Students meet with prospective companies at last years Fall Career and Internship
Students Prepare for Today’s Career Fair
BY ASHLEY DEVLIN Head News Editor
As the school year is off to a quick start, students are eager to learn more about their career options at this semester’s Career and Internship Fair held in the Rec Plex. The Mirror spoke to a senior, junior and a sophomore before the big event who each spoke to the necessity of preparing for an event this important. Jenna Walsh ‘27, Gabriella Fideleo ‘26 and Abigail Ross ‘25 shared some insights into their to-do list before the event and what students can look forward to at the fair.
Jenna Walsh ‘27 is just a sophomore, attending her first career fair at Fairfield University. As a biology major and behavioral neuroscience minor, she is currently seeking internships and job opportunities in the healthcare field, like a great deal of other students here.
She is attending the fair so that she can network with top companies and said, “I hope to discover new opportunities in the healthcare field.” These companies include Hartford Healthcare and ScribeAmerica.
In order to perform well at the fair, Walsh explained that she is diligently working on crafting and updating her resume and will be utilizing the Kelley Center’s services to print her resume on resume paper. In addition to this, she is researching all of the companies that she is interested in so that she has something prepared to say to them to stand out and indicate that she is interested in their organization.
Walsh gained these skills by enrolling in the Sophomore Success Program offered through the Career Center. Although the class has only just started for her, she has already learned how to create a sophisticated resume and hone in on her career interests.
Similar to Walsh, Gabriella Fideleo ‘26, also attended Sophomore Success. Through this program, Fideleo says, “I was able to get my resume edited and my LinkedIn set up. I also learned how to write a proper cover letter and practiced other useful networking skills, like reciting elevator pitches and doing mock interviews.”
This program prepared her a great deal for the Career Fair last year, as she had a very positive experience.
Fideleo ‘26 said, “I am still in contact with some industry professionals I met and have learned a lot from them. I hope to take a similar pathway this year, but apply to more diverse internships.”
Fideleo is currently a junior finance and economics major with an international business minor. She enjoys financial and investment management, so she researched companies that align with those interests.
Like most of the Class of 2026, Fideleo has a very specific reason for attending the fair. She says, “I am seeking an internship for Summer 2025, which will hopefully turn into a full-time offer, but I also hope to build my network, as well as speak with industry professionals in fields I am interested in.”
She is specifically looking at Franklin Templeton, JP Morgan, Bank of America, Monte and Barnum. Fideleo ‘26 investigated these companies all on Handshake, through the university’s website, so that she could be prepared to discuss opportunities with them at the fair.
Fideleo believes that researching companies before the fair is key to connecting with them, understanding your company desires and making a good first impression on possible future employers. Through great investigation, Fideleo discovered that the aforementioned companies all “have good company culture and room for growth.”
Additionally, members of the Class of 2025 who are looking for future career opportunities are welcome to attend. Abigail Ross ‘25, has attended two career fairs in the past and will be in attendance at this year’s Career and Internship Fair.
Ross is a Senior psychology major with minors in management and public health, looking for a potential job in Human Resources. At the fair, Ross said “I hope to gain more experience talking to recruiters, give my resume out and explore opportunities available to me… if a job comes out of it, then I will be very happy.”
To prepare for this task, Ross also was enrolled in Sophomore Success in the 2022-23 academic school year. In this program, she learned how to create a resume and a LinkedIn account from scratch, interview with companies, explore career paths and draft an elevator pitch.
Ross ‘25 says, “This is my third career fair and I do not think I ever would have attended one if I wasn’t a part of this program [Sophomore Success]”.
Ross believes that the program prepared her well for looking for jobs and attending the Career and Internship Fair. This year she will be preparing by going to the Career Center to edit and print her resume and practicing an updated elevator pitch.
Her only hope this year is that there is a more diverse grouping of companies present. Ross ‘25 said, “last year, I did not appreciate how focused it was on the Dolan School of Business students, as they have many more opportunities than the College of Arts and Sciences to look for jobs.”
Those interested in learning more about companies attending the fair are encouraged to look at the university’s Handshake and attend the fair today, Sept. 25, 2024.
BY KATHLEEN MORRIS Managing Editor
“I think we need to be a school with no more secrets and bring things to light,” Fr. John Savard, S.J. ‘78 emphasized. “We must walk in the light a little bit more and not be afraid of the darkness.”
To create an atmosphere that is open to vulnerability and conducive to conversation, Fairfield U Wellness is hosting an event entitled “What If I Share My Story?” in the Oak Room. The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 26 and will function as a walk-through exhibit for community members to learn about on-campus resources to prevent sexual violence.
The timing is strategic, as the first six to eight weeks of school are classified as “the red zone.”
Pam Paulmann, Fairfield’s Coordinator for Health and Wellness Education, hopes to diminish the struggles faced by students who “are new to campus, new to freedom, and experimenting for the first time with many things.” This stage of exploration can coincide with unexpected, negative situations.
The 2023 Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report cited that three incidents of “Sexual Offenses” and two incidents of “Sexual Assault: Rape” occurred on campus in 2022. The year prior, there were four documented incidents of “Sexual Assault: Rape” at Fairfield University. However, these statistics do not account for the unspoken stories of sexual violence, stories that remain clouded by the shame that prevents survivors from revealing their truth.
Paulmann underscored the gaps within this numerical data.
“It’s very nuanced,” she revealed. “Clery has very specific guidelines and these incidents often go unreported, so I don’t always think those are the most accurate numbers.”
The Clery Act was established in 1990, requiring all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial programs to document and relay information about on-campus crime. Fairfield University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) annually captures and releases data about unlawful activities, from liquor law violations to arson. DPS must also quantify incidents of sexual assault, reflecting a painful and pervasive reality interwoven into collegiate culture.
Survivors may be afraid to disclose this information, as discussions about sex are often considered taboo or “off-limits.” However, Paulmann is committed to breaking barriers and opening the door to necessary dialogue.
Paulmann’s efforts are shared by a committee initially established by a three-year federal grant. Once that grant expired, Paulmann did not want to discontinue the work aimed at eliminating sexual violence in the community.
Her team hopes to equip students with an awareness of support structures offered at the University. By attending “What If I Share My Story?”, it is possible for students to find light in the aftermath of trauma.
“A student can meet with any number of different people who can be a support to students who are survivors or who have been impacted in any way,” Paulmann explained. She continued, “The different tables include everything from the Title IX Office to the Counseling Center to peers, as how a peer reacts to a disclosure is huge in determining what the next step is for the student.” Campus Ministry and the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality will also be present. Marcy Dolan Haley, the Associate Director of the Murphy Center, works closely with Paulmann on Fairfield’s Coordinated Community Response Team. She uses her platform to build a bridge between one’s faith and their healing journey. Her ideology is shaped by Catholic Social Teaching, which characterizes sexual harassment as a violation of human dignity.
“From my perspective, this is a human dignity and human flourishing issue,” Haley said. “It is a violation of your ability to live in a way that is not only contributing to your good, but the common good.” Haley admitted that, at face value, a Jesuit and Catholic institution may seem like an unorthodox setting to promote open communication about sexual activity. Historically, the Catholic Church has faced backlash for its rigid stance against premarital sex.
“Sexual assault carries shame, regret, anger and disappointment… all things we’re not supposed to feel as good Christians, right?” Haley considered. “No one wants to talk about that. To talk about sexual assault is to imply or infer that sex has happened, and that’s not something we’re supposed to do here on this college campus.”
Photo Courtesy of FairfieldFlickr
BY SAMANTHA RUSSELL Executive Editor
Class of 2025 Celebrates First Naut
Senior festivities for the Class of 2025 have officially commenced, treating students to Colony Pizza at the Seagrape “Grape” Cafe, early-bird tickets to Fairfield University’s annual President’s Ball and the weekly Naut beach party. Nauts invite seniors each Thursday evening for an exclusive party, commonly seen as a pregame for The Grape.
Last Thursday night, the first Naut took place at Big Blue and Overlook, two beach houses located on Fairfield Beach Road. With a Luau Hawaiian theme, the crowd flaunted everything floral and flowy, enjoying a summer night with live music and eight kegs of beer, cider and Truly Seltzers.
“My first naut experience was really positive,” said Clara Patton ‘25. “I had a great time, I saw so many friends and peers there and everyone seemed to be having a good time.”
Similarly, Carmela Silvia enjoyed the privacy of the event with only her graduating class.
“It was definitely a lot of fun and so special to be able to go to something like that where it’s just your whole class. I think it was definitely worth going and am excited for the ones to follow.”
Each senior interested in attending the Nauts this year was required to Zelle Off-Campus Student Leader (OCL) Colin Richards $75 to pay for provided liquor. After the payment, Richards issued Naut wristbands to attendees outside of Old Post Market.
Wristbands were checked at the party entry to ensure only those who paid could attend.
“Honestly, in comparison to a usual weekend of trying to get on to The Point, I would say that it was not as bad,” Silvia said. “They were checking bands for a good portion of the night, but there was only one police cruiser at the house.”
In light of the stricter restrictions enforced by Fairfield police this semester, the wristband system came across relatively smoothly for students, still allowing a positive experience while remaining safe. Seniors such as Patton and Matt Mauro noticed a definite decrease of officers present than at previous parties this month, such as the White Out. Some, according to Patton, seemed to embrace the student festivity.
“I saw one officer wearing a lei which made me feel better about their attitude toward us being there,” she said “I was pleasantly surprised, supervision has been unreasonably strict this year, but the Naut was able to happen and I’m really grateful for that.”
Patton admitted her feelings of safety offered by the security, and Mauro believes the wristbands are a good method to keep it a senior-only event. Both students, however, relayed that the system of picking up the wristbands in the middle of the day was inconvenient. Pick-up was in the middle of the day, when most students have class, and for only one day. Richards did pass out wristbands the following day for those who could not make it, but only for forty-five minutes.
Furthermore, because of a delay in rubber-wristband delivery, which will last seniors the entire year, last week’s wristbands will need to be reused. According to Richards, rubber wristbands will be delivered on October 1.
Another positive note from Thursday’s Naut was the live band, a group composed of Fairfield students- Robert Paltrineri, Alicia Healy, Matthew Deutsch, Ryan Tobin, Zach Ciampi and Henry Anderson- and known as Half Approved. The band created a more unique experience for Patton compared to more general parties, as did the use of a theme.
