S A C R E D
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HE SAID/ SHE SAID
Anthony and Giovanna’s take on mullets. Should the hairstyle stay or go?
C O N N E C T I C U T
“SHEDDING LIGHT ON CAMPUS NEWS SINCE 1983”
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
INTHISissue
F A I R F I E L D ,
VOLUME 37, ISSUE 5
The New School of Computing Establishing the Latest Technological Beginning
POSTING PICTURES
Students weigh in on the idea of parents posting their kid’s pictures on social media
IOTA FOR A CAUSE
Students dress all in black raising awareness for the movement “Black Lives Matter”
LIVE! FROM SNL
Saturday Night Live continues its parody of the 2016 Presidential Election
AMANDA KNOX
The new Netflix documentary following the infamous murder case
MEN’S RUGBY
The team is off to the playoffs after dominating RPI with a 103-0 win
TWEETS of the Week @amanda_mcguiree “I don’t mean to brag but I did just win musical chairs in booties”
@bridgeythorns
“My cousins boyfriend bought her a dozen roses and Devil dogs and I can barely get a guy to buy me a vodka sour at the bar”
STUDENTS DICUSS NEW PROJECTS IN THE MAKING UNDER THE NEW AND IMPROVED SCHOOL OF COMPUTING
BY MARGUERITE GIRANDOLA Staff Reporter
This past week, Sacred Heart University announced the launch of the new School of Computing. The new addition to the university will “Nothing like jamming with your include two graduate programs and four undergraduate programs. brothers to piano man at 2 in the This establishment comes as the whole university is continuing to morning after a successful social expand. outing.” According to the recent press release, the school will offer a master’s in computer science and information technology and a master’s “Tweets of the Week” are taken from in cyber security. a public forum on Twitter. Tweets are opinions of the individual and do not Computer science, information technology, game design and derepresent the opinions of Sacred Heart velopment and computer engineering are the undergraduate programs University or The Spectrum Newsoffered. paper. If you want to see your Tweet “I am so proud and ecstatic to be a computer science major at in the newspaper, use the hashtag this moment. Campus has been expanding in so many wonderful #ShuSpectrum and you may be ways these past few years and now, my own area of study is followfeatured! ing suit,” said junior Alaina Silveri. “I can’t wait to see all this new program has in store for not only Sacred Heart’s future, but also my own.” Silveri is not the only one who is enthusiastic about the new school that has climbed its way to being one of the most populated programs at the university. “We’re most excited about expanding our curricular footprint in this way, leveraging current strengths of our existing programs while being able to offer programs that were heretofore unavailable at Sacred Heart University,” said Robin Cautin, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The curriculum will stress certain areas of study as well as provide cutting edge technology resources to students in the program. “The emphasis will be on software engineering, cyber security, game design and state of the art programming including scripting languages like Python,” said Dominick Pinto, Director of The School of Computing.
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Python is a high-level scripting language that is widely used and allows users to express concepts in fewer lines of code than other scripting languages. “I think that gaining knowledge especially on cyber security and software engineering is very important in this day in age because today’s society is extremely dependent on technology,” said Silveri. “That being said, I think that this program will open many doors in the future for a lot of its students taking advantage of the new school’s offerings.” The new school will be directed by Pinto who has been with the university for 40 years and a department chair for computer science for 29 years. He has received multiple teaching awards over the course of his teaching career. “I have seen the program grow tenfold since 1987 and expand our offerings exponentially,” said Pinto. “I love to advise and mentor students and try to get to know as many of the students as possible. We now have almost 300 international graduate students which is a tribute to the faculty and administration of the school.” Pinto tries to meet with every student of the program at least once a year. “The establishment of a School of Computing is the result of steady enrollment growth in computer science-related fields, as well the unyielding dedication and talent of our faculty and staff,” said Cautin. “It’s more precise to say that it’s a beginning of an exciting new chapter in the evolution of The College of Arts and Sciences and of Sacred Heart University more generally.” President John Petillo is also excited for the growth of the new school. “This is the logical next step for these rapidly growing programs that are now housed in the Computer Science & Information Technology department,” said Petillo in a press release. The School of Computing is effective immediately and the new undergraduate computer-engineering program will begin in the fall of 2017.
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
News “
October 19, 2016
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2 | News
“I think it is one of the most beautiful, physical plants of learning that I have ever seen.” -Dr. Mary Alice Donius, Dean of the College of Nursing
The Future of the Center for Healthcare Education BY ALESSANDRA SETARO Staff Reporter
In the fall of 2017, the College of Health Professions and the College of Nursing will have a new building to call home. The new building will feature state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and classrooms to better students’ educational experiences in the healthcare world. The Dean of the College of Nursing, Dr. Mary Alice Donius, says the new labs will be available for use in the undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as for the nurse practitioner program and even for online students. “The technology is so sophisticated that we’ll be able to hold synchronized classes,” said Donius. The new labs are set up in the likeness of real health care offices, which allows students to practice in realistic settings. “The purpose of this is to enhance the education that
they get so they can learn and practice in simulated settings,” said Donius. “I think it is one of the most beautiful, physical plants of learning that I have ever seen.” Dr. Beth Boyd, Director of Nursing Simulation and Skills Labs, said students can expect a larger learning facility, expansion of labs and an integration of students in the health care professions as well. “The utilization of the laboratories provides students with increased technology for space and skills,” said Boyd. Unlike other majors, students in the College of Health Professions have a classroom component for their graduation requirements as well as a clinical component. The new labs provide students with the ability to practice their skills for these clinical rotations. The new labs are equipped with lifelike mannequins that perform human functions, such as breathing, having a pulse and giving birth. These very real human traits allow students to participate with active learning. “I’m really happy about the new building because it
seems like it’s going to be a really nice building to work and learn in,” said Kaitlyn Stinton, a freshman student in the nursing program. Students will also have access to hands-on simulation dolls that will represent real-life patients. “I’m excited that we’ll be ahead of competing schools and get hands-on experience. I feel like we’ll be up to date on what nurses are using in hospitals now,” said freshman nursing student Emily Durvin. “It’s a good way to practice hands-on services and interact with patients before we get to the real situations.” The advanced technology and more realistic learning enviroment will increase healthcare students’ chances of being more comfortable in the working world, because experience is the key to confidence and professionalism. “In health care today, because it is so complex and sophisticated, there is a need for students to have the ability to clinically think and reason to decrease their anxiety and increase their self confidence,” said Boyd.
