Volume112No08 - The Recorder

McnAMARA'S PlAn FoR new BRiTAin
NEWS SGA PUSHES TO PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT, PAGE 2
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOTHING DRAB ABOUT DRAG, PAGE 6
The Democratic candidate talks potential strategies as Mayor, page 3
SPORTS SITTING DOWN WITH CAMERON NASH, PAGE 11
Central Connecticut State University
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Volume 112 No 08
D��� S��� ◊ PAGE 6
Jocelyn LaFleur structs on stage during CCSU's fall drag show.
Devin leith-Yessian ◊ the recorder
'Walk of No Shame' Gives Students
Platform against Sexual Assault
analiSa novak
the recorder
The annual “Walk of No Shame”
presented Central Connecticut with a simple
message Monday, encouraging students
to join forces against all forms of sexual
harassments among all races, genders, sexes
and sexual preferences.
“Tonight we are saying ‘No’ to victimblaming, slut-shaming and stereotyping. As
Blue Devils when we see street harassment,
we say something,” said event-organizer and
student Gretchen Marino.
The event was hosted in Alumni Hall
by the Ruthe Boyea Women’s Center and
featured a series of events and speakers
advocating for equal rights.
“For us as a college campus we need to
have a conversation about women who go
to parties and are slut-shamed. Especially
around this time around Halloween. Women
wear costumes and are shamed for it. We are
only given the option to wear sexy costumes
and yet are shamed for it,” said Marino
explaining why the event is hosted at this
time of year.
The “SlutWalk” began in 2011 in Toronto,
when a police constable told a forum at York
University that the outfits worn by women
are directly related to the crimes committed.
“Women should avoid dressing like sluts
in order to not be victimized,” said officer
Michael Sanguinetti in 2011.
Since those comments were voiced,
rallies against rape-culture, slut-shaming
and street harassment have risen from every
corner of the United States including the
CCSU campus.
The “Walk of No Shame” event offered
CCSU students an event to create dialogue
and let the campus know that sexual
harassment can and should be prevented on
campus.
“Every single person has a right to be here
and to be free from sexual harassment and we
are here for you if you need anyone to talk
to,” said Sara Dodd a CCSU Victim Advocacy
and Violence Prevention Specialist, who
spoke at the event.
The event began with online videos
broadcasting how catcalling is a national
epidemic. One of the videos played included
a woman who recorded herself walking and
how many times she was sexual harassed
within a 10-hour time frame. The video is
shocking and has been viewed more than 41
million times on YouTube.
“Street Harassment is not a compliment,”
said Marino. "We need to be able to have the
conversation letting people know that I don’t
feel safe when you are harassing me, I feel like
I could be stalked, I feel like objectified, I feel
like an animal when you whistle at me. You
don’t interact to humans by whistling,” added
Marino.
After the video presentations, the Dance
Central company showcased a performance
dance against sexual violence. The dance was
intended to empower women to dance and
dress however they want to and told the story
of life where sexual harassment is the norm.
Guest Speaker Chelsea Culbert from the
YWCA of New Britain dove into her day-today experiences as a female.
“You leave your house at different times
to avoid the hecklers, it doesn’t work. You run
late to class and work. You change the way
you dress in hopes it would stop, it doesn’t.
You begin to fear for your life, so you buy
pepper spray and weapons. You feel helpless
and hopeless and your self-esteem drops. Do
you see how something as simple as catcalling
and sexual harassment changes someone’s
lives?” she asked. “I’m empowering you to
take a stand and tell that person who is doing
it to take a stand and let them know what they
are doing is not funny or right. We did not ask
for it and do not deserve this.”
This event was also hosted to show that
sexual harassment comes in many forms and
genders. This year LGBT became a focus
of this event, because, at times people who
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identify as LGBT, are left out on these topics
and conversations.
“Often times it's not seen as harassment
when someone misgenders someone or
when someone asks about their genitals
and that is sexual harassment and it needs
to be highlighted,” Gretchen Marino stated.
The keynote speaker of the night Castiel
Dominique, brought focus on what it was like
to be a transgender individual.
“I was constantly being called a 'he-she'
at my job, people were confused when they
saw me and heard my voice,” said Caistel
explaining that he worked as a scare actor
at a Halloween-themed park and was often
confronted with insulting remarks made
by both children and adults regarding his
appearance.
“Closest are for clothes, not people,”
Caistel told the crowd advocating for
acceptance.
The event featured an open stage for any
CCSU student to speak out on their thoughts
and stories of sexual harassment and assault.
The Women Center actively participates
on campus and is open Monday- Friday 9 a.m
-5 p.m., for anyone who wants to talk or seek
out recourses.
Winter Classes:
Dec. 21 - Jan. 15
Register online or by mail:
Nov. 11 - Dec. 21
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2
THE RECORDER
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
The Recorder
Student Center
1615 Stanley Street
New Britain, CT 06050
T 860.832.3744
[email protected]
centralrecorder.com
twitter.com/therecorder
Editor-in-Chief
Jacqueline Stoughton
[email protected]
News Editor
Ruth Bruno
Christopher Marinelli, Assistant
[email protected]
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Sheridan Cyr
[email protected]
Sports Editor
Dillon Meehan
[email protected]
Multimedia Editor
Devin Leith-Yessian
[email protected]
Art Director
Nathan Cheatham
[email protected]
Copyeditor
Lorenzo Burgio
Business Manager
Brendan Kruh
[email protected]
NEWS
SGA Pushes to Prevent
Sexual Assault
A Resolution Supporting a Sexual Assault and
Interpersonal Violence Statement on Course Syllabi
WHEREAS, one in five college women and one in seven
college men will be sexually assaulted during their time on
campus, while 68 percent of sexual assaults in the last five
years were not reported;
WHEREAS, the vast majority of these assaults are not
reported due to a victim blaming culture on college campuses
and a lack of access and/or awareness to institutional
resources. Also, because of a lack of understanding of the
definitions of rape and consent, shame of the incident, and
fear that no one will believe the circumstance;
•
The 3 page syllabus policy supplies
a listing of emergency contact and
support systems such as the Office
of Victim Advocacy and Violence
Prevention, Student Wellness
Services, local YWCA’s Sexual
Assault Crisis Service Hotline,
and Prudence Crandall Center for
Domestic Violence.
•
Central
Connecticut
State
University will not tolerate sexual
misconduct against students, staff,
faculty or visitors.
•
Informs what the repercussions of
sexual misconduct are.
•
A definition of consent on the
guidelines that consent is an
affirmative and conscious decision.
The policy goes on to state “a lack
of consent may result from mental
incapacity or physical incapacity”
such as unconsciousness or if
the person is under the influence
of alcohol or drugs which
“significantly impair awareness or
judgment.”
•
Defines sexual harassment as any
unwelcome sexual advance or
request for sexual favors, or any
conduct of a sexual nature.
•
Defines sexual assault as a sexual
act directed against another person
without the consent of the other
person or when that person is not
capable of giving such consent.
•
An extensive definition of
physical and emotional abuse,
listing examples such as (but not
limited to) slapping, pulling hair,
punching, threatening family
or pets, and reckless driving to
provoke fear.
•
A definition of stalking which is
defined by repeatedly contacting
another person when the contact
is unwanted, and the contact
causes the other person reasonable
apprehension
of
imminent
physical harm or interferes with
the persons ability to perform
everyday activities of life.
Staff Members
Ashley Arnesen
Larry Clark
Ariana D'Avanzo
Jesmarie Disdiel
Andre Early
Jason Honyotski
Nicholas Leahey
Jessica Lewis
Rachel Lindstrom
Lauren Lustgarten
Lisa Massicotte
Analisa Novak
Erin O'Donnell
Brian O'Neill
John Rak
About
The Recorder is a studentproduced publication of Central
Connecticut State University and
does not necessarily represent, in
whole or in part, the views of CCSU’s
administrators, faculty or students. The
Recorder articles, photographs and
graphics are property of The Recorder
and may not be reproduced or published
without the written permission from
the Editor-in-Chief. T he pur pose of
T he Recorder is to approach and
def ine issues of impor tance to the
students of Central Connecticut
State Universit y.
Staf f meetings for T he Recorder
are held on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
in the Blue and W hite Room in the
student center.
