there was an opportunity for me to receive a library card to the Fairfield Public Library.

But, this semester, I had to work on a project where I needed access to a large children’s library, and this spurred me to finally go through the process of getting my own Fairfield Public Library card.

So, just so all of you have the same

Album cover of "Fearless (Taylor's Version)"

opportunity, I’ll show you just how quick and easy the whole process is!

In terms of my experience, the easiest way to sign up for a Fairfield Public Library card was simply to go there in person and talk to the front desk.

The online form is a little confusing for students who attend Fairfield rather than people who live in the town, so this was just the easiest way for me to do this.

The downtown library location is also super convenient and easy to get to, since you can just take the Stag Bus to the downtown Fairfield bookstore and walk the one block to the entrance.

Due to COVID-19, the Fairfield Public Library has very limited hours, making it a little difficult to get down there, but with some scheduling, it

large label contract. Due to this, Swift is urging these artists to release music independently or without a label.

This may be very tough for some artists since most music labels have notoriously grand budgets and can spend ludicrous sums of money on advertising for a new single or album. This presents new artists with a very tough choice; stay bou nd to a contract for a certain amount of time with the luxury of a large budget, or stick to one’s own budget and make all profits.

Although, as Taylor’s music is now fully re-released by herself, she gains all the profits from streams and sales and can choose to drop music whenever she pleases. Her time with Big Machine included six album releases, all of which Swift plans to re-release: “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” and “1989.”

Her “Fearless” album was merely the first step on the long road ahead to freedom from her label.

Other artists like Frank Ocean have found clever ways to dodge their labels, as well. This may include purposefully dropping a quick or lazily-made album in order to satisfy the contract’s requirements. Christopher Edwin Breaux, otherwise known as Frank Ocean, needed to release one more album in order to get out of his contract with Def Jam Recordings. So, he elected to release a seemingly rushed album titled “Endless.”

Only a day later, after his contract with Def Jam Recordings expired, he surprised his fans by releasing his most critically acclaimed album “Blonde” under his own record label called “Boys Don’t Cry.” He successfully found a loophole in the system, which is very similar to what Taylor Swift is in the midst of right now.

wasn’t that hard to work out.

The current library hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and then Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

When I went to the library to get my actual card, the only thing that I needed to provide was my Stag Card and my driver’s license.

All in all, it took me around two minutes. Additionally, the people at the front desk were so kind and were able to help me easily.

I totally get that it may not seem worth it to get a separate library card when we have a library on campus, but to me, there were so many good reasons to have another library card!

Photo Courtesy of Towers Golde

The front entrance of the Fairfield Public Library in downtown Fairfield, Conn.

There are countless services at the library that make it worth it.

First, you get access to so many more books without going through the interlibrary loan process at the University library. This can be great for projects and papers when you need something that the University library doesn’t have.

There are also so many more “fun” books, meaning they have a larger fiction section, than there are at the DiMenna-Nyselius Library.

If you are like me and you are trying to read more for fun, then this is a great idea for you. And in the end, there is no such thing as having too many li-

The Vine

By Brooke Lathe Vine Editor For every season, I have an extremely long list of fun dates and activities that perfectly match the weather. And while I love apple picking in the fall or creating delicious gingerbread houses in the winter, the summer months never fall short in terms of exciting things to do.

On my summer schedule, a large portion of the list forces you to stray away from your house and venture into nearby landmarks or towns, which I love. Not only does this encourage you to find new and beautiful locations around you, but driving to your destination with the windows down and music blasting is my absolute favorite thing to do.

So, if you have the gas money or free time to go out into the world, here are some activities that you should undoubtedly take part in this summer.

Go to the beach - This sandy destination is a staple activity for any summer day, especially since there are so many things to do for all types of people. If the water doesn’t scare you, grab a boogie board or surfboard and hit the waves. Or you could just float around in the tide to cool off.

If the water is cold, there’s too much seaweed or just if the open ocean freaks you out; you can always soak up the sun by tanning, building a sandcastle or walking along the shoreline.

At the beach I normally go to, there is a section of rocks my family and I like to walk

By Sydney Weis Contributing Writer Lays potato chips just came out with three new flavors for summer 2021, and it was near impossible to find! However, I was lucky enough to have been driving from Virginia to Connecticut at the time of writing this review, so I was able to find the limited edition flavors; but only after making at least eight stops.

Scattered throughout the east coast, I discovered Lay’s Chile Mango, Jerk Chicken and Summer BLT bags. And let me say, these new flavors are absolutely creative and really make you think of starting up the grill. On a scale of one through five, one being the worst and five being the best, I will inform you where these chips land based on their taste!

Chile Mango: The Chile Mango was definitely the least intimidating or questionable-sounding flavor out of the three new releases, so I was

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

along. It’s a nice place to search for sea glass, crabs or pretty shells.

Have a picnic - I can not stress enough how much I love picnics. If you don’t want to have one on the beach, you can always find a grassy clearing or a local park where you can lay down a blanket and enjoy a spread of yummy food. I personally love bringing a deck of cards, a movie player or a speaker which plays my favorite songs to make the night even more enjoyable.

