WEDNESDAY | 8.19.2015 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 58, Issue 1
Welcome Back ODU!
Josh Boone | Mace & Crown
Josh Whitener News Editor Students have launched complaints over social media regarding the effectiveness of security in The District in light of the home invasion, robbery and assault of an ODU student on April 9. Security in The District has been brought into question by students and their families. The lack of timeliness of reporting crimes committed in The District has also worried some. The District is covered in ODU’s crime report because both Norfolk and ODU police departments share jurisdiction of areas immediately surrounding campus. The District’s Facebook page has 27 reviews giving the complex a one out of five stars. 24 people have given it five out of five, although very few explanations as to why are given. ODU’s expansion throughout the years has caused concern over the safety of students who reside outside of the university. As long as student housing expands into neighborhoods like Park Place and Lamberts Point, crime will still
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ODU’s Crime “District” be an issue the university must address. The Norfolk neighborhoods surrounding ODU are deemed unsafe according to Neighborhoodscout.com which reports crime rates by neighborhood statistics. The District is owned by Asset Campus Housing, a corporation based in Houston, Texas, whose website advertises that their “approach to property management is to provide responsive and professional services. We continually strive towards excellence in delivery of those services and hold that expectation with every member of our organization.” Christian Graves, The District’s property manager, declined to comment on recent crimes within the complex due to corporate policy. Several phone calls and messages to Stuart Davis, the Senior Vice President of Asset Campus Housing, were placed without any returned. A resident, who identified herself as Lauren H, expressed a strong concern about the lack of communication between the management and the residents. “When I first moved here there [were] a whole
lot of problems with the security and they don’t tell you anything about what’s happening…they don’t tell you, they don’t give you warnings or alerts,” Lauren H said. She highlighted the current state of The District by pointing out repairs needed to cameras and outside gates. She said that even the working cameras are often turned, obscuring the view. She noted one in particular inside one of the buildings’ South entrances. “This camera right here was turned back for the longest time.” Lauren H. said. The District recently purchased and installed new computers in their computer lab and study room despite faulty cameras and door locks. This has residents like Lauren seriously concerned. When reached for a comment on the date of installation and number of computers purchased, Christian Graves, property manager, refused to provide any information. “I’m still trying to figure out how come they can’t figure out who some of the [assailants] are that assaulted the [student]. They still haven’t found them. There’s no reason why they
shouldn’t… you supposedly have all these cameras,” Lauren said. “I have a love/hate relationship with it,” Ilana Davlin, junior, said. “I didn’t want to live on campus my freshman year. I kind of wanted my own space.” Davlin described her first experience moving into the complex with the idea that being separated from campus dorm life would foster more independence and confidence. Instead, she said she experienced worry and frustration over The District’s ability to provide adequate security. “There was a four bedroom available; [I] moved in, loved it and then the management changed three months after I moved in and it’s gone downhill ever since. The security’s gotten bad, the crime went from bad to worse. [Crime] was always an issue there,” Davlin said. With limited personnel, the security has become more reactionary than proactive. The trust and assurance in The District’s security has also been broken in recent years when Michael Spearman, a former District security guard, was charged with raping a resident in April of 2014.
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Face In The Mace Mace & Crown Staff : Sean Davis Editor-in-Chief editorinchief@maceandcrown.com
Hashtag #ODU to see your face in the Mace.