WHEREAS, taking steps to prevent sexual misconduct
and interpersonal violence on campus and educating every
student on related definitions, consequences, and resources
should be a top priority for Central Connecticut State
University and its faculty;
WHEREAS, the syllabus is a reflection of a faculty
member's academic and university conduct policies.
Course syllabi are distributed to every student in every
course across campus, thus making it an ideal vehicle to
inform students about the University's policies on sexual
misconduct and interpersonal violence;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Student
Government Association of Central Connecticut State
University endorses the adoption of explicit language
regarding sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence
polices, including resources, on course syllabi.
Advertising
If interested in placing ads, please
contact T he Recorder’s Ad Manager
at adver tising@centralrecorder.
com. For more information including
our rate card, please v isit w w w.
centralrecorder.com.
Contact: [email protected]
3
THE RECORDER / Wednesday, October 28, 2015/ NEWS
McNamara's Plan for New Britain
Lorenzo Burgio
The Recorder
If elected as mayor of New
Britain, John McNamara wants
to lower recent property tax
increases, and improve the current
fiscal situation by eliminating
unnecessary
spending
and
developing infrastructure in the
downtown area.
McNamara, who is challenging
current Mayor Erin Stewart,
criticized her for the debt
inherited from previous mayor
and her father, Tim O’Brien, and
the continuing increase in debt
through her term.
In the 2015 State of the City
Address, Stewart stated, “We were
staring down a current year deficit
of $19 million and a projected
deficit for the next year in excess of
$30 million.”
McNamara acknowledged the
large property tax increase of 11
percent in the last year. “A main
goal is to address the property
tax issue,” said McNamara, “and
expand property tax relief for fixed
income individuals and veterans.”
He continued to say this issue
stemmed from gimmicks in the
city’s budget the last eight to 10
years.
“The fiscal issue will take four
to six years to solve, and the city
needs a transparent budget to
do so,” said McNamara. “When
tackling the fiscal situation of the
city it has to be about fairness,
Stewart says save the money for
a rainy day, I say it is a rainy day,”
added McNamara.
McNamara said his idea to
increase job and economic growth
through CTfastrak and downtown
New Britain will work. “I’m better
at working with state and federal
governments to get support
to develop downtown,” said
McNamara.
He also mentioned word of
a rail-line that would go from
Berlin to Waterbury and add to
the town’s development. “We need
infrastructure,” said McNamara
and added this could eventually
connect the area to New York and
Boston. “There’s not much going
on at city hall in terms of thinking
about real potential downtown,”
added McNamara.
He continued to emphasize
upon
eliminating
frivolous
spending. The current mayor spent
$35,000 on replacing a decaying
Christmas tree for the city. It also
costs $6,000 a year lighting this
tree.
McNamara
proposed
an
alternative plan could have been
used, “We could have had boy
scouts, students or community
service people just get a tree from
the city’s reservoir.”
McNamara
mentioned
another example of what he called
unnecessary spending. Stewart, he
said, needlessly hired a Republican
Town Chairman who cost the city
$45,000, and the job only lasted
four to five months and did not
benefit the city at all. “You have to
justify every
dollar
you
spend,” said
McNamara.
The city’s
Blue Ribbon
Committee
recently met
to focus on
saving
the
city money.
“They
had
good ideas but
nothing was
implemented,”
s a i d
McNamara .
One idea had
to do with the
city entering
a healthcare partnership. New
Britain currently spends $10
million a year on state worker’s
health care.
Entering it would mean the
workers and all other qualified
participants pool their healthcare
needs in order to receive cheaper
photo ◊ New Britain Herald
costing coverage, McNamara said.
“It will be lower costing insurance
and better health benefits,” he
said and added that the city needs
to find an effective plan without
allowing any cutbacks on what is
already offered.
'TED x CCSU' Wows Audience On
Campus
Jacqueline Stoughton
CCSU
Editor-in-Chief
TED Talks came to Central
Connecticut last week featuring
seven different speakers from all
across the country, who spoke
about issues including climate
change, racism and education.
The independently organized
TED event, "TED x CCSU," was
held in Welte Auditorium last
Wednesday in an intimate setting
where those who attended, which
was at a first come first serve basis,
had to sit in close quarters in
chairs placed on stage. Hosts Dr.
Jesse Turner and Dr. John Foshay
encouraged audience members
to discuss with their neighbors
some key points of each talk that
stood out to them in between each
speaker and develop questions to
ask.
Along with the live speaker,
videos of TED Talks from Melissa
Fleming on, "How to help refugees
rebuild their world," and Faith
Jegede on, "What I've learned
from my autistic brothers," were
also shown to the audience.
The speakers included Bishop
John Selders of Connecticut Moral
Mondays, Dr. Ricardo Rosa from
UMass Dartmouth, Dr. Denny
Taylor from Hofstra University,
Dr. Michele Dischino from CCSU
Technology and Engineering
Education Department, Dr. James
Avington Miller Jr., host of "The
War Report on Public Education,"
Dr. Dr. Ernest Pancsofar from
CCSU
Special
Education
Department and Jamaal Bowman,
principle of the NYC Department
of Education.
Almost all the talks centered
around education, however there
were some that stood out. Selders
gave a powerful speech titled, "The
Moral Instinct," focusing on how
Ferguson changed his life.
"Can you feel what I feel, this
movement? I believe we are all
created to be, to do, to achieve,
to inspire, to do more; I want
you to come alive. Because when
you come alive you can change
this world," said Selders. His talk
encouraged those in the audience
to make a difference in the
prejudices within society to ensure
events like Ferguson
don't reoccur.
Dr. Rosa's speech
also stood out, titled
"Detaining Bodies,
Arresting
Minds:
Racism and HighStakes
Disaster
Education."
Like
every other speech,
it had an education
theme but also looked
at the bigger picture
and other outside
elements that effect
education.
He explained how
standardized testing
is having negative
affects on the family
dynamic, along with
children's
creative
abilities and to learn
properly, in a way
that works for their
unique and individual
learning abilities. "No
social condition will
change unless we
change it."
Devin leith-Yessian ◊ the Recorder
Engineering professor Michelle Dischino
4
THE RECORDER / Wednesday, October 28, 2015/ NEWS
News Opinion
Why I Shouldn’t Be
Writing About Donald
Trump
Christopher Marinelli
Assistant News Editor
Donald Trump has become a political
sideshow that has made most eager
to push every person and topic out of
the way. Many are anxious to chime in
and add their own words to his circus
show, creating an eclectic online media
nightmare, which includes myself.
Trump has become a media
powerhouse as he whips the major outlets
with his words in order to make them
public. It is up for dispute whether his
media personality is intentional in order
to garnish views or rather if he is actually
as much of a bigot as he is perceived to be.
Bigotry is not a term to be used
lightly, but one that is semantically fitting
towards Trump’s spotlight in the media.
Trump tweeted, “She kisses my ass. She’s
disgusting,” about actress Bette Midler,
called Rosie O’Donnell a “fat and a pig,”
and of course who can forget his run in
with Megyn Kelly?
Trump is also notorious for his lack of
censorship and social decency on Twitter.
He has said things such as, “Sorry losers
and haters, but my IQ is one of the highest
and you all know it!” More recently
towards Jeb Bush, "I wanted to be nice &
not mention the WTC came down during
his watch [George Bush], 9/11.”
Trump has also become recognized for
tweets such as, “GLOBAL WARMING IS
A GOOD THING” and “Barack Obama’s
birth certificate is a fraud.”
In a "60 Minutes" interview, Trump
continued his immature media rampage
in a solution to end our immigration
problem. Trump’s rhetoric regarding
the Mexican population in the United
States almost directly resembled Adolf
Hitler’s speeches at the time of Germany’s
financial crisis during the post World War
I period, by using a minority group as a
scapegoat for a nation’s problems. “It will
be a real wall. It'll be a wall that works.
It'll actually be a wall that will look good,
believe it or not. 'Cause what they have
now is a joke,” said Trump.
“They're ugly, little and don't work,”
Trump said. Host Scott Pelley rebutted and
said, “Eleven, twelve million immigrants?”
to which Trump responded, “Or whatever
the number is, we’re rounding ‘em up in a
very humane way, in a very nice way.”
