Hillyer math and statistics instructor and University of Hartford Summer Bridge program contributing founder Frank Dello Ianco passed away.

David Goldenberg, the Hillyer College Dean spoke kind words about his fellow co-worker Iacono and his passing.

Goldenberg spoke of Iacono and his life at the University of Hartford in saying “He began teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the Barney School of Business while working at Pratt & Whitney. He later moved over to full-time teaching in Hillyer College, where he has been an extraordinary professor and academic advisor,” Goldenberg said. 

Iacono was part of the team along with Harry Jack Gray that thought up and found funding for the Summer Bridge program. This allows students coming to the University of Hartford to live on campus for a week during the summer time so that their transitions into college life could be easier.

The first Summer Bridge Program was held in 2009 with only a few students from the Barney School of Business and now has an astonishing 190 students coming after different weeks through out the summer.

Goldenberg also said that he hopes the program will still grow, and that Ianco would have wanted this program to continue with out him no longer being here.

Iacono will leave behind a tremendous legacy as well as a positive attitude that focused on helping a student reach there full potential, he has never given up on a student and he will leave behind the idea to not give up on yourself.

“It was called “Learning Logic”, said Goldenberg about Ianco’s teaching. “It is a program of high tech,” meaning students working independently and at their own pace via computer technology “and high touch,” because Iacono was always there to help mentor students through rough edges.

The Summer Bridge Program with grow and continue in honor of Iacono and only improve in numbers due to it offering areas of studying not only in mathematics but in writing, biology, engineering, business, women’s leadership and more. 

The University is deeply saddened by its loss of not only a great activist and teacher on campus, but of a good man.

“He leaves behind a College that will sorely miss him,” said Goldenberg. “We are in shock and mourning for a colleague and mentor to students.”

Every year the University of Hartford honors program a yearlong humanities honors course and the topic for the 2014-15 seminar has been announced as Exploring Complexity.

The course is also being taught by two professors, Dr. Jane Horvath and Dr. Marcia Moen. These professors teach in two different academic disciplines – economics and philosophy, respectively.

However, the two have collaborated with each other on complexity in the past, and will be working together again in order to teach this class to the honors students that sign up for it.

“Advanced study in any discipline reveals that disciplines are much more closely connected than might appear at the introductory level,” said Horvath and Moen.  “More in-depth study within a discipline tends to reveal the interconnections.  For example, Adam Smith is both an economist and a philosopher.  Karl Marx is studied by philosophers, economists, and historians. And the ideas of both thinkers have inspired and can be found represented in works from novels to short stories to visual arts.”

Horvath and Moen will not be the only ones teaching their students the knowledge of exploring complexity.  During the second semester of the Exploring Complexity course, faculty fellows will speak during the class to the students, so that they can gain understanding about how complexity is applied in the academic disciplines. 

Students in the course will learn about Complexity Theory and Complexity Science and how to apply it to various disciplines during the Spring 2015 semester.  

Dr. Horvath and Dr. Moen are expecting to have at least 5 or 6 faculty fellows doing lectures in the spring but as of press time they are still accepting applications from interested members of the University of Hartford faculty.     

“The call has gone out for faculty to apply by submitting a proposal on a complexity-related topic they would like to explore.   The call for proposals is open to faculty from any academic discipline and we are hoping for a broad representation from across the campus,” said Horvath and Moen.

Students interested in registering for the Exploring Complexity Humanities Seminar must be honors students and submit a short paper detailing why they want to be part of the seminar.

Students who are accepted into the course will receive both credit and an honorarium, which is a stipend for honors students.

COURTESY OF AJVITTONE.NET
UHa alumnus A.J. Vittone (right) is featured in a new commerical for Beats Headphones that will be broadcast during the Super Bowl.

By Karissa Marcano
Staff Writer

A good amount of media attention recently focused around Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s comments towards opponents and teammates.

Sherman was recently under fire for taunting opponents and teammates during and after games, for which he received a fine from the NFL and significant media attention.

The attention on Sherman also brought alumnus A.J. Vittone some of his own attention as well.

Vittone graduated from Hartford in 1994 with a B.A. in Communication and was a co-founder of STN channel 2 news.

After Vittone graduated Hartford he went on to pursue his career and is now a broadcast television industry veteran with twenty years of on-air experience.

His experience along with Sherman’s comments landed him in a commercial for Beats by Dre headphones.

The commercial is a part of the well-known “Hear What You Want” campaign that stars pro athletes wearing Beats by Dre in attempt to ignore undesirable situations they happen to be included in such as negative fan reactions.