Letter from the Editor Dear reader,
On behalf of all of us at the Mace, I’d like welcome all new incoming student to the special place we call home… and most call “’Ol Dirty.” To all of our returning friends, it’s great to see you again! May we all graduate before pulling our hair out. There’s no debate that college is an important time in our lives. It’s when we figure out and become who Josh Whitener we want to be. It’s a time of growth, discovery and risk taking, without the harsh consequences of the News Editor world of careers and professionalism. news@maceandcrown.com We created this special Welcome! (back) issue with that in mind, and packed it with advice and guides to help you make the most of it. Amy Poulter Now, if I may be so bold, I’d like to offer some advice of my own. Arts & Entertainment Editor First, let your excitement overcome your anxiety. The next few years will be some of the most interestartsandentertainment@maceandcrown.com ing and exciting of your life, and you should be psyched for that! Remember, almost everyone else here is just like you in that they’ve left all of their friends from high Zachary Chavis school and transplanted themselves into this strange, unpredictable social experiment we call college. Photography Editor As I’m sure you’ve already heard at least a few times by now, and as I sincerely believe, many of the photo@maceandcrown.com friendships you build here will be some of your most meaningful and last well into your life. Unlike high school, college isn’t a vicious hierarchical popularity contest. I can almost guarantee you that you’ll find Ross Reelachart others on the same weird wavelength as you. And believe me, feeling like you belong beats constantly Technology Editor measuring yourself against your peers by a mile. technology@maceandcrown.com In a sense, you’re getting a second chance at friends. Don’t squander it on shallow, boring people. Seek out people that are smarter than you, that think differently, that grew up under different condiSabrina Brooks tions. Find people that think deeply who will actively challenge your understanding and help you grow. Senior Graphic Designer Another phrase I’m sure you’ve heard enough by now (especially as a weird consolation when you tell sbroo029@odu.edu people you’re going to ODU) is that college is what you make it. Now, I want to acknowledge that like going to college, the luxury of “getting involved” is a privilege Jason Kazi that isn’t equally afforded to everyone. To many, ODU is just a place to take classes. Some people go Advertising and Business Manager home afterward without making any larger connection to or a second though about the community, and advertising@maceandcrown.com that’s cool. To others, jobs or other obligations will make it impossible to join student organizations or Jugal Patel participate in extracurricular activities. The point isn’t that there is a concrete right and wrong way to get Digital Editor the most out of the college experience. It’s that you strive to do as much as you can, with the understandjpate016@odu.edu ing that the more you challenge yourself, the more you expand your understanding and learn about the world and the people around you, the better you’ll be for it. Staff Writers: So go to documentary screenings and guest lectures, attend events that celebrate different cultures, Alex Brooks join one of our 350+ student organizations, go to conferences and retreats. Take advantage of the incredAlyse Stanley ible opportunities that so many don’t. Amy Poulter Thanks to a number of student orgs here, I’ve been to New York City, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh George Plank and all over Virginia; I’ve seen massive protests, met famous bands, listened to celebrities talk about their Jasmine Blackwell lives and seen things I never could’ve imagined. None of that would’ve happened if I hadn’t put in that Jessica Perkins little bit of extra effort. Josh Whitener It might mean missing a couple parties, but in the long run I promise it’s a good trade off. You can find a Libby Marshall pretty good list of orgs in the “University Life” section of ODU’s website. Michael High Finally, I want to encourage you to find something that makes you really angry, and do something Matt O’Brien about it. Ross Reelachart I like to think of ODU as a microcosm for the world: we’re here for a relatively short time, what we do with it is up to us, and there’s a lot of things that need to be improved. Both as Monarchs and as global Staff Photographers: citizens, we have a moral obligation to leave our world better than we found it. Dawit Samson Educate yourself on the issues that you’re passionate about, and then do something with that. Jason Kazi It might make some people nervous to say this, but we actually can ask tough questions and then deJoshua Boone mand changes, especially on this campus. Joshua Caudell Why aren’t there recycling or compost bins in Webb? Why isn’t there gender-neutral housing or bathNicolas Nemtala rooms? What can ODU do to lessen its impact on the environment? Why aren’t there more resources Schyler Shafer devoted to celebrating black culture and history? Why isn’t the police force fully staffed? What more can Shamon Jones we do to discourage sexual assault? Why are adjunct professors so underpaid? Why do the food options make me sad? I don’t want to play down all of the wonderful, amazing aspects of this school, but a school’s administration isn’t designed to necessarily improve things. It has to be pushed into doing it. It has to hear your grievances to know students are unhappy. Mace & Crown is a newspaper published by if you’re interested in writing, social media, photography, videography or anything else we do, please and written for the students of Old Dominion come check out the Mace. We have a lot of amazing opportunities, and it’s super easy to get involved. We once a week throughout each semester and meet Tuesdays in U Center during activity hour. once in the summer. Originally founded in 1930 as the The High Hat, the paper became Best of luck with classes and congratulations for continuing your education at ODU. the Mace & Crown in 1961. The Mace & Crown is a primarily self-supporting newspaper, maintaining journalistic independence from the university. All views expressed in this collegiate paper are those of the author, not of the University, Mace & Crown, or the editors. Phone: 757-683-3452 David Thornton Copy Editor Dthor013@odu.edu
“Congrats and good luck to all freshmen & returning students... College is what you make it. I rep my school everyday. I’m proud of it. #ODU” -@My_Art_Is_Life
“Fun fact, #ODU has had two starting quarterbacks, both are playing pro football on tv right now.” -@3GWilliams
“I’m gonna miss the peace and quiet of my neighborhood. #ODU people coming back next week to ratchet it back up.” -@xoxoKaylaB
“Whitehurst beach gone be my spot, it’s so beautiful #ODU19” -@lilranedrop_ “#ODU19 don’t forget rain boots. You’re welcome.” -@rosaweena
“First week of school is nothing but a pure situation of lituation #ODU” -@ThatsNAEforyouu
NEWS
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For even more campus crime information, visit maceandcrown.com.