2015-2016 Crime & Fire Safety Report
BY KELLY GILBERT Staff Reporter
Sacred Heart University’s Public Safety Department recently released the Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act of Campus Crime and Fire Statistics, through email and in print to students, faculty and staff. Less formally known as the campus crime report, it is released annually and documents the previous three years in regards to reported crimes and fires on campus, certain off campus buildings, as well as safety procedures and institutional policies. From this most recent report, it is evident that liquor law violations steadily increased each year from 2013 to the present. With 441 liquor law violations in 2013, 11 more took place the following year in 2014, followed by the highest number of the three years in 2015, 679. Each of these documented violations took place within the Fairfield campus. “I have seen with my own eyes many different alcohol violations over the past couple of years,” said senior and Residential Advisor Nick Zorbo. “I think the real scary issue is that students are binge drinking and that’s where we have noticed it gets dangerous. At Sacred Heart University we have a zero tolerance for drinking.” A similar pattern is demonstrated within the report re-
garding drug law violations. Over the past three years there has been a noticeable increase, beginning in 2013 with 26 violations, followed by 38 in 2014 and finally 42 in 2015. Again, each of these violations had taken place within the Fairfield grounds. “Public Safety and Residential Life staff take immediate and direct action to remove any prohibited items from university property,” said Paul Healy, Executive Director of Public Safety. “These positive efforts can show an increase in incidents reported, but are not reflective of the positive good works being promoted to stop students from violating code of conduct regulations.” According to the crime report, burglaries on campus and on off-campus properties have continued to decrease over the past three years. With seven taking place in 2013, there were two less the following year, and by 2015, there was only a single burglary that was reported. “The decrease in the number of campus residential burglaries can be attributed to the efforts of public safety to continually emphasize the importance of always keeping a residence door closed and not leaving the door propped open,” said Healy. “Additionally, public safety has deployed improved locking mechanisms with card swipe access, cameras in elevators and at entrances and exits for enhanced security.” Also, there were a total of 52 documented fire drills occurring at various on campus residential dormitories from
2013-2015. “In my experience as an RSA last year, on campus fire drills occur a lot. Students try to cook in the residence hall kitchens and it doesn’t always go as planned, or someone leaves a curling iron or hair straightener plugged in for too long, or someone is trying to learn how to do their laundry for the first time,” said junior Sarah Shirkey. “I never experienced a situation where there was anything more serious that caused the alarm to be sounded. Everyone was very cooperative with the RSA’s and thankfully there were no serious problems that resulted from any fire drill.” There were a total of six campus fires that also occurred during that time period. Of the six fires there was never any injuries or deaths reported, however two of the cases resulted in less than $1,000 worth of damage being caused. To assist in the continuous combat of criminal actions on campus, and further protect students, public safety promotes the use of the SHUSafe and Wear Safe mobile applications. “We promote the use of the SHUSafe App or Wear Safe App that provide enhanced communication functions for personal safety or in the event of an emergency,” said Healy. “We encourage all university members to use these applications. All students should recognize their social responsibility to the university community to report any suspicious activity to public safety immediately.”
New Department of Catholic Studies BY ALEXA BINKOWITZ Co-News Editor
At the end of last year, Sacred Heart University announced the formation of the new Department of Catholic Studies. This department will work to instill the Catholic Intellectual Tradition more deeply into the university’s core curriculum, while also offering a 15-credit minor in Catholic Studies. “The central responsibility of the Catholic Studies department is to teach the new two semester ‘Human Journey Seminars: Great Books in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’ (CIT 201 & 202), which forms a central component of the new core curriculum at Sacred Heart,” said Professor Brent Little, one of the two new full-time professors hired to teach in the Department of Catholic Studies. The Department of Catholic Studies also attempts to give students a chance to engage with professors and other students in a seminar-style classroom setting, and hopes to stimulate conversation about the great books of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. “We are fortunate that Sacred Heart University has joined the ranks of other prominent universities in the United States in establishing a Catholic Studies Department,” said Father Anthony Ciorra, the Vice President for Mission and Catholic Identity. “A Catholic Studies department enriches the entire University community in that it assures that the mission of the university is carried out not only in the curriculum, but in all areas of the University.”
This department will work in collaboration with other departments, such as Campus Ministry and Volunteer Service Learning, in order to give students opportunities to volunteer alongside their peers as well as apply lessons from the CIT seminars in the real world. “It will embed the university’s mission in the students’ minds and hearts,” said Father Anthony Ciorra, Assistant VP for Mission & Catholic Identity. “The gift to the students is that they will be exposed to the treasures of a two thousand year tradition and will be given the opportunity to reflect and engage with these great works in such a way that it will make a difference in their lives.” Students are also getting to experience the CIT seminars for themselves, and are adapting to the conversation-based teaching style. “I love the fact that in the CIT seminars you learn about so much more than Catholicism. You learn about the lives and opinions of others through personal stories shared by those who wish to participate,” said junior Shannon Guerin. “The CIT provides a comfortable atmosphere to learn how to deeply explore a text and find a way to relate to it when you never thought you could.” Through the seminar-style teaching, professors are more able to connect with students and allow them to understand texts in their own way. “I do not expect all of the students to walk out of the seminars agreeing with one another, or with me. Students bring a spiritual depth and possess spiritual insights and questions, but sometimes have not had the space to explore their spirituality,” said Little. “I hope the seminars allow them to develop their spirituality in dialogue with others,
their values, their personal beliefs about the purpose of life, and the problem of evil, regardless of their personal religious or philosophical beliefs.” The department has also established a film series and a new annual lecture series, which will hopefully tie the texts discussed in the CIT seminars, specific films and guest speakers together. “The CIT is definitely a vital part of the university. The beauty of the class is that it gets you out of your specified major, allowing you to make friends that you probably would not have otherwise made,” said Guerin. “The class also provides you with experiences and opinions that you might not have otherwise explored.” The first screening of the film series occured on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Schine Theatre, and showed “The Mission,” an award-winning film about martyrs, heroes, innocence, guilt and redemption. Bishop Frank Caggiano will also speak on behalf of the department on March 21 at 7 p.m., starting a conversation about the Catholic Intellectual Tradition in contemporary culture for the annual Bergoglio Lecture in honor of Pope Francis. “Sacred Heart’s mission, as a Catholic educational institution, is to educate the whole person,” said Professor Little. “This includes not only the skills necessary to prepare a person for the job market, but also includes an education during which a person can grow spiritually and has space to reflect on their values, such as what it means to live a good, meaningful life, and the importance of service to others.”
October 19, 2016
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Perspectives
Perspectives | 3
Should it Stay or Go? The Discussion of Mullets
She Said
He Said ANTHONY...
