Issue 12.09.15

S A C R E D

H E A R T

U N I V E R S I T Y

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C O N N E C T I C U T

“SHEDDING LIGHT ON CAMPUS NEWS SINCE 1983”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2015

INTHISissue

F A I R F I E L D ,

VOLUME 35, ISSUE 11

Sacred Heart Lights Up With Holiday Spirit

HE SAID/ SHE SAID

Melanie and Anthony discuss the most wonderful time of the year

COURSE EVALUATIONS Students share their perspectives on the per semester course surveys

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Hispanic Staff members are profiled

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TONY BENNETT

Arts & Entertainment Editor, Natalie Cioffari shares her review of a Tony Bennett concert

SPRING CONCERT 2016 Rapper Fetty Wap is revealed as the spring concert performer

CTE DIAGNOSIS

Frank Gifford autopsy reveals he was suffering from brain disease CTE

TWEETS of the Week @thenames_steph “The lyrics ‘I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing’ perfectly describe how I feel about the end of this semester.”

@gracenisbet_ “Is it too late to drop a class?”

@TaraRassy “Online Christmas shopping instead of studying.”

“Tweets of the Week” are taken from a public forum on Twitter. Tweets are opinions of the individual and do not represent the opinions of Sacred Heart University or The Spectrum Newspaper. If you want to see your Tweet in the newspaper, use the hashtag #ShuSpectrum and you may be featured!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS PIONEERS!

TRACY DEER-MIREK/ SACRED HEART

SHAUNA SANTOS-DEMPSEY (‘17) AND MICHAELA LACHANCE (‘16) ENJOYED A BEAUTIFUL EVENING OF SINGING AND CELEBRATION

BY ALEXA BINKOWITZ Staff Reporter

Sacred Heart University’s annual Christmas tree lighting took place on the evening of Dec. 3, as students and faculty celebrated the beginning of the holiday season.

The tree, located next to the Ryan Matura Library, was colorfully lit while Sacred Heart’s choir sang Christmas carols, such as “Jingle Bells,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Hot chocolate and holiday-themed cookies were also served.

“It was a very nice event and it adds to the reason why I feel that this school has such a great community,” said sophomore Maracate Sassone-McHugh. “The cookies were a nice touch too.”

Father Buckles was also in attendance, as he blessed the tree in hopes for a peaceful holiday season.

Students who attended the tree lighting saw it as great way to come together and celebrate the holiday season.

“It was a really nice feeling once everyone was out there together,” said SassoneMcHugh. “Overall, it was a really great

event, and I’m glad I went.”

Christmas tree lightings are a fundamental part of the holiday season. It is an event that has been celebrated for centuries.

The tradition started in upper class Germany during the 18th century. Families would glue candles to trees in order to light them.

“Lights are the best part of a Christmas tree,” said sophomore Keri Pringer. “It just gives it so much personality.”

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting is one of the most attended events that New York City holds.

According to the NYC Insider’s Guide, thousands of people take a trip to Rockefeller Center to see the 30,000 lights turn on.

“I watch the tree lighting on TV every year,” said Sassone-McHugh. “It’s fun to see the tree light up while watching all the musical performances.”

Along with the campus tree lighting, Sacred Heart also rings in the holiday season with dorm decorating contests, and a Santa Food Truck that traveled to all the dorms and gave out free hot chocolate, cookies, and raffles.

“The Santa Truck that came to our dorm was so festive, “ said Pringer. “It was lit up

with Christmas lights, and they even had a Christmas movie playing on a screen.”

Christian Witness Commons also has an annual suite-decorating contest, where suites can win a $50 gift card to the Cheesecake Factory.

“Our suite won the contest last year,” said McHugh. “Now, we’re trying again to defend our title.”

Sacred Heart also invites students and faculty to attend holiday-themed performances, such as the University Band’s “Winter Voyage Concert,” and numerous choir performances.

“I think it’s great that the university has all of these events,” said sophomore Marissa Gallante. “Winter Week is awesome because they have a lot of free activities and events to go to, which keeps us busy.”

Winter Week began on Monday, Dec. 7.

Events include make your own fleece blankets, photo snow globes, ice-skating and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Edgerton Plaza, and glass ornament etching.

For more information on Sacred Heart’s Winter Week and any other campus events going on during the holiday season, check out “SHU SET” social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Obama: U.S. will defeat terror threat’s new phase

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare Oval Office address, President Barack Obama vowed Sunday night the U.S. will overcome a new phase of the terror threat that seeks to “poison the minds” of people here and around the world, as he sought to reassure Americans shaken by recent attacks in Paris and California.

“I know that after so much war, many Americans are asking whether we are confronted by a cancer that has no immediate cure,” he said, speaking from a lectern in his West Wing office. “The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it,” he declared.

The president’s speech followed Wednesday’s shooting in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people and wounded 21. Authorities say a couple carried out the attack and the wife pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and its leader in a Facebook post.

Obama said that while there was no evidence the shooters were directed by a terror network overseas or part of a broader

plot, “the two of them had gone down the technology to evade detection. He also urged dark path of radicalization.”

Congress to pass new force authorization for “This was an act of terrorism designed military actions underway against IS in Iraq to kill innocent people,” he said in the and Syria, and also to approve legislation 13-minute address. to bar guns from being sold to people on a In speaking from the Oval Office, Obama no-fly list. turned to a tool of the presidency that he And he implored Americans to not turn against Muslims at home, saying the Islamic has used infrequently. His decision to speak State is driven by a desire to spark a war in prime time reflected the White House’s concern that his message on the recent attacks between the West and Islam. Still, he called on Muslims in the U.S. and around the world hasn’t broken through, particularly in the midst of a heated presidential campaign. to take up the cause of fighting extremism.

Yet Obama’s speech was likely to leave The spread of radical Islam into American his critics unsatisfied. He announced no communities, he said, is “a real problem that significant shift in U.S. strategy and offered Muslims must confront without excuse.” no new policy prescriptions for defeating The president’s most specific policy IS, underscoring both his confidence in his announcement was to order the departments current approach and the lack of easy options of State and Homeland Security to review the for countering the extremist group. fiance visa program that the female shooter “Nothing that happened in the speech in California used to enter the U.S. In his tonight is going to assuage people’s fears,” remarks, Obama referred to a visa waiver Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican program that Congress is also reviewing, but presidential candidate, said on Fox News. the White House later clarified he meant the Obama did call for cooperation between fiance program. private companies and law enforcement Continued on page 2 to ensure potential attackers can’t use

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

News

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December 9, 2015

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2 | News

They want our country to live in fear and I refuse to give them what they want.

- Sophomore Tori Oates

Obama: US will defeat terror threats new phase

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

He also reiterated his call for broader gun control legislation, saying no matter how effective law enforcement and intelligence agencies are, they can’t identify every would-be shooter. He called it a matter of national security to prevent potential killers from getting guns.

“What we can do, and must do, is make it harder for them to kill,” he said.

Obama stands little chance of getting the Republicanled Congress to agree to any gun control measures. On Thursday, the Senate rejected legislation barring people the government suspects of acts of terror from purchasing firearms. Gun rights advocates say such a ban would violate the rights of people who haven’t been convicted of crimes.

Congress also has been unable to coalesce behind any plan to authorize more force against IS, and the

administration’s proposal has languished since February.

Obama repeated his long-standing opposition to an American-led ground war in the Middle East and made no mention of the more aggressive action others have suggested, including a enforcing a no-fly zone and safe corridors in Syria.

“Our success won’t depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values or giving in to fear,” he said. “Instead, we will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless.”

After the speech, the president appeared as previously scheduled at the Kennedy Center Honors tribute in Washington.

The president’s critics — and increasingly, some members of his own party — have questioned his strategy.

Hours before he spoke, Hillary Clinton — his former secretary of state and the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination — said the U.S. is “not winning” the fight against IS. Obama has insisted that the Islamic State is contained in Iraq and Syria. However, the group has set its sights

elsewhere in the world, launching attacks in Lebanon and Turkey and downing a Russia airliner over Egypt.

The Nov. 13 attacks in Paris marked the group’s most aggressive actions in Europe, a coordinated effort that left 130 people dead and wounded hundreds more.

Last week, the terror threat drew even closer for Americans when a couple — a 29-year-old woman originally from Pakistan and her 28-year-old Americanborn husband — launched an attack on a holiday luncheon in San Bernardino.