Head to a Drive-in - I’ve always wanted to go to a drive-in, but I’ve sadly never been able to. Once I even made it a point to visit one at least once in the summer, but the closest one near me closed down. But, if you have one close to you, by all means, take the opportunity while you can. You can cuddle with a loved one in the trunk of your car with fluffy blankets and pillows while stuffing your face with popcorn and candy! That sounds like an unforgettable night to me.

Let out some screams - Even though roller coasters can sometimes make people motion sick, most find it to be the

most thrilling activity. There are many amusement parks located throughout the country, so I’m sure it won’t be difficult for you to find them. However, I will always suggest that you purchase a “fast pass” if you go to one. Though they can be expensive, waiting in long lines can stop you from getting on more than four rides. This same advice goes for water parks as well.

Satisfy your appetite - I really enjoy eating out at a nice restaurant, especially in any outdoor seating. It is super relaxing and rewarding to sit down and have a tasty meal. However, the dessert is the best part. I always enjoy going to my local ice cream shop and eating a cone outside with my friends. It’s definitely a core memory and super “summery.”

I also recommend trying to find any local food truck festivals that may be near you! My family and I found one a couple of years back, and it was super filling and we found some of our favorite restaurants this way.

Try some water sports - There are so many types of sports and activities you can try that involve the water, and what better activity to do when it hits 90 degrees? Most people love to go white water rafting in rapids, which you can do in a tube or kayak. You can also go fishing, take a ride on a boat or have fun on a jet ski. Most of these activities are affordable for renting if you don’t own them and they will absolutely put a smile on your face!

Take part in some “cliches” - Go-karting, Canva mini golfing and

driving bumper boats are all things I used to do as a kid, but I can easily say that there is no age limit on any of these adventures. Taking part in such a competitive activity surely drives you to have fun and produces lots of laughs.

Enjoy nature - Find a local trail or hiking path and walk the road!

You can get in a great workout and take in the beautiful scenery. If you have a dog, it might be nice to bring them with you too!

You can also enjoy the outdoors by going fruit and flower picking at a nearby farm or orchard. Not only is it a joyful and time-consuming task, but in the end, you will have a bunch of fresh ingredients for a morning fruit salad, snack or sweet dessert. Additionally, a fresh bouquet will definitely be a gorgeous addition in your house.

On days where you want to chill at home or save your money, there are still plenty of things to do in your backyard where you can continue to enjoy the weather and summer air.

Fire up the gill - A barbeque is something that almost everyone loves!

Saucy ribs, pasta salad, hot dogs, burgers, cornbread and so many other mouthwatering dishes are devoured from your plate in seconds...well, at least mine. Moreover, it’s the perfect meal to eat outside!

Gather ‘round the campfire - A bonfire should always be accompanied by smores, music, lawn chairs and friends. Although it may be annoying when you have to start swatting those mosquitos, grab a can of bug spray and enjoy the night.

looking forward to trying it. Upon taking the first bite, I could easily pinpoint mango’s sweetness and how Lay’s contrasted it with the red dusted chile. The flavor is somewhat comparable to a barbeque flavored Lay’s chip for sure.

Nevertheless, the company does a good job balancing the sweet flavoring with the chile seasoning so that one ingredient doesn’t overpower the other. However, non-spicy food lovers, beware! This chip has some heat for sure. Overall, I think it is a perfect beach snack; I give it a four out of five!

which I was not a fan of. The artificial grill aspect makes the chip bitter and takes away from the overall taste. I rate it a three out of five.

out and give these chips a try. Who knows, you might like these crazy tastes.

After picking them up from your local grocery store, these bags can be essential for beach days and barbeque weather around the corner!

Jerk Chicken: I was a little bit nervous about the Jerk Chicken flavor because how would a chip taste like chicken? But after trying this islandthemed chip, I can undoubtedly say that, like the mango chile flavor, there is some heat. The spicy and sweet combination, again, reminds me of a revamped bbq flavored chip. Yet, there were hints of an underlying smokey flavor

Summer BLT: The Summer BLT flavor also sounded a bit questionable. I won’t even go into wondering how a chip can taste like a sandwich!

And unfortunately, this chip flavor was definitely a thumbs down for me. The bag boasts of a high range of flavors with bacon, tomato and lettuce flavors; however, it seemed like a miss. I don’t want to speak on behalf of all chip lovers, but I could do without this flavor. If Lay’s toned down the awful bacon seasoning from the chip, I would give them another try. But for now, it’s a no from me; a one out of five is my final thought.

Even though my experience with these flavors isn’t the best, I still suggest that you go

Page 10

Canva

Splash around - If you are fortunate enough to have a pool, what are you waiting for? It’s time for a huge party! Take advantage of this cooling device that is free of sharks and start making some huge cannonballs. But of course, don’t forget to wear your sunblock.

Do-It-Yourself - In my opinion, summer is the best time to create your own things! You can tie-dye any type of clothing or accessory outside, paint rocks and lay them out in your yard or weave matching friendship bracelets.

It’s so much fun to make and once you finish you have your own artwork to show off.

Appreciate the sky - Sunrises, sunsets, stargazing and cloud watching; who knew there were so many things you can do with the sky? This may sound boring to some, but I truly feel that taking in these breathtaking features will allow you to take a moment to destress, breathe and acknowledge the Earth’s beauty.