GIOVANNA... This week I would like to thank my lovely he said counterpart for our topic from 1972. Mr. Mattariello, informally know as Tony, approached me with this idea wide-eyed and enthusiastic. After a chuckle and some snarky sarcastic comments, I found myself wondering why in God’s name he would want to write about one of the biggest hairstyle embarrassments of our world. Some would say the mullet was designed for the indecisive trendy person. Why just have short hair or why only have long hair, when you can have both? The mullet is an unattractive hairstyle that is short in the front and long in the back. People much like the mister to my right often praise the styling by saying that it is a business in the front and party in the back. In my opinion there is only disappointment at all angles of this horrendous style. The mullet had a place and time in our past, which I personally think should have never existed. However, celebrities such as Billy Ray Cyrus unfortunately trademarked the trend into their aesthetic. Yet, even the mullet man himself sold out to a modern trend. His footprint on the Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana, proved his acceptance of a trend that has come and gone and should never return. There is an episode that features a song entitled, “I Want My Mullet Back,” in a plea to rebirth the trend. Yet, only wigs and mockery resulted from the depiction; no real forward movement because mullets are a thing of the past, an embarrassment and mistake. As an active participant of our current culture, my up to date heart breaks at the thought that this hairstyle might be creeping into our currents trends. It is often discussed how trends come in and out of
fashion. Yet, personally, this is a hairstyle that needs to know its place. So here is my letter to you: Dear all lovers of mullets, Your hair should not be different lengths. The mullet hairstyle looks as if your hairdresser fell asleep midway through cutting. Please do not take offense to my brutal torment of a mistaken hair trend. Instead, educate yourself on why you look absolutely ridiculous. Are you confused about what length your hair should be? Try layers. It is the early 2000s attempt at fumigating the mullet. Layers gracefully waterfall hair in a gradual pattern, an appropriate way to have a hairstyle with more than one length. The mullet is distasteful, outdated and needs to remain abolished. Lovers of mullets, I know you may feel extra saucy sporting this bold look, yet that does not justify its lack of class. It only seems fitting that the hairstyle shares the name with a fish that is noted for its ability to leap in and out of water. The mullet keeps pushing to be relevant again and then it crashes, only to realize how its place is not in our current world. Much like the mullet fish that jumps only to return to its ocean heaven. All lovers of mullets, please checkout from the 1970s and check into reality. The barber is calling, a hair cut is needed. Trust me, your mother will thank you. I do not stand for your hair choices. I stand in protest to your unbalanced cut. I stand for my modern American culture. With style, Giovanna
The 1980s were arguably the best decade to come. This decade brought several amazing things into this gloomy world. Run DMC, Van Halen, Quiet Riot, Duran Duran, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Clue and Pee-wee Herman are examples that brought joy into this world. Although these great feats of humankind undoubtedly helped better the world, there was one that changed the world forever. This apex of human development is different than any other thing that came out of the eighties. It birthed a movement that rocked the whole world. This came to be known as the mullet. This perfect concept of a haircut wasn’t just a fad, it was a lifestyle. The mullet showed off that business in the front and party in the back mentality. If you walked around with a mullet you let people know that you got your work done during the week and when the weekend hits, you party hard. This hair took society by storm. Anyone who was anybody was sporting this spectacle. Paul McCartney and David Bowie were ust a few names. Lets be honest here, if David Bowie is doing it everybody should be doing it. Some people might say how ridiculous the mullet looks and that it means you’re white trash. Well, these people have no sense of fashion and are uncultured swine. The reason why the mullet changed the world is because it didn’t just stay in the 80s. The mullet survived for years, even with the frequent changes in the fashion world. The mullet kept pretty popular into the 90s. Metallica’s frontman, James Hetfield, sported it on the big stage while performing between 1994 and 1995. Also the popular punk rock band, The Vandals, wrote their hit song “I’ve Got An
Ape Drape” in 1998. Of course the band also sported mullets on the stage during the release of their album. Even though the popularity of the mullet started to decline, its presence still remained. Perhaps the biggest showing of the mullet was on the big screen during the hit film “Joe Dirt.” “Joe Dirt’s” “life’s a garden, dig it” attitude showed people what it meant to sport the mullet. Even though the hairstyle was fading away, its been slowing making its comeback. Next time you’re walking around campus be sure to keep on a look out for the few good souls that are sporting this immaculate flow. If you don’t believe me just take a look at this gorgeous specimen.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL KIESEL
SENIOR MICHAEL SHOWS OFF HIS ICONIC NEW DO
Poet’s Corner “the $7 couch” By Nina Miglio at the thrift shop where hand-me-downs have a back story you wear someones past and you must give it a future worn out the scent of an old closet the couch was one worn out like lipstick after a long day like a good pair of classic sneakers that are beautifully ragged
the olive tone of the fabric was chilling the past two houses I’ve lived in were that color maybe it was my turn to give it a future only seven dollars? there was no way to deny it not too shabby I thought it was destiny in a way a sign maturity?
4 | Perspectives
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Perspectives
October 19, 2016
Parents Posting Their Children Online BY KELSEY HOR Staff Writer
Do you think there is something wrong with parents who post about their young kids all the time? Do you think it is right to post photos of the kids you babysit on the Internet? “I personally only post about my child on special occasions,” said senior Andrew Roach. “For example, the last posting of him on my page was when he turned six months, because it was a milestone for him in his young time spent living so far.” Other students feel that posting about their young loved-ones is to show their affection and love for them. “I’m obsessed with my baby nephew, so I want everyone to see why he’s just so cute,” said junior Brooke Lopez. “My brother doesn’t really care because I ask before I post a picture of my nephew just out of respect and privacy for my brother and sister-in-law.” Some faculty members think this topic can affect individuals’ lives, distinguishing a fine line between private and public. “I think that this whole debate shows that people still have lots of different ideas about what kinds of spaces social media is or should be,” said Communications and Media Arts Professor Sara Ross. “The way that they often cross the line between public and private means that, if you post those cute photos of your toddler learning to potty train, they might come back to haunt them someday. Given this blurred line between public and private, I think it makes sense to take some common sense precautions about what you post and how you identify your children on social media.” Many students and faculty say that it is not only a concern about public and private matters, but also an issue regarding the virtual world versus reality.
New Zodiac Signs BY CAROLINE FALLON Staff Reporter
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently released a change in zodiac signs, creating confusion about astrological identities. On Jan. 13 NASA released an article detailing the discovery of a thirteenth zodiac sign. The new sign, Ophiuchus, has the dates Nov. 29 – Dec. 17. These dates previously described the Sagittarius sign, which due to the change is now Dec. 17 – Jan. 20. Zodiac signs can be used as a way to understand a personality. They provide a collective insight into people’s signs, which are determined by the date they were born. Each sign also has its own weaknesses and strengths, according to astrology-zodiac-sign.com. “My birthday is October 23 so technically I’m a Libra-Scorpio, but I definitely think I’m more Scorpio. I see traits of both, but my Scorpio side is pretty apparent. My new zodiac sign is Virgo, which does not describe me at all. Virgo’s are more analytical and wishy-washy,” said senior Erin Kilpatrick. According to Fox News, this constellation has been ignored when the Babylonians created their 12-month calendar more than 3,000 years ago. Now that NASA has decided to recognize it, people are beginning to ponder the previous ways that their zodiac signs affected their life. “My cousin got a tattoo of her Zodiac sign on the back of her neck. She was so excited when she got it and now that her sign has changed she just feels silly. Her horoscope was something that she checked everyday and practically lived by,” said junior Anna Leone. According to NASA, “Astrology is something else. It’s not science. No one has shown that astrology can be used to predict the future or describe what people are like based only on their birth date.” Zodiac signs are about a person’s identity. However, this identity change is something that could be difficult to cope with. It may even result in an attempt to protest the new sign. “My zodiac sign is Cancer and I think it describes me perfectly. I just don’t get why for so long this thirteenth sign was ignored and now it’s starting to be included. No matter what people say, I’ll always be a Cancer,” said junior Katherine Seckler.
“In general, I think that when parents post about their children, they do so because they are proud of them and want to share their accomplishments and fond memories,” said Professor William Yousman, Communications and Media Arts Professor and Assistant Director of Media Literacy and Digital Culture. “So no, I don’t think there is usually anything wrong with this, although I do have concerns about people in general being too obsessed with social media, at the expense sometimes of other aspects of our lives.” Some individuals say that although they love to post about their children, they also take into the consideration the precautions that come along with it. “So for children until the age of 10, I believe it is still inappropriate because your child hasn’t even got a chance to start their own lives and you place them in the spot light for everyone on social media to constantly view,” said Roach. “Children are just that, children, by posting about your child frequently, you also make them vulnerable to dangerous aspects of life that come with social media postings. I believe parents should only post about their children on an occasional base and wait until their child reaches a reasonable decision-making age to create their own accounts for their own postings of one’s self.”
Saftey Comes First? BY GIOVANNA GATTO Perspectives Editor
SABRINA GARONE/SPECTRUM
STUDENT KEYING INTO A CLASSROOM IN HOPE OF GETTING SOME STUDYING DONE IN TIME FOR MIDTERMS
Midterms are creeping around the corner causing students to flee to their favorite study spots. Sacred Heart University offers many places for students to study and cram for their tests. “All campus facilities are open during normal business hours when classes are scheduled. Some academic facilities containing sophisticated equipment require access approval in advance from instructors (if they are not present and it is after normal hours) with notification to public safety dispatch by said instructors,” said Paul Healy, Executive Director of Public Safety.
