The Quinnipiac Chronicle, Volume 91, Issue 18

APRIL 7, 2021 • VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 18

The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2019)

Female athletes deserve equality p. 10-11

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KARENNA DOWNS

NEWS P.2: VACCINE VOCALIZATION Quinnipiac students react to being able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Connecticut

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

OPINION P.4: REOPENING DEBATE Two writers share their differing opinions on how states should loosen COVID-19 restrictions

EMILY DISALVO/CHRONICLE

A&L P.7: OVERNIGHT OATS

This breakfast is simple, delicious and makes starting the day easier

Quinnipiac invests millions in hedge funds

By STEPHEN MACLEOD Staff Writer

Quinnipiac University had over $39 million in hedge fund investments in 2018, according to its annual 990 filing.

Two of the investments are in companies based in the Cayman Islands, a place hedge funds commonly claim to be based to avoid taxes in a legal way. Over 60% of the United States’ hedge funds are based in the British overseas territory.

Hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities were found to have held investments in the Cayman Islands in the Paradise Papers as a way to avoid taxes on investments. While most private colleges are non-profits, the investments they make are taxable.

“The only time university endowments pay taxes is when they invest in debt-financed financial firms such as private equity funds and hedge funds,” Sasha Chavkin, Emilia Díaz-Struck and Cecile L. Gallego wrote in a 2017 International Consortium of Investigative Journalists article.

“These investments are considered a business activity unrelated to their tax-exempt missions.”

Quinnipiac’s portfolio puts 6.7% into hedge funds. Most of its other disclosed investments are in private equity firms.

Universities make investments in order to grow their endowment and generate capital.

One of the hedge funds Quinnipiac dis-

closed, Ironwood International, is based in the Ugland House, which is a small two-story building that houses a law firm and 40,000 business entities. Quinnipiac had $9 million in Ironwood in 2018. Ironwood operates out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and its holdings are not public.

Another one of the funds Quinnipiac invested in is the Monarch Opportunity Fund, which is supported by Monarch Alternative Capital.

Based in New York City, Monarch holds millions of dollars worth of stock in the fossil fuel industry. Quinnipiac had $13 million in Monarch in 2018.

Quinnipiac’s money may not directly be in fossil fuels through the Opportunity Fund, but hedge funds use pooled or borrowed resources to make aggressive trades.

In 2018, Monarch had $70 million in Resolute Energy, an oil and gas producer that was bought by a larger producer in 2019. It also held $122 million in Arch Coal, a coal miner and producer.

Today, Monarch holds $14 million in Oil States International, an American multi-national corporation that specializes in drilling for gas and oil, according to its most recent SEC filings.

It also holds another $9 million in Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a West Coast See HEDGE FUNDS Page 3

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

2| News

MEET THE EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brendan O’Sullivan MANAGING EDITORS Toyloy Brown III Jessica Simms CREATIVE DIRECTOR Connor Lawless NEWS EDITOR Emily Flamme ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITORS Nicole McIsaac Chatwan Mongkol OPINION EDITOR Michael Sicoli ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Emily DiSalvo ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Ashley Pelletier SPORTS EDITOR Riley Millette ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Peter Piekarski DESIGN EDITOR Michael Clement PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Morgan Tencza PODCAST PRODUCER Xavier Cullen ASSOCIATE PODCAST PRODUCER Kalleen Rose Ozanic COPY EDITOR Melina Khan THE QUINNIPIAC CHRONICLE is the proud recipient of the New England Society of Newspaper Editors’ award for College Newspaper of the Year in New England for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2015-16.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 7, 2021

Quinnipiac students react to being eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

By NICOLE MCISAAC Associate News Editor

All Quinnipiac University students, including out-of-state and international students, are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with the state’s expanded guidelines.

Students can register for an appointment through Connecticut’s vaccine administration management system, with their medical provider, a local pharmacy or by calling the vaccine appointment assist line at 877-918-2224. When arriving on site for their appointment, students are recommended to bring their student ID as proper identification.

Quinnipiac is also looking to create an easier system for students to access and receive their vaccinations before the end of the semester.

“We are exploring the possibility of hosting a vaccine clinic on campus for our students before the semester ends on May 7,” said John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations. “We expect to have more information over the next few weeks.”

Despite the university pushing to establish vaccination clinics on campus, some students shared their urgency in wanting to receive the COVID-19 doses as soon as possible.

“I have signed up for a COVID-19 vaccination because I want to be safe around my family and friends and not have to worry about infecting anyone who might be at risk,” said Taylor Garritano, a senior public relations major.

“There are plenty of options, but I am choosing to get my vaccine to help better other lives and to eventually lower cases.”

In correlation to wanting to receive the vaccination, students are also stressing the impor-

tance of other community members receiving the vaccination as well.

“I feel others should consider getting the vaccine because they can lower cases in the United States,” Garritano said. “They can help prevent the spread of (COVID-19) to those who have autoimmune diseases and the elderly. It’s really up to everyone but getting the vaccine would help open our economy and get back on track to living the life before this pandemic.”

Other institutions of higher learning such as Rutgers University have already mandated that students get the COVID-19 vaccine before returning for the fall 2021 semester. However, Quinnipiac has not released information and intends on leaving the decision up to the students.

Garritano said she believes a vaccine requirement should be a topic of conversation despite not believing it is necessary.

“I don’t think the vaccine should be mandated because people are free to make the decisions for themselves,” Garritano said. “Still, I highly recommend people getting the vaccine so people can live a safer and healthier lifestyle.”

Similar to Garritano, other students believe that the vaccination should not be required but rather encouraged.

“I don’t think it should be mandated, but there should be incentives for those to get it,” said Joshua Finkel, a first-year finance major.

“For example, if QU says fully vaccinated students can gather indoors with no masks, social distancing or indoor capacity restrictions, I believe more students will get the vaccine.”

Finkel said he plans to receive his vaccination when he is eligible in his home state of New York, but believes everyone should re-

ceive their vaccine when it is their turn.

“I think the No. 1 thing we all can do to stop COVID-19 is to get vaccinated,” Finkel said. “I believe the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risk.”

In close correlation, some students see the benefits of other university members receiving their vaccine as a direct outcome of their safety on campus.

“I, personally, feel safer now that more people are going to be vaccinated,” said Michele Ryan, a third-year interactive design major. “I feel this way primarily because I won’t be in fear as much when someone comes closer to me in public.”

Ryan stressed that these concerns regarding personal safety have not only translated to her encounters within the Quinnipiac community, but also to her additional work endeavors.

“I work part-time in a grocery store and at times, customers will ask me questions,” Ryan said. “While I enjoy helping them out, they’ll get really close sometimes when asking for help. I think it will make me feel much calmer at work knowing that there is a good chance they will be vaccinated.”

Ryan said that although she holds such concerns about her well-being, she ultimately believes vaccination should result in a freedom of choice.

“During this time, those that aren’t ready should have that basic right to hold off until they feel comfortable,” Ryan said. “I also think that if fun activities start requiring that you provide a vaccination card, people will take it anyway despite their views.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter, by emailing Brendan O’Sullivan at bgosullivan@quinnipiac.edu.

Search “Chron-versations” and “Chronicle Weekly Report” on streaming platforms for the latest news.

THE CHRONICLE is distributed around all three university campuses every Wednesday when school is in session except during exam periods. Single copies are free. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or subject to university discipline. Please report suspicious activity to university security (203-582-6200). For additional copies, contact the student media ofice for rates.

ADVERTISING inquiries can be sent to advertise@quchronicle.com.

Inquiries must be made a week prior to publication.