Her one negative thought was only having one bathroom for hundreds of students, a circumstance she deemed a “nightmare.”
Silvia, Patton and Mauro all plan to attend the next Naut on Thursday, Sept. 26, which is being hosted by Snug Harbor and with a “rave” theme. The upcoming theme does raise some questions for the latter two, interested in how that switch will change the chiller vibe of last week’s, but are both excited to get creative with it.
In regards to the overall experience, the security presence was reasonable and the outcome was positive for all students—nothing too out of control. And, Silvia has hopes for this event changing security presence at future events this year.
“I hope that we are able to prove to the school and work with them so that we can find a way to enjoy our gatherings throughout the rest of this year,” she said.
Mirror Alumni: Where Are They Now? Reflections from Kat Klima ‘20
Kat Klima '20 Emeritus Executive Editor
Interview By: Kathleen Morris, Managing Editor
1.) What is your fondest memory at The Mirror?
Oh I have so many. I got to meet and interview a lot of cool and interesting people: David Cook, David Archuleta, the Score, Jake Shimabukuro, and I didn’t meet her but I did get to see Jane Fonda talk. I also did a study abroad column when I was in Ireland, which looking back has been great because I was able to write about that time in my life and have a record of that.
I don’t know if it’s my fondest, but it’s one I use in job interviews quite a lot. I just started as the Vine Editor and all of our computers just stopped working in some kind of Y2K shutdown (absolutely horrifying). My computer was the only one that worked and we really spent a lot of time with each other that night. There was also the time I ended up having to deliver the paper because we were short staffed. I think we finished around 3AM on a Tuesday night and I had to wake up at like 6AM to deliver the paper. Then I had class at like 10AM. I don’t know how I functioned at 21. I’m 26 now and the idea of losing sleep hurts.
2.) How did your time at The Mirror shape your post-grad experiences?
I think the Mirror shaped my life post-grad in so many ways. As a writer, it definitely helped me think a lot about what is the heart of a really good nonfiction piece. There were also a lot of professors I learned this from (Sonya Huber, Matt Tullis, Tommy Xie), but the Mirror gave me a lot of freedom to express myself and gave me the proper tools to start my journey as a writer, reader, and editor.
Before I was the Executive Editor, I started off as the Vine Editor and I had a lot of fun just being able to design the covers and I got to play around a lot creatively. I worked part-time as a social media coordinator in graduate school and a lot of the graphics I
created were done using tools and tricks I learned from my time at the Mirror. The Mirror also prepared me for a lot of internships in graduate school. I ended up interning at Ploughshares, Harvard Education Press, and Candlewick Press— which were all really great. Something I learned at the Mirror is always showing up in a lot of the professional spaces I’ve found myself in.
3.) What are you up to now?
I received my MFA in Creative Writing, with a concentration in fiction, from Emerson College in May of this year. I also just started a full-time job at Emerson College in June working for their Student Employment office.
I’m currently in the process of trying to write a book (big stress on trying) and submit the short stories from my thesis for publication (so in other words, pray for me).
4.) What advice would you give to current members of The Mirror?
Enjoy the creative freedom you have at the Mirror. This is the time for you to figure yourself out, try new things, and write and read outside your comfort zone.
I think in a lot of ways the Mirror will help get you in shape for the world outside of college. I’ve been in so many job interviews where they’ve asked me to elaborate about my time at the Mirror and discuss the responsibilities I held there.
It’s also a great community to have and lean on. I’m still really good friends with some of the people I worked with at the Mirror. Ultimately, give this time your all and enjoy every second.
Members of the Class of 2025 gather in front of Big Blue for the first themed Naut. At the senior only event, police were present, nut the party followed town guidelines and many considered it a success.
Erica Schindler /The Mirror
Kat in 2018 (above), Kati in 2024 (below)
Crime forthcoming in The Mirror’s next issue.
Fairfield Town Residents, Landlords Respond to New Beach Rules
BY ERICA SCHINDLER Assisstant News Editor
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publicsafety@fairfield.edu
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Editors
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Sophia Cossitt-Levy, Assistant News
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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 Fairfield University or its Board of Trustees
Last week, The Mirror ran two articles reporting on recent happenings along the town’s beaches. This month’s failed Labor Day white party and the implementation of guest passes sent waves of confusion and anger through the student community. At the same time, Fairfield University seniors began participating in the year’s weekly beach clean ups. Since then, there has also been increased activity on the beach, due in part to the senior Naut parties, which are run with knowledge from the university. With a new semester and new beach rules, how are residents in the town of Fairfield responding?
To better understand the perspectives of town residents, The Mirror spoke to Lucas Scholhamer, who lives in the beach area with his wife and daughter. He recently became president of the Fairfield Beach Residents Association, an organization of people living in town.
According to their website, FBRA aims to “represent and implement the interests and desires of the membership in maintaining and improving Fairfield Beach and vicinity; promote cooperation among the owners and renters; represent the common interests of the membership in relation to governmental authorities, and provide for the mutual assistance, enjoyment and quality of life for all people residing in the Fairfield Beach area.” One of their initiatives is resident/student relations.
Scholhamer describes the current relationship between Fairfield students and other beach residents as “complex.”
“Most full-time residents I know aren’t actually anti-student,” Sholhamer says. “And just like students, they simply want to enjoy the beach neighborhood that they have worked so hard to live in. But over the last several years things have gotten out of hand and many residents have had their property rights violated or their safety threatened by student parties. I think everybody is hoping for a reset, where we all agree to enjoy the beach but in a way that doesn’t keep others from enjoying it.”
Part of this reset, at least for some residents, has included the new policy of a limited number of guest passes for each student house. Scholhamer explains that property owners along the shoreline, including those that rent to Fairfield students, control who can access the portion of the beach they own.
“Property owners—including the owners of student rentals—can control the access to their properties and beaches, which are private to the average high tide line,” he says. “Lantern Point is actually subject to a legal injunction from a past lawsuit that limits the size of gatherings on this property, and student gatherings in recent years have been in violation of this legal ruling.”
Scholhamer also brought up residents’ concerns
over the possible legal challenges that he says can arise from large events like the “white-out” or SantaCon. He points to litter, ambulances and fights among the residents as concerns and says that the residents face the consequences of students breaking the law, even if they do so accidentally.
As for the rest of this year’s events, residents remain concerned about the prospect of large student parties near their houses.
“We all saw how bad SantaCon was last year…” Scholhamer said. “We also worry that the University doesn’t do enough to educate students about some of the town’s key laws—that residential areas of the beach are private property above the high tide line, and that Fairfield’s town noise ordinance is now in effect 24 hours, as is actually required by Connecticut’s state law.”
Many residents have these concerns, yet others believe that students living at the beach are generally unproblematic in their behavior. Among these is Norma Jean Maltese, a Fairfield homeowner who rents to students. Acknowledging many of her fellow residents’ concerns about students partying, she responds: “So what?” In her view, the safety of students is what’s most important.
“I have nothing but good things to say,” Maltese said of her student renters. She added, “After a while, they become family.”
Compiled by Kathleen Morris Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety
The Fairfield Beach Residents Association responds to new rules regarding noise ordinances and litter in the beach area. Seniors are expected to act accordingly.
Photo Courtesy of Fairfield Beach Residents Association
BY SOPHIA COSSITT-LEVY Assisstant News Editor
Presidential Ball Ticket Sales Stir Unnecessary Frustration
One of Fairfield University’s most beloved traditions, the Presidential Ball, better known by students as Pres Ball, is coming up once again. In the week leading up to the event, students scramble for tickets, and this year was no different.
Tickets for this year’s Pres Ball went on sale at noon on Monday, Sept. 16 for seniors and at noon on Tuesday, Sept., 17 for first-years, sophomores and juniors.
For seniors, there were immediate issues with purchasing tickets. Group chats buzzed with questions after alerts online showed that tickets were sold out only moments after the sale began. Some seniors made phone calls to reserve tickets, while others waited for the site to start working again.
Senior Bobby Schattle said that the “system said tickets were sold out right away and then didn’t show [that the] tickets [were] back on sale until ten minutes later. [It] was better in previous years.”
Emily Keane, ‘25, didn’t have any issues with the technology, but said, “I was on my way to class so [it wasn’t] convenient.”
The rest of the student body seemed to have a hitor-miss experience on Tuesday. Some students took to Fizz, an anonymous social media platform used by some university students, with one person posting, “When the site crashed four times but I still got that pres ball ticket.” This received 330 upvotes from other users.
Other anonymous posters took to Fizz to share their difficulties obtaining tickets. One student wrote, “Does
Conversations
anyone know what to do if it says not eligible when you click on student tickets for pres ball?”
Another student complained that ticket sales weren’t split up, writing, “Pres Ball tickets need to be sold the same way they do class registration. Because why are freshmen buying at the same time as juniors?”
Sophomore Daniella Norena-Mesa faced technical difficulties and much like the Fizz post that complained about the site crashing, she said, “It did not go well for me. It kept asking to do the ‘Are you a robot’ test. It wasn’t working, and I think there was a system error. I did end up getting tickets, but that was hours later.” In the meantime, Norena-Mesa worried that tickets would be completely sold out the next time she tried to purchase them. All of her friends had managed to get tickets, and she was looking forward to going with them.
Sophomore Jane Coppola had a smoother experience purchasing tickets compared to last year. “This might have to do with the fact that last year I bought my ticket in Jogues, while this year I bought it in Canisius.” Still, Coppola explained she still experienced issues, “When I was checking out and hit the button to place my order, finalizing my ticket purchase, the website crashed and displayed an error message that read: ‘This request cannot be processed.’” Luckily, it seemed to be a false error code, as Coppola received a confirmation email moments later.
Instead of using the website like most seemed to, Kallie Oullette, ‘26 used the Super Stag App. “I thought getting tickets was easy this year… [I] had no problems with the system,” she said.
Another sophomore, McKaylan Connolly, had an easier time getting tickets than she did her first year, though it still wasn’t perfect. “This year the page was a little slow to load, but overall it was much easier and quicker to purchase the ticket.”
Connolly also spoke about the timing of the sale, saying, “I feel like the timing of Pres Ball tickets going on sale was inconvenient for people who had classes at that time. Once tickets were on sale, everyone was pulling out their credit cards and trying to get the page to load. It was disruptive, and I felt bad for our professor who was in the middle of a lecture.”