The FBI is investigating the massacre as an act of terror that, if proved, would be the deadliest by Islamic extremists on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001.

The woman pledged allegiance to IS and its leader in a Facebook post, according to U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. A Facebook official said the post came about the time the couple stormed the San Bernardino social service center.

Biology Department Receives Grant for Work at Stratford Point

BY ALEXA BINKOWITZ Staff Reporter

The biology department at Sacred Heart University is celebrating the newly awarded funding from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund Grant of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The grant awarded the university with $148,000 that will continue to provide resources and materials for the nature restoration work at Stratford Point.

“Our research involving the restoration of coastal habitats is very important because many people who live on or near the coast are experiencing property damage, coastal erosion and loss of beaches due to years of habitat destruction,” said Jennifer Mattei, a professor of biology and one of the leaders of the restoration project. “We are experimenting with the installation of a ‘living shoreline,’ increasing habitat structure and function to help alleviate some of these problems.”

There were only 22 other Connecticut recipients chosen for this award.

In order to receive this award, applicants submitted a proposal that discussed the goals of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and how a school would assist in completing those goals if it were to be awarded the fund.

“In order to obtain a grant you need to know what the goals of the granting agency are and then demonstrate to them in your proposal that you have the ability to accomplish those goals,” said Mattei. “The overarching goal of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is to protect and restore our natural resources.”

With this funding, restoration projects that the biology department started will continue to progress.

“This funding will allow us to continue our work that we started two years ago with the installation of an artificial shellfish reef,” said Mattei. “With this

TRACY DEER-MIREK/ SACRED HEART

PROFESSOR JENNIFER MATTEL (BACK ROW, CENTER) STANDS ALONGSIDE SENATOR RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, CONGRESSWOMAN ROSA DELAURO, CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES AND SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY WITH THE CONNECTICUT RECIPIENTS OF THE GRANT

funding, we will restore several acres of degraded coastal woodland, meadow and a small freshwater wetland. The meadow will be planted this fall with over 20 species of native wildflowers to help increase the population of native beneficial insects like butterflies and bees.”

Sacred Heart students will also benefit from the grant, as it provides funding for more opportunities to get hands-on experience in the field of biology and ecology.

“The Biology Department will be launching several new majors in the fall of 2016. One will be Coastal and Marine Science,” said Mattei. “Students interested in this major or in ecology in general will be able to work this summer and over the next several years on this research due to the grant. These will be paid summer research experiences in their field of study.”

Students in the biology major are also excited about

how this grant will positively affect the department.

“The funding received through this grant will enable the biology department to further the valuable progress they have made in their restoration efforts at Stratford point,” said junior Brittney Gunneson. “It will also open up many research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students, allowing them to get hands-on restoration work experience.”

The biology department will continue to restore Stratford Point, and work towards completing the goals of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

“The Long Island Sound is a national treasure that we need to take care of so that future generations will be able to enjoy it and responsibly harvest its natural treasures,” said Mattei.

Potential Terrorist Threats High, Student Travel Concerns Mixed

BY CLAUDIA RUIZ Staff Reporter

In the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Paris, some people have become more concerned about traveling to major cities like New York.

Because of this, there are questions as to whether field trips should be taken by schools into big cities.

“The final decision resides with the individuals who are directly involved and responsible for the trip,” said executive director of emergency management, Paul Healy.

“Organizers and chaperones have the safety and best interests of students in mind and make their decisions accordingly.”

In regards to ISIS threats, New York Mayor, Bill de Blasio, has responded by saying that there are no new threats that are specific or credible against New York City, during a news confernce in Times Square. According to him, the city is well prepared for any kind of attacks that could possibly come its way.

New York City Police Commisioner William Bratton also stated during the news conference that he is confident

that all precautions are being taken by authorities to prevent any kind of attack. Regardless, sophomore Kayla Madoff still cancelled a personal trip to New York City on Saturday, Nov. 29 due to fears of possible terrorism.

“I did not want to put myself at risk,” said Madoff.

“Terrorist groups like ISIS have made me not want to travel to big cities.”

Like Madoff, sophomore Allison Simmons also had many concerns about her upcoming trip to Boston for a family visit on Saturday, Dec. 5.

“Traveling to a big city didn’t seem like the best idea so soon after the attacks in Paris,” said Simmons. “Boston is a big city that has been a target for attacks in the past.”

Although fears have stopped some people from going into the city, going home for the holiday season will cause many people to have to travel through cities like New York and Boston in order to get home.

“In order to get home for Thanksgiving, I had to transfer at Penn Station in NYC,” said Madoff. “Being there made me very nervous because New York has always been a target for violent attacks.”

Concerns about traveling to big cities has not turned

everyone away from traveling.

“No terrorist is going to stop me from living my life,” said sophomore Tori Oates. “They want our country to live in fear and I refuse to give them what they want.”

Like Oates, Hofstra University junior Ashley Wilson will not let concerns stop her from traveling and will continue to be a frequent visitor of NYC. “Although I think that terrorism is not something that should ever be taken lightly, my fears have not stopped me from going into the city,” said Wilson. “Since the Paris bombings, I have become more aware of my surroundings when I travel and I am not as relaxed when I walk around as I used to be, but I will not stop going altogether.”

For anyone who does decide to travel to any city, they should be aware of certain precautions to take in order to stay safe.

“Check with the law enforcement agencies or security officials at a given venue regarding the security procedures in place,” said Healy. “We should all be aware of our surroundings no matter where we are, and if we see something unusual or suspicious, it should be reported immediately.”

December 9, 2015

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Perspectives | 3

Perspectives

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year He Said

She Said

ANTHONY...

MELANIE... ...

As a special treat for the last issue of the semester, I’m taking a break from my scheduled weekly list of complaints about the world to talk about something I have true joy for.

Don’t worry though, after break, I’ll be back to my normal contemptuous self.

For those of you that know me, and if you’ve read my column, I’d like to say you do, it’s obvious that I’m a cynical person.

I can’t have a normal conversation in the morning until I’ve had my coffee, and I often view the world in a harsh light.

I have the truly incredible talent of taking even the most exciting things and putting a negative spin on them.

But as the season of giving approaches, I know what you must be thinking: Who could hate Christmas?

Spoiler alert: I used to.

I come from a large, full-blood Italian family. We have more Christmas traditions than I have cousins named Tony or Giusseppe.

Every year, my family treks up a mountain on what is always conveniently the coldest day of the year and cuts down a Blue Spruce.

On Christmas Eve, we have the Festa Dei Sette Pesci, or “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” We easily buy twenty pounds of each sea creature and eat together with all 45 members of my dad’s side of the family, and then listen to Papa Joe read “The Night Before Christmas.”

And every year without fail, we jam out in the car to a Christmas CD we got for free at Stop and Shop. (Say what you will, but there are some jams on there.)

These all sound like such fun things.

So why, you ask, did I hate the season of miracles?

Right around the time kids stop believing in Santa Claus, my parents got a divorce. Not only was Santa not real anymore, nothing I’d known at home

was real either.

That’s when I developed a hatred for Christmas. I’d refuse to help put any ornaments on the tree and I’d leave my gifts unopened on the floor Christmas morning. While the rest of my family was flinging flour for anginettes, I was going out with friends or sulking in my room. How could they just go on with the Christmas traditions? Couldn’t they see that our family was broken?

The holidays became my personal nightmare.

My sister called me a grinch and my mom didn’t say anything.

So what was it that changed my mind and made me love Christmas again?

What made my small heart grow three sizes that day?

I’ll let you guys in on a little secret.

I learned to embrace the change.

Would I be opening presents with my whole family on Christmas morning anymore? No. But now we have a tradition of “Second Christmas,” where my sister and I cook dinner with my dad and stepmom, finish all the leftover cookies, and exchange presents.

We used to buy joint practical presents for our mom and dad-a new toaster oven, pillow cases, etc.

Now I get to see my mom’s face light up when she opens presents that pamper her. Old movies she loves, purses and perfume, and this year, tickets to a Broadway musical.

Last year, I helped bake Italian chocolate cookies, even though I got laughed at when they came out shaped all funny.

Two days ago, I put on my warmest pair of socks and climbed a mountain to find the perfect tree. Seeing my sister’s face when we brought it into the house was enough to prove to me that Christmas is a time for miracles. Embrace the season, and the traditions, both old and new.