Zack Chavis | Mace & Crown
ODU’s Crime “District” CNTD.
Josh Caudell | Mace & Crown
Students Gather for Charleston Shooting Vigil David Thorton Copy Editor
Members of ODU’s staff and student body came together on Monday, June 22 to hold a candlelight vigil on Kaufman Mall for the victims of the church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. Students and staff took a few moments to share their thoughts and prayers before silently lighting candles in remembrance. “I’m glad we have the opportunity to come together and offer our thoughts and prayers for the victims,” Ellen Neufeldt, vice president for SEES, said. Neufeldt was the first to share her thoughts, before quickly opening the floor. “My heart aches for victims, but even more so for the symbol that young man put forward,” she said, referring to the shooter’s message
of white supremacy. The vigil was loosely structured; it resembled, more than anything, a large support group gathering. Some comments touched on the ongoing national discussion about race. “This is a test… people of all races, colors came together,” Claudette Woodhouse, a student and civil rights activist, said. “It’s definitely a progression. This is part of healing.” “As I saw unity this Sunday, I saw the true meaning of what it meant to be American,” said Nicholas Shinn, an officer in ODU’s Model United Nations, referring to services, remembrances and rallies held on June 21. “We will no longer stand for messages of white supremacy.” Other students encouraged the crowd to take action, to join the conversation and help combat
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racism. “Although standing in silence is respectful, it’s our responsibility to do something, to stand up and say something,” Kathleen Brown, a graduate student, said. After everyone present was given a chance to speak, candles were passed around and lit with the flame of another’s. The crowd lowered their heads respectfully for a moment of silence. Finally, as “Amazing Grace” echoed across Kaufmann Mall, the vigil drew to a close. The event was organized by the office of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services (SEES) in cooperation with multiple other offices and student organizations, including the Student Government, Generation Forward and the ODU NAACP.
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“There’s a lot less security. I moved in two and half years ago. At first there were security guards there all the time, then they switched to cameras and only having a security guard at the parking garage and now they don’t even have that. They have an automated system where you have a pass so, realistically, anyone can just take the pass from a car and just wave it in front of [the sensor] and you’re in,” Davlin said. Davlin also expressed frustration with regular noise complaints made to management. “It’s almost like they’re gun-shy to do anything,” Davlin said. Davlin has also voiced her concern over the lack of communication between residents and management in response to the April assault and robbery of an ODU student. “They didn’t give a response at all. I found out on Twitter that something had happened and I want to know what’s going on around me… I don’t like being in the dark about things like that,” she said. Many solutions have been suggested for improvements in both the communication between the property management staff and security. One of them proposes the complex be integrated into the same style of alerts that ODU provides for students living on campus. “They should treat it like it’s on campus,” Davlin said. In the meantime, however, students like Davlin are forced to adjust to the susceptibility of crime. Vigilance while living in The District has been an unspoken activity for residents. “It’s tolerable, I mean I’ve learned
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to lock my door and just be careful of my surroundings because you always see people running the halls. They’re never the residents; they’re always guests. You never know what could happen,” Davlin said. A security guard with Silbar Security, a firm subcontracted to The District, who wished to remain anonymous, was assigned at the time to monitor incoming and outgoing residents due to a broken gate. He explained that when incidents like this are present, there is a guard on duty 24 hours a day. Regarding the high crime rate in and around The District, he seemed unaware. “There’s a lot of crime that happens inside of here?” he asked. Uncertain if their safety is guaranteed, residents have become more wary of their vulnerability to potential break-ins or assaults. Yet The District management continues to opt out of sending alerts to crimes committed within its property in favor of advertisements and social events hosted within the complex. If the District intends to advertise to the ODU community, students should, at the very least, be alerted to criminal activity in their housing complex by management.