However, some students are finding it to be a little more difficult to access some of the classrooms and labs. “It’s good that there are precautionary measures, but it can be a bit annoying when I have to go the Martire building late at night to edit a video because sometimes my card doesn’t let me into the editing rooms. It usually malfunctions when I need it the most,” said senior Thomas Spierto. Without the proper preparation and planning, a student’s normal studying habits can be inconvenienced. Yet safety measures that are taken have a definitive purpose, and once they are understood they can be used for a student’s advantage. “The Martire Center has specialized academic facilities and each college has protocols for their use and access. Therefore, with appropriate advance planning and approval from an academic instructor, students with an academic assignment can receive access to facilities with advanced technologies.” said Healy. Building limitation can decrease a student’s accessibility. However, it also can increase their resources and expand their studying environment as long as protocols are understood and followed. “When I was in a networking class we had 24 hour access to the networking lab. Even if some places close after hours, there is always somewhere to go and that is what I have always appreciated when I go to study on campus,” said senior Brian LoDeoble. Whether it is a class a student takes, their major or a private request from public safety, there are ways to access study areas. Some places on campus have different protocols, but all precautions are with the intent of formulating a safer Sacred Heart environment. “Students should always consult with their specific instructors regarding their needs to use technologies to complete assignments and schedule the time with appropriate stakeholders,” said Healy. Aside from classrooms, Sacred Heart’s library welcomes late night access on certain days of the week. In turn, this accessibility is something that allows for more late night student study areas. “As a student with many majors, the library is a great place to study. However, it often gets crowded, especially during midterms and finals. I just wish there were more places that have the accessibility that the library gives me,” said senior Sarah DeNisco.
October 19, 2016
meetTHESTAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF NATALIE CIOFFARI 2017 MANAGING EDITOR JESSICA CHALOUX 2017 COPY EDITOR GABRIELLA NUTILE 2017 CO. COPY EDITOR CHRISTIAN COLON 2017 ASST. COPY EDITOR JESSICA LEWIS 2017 NEWS EDITOR ALEXA BINKOWITZ 2018 CO. NEWS EDITOR ANTHONY SANTINO 2018 PERSPECTIVES EDITOR GIOVANNA GATTO 2018 ASST. PERSPECTIVES EDITOR ANTHONY MATTARIELLO 2017 FEATURES EDITOR GABRIELLA NUTILE 2017 ASST. FEATURES EDITOR THOMAS PETICCA 2017
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Editorials Welcome Aboard, This Is Your Captain Speaking CHRISTIAN COLON CO-COPY EDITOR
Have you ever wondered how effective the speech that flight attendants give every time the plane is about to depart is? They start off with a cheesy smile and a positive attitude to welcome you and suddenly they point out the emergency exits. Next time you are boarding a plane, take a look at the seats in front of the exit doors and you will notice no one is usually sitting there. In what world would someone request to sit there? The best part is when they guarantee more legroom…if you decide to upgrade to these seats. Yeah, sorry captain, you aren’t fooling me. I don’t need the responsibility of doorman if the plane goes down. Not only are the exit doors a little intimidating, but the fact that they give you step-by-step directions on how to put on an oxygen mask is equally as nerve-racking. They assume that in a situation where the masks are given, you will have the control to think about what string you should pull to make it tighter. Friends and families are encouraged to secure their own masks before helping others, but realistically, can you blame a parent for trying to help their son or daughter with their mask first? It is also pretty frightening when they convince us that although the bag might not seem full, oxygen will still be flowing. Ha! Before reiterating that there is no smoking on the flight, thanks for pointing out the obvious, they present the life vest that is located in a pouch under your seat. They urge passengers not to blow up the vest in the aircraft because you actually have to wait until you are out of the plane to do so. God forbid I am ever in an
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR JULIANNA MAURIELLO 2017
SPORTS EDITOR SHAWN SAILER 2017
ALEXANDRA PADALINO
CO. SPORTS EDITOR ALEXANDRA PADALINO 2018
WEB MANAGER BRYAN KELLEHER 2019 CIRCULATION MANAGER VICTORIA MESCALL 2019 PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR ALEXA BRISSON 2017 ASST. PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR MELISSA O’ROURKE 2018 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR GINA BATTAGLIA 2017 ADVERTISING MANAGER SYDNEY RUGGIERO 2018 FACULTY ADVISOR PROF. JOANNE KABAK
emergency landing, I will for sure inflate my vest as soon as I put it on. Do you think people will actually wait until the situation gets worst? Unfortunately, in the moment you won’t really remember the exact rules the attendants said, but as a young adult I will do everything to protect the greater good. All these things come into play when you are faced with an emergency at an altitude of over 40,000 feet. But can there be a better way to prepare people before a flight? Airlines have now gone digital and include a video demonstrating the instructions flight attendants used to act out. No matter what other invention comes, you can never be fully prepared for an emergency. Since there are so many things that can occur, no one can ever be fully prepared to actually face them. It is like the movie “United 93,” based on the true story of United Flight 93, a plane hijacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorists mission was to land in the Pentagon, but the passengers fought them and took control of the plane. They weren’t all law enforcement officials, but they knew they needed to act fast. This is exactly what I mean. In today’s society you have to be vigilant of your surroundings because you never know what you will see. No matter how much preparation you are given before entering a plane, the best weapon is common sense. The same common sense the Flight 93 passengers had.
Why We All Love Ken Bone
ASST. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR JORDAN NORKUS 2018
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER JENNA BILLINGS 2017
Editorials | 5
CO-SPORTS EDITOR
In a political race that has left us with Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, why not pick Ken Bone? This is the question that millions of Americans are asking following the second 2016 Presidential Debate that took place on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Washington University in Saint Louis. It wasn’t Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton who captured the attention of the media following the debate, instead it was Ken Bone. Bone was the true winner of the Presidential Debate. Bone, from Belleville, Illinois was one of the undecided voters, chosen by the Gallup organization to be a member of the on-stage panel. While the debate was filled with anger, outrage and acquisitions, Bone and his half-zip red sweater turned things around in the final minutes of the debate, making him an American hero. The reason Bone is so great is that he’s an Average American, who during a time of political turmoil represents the things that Americans should really be focusing on when deciding who to vote for on Nov. 8. He’s a middleclass man who simply wants what is best for his family and the country. He’s a style icon. It’s the red quarter-zip sweater, the glasses, the button down, and the white tie that stole the heart of Americans across the nation. While his sweater may have made him Internet famous, it almost did not make its way out of his closet. In an interview with Carol Costello on CNN, Bone revealed that the red sweater was actually plan B. He had originally planned to wear an olive green suite but the pants to the suit split when he got into his car on his way to the debate. And we can’t forget about the mustache that has made Bone the topic of many barbershop conversations. His iconic mustache is simple, classy and well-groomed yet edgy enough to make a statement. During
a Halloween year in which clowns have been banned in many states, why not dress up as Bone on Oct. 31? He asked an intelligent question. Bone, an employee of Prairie State Energy Campus, asked a question relevant to his career in hopes that one candidate would answer with a promising response. And honestly, who doesn’t love someone who cares about the environment? “What steps will your energy policy take to meet our energy needs while at the same time remaining environmentally friendly and minimizing job layoffs?” said Bone. Bone wants to make the right choice when he votes. He also remains tight-lipped when it comes to revealing his choice for President. While he is currently undecided, Bone had said that he will not disclose who he has voted for until after Election Day. Bone is all about simplicity. In a political race that has become a screaming match between two people who have seemingly divided the country, Bone has provided America with much needed comic-relief. Oh, and we cannot forget the iconic disposable camera that Bone brought to the debate. At an event where the use of electronic devices and flash photography was prohibited, Bone had it covered. He reminded us of a simpler time, as he was seen snapping away with his disposable camera after the debate. And no, I do not mean Snapchatting. He’s funny. He’s fashionable. He’s relatable and most of all, he has remained true to himself throughout his rise to stardom. During a time where America is searching for a voice of reason, Bone became the nation’s unofficial spokesperson. So the question remains, why not love Ken Bone? There are too many reasons not to.
