SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • VOLUME 95 • ISSUE 3
The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929
By COLIN KENNEDY Managing Editor
There’s no one quite like Ilona Maher. Whether you’re one of her 6.2 million followers across social media, subscribed to Sports Illustrated or tuned into NBC this past summer to watch the Olympics, you’ve probably heard the name before. But before she was a part of USA Rugby’s first team to medal in the Olympics in over 100 years, or taking selfies with Tom Brady, she was a Bobcat. ‘GOD-GIFTED SPEED, AND SIZE’
‘We’re all just human too’ PHOTO COURTESY OF QUINNIPIAC ATHLETICS
TALENT
A key member in Quinnipiac rugby’s three-straight NIRA national championships, Maher ‘18, left her mark in Hamden long before she became a household name across the country. And if you ask Quinnipiac head coach Becky Carlson — it was only a matter of time. “When she was here, the conversation I had with her, I was like, ‘You’re going, like, you’re gonna go play in the Olympics. You know that, right?’” Carlson said. “It’s not going to come from the stuff I teach you … You have god-gifted speed, talent and size.”
See MAHER Page 12
Demonstrators raise awareness about illegitimate sub-contractors working on The SITE By ALEXANDRA MARTINAKOVA Editor-in-Chief
Informational demonstrators gathered in front of the New Road Entrance on Quinnipiac University’s Mount Carmel Campus Friday to bring awareness to the contractors on the new academic building project. “Quinnipiac University leadership and the prime contractor on the job, FIP Construction, are allowing an illegitimate subcontractor to cheat workers and the system
for profit,” according to a media advisory from the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “They must be held accountable and take action to ensure all workers are paid and protected according to the law and basic human rights.” FIP Construction Inc., the prime constructor on the project, is using GDS Construction Corp to install the framing and drywall on The SITE (science, innovation,
ALEXANDRA MARTINAKOVA/CHRONICLE
North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Representatives Jacquelin Mcgurn from Massachussetts (left) and Catherine Pena from Rhode Island (center) said that the corporation misclassifies the workers as cleaners, which is a lower paying job and committs wage theft by paying the workers outside of payroll.
technology and exploration). However, GDS is currently under investigation by the Connecticut’s Department of Labour Wage and Hour Division for wage theft and possible unemployment, tax and insurance fraud, according to a flyer handed out by demonstrators. “Through engaging with workers on the site we found that for several weeks these workers went working on the project 46 hours a week, cash under the table,” said Miguel Fuentes, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters representative and a Quinnipiac parent. “No worker’s compensation, no taxes, no family leave or overtime that they were entitled to by law. Legitimate contractors who abide by all the rules lost the opportunity to work on this project because they were undercut by a cheating contractor and we are exposing that to the public.” Fuentes said that their goal is to make the students, faculty and public aware and to “discourage this kind of behavior.” “Everyone can arrive at their own opinion, we just simply want to give them the facts,” Fuentes said. He continued that the council has warned FIP years ago about hiring corporations like GDS. GDS Principal Joseph Squillacote refused to provide any statement on the matter. “(The construction) is inherently dangerous already, but when you don’t even know who’s here, that’s problematic,” Fuentes said. “God forbid something happens, who’re you gonna hold accountable? That makes me feel
ALEXANDRA MARTINAKOVA/CHRONICLE
The inflatable in front of the New Road Entrance represents a “fat cat” corporate America, according to the demonstrators. very uneasy as a Quinnipiac parent.” About 15 demonstrators stood outside the campus for around two hours, with sirens and signs and a “fat cat” inflatable. They plan on returning for a few hours every day next week. John Morgan, Quinnipiac’s associate vice president for public relations, directed The Chronicle to FIP for any further comments. FIP has not yet responded to attempts from The Chronicle for a statement.