After missing out on our summer fun last year due to an unexpected quarantine, I think now more than ever is the time to make up for lost time. I encourage you to get out of your house, seize each day and make sure to live in the moment!

Page 11

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

The Vine

By Tyler Zikias Film Columnist “Godzilla vs. Kong” is the latest entry in Warner Brothers’ MonsterVerse Franchise. While I really enjoyed the first “Godzilla” film from 2014 that kicked off this franchise, both “Kong: Skull Island” and “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” were very disappointing.

I thought that director, Gareth Edwards, did a fantastic job creating the monster’s enormous size during the fight scenes in the first Godzilla film and made the creatures feel like a legitimate threat to the human characters. Also, the human characters of that film were very grounded and used as a tool to show Godzilla’s incredible size.

However, both sequels suffered from an over-reliance on a large human cast. The films featured A-List actors with hollow writing, begging the audience to care about them. The monster fights seemed to be kept to a minimum and were much less impressive than the epic, massive scale fights from the first “Godzilla.”

While “Godzilla vs. Kong” is wildly entertaining in parts due to its wild story and stunning visuals, it suffers from the same issue as its predecessors while not packing as big of a punch.

Of the four films in the “MonsterVerse,” I think that “Godzilla vs. Kong” utilizes its human characters the best in terms of integrating them into the story. While “Godzilla” used its characters to demonstrate scale overstory and the other two films used their characters as fodder for the monsters, “Godzilla vs. Kong” has a much stronger emotional core.

In the film, Jia (Kaylee Hottle), who grew up on Skull Island, has a strong connection to Kong himself. This connection is explored throughout the film and provides muchneeded levity, and strengthens the purpose and urgency of the main characters’ goals. It was refreshing to see an actual connection between humans and monsters that made sense in the story’s grand scheme.

Another note on the story is how utterly “bananas” it is.

By John Bizub Contributing Writer It is October 2020; movie theaters are slowly opening back up after a long hiatus. Newly released films are being sent over to streaming, and it is up to the independent film market to make a new for themselves. However, there was one film that was sent straight to theaters and bombed at the box office.

That film is David Prior’s “The Empty Man.” The production story behind this one is very strange. David Prior was a man who worked closely with filmmakers, such as David Fincher and the Coen brothers. In 2016, Twentieth Century Fox announced an adaptation of “The Empty Man,” a film based on a comic but fairly loosely based, with Prior attached to direct. In later 2016, Prior and his crew got right to work but were hit with major weather storms causing them to finish.

After countless test screenings and studio executive meetings, Prior was told to cut the film to 90 minutes instead of its original length of 144 minutes. This was because many editors thought, “Who would want to sit through a two hour and twenty-four minute long horror film?” Due to this, Twentieth Century Fox placed it into

The other movies in the MonsterVerse kept realism levels to ground the narrative and make the monster threats feel real.

“Kong: Skull Island” deviated from this a little bit to showcase

the crazy environment and creatures of the title location, but “Godzilla vs. Kong” doubles down on that insanity. This film has some crazy sequences and ideas, taking action in wild ar-

the vault for a very long while.

After Disney bought Twentieth Century Fox’s rights in 2019, “The Empty Man” was lost in its archives with no release date planned. During the changes that Fox was doing under Disney’s jurisdiction, Fox dropped the trailer for David Prior’s film a whole week before its release.

The film did horribly at the box office and currently has no home media release, as it is only seen through streaming services. The film would also become panned by critics for those who saw it. However, recently the film has garnered a cult following, and many wish this gains a second light from audiences.

“The Empty Man” tells the story of a legend and how it has haunted a small town. It is up to one man to stop this supernatural entity from killing many civilians. Obviously, the film is hard to market because the plot is reminiscent of films such as “The Bye Bye Man” and “Slender Man.” Plus, the original runtime of 144 minutes was still an issue, and there are no big-name actors attached to the project. However, I believe that “The Empty Man” is a horror classic and, personally, my favorite mainstream horror film that has been released re-

cently.

What’s special about this film, is that it takes pieces from the creepypasta/urban legends that many have grown up with on the internet. “The Empty Man” is about coming to terms with your own psyche and allowing yourself to understand the depths of the unknown. The film has many moments that truly shook me to the core.

My issue with modern horror is the overuse of the “jumpscare” trope.

Sure, jumpscares appear throughout the film, but they work incredibly well here. This film relies on terrifying imagery rather than scares. It is up to the viewer to decide what is scary. The tension established throughout this film is absolutely wonderful. Each scene is built up to such an incredible effect that you get lost in it. The opening title card doesn't even appear until the first 22 minutes, which is pretty bold for a studio horror movie in 2020.

Yes, of course, there are twists and turns throughout this film, and they are very clever. The film changes tone from a horror film to a human drama about memories and your own human psyche.

Additionally, the acting by James Badge Dale is fantastic. Sure, this film has a long runtime and uninterest-

eas and exploring new concepts. There are twists and turns that shouldn’t be considered as such, but the choices are just so crazy that I couldn’t help but be entertained.

