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Articles by Madison Gallo
Three Stimulating Off-Campus Study Spots For Finals Season
With finals season quickly approaching, it’s a good time to figure out the best spots for you to get all your hours of essays, projects and studying done. The library quickly fills up during finals week, so good luck trying to book a room there or even manage to get a spot at any of the tables on any floor.. Don’t worry, though, the town of Fairfield houses so many great study spots for you to pick from! Las Vetas Starting off with a fan favorite that you probably have heard of: Las Vetas.
Graduating Seniors Reflect On Their Time At The Mirror
Maddie: I suppose your first week at any new job is going to be a little chaotic, but my first week here at The Mirror was more chaotic than most. I was a completely blank slate. I was just a small-town gal stepping off the bus into the big city of news. And then the universe threw us all a bit of a curveball because that was the week of President Mark Nemec’s “anti-anti-racist” comment debacle. Well, I think you can imagine what kind of week that was for the editor of the Opinion section.
Signature Element Requirements Changed for Class of 2023
Elizabeth Petrino, Ph.D., director of the Magis Core Curriculum Committee, in a Nov. 18 email, informed students in the Class of 2023 of changes made to the Signature Element Graduation Requirements.
A "Silent Night" To Remember
Anyone who knows me knows just how much I love Christmas. From the music to the food and the decorations, I can’t get enough of it. And though everyone loves Christmas morning for all of the obvious reasons (the presents under the tree!), I actually find myself preferring the day leading up to Dec. 25: Christmas Eve. My family is not particularly religious, but we still went to church every Sunday and especially on higher holy days such as Christmas Eve.
Il Pellicano Perfects Italian Cuisine
Conveniently located for Fairfield University students at 1460 Post Road right across from the Sherman Green sits Fairfield’s new favorite restaurant: Il Pellicano. Owners Massimo Tabacco and Matthew Balk bring a modern flare to traditional Roman cuisine with dishes such as the Cacio e Pepe, the Chicken Capricciosa and the Polpo, to name a few. As you drive past Il Pellicano on any given evening since its opening on Sept. 23, it’s not hard to notice how busy it has been.
Career Center Launches 2022 Alumni Job Shadow Program
Fairfield University’s Career Center is set to kick off its 2022 Alumni Job Shadow Program. This program invites junior and senior students to register to get matched with Fairfield alumni, and even parents of students, so they can network with and learn from Fairfield graduates and community members. Registration for the program closes on Oct. 25.
In Loving Memory of Matt Tullis
Where do we even begin? Professor Matthew Tullis has been an incredible part of The Mirror since 2016. Since our time joining this staff, we have had the pleasure of working, learning and growing as students, people and writers alongside Matt. This would not have been possible without his guidance and true passion for student journalism; and of course, his unconditional love for our little paper.
Students Experience Housing Scramble Upon Arrival of Largest First-Year Class
Last year, Fairfield University welcomed the Class of 2025, the largest class in Fairfield history at the time. Last year’s incoming class was notified in a June 8, 2021 email from the Office of Residence Life that “at most in 10% of the class, or 150 students will be housed in 50 converted triples,” as reported by a June 29, 2021 Mirror article.
Three Fairfield Alumni Launch Alumni of Color Network
Fairfield University’s Alumni of Color Network held its first General Body Meeting on Monday, April 18 via Zoom. Alums Kaadiana Barnes-Padilla ‘17, Sarah Gedeon ‘19 and Matthew Waldemar ‘20 are co-founders of the network. The organization currently stands at over 40 members and is continuing to grow. Conversations in the aftermath of the University’s response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests between Barnes-Padilla and Gedeon led to the creation of the Alumni of Color Network.
You'll Go "Bonkers" For These Cupcakes
A new dessert shop has come to town and you do not want to miss out — give Bonkers Cupcakes a try! Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Fairfield at 1618 Post Road, Bonker’s finds its home next to some other top notch eateries. A family-run business, Bonkers is owned and operated by Kris and Michele Stevens and their son Michael. Together, Kris and Michael began their journey to Bonkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stags Got A Good Feeling At Flo Rida
Fairfield University students gathered at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater to watch Grammy-nominated artist, Flo Rida, perform. This event marked the long-awaited return of the Fairfield University Student Association’s Spring Concert. I was worried that having the Spring Concert off-campus would take away from the overall event, but I kind of enjoyed it. My friends and I did not take a bus on the way to the event, so I can’t speak to that experience personally as we opted to take an Uber.