SEND TIPS, including news tips, corrections or suggestions to Brendan O’Sullivan at editor@quchronicle.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be between 250 and 400 words and must be approved by the Editorin-Chief before going to print. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit all material, including advertising, based on content, grammar and space requirements.

Send letters to editor@quchronicle.com. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Chronicle.

SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING ON

QUCHRONICLE.COM Our award-winning website since 2009

JOIN US

Staff Meetings on Tuesdays at 9:15 p.m. on Zoom

CONNECT @quchronicle The Quinnipiac Chronicle @quchronicle

INFOGRAPHIC BY MORGAN TENCZA

Connecticut residents who are older than 16, including students at Quinnipiac University, can get their COVID-19 vaccine. There are many places around the Hamden area students can sign up at to get their vaccine.

April 7, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

News |3

‘Liberal views are overly represented:’ Quinnipiac students discuss their educational setting

By CHATWAN MONGKOL Associate News Editor

Many students believe Quinnipiac University is not diverse when it comes to the representation of different political ideologies, and they believe it has a direct impact on their learning environment.

“When a single political viewpoint is highly dominant and sometimes even suppresses others, diversity of thought suffers,” said Kevin Laieta, a sophomore accounting major. “Diversity of thought matters more than any other form and elevates the learning experience by exposing students to different perspectives.”

Students said the majority of the Quinnipiac community is leaning toward liberalism.

American Enterprise Institute reported that previous studies about political compositions and campus climate found that liberal and moderate professors on college campuses have always outnumbered their conservative counterparts. This is also the case for Quinnipiac, as public political contribution information suggests.

Data from the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) revealed that Quinnipiac employees donated $102,887 to different political committees and campaigns during the 2020 election cycle (January 2019 to December 2020), the highest since at least 1994. The CRP also showed that 95.57% of those political contributions went to the Democratic Party.

When President Joe Biden was a candidate, he received $22,362 from Quinnipiac employees, the highest among all other recipients. In 2020, former President Donald Trump received only $592.

Political science professor Scott McLean said Republicans received fewer donations because there were few strong Republican congressional and state legislative candidates in local districts.

He also said that Trump’s fundraising was far behind the Democrats and Biden.

“Trump interestingly used campaign strategies that required few expensive media buys, and Trump also did not invest much money into state campaign offices,” McLean said.

Besides presidential candidates, 68 candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate including Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Chris Murphy and Sen. Lindsey Graham also received some donations in the previous election cycle.

The political contribution trend of Quinnipiac employees has leaned toward the Democrats since at least 1994. In 2000, 2004 and 2014, 100% of donations went to the Democrats.

The total amount of contributions soared in 2020. It was a 133.83% increase from the 2016 election cycle (January 2015 to December 2016). McLean said it was not surprising as the total fundraising amount across the country in 2020 has also gone up since 2016.

The CRP found that candidates raised around $1.5 billion in the 2016 election cycle and around $3.9 billion in 2020.

According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), McLean also contributed $320 last year to the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

“The stakes were much higher in this

election,” McLean said. “There were a lot of candidates raising money in the Democratic nomination process, and candidates becoming more effective at using the internet to raise more money with small (donations).”

He also said that most Quinnipiac employees fit the national profile of Biden’s supporters — college-educated, middle-class and likely to live in suburban areas.

The CRP based its data on the contributions of $200 or more from individuals to political candidates and parties that were reported to the FEC. On the FEC database, there were over 3,800 entries with over 250 unique contributors between 2019-20 under Quinnipiac filtered as the employer’s name. Associate Vice President for Public Relations John Morgan said 250 employees only represent 20% of the university’s faculty and staff.

“Political contributions by employees are purely personal decisions,” Morgan said.

“The university does not get involved in any employee political activities and does not endorse specific political parties or candidates.”

Morgan said the university wants all groups to feel fully welcome to be a part of its mission to be inclusive of the broad spectrum of political viewpoints.

According to the FEC, one of the biggest donors was the law school’s Center on Dispute Resolution Co-Director Charles Pillsbury who donated over $30,000 from 2019-20. He donated to different Democratic presidential candidates including Biden, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (MA) and Amy Klobuchar (MN).

The person who made the largest single donation in 2020, according to the FEC, was law professor Alexander Meiklejohn. He donated $5,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Some of the donations to the Republican Party include over $2,300 from Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs Todd Sloan, over $1,500 from School of Medicine Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Relationships Richard Stahl and over $450 from Associate Vice President for Information Services Janice Wachtarz, according to the FEC. Even though the trend strongly suggests that voters with higher education were more supportive of the Democratic Party, McLean said it should not be concluded that they are liberals.

He said only a minority of college-educated voters identify themselves as liberals while the majority of them identify themselves as moderates.

With most educators on campus appearing to lean left, students with different viewpoints have found themselves in a number of uncomfortable situations.

First-year nursing major Asia Mercier said professors see students in a different way when they disagree.

“Liberal views are overly represented,” Mercier said. “And if you have conservative views, professors will put you down or constantly question you when they don’t to others who have liberal views.”

$102,887

Donated to political campaigns by employees

Donation Breakdown 95.57% To Democrats 4.43% To Republicans

$22,362 Amount donated by QU employees $592

INFOGRAPHIC BY CONNOR LAWLESS

Laieta said a class turns into an echo chamber when a professor shares their own political opinions, and students in disagreement like him are afraid of being “ostracized, ridiculed or receiving bad grades” if they express their thoughts. One of Laieta’s experiences was from a Blackboard discussion thread.

“When I see that the topic is a leading question or that my peers are all in political agreement, I again feel pressured to say something that conflicts with my personal values or opinions to keep my grades up,” Laieta said. “I always try my best to stay politically neutral in every class, no matter how political the discussion becomes.”

Not only current students, but class of 2014 English graduate Emily Vincent said her political views were underrepresented during her college days.

“I was afraid to share my opinion for (fear of) being (shut) down or forced to try and believe something else because people can’t always handle someone who thinks differently than they do,” Vincent said.

Vincent had an experience being asked to state her political opinions in a political science class. She said the professor singled her out as her views were a minority and asked for her opinions for the entire semester.

“It was the worst class ever taken at QU,” Vincent said.

That was the only class Vincent got a D during her time at Quinnipiac. She said she always thought that it was because her opinions did not match her professor’s.

Sociology professor Keith Kerr said students should inform the department chair and begin the grade appeal process if there is evidence that a faculty member is penalizing a stu-

dent because of the student’s political beliefs.

While Kerr said it is hard for someone to be the contrarian, he said the point of getting a university degree is to hear different opinions and ideas. He posed a question about whether or not it is a good idea to tell professors who are experts on their field not to share their opinions.

“People act like there are revolutionaries stuffed to the rafters, when the truth of the matter is that most professors are simply hardworking people trying diligently to solve the problems that their area focuses on,” Kerr said.

Kerr believes that the critical thinking extended learning opportunities would see improvements if there are more revolutionaries at Quinnipiac.

Although much evidence suggests that the college’s population is leaning to the left, Inside Higher Ed also reported that conservative counterparts are free of indoctrination.

McLean said the idea of professors having influence over politics of their students is “highly exaggerated.”

He explained like Kerr said that students pay to hear instructor’s opinions on their field of expertise, in which those opinions sometimes have social implications. He said it depended on people who hear them to decide if those expert opinions are political, and they have the right to disagree.

“If professors really had influence over their students’ ideas and behavior, you would see a lot more students studying harder, partying less, doing the reading for the class and following the course syllabus,” McLean said.

“And in politics, if professors were so influential, you would see a higher percentage of college students voting in elections, which is not the case.”