Here’s the thing about “Godzilla vs. Kong”... nobody cares about the narrative or about the characters or the writing or really anything regarding film structure. As long as the big fights that are advertised on the poster deliver, nothing else matters. I knew what I wanted from “Godzilla vs. Kong,” but did it provide at least that? Eh, not really.

The fights are pretty cool and are expertly constructed with visual effects, but I just wasn’t immersed in the action as I wanted to be. What won me over in “Godzilla” was the monsters’ sheer size and how huge they felt.

They moved slowly, and their footsteps shook the theater.

They also towered over skyscrapers and were shot to make the human characters small in comparison.

The fights in “Godzilla vs. Kong” are a shade of that. The characters move quickly and don’t demonstrate a consistent size throughout their battles. The camera gets way too close to these titans for the audience to see and feel how big they are.

I know this is just about the dumbest thing you can say about a movie with Godzilla and Kong in it, but the action just didn’t feel “real.” It didn’t feel like there was any weight to the punches or collision. It fell very flat for me in the long run, and I don’t think I would revisit this film for the fights.

Despite my disappointment in the action scenes, there is still a lot of fun to be had with “Godzilla vs. Kong.” Adam Wingard knew exactly what this film needed to be, and the shades of it are there. It takes the audiences on a zany adventure with wacky creatures and has big fights to break up the slower bits.

However, they are still just shades of what this movie could have been. There definitely could have been some more care put into the fights to make them seem a lot larger than life than they were.

It’s not bad, but it's something I probably won’t watch again.

Grade: C+

ing plot (to some), but this is not your typical horror feature. The film knows the maturity level of its audience and expects them to reach the same wavelength that Prior is establishing. The cinematography is very interesting, some scenes feel like they were shot via 2000’s camcorder, and some feel modern.

Ghost stories do not really scare

me. Sure, I believe in supernatural beings that appear, but stories about them do not really affect me.

However, “The Empty Man” was the first movie that did so. It is terrifying, thought-provoking and a breath of fresh air for the horror genre. Prior creates an atmospheric, slowly paced and melancholic masterwork.

Grade: A+

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

Coffee Break

Page 12

COFFEE BREAK Editor: Tristan Cruz tristan.cruz@student.fairfield.edu

The Coffee Break Team has put together a Word Search based on the Top 20 Songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 This Week! Be sure to check back next week for more!

If you would like to submit ideas for word searches and games, DM us @FairfieldMirror on Twitter!

- Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic - Montero - Lil Nas X - Peaches - Justin Bieber - Up - Cardi B - Drivers License - Olivia Rodrigo - Save Your Tears - The Weeknd - Levitating - Dua Lipa ft. Dababy - Deja Vu - Olivia Rodrigo - Blinding Lights - The Weeknd - Astronaut In The Ocean - Masked Wolf - Calling My Phone LilTjay ft. 6LACK - What You Know Bout Love - Pop Smoke - Mood - 24kGoldn ft. iann dior - Best Friend - Saweetie ft. Doja Cat - Go Crazy - Chris Brown & Young Thug - Whats Next - Drake - Back In Blood - Pooh Shiesty ft. Lil Durk - BeatBox - SpotemGottem ft. Pooh Shiesty - Therefore I Am - Billie Eilish - You Broke Me First - Tate McRae

Puzzlemaker / Discovery Education

Fairfield Priest Demands to Know What ‘Updog’ Is

By Nathan Schmidt Students were unsettled this week when Jesuit priest Rube Marky was spotted wandering campus and asking students what ‘Updog’ is. The priest, known affectionately to the student body as Father “Total” Rube, went from Jogues to Faber asking this same question over and over again: What exactly is this ‘Updog’ everyone is talking about?

It started with an innocuous mention by first year student Sean Jurassic ‘24 of something called “fresh top-quality Updog,” and it went from there. Since then, Father Rube has allegedly heard of “some Updog on his shirt,” “buying Updog for Easter,” and “worshiping the one true Updog.” His consternation has only grown over time.

In an interview with Stagnation reporters who used their masks to deftly conceal how hard they were struggling to keep straight faces, Father Rube said, “I simply want to know what confounded secret is behind this strange ‘Updog’ phenomenon. Is it a pet care service? An internet mey-mey? A subversive political movement? I want nothing more than a straight answer. What is the nature of ‘Updog’?”

Afterward, business student Laurie McLister ‘22 said to the same reporters, “I’m good to just let this keep going until he figures it out.”

Still, Father Rube sees no end in sight, especially since he was seemingly born in the wrong generation to realize that he can search anything on Google using his phone. The priest seems to be convinced that ‘Updog’ is some dangerous, un-Jesuit phenomenon, perhaps a plot to remove the bedrock Ignatian values from campus. Further, in Father Rube’s mind, only he seems to care that the issue persists — which means he will likely keep investigating until someone mentions ‘Grabahan’ to him.

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SPORTS Sports

Page 13

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

Sports Editors: Julia Lanzillotta and Tommy Coppola >>julia.lanzillotta@student.fairfield.edu >>thomas.coppola@student.fairfield.edu

Update To Game Day Attendance Policy

By Julia Lanzillotta Managing Editor In an email sent to Fairfield University students subscribed to Stags In The Stands on Life@Fairfield on Tuesday morning, April 13, the school announced that they will be hosting fans at sporting events on campus.