Vittone plays one of the sports reporter asking Sherman questions in a post-game interview. His line had to do with Sherman’s trash talking being a distraction to his teammates.

Sherman responds by saying it does not distract, it motivates.

The commercial was first aired during the NFC championship game between the Seahawks and the 49ers on Sunday, Jan 19.

It is expected to air during the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Vittone found the role rather easy, having spent the past twenty years on television as a sports reporter and broadcaster.

Vittone explained that it was not acting and he has been grilling and battering pro athletes with questions for years, so he felt just right during the shoot.

Vittone has interviewed some of the most popular names in sports entertainment, some of which include Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Jeff Gordon, Sylvester Stallone, Derek Jeter, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and many more.

Eventually he was able to earn the nickname “Sportscaster to the stars.”

During the course of his career he has covered many national events such as the MLB World Series, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA March Madness Men’s Basketball Tournament, NASCAR Winston Cup Racing, World Championship Boxing and more.

To find out more about AJ Vittone or to check out his latest updates, visit his website at www.ajvittone.net.

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils that is caused by bacteria in the streptococcal family. There are many different kinds of strep bacteria. Some types cause more serious illness than others. Those that are in the Group-A strep family are the ones that usually cause strep throat and the ones that should be treated with an antibiotic.

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

Symptoms include a sudden, severe sore throat; pain when you swallow; a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit; swollen tonsils and lymph nodes (sides of neck); white or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat; headache; and loss of appetite.

How do I get strep throat?

When a person who has strep throat breathes, coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets with the strep bacteria enter the air. These droplets can be breathed in by other people or spread by sharing drinks, toothbrushes or kisses with infected people. If you come into contact with strep, it usually takes 2 to 5 days before you start to have symptoms.

Are all painful sore throats caused by strep bacteria?

No, they are not.  Most cases of sore throats are caused by a viral infection, not by bacteria.  A sore throat caused by a virus can be just as painful as strep throat.  But if you also have cold symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or a runny/stuffy nose, chances are good that it is probably a viral infection and not strep throat.

How is strep throat diagnosed?

Strep throat is diagnosed through a physical exam, history of your symptoms, and a rapid strep test that is done in the office. Sometimes another test, called a throat culture, is also needed if the rapid strep test comes out negative but your symptoms suggest that you do have strep throat. Throat cultures are much more accurate than rapid strep tests, although they take a few days to produce results.

How do you prevent strep throat?

Avoid contact with anyone who has a strep infection or appears to be ill. Wash your hands often.  Don’t drink from the same glass or use the same eating utensils. Don’t kiss people who have cold symptoms. If you have strep throat, it is a good idea to stay home until 24 hours after you have started an antibiotic.

How is it treated?

Strep throat is treated with an antibiotic because it is caused by bacteria. Antibiotics lower the risk of the infection spreading throughout your body and shorten the time you are able to spread the infection to others people. Most people are no longer contagious after 24 hours of starting an antibiotic. If you don’t take an antibiotic, you may still be contagious for 2 to 3 weeks, even if your symptoms go away. You may also be advised to take Tylenol or ibuprofen to help with pain and lower your fever. If you think you may have strep throat, please call Student Health Services at 860-768-6601 to make an appointment to be seen today.

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract. It can be a Lower UTI (which affects the bladder and/or the urethra) or it can be an Upper UTI (which affects the kidneys and/or the ureters).

What causes a UTI?

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria called E. coli that is found in the intestines and anus. Normally the urine contains no bacteria and is considered sterile. When bacteria get the opportunity to enter the bladder through the urethra, they can reproduce rapidly in the urine, and that leads to a UTI. Sometimes the bacteria in the bladder can also travel to one or both of the kidneys and cause a kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis.

Why do females get UTIs more than males?

Women are significantly more likely to develop a UTI than men. This is because women have a shorter urethra, making the distance for bacteria to travel to the bladder shorter, and the chances for an infection traveling to the bladder greater. A woman’s urethra opening (where the urine comes out) is also much closer to the anus (where bacteria live) than a man’s. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra from the anus.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

Symptoms of a Lower UTI include cloudy or odorous urine; blood in urine; urinating more often than usual; difficulty holding the urine; discomfort and sometimes pain or burning when urinating; lower back pain; and pressure in the lower abdomen. Symptoms of an Upper UTI include fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit; chills; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; pain on the sides, upper back or groin; and any UTI symptoms.

How are UTIs treated?

UTIs are generally easily and effectively treated with a short course of antibiotics that lasts from 3 to 7 days. Kidney infections need a longer course of antibiotics that lasts from 7 to 14 days. If the kidney infection is serious then going to the ER may be required.