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MONARCH EXPERIENCE ODU.EDU/SEES/MONARCHEXPERIENCE
You will be committing yourself to at least one cocurricular activity by October 1st and reporting it on their Co-Curricular Transcript. How do you make it happen? Just follow these steps:
GUIDEBOOK APP
EXPLORE Think about how you want to get involved. What do you like to do? What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your time? There are so many options to choose from. Ask your RA, browse Monarch Link, visit a Student Engagement office, such as LSI – or create your very own involvement experience!
Don’t forget to download our FREE Week of Welcome App for your smartphone and/or tablet! You can find our app by downloading “Guidebook” from your app store and selecting the “ODU” app to view all of the Week of Welcome material.
COMMIT Find the perfect fit and commit yourself to it. Maybe it’s a student org, a sports club, a learning community, or a community service project. Or perhaps it’s an adventure trip at the Rec Center, a leadership role in your residence hall, or a weekly study group. There’s something for everyone!
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By October 1st, you must record your selection on your Co-Curricular Transcript via Monarch Link (odu.edu/ monarchlink). This will be your very first entry as you track your Monarch Experience during your time on campus.
MAKE YOUR BLUEPRINT TODAY!
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Visit maceandcrown.com for Summer concert coverage.
E N T ER T A I NM E N T
CONCERT PREVIEWS INNOVATION, CULTURE AND EXTREME SPORTS COLLIDE AT VIRGINIA BEACH FESTIVAL
Jason Kazi Advertising Manager What do you get when you combine a showcase of local young entrepreneurs, regional films, national and local musical acts, along with skateboarding and BMX competitions? ICE 757! The ICE 757 festival will be held from August 28 to September 4 at various locations in Virginia Beach including the Virginia Air and Space Center, Shakas Live, Pea-
body’s and the Eighth Street Conference Center. This year’s main acts include Breathe Carolina, Sage Francis, Hit the Lights, Hawthorne Heights and Shwayze. Other artists performing include Kevin Bell, DJ Manifesto, The Jane Doze, Suburban Living, Leisure Cruise, The Reset, The Press War, The Spill Canvas, Unwritten Law, The Afterthought Stranger, Friends with Monsters, Such Great Heights, Fire From The Gods, Bad Luck, The
Wet Boys, Freedom Hawk, Fujiwara, Agent Orange, FFU featuring Bam Margera, J Rae, Wolfe, Ladder Moves, Buffalo Buffalo, Sister Abigail, Ghost Blonde, White Laces, Arum Rae. On the innovative side, Tech. Co will have a startup of the year competition and mixer on August 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Virginia Air and Space Center. On September 3, there will be a series of noted speakers including
Asa Jackson, the Executive Director of the 670 Gallery at Peninsula Town Center, Charles Kiser, Carol Van Cleef of Manatt, Phelps & Philips LLP, Danny Hewitt of American Auto Title Loans, Shawn McDonald, David Dickens, and Dr. Jim Hubbard of the National Institute of Aerospace. ICE 757 in conjunction with Coastal Edge will showcase local skateboarders and BMX riders. Food and craft vendors will be
available. Tickets start at $15 and go up to $60, depending on which days you visit the festival.
FIRST ANNUAL LANDMARK MUSIC FESTIVAL BRINGS TOGETHER ARTISTS FOR ONE CAUSE Jason Kazi Advertising Manager From Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech to President Barack Obama’s first and second inaugurations, the National Mall in Washington D.C. has been home to key political and cultural events for more than a century. For the first time, the Landmark Music Festival, organized with Trust for the National Mall, will celebrate the Mall’s rich legacy. The two-day festival will take place on September 26 and 27 at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. with headlining artists Drake, The Strokes and alt-J. In total, the festival will unite crowds to enjoy the music of more than 40 artists performing on five
stages. Other artists performing include: Ben Howard, Band of Horses, Miguel, The War on Drugs, Wale, Nate Ruess, Twin Shadow, CHVRCHES, Chromeo, TV on the Radio and George Ezra. In addition to the array of musicians, the festival will feature a food court curated by one of Washington D.C.’s renowned chefs, Jose Andres. Festival attendees are invited to visit the event’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to suggest which local dishes they would like to see featured in the food court. When asked about his favorite eats, Jose Andres says, “When (we’re) at a music festival, (we’re) always on the move so anything (we) eat has to be simple and easy to enjoy. I’d start the day with something
fresh and nourishing, like a salad with hard-boiled egg and avocado for lots of protein.” The final line-up has been posted to the right. For complete details, visit the festival website. Festival enthusiasts can purchase their single-day or full festival tickets online. Festival staff are also seeking volunteers, and applications are available on the festival’s website. The Trust for the National Mall’s mission is to restore, improve and preserve the National Mall and protect America’s Front Yard for future generations.