These radical and bigoted ideas have
become a media whirlwind as every
newspaper and their cousin have written
about it. Trump has managed to crawl his
way onto the cover of The New York Times,
Wall Street Journal and Seattle Times,
along with broadcast coverage from CNN,
Fox News, NBC, and every other news
publication outlet imaginable. El Pais
of Spain and several major international
newspapers have taken a special comedic
interest in Trump's coverage.
Media coverage of Trump in this
volume has built an iron curtain on the
front page by blocking topics and news
of greater importance. In a world where
millions of Syrian’s are migrating across
the Middle East, political campaigns with
real solutions and decency are ongoing,
Trump has no place on the cover of The
New York Times.
Many people do not have the time to
research political candidate’s ideologies
and perspectives, so they heavily rely on
news coverage to help them make their
decisions amongst the hustle and bustle
of their work weeks and family. It’s a scary
thought to think that out of all the news
in this world, the average American isn’t
reading or hearing about Syrian refugees
or Bernie Sander’s economic reform, but
instead what trivial and inconsequential
fodder Trump decided to share on social
media.
Professors and
Students Unite to
Protest Contract
Proposals
Ruth Bruno
News Editor
Members
of
Central
Connecticut may be seeing
red as the negotiations for new
faculty contracts between the
Board of Regents (BOR) and the
Connecticut State Universities
American
Association
of
University Professors (CSAAAUP) continue.
Some faculty members
opposed to the contracts have
donned red t-shirts reading "CSU
works because we do," as they
teach within their classrooms or
perform on-campus activities.
Professors as well as students
are becoming more vocal about
their opposition to the BOR's
proposed contracts which, among
other things, would allow for
administrators to send faculty
members to another university
without notice and without any
guarantee of tenure.
Red flyers reading "Respect
Faculty Labor" and "Fair
Contracts" have been distributed
and hung around the campus by
the CCSU-AAUP in protest of
the potential contracts.
A myriad of groups on campus
are organizing to combat the
BOR's proposed contracts "The
Board of Regents is proposing
major cuts to the CCSU and other
state universities. These cuts will
seriously deteriorate the quality
of our education," wrote CCSU
student David Kiely, inviting
students via email to a rally which
will take place in the Students
Center circle tomorrow at 3 p.m.
"The time has come to
vocalize our opinions about
the Board of Regents, and their
'proposal,'" reads another poster
sent out via email by the Student
Government Association.
The Faculty Senate also
continued to voice their
displeasure in the proposed
contracts at their bi-weekly
meeting Monday, becoming
increasingly vocal and careful
to point out what the contracts
could potentially mean for the
future of the university.
"You take away research funds,
well you've gutted business," said
History professor Robert Wolff,
who went on to say that a loss of
funds towards research would
severely damage the history
departments' resources.
Professor Paul Petterson,
Vice-President of the CCSUAAUP continued to explain the
details of the proposed contracts
as other professors weighed in.
"Fiscal responsibility is code for,
'we want to be able to change
the budgets, given the financial
difficulty the state finds itself in
and it's too expensive for us to
maintain the regular faculty and
departments,'" said Petterson
explaining that he feels a majority
of the language used by the BOR
is "coded."
"This probably means no or
very low promotions," interjected
Faculty Senate President Stephen
Cohen.
"Any place money can be
adjusted or saved, no matter how
tiny or obscure, they've probably
done it," said Petterson. "There's
an immediate sense that they can
find every penny they can save,
but there's a longer term agenda
here for permanently redefining
the influence they have over the
institution. The thing that really
makes me nervous about this
proposal is that is strikes the heart
of shared governance, that's really
what it takes away."
Petterson shared his fear that
the contracts would cause the
university to become too akin to
a business model.
"Basically, you can run it like a
corporation," said Petterson.
Professor Charles Button
urged fellow faculty members to
show up at the open forum after
the rally tomorrow. "They're going
to see small number showing up,"
he said referring to the few faculty
members who regularly attend
such meetings, "That apathy is
going to embolden them. It's
going to get to the point that it's
too late to start showing up. So we
need to start showing up now."
Library Provides What Students Need
Jessica Lewis
The Recorder
Students
have
been
increasingly making good use
of the many resources that the
Eli Burritt Library has to offer at
Central Connecticut, to ensure
the academic success of attending
students.
Although the library is
currently undergoing renovations,
that hasn't diminished students
from utilizing the library's studious
environment as their go-to place
to work on homework assignment
and study for upcoming exams.
One of the most anticipated
renovations is the installation
of a Starbucks, complete with a
walk-up-order window which will
replace the current Jazzman's Cafe
in the next year. Jazzman's is still
accessible to students who wish to
grab coffee and a snack on-the-go.
Dr. Patrick Foster, CCSU
professor, said he feels students
are definitely utilizing the libraries
resources, and added, “The
renovations have made it more
accessible and the new café makes
it pleasant.”
Former adjunct librarian Mr.
Daniel Lewis said, “The usage
is pretty comparable to when I
was at Central.” He explained
that there is a gate counter that is
triggered as students walk in and
out of the library so that usage can
be tracked.
Dr. Carl Antonucci, Director
of the library said the library is
well traveled. When asked about
budget issues, in comparison
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to what is spent on the resources
available to it's patrons, he
explained, “The budget is
complicated and I work closely
with the provost [on it].”
According to Antonucci,
almost two million data base
searches were performed by staff
and students, 30,078 books were
processed through circulation and
Interlibrary Loans [material from
other colleges] that totaled 4,385.
Librarians manage reference
desks assisting with research
and circulation desks to check
out materials. Students receive
information
sessions
from
librarians on library resources and
searching databases specific to
their course of study, when this is
requested by the professor.
Other services offered include,
live chat with reference librarians,
remote access and a mobile library
app for cell phones. The library
also has access to 3D printers,
special collections exhibits and
rare books on the second floor.
Students may also take advantage
of quiet study areas on the fourth
floor. However, the website
reminds patrons of construction
on the fourth floor and the
potential noise distractions. They
currently recommend students
utilize the second floor as a quiet
study area.
Implementing
technology,
reconstruction of the building and
a knowledgeable staff is assisting
students in their research and
academic lives.
OPINION
Bacon Won't Kill You... Yet, But I'm No
Scientist
Editor’s
Column:
Jacqueline Stoughton
Editor-in-Chief
The entire world is in
mourning following the release
of a World Health Organization
report that links consumption
of bacon, burgers and other fatty
meats with increased risks of
cancer.
Myself included, had a
moment of disappointment
following the revelation that the
thing we all love the most [bacon]
is trying to kill us. Regardless, I
doubt this is going to stop
any of us from indulging
in the deliciousness of hot,
crispy bacon.
We can all take a sign of
relief (for now), following
the statement from beef
and pork production companies
claiming their various meat
products aren't as dangerous as
the recent reports says.
"Look,
the
Dietary
Guidelines are pretty clear: Lean
meat is part of a healthy diet.
That's the science we rely on,
that's the science that's being
reviewed now as the Dietary
Guidelines are being developed,"
said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary
of Agriculture to Politico. "Until
such time that the folks that
are formulating the Dietary
Guidelines tell me different, that's
the approach we're going to take."
The panel for the International
Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) explained their report
focuses on processed meats
including red meats, pork, beef,
veal and lamb. Although the
majority of panel members
agreed to this new claim against
all our favorite meats, it wasn't an
unanimous vote.
Members on the panel from
the National Pork Producers
Council challenged the majority
panels science, but did agree that
all foods that aren't the best for
your health should be consumed
in moderation. "IARC did note
that most colorectal cancers are
caused by more than one agent
and that cancer trends are related
The Family Fued
Larry Clark
The Recorder
The expression “blood
is thicker than water” is
often misused to express the
importance of family. However,
the full quotation is much more
important to my heart, “The
blood of the covenant is thicker
than the water of the womb.”
This distinction is vastly
important, changing the entire
meaning of the quote. At the end
of the day, the value of family is
what you make it. Most cultures
and religions stress a reverence,
or at least a respect for family, but
why be tied down to the same
group of people for an entire
lifetime?
In my life, I’ve had little to gain
from my relationship with my
mother. She’s constantly negative,
her attempts at a relationship
have failed and has had a negative
impact on almost every aspect
of my life. In response, I don’t
interact, associate or even speak
with my mother and my life has
only improved since making that
difficult decision.