Sophomore Sam Giuricich got lucky with Pres Ball tickets this year. Though she had a lab at the time, she got out of class early and managed to avoid technical problems. “Once [my computer] loaded, it was smooth, but it was stressful because my friends were telling me they got tickets.”
Junior Marina Chiaro, however, didn’t even realize anything had gone wrong for others with purchasing tickets. “It was quick, and I got them in two minutes,” Chiaro said. For anyone still wanting to get a ticket, as of Friday, Sept. 20, FUSA reports a limited number still available—even though students feel pressured to get tickets the second they go on sale, there are plenty to go around.
About Sexual
Assault at a Jesuit Institution
She quickly abandoned this argument, only adopting this generalized viewpoint to highlight the danger of a limited perspective that puts survivors “back into dark corners instead of coming forward.” Haley encourages individuals to push the boundaries of their beliefs and embrace solidarity.
“We must work in communion with each other,” she emphasized. “Within the context of our community, we all have a right to work and live in a space that supports our human flourishing and is free from judgment.”
The notion of solidarity is echoed in the “Step Up Stags” program, a bystander intervention training presented to all first-year students, Resident Assistants and New Student Leaders. The program informs students about sexual misconduct and consent policies. More broadly, it stresses the importance of active engagement in the face of violence.
“We, unfortunately, have students who may be thinking ‘What do I want out of this situation?,’” Paulmann said. “Whether it’s some sort of satisfaction or
“Within the context of our community, we all have a right to work and live in a space that supports our human flourishing and is free from judgment.”
-Marcy Dolan Haley, Associate Director of the Murphy Center
experimentation, they completely disregard the person before them and that’s really where things fall apart,” Paulmann reinforced the value of unity, especially in our “me-centered world.” She hopes the Jesuit ideals will serve as an undercurrent to motivate students to uplift one another. Savard is optimistic about the continued development of a culture of respect and accountability. As the Interim Director of Campus Ministry, Savard is a member of Fairfield’s
CARE Team. In this role, he joins a working group tasked with identifying and communicating with students of concern.
“As we get to know students, hopefully, we can be seen as approachable and ready to greet students who find themselves in a situation of sexual harassment, even if it is the harasser who comes to make amends,” Savard explained.
In his day-to-day encounters, he remains cognizant of the shifting campus culture that can both prevent and perpetuate immoral behavior.
“There is always work to be done,” Savard declared. “We’re always bringing in a new class and we need to remember that when one person is violated or diminished, all of us are.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, please call (203) 254-4357 for guidance or to file a report. For additional resources, visit Fairfield University’s website for survivors.
Presidential Ball evokes feelings of campus pride, evident in the Stags Up hand sign. This year, students felt overwhelmed with the ticket purchasing.
Kathleen Morris/The Mirror
“The
Naut” is the Perfect Party for Both Seniors and the Town
Editor: Trent Ouellette
By Jacqueline Rigazio Copy Editor
This past Thursday night marked an event that Fairfield seniors have bewen looking forward to for the last three years: the first Naut. “The Naut” is a themed party for seniors that occurs every Thursday night and is hosted voluntarily by seniors who live at the beach. Many seniors, myself included, were buzzing with excitement all day on Thursday in anticipation of attending their first Naut.
So far this school year, the senior class has experienced heightened security and restrictions from the town. Due to previous out-of-hand parties, it is no secret that the town of Fairfield has had many complaints with the senior class. In years past, big events such as SantaCon received intense backlash from Fairfield residents. As the biggest Fairfield party of the year, SantaCon attracts hundreds of party-goers from other universities, which causes this event to escalate in a dangerous way. At SantaCon 2023, 70% of the documented reports were from non-Fairfield U. students. However, because the Naut is a Fairfield seniors-only function and is not open to other schools or class years, I believe that the Naut is the perfect event to allow reasonable senior gatherings while also abiding by town policies.
Senior Colins Richards, who is serving as the Off-Campus Leader (OCL) for Fairfield’s Class of 2025, sent out communication to the entire senior class via GroupMe prior to the Naut on Thursday. He texted everyone about the event’s rules and information, establishing the party hours as 7:30-9:30 p.m. to ensure that students comply with the town’s noise ordinance of
10:00 p.m. Richards also informed the seniors that “there will be a lot of big garbage cans out behind the houses, use those” to avoid litter on the beach. He even noted a residence with younger children living nearby and asked students to “be mindful” of them so they wouldn’t be disturbed. Richards ended the informative message by stating, “let’s be smart tomorrow so that we don’t get ourselves or the hosting houses in trouble. I know I have been looking forward to [the Nauts] since I was a freshman so let’s make them last.” Like Richards, the entire senior class has been anticipating this event for years, so everyone was more than happy to comply with basic rules to make sure that this favorite senior tradition can continue.
Based on the high security which largely prevented a “white-out party” on Labor Day, I was unsure of how the town would react to the Naut. As I approached the two hosting houses for this luau-themed event, two Fairfield police cars were parked outside. The officers stood beside their vehicles, saying hello to students as they entered the party. One of the officers was even wearing a Hawaiian lei to sport the theme, smiling when my friends and I complimented it. I felt that this interaction displayed a mutual respect between the cops and the partygoers, as they served as a precaution to make sure the event did not get out of hand while also wanting the seniors to enjoy their Thursday night.
Once we passed the gate and reached the deck of the houses, we were immediately surrounded by our classmates and closest friends. Head to toe in luau-themed attire, I recognized almost every face that passed by. Usually, it would take a lot of time and phone calls to locate my friends
in a big crowd, but this senior-only attendance meant that everywhere I looked I could spot friendly faces and find someone to chat with.
Complete with a band playing on the back deck of the house, Fairfield University seniors could come together, dance to live music and connect with each other in a way we have not experienced before. The community feeling of getting to party and bond with my fellow seniors was such a special moment. We have all been dreaming of this for three years, and the fact that we were able to gather together in a fun way while also being safe was the best first Naut experience I could have asked for.
Fellow seniors echoed my sentiments, as Danny Mayo ‘25 commented, “I felt part of the Fairfield community, and made me really happy to be a stag. These are the things we look forward to all four years.”
Jenna LaRochelle ‘25 shares, “I thought it was super fun and I loved that there was live music. I also think that as a group overall people were very respectful about leaving at the 9:30 end time.”
Senior Heather Hodgkins says that the Naut “is a great way for seniors to get together and have a fun time.” She expresses that “we as seniors have been looking forward to the Nauts since we were freshmen, and we are so happy we are able to have them.”
Senior Andrew Caslin also adds that “the first Naut was well put together and well executed. There’s definitely a sense of camaraderie and school spirit when events like these are thought out in advance.”
For the Class of 2025, the last time we were seniors looked a lot different. When smiles were covered by masks and hugs of
hello were forbidden, it was near impossible to feel connected to those in our graduating class. Four years later, finally getting the senior year experience that we have all been craving—without warranting backlash from the town—feels all the more special.
The senior class pulled this party off exceptionally. Because the Naut is senioronly, it is so much more manageable to comply with town rules and ensure that the gathering doesn’t get out of hand. This allows seniors to enjoy their parties safely while respecting the Fairfield community and residents. Based on the first Naut experience, Thursday night is quickly becoming my favorite time of the week!
Is Avery Dulles Hall as Dull as Some New Residents Claim?
By Ava Schiff
Contributing Writer
After deciding to enter the unpredictable housing lottery this previous year, my two roommates and I were thrilled to be placed in the newest building on campus. This building, Avery Dulles Hall, was named after an American Jesuit, Avery Robert Dulles. The drive up to the front entrance of Dulles Hall looks promising, as large floor-to-ceiling windows occupy almost the entire building. The exterior of Dulles Hall has inviting landscaping, as well as modern, overhanging pergola-like structures. After entering the building for the first time, I was immediately hit with the smell of new furniture, new carpeting and overall cleanliness. Eagerly riding the elevator up to the top floor, I looked left and then right to determine how expansive the newly constructed dormitory building actually was. Multiple study rooms and an inviting main lounge with a comfortable sofa call for students to study within its walls.
My excitement quickly diminished after swiping my Stag Card, punching in my four-digit PIN code, and enthusiastically swinging open the door to peer inside my brand-new sophomore dorm room. The bunked beds, shallow floor space and shrunken furniture was extremely surprising to say the least. I would be lying if a tear did not trickle
down my face after the initial shock of the sheer crampedness of the room. I was immediately confused as to why an entirely new residence building was constructed specifically for triples, as Fairfield University Residence Life states. Even though the rooms were constructed for triples, they were made cripplingly small. Also, Dulles Hall is the only strictly sophomore dorm building with communal bathrooms. Three sinks, three stalls and three showers to share amongst 30 people make it almost impossible to brush your teeth in the early morning hours without having to wait in a line.
Each Dulles Hall room is decorated with gray, vinyl hardwood flooring and an expansive window positioned on the back wall. Tiled ceilings and neutral-colored cream walls give the room an inviting touch, yet sophomore Liana Ahmetaj living on the first floor of Dulles Hall, describes the layout of the bathrooms as, “funny and weird.” Ahmetaj is also a resident who was placed in round three of the housing lottery and was selected to live in Avery Dulles Hall. Ahmetaj says, “the building is appealing to look at and the hardwood flooring is nice, although the room feels like the same size as my freshman dorm. I would have expected [ResLife] to have made the rooms bigger if the rooms were meant for three people.” Ahmetaj recalled an incident
she saw in the bathroom where multiple girls were using one sink to brush their teeth due to all other sinks being occupied.
With no expectations in mind before moving into her single Dulles Hall room, RA, Devone Martin ‘25, says she was pleasantly surprised by the newly constructed building on Fairfield’s
campus. Martin says she, “loves the idea of a new building,” because in other, older resident buildings, “you feel like someone has lived there before, but not here.” At this point in the semester, Martin does not have any complaints, as there is a “good community and good residents.” “Bright lighting,” was a recurring topic brought up by Martin, as she says it is her favorite feature of the building.