What are the possible complications of a UTI?

With prompt and proper treatment, the chances of complications are miniscule. However, untreated UTIs can eventually lead to acute or chronic kidney infections, resulting in possibly permanent kidney damage.

How can I help prevent a UTI?

Fluids help to prevent a UTI; drink plenty of water and drink cranberry juice to prevent bacteria from multiplying in the urine. Do not hold urine in – go when you need to go. Urinate before and after having sex. Wipe your bottom from front to back after having a bowel movement. Females, avoid irritating feminine products such as deodorant sprays, douches, scented soaps and powders that can irritate the urethra.

If you think you might have a UTI, please feel free to call us at Student Health Services (860-768-6601) to make an appointment today.

To the editor,

We were disappointed to read the recent opinion piece in last month’s Informer called, “Cracking the female mind: Genetics explain why guys do not “get” girls.” [Archived Here]

Despite what seems promised in the title, the piece does not cite any examples of genetics or scientific studies. In fact, the piece opens by making a made-up and slanted reference to Genesis from the Bible, in which Man chooses to receive male genitalia instead of a woman’s mind. Not only would a reference to Genesis not be an appropriate example for a claim about genetics, but also this reference is completely fabricated.

The piece proceeds to make many claims about females that are unsupported including that “the female race [is] just absolutely ridiculous,” that females don’t understand the things they say themselves, that all female conversation consists of anecdotes about drunk friends, that girls are so oblivious that they are not aware when guys aren’t listening, and that the only reason that guys pretend to listen to girls is because they hope to get sex. These claims are all generalizations, not supported by any facts, references, or authorities, and they are incredibly insulting and hateful to women and the men who are portrayed as acting this way.

The author sometimes uses self-deprecating statements or apologizes in advance by saying, “some may call [guys] simple,” “I’m sorry, but,” “It’s nothing personal, but,” “Don’t get me wrong,” and “I probably sound like a cynical person who hates girls.” These little tips of the hat don’t make up for the amount of hate described in the statements as followed.

The author depicts the act of having to listen to a female speak as so terrible that they hope “a piano falls from the sky like in Looney Tunes and crushes us” and that when a guy has to pretend to listen to a girl because they are dating, this pretending to listen in exchange for sex “is hell.” The author “wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,” and reveals that when guys pretend to care because they “don’t want to be rude,” they are secretly thinking about suicide.

Not only are these comments incredibly misogynistic, but also they are also insulting to the intelligence and emotional sophistication of men. The claims in this piece are offensive to everybody, men and women included.

Near the end of the piece, the author finally cites some source material from a university course, although this is done casually without including references to the professor’s name or texts that they read. In addition, the author interprets the tendency for females to use talking as a social mechanism as purposeless, as if community networking were worthless compared to the unnamed objectives that males look to achieve when they talk. While there are often observable differences in communication styles between genders, this article is far from a scientific analysis of those trends. It is truly the opinion of the author, who has the bad taste to represent all men as having the same negative attitudes that he does.

Lastly, the article contained multiple errors of language usage including many run-on sentences, many comma splices, missing commas for connecting independent clauses, and spelling errors. These objective errors suggest that the author did not take much care when writing this article. The lack of care surfaces in both content and style that fail to meet journalistic standards that should be necessary for publishing in The Informer.

The Informer is an important part of the media presence on the University of Hartford campus. Students, staff, and faculty read this paper to get news and to connect to the community. We, the readers, are disappointed in the choice on the part of The Informer to publish this piece. The Informer’s submission policy as stated on their website reads, “We will not publish letters that we feel are in poor taste or constitute libel.” Their value statement reads, “We are dedicated to building a culture that respects all of its members and celebrates their contributions as we work together to strengthen our community.” This article, for the reasons mentioned above, is very clearly in poor taste and in opposition to the University’s and the paper’s values. As such, we would like The Informer to issue a retraction and for the author to make an apology.

Sincerely,

Dana Eckstein, alumna ‘13

Hannah Schultz, ‘14

Julian Sarria, ‘14

Stephanie Pelletier, alumna ‘13

Daniel Wencek, alumnus ‘13

Jeremy Stanley ‘11

Aven Rose, ‘14

Claire Capozzi, ‘14

Zoe Noia, alumna ‘13

Helena Kinane, alumna ‘13

Joshua Gischner ‘15

Maria Demauro, ‘14

Mala Matacin, Co-Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Psychology

Steph Crandall, alumna ‘11

Samuel Feldman, ‘15

David Speiser ‘09

Mark Lamothe ‘16

Brittany Peck ‘15

James McKinsey ‘14

Emma Himmelhoch (transfer)

