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Sports

Bringing the “Sap Bucket” back was a key goal for Cadets this year

By Kidane Hypolite, Guidon Staff Writer
November 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

The Norwich University football program ended its 2016 campaign with a 35-27 victory over their archrivals Castleton University in the battle for the Maple Sap Bucket trophy. “We have always had this game circled on our schedule,” said quarterback Nolan Aurelia, a junior business management major from Stratford, Conn.
The rivalry game is beyond an ordinary game for NU football. “It’s a battle for the state of Vermont and determines who holds bragging rights for a whole year,” said defensive end David Heinsohn, a junior international studies major from Lorton, Va, “It is so important to us, it gives the team all the momentum going into next season’s matchup.”
After losing their last two games against Castleton University, the Cadets were eager to end their rival’s win streak. “Losing three years in a row to an archrival … we needed to avoid at all cost,” Aurelia said. “We have all the momentum right now, things are on our side and it is up to us to keep it that way.”
The two previous losses to their rivals was more than enough to drive the team.
[Read more…]

Campus News

Norwich unveils plaque honoring alums who died in Global War on Terror

By Neal Bussiere, Guidon Staff Writer
November 29, 2016 Leave a Comment
Family members of fallen soldiers in the Global War on Terror who were Norwich alumni solemnly stand at a new memorial plaque unveiled on Veterans Day.

Family members of fallen soldiers in the Global War on Terror who were Norwich alumni solemnly stand at a new memorial plaque unveiled on Veterans Day. Stephanie White photo.

  When Norwich held its Veteran’s Day ceremony on Nov 11 to honor all veterans, past and present, the university used the occasion to unveil a plaque honoring the six Norwich alumni who gave their lives in the Global War on Terror.
  It was cold and snowy as Norwich Cadets marched across the upper parade ground to pay their respect to those who served in the armed forces.
  The ceremony began as scheduled with the formation of cadets, followed by flyover of two F-16s assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing in Burlington.     The entire crowd turned to watch the skies as the jets roared overhead and disappeared behind Jackman Hall. “In honoring the Veteran’s Day ceremony, the air force had jets fly over Norwich which, in my opinion, was pretty amazing to see,” said Jose Garcia Padilla, a junior English major from San Francisco, Calif.
  After the jets vanished, the band began to march and play. “What followed after that was band’s call for the march to the Upper Parade Ground. I had the honor of initiating the fire with my gun crew,” said Padilla.
  The ceremony continued with the regimental band playing while the cadets marched off the Upper Parade Ground. Padilla said, “it was a really nice ceremony. All went as planned and I think it was a really nice way to pay our respects to those who have served our country over the years and remember the six cadets who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
[Read more…]

Campus Life

Photographer Mark Collier captures life at Norwich, creating an image of the school

By Jim Black, Guidon Staff Writer
November 28, 2016 Leave a Comment
Lugging enough gear for any eventuality, Mark Collier captures moments large and small at Norwich as the University's professional photographer. Above, he aims a big lens on hockey practice. Photo by Stephanie White

Lugging gear for any eventuality, Mark Collier captures moments large and small at Norwich as the University’s busy, and personable, professional photographer. Above, he aims a big lens on hockey practice. Photo by Stephanie White.

At Norwich University, a photojournalist and friendly face can be spotted at almost every school and community service event in the thick of the action.

Mark Collier, staff photographer for the Office of Communications at Norwich and a native of Barre, Vt., has captured some of the most profound, as well as everyday, moments at Norwich and is no stranger to the faculty, staff and students. From taking photos of the Army Golden Knights, the Dalai Lama, and even going into burning buildings with firefighters, photography is “as natural as breathing,” says Collier, who says he has been involved with photography since the age of 10.

Kathleen Murphy Moriarty, associate vice president of marketing & communications, leads the office where Collier works and describes him as “Creative. Capable. And committed.” Collier’s role, she says, is that of a “visual storyteller and his work enhances the factual and emotional elements of Norwich. Through his clear, high quality, truthful images, we communicate meaningful and memorable messages that imprint our target audiences.”

Collier approaches photography with an artist’s eye. He’s typically seen taking photos of everything from the school including landscapes, buildings and people, as well as Norwich merchandise. “He may or may not have the luxury of time on his side to take the perfect shot, so opts to shoot as the event unfolds, capturing the action of the moment and the prevailing emotion that personifies what those involved must be feeling,” says Moriarty.