My roommates and I’s go-to adjective to describe our Avery Dulles room is “cozy,” and I feel it fits the room perfectly. Although not perfect, we have created a comfortable living space in Dulles Hall in the best way we could. While some residents and residence assistants feel the new dormitory is acceptable, I feel the room size is just too small to accommodate three beds, three desks, three dressers, three closets, plus three people. The uncomfortable living conditions and small room size would be expected as a first-year student, yet as a soon-to-be upperclassman, one would assume housing accommodations would be improved. Take a stroll to the far end of campus in order to determine for yourself if Avery Dulles Hall is as dull as some of the new residents are claiming.
Editor-in-Chief Max Limric is a Resident Assistant, and thus did not read, edit or have any part in the creation of this article before publication.
This past week's Naut featured a live band and drinks on tap. Students were able to have fun at the beach while adhering to town regulations
Jacqueline Rigazio/The Mirror
Photo Courtesy of Ava Schiff
By Sophia Imrichova Contributing Writer
Red Stack Direct: Worthwhile or Worthless?
As a first-year at Fairfield University, I entered campus in late August with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Like many new students, I found myself bombarded with a boatload of information surrounding academics, particularly the necessity for an arrangement of textbooks and novels for specific courses.
When it comes to my knowledge of textbooks prior to college, I had seen countless videos floating around social media platforms promoting websites with free access to digital textbooks to avoid the hefty costs of their physical formats. Other friends from an assortment of colleges across the country informed me of their experience with the process and their struggle with renting them out, purchasing them or downloading digital copies. I think it’s safe to say that I had no idea what to expect when it came time to purchase my own books.
When Fairfield introduced RedStack as an all-in, flat-fee option for textbooks this semester, I was intrigued by their system. Obviously, I thought it was a great alternative to having to scavenge bookstores for my books.
With the pickup located in the gift shop, RedStack is definitely convenient for students who opt to pick up their textbooks. Initially, when I was placing my order around mid-August I had considered shipping my textbook to my home, but with the easy access I would have to the pickup location once on campus I decided otherwise. Along with many others, I was pleased to discover I could work my class schedule around their opening hours which turned out to be a bit of a hassle.
The inconvenience of the process was the extensive amount of time I had to wait in line for a singular textbook. Unlike many other students, I only had one textbook to pick up from RedStack which I assumed would make the entire process more efficient and less time-consuming. However, approaching the bookstore and seeing the various bags of novels and textbooks
students were hauling back to their dorms made me doubt my decision to pick mine up.
I am a very patient individual and don’t mind standing in line for periods of time, but I will admit that waiting almost 30 minutes in line just to stand at a counter for another 10 minutes began to agitate me. At this point, countless people behind and in front of me were progressively leaving the line which now extended beyond the walls of the bookstore. Many of them claimed they would come back early the following morning which likely resulted in them facing students with a similar idea in mind.
Another con of RedStack was their alleged claim to have the ability to provide students with course materials by the first day. Numerous students in one of my classes struggled with the process of retrieving their textbook before the first few classes, resulting in the professor having to photocopy the chapter readings and post them online. During a conversation with one of my friends regarding the issue, she mentioned “I was frustrated with RedStack because I felt like I was falling behind on my classes after only the first week of class.” In this case, I wouldn’t view RedStack as a reliable source to gain access to course materials on time, yet this fault is understandable with a predictable increase in demand from students placing last-minute orders nearing the start of the academic year.
Despite the conflicting pick-up process, my experience with RedStack was satisfactory and provided me with the materials I needed in a timely manner. Again, while I only had one textbook to pick up, my experience may have been less complicated than others. Regardless, I think opting to get my textbook from RedStack was a wise choice. Overall, I’m grateful my school provides me with a simple opportunity to gain access to all of my textbooks efficiently.
By Conor Doonan Contributing Writer
Acquiring textbooks has long been the great bane of many college students. They are almost universally expensive, often difficult to find, and frequently quite unwieldy. But have no fear, Stags! Red Stack Direct, Fairfield University’s newest textbook program, purports to make this struggle a thing of the past. From this day forward, no Fairfield student will ever have to worry about finding affordable textbooks ever again. The eternal struggle is over!
If only that were the case. I, dear readers, have the regrettable task of informing you of something many of you may already know. Red Stack Direct is not the best option. It is, in fact, not even a particularly great option, and, is most likely, just another way of profiting from the student body.
“How can this be?” you protest. After all, Fairfield claims the program offers 30-50% cost savings, which, if true, would be incredibly generous. “Where do they claim this?” you ask. On the front page of the Red Stack Direct website.
Let's break down that claim. For my classes, I had to purchase six texts. I purchased four of them digitally, and the remaining two were ordered from Amazon. I spent just over $200, including priority shipping on both physical texts.
Red Stack Direct, on the other hand, charges a fixed rate of $24 per credit hour. Keep in mind that for each semester, most Stags take five courses, each worth 3 credits. And while many classes no longer require textbooks, Red Stack will still charge for those courses. In that sense, students who require only two textbooks still have to pay the full price, when they could have spent a mere $80 and been set for the semester. Now imagine doing that every semester, for four years. It is a lot of wasted
money.
The other claim that Red Stack makes is their alleged flexibility. Now, they do guarantee that students who change their class schedule can exchange books, and this is a good deal, but in what other way are they flexible?
Certainly not in the structure of their textbooks. Anyone who has received one of their heavy, loose stacks of textbook pages can attest to that. Binders for those textbooks are, by the way, not included. It is your responsibility to keep those stacks together and return them promptly at the end of the semester.
“What if I have a continuation class?” you cry out. In that case, you still have to return your textbook, only to be issued it again at the start of the next semester. Flexible, this is not.
But back to those unwieldy, physical textbooks. Those who purchase their textbooks, as I did, do not have that struggle. As with every other program used by the school, our textbooks are digital. They do not have to be returned at the end of the semester. They cannot be damaged. They cannot be lost. They are available from the moment they have been purchased, which can be done in the comfort of your own dorm, or in the midst of your very first class of the semester.
Is Red Stack Direct a concerted effort to relieve students of their money? I can’t be sure. Is it more expensive, less convenient, and more frustrating than simply buying your own textbooks? That, I have the displeasure of reporting, is very much the case.
I would remind you to opt out, but the window for that has already passed. Better luck next semester!
Employees at the Stag Spirit Shop preside over the distribution of textbooks ordered through RedStack Direct. The new system has upped the workload and urgency for these employees as students line up to receive their textbooks.
Textbook orders monopolize the shelves in the Stag Spirit Shop. The large number of orders through RedStack have created mixed experiences for students participatingin the program.
Kathleen Morris/The Mirror
Kathleen Morris/The Mirror
BY EMMA DOBROVICH Contributing Writer
Did you know that Fairfield University’s library offers a list of “pay as you wish” free museums and attractions? They also offer free and discounted passes to museums and galleries! I decided to take advantage of this and spent a day at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven. There’s so much to see in New Haven, and the galleries are just a few of the many things to do. I brought along a friend, and we explored two fantastic exhibitions: Year of the Dragon and The Dance of Life: Figure and Imagination in American Art, 1876-1917.
The Year of the Dragon exhibition was a stunning dive into how dragons are portrayed across cultures. In Western tradition, dragons are often seen as fearsome, fire-breathing creatures, but in East Asian folklore, they symbolize power and blessings, bringing rain and celestial protection. The exhibition featured nearly 30 works, ranging from the 17th century to modern times, including intricate textiles, ceramics and woodblock prints. Seeing the dragon's evolution through different mediums and time periods was eyeopening. It made me appreciate the richness of East Asian mythology and how it continues to inspire contemporary art.
After exploring the world of dragons, I spent a lot of time in The Dance of Life, which looks at American art between 1876 and 1917, right after the Civil War. This period of intense change saw artists using the human figure to explore the nation’s evolving identity. The exhibition features over 100 works, from sketches to sculptures and highlights both well-known artists like John Singer Sargent and underappreciated figures like Meta Warrick Fuller. What really drew me in was how these works captured moments of creative exploration. The exhibition felt intimate because you could see the early stages of monumental public works— sketches that later turned into murals for libraries and capitol buildings.
One section of the exhibition that stood out to me focused on the passage of time. I was particularly drawn to pieces visualizing different hours of the day, using figures and movement. The dancers, even in their unfinished states, felt full of life. A wall text summed up the exhibition perfectly: "Vital Energy; the essence of the American Renaissance is an affirmation of life. Beneath the monumental murals and sculptures rushes the brisk vitality of preparatory works, in which artists invested great effort, reflected in their publishing, exhibiting and preserving them.” Seeing these early drafts and preparatory sketches made me appreciate the process behind creating such monumental works of art.
Overall, my visit was both inspiring and
thought-provoking. The exhibitions offer something for everyone—whether you’re drawn to mythological creatures or American history, there’s plenty to explore. After visiting the galleries, I recommend checking out the nearby cafes and stores. My personal favorite was Atticus, a charming bookstore and café right across the street from the gallery. If you haven’t used Fairfield’s library resources, I highly recommend grabbing a friend and visiting one of these incredible institutions. You never know what kind of art will spark your interest!
September brings many new and exciting opportunities for Fairfield students. With a variety of events and fairs to attend, Fairfield makes it easy to find your next adventure. Many Stags, including myself, find themselves drawn to the study abroad fair at the beginning of the year. More than 45% of Fairfield students chose to study abroad during their undergraduate years, and it is no wonder why. Global Fairfield provides the information, support and structure needed for students to step out of their comfort zone and find the study abroad experience best suited for them. As a current senior who studied in Florence, Italy during the spring semester of my junior year, I can confidently say that studying abroad is the best decision I have ever made for myself. It was the perfect way to step out of my comfort zone, make new lifelong friends and explore different cities every weekend. It sounds cheesy, but studying abroad is truly the opportunity
of a lifetime.
Only one week away from the study abroad applications opening on Oct. 1, now is the time for interested students to weigh their options and start preparing for their big adventure. As someone who thrived during my semester abroad (and literally will never stop talking about it), here are some tips and tricks to prepare for your abroad adventure!
Utilize Global Fairfield
This may seem like it goes without saying, but Global Fairfield is always there to help students who are interested in going abroad. The idea of studying abroad can definitely be daunting and brings up a lot of questions. What city should I choose? Will my classes count towards my degree? What is the housing situation like? Luckily, these are all questions that can easily be solved with a quick email or visit to the Global Fairfield office.