Josh Levine ‘16

Sam Bailey ‘14

Samantha Pulley ‘15

Eric M. Leiderman ‘14

Melanie Russell, alumna ‘11

Ryan Bradley alumna ‘12

Sofia Wasserman-Smith ‘15

Shana Silver ‘14

Blair Apgar, alumna ‘11

Amber Gipson, ‘16

Andrea Wojcik ‘13 –

Linnea Rose Donnelly ‘14

William DiRienzo, alumnus ‘12

Bianca Severino ‘14

Julia Love Miller, alumna ‘13

Gaylen Ferstand, ‘14

Jessica Karp ‘14

Allen Loughman, ‘13

John Weed, ‘09

Connor Hall, Informer Staff, ‘15
Kaelyn Colon, ‘14

Amanda Zwirn ‘14

Lina Schoenwiesner ‘17

Christina Amendola ‘13

Jenna Zito, alumna ‘13

Benjamin Silver ‘12

John Card, alumnus ‘13

Rachel Cisto ‘15

Christine Pearston, alumna ‘09

Danielle Duncan

Maura Rabuffo ‘15

Rachel Cabaniol

Adam Montgomery ‘15

Justin Hendricks ‘14

Alyssa Magenheim ‘16

Kristina Koller ‘16

Samuel J. Rowell (transfer)

Jones Bush ‘14

Hannah Minor ‘14

Adara Brookler ‘15

Kyle Turner ‘17

Beth Mirahver ‘15

Lauren Holahan  ‘13

Elizabeth G. Stumpel ‘15

Russell Preston  ‘13 –

Shadia Siliman  ‘13

Katie Caughlan ‘12

Erica Field

EmilyRose Alderman – Transfer

Nicole Turner ‘14 From Syracuse NY

Lexi George ‘15

Andrew Bates  ‘14

Melanie Silvernail ‘14

Jessica Powers  ‘13

Angelica Beerbaum ‘16

Alexander Harris ‘11

Brooke Napoli

Steven Fox ‘14

Oriana G. G. Hirschberg  aluma

Chloe Pocock ‘16

Rachel A. Dehnel ‘14

Elizabeth Schorr ‘15

Kaitlyn Mitchell

John Pernock ‘12

Jenna Iwaniec  ‘14

Tyler Varsell ‘11

Sandra Weyant  Alumna ’11

Jared McCaw ‘14

Robert Giuliani ‘13

Nicholas Drago ‘13

Lauren Poremski ‘12

Hayley Mierzwa ‘15

Lindsay Adkins ‘11

Julia Sisson ‘14

Kelly Fancher ‘14

Karlie Henton ‘13

Jacob Silver ‘13

Brian Famigletti ‘13

Rebecca Hanlon ‘16

Katie Dydyn ‘14

A recent poll of nearly 200 University of Hartford students showed that 71 percent support changes in gun control laws.

The poll, which was conducted by journalism students in March, showed that many students favor major gun control proposals.

The assault weapons ban was a particularly popular idea; when asked if these weapons should be restricted to military personnel, 68 percent of students said “Yes.”

Although many would believe that these results might be attributed to the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, perhaps the most surprising result of the poll was the fact that only 48 percent of students said Sandy Hook changed their views on gun policy.

Based on the numbers, it seems as though gun control was already a popular idea among University of Hartford students before the tragedy.

Some students, however, are wary of these proposals. “If more people were armed, more shooters would get taken down.

If anything, we just need stricter background checks,” responded John Basiuk, a 22-year-old junior.

“I’ve heard other states are thinking of training teachers and principals how to use a gun and I think that’s a great idea,” Basiuk responded when asked about whether school administrators should be armed.

This proposal proved unpopular overall, with 91 percent of participants saying they were against the idea.

“We can’t even trust the police to shoot the right people!” exclaimed sophomore Matt Haskins when asked the same question.

“Sure, principals can arm themselves, but not on school property,” Steve Smith, a 22-year-old art student, joked.

Allowing college security officers to carry guns proved to be a popular proposal.

Although 79 percent of students said they feel safe on campus, 55 percent of students agreed that schools should have armed security for extra safety.

According to University of Hartford Public Safety Director John D. Schmaltz, Public Safety officers currently carry “handcuffs, OC spray, and defensive batons.”

When asked how he feels about a majority of polled students favoring armed security, Schmaltz focused on his department’s ability to neutralize an armed threat.

Currently, Public Safety officers are only in a position to “observe and report” if a dangerous person is carrying a firearm.

“The expectation for public safety officers is what the campus has to look at,” said Schmaltz. “Do we want them to stand up to the threat or observe and report?”