Morgan: ‘Quinnipiac does not have any direct investments in fossil fuels and has committed to not investing directly in fossil fuel interests’ HEDGE FUNDS from cover natural gas supplier made famous by a lawsuit by activist Erin Brockovich.

PG&E filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2019 and finished reorganization in 2020.

The university has pushed an environmentally-friendly vision, and sustainability is a major part of its strategic plan.

“Quinnipiac does not have any direct investments in fossil fuels and has committed to not investing directly in fossil fuel interests,”

Associate Vice President for Public Relations John Morgan wrote in a statement. “Some commingled funds in our portfolio, which are funds that invest in a wide array of companies and industries, may include fossil fuel interests as a portion of the fund. Investments in commingled funds provide scale, access to leading investment managers and diversification, which is important to growing the endowment for the benefit of the Quinnipiac community and the university’s long-term plans.”

According to Quinnipiac’s strategic plan, “A campus sustainability plan and execution

structure will be developed to advance the responsible stewardship of environmental resources on campus, and to model in our behavior the ideals for others.”

The third firm, Pointer Offshore, has a $20 million investment from Quinnipiac, but very little public record of it exists. Its holdings are not public.

It is not unusual for universities to invest in hedge funds. Many universities invest in them as their aggressive trading behaviors lead to endowment growth. Schools like Harvard University put as much as 33% of their endowment

towards hedge funds.

Quinnipiac disclosed over $80 million in securities in 2018. Most of the securities were in real estate and private equity.

Quinnipiac’s investments in Monarch, Ironwood and Pointer are “net asset value alternative investments,” according to the filings. This means Quinnipiac invests in the outcomes of the firms’ investments. The number is simplified into a net asset value per share, giving you one price that you can invest in.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

4| O p i n i o n

April 7, 2021

Opinion Caution vs.

Reopening

Is it time to return to normalcy?

BY STEPHANIE SUAREZ

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

BY WILLIAM DEAN

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

It feels unreal that the world celebrated the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic last month. We experienced a wave of darkness that swallowed everything in sight, but in these times, we’ve also learned to stand up against social injustice and celebrate the tiny victories in life.

People across the United States have begun to taste a bit of normalcy after months of anticipation for the COVID-19 vaccine. It feels like society is inching closer to a life where there is no more social distancing or mask mandates. The fear that any little social interaction can result in a positive diagnosis is diminishing.

But we’ve experienced this hope on multiple occasions, and the aftermath has been painfully disastrous. Connecticut’s reopening guidelines should be executed in a measured manner to keep all residents safe. After enduring isolation for nearly nine months, people began to travel far and wide to be with their loved ones for holidays, such as Christmas and the new year, without actively assessing the long-term impact.

In a matter of three weeks, health care systems began to feel the strain of these events as cases began to skyrocket.

PHOTO FROM PIXABAY

However, that didn’t matter to the travelers because the value of family outweighs the margin of risk for them to test positive for COVID-19. As a result, authorities reported over 4,500 COVID-19 related deaths on Jan. 20, a then-single-day record.

I emphasize with people who have been unable to surround themselves with loved ones since the start of the pandemic. The last “normal” day, when my school district shut down because of COVID-19, is a memory that’s burned into my brain. I had driven my new car to school for exactly one week. There was a growing buzz in the air about whether or not COVID-19 would actually affect Meriden, Connecticut, and if the music department trip to Disney World would still happen.

Since that day, I haven’t been able to hug or touch anyone outside of my immediate family because I’ve had to be extremely cautious for the sake of my 92-year-old grandmother. I would love to throw caution to the wind and have back one day of normalcy, but it needs to be executed in a safe manner for everyone in the community.

We can’t go to either extreme, where states have no mask mandates or the state’s planned phases continue to hurt businesses that struggle to survive. Instead, we should find an equilibrium that benefits all participants. A hypothetical situation could be for people who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to have the privilege to begin to gather with other people who are also fully vaccinated in a private setting. To provide authenticity of a COVID-19 vaccine, Connecticut could follow in New York’s lead by creating an app that displays proof of vaccination and negative test results. Another possibility is for restaurants and businesses to assign designated areas that are mainly for vaccinated people in order to increase profits.

In a matter of two weeks, over 40 states have reported a rise in positive COVID-19 cases, and the hot spots of the moment are in the Northeast, California and Florida.

How many tragic milestones will the world have to reach in order for people to take this virus seriously and understand that it won’t go away overnight? It takes a group effort to slow the spread, and just because we’re tired of the regulations doesn’t mean it will make them go away faster. Connecticut has been praised for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it should continue with how reopening phases are planned and executed. However, the current reopening plan caused a surge in COVID-19 cases. The positivity rate is currently at 3% in New Haven County, indicating a very high infection rate.

I’m not just hoping that society is able to suppress the positivity rate and manage it to a safe number — I know it can be done. But we have to play our cards right and stick through with the regulations for a little longer. We’re all tired — we’ve all been through a lot — but we’re so close to conquering our own Mount Everest.

After a year of lockdowns, we ought to remember the bill of goods we were originally sold. In January 2020, the Chinese government weld shut the doors of its own sick citizens as the world watched. Nobody knew what “the coronavirus” was or how contagious and deadly it might be. People were scared.

By March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Increasing positivity rates and a lack of information about COVID-19 pressured Americans to accept then-President Donald Trump’s initiative of “15 days to slow the spread” on March 16.

Those 15 days turned into four weeks, which turned into two months and then the entire summer. One year later, we know what economist Milton Friedman meant when he said “nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.”

Lockdowns promised us peace of mind, but our health still fell into a downward spiral. For the first time in decades, cigarette consumption is increasing, and recent Gallup polling suggests that Americans’ mental health is at a 20-year low.

Opposition to lockdowns is simply a recognition that our treatment has been much worse than the disease.

The lockdowns are incredibly dangerous for young people. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that thoughts of suicide are rapidly rising among young adults. It reported that in July 2020, more than a quarter of all young people aged 18 to 24 “seriously considered suicide in past 30 days.” More recent data is unavailable, but that was just four months into the lockdown. Things have not gotten better.

And for what? In the United Kingdom, the average age of death from COVID-19 is 82.4 years old. Life expectancy in the U.K. is 81.1 years old. The CDC does not track deaths by the same metrics, but more than 80% of COVID-19 deaths in the United States occurred over the age of 65, and a whopping three in every 10 deaths come from those 85 and older. Other CDC data shows that nearly 80% of those hospitalized for COVID-19 were overweight or obese.

Young adults’ immune systems are also more than capable of fighting off COVID-19. The CDC data shows that fewer than 2,200 people under 30 years old have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

I love my grandparents, and I will take the necessary precautions when visiting them, but the reality is that my friends have much better immune systems than they do.

In a rational universe, different threat levels mean different levels of concern.

Like any other virus, COVID-19 is no walk in the park for even the healthiest among us. Still, the human immune system has fought much worse. Without controlling for age and weight, 982 of every 1,000 COVID-19 patients survive.

Yes, there are crazy people that want to have public gatherings of every size and closeness, but the rest of the U.S. knows how to wear a mask and social distance. This pandemic has been with us for a year, and if you are not with the program at this point, you never will be. There is no reason why the competent must be shackled by dimwitted people who don’t follow COVID-19 protocols.

Locking down to prevent the virus’ spread came with tragic, unseen costs. Thousands will die as a result of cancer diagnosed too late. Deaths of despair from drug abuse and suicide are rising at an uncontrolled rate. Anyone who uses Zoom can attest that children and college students have lost an entire year of education.