You might just find a little magic.

Once again, it’s that time of year. I don’t even have to say it’s Christmas, but I just did. So at least the subject is established for those living under a rock.

What a great time of year, though, this Christmas season. The movie marathons; the decorations; the atmosphere, and, if you’re not a Grinch, you can feel all warm and fuzzy inside about seeing those around you being happy.

And let’s not forget about Jesus.

He’s what got this all going. He’s the tournament director, the referee, and the MVP. Speaking of Jesus, this season also comes around every year as a reminder of what’s really important. Now don’t get mad. I know you know what’s coming. I’m talking about giving.

The concept of feeling good about oneself when giving during Christmastime is perhaps the oldest cliché in the oldest book. That said, we still shouldn’t doubt that idea’s power or take it for granted.

Roll your eyes when your aunt lectures you about it. Turn the channel when it comes up in an ABC Family Christmas movie. Blame the redundancy of the expression on Skip Bayless.

But always remember that we need to give.

The truth is, the act of giving is maybe the greatest thing you can perform, next to Drake doing his set list. I see it as something that evokes a feeling inside similar to coming to a positive realization; like waking up thinking you have an 8 a.m. class, but then realizing it’s cancelled. The heart knows no greater warmth than that.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t enjoy the fanfare of the holiday, though. Simply by genuine giving, be it a toy or a helping hand that goes beyond materials, one has already embodied what the season is all about. So shout out to he who gives.

With the gift giving, the celebrating, and the reflecting that goes on during this time of year, it also makes for a good breather from the monotony of ordinary time.

I still do a lot of rushing around during Christmas. But I find I use my free time for better rest and thinking during Christmastime. That’s right: like a Buddhist monk.

With Decembers in the Northeast being so cold, it’s good to be able to take advantage of the hibernation lifestyle during the upcoming winter break.

That could include watching some Netflix, maybe some Tennis Channel (only if you’re cool), and shuffling around the house in hoodies and sweatpants.

There’s really no stopping me from even going crazy and reading a few Sports Illustrated cover pieces, either.

That stuff is all good, and it’s comforting to know that it’s not far off, but I have to be honest. I’m going to want to work during break, too.

My wallet’s made of leather, not money and it seems to throw up a lot of cash. It does that quite cyclically, too.

All I hope to get from winter break is to have a well-balanced one. That sounds like a very parent thing to say, but I’m serious on that. Not too much sleep, and not too much going crazy.

Even if it’s an unbalanced break, and I end up sleeping too late or working too much, I’m still appreciating all of the time that’s to come.

Think about it. We have the religious holidays, New Year’s, family time through all of that, and then back to school to see more friends.

Life is beautiful. You know why?

Well, it’s beautiful for many reasons.

The current reason, though, is because, come mid-January, I’ll be back at the best school in Connecticut: Sacred H—I don’t even have to say it.

You already know.

The Holiday Season Can Be Stressful...

Here’s some of the funniest memories Sacred Heart students have of holidays past

“Last Thanksgiving my mom set the food on fire and still claims it wasn’t her fault. I have a video of it on Instagram.”

- Melanie Pereira, Junior "I found out Santa wasn’t real because I asked Santa for a DVD player for Christmas when they were cool. I woke up because my dad was screaming at tech support at 3 a.m. trying to set it up.”

- Gwen Mileti, Sophomore

“My 5'2, 130 lb, very Puerto Rican grandfather decided to go around to the homes of all his grandchildren on Christmas morning, dressed as Santa, to deliver presents. I was already very suspicious when he arrived and when I heard his heavy Hispanic accent, I ripped his off fake beard... ruined Christmas for everyone, forever.”

- Domenic Celli, Sophomore “My uncle cut a hole in the ceiling because the Christmas tree was too tall. The star was on the second floor. It was a good time.”

- Dan Murphy, Junior

4 | Perspectives

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Perspectives

December 9, 2015

Experiencing the Holiday Season from Many Faiths

BY ILARIA DEANGELIS Staff Reporter The tree on the quad, music playing everywhere on campus, and free hot chocolate can only mean one thing at Sacred Heart University: the holiday season is finally here.

With Sacred Heart being a Catholic university, Christmas is the primary holiday that many students celebrate. This is a holiday that is near and dear to many students on campus.

“What I love the most about Christmas at SHU are all the decorations and lights put up around campus,” said sophomore Danielle Guth. “I also like that all the students get really into the season as well. Everyone decorates their doors, rooms and suites, and you can usually hear Christmas music on blast around Seton and Merton every day.”

Although Christmas is a prominent holiday at Sacred Heart, the university also has many students of different faiths. From Jewish to Muslim backgrounds, Sacred Heart welcomes students of all different faiths, and these students have differing feelings about Christmastime at a Catholic university.

“I knew what I was getting myself into by attending a Catholic University,” said senior Alexander Harwood. “I come from a family of the Jewish faith, and

I was raised that way growing up. I think that as I got older, I learned how my faith intertwines with other ones. In my opinion, Catholicism and Judaism are extremely similar.”

Some students of other faiths are appreciative of the Christmas lights and decorations around campus.

“In my opinion, Christmas lights look beautiful!” said Graduate Assistant and former President of the Muslim Student Awareness club, Hajira Butt. “I love how the trees in front of the campus are lit up every night.”

The beauty of the lights seem to spark spirit in many students.

“The Christmas decorations just seem like ‘holiday’ decorations to me,” said Harwood. “I don’t really define them, because I feel like the holiday spirit is universal.”

With many international students at Sacred Heart, their reactions to all of the Christmas spirit at Sacred Heart this time of year are varied.

“They enjoy the experience, the warmth, the music, the decorations and the events,” said Director of the English as a Second Language Department Madeleine Golda. “Just as domestic students would enjoy celebrations of another country when they go abroad.”

International students have found ways to celebrate the season while at Sacred Heart.

“The institute has students from 20 different coun-

Christmas Music Takes Over

BY ALEX DECHNO Staff Reporter Jablonsky. “I literally play it year round, and when it starts coming on the radio, my mom and I jam out.”

What is it about Christmas music that puts many in a joyful mood?

“Christmas music is too good, I just get all happy inside and feel like a kid again when I hear it,” said sophomore Lauren Garizio Some students think that Christmas music can bring the best out of people, but for others, it just does not jingle their bells.

“I don’t get why they start playing it before December,” said junior Mike Peters. “I don’t want to hear ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’ mid-November. It’s almost like a tease.”

For many people Christmas music is much more than just TRACY DEER-MIREK/ SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY a song. In fact, it can take them STUDENTS SINGING AT SACRED HEART’S back to great memories during ANNUAL LESSONS AND CAROLS HELD IN the holidays.

THE CHAPEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT “I still remember as a kid dancing to ‘Rocking Around the Christmas is right around the Christmas Tree’ with my whole corner and Christmas music has family and the power went out, already been taking over the airbut somehow the music kept waves for weeks. playing, so we kept dancing,” said “It’s crazy, I can’t believe I’m already playing Christmas music,” sophomore Sydney Ruggiero.

Now that Christmas is in full efsaid junior Lenny Bird. “It feels fect, the best way to deal with the like summer was just last week.”

One of the most popular aspects constant Christmas music is to enjoy it while the season is here. of the holidays is the joy that “This music is only going to be comes with all of the Christmas played now, it will be gone soon,” songs and carols. said junior Mitch Fortin.

“I’m obsessed with Christmas music,” said sophomore Nicole

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tries this fall semester and there are many religions present in the group. They all socialize together.

They all celebrate each other’s festivals and religious holidays together. The students arrange events by themselves together too and they enjoy sharing their culture and their traditions with each other and with us,” said Golda.

The Catholic students at Sacred Heart usually continue with their yearly traditions of trimming Christmas trees and going to Christmas Mass, but others choose to celebrate the holiday season in different ways.

“On Christmas day, my family tradition has been to get Chinese food and see a movie,” said Harwood. “I still enjoy doing that. When Chanukah comes around, I will most likely light a candle on the menorah for all of the eight nights.”

No matter what someone’s faith may be, it seems that many are able to see the joy and happiness that the holiday season brings to everyone at Sacred Heart.

“It’s a very special time of the year for many people and I would like everyone to be able to enjoy their holiday,” said Butt.

