President announces retirement
After nearly 20 years, President Michael J. Adanti announced his retirement. In a letter to the campus community, Adanti said it was a decision that required soul searching and was not one he took lightly. “I will take with me into retirement many fond memories of Southern and, in particular, of the people I have worked with over many years,” said Adanti. J. Phillip Smith stepped in to temporarily fill the position as interim president.
August
• Southern introduced a new language program in Japanese. Professor Kayo Yoshikawa led the course, teaching students both the language as well as the traditional way of using a brush and ink block, giving students a firsthand look at Japanese traditions.
September
• University police seized three firearms, along with other parts and materials, from North Campus Residence Hall after receiving a tip. Joseph Difusco, 34, was arrested and placed on interim suspension from the university.
• A gas main broke in Engleman, leading to students to be evacuated from the building and parts of campus closing down. Southern police and the New Haven Fire Department arrived at the scene after construction workers hit and broke a high pressure gas line.
October
• Assistant football coach Warren E. Pollard resigned after previous sexual assault convictions were discovered when campus police ran a background check on him. “He resigned, but he was fired,” said Rick Leddy, associate director of athletics and sports information.
• SINFest brought four bands to campus as part of an event hosted by the campus radio station, WSIN. One student said the music could be heard “as far away as Engleman Hall,” as bands such as The Battlecats and Silent Groove played.
November
• Phi Sigma Sigma disaffiliated from the national organization as well as the university after they were suspended for hazing.
December
• Men’s rugby denied hazing allegations after an ongoing battle with student affairs. The claim was that six members of the team threw eggs inside of a townhouse at North Campus.