The editorial page is an open forum. Editorials are the opinions of the individual editors and do not represent the opinions of the whole editorial board. Letters to the editor are encouraged and are due by Sunday at noon for consideration for each Wednesday’s issue. All submissions are subject to editing for spelling, punctuation, and length. Letters to the editor should not exceed 400 words and should be e-mailed to spectrum@sacredheart.edu. The Spectrum does not assume copyright for any published material. We are not responsible for the opinions of the writers voiced in this forum.
6 | Features
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Features
October 19, 2016
Tell Us Your Story: Jaime Fregeau BY MARY O’CONNELL Staff Reporter
MARY O’CONNELL/SPECTRUM
JAMIE FREGEAU EXCITED ABOUT HER WISH BEING GRANTED BY SACRED HEART UNIVERISTY SORORITY, CHI OMEGA
When Sacred Heart University junior Jaime Fregeau was
just six years old, she was diagnosed with Leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells. She is now an active advocate for both Relay for Life and Make-A-Wish Foundation. “Being so young, I was too naive to understand what was going on. I thought it was kind of like the flu and that everyone was going to get it,” said Fregeau. Her experience with Make-A-Wish also made a huge difference. Make-A-Wish is a foundation that grants wishes for children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. For Fregeau, she received her wish as she was battling the cancer at six. She chose to go to Disney World. “It’s what gave me my childhood back when I was sick. I wasn’t allowed to see my friends the entire time I was hospitalized. So being able to go to Disney, a highly populated area, get to be a kid, go on those rides, all in a way gave me my life back,” said Fregeau. As for now, she fulfills her advocacy with Make-A-Wish through her membership in Sacred Heart’s sorority, Chi Omega. As part of Chi Omega’s philanthropy, they work closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last year, she spoke at their annual Make-A-Wish Ball. “Jaime supports Make-A-Wish foundation more than anyone else I know. She participates and supports various Make-A-Wish events and makes speeches about her very own story. Her story and self in general inspires others to donate and want to be a part of granting a child their wish,”
said her little and fellow Chi Omega sister, sophomore Rebecca Rutkiewicz. Another organization that Fregeau works closely with is Relay for Life, a fundraising event and walk that raises money for the American Cancer Society. “I did my first Relay for Life when I was a junior in high school,” said Fregeau. “Being a survivor I didn’t know what to expect until I got there. When I got there, seeing how many people were there and how much support there was, it made a huge impact on me, which is why I decided to become as big of an advocate as I am. It really shows survivors, patients going through it and families that they’re not alone, that there’s a community there for support.” Fregeau participates in Relay for Life in her hometown of North Smithfield, R.I., and is team captain at Sacred Heart’s Relay for Life. With all that she’s done, she has continued to inspire others with her dedication. “I am blessed to know and have such a strong and incredible person as my big and most supportive friend,” said Rutkiewicz. As far as other activities go, aside from her sorority and working with Make-A-Wish and Relay for Life, Fregeau is a member of the dance ensemble at school. She also continues to dedicate herself to helping others while studying nursing, in hopes of working in pediatric oncology.
Honors LLC Lectures: Presidential Election Debates BY DIANA HOFMANN Staff Reporter
The Honors LLC at Sacred Heart University is holding events discussing the Presidential Election Debates this October. The events are designed to provoke thoughtful discussions by taking students beyond the issues raised by the Clinton and Trump campaigns. All students and staff are welcome to attend each of the events. Each discussion will be held in the Schine Auditorium at 7 p.m. and there will be pizza available starting at 6:30 p.m. “In my view, the purpose of these events is to carry forward the Socratic spirit of reflection at our university,” said philosophy professor Kenneth Knies. The first event, which was held by Professor Colleen Butler-Sweet on Wednesday, Oct. 5, explored gender in the presidential election. Butler-Sweet led the discussion, which examined the prospect of electing our first woman president and how it has shaped this election season. Butler-Sweet spoke about how society tends to perceive women who publicly seek power, and how these perceptions may be shaping popular views of Hilary Clinton and her candidacy. The second event, which was held by Professor Jesse Bailey and Professor Michels on Wednesday, Oct. 12, discussed what “political correctness” is and how it functions in the contemporary political scene. Deeper questions were brought up such as “is being politically correct a virtue or a vice? To which political promotion and critique connected?”
“We are going to facilitate an inquiry about the term ‘political correctness’ to see what we can learn about its origins and its uses. Our goal is to come to a higher understanding and hopefully some common ground about rhetoric and limits of political discourse,” said Michels. The event opened the meeting by considering different scenarios involving language and politics, and pointed out areas of agreement and disagreement, which elevated the discussion. This event also pointed out how political correctness is invoked in the 2016 election. The last event which will be held today, Wednesday Oct. 19 by Professor Brian Stiltner and Professor Onoriode Ekeh, will discuss politics and lying in the presidential debate. The media likes to talk about how often the candidates lie and the severity of their lies. Dr. Stiltner and Dr. Ekeh invites students to instead think about the different kinds of lying in which politicians so often engage in. Questions like “are certain kinds of lying morally worse than others? Are some kinds of lying actually necessary for good political leadership?” will be brought up. These events explore broader questions raised by how we have been conducting our public conversations about who would make a better president. “Socrates was famous for interrupting passionate debates about who is just, courageous or temperate with fundamental, seemingly simple questions: what are justice, courage and temperance? Why do we think they’re good things to begin with? By what light do we determine who has these qualities and who does not? Of course, the questions are not simple. Considering them even makes us feel awkward about our own convictions. But when we consider them, we also allow some thought into our public discourse,” said Knies.
October 19, 2016
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Features
Features | 7
Iota Phi Theta’s Black Out Event BY HANNAH O’BRIEN Staff Reporter
Sacred Heart University’s fraternity, Iota Phi Theta, hosted a campus wide Black Out event on Oct. 12 to raise awareness on the social movement, Black Lives Matter. The social media campaign hosted by Iota asked anyone who wanted to participate to wear all black for the day. The fraternity also suggested that participants post a picture of them wearing an all black outfit on their social media outlets with the hash tag: #IWearAllBlackBecause______and tagging Iota’s account: @shu_iotas. “The Black Out event was just the first portion of how we intend to raise awareness on campus, especially pertaining to the social issues against African American men,” said senior Christian Carter, president of Iota Phi Theta. “This event was special because as it occurred, we were able to realize the impact we’ve caused on campus. It was completely amazing to see the amount of support from many students, athletes and clubs.” The event brought light to a rising issue in the United States, while helping people share their own stories. “The ‘Black Out’ event resonated deeply with myself because one of my fraternity brothers, Terrence Crutcher, in Tulsa, Oklahoma fell victim to this police brutality,” said Carter. Crutcher is just one example of a young African American being fatally shot by the police. It seems, though, that the injustice does not end there due to some statistics released by the Washington Post. According to Washington Post, a study was done analyzing 385 fatal police shootings in 2015. The results showed that it is three times more likely for an African American to be fatally shot rather than Caucasians or any other minority group. “We need to stop making an example of the innocent black lives in the world.Most of the time it happens for no reason,” said junior CJ Parvelus, a member of Iota.“Plus the news sheds no light on the injustice. It’s almost as if it didn’t happen, but the content that is being televised to me is not relevant and important to the real matter that we are ignoring.” That same study also showed that 60 unarmed people were fatally shot by police, and African American men made up 40% of those killed. “There’s a lot of people out there that are oblivious to social injustice,” said junior Tatenda Zenenga, vice president of Iota. “Not that it’s necessarily their fault, it just doesn’t affect their day.” As for the Black Out day, anyone walking through campus could see the support of
HANNAH O’BRIEN/SPECTRUM
MANY STUDENTS USE HASHTAG TO PROMOTE THE MOVEMENT, BLACK LIVES MATTER
Sacred Heart’s students. “Many SHU students participated because they believe in a better future for everyone rather than a current society comprised of a lot of hatred and corruption,” said Carter. The fraternity will be holding a forum discussing both the Black Lives Matter movement and police brutality later on in the fall semester. “Our purpose of this forum is to create a platform for many SHU students to voice their opinions, engage in a mature discussion of social justice, conjure ways to resolve this conflict and allow many students to gain enlightenment on what is occurring in our society,” said Carter.