The decorations and spirit that enveloped Sacred Heart during this time of year offer many opportunities for students and faculty to continue their traditions.

Course Evaluations

BY ANTHONY MATTARIELLO Staff Reporter It’s that time of the year again. No, not the time for people to spread cheer and be thankful. It’s time for course evaluations.

Sacred Heart and its professors believe that course evaluations are an extremely necessary measure to take in order to understand a professor’s method of teaching and whether or not it is effective.

“The evaluations serve as a great benchmark for the university to monitor the quality of the instruction provided to our most important asset – the student,” said Director of Career Placement, Robert Coloney.

“If something isn’t enriching or beneficial, we want to know, because we want to adjust with what students are saying they need.”

Most students agree that evaluating professors helps the student body and take the five minutes to fill them out.

“I take the time to fill out the evaluations so the school can know if a professor is doing a good job or not. I also never pass up an opportunity to criticize my professors,” said freshman Joseph Fox. However, not all students fill out the evaluations for the same reason.

“The only reason why I end up filling them out is because my email and blackboard send out reminders like every two seconds,” said junior Cailey Smith.

Also, there are students who feel they simply do not have the time to fill them out.

“If my teacher doesn’t require it, I don’t see a point in filling them out,” said junior Christopher Kenedy.

For the students that do fill them out, it’s important to be completely honest about their professor, even if they are giving a negative evaluation.

It is a common speculation that giving a teacher a negative evaluation will affect the student’s grade in that class.

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However, the evaluations are anonymous and professors will not be able to see the names of the students.

“The surveys are completely anonymous.

The results I see are delivered weeks after my boss receives them, and I only see feedback, no names or discernable contact information. Strictly data that says how my students rated me,” said Coloney.

The students who know that the evaluations are anonymous are not afraid to say their true opinion.

“I would be brutally honest if I had to,” said Smith. “Some teachers are really bad and should know how they make their students feel.”

Some students feel that even though they are honest in their evaluations, professors do not listen to what they have to say.

“I know a lot of people that harshly criticize their professor in the evaluations, but every year there are still professors around with the same habits,” said Kenedy. “Professors not taking the criticism into account really deters me from wanting to fill them out.”

Many professors believe that they consider what their students say and understand that their evaluations contribute to their tenure here at school.

“I have shifted my syllabus in each of the semesters that I’ve taught to evolve some things,” said Coloney. “In theory, things can seem like a good idea or plan, and then when you try them out you can sometimes realize they have an adverse effect.”

Ultimately, the course evaluations have the goal of making Sacred Heart a university with versatile learning experiences.

“My biggest goal in each of my classes is to ensure students know they can voice their opinions, positives, negatives, concerns or praises freely. That’s the beauty of college, and of becoming a self-sufficient person,” said Coloney.

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December 9, 2015

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Editorials

Editorials | 5

Spectrum Snapshots

meetTHESTAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF EMILY ARCHACKI 2016 MANAGING EDITOR MELANIE HOLEC 2016 COPY EDITOR JESSICA CHALOUX 2017 COPY EDITOR BILLY SANCHEZ 2016 NEWS EDITOR ALLY D’AMICO 2016 NEWS EDITOR GABBY NUTILE 2017

You think your Mondays are rough? Try starting off each week by editing, and producing, a full 12 page weekly newspaper... on a Monday. The photos below were taken as we finished each issue and sent it to print. The first few photos, as you may see from the timestamps written on our whiteboard, were in fact in the wee hours of a Tuesday morning. As the semester progressed, our end time became slightly earlier. Only to realize that what we consider “early” in in fact still very late. Our motto is that when “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” airs on our big screen television, it’s time to start thinking about wrapping up for the night.

When we finally do leave the office, our concept of time is completely shot. When it’s dark outside we can’t tell whether it is 2 a.m. or 11 p.m. Our eyes may be bloodshot from staring at computer screens for far too long, or it could be the entirely white walls in our new office. Fun fact: the lights only dim, they don’t shut off.

We have definitely broken in our new home. Through all of the stress, yelling, singing, screaming, lack of eating (except a diet strictly filled with bagels) we managed to pull through and create 11 issues of this wonderful paper to share with all of you.

Thank you for all of your support, see you in 2016.

Sincerely, The Closeout Crew of F.M.E. (Filipe Lobato, Melanie Holec & Emily Archacki) P.S. - Our New Year’s resolution is to finish the paper a little earlier each week.

ISSUE 1 First issue as Editor-in-Chief.

ISSUE 6 So a couple of gourds rolled into an office.

ASST. NEWS EDITOR CHRISTIAN COLON 2017 PERSPECTIVES EDITOR MELANIE VOLLONO 2016 ASST. PERSPECTIVES EDITOR GIOVANNA GATTO 2018 FEATURES EDITOR NICOLE CANNIZZARO 2016

ISSUE 2 It was a rough one. Melanie & Fil joined in on the picture.

ISSUE 7 It was Natalie’s birthday, and Fil discovered the monopod doubled as a walking stick.

ASST. FEATURES EDITOR MARINNA DESANTIS 2016 A&E EDITOR NATALIE CIOFFARI 2017 ASST. A&E EDITOR HALEY TANELLA 2016

ISSUE 3 We survived another 2 a.m.

ISSUE 8 It’s raining newspapers. No office windows to the outside, the weather is always a mystery.

SPORTS EDITOR SHAWN SAILER 2017 ASST. SPORTS EDITOR ANTHONY SANTINO 2018 ASST. SPORTS EDITOR TAMARIC WILSON 2017 WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER HALEY TANELLA 2016

ISSUE 9 Ready for Thanksgiving break.

ISSUE 4 We finished before a double digit time. Miracle.

PR & CIRCULATION MANAGER JENNA BILLINGS 2017 PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR FILIPE LOBATO 2016 ASST. PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR ALEXA BRISSON 2017 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR GINA BATTAGLIA 2017

ISSUE 5 Smiling because the new “Star Wars” trailer was released.

We’re a bunch of geeks.

ISSUE 10 It was Fil’s birthday, we gave him the night off. Who runs the paper? Girls.

GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR JULIANNA DIDONATO 2017 FACULTY ADVISOR PROF. JOANNE KABAK

CORRECTION: In the Dec. 2 issue, the date listed in the “Women Can Have It All: Campbell Brown” article, the date of the event was incorrectly listed as Nov. 30. The correct date is Nov. 12.

Also in the Features section the article “Club Spotlight: Best Buddies” incorrectly quoted a member of the organization as stating that buddy assignents are randomly conducted. This information is incorrect. According to Best Buddies club President, Laura Lampert, “myself and my e-board personally interviewed upwards of 40 students this semester to get to know them better, and we all know the buddies with disabilities in our program very well. We even hosted an event before matching the pairs, and had everyone fill out an interests survey online. The final matching process takes hours of effort on behalf of everyone involved.”

6 | Features

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

December 9, 2015

Features

Students Take Advantage of Winter Study Abroad Options

BY JORDAN VENTURA Staff Reporter Interested in studying abroad? Sacred Heart University offers a variety of locations and programs for students looking for the experience.

The office of Global Affairs offers programs with lengths from two weeks to one semester, or even a full year, and the process is quick and easy to access online.

This winter the Office of Global Affairs is offering a two-week study abroad experience in Dingle, Ireland at Sacred Heart University’s second campus location.

During this two-week period, students take one three credit course in the two week session. This is a great option for students who want to have the experience of studying abroad without leaving for an entire semester.

“This winter, we are sending 53 students for the winter session,” said Francesca Schenker, Assistant Director of Global Affairs.

Four different courses are being offered this winter in Dingle, and some are even being taught by professors from our campus.

“They have class for a three hour block in the morning and then usually a block in the afternoon which sometimes is replaced by a course excursion or something like an archaeological tour,” said Schenker.

Many students take advantage of the ability to study abroad without missing out on a full semester in Connecticut.

“Studying abroad has always been an interest of mine but I was nervous to go abroad for an entire semester. I didn’t want to miss out on any opportunities on campus and so I decided that studying abroad in the winter would

be the best option for me. I am getting three credits and an amazing experience all in two weeks in a beautiful country,” said junior Allison Imhoff.

Students need to understand that the requirements differ from each program you choose to apply to.

“Students cannot be on disciplinary or academic probation in order to apply. Some programs have specific GPA requirements like John Cabot University in Rome.