Starting Saturday, April 17, students who reserve a ticket through the SuperStags Rewards app will secure a spot in the stands at the corresponding home game.

Each game has a limited capacity, which will be virtually monitored through the ticketing system on the app.

Once capacity is reached, then the app will send a notification with online links to watch the game.

More directions on how to register can be found at Life@Fairfield.

This change comes at the heels of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s March 5 decision to allow only family members of athletes to view games in-person.

Fairfield University put out a release later that day to echo the fact that they

would follow the MAAC’s policy, which states that they are “To allow two family members per student-athlete for the home team to attend all MAAC competition, subject to state, local, and institutional regulations exercised at the institution's discretion. The MAAC supports the right of individual member institutions to make this policy more restrictive, based on their campus COVID policies, local and state health guidelines, and the capacity and configuration of their athletic facilities.

The new policy is effective March 6.”

Nonetheless, associate director of athletics working in communications and content strategy, Drew Kingsley ‘07, said that this opportunity to welcome fans does not, in fact, go against the conference’s policy.

He offered the following statement: “The current MAAC attendance policy allows each institution to permit student attendance if it is in accordance with their own institutional and local guidelines.

Fairfield University and Fairfield Athletics have determined that our students may attend home events in a responsible and socially distanced manner to the extent that each venue capacity allows.”

The announcement was a great surprise, as students can now attend games.

Although there will be several restrictions put in place like social distancing and mask wearing to ensure the health and safety of Stags fans, this is a sign that Fairfield Uni-

versity is returning to normalcy.

Students are encouraged to email Kristen Flynn at kristen.flynn@student. fairfield.edu with any questions regarding the new procedures associated with attending home games.

Stags In The Stands/Life@Fairfield

By Thomas Coppola Assistant Sports Editor

In three simple steps, students can reserve tickets to sporting events on campus.

In this week's issue...

-

Opinion: Baylor Shocks The Nation In March Madness (Page 14) Kudlacik Named MAAC Pitcher Of The Week (Page 15) COVID Forces Early End To Volleyball Season (Page 15) Baseball Remains Undefeated, Breaks Records(Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

Opinion: Baylor Shocks The Nation In March Madness

Photo Courtesy of @BaylorMBB on Instagram

On April 5, Baylor University took on Gonzaga University for the 2021 March Madness Championship, and beat them 86-70 to become the best college men's basketball team in the country.

By Zachary Stevens Contributing Writer Last Monday, April 5, the world watched and waited for the Gonzaga University Bulldogs to finish its unbeaten run, and silence non-believers with a National Collegiate Athletic Association championship. Not only did they not complete this “fairytale” run, but, to everyone’s surprise the game wasn’t even close.

The Baylor University Bears defeated the Gonzaga University Bulldogs 86 - 70.

From the first possession of the game, the Baylor University Bears seemed to have complete control of the game. I knew it was over, once guard Davion Mitchell crossed his defender and hit an effortless jump-

shot for the first points of the game.

From there, Baylor dominated the first half, beating the Zags in every aspect of the game, and used physicality matched with intensity to fluster the number one seed. The Bears had the lead up to 19 at one point, which was the biggest deficit Gonzaga has faced all year.

This Bulldog team was not accustomed to playing behind, once Baylor asserted their presence, not even Drew Timme and his mustache could stop them.

This was also credited to senior forward Mark Vital, who is the heart and soul of the Baylor team. A player who does the little things and puts in immense effort and hustle, never taking plays off. He was credited to six points and 11 rebounds, showcasing that scoring isn’t

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...

Julia Lanzillotta Head Sports Editor

How was your break?

Have you been able to watch some Fairfield games on campus?

It didn’t exactly go to plan, but Yes! Since it’s so nice out I love I was happy to spend some walking over to watch lacrosse time relaxing. and baseball games from the townhouses!

It was good! It was nice to see Nope, I wish. I’ve been tunTommy Coppola some friends and family from ing into live streamed games whenever I get the chance.

Assistant Sports home.

Editor

Short, but needed.

No.

Molly Lamendola Editor-in-Chief

Good! I was so happy to get to Yes! I have gotten to see a see my family! bunch of lacrosse games from Sheila McCombs the townhouses!

Executive Editor

all that makes an impact on the game.

Star guards: Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler and MaCio Teague all had 15 plus points in the contest, displaying the elite guard play head coach Scott Drew has at his disposal at Baylor.

Guard Butler took home Most Outstanding Player honors for the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Along with his 22 points, he also had seven assists and three rebounds.

This was no surprise to college basketball fans across the country, as Butler has been a consistent performer all year.

Gonzaga stars Corey Kispert, Drew Timme and Joel Ayayi all had uncharacteristic nights, having far less influence in the game then rounds prior, especially Timme. This is credit to Vital and bench

player Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, who bothered Timme all night in the paint and refused to let him get going.

Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga continued his good form after hitting the game winning shot in the round prior. He finished with 22 points and two steals, a solid night for the future NBA pro. Another NCAA tournament is written in the history books, with Baylor shocking undefeated Gonzaga to receive its university’s first national championship in program history.