In the two years that I’ve
separated myself from my
mother, my life has thrived. I’m
performing better in school, I’m
happier and I don’t worry about
what she’s going to say because it
doesn’t matter.
Why should anyone subject
themselves to another person
who makes them unhappy? It
only means that you’re going to
be unhappy around these people,
and if those people are family,
you’ll be miserable for life! That’s
ludicrous.
“Family” at their core is a
group of people who our society
gives importance to by marriage
and birth. That’s all. I want you to
ask yourself this: If this were any
other person I’ve come across,
would I tolerate the behavior?
If the answer is no, then why
associate yourself with them?
Why suffer through it?
The relationship that a person
has with their family is only as
important as they make it, or as
the benefit it gives. If your family
is beneficial then by all means
go to Thanksgiving dinner, eat
turkey and relish in your familial
bliss. However, very rarely are
families perfect and unfortunately
families can equally be a source of
pain and abuse.
Family members are people
Jim Klusek
Now you've done it. You go
to your car and find a campus
parking ticket on the windshield.
Now what?
Take a breath. It's not the end
of the world. It's just a ticket.
As a member of the Parking
Ticket Appeals Committee and
a commuter-student, let me walk
you through the process. This
advice is from me as a student,
not anything officially from the
committee.
First, you have to pay the
ticket. Do it now, even if you
intend to fight it. If you don't pay
the fine within 10 days, the fine
will double. Your appeal will not
be heard until the fine is paid. If
you fight the ticket and win, you'll
get the money back.
Now, you have to make a
choice to accept the fine or fight
it. If you pushed your luck and
parked somewhere you knew you
shouldn't have, you might as well
just pay the fine. If you really feel
you were unfairly ticketed, fight it.
If you decide to fight it, you
have to fill out a Parking Ticket
Appeal form. You have 10 days
from the date of the ticket to
do this. The form is online, go
to the A-Z Index on Central
Connecticut's web page, lookup “Parking” and download the
form. Read both sides of the form,
fill it out and get it to the CCSU
Police Department immediately.
It's up to you to make your
argument. Remember that
making an argument is different
from just arguing. Make your
case, think of it as being your own
lawyer. State the facts, present
evidence, explain why you believe
you're not guilty.
Read the parking regulations
and know the rules and what
you're being charged with.
Carefully look over the ticket
to be sure it was properly filled
out and doesn't contain errors.
Present evidence, such as a
confusing map, a picture of the
space you were in, a picture of a
confusing sign, a doctor's note, a
towing or repair bill, etc.
Get a parking sticker for your
car, if that was one of your offenses
then mention that in your appeal.
The committee may remove that
charge, even if they don't grant
your appeal on other charges.
Show up to the appeals
meeting to make your case in
person if possible. You will be
notified of when the meeting
will be held in order to hear your
appeal. If you're not there, the
committee will base your case
entirely on what's on the appeals
form. Showing up will give you
the opportunity to explain your
case in more detail and allow the
committee members to ask you
questions.
Don't base your case on
excuses such as, "Other people
have parked there," "I was late
and needed a spot," "I can't afford
the ticket," or "My mom said I
could park there." These are all
real excuses that have been made
many times before.
Don't
lie,
committee
members are teachers, police and
fellow students. We are pretty
good lie detectors and know all
your tricks.
Don't incriminate yourself,
this happens more times
than it should. I've seen more
appeals crash and burn after
the person appealing the ticket
said something like, “I knew I
shouldn't have parked there but.”
Don't have mom or dad write
the appeal for you. Yes, this is
THE RECORDER
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
We Need a
University
Not a
Corporation
to the amount an agent or agents
consumed," said the National
Pork Producers Councils in a
statement to Politico.
"We see a lot of headlines
that are very scary to people and
we want to explain to people
what this report says and what
it doesn't," said Eric Mittenthal
of the North American Meat
Association to Politico. "There's
no new science in this. It's not
new."
So go ahead bacon lovers,
rejoice! It's perfectly fine to
The Board of Regents (BOR) is in
have that extra piece of bacon
the
process of negotiating a new contract
for breakfast, in moderation of
course. Those delicious slices of with professors at all Connecticut State
pure bliss won't kill you just yet. Universities in order to increase “flexibility.”
To begin, with the proposed changes
to increase “flexibility,” students would
experience larger class sizes and certain
programs could be eliminated.
Professors would be at risk of being fired
or moved to another campus with no prior
notifications. They would also be expected
to do more administrative work that would
deter them from properly performing their
jobs. Ultimately saving the BOR money, but
hindering the student's education.
Funds for curriculum development would
be cut, meaning no new or innovative courses
just like you. They shouldn’t be would be created.
put on pedestals and worshiped,
If CCSU isn’t producing faculty research
they shouldn’t have excuses made and development, programs can lose
for them because they conceived accreditation. This results in student’s degrees
you and certainly aren’t allowed being of lesser value and could decrease the
to treat you any less than the likelihood of getting a job in the future.
human you are. In fact, no person
At the negotiation session the CSU-AAUP
should ever allow themselves to voiced their opinion on the confusing wording
be degraded or brought down by regarding professors being fired or relocated
anyone in their life.
to another campus and not receiving tenure at
I challenge you to take a critical the BOR's will.
look at all your relationships this
The contract also affects counseling and
week. Think about how happy library faculty. The new contract stated that
you are and what happens when these faculty members would lose tenure.
you interact with the people When this was mentioned during the
in your life. Do they make you negotiation session the BOR stated, “ They
happy? Do they share your did mean to redline these items.”
values? Do they support your
When asked the intentions behind this,
dreams? If the answer is no, dump the BOR responded, “The proposal reflected
the person regardless of who they the BOR’s desire for increased flexibility.”
are. You’ll see how much happier
The CSU-AAUP also inquired to why the
your life will be.
BOR included an aspect to the contract that
would cancel funds for professionals and
curriculum development.
The BOR’s responded, “The BOR team
did not mean to do away with those funds
and that those sections was a ‘drafting error.’
The intent had simply been to ‘zero out’ all
of the actual numbers in those sections as
an opening position, from which we will
then negotiate the number that will go
there.” The BOR continued to state that this
was due to them not being prepared for the
really a thing. If you were driving, negotiations. Which seems unlikely because
then it's your job to appeal the they had already created and proposed the
ticket, not your parents.
new contract.
Don't get angry, loud or
Professors of CCSU are shrewd enough
emotional. It's just a ticket.
to know that these new contracts proposed
The meeting is informal, so by the BOR are no "error." A read through the
try to relax. The more prepared contracts clearly outlines the BOR's intent
you are, the more confident and to strip the CSU system from its role as an
less nervous you will be. The educational institution and turn it into merely
committee members are really a business.
good at treating everyone with
The BOR has admitted that because of
respect and do a great job of the new budgets, universities may only offer
judging students as well as faculty certain majors. For example a student who
members equally.
wishes to major in English but minor in
After you present your Philosophy may find that they are driving
case, you will be notified of the between different schools to attend these
outcome immediately if you classes.
show up. You may have none of
This means that while students who can
the charges dropped, all of the afford to attend a more expensive university
charges dropped or some of the will continue to have all resources in once
charges dropped. If you showed convenient location, a less fortunate students
up in person, be gracious and may be spending a good amount of time on
thank the committee no matter the road traveling to classes and teachers
what the outcome.
spread throughout the state. THe contracts
Win or lose, think of this essentially scatters students and professors
experience as a great learning and leaves them abandoned to find a path to a
tool. It takes skill and practice to complete education on their own.
make a case in front of a group
As CCSU will shortly see if the BOR's
of strangers to make them see contracts are passed, the costs are dire.
things from your point of view Fracturing the system will make it far more
and persuade them to grant your difficult for middle and lower-income
appeal. Remember though, if you individuals to receive an education that is
don't win, the parking fines go desperately needed to continue a democracy.
toward scholarships for students.
Advice from a Student When Appealing a
Parking Ticket
Special to The Recorder
5
Contact: [email protected]
6
THE RECORDER
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Nothing drab
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Nicholas Leahey
who went by the name Morgana
Delux, hosted the event, filling in for
Electra Delux who normally does so.