The program requirements differ for each program so it’s important to look ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need,” said Schenker.

The study abroad program costs range based on where the student would like to travel and for how long.

“Each program page on the website has a budget sheet with billed university costs and estimated additional expenses,” said Schenker.

There are security concerns due to the recent traumatic events that have occurred abroad and Schenker wants students to understand that the global affairs staff is taking precautions to protect the students.

“We understand that some students might be hesitant to study abroad because of the recent events, but the safety of our students is our primary concern,” said Schenker. “We keep in close contact with our staff overseas and enroll our students into an international health insurance plan.

We are monitoring the situation overseas and receive daily updates from the U.S. Department of State. As of right now, the university will continue to run all programs as planned.”

Students are excited for the program despite of the recent attacks.

“As for the violent attacks I do not believe that Sacred Heart would send students if it was unsafe and I believe

that they will be keeping an even closer eye on all of us due to them,” said sophomore Taryn McCormick.

There are many different location options listed on the program website and students can choose from the list by what interests them.

“We have our two international campuses in Ireland and Luxemborg, partner universities in Rome, Australia, London, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Spain, and more.

As well as faculty led programs which are typically two to three weeks in the summers,” said Schenker.

To access the location options, simply visit the program website at www.sacredheart-sa.terradotta.com.

Not only are there programs occurring during the school year, but students also have the opportunity to spend their summers abroad.

“Most of the summer programs occur right after the school year ends in May. However, there are longer programs that go into June, July, or August. Again, all of the programs can be found online on our website. Be sure to check out our social media pages too on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information,” said Schenker.

Students are welcome to stop by the new Global Affairs offices on the second floor of the Student Success Center. Located across main campus on Park Avenue next to the Petillo residence. Or you can email the office at studyabroad@sacredheart.edu for more detailed information.

Winter Fashion Round Up

BY MARINNA DESANTIS Assistant Features Editor

AP PHOTO

As the weather starts to get colder, our wardrobes start to get bulkier. Being warm is the priority, but you can still do that in style.

Often seen are reoccurring trends during the fall and winter months. This year there is a number of new and old styles that will keep you warm and looking adorable until the snow melts away.

Puffer jackets are making a huge comeback. Midi coats have been seen recently on a ton of celebrities.

Try this look in camel, black, and neutral colors to pull any outfit together. Many are wool and super warm!

Fur and faux fur come in an array of different colors and styles, and are a freezing cold staple.

Whether it’s a vest, coat, scarf, or even a purse charm;

fur adds edge to your wardrobe. For a polished holiday look, add an embellished belt over a fur vest for instant glam.

Big, chunky, sweaters are every girl’s favorite item in the winter – both comfy and cute. Many people are drawn to darker colors, like black and grey, during the winter. This season, try printed ponchos with fringe to add some more edge to what would be an ordinary outfit.

“There’s nothing better than being able to put on leggings and a sweater and still be comfy and cute,” said senior Lindsey Balukonis.

Leggings, leggings, and more leggings.

For a simple daytime look, cotton leggings are comfy and classy. For a night out look, try leather, sequin and paneled leggings. Jogger pants are also a comfy alternative, that go great with the sporty chic look. Denim jeans are always in style, with destroyed denim coming back in full force.

Sometimes it gets tiring constantly wearing pants when it’s cold.

Knee high socks paired with a dress still keeps you somewhat warm and gives you an opportunity to switch up your style.

Shoes are a girl’s best friend. Booties have been one of the hottest trends for the past year, no matter the season. You can find them in almost every store you walk into. Coming in a ton of different heel heights, styles, and colors – these can go with almost any outfit. Over the knee boots are essential in suede, leather, and everything in between.

“I love how booties look on a girl. They’re really classy,” said senior Brian Gibson.

When there’s a ton of snow on the ground, it’s important to keep your nice shoes clean and your toes warm. A pair of snow boots is essential – but snow boots don’t have to be ugly. Bean boots are seen on almost every college girls’ feet, and Sorel has a few stylish pairs too.

“I’m constantly in my Bean boots during the wintertime. They keep my feet warm and dry, which

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is a huge plus when there’s snow on the ground,” said senior Stephanie Puleo.

Accessories are a must wear to complete an outfit.

It can take you from boring to beautiful in seconds.

Mixing and matching metals is fun and edgy. Cross body bags are still the hottest bags for women. They can fit all your essentials, while keeping your hands free during the craziness of holiday shopping.

“It’s the perfect weather to add a cute scarf or hat as extra accessories to your outfit,” said senior Alyssa Bonacum.

When the weather gets cold, dark, and boring; your wardrobe doesn’t have to. Try some of these fashion trends and stay in style all winter long.

December 9, 2015

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Features

Features | 7

Heading Home for the Holidays

BY CARA HOYT Staff Reporter The holidays can be a very busy time of year with all the hustle and bustle, making travel at this time busier too.

Sacred Heart University students travel a lot over the holiday break, from long trips home to mini vacations to tropical destinations for relaxation.

Junior Brooke Leshin will be taking a break from school and the cold weather of New England this holiday break.

“I will be flying to Aruba over the winter break. I am looking forward to getting away from the cold weather and being able to relax on the beach,” said Leshin.

Not all students are traveling this break to tropical places. For junior Sarah Krufka, home is all the way on the west coast.

“I’m traveling by flight to Orange County California because that’s where I live and I’m flying out of JFK Airport,” said Krufka.

For students like Krufka trips home are less frequent and more meaningful. Holiday break is a way for students from far away to reunite with family and friends and to participate in holiday traditions.

“I’m most excited about celebrating Christmas at home, obviously because it’s my favorite holiday. I love decorating, my neighborhood always puts up tons of lights so people from all over Orange County come to see my street especially,” said Krufka.

For students who reside in New England like sophomore Danielle Sheehan, a nice getaway can be found a car ride away. Sheehan will be traveling to New Hampshire to spend the holidays with her family.

“I will be traveling to New Hampshire by car. The purpose of traveling is to see my family and spend time with them during a special season,” said Sheehan.

Whether it’s a flight or a road trip by car, these students all agreed that traveling during the holiday break will be very busy, bringing in extra traffic.

“The holidays absolutely bring extra traffic because

many people travel, even if it’s locally,” said Sheehan.

According to the website of NZtransport Agency, those traveling over the holidays must be patient and prepared to experience holiday traffic.

The website of NZtransport Agency states, “you will need to take extra care when traveling in holiday periods because of increased traffic volumes, congestion, tiredness and people driving in unfamiliar places and locations.”

For any students who are traveling over break, be prepared for holiday travel to bring in extra traffic.

Students should embrace their quality time with loved ones over break. For Sheehan the most important part of her holiday travels is being around her loved ones.

“I am most excited about seeing my family. I’m the type of person who is huge on family and being able to spend some quality time with them is amazing. There are tons of food, games, laughter, and fun. I love my family,” said Sheehan.

Employee Spotlight: Hispanic Staff Members

BY CHRISTIAN COLON Assistant News Editor

Janette Lopez, Roncalli Housekeeping Originally from Cuba

Gustavo Enrique Ramirez, Housekeeping Originally from Medellin, Colombia

“My favorite part about Sacred Heart is the communication I have with the students. I love to help the students with the cleaning so that everything looks perfect.”

“Playing soccer in Colombia when I was young is one of my favorite memories. I played a lot of championships when I was a kid and my favorite team has always been the Athletico Nacional de Medellin.”

“It’s always so great and so important to learn about other’s cultures. We are all different and all think the same.”

“Every job that they assign me is very important and I always give a total effort for respect to the students and the community. It does not matter what job it is, I always do my best.”

Jesus Oliver Sepulveda, Roncalli Housekeeping Originally from Colombia “My favorite food is rice, beans, steak, pork, avocado, and egg. Also Mazamorra, smashed corn porridge. A typical drink passed down from ancestors.”

“I want to have a million friends - also for all of the Spanish kids here at SHU to ‘keep our traditions alive.’”

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Natalie Majues Originally from Ecuador “New Years was my mother’s favorite time of year, so it’s mine.”

“I was a teacher in Ecuador at an all-girls school. My family is eight brothers and I. My parents taught us that family is the most important thing. I would like to show the new generation what they taught me. To care for your family because family should always stick together.”