Located on the bottom floor of the library, the Global Fairfield office is always ready to help out students during their abroad application process. They will help you determine which city is best fit for you based on your interests and area of study, and will even work with you to ensure that your classes abroad will count directly towards completing your degree. Global Fairfield genuinely cares about its students and wants to help everyone feel prepared during their study abroad process.
It’s Good To Do Things That Scare You
Leaving home for a full semester to live in a foreign country for the first time is no easy feat. Many people are very intimidated
by this prospect and let their fear dictate their decision to go abroad. While this is undeniably unnerving, try not to let your fears outweigh your excitement! Many of my friends who were terrified to study abroad were the ones who ended up loving it the most. By doing something that scares you, you are allowing yourself to grow—which is the entire point of studying abroad.
I went into my semester abroad with no pre-established friends, unlike many people in my program. This was very intimidating to me, as I thought that everyone already had their group and I would be alone in Florence with no friends. I was proved wrong very quickly, as everyone who studies abroad is looking to meet new people. On my first night in Florence, I hung out with new people that I still consider some of my closest friends to this day.
If I had let my fear of not having friends keep me from studying abroad, I would have missed out on making such meaningful friendships and memories. Although it's frightening, a push out of your comfort zone could be the best thing you ever do for yourself!
Your Experience Is For You
While studying abroad, it can be easy to fall into the patterns of what those around you want to do. Although this can be beneficial to trying new things and seeing new sights, don’t let other people’s agendas get in the way of your unique study abroad experience. If you want to go to a local market or try a new restaurant that no one else is interested in, don’t let this stop you from doing it by yourself. Some of my favorite memories from Florence were when I would
go out to coffee shops and check out vintage street vendors on my own. I also had one of the most peaceful meals of my entire life when I treated myself to a solo dinner at a restaurant near my apartment. Doing things alone made me realize how confident and independent I had become from studying abroad, and gave me a new appreciation for enjoying each moment as it is. While you should definitely make new friends and socialize, don’t forget that your study abroad experience is for you!
Senior Sam Ponessa, who studied abroad with me in Florence, shares that his advice to those going abroad is to “always try the regional specialties.” Each location you travel to will have a food specialty of that location, and it is never something you will be able to find anywhere else. Take advantage of where you are and try all of the authentic food while you can! I promise that nothing in America will ever compare.
Senior Roisin McCarthy, who spent the fall of her junior year in London, wants to encourage everyone to “embrace every moment.” Studying abroad is the time of your life, but it flies by so fast. Make sure to relish all of the small moments abroad, like having your morning coffee or walking around your host city. It will make your experience all the more special!
Overall, those studying abroad should focus on the exciting aspects of their new adventure over the intimidating ones. Going abroad is all about growth, and even if you are nervous I promise that you will thank yourself for this opportunity later. If I could study abroad again I would do so in a heart-
beat!
Copy Editor
The Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven stands tall with beautiful architecture.
Photo Contributed by Emma Dobrovich
Photo Contributed by Emma Dobrovich
Photo Contributed by Emma Dobrovich
"Figure Study for Science Instructing Industry at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland" 1898 showcases sketchwork.
An onlooker takes in the wonder of the art around them.
Photo Contributed by Jacqui Rigazio Jacqui and friends on their last night in Florence in front of the Duomo.
The freedom to read is one of the most important freedom’s an academic can have. Not only can access to books bring about important educational benefits, but it can grant people the ability to experience new things, gain empathy and understand different cultures within their own communities.
This freedom, not unlike many others, has often been challenged through censorship. Certain titles, often those which deal with subjects such as race and ethnicity, drugs and alcohol, sexuality and violence can be cause for concern within different communities, due to their taboo nature.
Either through an attempt to remove or restrict materials known as a challenge, or through the banning of those materials altogether, discourse surrounding what topics are appropriate for certain age groups is a frequent occurrence.
While this may seem like a foreign concept, the town of Fairfield has seen its own share of book debate.
Beginning in Sept. of 2020, a teen level graphic novel by the name of “Let’s Talk About It” by Erika Meon and Matthew Nolan raised concerns within a group of Fairfield community parents. The novel's description, claiming to be “The Teen’a Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human” received backlash due to claims of it being sexually explicit.
In a comment made during a Representative Town Meeting on behalf of the challenging of the novel, a parent and Fairfield resident, Karen McCormack, argued “Parents should have the right to know what their child is consuming,” and that they should be able “to make decisions in conjunction with their child as to whether this type of book is appropriate or not,” in a statement included in an “CT INSIDER” article.
In a letter to the editor of “ctpost”, Fairfield native Jennifer Hochberg Toller stated that New England is “the cradle of education and learning,” asserting that the act of banning a book would go against the pursuit of knowledge.
Ultimately, the decision was made to not pull the novel from the shelves, and to leave it in the Teen section, where children would not have access to the content without a parent's permission.
This case, while close to home, is just one instance of the challenging or banning of a certain title. “Let's Talk About It” is actually number 9 on a list of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2023. Other titles include “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky.
While none of these titles have been challenged at Fairfield University, it is important to understand the impact the ban-
ning of a book in just one community can have on others.
Dr. Emily Orlando, Professor of English and Corrigan Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences, weighed in on the importance of the week.
“While I fully appreciate the value of what is called “trigger warnings” (a phrase I find a little jarring), I find troubling the uptick in censorship which seems to contradict the notion of free speech and academic freedom. My PhD in English and American literature and language focused heavily in 19th century literary realism and naturalism, a mode of representation that presents the world not as it could be but rather as it is--"the truthful treatment of material" as the critic William Dean Howells put it. Book banning is a slippery and dangerous slope,” Orlando states.
Celebrating the freedom to read, this week the DiMenna-Nyselius Library is hosting an event Sep. 26 at 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in the Innovation Lab. An FYE DEI credit, anyone is welcome to sit and talk with librarians or office staff at diversity tables about books that have been challenged across America.
Librarian Lisa Thornell further explained this event, “Students will rotate between each of the four tables and get to talk to a librarian or SDMA staff member to
learn about why the texts were challenged or banned at libraries or schools in the U.S.”
This is a great way to get involved, and gain a deeper understanding on the importance of literature without restraints. The library is also displaying a number of books that have been challenged or banned across the country that anyone can check out.
Whether it is happening locally or on a national level, it is important to understand the discourse surrounding the challenging and banning of books within librarians and school systems. Banned Book Week is an incredible opportunity to take the time to learn more or crack open one of these amazing stories.
BY
It’s time to hit the dance floor because “Dancing With The Stars” is back!
Season 33 premiered last Tuesday, Sept. 17 ushering in a spectacular night filled with glitz, glamor and chaos! 13 celebrities took to the dance floor and showcased their skills in a dazzling debut.
All three judges, Bruno Tonioli, CarrieAnn Inaba and Derek Hough as well as hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro were back to kick off an exciting new season.
Bachelor Joey Graziadei was the first to perform with his partner Jenna Johnson, giving the audience a country-inspired chacha to “Dancin’ In The Country.” He shocked the audience with his infectious smile and suave dance skills.
Senior Stefanie Santoli believes that “Joey has some serious potential!” He is someone to look out for in the coming weeks, as he had the third-highest score of the night, 21/30.
Senior Erin Resnick loves watching the show with her friends every week. She exclaimed “My friends and I love watching all the couples every Tuesday and we get so invested!” She also thinks Joey has a lot of potential, commenting that “he exceeded dancing expectations in my opinion!”
There has never been a season of DWTS with a bachelor and bachelorette, so Season 33 is making history with the late addition
of Jenn Tran! Following the intense finale of “The Bachelorette,” Tran immediately got on a plane to meet her pro, Sasha Farber. With very little time to practice, Tran gave an outstanding performance to “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus. She was right up there with Joey, scoring a 19/30 on her cha-cha.
One stand-out performance was 6 '11 basketball star Dwight Howard and his 5' 2 partner Daniella Karagach. Their height difference was definitely a big concern for some, but Daniella’s choreography made Howard blossom on the dance floor. The couple danced a salsa to “This Is How We Do It,” and scored an impressive 22/30.
Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold did the only jive of the night to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Nedoroscik, also known as the “pommel horse guy” from this summer’s Olympics, was definitely a fan favorite going into this season.
Sophomore Rebecca Mattei-Brown exclaimed, “I was so excited to see Stephen and he blew me away!” She was very impressed with his rhythm and charisma, commenting that “he looked like he belonged onstage.” Resnick agrees and thinks “They [Stephen and Rylee] are so fun to watch and so positive!”
Stephen and Rylee scored a 21/30, taking the fourth-highest spot of the night.
Taking first place of the night was “Zombies” and “Pretty Little Liars” star, Chandler Kinney. Kinney and her partner Brandon Armstrong electrified the dance floor with their tango to “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan, receiving a score of 23/30.
With all these impressive celebrities, it’s going to be hard to choose a winner in the end. Sophomore, Taylor Kiggins agrees and exclaims “There’s so much talent, I can’t pick a favorite!”
While many stars shined brightly on stage, there were a few who struggled to find the rhythm and confidence they needed for a stand-out performance. 72-year-old “Family Matters” star Reginald VelJohnson was criticized for his lack of movement. While the judges tried to be uplifting, Bruno Tonioli asked, “Moving forward, a few more steps please.”
Similarly, 68-year-old actor, Eric Roberts danced a little too stiff for the judging
liking. Derek Hough compared him to “... assembling Ikea furniture.” Though he has the lowest score of the night with a 15/30, Roberts left the stage with a smile on his face ready for next week!
While VelJohnson and Roberts have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks, Santoli loves their positive attitude. She insists that “Reggie is so adorable, we have to vote for him!”
With dazzling performances and a few surprises, season 33 of DWTS is already off to a fabulous start! Don’t forget to tune in every Tuesday at 8 p.m. to see who gets eliminated and who gets closer to winning the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy!
FIONA WAGNER Assistant Vine Editor
BY CAITLIN SHEA Head Vine Editor
Photo Courtesy of aol.com
Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold take the dance floor by storm.
Photo Contributed by Caitlin Shea
The DiMenna-Nyselius Library display of banned and challenged books.
Photo Courtesy of Us Weekly
Joey Graziadei and pro Jenna Johnson show off their country twang.