DC ELECTRO-HIP HOP FESTIVAL “TRILLECTRO” MOVES TO LARGER VENUE Jason Kazi Advertising Manager After being held outdoors for three years in a row, Washington D.C.’s hip-hop/electronic music and
arts festival Trillectro is moving to a larger venue. The festival will be held on August 29th at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. For those geographically challenged,
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that’s about halfway between D.C. and Baltimore. This year’s main acts include Chance the Rapper, RL Grime, Cashmere Cat and Kehlani, as well as regional acts Masego and D.R.A.M., who are both ODU
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alumni. Other artists performing include Dom Kennedy, JMSN, Tunji Ige, Chris McClenney, Babeo Baggins, Mista Selecta, Hi$to, NativeSun and Ayes Cold.
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Tickets start at $58 and go up to $135.
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Big Sean performs at Farm Bureau Live on July 31, 2015. Josh Boone | Mace & Crown
Pete Wentz, of Fall Out Boy. The band played Farm Bureau Live on June 28, 2015. Schyler Shafer | M & C
J. Cole performs at Farm Bureau Live on July 31, 2015. Josh Boone | Mace & Crown
Fantastic Meals and Food Advice for Freshman Foodies Jason Kazi Ad Manager When you visited campus for orientation or preview, you may have noticed that healthy dining alternatives within walking distance of campus are few and far in between. Those options are limited to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Subway, Juicebar Juices and perhaps certain items at Jimmy Johns. Here are some of the best tips that I can offer for staying healthy while in college: 1. Snack on pretzels, trail mix or peanuts rather than chips or cookies. 2. Eat healthy, especially right before tests or quizzes. 3. Walk EVERYWHERE...a bit of rain or sun won’t kill you. The
Virginia Zoo or the Hermitage Museum are great places to walk to with your friends or that special someone. 4. Cook, even if it means using your community kitchen. 5. Say no to late night snacking. No food or drinks other than water after 8 p.m. Here are two easy dishes to develop your inner Bobby Flay! Spicy Fish Taco Bowls Ingredients: •1 tablespoon chili powder •1 tablespoon cumin •1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper •3-4 white fish filets •1-2 cloves minced garlic •1 cup fresh sweet corn kernels (canned works too)
•1 red onion, diced •1 can black beans •Cooked brown rice (I use about 2.5 cups to last me a couple of days) •Toppings: Fresh cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream or pico de gallo (skip the sour cream if you want to get bonus points for being healthy) 1. Mix the spices together in a bowl and sprinkle onto both sides of the fish filets 2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat, heat a drizzle of olive oil. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes. Add the fish filets to the pan. Grill the fish on each side for several minutes, checking the middle for doneness (fish should be completely white and flake apart easily). Remove fish filets and set
aside. 3. Add corn, red peppers, and onions to the pan with no additional oil. Heat over high heat for several minutes WITHOUT stirring to get a brown/black roasted look on the outside. Repeat for several minutes (stir, wait, stir, wait) until the peppers and onions are tendercrisp. Add the black beans and heat through. 4. Layer rice, corn/pepper mixture, and fish in a bowl - or mix everything together in the skillet. Top with any of the toppings listed above. Avocado Pasta Ingredients •12 oz spaghetti •2 ripe avocados, halved and seeded
•1/2 cup fresh basil leaves •2 cloves garlic •2 tablespoons of lemon juice •Salt and pepper to taste •1/3 cup olive oil •1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved •1/2 cup canned corn kernels 1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well. 2. To make the avocado sauce, combine avocadoes, basil, garlic and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the machine on, add olive oil; set aside 3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, avocado sauce, cherry tomatoes and corn. 4. Serve immediately
Five Restaurants to Satisfy Your Hunger Near ODU Amy Poulter Staff Writer
Perhaps one of the hardest transitions of dorm life is forfeiting delicious home-cooked meals and replacing them with cafeteria trays, fast food and cups of noodles. Fortunately, ODU students are not at a lack of close-by eateries. A variety of cuisines and establishments can be found within walking distance of campus. Chow, 5103 Colley Avenue Offering up rustic Southern comfort food, Chow is located at the corner of 51st Street and Colley Avenue, just a few blocks away from campus. The mouth-watering
