THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SINCE 1896 • VOLUME CXXVII, NO. 99 • dailycampus.com Monday, March 15, 2021 CONFIRMED 2021 COVID-19 Current Residential Cases Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative CASES AT UCONN STORRS (positive/symptomatic) 214 Residential Cases* 236 Commuter Cases* 182 Staff Cases* as of 8:30 p.m. on March 15 *positive test results 47 Christopher Bergen vows to help student organizations, internal relations as new USG comptroller said he noticed there was a Senate to improve students’ college experi- vacancy for the School of Engineer- ence,” he said. “Working with them ing and he knew he needed to run for was defi nitely a factor in wanting to by Rachel Philipson that position. He won and he began get involved on a higher level in USG.” STAFF WRITER his USG involvement by representing Over the past few months, Bergen [email protected] undergraduate engineering students. said he learned how valuable student Bergen said he was drawn to be- organizations funding is to the under- University of Connecticut Under- come a member of USG because he graduate population and how USG is a graduate Student Government’s in- wanted to “advocate for student issues key factor in that process. coming comptroller for the 2021-2022 and improve our college experience,” “We have a multimillion dollar academic year, Christopher Bergen, as well as improving USG internal re- budget with the sole purpose of en- a fourth-semester mechanical engi- lations. hancing undergraduates’ experience neering major, said his fi rst acts will “Although [advocating for student at the University of Connecticut,” Ber- be to help streamline funding pro- issues] could be accomplished through gen said. “Since I wanted to have the cedures and help student organiza- many other great organizations at greatest positive impact on my peers, tions resume in-person activities once UConn, the stories of intolerance and I decided to run for the position of COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. lack of respectful dialogue in USG comptroller, where I could ensure our Bergen said USG has unprecedent- motivated me to join,” Bergen said. priorities are properly funded.” ed unused funds, as well as student fee “Students couldn’t care less about the Although his campaigning experi- revenue. He wants to use the funds to infi ghting that occurred over the past ence was not what he expected (run- benefi t the most students possible, es- year. Students are concerned about ning uncontested after his previous pecially after last year’s hardships due their fi nancial aid, academics and club opponent decided to transfer schools), to COVID-19. funding, among other things.” Bergen said he is extremely thankful “To ensure this money is spent for During his time as senator, his per- to have the opportunity to serve the its intended purpose and to reduce sonal mission was to help students UConn undergraduate community on our rollover, I will propose we defi cit feel comfortable expressing their opin- a higher level. He is eager to begin. spend in the next fi scal year budget,” ions. Having diffi cult conversations “I recognize there is a lot of work to he said. “I’m encouraging all clubs to helps fi nd the best answers, he said. be done, but I am ready to get started,” take advantage of this opportunity, “Having conversations with peo- Bergen said. “I’m grateful for every- along with the lenient funding poli- ple you don’t necessarily agree with one’s support and the trust put in me cies, to maximize their initiatives and is how you fi nd solutions to complex for this position.” events in the upcoming school year.” problems, while developing respect He said he is looking forward to Bergen is from Bethel, Conn. and for their perspective,” Bergen said. working with the new USG governing has lived in Connecticut his whole life. After seeing success in his senator board to improve campus initiatives He originally began his undergrad- position and getting to know his col- and build a stronger community with- uate career at UConn Stamford and leagues, Bergen said he was interested in the organization. Incoming USG comptroller Christopher Bergen, fourth-semester me- changed campuses before his sopho- in becoming more involved with USG. “This fall is going to be great when chanical engineering major, said he is eager to start helping student more year. “There are great people in this orga- most students return,” Bergen said. organizations in his new position. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BERGEN When he transferred to Storrs, he nization who want nothing less than “I’m here to help make it even better.” UConn students battle semester burnout by Mikhael Thompson without student activities. CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT “Some classes are hard, but [email protected] I feel like most of them under- stand,” she said. “And mine are pretty easy to manage for the Almost three semesters at the most part.” University of Connecticut have The office shown is where in-person USG meetings are held. The USG’s Chief Diversity Officer-Elect B O’Brien said that the asynchro- Diaz has resigned in the interest of their mental health after receiving hateful comments online. been virtual, and some university nous classes are a bit harder, as it PHOTO BY ERIC WANG/THE DAILY CAMPUS students have expressed similar had been difficult having to keep complaints of classes becoming up with classes without a clear more challenging due to a lack schedule. of routine and social interaction, “After a little while you kind of with a struggle to keep up course- get into the groove of it,” she said. Sanctions imposed on USG following free work. “But that further suffers from Faith O’Brien, a first-semester burnout with the amount of ef- undecided major, said that class- fort that you want to put in after speech bill controversy, CDO-elect resignation es feel less engaged with the vir- a while.” by Taylor Harton quired to satisfy a selection of terms the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semes- tual setting than a physical one Magnus Ekstrom, a first-se- NEWS EDITOR and conditions as determined by the ters, which will be mandatory for all because she misses out on the so- mester chemistry major, advised [email protected] Assistant Director of Trustee Stu- active members to attend. USG will cial interaction students that dent Organization Support in order also be required to send four mem- that in-person “Spending that much are feeling Members of the Undergraduate to avoid further disciplinary action. bers to triad biweeklies for the 2021- classes provide. burned out to Student Government at the Uni- “It is clear to me, as advisor, that 2022 school year. “I think it’s a time on the computer all step away from versity of Connecticut will now be the organization is not currently in a “It is my belief that these measures lot less engag- day just can’t be good the computer required to have a faculty advisor place to be productive, is causing sig- refl ect the seriousness of the situa- ing online if screen, adding present at events and must attend nifi cant harm to its membership and tion in USG and off ers the organiza- you just have a for your mental health.” that prioritiz- weekly check-up meetings and is in need of immediate assistance to tion and its members an opportunity lecture with a ing his mental additional trainings after the free address serious, unproductive, un- to learn from this experience and MAGNUS EKSTROM PowerPoint to well-being has speech bill chaos and resignation healthy and harmful internal actions improve the organization’s culture,” look at or just personally been of incoming chief diversity offi cer B that could threaten the ability of the O’Brien said. an audio file, you can get distract- helpful. Diaz engulfed the organization last organization to fulfi ll its mission for Finally, those specifi cally involved ed super easily,” O’Brien said. “The way I see it is more bal- week, according to advisor Krista the foreseeable future,” O’Brien said. in the issues pertaining to the bill are “On top of that you can’t meet ancing it out with more produc- O’Brien. All formal USG meetings, includ- slated to receive separate invitations people, so there’s not a lot of the tive things on the weekend,” Ek- The bill in question, which caused ing governing board, committees, from advisors to have an open con- support system with classes. Like strom said. “Spending that much heightened controversy and led to caucus and senate, will be required versation with other members about with homework, if you want to time on the computer all day just insults and threats from both sides, to have an assigned advisor present. how to restore faith and positivity in talk to your classmates it’s kind can’t be good for your mental was pulled last week. Diaz resigned Additionally, governing board mem- the organization. of hard to reach out and figure health.” from their position prior to the bill’s bers must attend weekly advising “Our intentions are not to impact out who’s in your classes.” Moore expressed a hope that removal, citing mental health con- meetings during the academic year your advocacy or initiatives which Caroline Moore, a first semes- classes in the fall will be in-per- cerns and continued online harass- and must make arrangements to fol- remain fully under your control and ter undecided major, said that son. ment. low up during the summer months authority, but to step in to help shift she has been able to manage O’Brien hoped that next semes- Internal activities in the orga- and calendar breaks.