Connecticut’s recent steps toward reopening are a move in the right direction. Allowing restaurants to open to full capacity is just what struggling small businesses need to stay afloat, but these measures do little to solve our ongoing mental health crisis.

The lockdowns have done far more harm than good for the vast majority of Americans. Humans are social animals, and we lose a part of our humanity when social interactions are taken away.

No one voted to shut down society over a disease that primarily kills Social Security recipients, the severely unhealthy and the reckless. Governments foisted this inhumane treatment on the world without so much as asking. It is time for these despotic measures to end.

25.5%

of all respondents ages 18-24 seriously considered suicide in the 30 days prior to the CDC’s survey CDC June 2020

INFOGRAPHIC BY CONNOR LAWLESS

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 7, 2021

Opinion|5

Opinion Recognizing mental health means supporting all struggles Kat Haines: ‘I couldn’t control my thoughts. I couldn’t even sleep’

BY KAT HAINES

Contributing Writer

When you look into the mirror, what do you see?

I see a woman I don’t really recognize quite yet. A woman who beat the odds of addiction and bipolar disorder. A woman of strength.

Hi, my name is Kat Haines, and I am a senior marketing major at Quinnipiac University. I’m writing this piece not to

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KAT HAINES

After struggling with addiction and bipolar disorder, Kat Haines is graduating from Quinnipiac sober and with a job at one of the top tech companies.

brag about the way I have overcome obstacles in life but rather to raise awareness. When people think of a drug addict, they don’t typically think of a privileged teen from Connecticut.

When people think of a queer woman, they don’t normally think of a girl in a dress. And when people think of what means to be bipolar, they think of the hot and cold, similar to the ups and downs of the weather.

I was born in Los Angeles and moved to Newport, Rhode Island, when I was 10 years old. My family was very good to me, but things took a turn for the worst when my parents got divorced. My mom financially struggled, working 16-hour days to create her own interior design business. My dad moved to New York and quickly had a brand new family. That was my view of how things went down at that time.

I hid my sexuality growing up because I was too afraid to show my family who I really was. Instead, I was the pictureperfect kid — straight A’s, theater nerd, funny — the kid other parents wished they had.

The summer before my senior year of high school I traveled to Rome, France and Washington D.C., where I ended up drinking abroad for the first time. I never really experimented with alcohol or drugs in high school — I was too hyperfocused on academics. I was 17 years old at the time, and the drinking triggered my first manic episode. I couldn’t control my thoughts, I couldn’t even sleep. I remember looking my mom in the face when she came to visit, and all I said was, “Mom, what is wrong with me?”

We didn’t know. We didn’t know what bipolar disorder looked like. We didn’t know that for the next seven years that same straight-A student was going to be in and out of treatment.

Now, I can’t fit my whole story into one article. But what you should know is that I’ve attempted suicide. Over 25 of my friends have died from overdoses and addiction. I’ve been to seven rehabilitation centers and four psychiatric facilities. It wasn’t easy.

When I applied to Quinnipiac, I was still in rehab. It was a long-term treatment center in New Haven, Connecticut, that I stayed in for 18 months. By the end of that, I moved

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KAT HAINES

Kat Haines creates her own graphic designs and oil paintings.

into transitional housing, or what we call “sober living.” I didn’t really tell anyone at school this, because at the time, I was embarrassed.

Fast forward to now: I work for one of the biggest companies in the tech industry, I run my own graphic design and oil painting business (@graphicsandoils on Instagram), I’m sober, I’m on great medication for mental health, and I finally am graduating from college after seven years.

If you take away anything from this piece, take away this: A “junkie” isn’t always what they seem to be.

A “gay woman” isn’t always the girl you might assume her/ them to be.

And lastly, when you walk into a Barnes & Noble bookstore, there will be 20 books on anxiety, 20 books on depression, but only two books on bipolar disorder. Start talking about the mental health diseases that people don’t normally talk about.

If you’re struggling with any mental health disorder, your sexuality or addiction, reach out. Don’t shame yourself for being different — it gets better, I promise. If I can beat the odds, so can you.

Voters deserve to get the minimum wage they voted for President Joe Biden lacks the political capital to fulfill his promise

BY JAMES DOBSON Contributing Writer

President Joe Biden promised on his campaign trail to raise the federal minimum wage from the current rate of $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour, an assurance that garnered support among Democrats. So far, despite the Democratic Party’s control of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, that promise has been hollow.

A broad $15 minimum wage likely doesn’t make sense on a national level, as businesses in rural areas, where the cost of living is significantly cheaper than in more urban areas, will have a difficult time retaining some employees.

However, a wage hike is desperately needed in other areas where the cost of living is higher, as many find themselves working multiple jobs and still struggle to afford basic necessities such as food and rent.

The closest this minimum wage hike has gotten to becoming a reality is during the negotiation of the recent COVID-19 relief bill. An original version of this bill included raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. However, this component of the bill was cut out after Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian who interprets Senate rules, deemed it inapplicable to include in the relief bill.

“We are deeply disappointed in this decision,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement shortly after the minimum wage increase was taken out of the relief bill. “We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.”

While the federal minimum wage likely won’t be raised to $15 anytime soon, that doesn’t mean progress can’t be made for Democrats who want to see steps taken in the right direction. Sens. Krysten Sinema (AZ) and Joe Manchin (WV), two moderate Democrats who do not support the $15 federal wage, have said that they would vote for an $11 federal minimum wage instead. This would still be an increase of $3.75 per hour from the current amount.

Accomplishing this, despite it not being what many

Democrats initially promised, would still have a signifi- from the COVID-19 relief bill, Jen Psaki, the White House cant impact on struggling families and those trying to es- press secretary, said that Biden was “disappointed in this cape poverty. It would also be a much-needed first step in outcome” but “respects the Senate’s process.” the right direction, as the federal minimum wage has not While, for the time being, the $15 federal minimum wage increased in over 10 years. seems to be off the table, Democrats still have their Senate While the $15 minimum wage has the potential to help and House majorities guaranteed until 2022, and a lot more a lot of people, especially the many minimum wage earn- promises to work on while they hold their power. If they win ers struggling during the pandemic and who will continue over enough voters to expand their Senate majority during to struggle in its aftermath, there simply is not the political the midterm elections in two years, Americans have a much capital for the Democrats to accomplish it right now. If they better chance of getting the minimum wage raised to $15 at wanted to do it, the way to do so would have been to win that point. For now, though, the reality is that there is simply more Senate seats in 2020 to get a more secure majority. As it not enough political will to accomplish this goal. stands, the Senate is split, but Democrats control it with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie. This doesn’t leave much room when accounting for moderate Democrats, such as Sinema or Manchin, who may not always be fully in line with the more progressive Democratic agenda.

Many members of Congress are adamant supporters of the minimum wage. Some have proposed putting heavy pressure on their own party to get the federal minimum wage to $15, such as methods like when certain Democrats threatened not to vote to reelect Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker until she held a vote on ”Medicare for All” earlier this year. However, political maneuvers such as these only serve to hurt their own party.

The Biden administration understands the danger to his own support system and as such seemed to, at least for the time being, stop actively fighting for this minimum wage change despite it being one of its prominent PHOTO FROM PHIL ROEDER/FLICKR campaign promises. Shortly after the $15 minimum wage was removed President Joe Biden doesn’t have the backing to deliver on his promised $15 minimum wage.

6|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 7, 2021

Arts & Life Sex and Satan

QUCHRONICLE.COM/ARTS-AND-LIFE ARTSLIFE@QUCHRONICLE.COM

Lil Nas X shakes the nation with 'Montero'

By ANYA GRONDALSKI Staff Writer

The new hit song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” has sparked controversy after its release on March 26. Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, is a 21-year-old artist facing heat for the satanic symbolism in his song's music video, which now has over 80 million views.