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Ernesto Carvajal, Housekeeping Originally from Uruapan, Mexico “I have been living here for 31 years so it is hard to maintain traditions sometimes. Christmas is the holiday we celebrate more similarly to how we celebrate it in Mexico. Even in holidays we do not typically celebrate, like Thanksgiving, we always try to put a little bit of our culture to get a sense of home.”

“Since I have quite some time here, I have seen how the school has been growing and improving through the years. The entire campus is very nice, although I really like the main academic building.”

Nicolas Rivera, Campus Operations Manager Originally from Colombia “My favorite part about SHU is that my kids study here. I have two daughters and a son, but my job is to help all the students here at Sacred Heart because they are all my kids.”

“Having my family get together for Thanksgiving. We are very close five brothers, and five sisters. I am very proud to be Colombian because we are hard workers like all Latinos.”

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8 | A&E

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

December 9, 2015

Arts & Entertainment Concert Review: Tony Bennett

BY NATALIE CIOFFARI Arts & Entertainment Editor There is no doubt in my mind that Tony Bennett’s recent show was easily one of the best concerts I have ever attended.

I bought the tickets back in August. One ticket was a present from my parents for my 21st birthday, and the other ticket I bought for my boyfriend’s 21st birthday.

After researching tickets, NYCB Theatre at Waterbury won. It had the best ticket price for where you were going to sit.

Plus, this venue was different than most of the other ones I had been too. The stage was a circle and centered in the middle of the crowd. Then each section was circled around the stage. It seemed very close and intimate.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to be nine rows away from Tony Bennett? That’s right, nine rows; I know, I’m a ticket wizard.

The theatre had more parking than Sacred Heart University. I am not kidding, I have never seen so many cars packed into one parking lot.

After parking what felt like seven miles away from the theatre, we were able to get inside and take our seats.

Our seats were not exactly what I had expected, except for the closeness to the stage. StubHub had made them seem like aisle seats, but they weren’t. When you walked down the row you had a little gap of space in between the row behind us.

Darn you StubHub, I was excited to not have to climb over people to go to the bathroom.

As anticipated, the venue was small and held a decent amount of people. However, the people that attended this concert were nowhere near our age. We sat next to two grandmas, and everyone else had to be 40 years old and older.

My boyfriend and I anxiously waited for Tony Bennett’s arrival, and when we thought he was coming out his daughter, Antonia Bennett, came out instead. Somehow I missed that on the concert description.

Besides missing that one minor detail, she was very good. She sang a couple of songs by herself before she left, and her father came out.

As his talented band played and he walked down the aisle, I cried during the entire opening. I am not really sure if it was the overwhelming emotion of finally being able to see one of my favorite singers, or the cosmopolitan I had polished off before he came out, or a combination of both.

While we did not know the words to every song he sang, we were both in awe of his voice and presence. It was just a blessing to be in front of a man who had been making

AP PHOTO

music since the Frank Sinatra era.

His band, which has been on tour with him for decades, was absolutely excellent.

Bennett played a couple of his songs, including “Because of You,” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as some Sinatra and Dean Martin.

His voice was crisp and clear, and he sounded as if he were performing back in the ’70s.

When Bennett sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” I cried the entire time. Being able to hear that song live was a dream. I could not even describe the kind of happy emotion I was feeling. All I could do was cry.

His daughter came out to join him for a couple of songs, and he also made the announcement of her first pregnancy.

It was so sweet.

My heart skipped a beat when he spoke about Lady Gaga. He mentioned that he had been recording with her and that she had a fabulous voice, and at that point I was convinced she was going to come out on stage. Obviously, she did not.

I only bothered to take out my phone a couple of times.

One, because I was too in love with his singing, and two, I felt that I was being judged by all the others around me.

Now, my favorite part of the concert was at the very end.

Bennett had put down his microphone, and I was sure that he was finished.

Yet, he was not.

He told everyone to hush, and he sang, so beautifully, “Fly Me To The Moon.” At that point, I had lost it. It was indescribable.

Overall, the concert lasted about an hour and a half.

I one hundred and ten percent recommend seeing Bennett in concert. If you have the opportunity, buy the tickets and go.

Deck The Halls with The Theatre Arts Program

BY MOLLY DILLON

Staff Reporter

The Theatre Arts Program at Sacred Heart University is bringing its first ever Christmas Show to the stage.

The show will be a parody of “A Christmas Carol” with a TAP twist. There will also be a spotlight on the seniors in the program.

“We had two of our own TAPpers, Dan Murphy and Eddie Feeley, write a script that was a lot like the movie except we put our own twist on it,” said sophomore Emily Shea.

There will be many different types of performances in the show. There will be group numbers for singing, solos and duets that highlight the seniors, and a number of acting scenes.

“There’s something for everyone,” said Shea.

The TAP program decided to do a Christmas show for their families this year.

“On closing night of our production of Sweeney Todd last year, we had a potluck dinner which we invited our families to and everyone enjoyed it and it was so successful.

Because of its success, we decided to create something for around the holiday time as well,” said Shea.

She wanted to keep that success running.

“I am Jerry Goehring’s, the director of TAP, student assistant and at the beginning of the

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year, he had mentioned to me that he had this idea to do something around the holidays for our families and I thought it was a great idea,” said Shea. “Once he figured out it was going to be a holiday show with a cookie swap afterward, I knew it would be a fun event for both us and our families.”

Students, faculty, and families can look forward to a variety of performances.

“The show is split into three groups. There’s a singing group, an acting group and a tech group who puts the whole show together,” said sophomore Katie Russo. “The singers are split into two groups and we are each singing a song.”

Because this the first time TAP has done something like this, they are very excited to see what kind of crowd, and reaction, it will bring that evening.

“I am really excited to see all of our family’s reaction to the show. Since this is something we’ve never done, it will be interesting to see how they will react to this idea.

I think they’ll enjoy it and I think we will have a great time putting it together for them,” said Shea.

After all, one of the main goals of the performance is to bring everyone together, and get them in the Christmas spirit.

“What I am most excited about is performing with all my friends. I love Christmas and singing about it. Plus, being able to do that with my friends in TAP before the stress of finals begins is exciting for me,” said Russo.

The Theatre Arts Program’s Christmas Show will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. at the Edgerton Theatre, and it is a free event.

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December 9, 2015

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

Arts & Entertainment

BY NATALIE CIOFFARI

A&E | 9

“I Said ‘Hey, what’s up? Hello?’”

Arts & Entertainment Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY

On Wednesday, Dec. 2, the Office of Student Life announced the performer for the spring concert.

Rapper Fetty Wap will be coming to Sacred Heart University on Friday, April 8, 2016, where he is expected to perform some of his hit singles, “Trap Queen,” and “679.”

This was highly anticipated by many since there was no fall concert. But, a fall concert was never guaranteed for students.

“The fall concerts have always been luck because something came through with our agent. That’s why in the fall they have always been on the smaller side, but they have always been a bonus,” said Director of Student Activities, Amy Ricci.

Ricci wants to bring back just having a spring concert, and focus their energy on that.

“We want it to be something to look forward to,” said Ricci.

As for the announcement of the spring concert, the timing was very lucky.

There are a lot of factors that go into picking the spring concert, such as if the artist is touring college campuses in the spring, if they are in the budget, and if they are available during the time frame they have for the Pitt Center.

But how did they make the decision to pick Fetty Wap? “Our agent actually contacted us and said ‘hey, here is who I see available for the spring so far, but this is going to a big, popular show if you guys are able to grab it,’” said Ricci.

The decision is also based off student input. While Ricci cannot get some artists like Justin Bieber, she tries to go with what she thinks is popular to the students.

“EDM was very popular last year, and now we are seeing that this is popular this year. I do feel like his music is relevant in the college market and with our students,” said Ricci.

After receiving word about Fetty Wap being booked, many students are very excited for the concert.

“I’m excited about Fetty Wap because he brings a different and more noticeable style of music then we have had in the past. He brings an energy that will have the place buzzing,” said junior Shaq Saunchez.

Some others students had a feeling that Fetty would be one of the options.

“I kind of was expecting him just because he has come to Fairfield before he became a headliner to perform. But I’m definitely excited to hear some of my favorite pump up songs live,” said sophomore Lauren Kelly.

As for ticket sales, Ricci plans for this concert to sell out. She has received a lot of feedback since she sent out the announcement.