BY HOLLY BURKE
Contributing Writer
After what has felt like forever, especially for my fellow autumn lovers, the leaves are finally starting to change and the crisp air has just begun to embrace Fairfield. Fall has decided to grace us with its presence and I cannot imagine a better way to welcome it than to envelop it with a selection of our favorite seasonal recipes. Regardless of your position on all things pumpkin, there is always a fall recipe for everyone.
This first recipe is a personal favorite and one that is near and dear to my heart: homemade cinnamon rolls. These cinna-
mon rolls are the perfect flakey fall delicacy and can be paired with a latte and an episode of Gilmore Girls. This recipe tastes like home, having been directly extracted from my mother’s cookbook.
To make the dough you will need fourand-a-half to five cups of all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup sugar, two packets of Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast, one teaspoon salt, one ½ cups water, six tablespoons butter or margarine and one egg.
To make the filling you will need ⅓ cup sugar, two teaspoons ground cinnamon and 3 tablespoons softened butter or margarine.
To make the frosting you will need two ½ cups powdered sugar, two tablespoons of softened butter or margarine, two to three tablespoons of milk and one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Directions:
Combine two cups of flour, sugar, dry yeast and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir. Place butter and water in a microwavable bowl and microwave in 15-second increments until very warm but not hot to the touch. Add this to the flour mixture with the egg.
Beat for two minutes at medium speed with an electric mixer, scraping the bowl
occasionally. Add one cup of flour and beat for two minutes at high speed, scraping the bowl occasionally. Stir in just enough remaining flour so that the dough will form into a ball.
Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic and the dough springs back when lightly pressed with two fingers, about six to eight minutes. Cover with a towel and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
For the filling, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
Roll the dough into a 15 x 10-inch rectangle using a rolling pin. Spread three tablespoons butter over the dough, stopping at least ½ inch from the edges on the long side. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Beginning at the long end of each rectangle, roll up tightly. Pinch the seams to seal and cut into 12 equal pieces.
Place the cut sides down in a greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Cover it with a towel and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (approximately one hour).
Bake in an oven preheated to 350℉ for 25 to 30 minutes or until the rolls are looking scrumptiously golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Combine all the ingredients for the frosting – starting with two tablespoons
of milk and adding more if needed – in a large bowl and beat until creamy. Drizzle or spread atop the rolls and enjoy!
Another favorite from our dearest Katie Byrnes and Campus Ministry is Homemade Salted Caramel. Salted caramel can be perfectly paired with fresh apples from local farms in Connecticut!
On that note, be sure to check out The Outdoors Club’s apple-picking trips that support local farms. This homemade salted caramel is a fall staple that is quintessential to all fall gatherings.
If you're a fan of caramel apples, this whipped caramel apple dip is a must. You can dip anything from graham crackers to apples in it. I recommend making this while listening to Fleetwood Mac or Cage the Elephant. If you are feeling ambitious, you can also incorporate the previous recipe into this one if you choose to prepare homemade caramel sauce in your baking endeavors! This article would not be complete without a pumpkin recipe to top it off. For all you pumpkin lovers out there, this Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake makes me think of cozy sweaters, good literature and auburn leaves. This is a super simple recipe that incorporates the best flavors of the season.
Happy autumn baking!
BY ISABELLA SAGARESE Contributing Writer
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The sequel stays true to Tim Burton’s classic style, using eccentricity and puppetry to create a gorey and lively afterlife. To prepare for the second movie, I revisited the first movie.
It is clear that the filmmakers paid homage to the original with its eerie style and unique plot. The spookiness created with the plot twists left my jaw ajar on multiple occasions during the film.
The film’s color palette enhanced its mystical aesthetic. The use of apple and “snot” greens, deep purples, vibrant reds and dark tones created a whimsical atmosphere.
The costumes of the characters had a gothic style, with the original colors and textures given a weathered, aged appearance to convey time passing.
Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton reprise their iconic roles from the original 1988 film.
Lydia returns as a single mother with a daughter named Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega. Lydia is quirky and indecisive, while her daughter is grounded and steadfast. As the movie progresses, this contrast in their personalities gradually fades as their mother-daughter conflict transforms into a strong bond.
The absence of the father figures allowed the powerful bonds of female generational love to shine through.
Delia’s sudden death by snake bite was a shock, but witnessing the women come together in the end to defeat Beetlejuice and his ex-wife was a passionate moment. Their unwavering support for one another, despite the challenges and deaths faced, showed the
comes increasingly complex and unpredictable. Some key moments included Rory’s betrayal, the influencers’ unsettling suction into their phones, the cast dancing around a ginormous cake to “MacArthur Park” by Jimmy Webb and the unexpected appearance of the sandworm. The rapid succession of twists and turns kept me engaged until the very last second of the movie.
strength of their familial connection.
Towards the end of the film, the plot be -
A few critiques I would offer are that I would have enjoyed seeing Bob come back
to life after having his soul cruelly sucked out by Delores. It was not until his tragic demise that I appreciated Bob’s subtle impact on the film.
I also think that an appearance from Barbara and Adam would have added a nostalgic sense of familiarity for longtime fans of “Beetlejuice”.
I understand, however, why Burton opted to move in a different direction.
As he stated in an interview with “People,” "I think the thing was, for me I didn't want to just tick any boxes. So even though they were such an amazing integral part of the first one, I was focusing on something else.”
If you have the opportunity to watch it on the big screen, I would definitely recommend the entertaining cinematic experience.
The characters, production design and turn of events encountered throughout the story are what make this journey remarkable.
In this sequel, Tim Burton reminds us that we can find hope and connection in even the most abnormal of stories.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
Michael Keaton lets his frightful side free in the sequel to Beetlejuice. Reprising his role, he gives a performance that is out of this world.
BY TALIA SCRARPS
Writer
Campus Ministry is a welcoming community on Fairfield’s campus that is easy to get involved with!
This group is open to all people whether you have always had a faith component in your life, or you are just starting your faith journey.
Campus Ministry emphasizes that they are open to helping you find what kind of service you are interested in.
Service is a significant element of a Jesuit education. Campus Minister for Retreats and Spiritual Programs Marc Alibrandi explains
Campus Ministry “as an umbrella that encompasses specific program offerings.”
By talking to a Campus Minister, they can assist students to figure out which ministry best suits them.
The call to service is important because it helps people grow their compassion for other human beings. Campus Minister of Justice and Immersions Julia Murphy says that the Fairfield community is encouraged to act as “contemplatives in action,” meaning that we need to be involved with both our school community and the greater world around us.
Conn., San Diego, Calif. and Belize. Be on the lookout for the approaching weekend immersion trip to Guildford on Oct. 5 and 6!
Prayer and reflection helps us in the process of striving for a more desirable world, even when things are difficult.
When speaking with Julia Murphy, she informed that Campus Ministry “offers opportunities to serve the needs of the local Fairfield and Bridgeport communities, through volunteering at local schools, food pantries, animal shelters and more.”
If students want to take that extra leap, there are Immersion Programs that they can participate in for a week or weekend.
This year the trips are to Guildford,
Students can check out Life@Fairfield’s service portal to find the many service opportunities being offered.
Some upcoming service events are the Red Cross Blood Drive (Friday, Sept. 27) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Oak Room, Read Aloud Day (Friday, Oct. 4) from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Bryant School and the Black Rock Food Pantry (every Saturday) from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to join and share their talents in what interests them!
Whether you enjoy assisting children or animals, helping with vulnerable populations or participating in service around food insecurity, Fairfield’s Campus Ministry has many amazing opportunities to get involved with service projects!
BY LUCY CROWLEY
Writer
A new semester can bring on many new challenges for students. New schedules can be difficult to settle into. However, this does not mean that students should not find time for physical activity.
The RecPlex here on campus is an amazing space to take a break from the stressors of academic life and get some exercise. There are many options to choose from for your workout. They have treadmills, stairmasters, weights, yoga mats and so much more.
However, one of my personal favorite offerings is the classes. The workout classes in the RecPlex are great opportunities to connect and get active with groups of people looking for a similar gym experience.
There are workout classes offered such as spin, pilates and yoga. Many of these classes are also taught by student instructors, who dedicate time out of their days to offer other students the chance to exercise together.
Staying fit as a college student can be difficult at times because academics tend to take over. Many students try to make time for the gym but it can be hard to balance with their workloads. However, it is important to get exercise because it can help in so many other areas of a person’s life, including academics. After asking some student instructors how they balance their classes and gym time, I learned a lot about what helps them manage their busy schedules.
Junior Emily Gale, who teaches spin classes at the RecPlex, has said that a Google Calendar is what she uses to help organize her time and find opportunities in between classes and other
commitments to get some exercise. Her workload can often get to be too much so she turns to physical activity to relax and get her mind off of it.
“As a nursing major and spin instructor, I find exercising to be an excellent outlet for when I feel stressed and overwhelmed.”
Gale also finds music while working out on her own or teaching a spin class to be a great motivator to focus all of her energy on the exercise she is currently doing.
“Working out helps me clear my head so that I can feel centered and refocused to be able to continue on my daily routine feeling energized and motivated,” she stated.
This advice is amazing for those who are easily overwhelmed or stressed. Many students can feel the pressure from school, but Gale does not let it get in the way of staying fit. The importance of exercise in her life helps keep her leveled and focused in times when her academics can get to be too much.
Exercise helps many students here at Fairfield to focus in class and when studying and to keep a clear mind during the school week, including Maisy Cline ‘26, a student and pilates instructor on campus.
“Starting my day with movement, such as teaching pilates in the RecPlex, has a ripple effect on the way I feel and how productive I am for the rest of the day,” expressed Cline.
She believes that making time for the gym in college can be difficult at times, but it greatly benefits a person’s mental and physical health.
“Excelling in academics and being confident in the topics we are studying comes from being confident within ourselves, something I believe is the reason in which we exercise,” Olivia DeNardo ‘27 expressed perfectly.
DeNardo is a spin instructor at the RecPlex. She uses physical activity as a way to improve her studies.
She also shared that, “as a college student it is just as important to prioritize academics as it is to prioritize exercise, with a healthy body comes a healthy mind.”
She loves to teach spin classes and just exercise in general because she understands the importance of moving your body daily. College academics, and college life in general, can be so busy and hard to navigate at times. Hearing from these student workout instructors has made it clear just how much exercise can affect a student’s academic performance and daily life.