She, along with two other professional
drag queens in attendance, Lucia
Virginity and Summer Orlando,
were surprised at the overwhelming
support of the event, as well as for the
LGBT community at CCSU.
“The support is amazing here,”
said Orlando. Her and Delux agreed
that it was rare to get the opportunity
to do any performance at a college,
and therefore were grateful to be able
to do so here.
“Performing on stage is such
an exhilarating experience,” said
student Alexander O’Neil. He was
one of the amateur drag queens who
participated in the event, and went
by the drag name Serena Celeste.
He mainly enjoys the thrill of being
onstage.
“To get to take on a persona and
entertain people and make them
happy is truly an opportunity like no
other,” he explained.
The response from the crowd was
reflected by the support throughout
the show, as the crowd contributed to
the energy of the actors on stage.
“I love the drag show!”, said Cali
Russell, a theater major at CCSU.
She, like many other students in
attendance, admired the enthusiasm
and confidence that the actors had
on stage, and how it increased as the
night went on.
“It’s amazing to watch honestly,”
said transfer student Audrah Benson,
who had never attended a drag show
prior to this. “If they’re doing what
they want to do, why judge them?,”
she added.
The Recorder
The Central Activities Network
(CAN) and CCSU Pride held their
semiannual CCSU Drag Ball on
Thursday in the Devil’s Den at 10
p.m.
The event, which took place
in front of a packed Alumni Hall,
showcased various professional and
amateur performances which ranged
from singing and dancing, as well as
pantomiming.
“You never know what you’re
going to see,” said student Tevin
Jourdain, who said he attends it every
year, both in the spring and fall.
Lasting roughly two and a half
hours, the Drag Ball was split into
three different parts. The first two
parts included performances by
professional drag queens, which
were followed by performances by
amateurs. Both groups were greeted
by a welcoming atmosphere.
“A lot of it is in the moment,”
said Anthony Walentukonis, a
Resident Assistant who is currently
active in the CCSU Pride club. He
has partaken in the event since his
freshman year, including this year,
where he did an act together with
Gina Iarrapino. The two of them sang
"Breaking Free" from High School
Musical, respectively dressed as the
characters Gabriella and Troy. They
were met with a resounding applause.
The third part of the Drag Ball
included a Halloween costume
contest, which featured various
costumes ranging from Mario and
Luigi, to a Mermaid, as well as final
performances from both the amateur
and professional drag queens.
Local professional drag queen,
Devin Leith-Yessian ◊ the Recorder
Summer Orlando making use of nearby props during the performance.
Devin Leith-Yessian ◊ the Recorder
Lucia Virginity getting intimate with the role, interacting with the audience under a spotlight.
7
THE RECORDER / Wednesday, October 28, 2015/SPORTS
A&E Opinion
about drag
Devin Leith-Yessian ◊ the Recorder
Jocelyn LaFleur taking the stage with quite a personality, drawing a large reaction from the crowd.
“To get to take on a persona and
entertain people and make them happy
is truly an opportunity like no other”
(Right) Serina
Celest acting
out a scene on
the stage, truly
becoming the
character and
enticing the
room.
(Left) Serina
Celest
performing,
here without a
wig, and riling
up the energy in
the room.
Devin Leith-Yessian ◊ the Recorder
Devin Leith-Yessian ◊ the Recorder
Instagram: @centralrecorder
C alifornia's
Students are
Successful
Sheridan Cyr
A&E Editor
Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso
Viejo, California, earned a $10,000
grant in a contest from Chegg, an
online learning site, and a performance
by artists Macklemore and Ryan
Lewis on October 12th. It was then
rejected by the school administration
after parents objected to the artists’
message less than 24 hours later,
supported by claims that the artists
promote drug use and misogyny.
I was outraged when I came across
an article detailing the events, and
my thoughts mirrored those of the
students of the school. Due to the
complaints of just a few mislead,
uninformed, probably bored parents,
students would miss out on a
personal performance by the talented
pair, a question and answer session
and the grant, which would have
aided programs in providing music
education and of the arts.
Education of the arts is incredibly
valuable. Unfortunately today’s society
has increasingly seen drawbacks
in these areas. Some believe that
math and science courses are more
important and can be used more in
the “real world,” and that they trump
creativity.
Creativity is what makes the world
go ‘round. The ability to express
oneself is of the utmost necessity.
When a person cannot express him
or herself, inner turmoil builds and
can lead to a number of maladies, like
depression, seclusion, confusion, and
so on.
Students of the school organized
a petition using www.change.org,
which garnered more than 8,000
signatures in less than 20 hours. They
also promoted their message through
social media and YouTube campaigns
to convince administrators to reverse
their decision.
The www.change.org petition read,
“Unfortunately, a few parents ruined a
chance of a lifetime for a few thousand.
Help represent the students and
allow Macklemore and Ryan Lewis!
Students’ voices should be heard!”
In a YouTube video by student
Brooklyn Barwick, she respectfully
vented, “That’s pretty cool that my
school got that, and our principal,
because some parents complained,
took that away. I am sorry but it was
kind of a really bad decision to make.”
Aliso Niguel Associated Student
Body Vice President Quinn Darling
rallied protesters with an Instagram
post that stated, “With all due respect,
I believe admin. has made a huge
mistake. I am personally offended by
their decision as it is based on outdated
evidence and our leaders have failed to
see all the amazing movements and
messages these artists have focused
on spreading over the past few years,
which would be beneficial to everyone
at our school. Most significant being a
gay-rights movement and also many
anti-drug messages.”
Darling made a very real, legitimate
and factual point. The bored parents
clearly did not have a platform for
their objections, and had not done
the research necessary to make such a
claim.
As it turns out, the administration
made a compromise in response to the
rage. They accepted the grant and the
performance, but students must have
signed permission from their parents
or guardians in order to take part in
the event.
Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg,
said “We have a lot of admiration for
these students; they beat every other
high school and college in the country
for the right to host this event and along
with the artists, their administration,
faculty, parents and the community
rallied around a positive message to
create a great outcome.”
A positive message, indeed.
8
THE RECORDER / Wednesday, October 28, 2015/ ARTS & ENTERTAINMET
Decaying in Decades Hits
The Ground Running
Sheridan cyr
a&e editor
An uprising metal band at
Central Connecticut, Decaying
in Decades, is making moves fast.
After their August 15th, genesis,
they have already created quite a
fan base, played a handful of shows,
produced an EP, started making
some cash and have created an
array of merchandise promoting
the band.
The band is composed of Joe
Thomas, bass player, secondary
guitarist,
song
writer and
equipment manager, Elliott Cohen,
vocalist, secondary writer and
treasurer, Matt Green, guitarist and
PR, Nick Thomas, lead guitarist
and band manager, and Ryan Hall,
drummer and promoter.
Their biggest concern as a unit
is that CCSU has some incredibly
talented artists and does so little to
show them off. “We really support
the arts here at Central,” Green
explained.
“We would love
to see more school spirit.”
Cohen chimed in with, “There’s not
just one genre of music here. For
some reason, no one seems to be
promoting that here.”
Thomas is the mastermind
behind their newest effort, a multiday concert in Semesters that would
feature all of the bands at CCSU.
Thomas has contacted members of
Central Activity Network (CAN)
along with several other bands and
is hoping to set something up for
early December.
Decaying in Decades actually
played their very first show at CCSU
on the patio outside of the Student
Center during the first week of
school. CAN had several events
planned that week to welcome
students back to school. One of
the events was an open-mic night,
and the band drew in a massive and
unexpected crowd. “I almost threw
up
our first
show,” Cohen said. “I must’ve had
like six bottles of water and my
mouth still felt like cotton balls.”
The band has come a long
way in such a short time period,
and credit much of that to their
connections. “For every goal we’ve
set with our band, we’ve met it.
Lots of luck, lots of dedication, and
connections,” Green said. Members
know musicians from bands such as
Silverstein, The Devil Wears Prada
and I Killed the Prom Queen. They
draw much of their motivation
from them.
They look to a huge range of
artists for musical inspiration, from
Ed Sheeran to Parkway Drive, blues
to classical, Architects to Bring Me
the Horizon and much, much more.
“We all come from very different
musical
b a c k g r o u n d s ,”
G r e e n explained.