“I think this is year four at Norwich, this will be my first graduating class,” says Collier, who came to Norwich because he wanted a change.
[Read more…]

Campus Life, Campus News

Plan for expanded fitness facilities needs funding before it can happen

By Connor Guzda, Guidon Staff Writer
November 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

A lack of space in the Plumley Armory fitness center has long drawn student complaints, but Norwich is making plans to fix the overcrowding – though it will take time.
“Andrews Hall is entering phase three of a construction project for an addition on the athletic complex that will include a new fitness center,” said Anthony Mariano, director of athletics. But for now, the school has embarked on a major campaign for new academic halls that began this fall and is its current focus.
“I think once the school finishes the current capital campaigns, I would bet that the next capital campaigns will be focused on the addition to Andrews,” said Mariano, noting “The school’s priorities are currently set on the new academic halls.”
According to Mariano, phase three in the athletic complex will include a new fitness center that will also include new locker rooms, some office space and an expanded training room that will be added on to Andrew’s Hall, which is connected via Doyle Hall to Kreitzberg Arena.
“The new fitness area would basically incorporate all of the things down in Plumley but in one large room instead of three separate rooms,” said Mariano. The question is, will this gym be used for the athletic teams or for students?
“What hasn’t been determined is whether or not the current space in Plumley will be used,” said Mariano. This plays a big role in the plans for the addition on to Andrews because there is still debate going on about the size of the new fitness center. “Ideally it would be great if we had two fitness areas, one for the student population and one for athletics,” said Mariano.
[Read more…]

Campus News

Army ROTC field training exercise brings injuries, complaints

By Jim Black, Guidon Staff Writer
November 10, 2016 2 Comments
Cadets in the field during the recent controversial field training exercise.

Cadets in the field during the recent controversial field training exercise.

A department-wide field training exercise Oct. 14 with the Norwich University Army ROTC resulted in numerous injuries and organizational problems, according to extensive reports from student participants among the 680 Army ROTC cadets of all class years.

Army ROTC officials at Norwich, asked to comment on the problems with the exercise and injuries to cadets, denied any knowledge and promptly escorted this reporter out of their offices on the bottom floor of Jackman Hall.

However, an informal survey and anonymous interviews of students in the FTX was conducted via social media. It not only confirmed extensive problems but detailed numerous injuries suffered during the exercise, which a sophomore army cadet called “overall, a giant charlie foxtrot,” using military slang.

Because ROTC officials declined to comment, a social media survey was used to ask for comments and rating of the exercise. A total of 94 responses were recorded, 42 percent of them from sophomore MS2 cadets. The comments revealed that those participating not only felt that the “planning and organization was horrendous,” but confirmed that numerous cadets ended up in the infirmary, mostly for physical injuries and hypothermia. [Read more…]

Campus Life, Campus News

As new policy is drafted, transgender students speak out about their experience

By Kellie Lincoln, Guidon Staff Writer
November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment
Transgender students Bryson Santiago (left) and DeLuka Alexander pose for a picture. They are appreciative of Norwich’s efforts to draft policies for transgender students and say they feel comfortable going to school as members of the Corps of Cadets.

Transgender students Bryson Santiago (left) and DeLuka Alexander pose for a picture. They are appreciative of Norwich’s efforts to draft policies for transgender students and say they feel comfortable going to school as members of the Corps of Cadets.

Norwich University is required by law to honor requests from students for accommodations consistent with their gender identities, and Norwich’s president is affirming the school’s responsibilities.

“The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights states that recipients of Title IX federal funding cannot exclude, separate, deny benefits to, or otherwise treat differently on the basis of sex of any person in its educational programs or activities,” said Norwich President Richard Schneider in a memorandum Oct. 24. “Funding recipients must treat a person’s gender identity as the person’s sex.”

The president said that Norwich University does not currently have a policy, but university officials are drafting one that allows transgender students to access housing options consistent with their gender identity.

Furthermore, Schneider said that the university may not require transgender students to stay in single occupancy accommodations or to disclose personal information that is not required of any other students.

Cadets and students alike have questioned how this new policy will be implemented and what accommodations would need to be made, but transgender students at Norwich are excited to see what becomes of this policy.

“My goal is to try to get a gender neutral bathroom in every (building),” said Bryson Santiago, 18, a rook in the Corps of Cadets and a health sciences major from The Bronx, N.Y., who is a transgender male. “It is totally necessary, because there are other transgender males in the school who say that using the female (bathroom) is awkward for them.” [Read more…]

Sports

Former Norwich rugby star Joya Clark returns as coach of an opponent

By William Dow, Guidon Staff Writer
November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment
Joya Clark was a star player with the Norwich women’s rugby team during its incredible run of six national championships. She was back at Norwich recently as a coach leading her Central Washington team to a big victory over her former coaches and team.

Joya Clark was a star player with the Norwich women’s rugby team during its incredible run of six national championships. She was back at Norwich recently as a coach leading her Central Washington team to a big victory over her former coaches and team.

On Oct. 1, Norwich’s Joya Clark came back to her home pitch on the opposite side of the field as an alumna, and as an opposing coach – and a winning one too.

Clark, a class of 2014 alumna, spent her time academically as a civilian criminal justice major at Norwich University, and in athletics as a leading member of a tough and historic women’s rugby team.

Clark graduated in 2014 in Norwich as one of the most decorated players in collegiate rugby history. She helped guide Norwich to a combined six national championships between 7s and 15s over her four-year career.