All college students should make time in their schedule for physical activity to be able to focus and put their best foot forward in their academics.
Students can visit Fairfield University's Campus Ministry anytime they want to find comfort.
Contributing
Fairfield University students engage in an intense spin workout class.
Photo Courtesy of Fairfield University
Photo Courtesy of Fairfield University Fairfield University students have many options for to involve themselves in community service.
Contributing
Photo Courtesy of Campus Rec Magazine
Head Sports Editor: Ryan Marquardt >> ryan.marquardt@student.fairfield.edu
Women's Tennis Claims Title in Philadelphia
By Ryan Marquardt Head Sports Editor
Fairfield women’s tennis traveled to the St. Joseph’s Invitational last weekend, turning in a quality team performance in their second event of the season.
The doubles combo of Lily Malinowki ‘27 and Anna Neyestani ‘27 won their title in the tournament with a 6-2 win over the host St. Joe’s. Additionally, Victoria Mandma ‘28 and Nicolette Loeffler ‘27 each reached their championship finals in their brackets.
“We had a very successful weekend in Philadelphia. Everyone is pushing hard and it showed in the results,” Head Coach Jeff Bricker told fairfieldstags.com. “Congrats to Anna and Lily for winning their doubles flight and to Nicolette and Victoria for grinding their way to the finals of their respective
flights,”
Another successful doubles team placed second, as Maeve Cassidy ‘27 and Loeffler earned a 6-2 win over Bucknell. Mandma made it to her final where she fell to Sofiya Snitko of Drexel in a 6-1, 6-1 decision. Malinowski lost to Drexel’s Anastasia Kavounov in the semi finals of the gray flight singles. Kavounov went on to beat Loeffler 6-2, 6-2 in the finals of the bracket.
The Stags will travel to Army this weekend to take part in the West Point Invitational. For more information on women’s tennis and all things Fairfield athletics, visit fairfieldstags.com.
of
In this week's issue...
- Volleyball Wraps Up Non-Conference Schedule (Page 14)
- Behind the No Nomad Rule (Page 15)
- Stags Visit Final Homestand at Citi Field (Page 16)
respective
From left, Victoria Mandma '28 and Nicolette Loeffler '27 reached the championship
their
singles draws. Lily Malinowski '27 and Anna Neyestani '27 won the title in their doubles bracket draw.
Photo Contributed by the Sports Information Desk
Volleyball Wraps Up Non-Conference Schedule
By Danny McElroy Assistant Sports Editor
Volleyball concluded their difficult season-opening non-conference schedule last week, coming up short in two competitive affairs with high major opponents St. John’s and West Virginia. The losses drop the defending MAAC Conference Champions to 2-9 on the year, with the majority of those missteps coming against fellow reigning conference champions and other high major programs.
Game One: Vs. St. John’s
The Stags began their week on Wednesday with a trip to Queens to take on the Red Storm, who last year were runners-up in the Big East Conference tournament. The home team got out to a hot start, putting away 17 kills on .361 hitting to take the opening set 25-22.
The script would flip, however, in the next two frames, as the Stags found their rhythm defensively and made life hard for opposing hitters. Bolstered by a season-high 16 team blocks, Fairfield would keep the Red Storm below .200 hitting in each of the four remaining sets, including a .029 mark in a convincing third set win.
“The big thing for us is the communication between our front row and our back row,” said graduate libero Kyla Berg. “We really have to play off of each other… it’s about communication and working together to make sure we cover the whole court.”
The evidence was present on the stat sheet for the Stags. Middle blocker Maya Walker ‘26 led the front row for the Stags with a game-high eight rejections, followed by right side hitter Mamie Krubally ‘27 with seven and middle blocker Emma Beretich ‘27 with six.
Berg paced the back row with 22 digs, with setter Abby Jandro ‘26 adding eight of her own.
The defensive counterpunch from the
Stags powered them to a 2-1 set advantage after three. The fourth set was a back and forth affair, with neither team opening a lead of greater than two points until the Red Storm used a five out of six stretch to take another 25-22 decision.
That set the stage for just the second five set affair of the year for Fairfield, who came out on the losing end against Yale last week in a match that went the distance.
“Five set matches can be strenuous,” said outside hitter Mikayla Haut ‘25, “but they’re what we train for, and we lean on each other when it gets difficult.”
The Stags continued to maintain their defensive pressure, registering four of their blocks in the shortened final frame, but a handful of late errors proved costly as the Red Storm took the set and the match with a 15-12 win.
Offensively, Haut took charge for Fairfield with a team best 12 kills and three service aces, supplemented by outside hitter Allie Elliott ‘26 with eight kills. Setter Blakely Montgomery ‘25 tallied 21 assists, with Jandro adding 18.
Game Two: Vs. West Virginia
The Stags then returned home to Leo D. Mahoney Arena for a quick Friday afternoon turnaround to host the Mountaineers. The match was, in many ways, a microcosm of the season so far for Fairfield, who has consistently gone blow for blow with high-level opponents before just falling short in the end.
The Stags played their adversary to a tie at 19-19, 22-22, and 18-18 in each respective set, but each time became the victim of a late West Virginia run.
“I think we just need to be a little more disciplined in certain areas,” Berg said of the team’s late set struggles. “We got caught up on some of the small stuff, like communication errors, so I think just being more disciplined as a team will get us further.”
Elliott turned in the standout
title for a Mirror darty.
What song gets you on the dance floor without fail?
WYR stay in Bellar- mine Hall for a night or have the Tully to yourself for a day?
Offer Daniel Jones some words of encouragement.
What an insane, but creative question, I loled. No idea. Maybe like reflective wear, rave darty because we’re a Mirror?
Repetitive party music bores me. But Bad Bunny might get me moving
Being an RA living with first-years, give me the palace for a night. I need a good sleep.
Good luck Daniel Jones, whoever you are!
performance for the Stags, notching a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs. Jandro took the lead at the setter position with 20 assists, and Berg once again set the standard defensively with 16 digs.
The loss to the Mountaineers served as the culmination of a frustrating but still encouraging first month of the season for Fairfield. Often positioned as the underdog in a difficult schedule that included teams like nationally ranked Brigham Young University and defending Patriot League champion Colgate, the Stags took at least one set in all but three losses and consistently pushed their opponents deep into each frame.
“Our coach purposely made a really difficult schedule because we do have pretty much our entire roster coming back,” Berg said. “I think these games helped us realize that we still have a lot to accomplish and a lot
to get better at despite our success last year.”
The Stags’ spot as defending champions will provide some extra motivation for their opponents as they gear up for the conference section of their schedule. But with all they’ve learned from the season so far, they come in battle-tested and ready for the challenge.
“Our team recognizes the situation we’re in and we are focusing on playing our style of volleyball regardless of what is thrown our way,” Haut said. “We know we will have a target on our back, but we have to worry about our side of the net and perform to the best of our ability.”
The quest for a repeat will begin in earnest this Saturday when the Stags travel to New Rochelle to take on Iona in their conference opener. First serve is set for 1 P.M.
A current events theme where people dress up like figures in the media?? Maybe a Trump and Harris duo costume…
“You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
Obviously Tully to myself for a day, imagine all the ice cream and cookies!!
What Max said.
Kathleen Morris Managing Editor
“The Mirror Ball.” We’ll raid Party City’s display of disco decor and blast ABBA.
“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga.
This year, the Tully line practically reaches the Stag Statue. So, I chose the latter for the sake of convenience alone.
His nickname may be “Danny Dimes,” but I think he could benefit from a lucky penny.
Newsies theme. Dress up like Newsies and pass out the Mirror. Great for exposure!
“Downtown” by Macklemore gets me feeling electric.
I’ll keep my beach house each night I can, but not having a meal plan is a bummer. Tully 100%.
Rah rah go Danny go! Hope that's good enough.
This is kind of cringey, but what’s black, white, and read all over?
Literally anything, but Mr. Right Now by 21 Savage.
Honestly, as much as I would love to have a meal plan right now, I would want to explore Bellarmine Hall.
Keep up all the good work, the Patriots need a win.
Ashley Devlin Head News Editor
The Stags will enter conference play looking to defend their title from last year.
Photo Contributed by The Sports Information Desk
FUSA Sponsors Trip to Yankee Stadium
By Brendan Moriarty Contributing Writer
The storied rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees is widely regarded as the fiercest in baseball his tory. It traces back to a pivotal moment on Dec. 26, 1919, when Red Sox owner Harry Frazee infamously sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees, sparking the so-called "Curse of the Bambino." This curse led to an 86-year World Series drought for the Red Sox, while the Yankees thrived, amassing 27 World Series titles— the most by any MLB franchise. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have captured nine championships, with their most recent coming in 2018.
Heading into the highly anticipated matchup, the Red Sox stood at 75-74, good for third in the AL East. The Yankees, on the other hand, held a commanding 86-63 record, sitting atop both the AL East and the entire American League. Key Red Sox stars include third baseman Rafael Devers, who continues to solidify himself as one of the league's premier hitters, and breakout outfielder Jarren Duran, fresh off his first All-Star Game appearance, where he earned MVP honors with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. For the Yankees, Aaron Judge, a five-time All-Star and former AL MVP, is leading MLB in home runs (55) and RBIs (138). Recent
game, which included transportation to Yankee Stadium, for just $25. Unsurprisingly, these tickets sold out quickly, with both Yankees and Red Sox fans eager to watch their teams in
On September 15th, the pitching matchup featured Kutter Crawford for Boston and Carlos Rodon for New York. Early highlights included a Giancarlo Stanton double off Crawford, leading to Jazz Chisolm Jr. using his speed to score from first, putting the Yankees ahead 1-0 after two innings. The Red Sox got Rafela to third with two outs due to his fielder's choice hit followed by two stolen bases but Rodon got out of the jam with a ground out from Duran. The Yankees capitalized in the third, with a lead-off solo 342 foot home run from Gleyber Torres and a two-run 445 foot home run from Aaron Judge after a Soto single, extending their lead to 4-0. The Red Sox fought back with a two-run 399 foot homer from Tyler O’Neill, but that would be their only scoring. Stanton added to the Yankees’ tally with a sacrifice fly in the seventh bringing Torres home, making it 5-2. The final innings saw no further runs, however the Red Sox did scare the tying top of the 9th inning with just one out. However the Yankees brought in
Tommy Kahnle who forced Duran to round into a double play, leaving the Yankees victorious with a 5-2 final score.