The band’s merchandise holds
some significance to them in more
ways than one. “The coolest part of
seeing people in our merch is that
we know people support us and
want to see us play,” Cohen said.
They even sometimes design their
merchandise for specific events,
such as their initial show, where
they gave away blue t-shirts with
their logo exclusively for CCSU
students. Members of the band
have black shirts, which are not
available beyond themselves.
One of their products is military
dog tags with the band’s logo and
name
on it. They all
explained that two of the band
members, Green and Nick
Thomas, were in the military,
and that a portion of profits
made from these tags is given to
the Wounded Warriors Project.
Along with a few different
colored shirts and the tags, they
have guitar picks, wristbands and
hoodies.
Decaying in Decades’ music
can be found from several
media sources, including their
new blog, their website www.
decay ingindecadesmusic.com
which has links to their YouTube
channel and all members’ social
media accounts, along with a
list of upcoming shows, and on
SoundCloud.
Definitely keep tabs on this
band. They’ll be big before you
know it. Stay on the lookout, and
perhaps even offer support, for
news on the hopeful December
show!
photo | decaying in decadeS
Central's Choir Astounds
the Audience Again
Sheridan cyr
a&e editor
Chorale and the University
Singers put on a fantastic,
moving performance Thursday
afternoon in Founders Hall
under the direction of Professor
Drew Collins.
As the vocalists warmed up,
the audience filed in and settled
down into first the chairs, then
the couches, then covered every
inch of floor along the walls of
the room. As friends, family and
music lovers gathered, there
was a growing anticipation for
the concert to begin.
Chorale left the stage for
the final time before the show
and took their seats amongst
the crowd, awaiting Collins
to recall them and begin the
show. The ensemble is made up
of about 40 musicians, making
for a powerful sound of skilled,
well-practiced singers.
The first song, "Zion's Walls,"
was very cheerful and soothing.
The singers showed off their
adept timing and ability to
work as such a large group by
blending all of their voices
together to sound like just a few.
The second was a classic Bach
song sung in German called
"Jesu, wahres Brot des Lebens."
This song was more upbeat than
the first, and of course, took
skill to memorize and learn the
diction of the German language.
Third was "Gloria" by the
famous Joseph Haydn, this
song sung in Latin. Corinne
Prudence, one of Chorale's
sopranos, had a beautiful solo.
CCSU's Chorale performing in Founders Hall Thursday.
Next was "The Pasture," which
was a song that drew from a
Robert Frost poem.
"Spiritual Quodliber No. 1"
was by far the most interesting,
creative and well-done piece. A
"spiritual," as Collins described,
is one song, made up of several
songs, and sang in overlapping
rounds. This exquisite piece
used "I Wanna Die Easy,"
"Sometimes I Feel Like a
Motherless Child" and "Wade
in the Water." It was a very
slow, contained, and slightly
eerie piece. Rebecca Stoddard,
soprano,
Tevin
Jourdain,
baritone, and Lydia Borgio,
soprano, all had beautiful solos
in this piece. No piano was
used, just the impressive sound
of the choir.
Chorale finished off with
a joyful Cuban piece, "Son de
Camaguey," which used some
Spanish percussion, and then
made way for the University
Singers.
Again,
proving
their
multilingual skills, the first
Devin leith-Yessian ◊ the recorder
two songs of the University
Singers' performance were Latin
pieces, followed by another
song in German. The second
song, "Gloria," carried with it
a mystical, aged feeling. It was
written in 1539 by Josquin Des
Prez and was the oldest song of
the show by a good 300 years.
"The
Sixty-Seventh
Psalm," written by the witty,
experimental
Connecticutbased musician, Charles Ives,
"pushed the boundaries of
music," according to Collins.
Ives had a church choir
that he directed when
he wasn't working as
an insurance executive.
Collins explained that the
choir was not the best,
and when Ives wrote this
piece, the choir sang it
in not only two different
keys but in two different
modes. This should have
sounded terrible, but it
actually came together
very nicely. The Singers
did a wonderful job with
this highly skilled piece,
especially so early in the
year.
Two very pleasant
songs, "Love Walked In"
and "Great Day" tied off
the afternoon of music
neatly.
The parents and
grandparents of Olivia
Bernier, both a soprano
in Chorale and an alto in
the University Singers,
beamed with pride as
they welcomed Bernier into
their embrace. "We loved the
concert!" they said. "They
always do an amazing job here."
When asked which piece
was his favorite, Collins said,
"There's a reason for every
piece. I can't decide on one." He
explained that the singers met
their goal in each song. Collins
took many pauses in the concert
just to reiterate how great this
year's choir members are and to
congratulate them on all of their
feats. "That's what education is
about," he told me, "watching
your students achieve."
9
THE RECORDER / Wednesday, October 28, 2015/ARTs & ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix It!
W ould Y ou R ather
Jacqueline Stoughton
Editor-in-Chief
Found in the Halloween
section on Netflix, "Would You
Rather" (2012) takes the popular
teen-game to a horrific new level.
Main character Iris (Britney
Snow) is drowning in financial
$
Photo | Flickr
debt that her parents left behind
after a failing accident, all while
caring for her sick brother who
is in need of a bone marrow
transplant.
After
meeting
Shepard
Lambrick (Jeffery Combs),
he makes Iris an offer she can't
refuse: financially support from
20 UNDER
Twenty
Analisa Novak
The Recorder
Feeling
overwhelmed
by
classes? Need a place to unwind
with fellow Blue Devils and some
delicious food? You don’t need
to look far or drive many miles,
because Elmer’s Place and Great
Oaks Restaurant has been a campus
foundation since it first opened
in 1959. It prides itself as an oasis
for many Central Connecticut
Blue Devils and continuously offer
affordable deals for our college
student budgets.
One of these deals happens
every Thursday night and it's so
popular that it has other bars
competing with Elmer's. The deal
offers $3 mini-pitchers and $3
Fireball shots that are affordable
and enjoyable, which makes this a
hot spot Thursday nights for many
students.
It doesn’t stop there! Every
Saturday evening, you and your
friends who are legally allowed to
drink can get a 100 0unce towers of
beer. Elmer’s also has a distinctive
list of beer on draft that change
with the seasons, including this
month’s selection of fall beers such
as, Sam Adams Oktoberfest and
Two Roads Rosemary Baby. Come
on Wednesdays for the Super Size
Draft Special where you can get a
Lambrick's charity fund if she
competes and wins a mysterious
event taking place at the Lambrick
manor.
After arriving for dinner at the
Lambrick manor accompanied
by seven other competitors, they
find out Lambrick will be making
them compete in an extreme game
of would you rather with a twist,
they have to actually do what they
say they would rather do.
As the game goes on, contests
will be eliminated [killed] until
one person is left.
Contestants
have
to
choice between tasks such as
electrocuting themselves or
another, stabbing someone else or
whipping fellow contestant Travis
(Charlie Hofheimer).
After trying and failing to
escape, the game continues
with the next round where the
contestants have to choose
between the known and the
unknown. The known would
require them to have their head
emerged in a barrel of water for
two minutes. Those who chose
the unknown had to endure tasks
such as igniting a firecracker while
it's tightly grasped in ones hand
and slitting ones eye open with a
razor.
Iris, who chooses the known,
survives the barrel. It is then
revealed that had she picked the
unknown, she would have to have
had all of her teeth extracted. Amy
(Sasha Grey) picks an unknown
card that says she must spend
four minutes under water in the
barrel. With the exception of one
contestant, all of those who chose
an unknown were eliminated.
In the final round, Lambrick
gives Iris the choice of either
going home safely with the other
final contestant, Lucas (Enver
Gjokaj) but with the exception
that they don't receive any money.
Or, if she shoots him with the
pistol Lambrick hands to her, she
will win the game.
Iris makes her decision -- as
cheering applause erupts from
Lambrick and his security; Iris has
won the game.
Being an independent film, it
holds to the reputation of being
a corny, not-so-scary horror
film. However, something about
this demented plot line makes it
difficult to look away. This movie
is twisted, sick and completely
messed up in ways unimaginable.
Yet, it was still a solid horror movie
that would be a valuable addition
to any scary movie marathon.
If you're looking to get away
from the basic supernatural
horror movie themes but still
want something appropriate for
the Halloween season, stream
"Would You Rather" on Netflix!