Fairfield University’s Housing Lottery and Selection for the 2022-2023 academic year recently occurred starting on April 6 and continued over the remainder of that week on April 7 and 8. Groups placed in the Supplemental Housing Selection are designated to pick their housing on April 21 and 22, according to the 2022-2023 Housing Lottery Information Booklet. Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Residence Life Meredith Smith shared the housing options for the following year.
Cheerleading Takes to Florida for NCA National Competition
Fairfield University’s Cheer team competed for the first time at the National Cheer Association National Competition that was held on April 6 through 10 in Daytona Beach, Fla. To qualify for nationals, all attending teams must receive a bid that permits them to compete. Fairfield Cheer received its bid at an NCA camp the team attended over the summer. Then, throughout the year, they worked on a routine to perform on the national stage.
GSA, FUSA, Fairfield United to Host Third Annual Pride Event
On Saturday, April 9, from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m., the annual Pride event will be held in the Quad and Traffic Circle. This event is hosted by the University’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, the Fairfield University Student Association Diversity & Inclusion Board and Fairfield United. The event will feature a lunch on the Quad with “music and fun activities,” according to an April 4 email sent by FUSA. The lunch will be followed by a march through campus, Fairfield’s very own Pride Parade.
Test Out Tabitha’s — Your New Favorite Ice Cream Spot | The Fairfield Mirror
Just off of King’s Highway Cutoff in Fairfield, Conn., you can find your favorite new spot for a frozen dessert: Tabitha’s Ice Cream. Fairfield is home to a lot of ice cream shops in its downtown area, but Tabitha’s reveals a unique take on this commonly enjoyed treat with its arrival. While this shop is new to Fairfield, it is not new in the Fairfield County area as its original location is in Bridgeport, Conn. near the Sailaway Sailing School, which has been in business for over 40 years.
Fairfield U Dance Ensemble Fires Up the Quick Center Stage
The Fairfield University Dance Ensemble hosted its annual dance recital in person for the first time in three years on Sunday, April 4 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The title of this year’s show was “Dance Again,” an homage to this being the first time these dancers have taken the stage since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it featured 40 different dances. The event was hosted by Peter Neumann ‘22 and Chris Adams ‘22.
A Letter To Future EdBoard
Madeline West, Madison Gallo and Thomas Coppola A letter to future EdBoard, When thinking about what to do for my first Editorial Board piece I wanted to not only make it special, but something to look back on as we embark on this journey-as our incredible staff leaves behind an amazing legacy and putting the Mirror at such a high standard. I can’t help but to be both nervous and excited for this next chapter for the paper.
On March 4, University President Mark Nemec Ph.D. sent an email out to the University community after he thought “about and [reflected] upon the campus presentation of our Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Narrative.” This event took place on March 1 and was reported in the Mirror, which featured the responses of students and faculty present at the event.
Sham Jam Causes Strife Between Students and Beach Residents
“Sham Jam” – a longstanding tradition of Fairfield University students – is an annual St. Patrick’s day themed party. This year, students attended and celebrated the event throughout the entire day on Saturday, March 5, gathering at the townhouses on-campus and the beach off-campus. While this event is favorable and highly anticipated among students, non-student beach residents found the party to be disruptive.
All my friends think I’m a bit weird because I’m the type of person who needs background noise for everything that I do: homework, laundry, cleaning, sleeping — you name it. I don’t always pick music as my background noise of choice, however. Sometimes I put the news on, or whatever show I’m currently streaming.
Beloved Breakfast Businesses
Some of the favorite memories I have from college have come from getting breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It’s sitting around a table with my friends in one of our townhouses or out at breakfast somewhere that, looking back, I sometimes feel my absolute happiest. However, one thing is certain: the food we enjoyed during any of these memories is incredibly important and I have some opinions on the matter.
Neat Noodle Rankings For National Noodle Month
The month of March is National Noodle Month. However, noodles should be celebrated all the time. To celebrate National Noodle Month, we are going to review some of the most popular pasta shapes and provide you with a definitive and 100 percent correct ranking and review of the pasta shapes. You might ask yourself what qualifications we have to be making this list, but I (Madison) have pajama pants that have pasta shapes and their names all over them.
Students and Staff React to Mask Recommendation Policy
In an email sent to students on Monday, Feb. 14, Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, Ph. D. communicated a campus-wide switch from a “mask requirement” to a “mask recommendation” effective on Monday, Feb. 28. For some, this may seem like the end of a long road. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, masks have been a mainstay in regular life. Although the pandemic has had a continuous presence around the world, state-level restrictions around the country have been easing.