As the hype dies down from the Baylor Bears, will college basketball watchers start to question the legitimacy of Gonzaga as a basketball program? No one isn’t saying they weren’t great this year, but they can never seem to take the last step.

Your 2020-2021 4x5 Columnists:

Julia Lanzillotta, Tommy Coppola, Sheila McCombs and Molly Lamendola How is your schedule looking for next semester?

The new convocation is set to be finished by 2022. Do you think that’s a fair timeline?

Do you think that vaccination clinics on campus are a good idea?

The best one yet. I have Tuesday’s and Friday’s off so I’m thrilled.

I’m shocked it will be done by then considering how huge of a project it is, but either way unfortunately I’ll be gone by then.

Absolutely! I’m already half vaccinated, but for the people who aren’t yet I think it’s a great resource.

I’m taking so many classes outside of my comfort zone, which should be a really fun challenge.

That sounds amazing, but I have to imagine that Fall 2022 is a little hopeful.

Yes, of course. I agree with Molly though...if you aren’t vaccinated yet, you probably aren’t interested.

Busy and lots of research based classes, so my computer is set to die from opened tabs.

Nope.

Yes! I think it’s going to be tricky getting students interested in it though. By that point, those who want to get vaccinated have already done so.

I finally get to take some classes just for fun which I have never gotten to do before! Woohoo that senior lifestyle!

No way! It’s way too big of a project!

Yes for sure!

Sports

Page 15

THE MIRROR | Week of April 14, 2021

Kudlacik Named MAAC Pitcher Of The Week

By Thomas Coppola Assistant Sports Editor Towards the end of a practice session last week, softball pitcher Katie Kudlacik ‘22 was approached by teammates and coaches, giving congratulations. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she had just secured the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week title.

Although the past couple weeks and months have been challenging for many teams, the Fairfield University softball team has gotten back onto a schedule- not a normal one, but a schedule nonethelessthat has allowed them to step back onto the field.

The return to play was definitely a shock for Kudlacik, whose sophomore season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last season, the team barely got to work with the new first-year players, meaning this year, the first-years and sophomores are just finally getting acclimated to the collegiate softball experience.

For Kudlacik, the experience has been fruitful so far. In her first season, she came on with the expectation of throwing a perfect rise ball, which she was not entirely comfortable with.

“All of a sudden, the rise ball just clicked,” Kudlacik stated.

Kudlacik owes her Pitcher of the Week title to her performances against Iona College on March 30 and April 3. “I got 23 strikeouts using my rise ball for the majority of them, and it finally worked,” she said. As a pitcher, she does not go up to bat, outfield or anything like that; throwing strikes is her sole focus.

However, she does not want to let this number two spot on the MAAC softball standings, just behind Manhattan College honor make her underperform in the next (11-7). series of games. “I’m grateful for it, but it The team recently took Alumni doesn’t phase me either. I don’t want to take Softball Field to play four games against it and be overly cocky in the next game,” Siena College over the span of two days.

Kudlacik explained.

Out of the games, the Saints and the Stags This season for the Stags has been confusing; out of the team’s 14 games played so far, only one was played at the properly scheduled time. Due to some universities taking a pause from athletics due to a quicker-than-normal spread of COVID-19, new games would appear on their schedule at short notice, which muddies up the entire process of travelling, studying each took home two respective wins. On film, and practicing.

Wednesday’s schedule, The earlier game However, Kudlacik hopes to stick went in favor of the Stags, 4-2, but they to the normal schedule for the rest of the dropped off in the evening game when season, as she is extremely excited for the Siena swept them 7-0. Thursday’s games team’s four-game stint against Monmouth followed a similar trend, with Fairfield University on May first and May second. claiming the first win 5-1, while the sec“It’d be great just to go out and play them ond game finished with the Stags down again, because they are great hitters and 7-0 once again.

I just want to see if my best stuff can beat This past weekend, the Stags faced their best stuff,” Kudlacik said.

Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. Although Kudlacik is a junior, she for a pair of double headers. On Saturday, still plans to play softball with Fairfield beyond her undergraduate graduation. Last Fairfield picked up two wins (4-2, 5-3), however Sundays games were postponed. season’s abrupt end led the National Collegiate Athletic Association to grant players They will close out their regular season with twelve more games, facing conference an extra year of eligibility, an offer Kudrivals including Saint Peter’s University, lacik plans to take advantage of.

Quinnipiac University and Monmouth In terms of the future, Kudlacik has a few ideas as to what she would like to focus University in the upcoming weeks.

The 2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic on. “Maybe I’ll end up coaching softball a Conference Championship Quarterfinals is little bit, or being an instructor for pitchscheduled for the weekend of May 8, while ing somewhere in the future,” Kudlacik the 2021 MAAC Championship will be said.

The Stags have ten wins and six losses held during the weekend of May 14.

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk on the season, currently sitting in the Katie Kudlacik of the Fairfield University Softball Team was named MAAC Pitcher of the Week.

COVID Forces Early End To Volleyball Season

By Nicole Maher Contributing Writer

The Fairfield University Women’s Volleyball team was forced to withdraw from the 202021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship Tournament due to COVID-19 protocol.

With a regular season record of nine wins and one loss, the team was named the top seed going into the championship tournament.