FASHION COLUMN
Halloween Costume
Inspiration
photo ◊Flickr
Analisa Novak
The Recorder
Superheroes and Villains
Each and every year this costume idea
dominates all Halloween stores. Want to
know why? Its just one of the enjoyable
and fun costume ideas. We all want to be
superheroes. Whether it’s Captain America,
Superman, or Batman, you could never go
wrong with these costumes. Not feeling
like playing the good guy? Do the opposite
and be a villain. The Joker,The Riddler and
Harley Quinn costumes are also on the shelf
right next to the superhero costumes.
Minions
Minions first came into our hearts
in 2010 when the first “Despicable Me”
debuted. Since then, Minion costumes have
been popular amongst adults and children
everywhere. It’s also a very simple DIY
costume, mostly only requiring a yelling long
sleeve, some cool glasses and some overalls.
The Halloween costume stores do sell full
Minion costumes too if you’re not feeling
crafty. Team up with another friend for some
awesome Minion photos that night. Can we
say Bee Doe Bee Bee Doe?
Elmer's: the Blue
De v i l s ' Hot Sp ot
25 ounce beer for the price of a 16
ounce.
Elmer’s understands that school
can be stressful and offers fun
alternatives to being overwhelmed
by school work. The newly
remodeled bar offers fun events
for you and your friends including
weekly karaoke and trivia nights,
football game showings and pool
tables. Along with these events
happening and the amazingly
affordable drink specials, Elmer’s
also offers a distinctive food menu
made for any college student. Pizza,
grinders and burgers are always
a staple at any bar but Elmer’s
likes to go above and beyond the
typical bar menu. Five-dollar wing
baskets every Monday night is just
an example of the weekly specials
that Elmer’s has to keep us wanting
more without breaking our pockets.
Starting next week Elmer’s will
be releasing all new wing flavors,
so make sure to check them out.
Nothing on this menu is over
$10, and all ingredients for the
menu items are shopped for by
the owner himself. If you enjoy
the menu and can’t find the time
to stop by, Elmer’s even offers
delivery to CCSU exclusively. “I go
to restaurant depot every week and
hand-select each and every product
that goes into the menu, it’s always
fresh,” said owner Ken Cook Jr.
Elmer’s has
changed a lot
recently as it
went through
a
complete
rem o d el .
Cook Jr. first
purchased the
bar 36 years
ago and has
made it a family
business. His
son, Mike Cook,
is currently the
manager of the
bar and many of
his employees Elmer's Place on East Street.
have worked for
some food, have some drinks and
Elmer’s for years.
This summer, Elmer’s went enjoy themselves without breaking
through a major remodeling. their wallets.” He understands that
“Nothing is the same. If you went majority of us college students want
last year, come back and check it good prices and has made that his
out and be prepared to see how mission statement since the very
different it looks,” Cook Jr. said. first day he bought the bar.
“People go out for one night in
Elmer’s added more bar space, 29
new flat screen HD TVs and more West Hartford and spend so much
tables and chairs. Elmer’s also offers money, and for what? You can come
arcade games, free Wi-Fi, and all here and enjoy a great atmosphere,
watch the game, eat some food and
NFL football games on Sunday.
When it comes to price, Cook Jr. not have your pockets hurting.”
wants us to know that no one beats Cook Jr. added.
One of the most convenient
him. “When it comes to my drink
specials and my food specials no one factors of Elmer’s for us Blue Devils
can beat me, and what I really want is its location. Located at 1433 East
to do is have a place where people Street, New Britain, CT. It's less
can come for three days a week, get than a five-minute walk from the
student center and three minute
Photo ◊ Sign Pro
drive from Willard Hall.
If you’re a commuter
student, Elmer’s has you covered
too. “We recently made a deal with
Dollar General right across the
street which allows you to park
across the street for no charge at
all,” Bartender Victoria Daigle said.
“Considering that West Hartford
Center and Downtown Hartford
charge for parking, that’s a steal,”
she added.
Elmer’s is open weekly from
3 p.m - 1 a.m., Monday through
Thursday, Friday and Saturday from
3 p.m - 2 a.m. and Sunday from
12 p.m. - 1 a.m. Check out their
Facebook page and twitter for more
deals and specials.
10
THE RECORDER
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
L A ST WEEK'S
F A N TA S Y
BEST
THE BEST NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL
TEAM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN
PICKED LAST WEEK.
Quarterback
toM Brady
◊ new england patriotS
29
points
Wide Receiver
ty hilton
◊ indianapoliS coltS
27
points
Wide Receiver
nate waShington
◊ houSton teXanS
24
points
Running Back
SPORTS
Dillon's
NFL Week Fantasy Corner
Seven
Fantasy
Football
Round Up:
Stefon
Diggs Is
Now a Must
Start
SPORTS BEGINS ON BACK PAGE
THE SPORTS EDITOR'S WAIVER
WIRE PICKS FOR WEEK 8
Quarterback
teddy Bridgewater
◊ MinneSota vikingS
Wide Receiver
Stefon diggS
◊ Minnesota vikings
Wide Receiver
tyler lockett
◊Seattle SeahawkS
Running Back
alfred Blue
◊houSton teXanS
laMar Miller
◊ MiaMi dolphinS
35
points
Running Back
todd gurley
◊ St louiS raMS
25
points
Tight End
Jordan reed
◊ Washington reDskins
19
points
FLEX
arian foSter
◊ hoUston teXans
23
points
Defense
◊ Jacksonville JagUars
22
points
dillon Meehan
Sports editor
Last season Odell Beckham Jr.
broke out onto the scene, from a
mostly unknown rookie, to a fantasy
football start. Now three games into
his NFL career, it appears as though
history may be repeating itself with
Stefon Diggs. While Diggs appears
to not have the same ability as
Beckham, he certainly may have the
fantasy value.
Through his first three games
of his career, Diggs has accounted
for 19 catches for 324 yards and a
touchdown, the most by any Vikings
rookie since Randy Moss. So far, the
only other rookie to have a similar
stat line is Amari Cooper, who had
20 receptions for 290 yards and a
touchdown in his first three games.
Not only has Diggs beaten out
Cooper through his first three
games, the rookie out of Maryland
also has more receptions, receiving
yards and targets than Beckham had
through his first three games.
Following a solid game against
Denver, where he hauled in
six passes for 87 yards, Diggs
responded with back-to-back 100yard performances. Diggs caught
seven passes for 129 yards in week
six, as well as catching six of nine
targets last week for a 100 yards
and a touchdown. Fantasy football
owners that are in need of another
option for wide receiver should look
out for Diggs on the Waiver Wire,
with his next five games against
Chicago, St. Louis, Oakland, Green
Bay and Atlanta, expect the Vikings
to be airing it out early and often.
The argument for Diggs to
become the next Beckham has
plenty of evidence to support it, on a
physicality level, Beckham narrowly
edged out Diggs in every combine
event, although Diggs does have a
height advantage. Both burst onto
the scene making phenomenal
catches, granted, Beckham’s might
be one the greatest in the history of
the league, while Diggs was simply a
great play.
While Diggs is looking to
become a great player, the argument
simply should not even be made
at this point. Yes, he has shown
promise but Beckham is one of the
elite talents in the NFL, while Diggs
could prove to eventually be one
as well. There needs to be this type
of production at a consistent level,
which is something that fans can
count on from Beckham.
From a fantasy viewpoint, there
are only a handful of receivers
that are guaranteed to be more
productive than Diggs week in and
week out for the next few weeks. So
for those who are in need of a WR2
or a bye-week fill-in, Diggs is hands
down your best bet. At best, he is
a capable starter that will hold you
over if you have a few players hurt
or on bye, and at worst he is a player
building up so much hype that you
can sell high and trade him for a
more guaranteed option.
In the end, that is what fantasy
football is. Yes, there are times for
risks to be taken, but in the long run,
it is about making the best picks that
will give you the highest probability
of winning.