Black Lives Matter Flag Removed by Administration
On Feb. 17, Counseling & Psychological Services reached out to The Mirror after the administration ordered the removal of the Black Lives Matter flag in their front window. Mark Celano, Ph.D., assistant director and director of training at C&PS, stated that they were “directed to remove the flag by the school administration out of concern that it may make some people uncomfortable.” As of Feb. 16, the flag is no longer hung in the front of the C&PS office.
Stags Hospitality Honors Black History Month
A creole gumbo bowl, white chocolate banana pudding, pulled pork pretzel roll sandwiches and short rib, rice, beans and collard greens are only some of the meals the Daniel and Grace Tully Dining Commons will be serving up to Stags as a way to celebrate Black History Month during February.
Stags Hospitality Honors Black History Month
A creole gumbo bowl, white chocolate banana pudding, pulled pork pretzel roll sandwiches and short rib, rice, beans and collard greens are only some of the meals the Daniel and Grace Tully Dining Commons will be serving up to Stags as a way to celebrate Black History Month during February.
Opinion: Do Stags Show School Spirit?
During my junior year of high school, when I began researching prospective colleges and universities, my list of requirements was simple: a school on the east coast, small-midsize campus, walkable, with some other attributes as well. School spirit was definitely not in the top five of my priorities, probably not even top ten. But, now after three years of college, I find myself wishing that at Fairfield there was more of a presence of school spirit surrounding the University’s athletics.
Sipping My Way Through Robeks
On the corner of Black Rock Turnpike, across the road from Little Pub, you can find Robeks Fresh Juices & Smoothies. This smoothie chain gained national traction in January after a video of a Fairfield man using slurs and throwing a smoothie at the employees in the shop went viral. But beyond this altercation, Robeks is a great and easy spot to go if you’re looking for a good, tasty smoothie.
New Semester, New You
As we ease into the Spring semester, it is the optimal time to figure out how to start your semester strong. Keep reading for a complete how-to guide on how to get off on the right foot! Step 1: Get organized! In order to be the best student possible, I recommend getting a planner or using an online one. Planners are great to write down your homework, take note of when you have classes and when important assignments are due.
Fairfield University Holds Fourth Vaccination Clinic
Fairfield University held its fourth vaccination clinic in partnership with Griffin Health on Jan. 27 in the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Students were able to receive their first, second or booster vaccination at the clinic. Pfizer Bio-N-Tech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccinations were offered. There will be a second clinic this semester planned for Feb. 17 in the Rec Plex from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students can sign up for this clinic online.
150 Covid Cases Since Start of the Semester
Across the country, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 still spreading with many colleges and universities seeing the direct impact of returning to class in person. Fairfield University has yet to publish results from their COVID-19 testing process, but the University’s COVID Dashboard is set to resume weekly updates on Feb. 4, over two weeks after students returned to campus.
University to Require Negative Test From Students Prior to Campus Return
Fairfield University will require that all students submit proof of a negative test taken 72 hours before their return to campus for the spring semester on Jan. 17. This information, announced in an email sent by Vice President for Student Life Karen Donoghue eleven days before the start of the semester, also noted that students who are able to submit proof of a positive COVID-19 test within 90-days of the Jan. 17 return will be exempt from testing.
Fairfield University Set to Hold Vaccine Booster Clinic
Fairfield University will hold a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in partnership with Griffin Hospital on Friday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Field House of the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex. At the clinic, first and second doses as well as booster shots will be offered. All three vaccines — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — will be available at the clinic. Anyone looking to receive their booster vaccine must bring their vaccination card.
Gender Inclusive Housing Options Are Available, But Students Call For Increased Advertising
The Office of Residence Life describes gender inclusive housing as an option of living provided to students in “alignment with Title IX, offered to any student who wishes to be housed by their gender identity.” For many students, it provides a safer and more inclusive living experience for those who wish to house in accordance to their identity. Many universities across the country utilize this housing option to ensure their students feel safe, included and content with their living situations.
When Should Christmas Music be Played? Before Thanksgiving!
Halloween is over, so you know what that means…Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé have re-emerged and the Christmas season has commenced. Christmas music is so much more than just about the Christmas holiday. Though not everyone celebrates the holiday, the music associated with the season and the ever-familiar background sound of jingling bells evokes strong feelings of nostalgia in all those who listen.
Converted Triples and the Possible "Sophomore Squeeze"
In June of 2021, a letter was sent to all incoming first-year students announcing that “converted triples” would be utilized for the class of 2025, as it was the largest incoming class in Fairfield’s history. In June it was reported by The Mirror that the Office of Residence Life projected, “that at most, 10 percent of the class, or 150 students” will be housed in converted triples.