menu, which is written on wallto-wall chalkboards, boasts area favorites like fried chicken or fish, everything pork, and even veganfriendly barbecue sandwiches and burgers. Try the grilled peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich ($9), or the chicken and dumplings ($11). Chow also carries a great selection of local craft beer if you’re of age and adventurous. Small’s Smokehouse and Oyster Bar, 2700 Hampton Boulevard Located a quarter-mile south of campus, Small’s serves fresh oysters starting at 10:30 a.m. and well into the night, Tuesday through Sunday. If oysters don’t interest you, Small’s
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also specializes in smoked brisket and barbecue, as well as many Cajun plates. Try several types of local oysters (market price), or a variety of smoked chicken wings ($7). Small’s also has live music on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Don’t feel like walking? Call in for delivery. La Herradura, 4220 Monarch Way This Mexican cantina sits on Monarch Way behind the Ted Constant center. La Herradura is the go-to destination for all of your enchilada cravings. Nothing says satisfaction like a basket of warm chips, fresh salsa, guacamole and queso dip. Lunch specials start
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off at $5, and there is a dedicated portion of the menu to vegetarians ($7-$11). Sakura, 4300 Monarch Way Also located on Monarch Way, Sakura is just across the street from La Herradura. A sushi bar first and hibachi bar second, Sakura serves everything from fresh sushi rolls to fried rice dishes and teriyaki. Rolls start at $4.75 and go up to $14.45 for delicacies like the lobster roll. There’s even a roll named after Lady Gaga. Sakura also delivers fresh sushi right to your doorstep. Del Vecchios, 1040 West 47 Street One word: Pizza. What else do you need to know? Directly across
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Hampton Blvd., Del Vecchios makes all the pizza your dreams are made of, as well as other Italian favorites like pasta, calzones, Stromboli, and overstuffed sandwiches. Lunch starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m., and costs as little as $5. They’re even open as late as 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights to fulfill your late-night, cheesy cravings. And of course, Del Vecchios delivers. These restaurants are just a few of the many that surround ODU’s campus, and are sure to meet your hunger needs when the cafeteria just won’t cut it. Get out there and find your favorite Norfolk eatery.
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Sports
For updated Monarch sports coverage, visit maceandcrown.com.
Taylor Nguyen | Mace & Crown
Heinicke’s First NFL Game Alex Brooks Staff Writer CANTON, Ohio—On a beautiful night at the birthplace of football, Old Dominion graduate and star quarterback Taylor Heinicke made his NFL debut on the biggest stage. The Hall of Fame game gives Heinicke an extra game to prove to the Minnesota Vikings that he is worth dressing three quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL season. The Minnesota Vikings took on the Pittsburgh Steelers as the NFL season kicked off. Unlike regular season games, however, the Steelers did not play their star players such
as “Big” Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown and the Vikings only played their starting QB Teddy Bridgewater for the first quarter before putting in the reserves. This gave way for Taylor Heinicke to do what he does best, throw the football and prove the skeptics wrong. Heinicke was overlooked in high school due to his short stature for a quarterback but proved himself as he threw for a staggering 14,959 yards in his four-year career with the Monarchs while adding 132 touchdowns. Once again his height played a factor on draft night where he went undrafted before the Vikings picked
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up free agent Heinicke. His numbers and arm strength were not enough to overpower the fact that scouts thought he may have a hard time seeing over the line. Heinicke played the entire 4th quarter attempting 10 passes and completing 7 of them. One of his passes hit his receiver in the chest before being bobbled and stripped by Steelers corner Kevin Fogg and he was unfairly credited with an interception. He threw for 51 yards and was on the field when backup running back Joe Banyard ran in for a score. One part of Taylor’s game, his long ball, seemed to be missing.
