The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929.
QUCHRONICLE.COM
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
VOLUME 84, ISSUE 17
The invisible illness
Hamden crime rates increase By SARAH DOIRON C0-News Editor
See DEMOULAS Page 4
See CRIMES Page 3
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN MAHER/CHRONICLE
According to Healthline, students suffering from depression often binge drink or have issues with substance abuse. By NICOLE HANSON C0-News Editor
It is considered an epidemic among college students. One in four students are affected by it during his or her college career. It is the number one reason students drop out of college. It, is depression. Depression is a common problem on college campuses, affecting students of all ages and backgrounds. Forty-four percent of college students across America experi-
ence symptoms of depression, according to Healthline. Symptoms of mental health issues like depression and anxiety can be brought on by a variety of stressors, according to Director of Counseling Services Kerry Patton. Certain traumatic events or even a family history of depression could trigger signs and symptoms. “How someone becomes depressed is kind of like that million dollar question,” Patton said. “It can be from so many differ-
ent things.” Though students of all years experience depression symptoms, Patton said an increase in stress is something counselors often see in their patients. “It’s difficult to transition at times from high school to college with an increase in independence and responsibility,” she said. Sophomore William Bomentre said his friend sought help at the counseling center See DEPRESSION Page 4
Former TKE member takes legal action
see what’s happening on award-winning website since 2009
“Nowhere in the letters from Quinnipiac is there factual information about the incident.”
– MICHAEL LYNCH JOHN DEMOULAS’ ATTORNEY
“This letter failed to provide the plaintiff with any information concerning the charges levied against him, the factual basis for those charges, or any of the individuals who were involved in bringing these charges,” the complaint reads. As the complaint continues, it addresses the issue of lack of proof as to Demoulas being con-
POLL
A sophomore is taking legal action against the university after being suspended for three weeks during the fall semester and the entirety of the spring semester. John Demoulas was formerly a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity chapter and was suspended due to hazing allegations–which, in turn, resulted in the university shutting down the fraternity. Michael Lynch of Bai, Pollock, Blueweiss & Mulcahey, P.C. law firm in Shelton is representing Demoulas in his lawsuit against the university. Though there are four specific administrators involved with the lawsuit, Lynch said it is all one lawsuit. “[The lawsuit] names Quinnipiac and the individuals involved in the decisions for the alleged hazing incident,” Lynch said. He said their main goal is to get Demoulas back in school, if possible. Lynch said they have filed a temporary injunction and he said he hopes it will be approved and will allow them to move forward to find out the real cause of Demoulas’ suspension. Freshman Kelly Kreysman said she isn’t sure whether or not she agrees with the suspension. “I would support him being suspended if there was evidence,” she said. “But without evi-
dence, it’s kind of hard.” And Lynch said the lack of evidence is one of the issues they are facing. “I haven’t been able to find a basis for his suspension anywhere,” Lynch said. “Nowhere in the letters from Quinnipiac is there factual information about the incident.” The official complaint filed in court explains that Demoulas received a letter from Megan Buda, Director of Student Conduct, saying he was removed from the university, pending a student conduct meeting.
Did you enjoy this year’s Super Bowl commercials?
CONNECT
By STAFF REPORTS
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
@quchronicle
INDEX
sidered a “threat to himself, others or property of the University.” It also addresses the issue of a violation of Demoulas’ rights, provided by the university’s student handbook. According to the complaint, in a letter from Seann Kalagher, associate dean of student affairs, Demoulas was “falsely alleged” of violating six parts of the Quinnipiac Student Code of Conduct: disruption/rights of others, complicity, physical harm, health and safety, coercion and hazing. But Lynch said he feels as if the suspension was unfair because they were not presented with all the materials that led to the decision for Demoulas’ suspension. “Neither [John] nor I know the basis of the suspension because we’ve never been provided with any facts,” Lynch said. “We’ve never been provided with an incident report from public safety. We’ve never been provided with who they spoke to in the investigation. We’ve never been provided with any witness statements. I don’t believe John is being offered fundamental fairness.” Sophomore Sean Davis thinks Demoulas’ suspension is unfair, as well. “You need to get proof of the hazing,” Davis said. “And if it comes out, then take the punishment. But if not, the school needs to be more open about it. Everyone is innocent until proven
Some students who live off campus, such as junior Kevin Pollard, take more safety precautions living off campus due to crime in the area. “Based on the stuff that’s happened, we definitely always need to lock our doors,” he said. Crimes rates in Hamden have increased slightly, as they always do before winter break, according to Chief of Public Safety David Barger. “We have seen a slight uptake in crimes that affect [the university] in a larger picture but don’t affect [the university] directly, such as drug crimes and robberies in the Hamden area,” he said. Barger believes these crimes have the greatest affect on students who live off campus where Public Safety does not patrol. “We do the best we can with patrols [of off campus housing] which gives them an extra layer of security,” he said. “But we don’t patrol neighborhoods with property that is not owned by the university.” Barger said he does not know if Hamden PD has stepped up their patrols, but believes they are doing an admirable job in protecting the community. Junior Alisha Galli lives in the Aspen Glen apartment complex. She said she feels safer living off campus than she does living on campus. “There are double locks to get inside the building,” she said. “There’s the front door which takes a special key to get into, and then our own individual door, so it’s not like having a Q-Card where anyone can tap in.” Barger thinks this increase in crimes is the natural progression of living near a city like New Haven. “It appears as though some of the crime from [New Haven] is making it’s way up Dixwell Ave.,” he said. “As people become more aware of what crimes occur in the city, and when [the police] do things to combat it, the crime ultimately moves elsewhere.” Barger believes students should be careful whenever they travel anywhere off campus. “Students should be aware of where they are, what establishments they are going into and they have to be aware when they are surrounded by strangers.” He also said students can become easy targets if they drink too much, carry expensive belongings out in the open or by not locking their cars after parking. Barger is also a strong proponent of the buddy system, something he believes is taught to everyone when they are younger. “The buddy system carries over [in college],” he said. “If you’re out with friends you always want to make sure your friends are safe. You need to keep tabs on your friends while you are out and be his/her buddy, and I don’t think that is too overbearing.” Students also have access to a phone app called Rave Guardian that can be used in emergency situations. If you sign up for mass texts
Opinion: 6 Arts & Life: 10 Interactive: 13 Sports: 14