Stags Soccer Alumni Return to Serve Students in New Role
Fairfield University alumni Jay DeGioia ‘80 and Joe Sandolo ‘81 were teammates on the men’s soccer team when they were students at Fairfield. Nowadays, the duo still works together. Only instead of on the soccer field, they are business partners at the University’s on-campus restaurant, The Levee. At the end of the 2020-2021 academic year, the University did not renew its contract with Sodexo, Fairfield’s previous food supplier.
Iglesias Leads Charge to NEC Playoffs
Senior captain of the Fairfield University field hockey team Malen Iglesias has played an integral role in the success of the team this season. So far, the team has an overall record of 10-7. After wrapping up their regular season with two final games on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31, the team will be participating in the Northeast Conference championship during the first weekend of November after winning the regular season title 5-0 at Merrimack College. The Stags remain 6-0 in conference play.
Fairfield University Students "Set the World On Fire" With Service
The annual fall service event hosted by Campus Ministry, Fairfield on Fire, happened over the weekend on Saturday Oct. 23. This year, students participated by helping out at events at Sturges Ridge of Fairfield — an Assisted Living and Memory Care facility, Green Village Initiative’s Harvest Festival and community clean ups throughout Bridgeport, Conn. sponsored by the YMCA. Student volunteers did a variety of activities to give back to the neighboring communities.
Fairfield Explores New Academic Program In Neighboring City
Fairfield University announced that it’s exploring plans for a new academic unit that will offer an associate degree to students from nearby low-income, under-represented communities. This initiative will happen in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport, according to a press release published by the University.
Met Gala Exhibit Meets Expectations
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” had a lot to live up to, as the first exhibit back following the COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to seeing the exhibit, my friends and I waited to get into the museum outside in the rain for about an hour. We really only went to the Met to see this specific exhibit, so there was a lot of pressure for it to not only to exceed our expectations, but also make up for the fact that we were cold and wet from the storm we endured.
Mask Mandate Lifted in Town of Fairfield, Not at Fairfield University
The Town of Fairfield’s mask mandate was lifted on Oct. 1. However, in an email sent to students from the University, it was announced that a mask mandate will continue while inside University buildings. Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchik sent an email to Fairfield residents discussing the lifting of the mask mandate. She stated that the decision was made in consultation with the Health Director and Emergency Management Director, on Monday, Aug.
Presidential Ball Marks First Major In-Person Event Since Pandemic
One of Fairfield University Student Association’s largest annual fall events, The Presidential Ball, often referred to as Pres Ball by students, returned Friday night on the lawn of Bellarmine Hall after not being held during the 2020-2021 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking into consideration the COVID-19 guidelines, two separate Presidential Ball events were held to maintain smaller groups on the lawn at one time.
Adjusting Back to In-Person Classes is Challenging
Nothing could have prepared students from across the country for the transition into online learning that came with the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the time of online classes, all I wanted to do was to return to the traditional in-person classroom setting. But now that Fairfield University is entirely back to in-person learning and experiences, the excitement and anticipation that was building up since March 2020 for this moment has left, and I now just feel anxious and confused.
Presidential Ball Makes Return to Fairfield University
The much-anticipated fall event hosted by the Fairfield University Student Association, The Presidential Ball, will return this weekend after not happening last year due to health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Pres Ball, as it has been termed by students, is set to take place this Friday, September 24 on the lawn of Bellarmine Hall. To accommodate the ongoing pandemic, the event will actually be two events.
Increased Size of First-Year Class Calls for New Converted Triples for 150 Students
Incoming students, that will be part of the Class of 2025, were notified that a small percentage of the class will be housed in a converted room assignment, or converted triple in an email sent by Associate Dean & Director of the Office of Residence Life Meredith Smith on June eighth.
Fairfield Community Reconigzes National Drug Take Back Day
In honor of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take Back Day on April 24, Fairfield CARES will host a Drug Take Back event in Fairfield from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Medication Drop Box is located in the entryway to the Fairfield Police Department. Community members are invited to bring their unwanted, expired and unneeded medication to the drop-off box. There will be no forms required to be filled out in order to drop off medications.
More Information Given About On-Campus Vaccination Clinic
Fairfield University is set to host two on-campus vaccination clinics on April 21 and May 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex. The clinics will work in partnership with Griffin Hospital and offer the Pfizer vaccine. Students can register for the vaccine online, using the link sent by the University.
Fairfield to Host Vaccination Clinics
Fairfield University will host two vaccination clinics in partnership with Griffin Hospital starting Wednesday, April 21 in the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex. The second clinic will be held on May 13. Both clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine and will run from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. each day. This vaccination clinic is not only open to students looking to receive their first dose of the vaccine.
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