“Resurgent Russia” with Corey Flintoff
An exclusive interview with the former NPR correspondent opened and introduced the event while Ebong Udoma, a senior political reporter for NPR, was the moderator for Flintoff. The conversation between Flintoff and Udoma consisted of subjects around President Putin, the upcoming election, and the various events he covered while he lived there. Questions were also open to the audience. After the event Spectrum was also able to interview Flintoff.
BY NATALIE CIOFFARI Editor-In-Chief
MARK F. CONRAD
STUDENTS AND FACULTY GATHERED FOR A SIT DOEN TALK WITH FORMER SENIOR NPR CORRESPONDENT COREY FLINTOFF
On Oct. 6, the School of Communications and Media Arts, partnered with WSHU National Public Radio (NPR), welcomed former senior NPR correspondent Corey Flintoff. The McKinnis family of Fairfield also sponsored this event. It was called “Resurgent Russia: the misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and outright lies that cloud America’s discussions about Russia.” Professor Joe Alicastro’s CM-271 Television & Magazine Production I class had a live taping of the event for the student body. Flintoff had lived in Russia for four years, covering a wide variety of topics for NPR like the Ukrainian revolution, the Malaysian Airlines’ Flight 17 and the Olympic sports doping scandal. George Lombardi, the general manager of WSHU,
Q: During your presentation, you talked about being a journalist in one of those countries, like Russia, where they do not have NPR, and they value the opinion of the New York Times because that is how they are viewed. Being in a country as such, was there ever a time where you felt nervous or scared? There is that kind of fear from what we have seen in the past with the media. A: You know, I actually did have a fear in Russia. That fear was that somehow if the Russian Government were really displeased with me for one reason or the other, they would plant incriminating material on my computer and then arrest me. You know, because one of the things that they’ve done with American diplomats is embarrass them in various ways. They would do these thins because they knew it would be sort of widely publicized. There are so many awful things that they can do. They can plant kiddie-porn on your computer for example. So that’s one thing that I was always afraid of, but I’ve never been physically afraid. NPR has always supported me a lot so that for instance if I’ve been kicked out of Russia. I actually had an editor who said to me its no shame to be kicked out when you’ve done a good thing, so I did have that kind of support. Q: As an NPR radio correspondent all the way in Russia, were you actually sent out there for 4 years or did you want to stay there for 4 years?
A: I wanted to go. You know actually my first contract was for 3 years. [My wife Dianna] we were there for 3 years and we started to talk about what we were going to do next and we realized we weren’t done with Russia, we really felt that for one things was that it takes a long time to get up to speed on news stories there and once you start to have that knowledge I think it would be a waste to go back home and not to use it so I opted to stay for an extra year. Q: So why did you come back if you were so drawn to
it?
A: Well because I just turned 70. I decided It’s time to retire. The thing about being a foreign correspondent is that you are attached to your organization 24/7, and you’re on call all the time and there are times where it’s an enormous amount of work. Q: Did you travel at all in Russia or were you pretty much involved with your work? A: Culturally it’s an incredibly vibrant place. It still has all the sort of cultural activities left over from the Soviet period, like fabulous ballet, wonderful opera and great classical music. If you go to Moscow you’ll see that it looks on the surface like a modern European city. There are good restaurants, good cafes, one of the beauties of Moscow today is that they have wonderful public parks. They’re filled with people of all ages who are biking, they’re skate boarding, they’re doing all this kind of stuff. There’s a lot of music, buskers on the street and stuff like that. It’s a fun place to be.
8 | A&E
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
October 19, 2016
Arts & Entertainment Live from New York, It’s the Presidential Debate
Saturday Night Live’s Political Sketches BY JORDAN NORKUS
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor With Election Day right around the corner, the American television show, “Saturday Night Live,” has kicked off its 42 season with sketches about the recent presidential election debates. The past three episodes have featured multiple political sketches that star Kate McKinnon as Democratic Party nominee, Hillary Clinton, and Alec Baldwin as Republican Party nominee, Donald Trump. “Let’s have Kate McKinnon and Alec Baldwin as the new presidential nominees, please. Absolutely hysterical,” said junior Emily Shea. On Sunday, Oct. 16 Trump shared what he thought about the sketches and Baldwin’s portrayal of him on Twitter. “Watched Saturday Night Live hit job on me. Time to retire the boring and unfunny show. Alec Baldwin’s portrayal stinks. Media rigging election,” said Trump. Although Trump was not pleased, students thought that Baldwin was the perfect choice. “Alec Baldwin was an inspired casting choice for Trump,” said junior Edward Feeley. Students also said that the recent political sketches have been better than ones from previous seasons. “These are the best political sketches they’ve had in years,” said alumna Sarah Klaum, class of 2016. “Keeping Alec Baldwin on as a featured actor is one of the best decisions they’ve made in a long time.” When comparing SNL’s political sketches to the actual debates, students found them to be similar. “I love the skits,” said senior Emily Creighton. “Only now when I watch the real debates, they’re so ridiculous that I feel like I’m basically watching a SNL skit.” Even before the sketches, many students found the debates comical. “SNL must be loving this election because they barely have to alter what is already a comedic race,” said junior Mark Boyle. While many students have found the sketches to be funny, some have found them biased against a particular
AP PHOTO
ALEC BALDWIN, LEFT, AS REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, DONALD TRUMP, AND KATE MCKINNON, AS DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, HILLARY CLINTON, PERFORM DURING THE “DEBATE COLD OPEN” SKETCH ON THE 42ND SEASON OF “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE,” IN NEW YORK, SATURDAY, OCT. 1, 2016.
party. “I will say that although they should keep their skits unbiased, it seems that their recent political skits have been more left-winged,” said Boyle. “Perhaps their target market leans more toward liberals, but nevertheless, I would like to see future skits to be less biased. I think it makes for inaccurate depictions of the overall race.” Boyle also said how the sketches focus too much attention on subjects that are beside the point. “They show the bad in the election because it makes
for better television,” said Boyle. “It’s funny, but they poke at what doesn’t matter.” With the third presidential debate taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 19, students look forward to what SNL will do in its next political sketch. “The sketches are wildly funny and SNL’s doing exactly what everybody’s thinking,” said freshman Justin Weigel.
October 19, 2016
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Arts & Entertainment
A&E | 9
Amanda Knox: A Netflix Original
BY ALEXA BIANCHI
Staff Reporter
On Friday, Sept. 30, “Amanda Knox” was released on Netflix. “Amanda Knox” is a documentary named after an American exchange student and her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, who were convicted of murdering Knox’s roommate, Meredith Kercher, on Nov. 1, 2007, in Perugia, Italy. “I’ve always found Amanda Knox’s case interesting so I was excited to watch when the documentary came to Netflix,” said senior Kara Fanelli. “It offered a lot of insight into the case, but still allowed room for you to decide your own view on those involved.” When Kercher’s body was found, prosecutor Giuliano Mignini tried to unravel the mystery and find the person responsible. He was determined to make sure Knox was convicted. “It was crazy to see how he manipulated the media and Amanda herself,” said Fanelli. “He was so sworn on her being the killer that he would pull stories from thin air without any real proof.” One of the most raw elements of “Amanda Knox” is that the documentary provides video footage of the crime scene the day after the murder was committed.