Carlos Rodon earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, and striking out five. Kutter Crawford took the loss, throwing 4.1 innings, surrendering six hits, four earned runs, but striking out seven. The rivalry lives on, with the Yankees taking this round in another thrilling chapter of one of baseball’s most iconic matchups.
The FUSA Programming Board has a slate of exciting upcoming events for Fairfield students. Tickets for the Phillies vs. Mets game at Citi Field on Saturday, September 21, went on sale recently and, much like the Red Sox vs. Yankees game, sold out quickly. With a large contingent of Mets fans on campus, this game is highly anticipated and promised to be another fun outing for Fairfield students (see page 16).
Additionally, FUSA is offering tickets to the Broncos vs. Jets game on Sunday, September 29, at MetLife Stadium. This event is generating significant buzz as well, with Fairfield boasting a strong Jets fan base eager to watch their team in action. Both games reflect FUSA's continued efforts to offer exciting opportunities for students to enjoy top-tier sporting events.
Intramurals Implement Ban on Nomads
By Sean Norton Contributing Writer
Intramural sports are a true staple of campus life for many students at Fairfield. They offer a quality social space, a means to stay active and a place to pursue the sports students love in a low stakes environment. These low stakes, however, often come with unintended consequences.
The “nomad” in intramurals is a player who plays for multiple teams in one sport throughout the season. They’ll bounce from one team to another until playoff time, when they’ll have to pick a team and stay with them. For most in intramurals the competitive advantage this provides is negligible, but intramural volleyball player Sarah Dorgan ‘26, went so far as to say, “without [a nomad] our team would’ve forfeited half our games!”
Despite the prevalence of these nomads in past years, just a few weeks before the season intramural coordinator Ethan Godfrey announced they would no longer be allowed. The new rule stated that, “Players can only play for their team and their team only.” This news was startling to a lot of teams who relied on nomads to fill out rosters as well as to those students who used the nomad rule as an opportunity to play more games than they would normally be scheduled to play.
Andrew Jameison, a junior and first year Intramural Sports Advisor, clarified that the rule was aimed at keeping to a system where, “you can play in multiple leagues but you are one team and you’ve gotta stick to that team.” Furthermore, he gave some insight to the genesis of the rule, saying that handling nomads, “kind of makes it chaotic on the management side of things.”
Management is not something most students think of when they’re preparing for their intramural season, but these games actually require a ton of work behind the scenes. Jameison noted the importance of keeping track of things like injury waivers as players moved around rosters and the prevalence of forfeits in intramurals where teams simply don’t show. There is a lot of prep work that the over 100 person intramural team puts in behind the scenes to make this all possible, and it’s easy to see how nomads could throw a wrench into these processes.
Above all, Jameison said the rule was about “fairness and equity” for all athletes in all leagues, and not about restricting play. In fact, Jameison encouraged students to “play as much as you want, we welcome that… but balance is what we were aiming for.” But if not as a nomad, what are the
other options for playing extra games?
On top of these new rules, Godfrey’s email also contained the exciting news that new leagues would be added during this intramural season. New options for engaging such as the new men’s and women’s volleyball leagues and CoRec flag football are giving students a chance to get as many games as possible and play with as many teams as possible. There are still restrictions on playing in both A and B leagues, but other
than that Jameison encouraged students to “play as many sports as you want.” Engaging with these new leagues could be the solution for nomads who move to add games to their schedules, but are not a perfect patch for all present issues. Truthfully, there will be no definitive answers as to how effective these changes will be until the end of the season. Knowing if forfeits drop, if competition rises, and if the new leagues are as impactful as we
will give
the true
answers on this change. For now, we can only speculate that the many students who played as nomads and the many teams who needed nomads to function will be in an awkward situation entering this season. The intramural managers clearly have the student’s best interests in mind by making this change, but it may begin to feel much the opposite to many who have relied on this system in the past.
hope
us
Photo Courtesy of @yankees on Instagram
Pictured above is the new renovated rec-plex gynmansium, home of basketball, pickleball and volleyball intramurals.
AL MVP front runner Yankee captain Aaron Judge is leading the league in home runs with 55, RBIs with 138 and OPS+ at 221.
Photo Contributed by @fairfieldurecreation Instagram
@Fairfield
Week of September 25, 2024
Stags Visit Final Homestand at Citi Field
By Crystal arbelo Assistant Sports Editor
Last Saturday, 40 lucky Stags were part of history, joining 44,152 fans at Citi Field in making up the fifth-largest crowd in the ballpark’s history. In the hunt to clinch the National League East Division, the Philadelphia Phillies were one win away from securing the division. The 85-69 New York Mets were fending off the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot and the last ticket into October baseball. Tensions could technically be higher, but this is late September baseball; every game is life or death.
The house was absolutely rocking for Saturday night’s matchup between the Mets and Phillies, and the home team did not disappoint.
Leaving at 2 p.m., the aim was for students to arrive at Citi Field just in time for the gates to open and provide them with the chance to grab concessions and peruse the park before first pitch. New York traffic did not let that happen.
Listening to the first two innings of the game from friends giving a play-by-play to others on the bus amid stop-and-go traffic made this experience quite unique; especially when Kyle Schwarber ripped open scoring with a lead-off home run. The handful of Philadelphia faithful on the bus lamented missing the “Schwarbomb” while the Mets fans grew nervous about what starting pitcher Sean Manaea had in store for the evening.
By the bottom of the second inning, students were on the park grounds rushing to get into the first gate in sight, when a roar erupted from inside the stadium. For a quick second, everyone stopped to look around and figure out what the fuss was about. A glance at the outdoor scoreboard was all it took for some of the more serious fans to piece together what happened. Francisco Alvarez was at the plate, and more likely than not had just hit a home run.
Knowing Alvarez tied it up gave the Mets fans of the group some more pep in their step. The subsequent Luisangel Acuña home run made them practically run. After receiving a fan appreciation gift—a bright orange beanie with the Mets logo—the last rush was to get seated and not miss out on any more of the action.
By the top of the third, Fairfield’s crowd was placed in the left field corner, section 132, and ready to watch the rest of this National League rivalry play out.
The Mets stayed up 2-1 until the fifth inning when Nick Castellanos homered to left field and evened out the score— giving the swarm of Phillies fans along the third baseline something to cheer about.
The sixth inning saw the first pitching change of the night, with the Phillies opting to put Jose Ruiz on the mound to face the tail end of the Mets lineup. Ruiz managed to coax two fly-outs from the Mets but couldn’t hold on and had to walk Harrison Bader. With two outs, Acuña stepped up to the batter’s box with the sell-out crowd eagerly awaiting the outcome of the rookie’s at-bat.
Dealt a 95 mph sinker, Acuña took a swing and sent a bloop to right field that looked like a routine foul ball but ended up being in play as Nick Castellanos couldn’t help but keep his hands off it. Racing home, Bader sent the crowd into a frenzy with the impression of taking the lead once more from the Phillies, but the play was ultimately ruled a ground-rule double as the ball went over the wall once landing in foul territory. Ruiz collected the final out and the Mets were forced to accept the tied score and strike again later.
Sean Manaea remained on the bump for the seventh, facing Bryce Harper for the second time. Having a long history with the first baseman, Citi Field booed Harper for merely existing during his at-bat and celebrated extravagantly when he flew out to left field after seeing seven pitches from Manaea. Alec Bohm was up next and swung with a 1-1 count, launching the ball off Manaea’s foot, which
bounced towards second base but was stopped by Acuña and whipped to Alonso at first to get Bohm out. Castellanos flew out to center and the side was retired.
To cap out the seventh, the Phillies sent in Orion Kerkering to hope fully get them through the ninth. Facing Starling Marte, Kerkering dealt five pitches and walked the desig nated hitter. Kerkering recovered the struck-out Mark Vientos but then drilled Pete Alonso with a wild pitch, setting Brandon Nimmo up with two men on base.
Needing a clutch hit more than anything, the crowd practically begged Nimmo to produce a run, and the homegrown Met delivered with a single right through the gap in left field. Marte scored and Alonso settled with third base. Taking care of unfinished business, Al varez smoked a ball to center field and sent the Philadelphia outfield into a daze of miscom munication, giving the Mets another two runs and putting them up 5-2.
The reaction of the home crowd was electric. Strangers were high-fiv ing, children were jumping and others were cheering. The reac tion of the visitors can be summed up with two sentences: “Three of you and you can’t catch that!? What are we doing?” said one Stag supporting the Phillies.
The top of the eighth saw Manaea
retired after giving a muto. The Phillies capitalized on the batting order with fielder’s choice,
bleed anymore, Carlos Mendoza the bullpen for the
The broadcast the bullpen was apolitans. Before the
The crowd stood as the lights flickered
Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco” signaled Díaz. Dealing six dreams of another “Schwarbomb” at Citi Field for the night.
Philadelphia closer Tyler Banks was entrusted with keeping the score as close as possible. Acuña walked and was called out on a fielder’s choice that left Jose Iglesias at first. Marte walked and was moved to third after Alonso sent an RBI single to center field, capping the scoring at 6-3.
At the top of the ninth, Díaz collected two outs and was three strikes away from securing a win for the Mets. Bohm was dealt a 90 mph slider from the Puerto Rican closer, grounding it to Vientos who tossed it to Alonso. The Mets won 6-3.
After a quick celebration in the stands and a thank-you speech from Nimmo, the crowd quickly headed out to beat the post game traffic. Chants of “Let's Go Mets!” filled the stairwells as fans made their exit, and the Stags headed back home to Fairfield with a memory of some good baseball under their belts.
The October chill and playoff mentality has crept into Citi Field early. Turning around an 0-5 start, piggybacking off internet sensations and pulling off plays only luck could ensure—this Mets team is not the “pivot squad” the front office described at spring training.
Thanks to the RecPlex and FUSA’s Programming Board, these Stags got to witness part of what is hopefully a ragsto-riches run from their neighbors 60 miles south. To secure a playoff spot, the Mets will have to take two from the Braves this week or go 4-2 to finish off their regular season schedule. In other words, the job’s not finished.
Luis Severino (left) and Luisangel Acuna (right) pose with OMG sign after Acuna hit a home run in the second inning
Photo Courtesy of @mets Instagram