“It was really unfortunate how it ended up,” Luci Albertson ‘21 said. “But I’m choosing to look at all the things we’ve accomplished.”

Albertson is a senior member on the volleyball team and one of the current captains. In her four years on the team, she has acquired a series of awards including MAAC All-Rookie Team in 2017 and 2018, and MAAC All-Championship Team 2017, 2018 and 2019.

She is not the only member on the team to hold many titles, as described by the volleyball team’s head coach Todd Kress.

“This group of seniors has been one of the most successful classes on the volleyball team,” Kress said. “Manuela [Nicolini] has been to three MAAC Championships, and Kaylie [Butts] and Luci [Albertson] have each been to two.”

Kaylie Butts, a senior recruited from Tampa, Florida, was also a member of the MAAC All-Rookie Team in 2017 and named MAAC Player of the Week in November of 2019.

Manuela Nicolini, a graduate student from Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy, has been named MAAC Setter of the Year for 2017, 2019, and 2020, along with being a member of the MAAC All-Academic Team in 2018, 2019 and 2020, among many other recognitions.

Due to the sensitivity of the topic, Nicolini and Butts declined to comment on this matter.

Albertson described how these awards and titles have been one way the team members have contributed to the volleyball program over the years, but they have also worked to showcase their athleticism and commitment to the program.

“One of the things I consider my main accomplishment on the team is help-

ing Fairfield get wins overall,” Albertson said. She emphasized the importance of helping the program gain a strong record and rank among their opponents.

While her personal accomplishments and the performance of the team have been highlights in Albertson’s athletic career at Fairfield University, she also mentions the bonds among teammates as being one of the best parts of her experience.

One aspect of the volleyball program that Albertson has enjoyed over her four years is the fact that Fairfield recruits players from all over the country, and the world.

“Our team has players from everywhere,” Albertson said. “There are girls from the Mid-

west, the south, Italy and Canada.”

She described how one of her favorite parts of the volleyball program was watching these players from different backgrounds develop both a friendship off the court and a strong athletic dynamic on the court.

“Volleyball brought us together while we were here,” Albertson said. “It is something that will keep us connected as we graduate and go our own ways.”

As Albertson gets ready to say goodbye to the volleyball team at Fairfield, she feels that the program is only going to get better as the years progress. She outlined how the impressive winning record over the past couple of years will help attract strong players who are being recruited from high school.

“We have strong freshmen, a new gym being built, and the name of Fairfield,” Albertson said regarding the future of the volleyball team.

She emphasized how proud she is of the teammates she’s played alongside over the past few years. “I’m honored to be part of this team,” she said.

Kress also mentioned how pleased he is with the team, specifically the senior members Albertson, Butts, and Nicolini.

“I am very proud of their accomplishments as members of the team,” Kress said. “They have been exemplary representatives of the university and of the athletic d e p a r t m e n t .”

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

On March 31, the Fairfield University volleyball team was forced to withdraw from the 2021 MAAC Championship tournament due to the a positive COVID-19 case within the program.

@Fairfield Mirror Week of April 14, 2021

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16

Baseball Remains Undefeated, Breaks Records

By Julia Lanzillotta Managing Editor The 2021 Fairfield University baseball team will go down in history for their recordbreaking season thus far. The Stags are currently the only unbeaten team in the nation, with a 14-0 record on the season, and a squeaky clean 13-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference record.

Their win streak spans from the 2020 game at Stetson University when the Stags upended the Hatters 7-4 just before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 15-game stretch is nothing like the program has ever seen. Back in 1972, the Stags set the record of 10-straight triumphs, and almost 50 years later a double header against the Quinnipiac University Bobcats on April 7 shattered that record when Fairfield boasted two wins (6-3, 17-6) at home at the Alumni Baseball Diamond. Going into the day full of competition, Quinnipiac’s record was 2-11, 2-11 MAAC, while Fairfield’s was an impressive 9-0, 9-0 MAAC. “I don't think we go into games thinking we want to break records. It's more or less everyone trying to do their job, fill their role and do it well and that's what we’ve been doing lately,” said head coach Bill Currier.

In the earlier game in the bottom of the first, graduate student Dan Ryan singled down the left field line. A single by Justin Guerrera ‘22 sent Ryan to second, another single by graduate student Sean Cullen sent towards left field pushed Guerrera to make a run for third, pushing Ryan to score and putting the Stags on the board first. Trailing behind was Guerrera.

Though Mike Becchetti ‘23 struck out at bat, Cullen was able to steal second and then capitalize on an error to take third, sending Guerrera home to add another run. This first inning started the momentum which the Stags would hold onto the entire day. Though the Bobcats would cut the Stags’ lead to just one run in the top of the sixth, Fairfield would hold them off. A home run by Charlie Pagliarini ‘23 would cause Becchetti to score. The Stags were up 6-3, and held onto that lead for the morning. Guerrera and Becchetti led the charge in scoring, with two runs apiece. Cullen, Becchetti, Giacomo Brancato ‘21, Pagliarini, Mike Caruso ‘21 and Griffin Watson ‘22 all registered hits.