“To hear screaming coming from the hallway once we put out the email – it wasn’t just like ‘oh cool,’ – people were going crazy,” said Ricci.

Ticket sales will also be different from other past concerts. The Office of Student Life will not be advertising to the public. It is exclusive to Sacred Heart students and their guests. Sacred Heart students must buy the tickets for their guests.

“I’ll be first in line to get tickets! I’ve legit been his number one fan the second he released ‘Trap Queen,’” said junior Marissa Giroux.

While the kinks are still being worked out, students can hopefully purchase tickets by the end of January or the beginning of February.

In the meantime, Ricci expects the excitement and anticipation to only grow as the weeks of the semester go on.

“I would hear his music, and I’d enjoy it, but I didn’t necessarily know who sang it. But then once we started this whole process, I was like ‘oh my gosh that’s him!’ I think it will be a good show,” said Ricci.

For Your Enjoyment: Holiday Movie Releases Warning: Contains Spoilers

BY KELLY DALTON

Staff Writer

Make your Christmas break a little bit brighter with these upcoming holiday movie releases.

Some of the movies that will be released include “Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakes,” “Sisters,” “Concussion,” and “Joy.” These movies range from dramas to comedys to science fiction.

“Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakes” is coming to theaters on Dec. 18. This film, directed by JJ Abrams with a story by George Lucas, is a continuation of the massively popular Star War series.

The trailer was released back in October during Monday Night Football.

“I think I’m going to see it, but not when it first comes out because it will be crazy the first weekend.

Maybe some time later,” said freshman John Munday.

There has been very little information released about the plot of the new “Star Wars” movie, but most of the main actors will be returning, including Harrison Ford reprising his role as Han Solo, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.

“I think ‘Star Wars’ is very popular and a successful franchise.

‘Star Wars’ movies survived for multiple generations and become popular with [each] new generation,” said junior Katie Asmus.

Part of attracting a new generation of fans includes adding fresh new faces to the franchise. Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Issac have been dubbed the “Big Three” of the new “Star Wars” movies. Although not much is known about these characters and their origins, we know that their role in this new universe will be both exciting and unique.

The movie “Sisters” will also be released on Dec. 18.

This is a comedy that focuses on two sisters, played by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, in which their parents have sold their childhood home, and they need to throw one last party.

They believe the house should have been passed down to one of them.

The sisters wanted to make one last memory and say a final goodbye to their childhood home.

“I think that the trailer for ‘Sisters’ looks very funny and entertaining.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are a dynamic duo so any movie they are in together will be hysterical,” said sophomore Haley Olsen.

Two movies will be released on Christmas Day: “Concussion” and “Joy.”

The main character for “Concussion” is the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, played by Will Smith.

According to imdb.com, the movie shows Dr. Omalu trying to find the truth about brain damage in football players who have suffered concussions.

Dr. Omalu does an autopsy on football player Mike Webster, who is played by David Morse. From the autopsy, he discovers signs of symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease. He wants to create awareness about how damaging concussions can be.

The movie “Joy” is based on a female entrepreneur struggling to be taken seriously by her family and the business world. The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Bradley Cooper. The film is expected to have elements of both comedy and drama.

Jennifer Lawrence’s character quickly learns how she must be tough in order to navigate the unforgiving world of business. She must deal with betrayal, figuring out who to trust, and what it takes to be a boss of the company.

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TINA FEY AND AMY POEHLER (TOP) AND WILL SMITH WILL BE LOOKING TO DO WELL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ON THEIR RESPECTIVE MOVIES

10 | Sports

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

December 9, 2015

Sports

Ice Hockey Teams Looking For Big Finishes To Season

BY MARIAH WARDIUS Staff Reporter

The men’s and women’s ice hockey teams have been off to a challenging start this season. The men’s team is currently 5-9-2, while the women’s team is 5-4-1. Hockey season begins in early October and runs through February.

The men’s team, led by head coach C.J. Marottolo, has high hopes to finish the season strong. After a somewhat slow start, the team is hoping to show improvement in these next couple of games.

So far, over the course of 15 games, the team has had 37 goals and 69 assists. They average 2.47 goals per game and 30.3 shots per game.

“Our main focus this season has been a one day at a time approach,” said Marottolo. “Every opportunity we are together as a team is a chance to get better. Our team continues to build good practice habits and prepares hard.”

The men’s team is optimistic in their future successes.

“We feel we have great depth with our team. The key for us is to play a team game. We are looking to our captains Mitch Nylen, Jacob Brightbill and Evan Jasper to be great leaders for our upcoming games,” said Marottolo.

The men will continue to work hard in reaching their goals over the holiday season.

“The plan over break will be to get our guys as healthy as possible. They will skate and train at home over break and we expect all of them to return in great shape and be excited to take on what is coming,” said Marottolo.

The strong bond the players and coaches share is sure to aid them on their journey this season.

“We have a great group and we feel that we are really close,” said Marottolo. “This team displays the ability to

battle and compete for one another when things are not going our way. Overall this group is fun to coach. We have high expectations and we will continue to play hard for one another.”

The women’s team, led by head coach Thomas O’Malley, hopes to continually improve this season.

Over the course of six games played so far, 15 goals and 17 assists were recorded with an average of 2.50 goals per game and 15.7 shots per game.

“We have played some pretty solid hockey already,” said O’Malley. “Even in a few of the games that we lost to Holy Cross and Brown University, the team competed and played hard. There were no let downs, and we saw what we are capable of doing on the ice each and every game.”

The team is focused and driven to excel, both in the next few months and in future seasons.

“Our main focus is on winning as many games as possible, but also developing and playing as team, not as six individual players out on that ice at any given time. We also want to continue to get better together as a team, and as a unit out on the ice. With that focus, we will continue to get better every day and put ourselves in a position to win a lot of games this year,” said O’Malley.

With many influential team players, the team has a great capacity for leadership.

“We look first to our seniors that have been doing a great job on leading our team, both on and off the ice,” said O’Malley. “Our two senior goaltenders have given our team a chance to win in every game we have played, and with our sophomore and freshmen goaltenders steadily getting better every day, we have a really solid group of goalies that will backstop us to a lot of wins this year.”

The team cohesiveness has been something that has helped the Pioneers this season, too.

PlaybyPlay Women’s Basketball 12/6 Vermont 53, Sacred Heart 51 Women’s Ice Hockey 12/5 Franklin Pierce 5, Sacred Heart 1 12/6 Sacred Heart 1, Franklin Pierce 1

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“Our great team chemistry has enabled us to form lines comprised of seniors and sophomores as well as juniors and freshmen, and they have all meshed well,” said O’Malley. “Our ‘D’ pairings have been solid, and they continue to make an impact on the ice daily.”

O’Malley is confident about the remainder of the team’s season.

“We have a good team, comprised of good people, with good attitudes and focus,” he said. “ I am really looking forward to our team continuing to get better, and play up to their capabilities and above.”

COMINGup Women’s Basketball SACRED HEART (1-6) @ Temple (3-4) Wednesday 7 p.m.

Men’s & Women’s Track and Field

SACRED HEART (0-0) @ Southern Connecticut State University Elm City Challenge Pentathlon & Heptathlon Thursday & Friday, 10 a.m.

Kobe Bryant and David Ortiz Announce Upcoming Retirements

BY ANTHONY SANTINO Asst. Sports Editor

If you’ve ever been near a garbage bin with a basketball fan, and they shot a crumpled up piece of paper at it, then they’ve more likely than not accompanied it with an emphatic, “Kobe.”

As sports fans know, that’s not a reference to the Japanese beef, but rather the legendary Kobe Bryant: Olympic gold-medalist, NBA Champion, and overall icon of men’s basketball.

Likewise, if you’ve ever heard a baseball fan drop the name “Big Papi”, then you know they weren’t referring to their father. They were talking about another legend, David Ortiz: three-time World Series champion, nine-time all-star, and beloved figure in the Boston Red Sox organization.

These two athletes both recently announced upcoming retirements (Kobe at the end of this season and Ortiz at the end of the next MLB season).

Players retire all the time. That’s normal enough. But these two have made impressions on the culture of their respective sports that will last for decades, maybe even

centuries. Bryant will, perhaps, be remembered as a 21st century Jordan; and Ortiz as a modern Babe Ruth.