“The reason I was attracted to the school was that it was small and tucked away Vermont,” Clark said, “It all of what I was looking for, in a higher education, and then when you paired that with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of rugby it had to offer at the time.”

Her main goal besides academics was to play rugby at a varsity level.

“I believed it to be important to be a part of the University that supported rugby through its athletic department,” Clark said. “As for someone who always struggled to focus in the classroom, it was important to be a name, not a number, to a professor. The relationships I soon then formed with my professors not only encouraged me to succeed in their courses, but this enabled me to perform my best on-field as well.” [Read more…]

Sports

Finishing what they started

By Connor Evangelista, Guidon Staff Writer
November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment
Forward Kevin Salvucci chases the puck behind Endicott College’s net in the first game of the season. His goal in the last seconds salvaged a 3-3 tie so Norwich remained undefeated early in the season.

Forward Kevin Salvucci chases the puck behind Endicott College’s net in the first game of the season. His goal in the last seconds salvaged a 3-3 tie so Norwich remained undefeated early in the season. NU Sports photo.

The Norwich University Men’s Ice Hockey Team has unfinished business after last year’s disappointing season. Last season led the team to snap a 17-year-long win streak by failing to finish the regular season on tops of the GNAC standings. After sporting a 17-8-2 overall record (11-5-2 conference record), the team would have had a successful season by the standards of most schools. For Norwich, however, anything less than a perfect season is considered unacceptable.

“We know that we have the potential and the ability to be the best in the nation. Last season we fell short on that goal,” said defenseman Brian Rowland, 23, a senior business management major from Waltham, Mass.

With victories over Southern Maine and a 9-1 whitewashing of Daniel Webster, and a 3-3 draw against Endicott thanks to a goal with 1.6 seconds left in the game, the Cadets are off to a strong start.

To ensure that the players’ heads were in the right place, Mike McShane, head coach for the Cadets, scheduled a leadership seminar with Dr. John Yeager, the director of Center for Character Excellence at Culver Academy (Culver, Indiana). During this seminar, players were split up into groups and were encouraged to share information in order to improve and meet their goals for the season. As a product of the seminar and resulting attitude shift in players, the men’s ice hockey team has embraced a motto for the upcoming 2016-2017 season.

“We all agreed that the motto, “Leave nothing behind,” embraces our mentality as a whole. With 10 seniors on the team this year, we all want to do our absolute best so they can say goodbye to this program on the highest note possible. The seniors have put a huge amount of time and effort into Norwich hockey, and the rest of us want to succeed to see their time and effort pay off,” said forward Kevin Salvucci, 23, a junior health science major from Plymouth, Mass. [Read more…]

Campus News

New Army ROTC chief implements changes, stresses leadership and training

By Charles Dodos, Guidon Staff Writer
November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment

The Army ROTC program’s new Professor of Military Science (PMS) arrived earlier this 2016 fall semester at Norwich University following a deployment to South Korea, with plans to refine the program’s mission of training and developing future leaders.

At Norwich University, students in the Corps of Cadets deal with a variety of responsibilities: The Corps, their ROTC branch if they are involved in one of the programs, and academics. Col. Jeremy Miller was for the first time exposed to this stress-filled lifestyle when he got to campus, and his reaction was unexpected.

“It surpassed my expectations.” Col. Miller said. In fact, it was one of the first times that his expectations had been surpassed upon arrival to a new duty station, he said. The students had impressed him, particularly how they dealt with juggling these different areas daily.

Yet, Col. Miller said that with every job, nothing is ever perfect. There is always room for improvement, and as the new PMS, Miller’s job is to facilitate that.

ROTC staff feel he’s doing that. “He’s doing a great job, he’s focused on the basics of having a fundamentally strong, high-performing, and high-quality program,” said Julie Craig, the recruiting operations officer for the Army ROTC program at Norwich. [Read more…]

Campus News

Grumbling among the Corps of the Cadets over the issue of leadership

By Elijah Campiglio, Guidon Staff Writer
November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment

This year the approach to leadership in the Corps of Cadets leadership has undergone some changes – and not everyone is happy with it.

One change that seems to have created an issue concerns the disciplinary process. When a cadet violates a rule, disciplinary action is administered through the chain of command. In the 2nd battalion, there is a rumor that there is a quota for disciplinary action forms and that has some students upset.

Ian Alford, 20, a psychology major in the Corps from Haverhill, Mass., has heard that and has a negative take on it.

“I can neither confirm or deny this quota issue and I hope it isn’t true, but I heard at one point 30 disciplinary action forms needed to be handed out in my battalion,” said Alford. “This so-called quota makes leaders look for every little possible discrepancy and it causes good students to suffer for innocent mistakes. Telling someone to seek out problems and give punishments and if they fail they get punished is not good leadership, it’s lazy.” [Read more…]

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