The video features Lil Nas X kissing an alien man dressed in a dramatic feminine costume. Lil Nas X then pole dances into hell to give Satan a lap dance before snapping the devil’s neck and stealing his horns.

Lil Nas X explained the meaning behind the song on the Genius' "Verified" YouTube series. Inspired by the 2017 film “Call Me By Your Name,” Lil Nas X said it was one of the first gay films he had ever watched.

“I thought the theme was so dope,” Lil Nas X said. “Calling somebody by your own name is love, keeping the love between you two.”

Even the humming section after the chorus carries its own symbolic meaning as a "mating call,” referencing when you “talk without saying anything,” Lil Nas X said.

Americans have a historic tendency to disgrace all references to the devil in pop culture as we saw with Lady Gaga's song “Judas,” which depicts her falling for the man that betrayed Jesus. Controversies like these stretch as far back as Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” video, where she is seen kissing a saint and dancing in a field of burning crosses.

It’s not uncommon for parents to blame celebrities for influencing their children. We saw this in the ’90s when rock and roll music meant one’s child had turned to worship the devil. In a more modern context, we see the outrage that swept the nation following the release of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s song W.A.P. But, Lil Nas X responded as most other artists do to these opinions — reminding parents that it's not his job to raise their children.

It's not only online trolls attacking Lil Nas X for the new release. Athletes Nick Young and Trevor Lawrence have been outspoken about their disapproval with the song and Lil Nas X’s new associated shoe.

The rapper collaborated with MSCHF, the same company that made the 2019 “Jesus Shoes” (supposedly filled with holy water), to make Satan shoes following the release of his new song. At the price of $1,108, the sneakers are filled with 60 CC’s of red ink and one drop of human blood. Nike reported that people are boycotting the brand for its association with Satan. In response to the release, Nike filed a trademark infringement and dilution complaint against MSCHF. Nike also filed a restraining order against the art collective.

However, the lawsuit was deemed irrelevant by MSCHF who reported that all 666 pairs of the shoes sold out in one minute and were already shipped.

"Who is Nike to censor one but not the other?” MSCHF said in a statement to CBS News.

While many people are attacking Lil Nas X, he is still has a wide support across the internet. Other artists have been uplifting him for the culture-shocking song.

“I'm so excited for the explosion @LilNasX has created w his video,” Adam Lambert tweeted. “It's been a long time coming...It's challenging and symbolic and pushes buttons.

How refreshing."

Additionally, actress Elizabeth Banks posted a side by side of her character Effie Trinket from the Hunger games next to a character in Lil Nas X’s music video, both with similar attire and hair styles with the caption “Honestly, thrilled. @LilNasX you do you #montero."

Lil Nas X tweeted the following Saturday in response to the backlash, explaining the issues he had with his sexuality throughout his life and what the song means to him after finally coming out. He also reminded people that there are bigger issues to be concerned about than his video. “(T)here is a mass shooting every week that our government does nothing to stop,” Lil Nas X tweeted. “me sliding down a cgi pole isn’t what’s destroying society.”

Although parts of the music video did make me uncomfortable, I don’t think it falls on any artist to apologize or filter their creations. Parents are responsible for filtering the media their children consume. References to Satan in society should be considered the same as godly influence in society.

@LILNASX/TWITTER

Lil Nas X poses with his custom-made 'Satan shoes' by art collective MSCHF, who Nike has given a cease and desist order to.

Another hit Netflix Original:‘'Ginny & Georgia'’

By LEXI PEPE

*Spoiler Free*

Staff Writer

Netflix has continuously released hit original shows, one of the latest being the popular drama, “Ginny & Georgia,” which came out on Feb. 24.

Synopsis An eccentric mother, Georgia Miller (Brianne Howey), and her two children, Ginny (Antonia Gentry) and Austin (Diesel La Torraca), leave their old home in the South for Wellsbury, Massachusetts, seeking a fresh start. However, this picturesque family isn’t as perfect as it seems.

though I became a bit irritated toward Ginny and what she says, it is important to keep in mind the realism behind Ginny’s portrayal. She is forced to move to a new home, discovering secrets within her family and denies any similarities between her and her mother. Gentry pulls off Ginny’s character so well, creating a vulnerable feeling when the audience watches her constantly question Georgia’s actions and intentions.

“Ginny & Georgia” offers a lot of genres and subplots for everyone to enjoy. It touches upon some romance, comedy,

Facing the Backlash

Review & Expectations Many have compared “Ginny & Georgia” to the hit TV show, “Gilmore Girls,” which originally aired on The CW in 2002 and ran for seven seasons. It also received a miniseries by Netflix, “Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life.” The two shows are placed under the same genre, “dramedy.” Although, if viewers start watching “Ginny & Georgia” with the expectations of a Lorelei and Rory dynamic, they will be very surprised.

Ginny is a 15-year-old biracial girl trying to discover her identity at her new school while her mother, Georgia, is trying to escape her dark past and give her children a normal life. The two have an interesting connection. In some episodes, they seem like sisters, but in others, Georgia puts her foot down and acts like a mother. Their mother-sister relationship is very different from Lorelei and Rory. Ginny is anxious. Her character feels as if she is the parent of the house, constantly watching over her little brother, Austin, as Georgia becomes invested in her romantic relationships and new career.

Throughout the show, I rooted for both women and even

drama and even some psychological elements from Georgia’s mysterious past. This show explores a lot of relevant issues such as mental health, self-harm, body dysmorphia and racism.

At times, these themes can be intense and triggering so watch with caution.

Overall, “Ginny & Georgia” is relatable and while everyone is isolating and social distancing, the show will give a taste of the social life we have been missing.

As of now, the show has not been renewed for a second season, but it quickly rose to No. 1 on Netflix’s top 10 mostwatched list.

SCREENSHOT FROM TWITTER

Taylor Swift fired at Netflix for referencing her dating life in 'Ginny and Georgia.'

While instantly becoming a show loved by many, Netflix and the producers have faced some heat on Twitter due to their sexist comments regarding American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift.

In episode 10, Ginny and Georgia are in the middle of having a heated argument about relationships.

“What do you care? You go faster through men than Taylor Swift.” Ginny said.

Swift publicly responded on Twitter a few days after the show was released on March 1.

Hey Ginny & Georgia, 2010 called and it wants its lazy, deeply sexist joke back,” Swift tweeted. “How about we stop degrading hard-working women by defining this as funny. Also, Netflix after Miss Americana this outfit doesn’t look cute on you. Happy Women’s History Month I guess.”

Many fans agreed with Swift as belittling other women for their mistakes or pasts only fuels the issue of women putting down other women. Netflix has taken jabs at her before in another Netflix original, “Degrassi: Next Class,” when an actress mentions how Swift has made a career off all her exes.

Netflix and producers haven’t publicly responded to Swift’s statements, and an apology seems unlikely.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 7, 2021

Arts and Life|7

A jarringly delicious breakfast Why overnight oats may be the secret to spicing up your mornings

By EMILY DISALVO Arts & Life Editor

You may have seen the photos on Pinterest of a perfect batch of overnight oats. A delicate mason jar filled with rolled oats dripping with honey and topped with berries seems like the kind of breakfast you do not only want to devour, but also photograph.

I, too, have been enchanted by these images and the concept of just eating oatmeal the old way never seemed satisfying once I saw the potential of the overnight variety. Back when I was in high school, I tried making one and it wasn’t great. I became excited about all the different ingredients I could toss into the jar, and I think I overdid it.