(aBove)
liSt BaSed off thurS to Sunday night Scoring
Contact: [email protected]
Running Back
JaMeS StarkS
◊green Bay packerS
Tight End
ledariuS green
◊ San diego chargerS
FLEX
Shane vareen
◊ new york giantS
Defense
◊ MinneSota vikingS
11
THE RECORDER / Wednesday, October 28, 2015/ SPORTS
Sitting Down With
Cameron Nash
analiSa novak
the recorder
If you never heard the name
Cameron Nash, attend any Central
Connecticut football game and
you’ll never forget it. The 5’7”, 185
pound running back from West
Virginia dominates the field with his
athletic ability.
Cameron Nash is able to keep
his defenders off balance with his
quickness, speed and power. His
speed and agility lead him to an
impressive performance three weeks
ago against Bryant on Homecoming
Weekend.
Cameron Nash easily sprinted
past Bryant for an impressive 84yard touchdown reception during
that game. But for Nash football has
always been apart of his life. “I started
playing football when I was five or
six. My dad introduced it to me and
Cameron Nash runs through the Bryant defense.
ever since then I loved it.” said Nash.
The sophomore’s football career
began when he was younger and
played in Pop Warner in Piscataway,
New Jersey. Ever since then Nash
has taken to the game and collected
many awards along the process.
Prior to coming to CCSU, Nash
was the North-South All-Star Game
MVP. Nash also earned the New
Jersey All-State First Team honors
for his time playing at Piscataway
High, NJ.
In 2013, Nash
redshirted
for
the West Virginia
Mountaineers
before playing for
the blue devils.
Last month he
was named the
North
Eastern
Conferences'
Rookie of the Week.
Nash knew that
he would make
the biggest impact
at CCSU. So he
left West Virginia
and was recruited
to CCSU, “I felt
that it was the best
decision for me and
my brother as well.
The players felt like
I deserved to play
Devin leith-Yessian ◊ the recorder
and if it wasn’t going to be at West
Virginia then it would be somewhere
else. I knew that I had to put myself
in the best situation to be successful
and achieving my dreams and
perusing my football career," said
Nash.
Although standing at 5’7', Nash
uses his size as his advantage. “A
lot of people view my height as a
disadvantage but for me, I use it as
at an advantage with being able to
hide behind lineman and once I pop
out they don’t see me coming,” Nash
said.
But football is a family sport
for Nash. You can catch him and
his brother side-by-side on the
field, as his older brother Carlton
is a defensive back for CCSU. “My
brother and I have been mentored
by great athletes. The road has never
been easy, all we have ever asked
was for an opportunity to compete
because we are good athletes. We
have been taught to always make
the best of your opportunities and
to remain humble and hungry. We
always strive to do our best and are
never satisfied being average,” Nash
said.
When asked about how he felt
being a blue devil Nash said, “CCSU
has been interesting so far to say the
least. I’ve ran into a lot of nice people.
We make the most of what we have.
photo ◊ ccSu athletic departMent
School wise its been interesting to
get accustomed to how things are
ran. I’m not used to not having class
on a Friday and it’s a good thing.”
Nash is majoring in sociology
and also hopes to one day become
a mentor on the football field.
Nash also hopes to start coaching
football on the collegiate level upon
graduation. “I look it at like this,
God, family, football, and friends.
I loved football every since my dad
introduced it to me. Ever since then
I’ve been watching it, studying it, I
know all the stats. I just want to go
out there, make plays, bring energy,
excite the fans, keep making my
teammates proud and be successful
out there for the next guy,” Nash said.
With that in mind, be on the look out
for Nash when CCSU plays Robert
Norris this Saturday at home.
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12
THE RECORDER / Wednesday, October 28, 2015/ SPORTS
Men's Soccer Drops Another One At
Home
Viktor Damgaard attempts to clear the ball.
nicholaS leahey
the recorder
The CCSU Men’s Soccer
Team (4-7-2) swallowed a tough
defeat on Sunday, in a 3-0 loss to
a very competitive LIU Brooklyn
team (8-5-2).
LIU Brooklyn player Rasmus
Hansen scored early in the
game with an assist from Filip
Nordstrom, who was able to put
it past CCSU goalie Nicholas
Velleca in the 15th minute. Two
more goals came later, from LIU
Brooklyn players Jacob Smith and
Naeem Charles respectively, to
give LIU Brooklyn the win.
“It was not one of our best
performances,” stated Coach
Shaun Green after the game. He
also cited their recent game against
Sacred Heart University (1-10-1)
on Friday as a contributor to the
team’s performance. CCSU won
that game, beating SHU 2-1.
CCSU struggled for most of
the game, with LIU Brooklyn
dominating the first half. They
outpaced the Blue Devils with
12 shots on goal. LIU Brooklyn’s
solid defense only allowed one
shot on goal for CCSU. Overall,
LIU Brooklyn had 21 shots goal
throughout the game, whereas
CCSU had three.
At the outset of the second
half, however, CCSU began to
show signs of life by generating
sustained offensive pressure
after several substitutions. This
culminated in a handful of
chances from the CCSU offense,
including an opportunity in the
70th minute. A free kick from
Ben Knight from roughly 10
yards outside the goalie box was
crossed into the right hand of the
box, where it was passed to Louis
Beddouri who headed it towards
the bottom left corner of the goal.
photo ◊ ccSu athletic departMent
LIU Brooklyn broke through,
scoring their third goal in the
76th minute, deflating whatever
confidence the Blue Devils had.
After the goal, the game began
to resemble the first half, as LIU
Brooklyn again applied pressure,
and sustained ball control.
“I think we needed to be a little
more intense in terms of our highpressure defending,” said Coach
Green, claiming that it was more
difficult to do as the game went on
due to “the fatigue factor.”
“The loss was a collective
loss,” said CCSU defender and
captain Ben Knight. Throughout
Pick A Side Rossomando
dillon Meehan
Sports editor
Central
Connecticut’s
football team is eight games into
their season, and with only three
games left, Blue Devils Head
Pauldo attempts a pass.
Coach Pete Rossomando has yet
to make an official decision on
who will start for CCSU.
Freshman Jake Dolegala,
who lost the starting quarterback
battle during camp, appeared in
contention again following his
photo ◊ ccSu athletic departMent
three-touchdown game against
Bowie State, which gave the
Blue Devils their first win of the
season.
Following
the
game,
Rossoamndo was adamant that
freshman quarterback Tavion
Pauldo was still the starting
quarterback, saying that his
rule is that an injury does not
cost a player their starting spot.
As fair of a rule as it is, there is
no doubt that this has caused a
difference in play between the
two quarterbacks.
When a team rolls out a
two-quarterback system, it often
causes both quarterbacks to play
cautiously. They are constantly
looking over their shoulder,
instead of trying to make a play,
in fear of turning the ball over and
being pulled.
Heading into Homecoming
weekend two weeks ago, media
members were told that Dolegala
would be starting for the Blue
Devils. However, once the game
began, it was Pauldo who started,
with both splitting time. It was by
far the best game of Paulo’s career.
The freshman completed 15 of
the onslaught of LIU Brooklyn’s
attacks, while he admitted losing
3-0 was unacceptable, he said that
the defense still worked hard, and
that the result could have been
much worse.
“It’s a learning curve,” he
added, “we can’t conceive two
goals in the first half otherwise it
will be an up-hill battle.”
CCSU Men’s Soccer Team is
currently 1-4-1 at home, as they
head into the second installment
of a four game home stretch on
Friday against Robert Morris (96-1) at 7:00 p.m.
Sports Opinion
21 passes for 245 yards
and two touchdowns,
including driving the Blue
Devils the length of the
field for the game winning
touchdown.
Dolegala came in for
a handful of possessions
and played decent, his play
would have been better if
a 30-yard touchdown run
wasn’t erased because of a
holding call.
Eight games into the
season; both quarterbacks
are virtually deadlock
both in total snap-count
and statistically. Dolegala
has thrown for 800 yards,
photo ◊ ccSu athletic departMent
250 more than Pauldo, but Dolegala breaks free against Bryant.
has the benefit of playing in
game Saturday at noon, fans can
two extra games so far this
once again expect to be unsure
season.
However, Pauldo has a of who will have the majority of
slightly higher completion the snaps against Robert Morris
percentage, while also throwing (2-5, 1-2 NEC), who have played
five touchdowns and three rather well defensively despite
picks, which is a better ratio their record.
than Dolegala who has thrown
three touchdowns, as well as four
interceptions.
Heading into this week’s