These games were especially difficult for Becchetti, as he was grappling with grief. “This week I found myself playing with a heavy heart

as my grandfather passed. He was my best friend who loved the game and [I wanted] to honor him,” he said. Nonetheless, this drove him to play even more passionately. “I will be playing the game harder than ever. As we continue to play we’re going to keep doing what we do best, play with a burning desire to win and protect the ‘Stag Dome’.”

Pressure was riding on the afternoon slate for the Stags to keep their undefeated title, but they held on, unfazed by external factors.

Quinnipiac returned to the diamond with a vengeance, and rattled out three runs in the top of the first. Fairfield responded with a pair of points coming from an RBI by Mike Handal ‘22 and a score by Ryan. Things didn’t look promising for the Stags, but in the bottom of the fourth, they surged registering five points to reclaim the lead, 8-5.

Quinnipiac would only notch one more run in the fifth inning, however Fairfield would shoot ahead.

Handal had a stand out game with three runs in four at bats, while Guerrera had three of his own, and Cullen, Pagliarini, Caruso and Watson recorded a pair for themselves.

The 17-6 victory was in favor of the Stags.

The Stags would enter the weekend with a swagger which no other team in the country would have, being undefeated with ten games under their belt. April 9 and April 10 were packed, with four games scheduled over two days. Friday and Saturday’s schedules mirrored each other, each with games planned for 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The weekend matches were pushed back a day due to inclement weather forecasted for Sunday, when the second day of competition was originally planned to take place.

The Stags displayed a true upper hand during both of Saturday’s games, blowing Rider University out of the water. The Rider Broncs

had a respectable record of 10-5,10-5 MAAC, but they faltered against Fairfield. In the first game, Rider only began to chip away at their seven-run deficit in the top of the sixth inning, registering three runs under the overcast sky of Fairfield, Conn. Junior Michael Sansone was on the mound for 5.2 innings, delivering five strikeouts. Handal and Guerrera each had a pair of runs, while Ryan, Cullen Pagliarini and Caruso contributed to the blowout victory that early afternoon, 8-3 after seven innings. The win would be the program’s one thousandth in the 70 years since its establishment, and this milestone is a testament to the fact that this team is something special.

Their 1,001 win came just a few hours later in the day, when the Stags were unstoppable.

In game two of four over the weekend stretch, the sun finally came out and Fairfield was on fire, burying Rider for the second time, 10-0. This time Jake Noviello ‘22 dished out pitches for the Stags, striking out seven Broncs.

On five singles and two walks, Fairfield scored four runs, as per FairfieldStags.com. By the bottom of the second, Guerrera had one run and one homerun, tallying eight homers to the season of the twelve games played. This puts him in fifth place in program history.

Closing out the weekend stint with Rider, Fairfield entered into their final day of play to wrap up the weekend on Saturday, April 10. The earlier half of the innings was made up of a quick seven innings which the Stags crushed with ease. Handal, Ryan and Cullen joined the two-hit club, while Guerrera and Ryan Strollo ‘23 each tallied a hit. The Stags shut out the Broncs, 5-0, giving them the substance to take on the nightcap with some confidence.

Senior Bryson Cafaro had a stand-out night, pitching six innings, and arguably being the backbone behind the final win of the series.

He gave up only two hits and one walk, and struck out for batters. Unsurprisingly, Becchetti had two hits in four at-bats, while Handal and

Cullen also amassed two hits. Out in the field, Cullen registered 12 putouts. Finishing what Cafaro started were graduate student Eli Oliphant and Jason Hebner ‘21 who did their part in holding off the Broncs. The Stags won in another shutout, 6-0.

Graduate student John Signore and senior Cafaro pitched at least six shutout innings each throughout Saturday’s games. Notably, Signore also nabbed his 20th career win in noon’s game, pitching all seven innings, without walking a single Bronc. This win puts him in second place for all-time wins for pitchers in the program.

Signore has an earned run average of 0.49 in 18.1 innings while Cafaro has a 0.90 in 10 innings.

“We had a great series this weekend against Rider. The pitchers were dealing and the hitters continued to smash the baseball,” noted Becchetti.

Guerrera said, “It’s been a great couple of weeks for us. We have really clicked as a team and are firing on all cylinders. Our pitchers have done a great job keeping the other team from scoring, the defense has been solid, and our offense has given us the leads we’ve needed to win.”

The Stags have the lowest WHIP in the country, with 0.94, thanks to the incredible pitching squad that the team has. In addition, they are the only Division I team with a WHIP under 1.00, per the Fairfield Athletics website.

The Stags also lead America in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, with stats of .336, .547 and .432 respectively.

This performance has given them the honor of being voted as the number one team in the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association poll, earning ten points.

"It's always nice to be voted by other coaches in New England where they think you rate among the other schools but it is April 13th and it would be much more meaningful to have that number one ranking at the end of May. We're excited where we're at, we're doing well, we're trying to keep our heads down and working hard and making sure we're doing the kind of things we need to do to stay successful,” said Currier in a press release by the department of athletics.

CONTINUE ON: WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM

Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk

The Fairfield University baseball team(14-0, 14-0 MAAC) has improved upon their undefeated record after a series sweep against the Rider University Broncs by scores of 8-3, 10-0, 5-0, and 6-0.