“One of the first things you see in the documentary is blood on the floor and walls on their house,” said junior Keara Kirk. “They also show a blanket covering the body of Kercher with her foot sticking out. It was graphic but it really gave a feel for just how brutal the murder was.” Knox and Sollecito were convicted and acquitted twice. “I wasn’t surprised that they were convicted the first time, but I didn’t think they would be acquitted after four years in jail,” said Kirk. “It’s hard to believe that they went through the process twice. The documentary definitely took turns that I wasn’t expecting.” Danielle LaPorta and Molly Cristofoletti, two juniors currently studying abroad in Rome, have not been able to watch “Amanda Knox” yet. “I have heard of the documentary, but unfortunately I haven’t had time to watch it due to school work and traveling. I look forward to watching it though, it should be very interesting and it goes to show that anything can happen,” said LaPorta. She expressed that not all study abroad trips are like Knox’s. “All in all, studying abroad is a very safe and exciting opportunity, however, there are a few risks,” said LaPorta. “They could include being left alone, having trouble communicating with locals, and time management for sure.”
Cristofoletti also described risks and concerns she has while abroad. “I don’t think there are many risks to studying abroad other than being out alone at night because of a few previous incidents that have happened to study abroad students,” said Cristofoletti. “The only concerns I have are getting separated from my friends while being out at night and managing my time.” While her semester in Italy is being spent differently than Knox’s, LaPorta is enjoying studying abroad. “Having a full Italian background, my experience in Italy has been nothing but amazing,” said LaPorta. “It’s seriously a dream come true to live in a country where my grandparents came from. I highly suggest anyone to go abroad, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity right in front of you, take it.” Fanelli enjoyed “Amanda Knox” and would recommend it to anyone considering watching. “I’m not one to watch documentaries, but it was really good. It kept my attention the whole time and really sparked my interest. Anyone who is looking for a good watch on Netflix should check it out,” said Fanelli. Knox graduated from college in 2014 and is now advocating for those who are wrongfully convicted.
Fall in Connecticut Festivals, Fairs and More
BY JOSEPH LASPINA
Staff Reporter
Fairfield County is home to dozens of traditional fall festivals and events. One of the county’s oldest fall traditions is returning this year for it’s 20th anniversary, the Legends of Fear Haunted Hayride in Shelton, CT. This event will be open every weekend of October. The “Legends of Fear” hayride takes place on Fairview Tree Farm, a family owned farm that created and operates a haunted hayride, where guests are put in complete darkness and surprised by many creatures and horrific scenes along the way. The newest attraction added to the “Legends of Fear” is the Melonhead Revenge Trail. This trail is a 40 minute, one mile, haunted trek in the forests where you walk in the footsteps of the town’s rumored melonhead creatures. Fairfield County is full of farms, but not all are haunted. Silverman’s farm is a local option, for Sacred Heart students to venture to during the season. Located right in Easton, CT, Sacred Heart University’s Student Activities Office even provides a shuttle trip to the farm on select weekends throughout the fall. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there are many activities to choose from varying from apple and pumpkin picking, to scenic tractor rides, to a petting zoo at the private animal farm on site. “I had never been there before,” said junior Jarrett Michaels. “I was surprised to see that there was a petting zoo and that I was able to see a lot of cool animals.” For students unable to get around due to lack of transportation, Sacred Heart has a solution. They offer many events throughout the season and often schedule shuttle trips to places around the neighboring area. The Students Events Team hosts many events both on and off campus to benefit the greater Sacred Heart population. “There are plenty of events to keep students busy while at school,” said Student Events Team president Kara Fanelli. On Oct. 25, there will be a corn maze from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. held on 63’s patio where food will be provided as well. Inside the university’s coffeehouse, Holy Grounds at Christian Witness Commons, canvas painting will take place on Oct. 26. At the event, students can create their
THE INFAMOUS SILVERMAN’S FARM, HOME OF THE CLASSIC FALL INSTAGRAM PHOTO
own paintings while enjoying some seasonal apple cider and the company of their peers. Though living on campus has its perks, for students able to get around by car, the number of activities to attend is limitless. Not only are there farms and pumpkin patches in the surrounding area, but there are performances and festivals of all types held throughout Connecticut as well. On Oct. 20, New Haven’s Symphony Orchestra: “Dvorak’s New World,” is playing at Woolsey Hall in New Haven. On Oct. 22, Sam Hunt, a hit country singer, will be performing at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Bill Maher and Dane Cook, two prolific comedians and actors, are coming to Connecticut on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22
JOSEPH LASPINA/SPECTRUM
to perform. Maher will be at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., whereas Cook will be joining Sam Hunt at Mohegan Sun. For more information on events held in the local Connecticut area please visit http://www.ctvisit.com/.
10 | Sports
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Sports
October 19, 2016
Fencing Team Welcomes New Head Coach BY DHAMEER BRADLEY Staff Reporter
The fencing team, which is comprised of 12 males and 11 females, recently said goodbye to their former coach, Thomas Vrabel, following his retirement in June. However, the team is very excited to see what their new coach, Yury Molchan, has in store for the 2014- 15 NCAA champions. “Knowledge and experience is what Molchan adds to the table,” said senior Julia Greene. Greene described her new coach as someone who is “quiet, yet serious and brings a completely different atmosphere from last year.” One of the biggest changes from last season to this season is the amount of individual lesson time each senior is receiving from Molchan. The seniors on the team receive fencing lessons once a week. “The lessons are very helpful and we learn new skills,” said Greene. “Less free fencing and more drills on technique was something that is very different from last year.” Greene finished twenty-first in the NCAA championship last year and is bringing that experience and knowledge to the team this year. Junior Danny Marchelitis discussed the differences he noticed during practices so far that now includes “conditioning, more drills and less free fencing.” The arrival of Molchan has completely changed the dyHEATHER KELLER/SPECTRUM namic of the fencing team, providing a much more focused NEW HEAD COACH, YURY MOLCHAN, GIVING CORRECTIONS TO HIS TEAM CAPTAIN attention to each fencer individually. “It’s a completely different and new atmosphere from last year,” said Marchelitis. He said as head coach he will bring the techniques and which includes schools such as Harvard, Penn State and Coach Molchan talked about his past experiences before NCAA experience to Sacred Heart. NYU. coming to Sacred Heart University. Molchan is looking towards a promising future for The fencing team will play in the first match on Nov. Previously, Molchan was at Ohio State University where the fencing program at Sacred Heart. He envisions major 7 in the BIG ONE tournament at Smith College in he spent four seasons as an assistant coach. Ohio State success for players on this team. Northampton, Mass. finished first place in the NCAA Championships in 2012 “Five NCAA qualifiers for this upcoming season is a and came in fourth place in 2013 and 2014. major goal,” said Molchan. “The experience at Ohio State was golden,” said MolOne of the team’s most important meets is on Dec. 4 chan. when Sacred Heart hosts the “Tradition Tournament,”
Women’s Rowing Relying On Young Team BY DAN MARRO Staff Reporter
With an expanded and younger roster this year, the Sacred Heart University women’s rowing team is looking forward to a new season. “I’m really excited about what’s to come,” said junior team captain Anna Sufczynski. “We are getting new girls with more experience, which will only make us better.” With the first race of the fall season already under their belt, assistant coach Jackie Smith is looking forward to seeing what her girls can accomplish not only now but in seasons to come. “We have a relatively young team so it was very exciting to see where we are, but it’s even more exciting to see what the future holds,” said Smith. A younger roster like this one usually relies heavily on veteran leaders such as Sufczynski. “It’s great that we have older girls on the team and our five captains have been great, especially with our roster expanding,” said Smith. “They’re role models, their job is
to lead by example and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing.” “As a new member everything kind of gets thrown at you, but the girls like myself that have that experience really help the girls that lack the experience to have more confidence and just understand that it’s just going to take some time and practice,” said Sufczynski. For Smith, this year brings a new outlook as well as additional motivation. Smith competed in the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio and was able to bring home a silver medal for the United States. This award is something she and Sufczynski feel can help motivate their team. “She [Smith] really shows us as players that if you work hard you will be rewarded, and I think she is such a great example of that,” says Sufczynski. Sufczynski goes on to praise the hard work and leadership qualities that her coach embodies. “We all have the desire to do well but sometimes lack the motivation, and that’s what makes Jackie so great because she motivates us both verbally and by example,” said Sufczynski.