EMILY DISALVO/CHRONICLE

Nut butter is optional but makes your oats more flavorful.

Just a few weeks ago, I tried again for the first time in years, and I think this time I perfected a base recipe and some tasteful ways to modify it.

Here’s how I did it: The container: The mason jar looks pretty, but any tupperware you have will work. Even using a jar of peanut butter with some residue in it will be convenient and add for a fun splash of flavor.

Oats: I use rolled, old fashioned or instant oatmeal. People on Pinterest will tell you one works better than another. I suggest going with whatever works for you. The dining hall has boxes of instant oat packets. One instant oat packet is a perfect serving size which helps me with proportions.

Milk: Once you have chosen your oats, add in milk. Add an amount equal to the oats you have. In other words, a 50-50 ratio.

I usually use vanilla almond or oat milk so that the underlying flavor is sweet and yummy. Stir the two together.

Yogurt: Add half of a single-sized yogurt cup into the mixture. I suggest making two batches at once so you don’t have a half a cup of yogurt left over. If you are like me and tend to avoid a lot of dairy, use oat yogurt or another dairy-free option.

I suggest a bland flavor like vanilla or honey so it does not overpower any fruits or toppings you choose to add.

Banana: At this point, your mixture is probably still quite liquidy. This is OK, and if you don’t like bananas, you can skip this step. Take one average size banana and split it between your two containers. Mush the banana into the ingredients you have so far and stir it all around.

Nut butter: This stage is optional, particularly if you are allergic to nuts. Add about two tablespoons of a nut butter of your choice to the mixture and stir it through. I have been using almond butter.

Once you are done stirring, cover the containers and leave them in the fridge overnight. The ingredients will become much firmer as the oats absorb the ingredients around them.

In the morning, it is time to accessorize your oats. I usually add granola, but you can get creative. This recipe would also go well with some strawberries or seeds like flax or chia.

If your creation does not look as beautiful as the ones you see on Pinterest, do not be discouraged. This is breakfast, not golden

EMILY DISALVO/CHRONICLE

While a mason jar is preferred, any kind of tupperware will work to make your overnight oats.

hour and the quality of your photos will not be judged.

This recipe is healthy because oats are good for cholesterol and are high in many vitamins and minerals. The yogurt and the nut butter add protein, and toppings like granola or seeds add a wholesome touch. This breakfast will leave you feeling full for hours.

Brighten up that depressing dorm room of yours

By MICHAEL CLEMENT Design Editor

Like many of us, I do most of my schoolwork from the comfort of my bedroom. I keep my windows closed to block out the glare on my computer, but trading real sunlight for a glowing screen has taken its toll on my mental health.

Doing work from the same room all day is not ideal, but it’s something we’ve had to become accustomed to because of the pandemic. Being cooped up in our rooms hurts us mentally.

Anyone who’s taken high school science courses knows that our bodies need vitamins to keep us happy and healthy, and sunlight helps us convert cholesterol into vitamin D. Though vitamin D isn’t something we put a lot of stress on for wellness, it’s imperative to have proper levels of intake. A study published in BMC Psychiatry’s journal and others like it have shown that low vitamin D levels are found in those diagnosed with major depression and that raising them with sunlight or supplements improves mental health symptoms.

The solution? Get yourself a plant friend. Give yourself a reason to keep your windows open so that your plant can photosynthesize and you can reap the benefits of the fresh air for yourself. As the weather gets nicer, getting a plant of any size can be a fun, low-maintenance hobby for any living space. All you need is water and sunlight.

And to boot, having a plant has mental benefits of its own.

A study from Texas A&M University concluded that living nearby green spaces or nature, “can improve mood, reduce the

negative effects of stress, encourage physical activity and other positive behaviors, improve cognition, reduce aggression, and enhance overall well-being in people of all ages under many different circumstances.”

As the weather gets nicer, more plants have popped up in the York Hill and Cafe Q dining halls for sale. If you have extra meal plan to burn, I highly recommend getting yourself a plant or two to brighten up your living space.

MICHAEL CLEMENT/CHRONICLE

My money tree named Bernie (left) and Matilda the kalanchoe (right) sit on my nightstand to protect me from evil spirits when I sleep.

MICHAEL CLEMENT/CHRONICLE

Olivia the orchid is my favorite plant in my room (don't tell the others).

MICHAEL CLEMENT/CHRONICLE

My cactus named Francesca is tucked away under my desk because her needles have impaled me several times.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

8|Arts and Life

April 7, 2021

Dati ng for connections, not marriage

By NEHA SEENARINE Staff Writer

The dating world is just as tough as the job market.

Single people have limited outlets to meet others in a pandemic.

They are stuck with their own social bubbles and the dating apps on their phone.

Dating apps were created to help people find love, but it has adapted to hookup culture. Of course, people have different motives on dating apps. Some can be looking for something casual and others may be looking for their soulmate. I know I am not looking for a husband at 19.

The dating app environment is not welcoming. It seems as if you can only acknowledge someone based on their looks. It can be flattering when strangers compliment you, but this can also shatter someone’s confidence if they are not getting the number of matches they want.

When you match with someone, conversations are surface level. There is no personality or true value if you are looking to be committed. It can be scary to meet others because anyone can be behind the screen. Many people choose to trust strangers even though they can be a different person than what they say on their profile.

Pop culture gave us a weird idea that single people need to tie their attention to only one person. It is OK to see multiple people if you are single. However, that comes with strategy. You do not want to be stuck in a situation in which you are talking to two people that are roommates or friends. That could lead to consequences unless you like to start drama. You want to be honest and considerate toward other people’s feelings. It is one thing to mingle with people, but it is another to intentionally lead on others.

It is always good to keep your options open. You never know what the other person is thinking behind their phone screen. You cannot force people to like you

over Snapchat. The other person can date as many people as they want. I remember a guy told me I was in the “top five” of the girls he talked to. You’d think you would have the other person’s full attention, but you never know what goes on behind the scenes.

When you meet someone new and start mingling, it seems to last for about two weeks. You get to know them a bit and then the conversation starts to fizzle out. The next thing you know, that person silently watches your Instagram stories for the rest of your life. Some people come back wanting to give the talking stage another round. Their intentions could be hoping to get to know you better or maybe they just want to fool around.

Online dating can be used to your advantage to grow your network. College students are in the same boat of wanting success after graduation. It is easy to make a connection that is not emotional. You can connect with them on LinkedIn or follow them on Instagram. The chances of someone ghosting you on Snapchat after four days are high, but the chances of them removing you on LinkedIn is low.

It is important to do what you think is best for yourself. You should never let someone change your motives. There are plenty of people to meet, so if you think one person is not good for you, let them go.

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL CLEMENT

Book of the Week

‘The Lions of Fifth Avenue’ balances two stories with an 80-year difference

By ASHLEY PELLETIER Associate Arts & Life Editor

A few weeks ago, I got a package in my mailbox. Usually I know when I am expecting mail, so I was surprised to find that my great-aunt had sent me a book, “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” by Fiona Davis. I finished it in two days.

Although “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” is set in both 1914 and 1994, the New York Public Library is the primary setting for both timelines.

The older timeline follows Laura Lyons, a stay-at-home mother and aspiring journalist who discovers that she has a passion for writing. Lyons lives in a secret apartment in the New York Public Library with her husband and two children. She also attends classes at Columbia University’s Pulitzer School of Journalism, where she finds that the women are given meaningless assignments compared to the men.

Lyons’ lifestyle is put to the test when she meets Amelia Potter, a radical feminist she went to college with. Potter introduces her to the Heterodoxy Club, a group of people who want to change how society views women. Despite her promise of secrecy, Lyons writes about the club for her thesis, which her male professor plagiarizes, even though he gave her a failing grade.