Although it can be hard to see the end of an era, Sacred Heart junior John Shannon thinks Bryant retiring is a good think for the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I think it’s pretty good,” said Shannon. “He always gets hurt, so he might as well call it quits while he can still benefit from his [legacy].”

On the other side of the spectrum, sophomore Andrew Kalaigian is going to miss seeing Bryant and Ortiz around.

“They had a good run,” said Kalaigian. “I’ve also watched them while growing up. They’ve been around since I was born. So it’s going to be weird not having them around going forward.”

As great as Bryant and Ortiz are on the playing field, and usually as people off it, too, they didn’t quite evade the scandalous side of living in the limelight.

In 2003, Bryant was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Eagle, Colorado. Although he went through court cases that were resolved and issued an apology to his accuser, the incident is one that hasn’t been wiped from his media résumé.

In that same year, Ortiz failed a drug test in which he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. This

came around the time Ortiz’s teammate, fellow slugger Manny Ramirez, also tested positive for PEDs. Over their careers, Bryant and Ortiz have also supplemented their results on the playing field with all-star charity efforts. This is typically expected of many pro athletes, who are seen as role models. But these two soon-to-be retirees do stand out when it comes to helping the community.

Bryant helps run the “Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation,” which is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in need. Ortiz has the “David Ortiz Children’s Fund,” which provides kids in need with life-saving medical care. And it seems anytime the MLB or NBA jumpstart charity campaigns, Bryant and Ortiz are involved in them.

Regardless of how one sees the legacies of Bryant and Ortiz, I think many fans could agree that the two contributed to their sports in major ways. But both men realize that their respective leagues will continue to thrive without their presence, so they’ll be enjoying their final hoorahs without much worry.

Hats off to Bryant and Ortiz.

11 | Sports

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

December 9, 2015

Sports

NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford Diagnosed With CTE they, too, had CTE. “It is said that Frank Gifford’s career as an NFL football Staff Reporter player most likely contributed to his CTE,” said Katsetos.

“In my opinion, the repetitive hits that he sustained as a

professional football player most likely contributed.”

“We decided to disclose our loved one’s condition to

honor Frank’s legacy of promoting player safety dating

back to his involvement in the formation of the NFL Players Association in the 1950s,” said the family in a

statement. “During the last years of his life Frank dedicated

himself to understanding the recent revelations concerning

the connection between repetitive head trauma and its associated cognitive and behavioral symptoms which he experienced firsthand.”

Gifford played in the NFL from 1952-1964 as a running back and wide receiver with the New York Giants. He was 1956’s MVP award winner.

Gifford suffered a severe head injury from legendary Eagles linebacker Chuck Bendarik in 1960. The hit caused Gifford to miss two full seasons and he switched from running back to wide receiver.

Since CTE can only be diagnosed after death, the family did not know he had the condition.

“It is reported that CTE is associated with depression, aggression, confusion, and memory loss,” said Katsetos.

“It is also related to early stages of dementia.”

AP PHOTO Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental GIFFORD DURING HIS PRIME TIME AS A NEW YORK GIANT ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease but NFL Hall of Famer and broadcaster Frank Gifford died Gifford did not have this condition. in August of natural causes at the age of 84. It wasn’t The news of many of the former NFL players having revealed until this month that he had suffered from CTE. CTE is becoming a challenge for the NFL. They could “CTE” stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a disease found in numerous football players. Many cases of face a billion dollar settlement to players suffering from damaging neurological conditions.

CTE are found specifically in the NFL. “The NFL has made some attempts to try and help “CTE is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain decrease the amount of head injuries in the league and have found in athletes, and others, with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions as well as supported programs for youth football to assist as well,” asymptomatic sub concussive hits to the head,” said Sacred said Katestos. “But it is too early to see if any of the most recent or future changes will help prevent the onset of CTE Heart Head Athletic Trainer Leo Katsetos. that has been seen in the former NFL and other athletes Gifford is not the only NFL player to have had the condition. A study done by Boston University found that 96 from sports with high incidents of head injuries.”

Some students who have experienced head injuries agree percent of 91 former players tested had CTE. that greater regulations need to be put in place.

In addition, 165 football players from all levels of “After suffering two serious concussions from high organized football were tested and it was concluded that

BY WILLIAM CALLAHAN

school football, I feel there needs to be a more serious diagnosis and treatment process,” said sophomore Sean Quigley.

“The NFL should increase regulations regarding padding around the cranium structure,” said sophomore Austin Brighenti. “I feel like doing this would help decrease the amount of head injuries that the league has every year.”

Gifford’s family hopes that the release of information about his condition will be able to help athletes in the future.

“We miss him every day, now more than ever,” the Gifford family said in a statement. “But we find comfort in knowing that by disclosing his condition we might contribute positively to the ongoing conversation that needs to be had and that he might be an inspiration for others suffering with this disease that needs to be addressed in the present.”

AP PHOTO

GIFFORD ARRIVING AT A PRIVATE LUNCHEON FOR THE GIANTS

Basketball Teams Striving for a Strong NEC Push

BY CHRIS CAIOZZO Staff Reporter

The first semester may be coming to a close, but the Sacred Heart men’s and women’s basketball season has just started.

They’re only six games into the season, but both teams have very high expectations for the rest of the year.

“Our record doesn’t accurately reflect how good we can be,” said women’s head coach Jessica Mannetti.

Both the men and women sit at one win and five losses, but it is still early in the schedule with some nonconference games still to play.

“I think we are off to a challenging start,” said men’s head coach Anthony Latina.

The men’s team’s scheduled 2015-2016 season has the lowest number of home games in the country, with only 10.

“The schedule is tough,” said Latina. “We really do challenge our guys with the non-conference games we put together.”

The men’s team returns eight players from last year, but several of those students are injured.

De’von Barnett, who really helped the team least year in all aspects of the game, is out this season with an injury. As a result, he will medical red-shirt this year.

Tevin Falzon, a senior who was big off the bench and started several games last year for the Pioneers, is also

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facing a difficult injury.

In Sacred Heart’s first exhibition game against Bridgeport, Falzon sprained his ankle and was out for several weeks.

“I’m not 100%,” said Falzon. “I’m back playing, but I don’t really feel it when I’m playing.”

The team also enters the season with some newcomers who are either freshmen rookies or transfers.

Mario Mastasovic and Matej Buovac, two transfers from Western Michigan and New Mexico State, respectively, bring a lot of talent to the 2015-2016 Pioneer team.

Mastasovic is out this year because of transfer rules but is hoping to be an asset to the team next year. Buovac is already finding minutes in Latina’s rotation.

Last year, the Pioneers finished fifth in the Northeast Conference (NEC), but Latina thinks the team this year can improve on that standing.

“We are improving every day,” said Latina. “Our goal is to finish higher than last year.”

Freshman Quincy McKnight has been standing out thus far, having been awarded NEC rookie of the week two weeks in a row. He has started every game for the Pioneers so far.

“Quincy starts and helps out, and he has really stepped up thus far in the season,” said Falzon.

A heartbreaking overtime loss is fresh on the Pioneers’ minds from last year, as they were seconds from upsetting the #3 Bryant Bulldogs in the first round of the conference

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playoffs.

“If we can continue to get better as basketball players, the sky’s the limit,” said Latina. “We talk about banners, championships, even the NCAA tournament.”

Jessica Mannetti feels the same.

“I have a big vision on what is to come, and I’m excited on how we are going to put it all together,” said Mannetti.

After tough losses to start out the season against Hartford and New Hampshire, the women’s team traveled to Puerto Rico for a tournament.

“It was amazing, the trip itself was a great life experience, it was a very important bonding [experience],” said Mannetti.

The team picked up their first win by beating Coastal Carolina with a score of 71-62. The next day, they lost a tough game to a very talented team in Louisiana-Lafayette 60-58 in overtime.

“It was good competition,” said red-shirt junior Hanna Kimmel. “They were two really hard-fought games, and this trip turned us into even more of a family.”

Just like the men’s team, the women have a few newcomers. The two top rookies are Long Island native Erin Stork and Greece native Cleo Palyzou, who are already contributing to the team.

The men and women kick off conference play in the new year on Jan. 2 at Robert Morris, with the women’s game at 1 p.m. and the men playing at 4 p.m.

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December 9, 2015

The Sacred Heart Spectrum

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TEVIN FALZON TAKES A SHOT DURING THE CROSSTOWN CLASSIC

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