“As a young coach I think it is very important for the players to understand that I’ve been in their shoes before,” said Smith. “As I continue to push them and make them work harder, I want them to really understand I went through the same thing.” As far as the goals that Smith is setting for the team, she expects a lot from her players. “Personally I am expecting more than what I’ve seen from them,” said Smith. “We’re excited to see how they do going forward and to actually race teams in our conference.” There are a few things Smith would like to be able to say about her team following the fall season. “I’d like to say that we went to the Head of the Charles in Boston and qualified for the following year,” said Smith. “Thousands and thousands of teams come and compete at this event, so to finish in the top 50 percent would be something I’d be extremely happy about.”
11 | Sports
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Sports
October 19, 2016
Men’s Rugby Finishes Off Regular Season The Undefeated Team is Headed to the Playoffs
BY WILLIAM CALLAHAN Contributing Writer
The Sacred Heart University Men’s Rugby team had an impressive regular season leading up to the playoffs. The X-men went undefeated this season with a 5-0 record. Their most recent victory came on Oct. 16 against Rensselaer Polytechnic, a 103-0 victory. “It’s been awhile since we’ve done this well, so it feels good to have this much success,” said junior Nick D’Angelo. Others on the team can also agree their training has paid off. “We’ve trained really hard and spent a lot of hours on the practice field,” said junior Harrison Picard. “Our 5-0 record shows the hard work we have put in.” With a team loaded with seniors, experience has been a key part to the X-men’s season of success so far. “I think having a team with so many seniors have contributed largely to our success,” said junior Mike Vozella. “We lean on them a lot and they’re always there to help the younger guys out.” In the five games that the X-men played, they outscored their opponents 283-68 with wins over Hostra, Siena, Union, Marist and Rensselaer Polytechnic. Their closest game this year was a 26-24 win over Siena. A last minute conversion was needed for the Pioneers to seal the game and maintain their unbeaten record. With the win against Marist, the X-men officially clinched the home field advantage for the upcoming playoffs. “It’s definitely a better asset for us to have home field advantage,” said D’Angelo. “It’s much easier to just wake up and go play here at home in front of our friends and family.” Compared to last year’s team who finished 6-3, the 2016 X-men believe this team is even better than the one from last season. “We definitely have a better chemistry with our coach and with ourselves as a team this season,” said D’Angelo. “
Each member of the X-men has contributed to this year’s undefeated season. “What’s important is that the majority of last year’s starters are still here this year and playing well,” said Vozella. “We have a huge senior class that have been playing together for four years, plus the younger group of guys now adds to our success.” The team has developed a great relationship with their coach, which has led to the success on the field. “The relationship we’ve created with Coach Peterson has definitely helped us grow stronger as a team this year,” said Picard. “We really look up to him as our leader and we love to play for him.” A large team has kept the starting group ready for the beginning of each match. “I also think the great depth we have on our team helps us as well,” said Picard. “We have close to 40 guys on our squad, so it’s a huge benefit having those back-up players handy to keep the starters fresh and healthy throughout the season.” With all the pieces coming together for the X-men, they are happy to be undefeated. “Of course we think we have what it takes to win it all,” said D’Angelo. “We have huge expectations we set for ourselves not only to win our league, but to play competitively in Nationals and to establish ourselves as a force to be reckoned with.” The team has set high standards for the playoffs, in hopes of becoming champions. “This is the year to do it,” said Picard. “With everyone we have, we feel good about our chances of becoming champions.” The goal of the team is to do well in the playoffs in hopes of making the championship. “To be able to go deep into the playoffs and play competitive rugby will be amazing for us as a team,” said Vozella. “I think our team has the ability to go as far as our athleticism can take us.” The X-men will have their first playoff game Sunday Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. on Campus Field against Montclair State University.
Women’s Swimming & Diving Excited For Season Captains Ready To Lead Strong Group BY HEATHER KELLER Staff Reporter
The Sacred Heart University Women’s Swimming and Diving team has named four captains for the 2016-17 season, which began on Oct. 15 with a meet at LIU Brooklyn. Seniors Jillian Crosby, Olivia Decas, Caleigh Dion and Julia Pedersen were voted in by their teammates and appointed captains for the season according to a press release from Sacred Heart Athletic Communications. “We’re really focusing on coming together as a team, over half the team this year are freshmen,” said Pedersen. “We have a lot of talent so we are really excited to start the meets so we can see it all come together.” This year’s team is composed of 20 underclassmen along with eight upperclassmen. The captains expressed enthusiasm regarding the new members and confidence in the upperclassmen foundation of the team. “We’re focusing on becoming a team since we have so many new people, and just being strong all together,” said Decas. Another focus in pre-season has been on “individual improvements and really getting back to the basics in the pool,” said Dion. The Pioneers will have meets over the course of the next three months all leading up to the North Eastern Conference (NEC) Championship. That meet will take place Feb. 15-18, 2017 hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. SACRED HEART ATHLETICS “The NEC championship is the most fun meet of the WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING WON THEIR FIRST MEET 129-127 OVER LIU BROOKLYN season and it’s definitely the one with the most pressure, so it’s the one we all get most pumped up about,” said Decas. of the season will require the team to encourage and root going to miss it,” said Pedersen. While the captains understand that there is an entire one another on, as this will help them get through the As the captains take the blocks in their final season as season to get through before the NEC Championship, the season. collegiate athletes, they plan to leave it all in the pool and dedication and focus to win the championship is apparent. As the captains prepare for their final season, there is go through the season with no regrets. “Six to seven months of training goes into it [NEC added pressure, as well as additional motivation, to do “The four of us captains started together and it will be Championship] so there is a lot of excitement built up and their best. Decas and Dion said that their goals were to bittersweet to end together but it’s been a long road and it’s also a really fun environment,” said Pedersen. have fun, enjoy their time as athletes and not be under too we’re excited to get after it one last time,” said Pedersen. During the next three months of competition, the capmuch pressure for six months. tains have goals of keeping the team in high spirits and “I just want to go out doing some [of my] best times, forming a team bond that will help push them through it’s a good way to hang up your suit forever and I am tough meets of the season. Pedersen said the long length excited to get some free time back, but I know we’re all
October 19, 2016
The Sacred Heart Spectrum
Sports
WITH A YOUNG ROSTER, WOMEN’S ROWING IS LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EXCITING SEASON
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SACRED HEART ATHLETICS