While Lyons attends school, rare books, including a copy of “Tamerlane” by Edgar Allan Poe, in the library begin to go missing, putting her husband’s job as superintendent of the library at risk. The missing books are never recovered.

Eighty years later, Lyons’s granddaughter, Sadie Donovan, is a librarian at the New York Public Library. She is working on an exhibit for the renowned Berg Collection when books begin to go missing again. Much like her grandfather decades earlier, Donovan’s job is put in danger.

However, when her mother, Pearl, is on her deathbed, she gets a clue as to where the missing books have gone. She partners with Nick Adriano, a security officer tasked with finding the books, until an accident makes her look like the thief.

While the plot is exciting and interesting, I found Lyons’ experience as a woman in journalism to be one of the most appealing parts of the story. On her first day of classes, the four women in her class are told to report on a hotel banning butter from its kitchen while the male reporters went to cover a press conference. I was initially shocked by this, but after doing research, I found that this wasn’t uncommon at the time. Female reporters were more likely to be assigned home or society-based stories because that is what people believed women would want to read.

As a young woman studying journalism, this really struck a chord with me. Although I have been lucky to have limited experience with sexism in the field, I know that it is almost a certainty that I will have to face it. Although it is a fictional situation, Lyons’s determination and attitude toward those who believed she was incapable because of her gender is an inspiring story to read.

ASHLEY PELLETIER/CHRONICLE

Although 'The Lions of Fifth Avenue' is set in both 1914 and 1994, the New York Public Library is the primary setting for both timelines.

April 7, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts and Life|9

Chewing on American dental standards Michael Strahan pretending to close his teeth gap left fans missing his iconic grin and contemplating beauty standards

By MELINA KHAN Copy Editor

By setting up an April Fools’ Day prank that he closed his iconic teeth gap, Michael Strahan drew attention to the westernized beauty standard of straight white teeth.

“I did it. #GoodbyeGap,” Strahan tweeted on March 30.

The television personality and former professional athlete included a video of the dental work he underwent. The video has more than four million views to date.

Two days later, Strahan revealed the prank, but not before many of his followers shared their opinions on his transformation.

“I miss the gap. It made you unique and handsome. Now you look like everyone else and that makes me sad. Why change something that made you stand out in a positive way?” one Twitter user, @GenXHippy, said.

Others said Strahan’s gap made them feel confident with their own.

“Strahan was one of my idols as a kid because of his gap. I hated mine as an adolescent, due to bullying and rejection but #92 had one so I was good,” @MansaMars said.

A 2015 study from the University of Toronto showed that the acquisition of straight, white teeth in North American culture reinforces social class differences, promotes beauty ideals and sustains a stigma attached to poor oral health.

Alex Parkhouse, assistant professor of sociology at Quinnipiac University, said Strahan’s prank is a perpetuation of these cultural perceptions.

“If people are going on let's say a first date, or you’re out in public and you’re talking to a random stranger, that smile says something about who you are to the other person, so in that regard, the smile becomes a sort of a cultural icon and something to be desired,” Parkhouse said.

Parkhouse added that teeth also reflect access to resources, including orthodontic work.

“We might feel pressure or an obligation to have braces at a certain age or maybe, if we look at cohorts of people, many of your friends in general have all had sort of orthodontic work, and so, if you yourself don’t, maybe you feel as though you’re the outlier in the group,” Parkhouse said.

Strahan said he was shocked at how many people were disappointed with the prospect that he got rid of his “signature” gap.

PHOTO FROM WGN-TV

NFL hall-of-famer-turned entertainment star Michael Strahan knew the gap between his front teeth made him stand out but did not realize that so many fans appreciated his smile until he pulled a prank on April Fools' Day. “I was surprised, to be honest with you, at how many people were like, ‘No! Don’t get rid of the gap; it’s your signature!’”

Strahan said in a video posted to Instagram. “And I’ve always kind of looked at it that way, but I didn’t know so many people cared.”

The scale to which Strahan’s stunt has been talked about makes sense to Parkhouse.

“What it has done is it’s highlighted the significance of what we culturally place on the smile itself, to the extent that we have multiple media outlets making this a national news story,”

75 cells diameter theta maze

MAZE

Parkhouse said. “In the era of a global pandemic, we’re talking about somebody’s smile. That, to me, is mind blowing, but it’s not surprising sociologically because that’s what we value.”

Parkhouse said that reasons for wanting to change one’s physical appearance comes down to the individual, but that the smile has a larger implication because of the way it’s viewed in society.

“The cultural goal (is) to have a smile that is worth a million words,” Parkhouse said.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

10|Sports

April 7, 2021

Will the madness stop?

Even in 2021, female athletes are being treated unequally compared to their male counterparts

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2018)

By MORGAN TENCZA Photography Editor

It may no longer be Women’s History Month, but the conversation about gender inequality, especially in sports, cannot end.

This year’s NCAA basketball tournament sparked a lot of discussions, but not exactly around the actual games. With March Madness officially finished, it is time to analyze the differences in how the NCAA treated the men’s and women’s teams during the tournaments.

On March 18, Oregon forward Sedona Prince posted a video on TikTok exposing the discrepancies between the men’s and women’s weight rooms. It went viral.

The video showed that the men had access to a full gym while the women had six dumbbells and a handful of yoga mats to share. More inequalities came to light following the popularity of the post. The men received bigger swag bags and better food throughout the tournament.

The men’s swag bags consisted of March Madness and “The Big Dance” branded towels, a T-shirt, socks, a hoodie, a variety of toiletries and anti-bacterial wipes, books, puzzles and many other small items. All of the goodies were nicely laid out in a presentation that took up an entire bed.

The women received a small amount of women’s basketball branded gear, including a small towel, a T-shirt, a scrunchie, a hat, Powerade bottles and an umbrella. It also included a small number of toiletries and a puzzle. Looking at the two pictures side by side, it was an imbalance of personal items dedicated to each tournament.

After seeing the many differences between the treatment of men and women in the same tournament, it was important to talk to Quinnipiac basketball players and coaches, especially those who have lived the experience.

Taylor Herd played guard at Quinnipiac from 2016-2020, captaining the team her senior year. During her career, she won three MAAC titles that led her and the Bobcats to three NCAA tournament appearances.

“I remember when we made it to the NCAA tournament, and we had like the Dove body wash and we had a few other things, like deodorant and dry shampoo,” Herd said. “We were excited just to be there, so I didn’t really think anything of it. But when you compare it to everything the men’s team is getting, particularly with the swag bag, it does kind of shock you.”

Herd was grateful to say that she did not feel that Quinnipiac treated its men’s and women’s basketball teams very differently.

She did mention a slight difference with gear, though.

“The only thing that I noticed is that the men’s team would have a new jumpsuit every few months, whereas we had the jumpsuits that we had at the beginning of the year,” Herd said. “They would say, ‘Oh, we were just gifted shoes by our coaches, they decided to get us new shoes,’ which wasn’t really a thing for us.”

Herd admitted that she was unsure whether the budget for gear, food and travel was the same for each team or just spent differently.

“I don’t know if they have a bigger budget, but even then, why is their budget bigger, especially if we’re a championship team?” Herd said.

Although Herd did not notice any discrepancies between the

men’s and women’s teams at Quinnipiac, she was concerned their equal treatment may have had to do with the success the women’s team brought each year.

“I have to think like maybe we weren’t slighted because of the success we were having as a team,” Herd said. “If we weren’t as successful, would we have experienced inequality?”

Aryn McClure played at Quinnipiac from 2015-2019 and was on a team that broke MAAC records and even went on a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. She attributes a lot of Quinnipiac’s equal treatment to the fight of Quinnipiac women’s basketball head coach Tricia Fabbri.

“I feel like Quinnipiac really took care of us, and I think it’s a true testament in terms of leaders and our leader was Tricia Fabbri,” McClure said. “She was so invested in the women’s sports program and made it known that QU b-ball is not only in front of Quinnipiac, but its history in the making. You need to market this, and you need to provide those resources for it to happen.”

Fabbri has been the head coach of Quinnipiac women’s basketball since 1995 and has led the Bobcats to five NCAA tournaments. With over 450 wins at Quinnipiac, she has been a proven success in the world of basketball.

In agreement with McClure, Fabbri said that Quinnipiac’s equal treatment of the two basketball programs on campus is a reason for the success of the women’s team.

When talking about the future, Herd remained optimistic but hopes the NCAA can catch up with society’s steps toward fairness.

“As time goes on, there are changes that need to be made,” Herd said. “I think (the NCAA is) starting to fall behind making those changes as quickly as they should be made.”

Fabbri has a lot of positive thoughts for the future of the NCAA and women’s sports.

“What you’re already seeing happen is there’s incredible momentum from our youth, from our women, from everyone to be a part of the solution going forward,” Fabbri said. “I really believe that that is going to happen, and that’s going to be a part of a dynamic process going forward for the women’s game.”

After the weight room video went viral, the women of the tournament got a lot of support from the community. Though the NCAA did not make much of an effort to help right the wrongs of its unequal treatment, companies such as Dick’s Sporting Goods stepped up. It donated enough gym equipment to the women’s teams in the tournament to match what the men had access to, so the women received the treatment they deserved.

“It wasn’t just a basketball issue, it became a women in sports issue,” Herd said. “I just love that more women are using their voices, and that it’s unfiltered. I feel that a lot of the time, women would have to tiptoe around what they mean or what they want to say and now they’re using platforms like Twitter and social media to say unfiltered thoughts. I think it’s really exciting to see that change being made and again, it starts with players.”

“We were able to gain the momentum, have voices heard, and make substantive changes for equality for women, women in sports,” Fabbri said. “And it started with women’s basketball.”

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament took place in Texas and ended on April 4.

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE (2019)

April 7, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Sports|11

PHOTOS FROM TWITTER @FOS

The male players at the March Madness tournament received more goods in the swag bags that the NCAA gave them than the female players.

“It wasn’t just a basketball issue, it became a women in sports issue” – Taylor Herd FORMER QUINNIPIAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GUARD

ILLUSTRATION/CONNOR LAWLESS PHOTOS/MORGAN TENCZA

PHOTOS FROM TWITTER @FOS

The men’s weight room at the NCAA tournament (left) was bigger and had more equipment than the women’s weight room (right).

12|Sports

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 7, 2021

Sports

@QUCHRONSPORTS

CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE (2020)

What comes next for the Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey freshmen?

By MATT NYGAARD Staff Writer

This season did not end how the Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team wanted. The Bobcats lost 2-1 in the ECAC Hockey semifinal to the Colgate Raiders, a team they beat just six days prior.

With this loss, the Bobcats didn’t make the NCAA tournament, concluding their season in early March. So now that the season is complete, where do head coach Cass Turner and the Bobcats go from here?

With senior forwards Brooke Bonsteel, Laura Lundblad, Taylor Girard, Grace Markey, Taylor House and Renee Saltness and defender Olivia Konigson set to depart from Quinnipiac this May, the Bobcats will have a lot of line shake-up and roster turnover. The good news is that the 2020 freshman class has the same amount of players in it, and several of them already played in their first season.

Freshman defenders Maddy Samoskevich and Kendall Cooper, goaltender Catie Boudiette and forwards Nina Steigauf, Sophie Urban, Katie Villeneuve, Olivia Mobley all played an important role this season. Out of that group, the only skating player to not score a goal this year was Urban.

In addition, Mobley, Urban, Villeneuve, Samoskevich, Cooper and Boudiette each played fewer games than the rest of the team for various reasons. Boudiette is the backup goaltender, so she didn’t see action until after the new year. The rest of that group missed a few weeks at the beginning of the season due to a COVID-19 issue with the team along with some minor injuries. Despite missing the first few weeks, the freshmen didn’t miss a beat once they returned.

“The seniors were so helpful during that time,” Mobley said.

“In a way, it was great because even though we weren’t playing games we were still adjusting off the ice getting to know our new situation and team which paid off a lot.”

Furthermore, they simultaneously found a way to adjust to the college game and positively impact the team. As the season went on, their play improved and was worthy of recognition.

Samoskevich, the sister of former Quinnipiac forward and 100-point scorer Melissa Samoskevich, was named ECAC Hockey Adirondack Health Rookie of the Week on Feb. 9. This came after a multipoint game against Sacred Heart, her second of the season, when she had three assists and a plus-5 rating.

“Coming into this year, we had no idea what to expect,” Samoskevich said. “With the help of the captains and my teammates, our class was able to adjust well and in a way, all the hardship was able to make us closer, so now when we’re older, we’ll know what’s important in terms of leading and having a successful team.”

The delayed start to the season didn’t affect Mobley either. She scored her first point five games into the season and gradually improved as the season progressed. Because of her consistent play, Turner put her on a line rotation with House, Bonsteel and Markey.

“My confidence has continually risen throughout the season, it’s been awesome playing with Housey and either Bonny or Markey throughout the season,” Mobley said. “They boost my confidence every shift, and I think it’s really good that I’ve become this confident later in the season.”

Mobley, the 2019-20 Metro Player of the Year at Breck High School, finished the regular season with six points in her final seven games and eight on the season. She is another Bobcat who seems poised for a larger role with a lot of new opportunities for playing time.

“Being able to roll with the punches was huge this year,” Mobley said. “In such a weird year with so much constantly changing and so much unknown, I found that our team started to find it very easy to adapt and adjust to our surroundings.”

Cooper had a large impact on defense with Samoskevich, and they will join ECAC Hockey Defenseman of the Year finalist junior Courtney Vorster to lead next year’s defense.

Cooper had four goals as a defenseman, which is more than 14 of her skating teammates, and improved as she gained more experience on the defensive end throughout the season. Samoskevich and Cooper both finished top-10 in points across all defensemen in ECAC Hockey.

Steigauf benefitted from not missing any games and performed well early on in the season. She scored in her first collegiate game

and was consistent in all three zones for the Bobcats, contributing on the stat sheet and also in the dirty areas such as the corners and behind the net.

Villenueve and Urban took some time to adjust after missing three weeks to start the year but progressed and made a difference as the season went on.

The same occurred with Boudiette between the pipes, who got time in six games this season, and they were not all blowouts. She secured a 1-0 win over St. Lawrence in her most recent game on Feb. 15, displaying that Turner trusted her and should take over the starting job after goaltender Logan Angers’ senior year next season.

Obviously, it is difficult to see so many seniors go after a bitter end to the season, but the future’s bright for Quinnipiac.

If these seven freshmen already made an impact with an uphill battle of adjusting to the college game and COVID-19, we can only imagine how successful the Bobcats can be when they return for three more seasons without having any learning curve.

“I think we’ll be ready to take on more of a leadership role,” Mobely said. “As Samo said, having a positive attitude and not taking anything for granted. For next year, we have to improve on the ice but also instill that message into each other’s minds as well as into the incoming group’s minds as well.”

CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE (2020)

The Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team lost 2-1 against Colgate in the 2021 ECAC Hockey semifinal.