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Those who watched Heinicke at Old Dominion’s Foreman Field know that he had one of the most deadly deep balls in all of college football. He could drop in a perfectly placed pass 70 yards down field without even trying, so when the Vikings called nothing but short passes it was a tad bit disappointing. It was like buying a Porsche 911 and driving 15 mph under the speed limit. It seemed as though they did not want to unleash all of what Heinicke has to offer. They also did not do any of the QB scrambles that he ran under Coach Wilder. With the ball on the 1-yard line, it would have been a perfect time to run the QB
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bootleg and show off that covenant NFL speed. Being mobile is more and more common and necessary when playing quarterback. It was only the first preseason game but with only 53 roster spots, every game is crucial. Heinicke played a good first game as a pro but will need to improve throughout the next four preseason games so he can finally realize his dream of becoming an NFL player. The Vikings’ next game will be against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Steelers will be headed to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars.
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Technology
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Top 5 Things to Come Out of E32015 Connor Norton Staff Writer From the growing equal representation of strong female characters, to the growing storylines and virtual worlds that have come to be long-time favorites of the video game world, E3 had a lot to show off. So in no particular order, here are my top five ‘to-watch’ releases from E3 2016. •Fallout 4 (PS4, Xbox 1, and PC) Are there enough words to talk about Bethesda’s best kept secret? Rumors had started circulating since before “New Vegas” was done about where the series would continue. It wasn’t until literally a week before E3 that Bethesda released the #Pleasestandby countdown clock to reveal the announcement trailer for Fallout 4. To put some of you non-wasteland survivalists into perspective, “Fallout: New Vegas” came out in 2010, so it’s been awhile since another Fallout franchise entry has come along. For the folks who fell in love with the franchise, that was a long wait. Fallout 4 takes place in the postapocalyptic wastes of Boston, Massachusetts, 200 years after the Atomic Fallout. Our hero/heroine emerges from the underground safety of Vault 111 to discover their neighborhood and life were completely ruined in the atomic fires. Bethesda was tightlipped about the storyline, even in their demo gameplay, but from the clips and images there are some very familiar faces. The open world is immense, and much larger than the past entries of Fallout, but users can expect a good deal of the familiar gameplay mechanics. V.A.T.S (Vault-Assisted Targeting System) is a returning system, with its ability to make a unique combat style and result in some awesome slow-motion death scenes. I’m a little disappointed, albeit not too much, that the female playthrough option was not featured in the demo. While it was mentioned that you could play as a female (to the cheer and satisfaction of the audience) there weren’t a lot of explanations behind how it would affect the story. Now, if Bethesda could just
get away from a heteronormative playthrough model and let Queer identities have a stronger presence. Fallout is known for keeping a free open-world environment while also keeping a multitude of overlapping stories going on to give you something to do at all times; and ‘4’ certainly looks like it will keep that tradition up. Fans can rejoice to see Fallout 4 on shelves November 10th, 2016 (that is, if the pre-orders don’t sell out first). •Dishonored 2 (PS4, Xbox 1, and PC) This was probably one of the sneakiest releases Bethesda came out with. But the only thing that made Dishonored fans more excited than the announcement of the second game was the amazing trailer. The graphics, look, style and design of the world created by Bethesda’s artists has become a true ‘steam-punk’ society that can hardly be emulated by any other industry. In the trailer we see familiar faces, most notably our mysterious otherworldly demigod The Outsider and a fully-grown and bad-ass Emily Kaldwin (apparently) former Empress of Dunwall. It was mentioned in the conference that players would have the option to choose between Corvo and Emily. But with the cool new “Mark of the Outsider” powers Emily has received, why wouldn’t you want to play as her? Dishonored fans will rejoice to hear that it is possible to play through the entire game without a single kill. While choosing the alternative can get messy, the option to be non-lethal earns this game a lower mark on gore. This game also breaks the glass ceiling when it comes feminist representation. The Dishonored franchise is built on roleplaying games that are founded on a rich storyline so it should be no surprise to expect the same from this much anticipated sequel. “Times may change, but it is always good to see a familiar face”. Fans still don’t have a specific date, but Dishonored 2 has been announced for a soft release in November of 2016.
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•Rainbow Six Siege (PS4, Xbox 1, and PC) This is a unique and new-styled squad-based tactical first-person domestic warfare game that replicates a whole new type of combat scenario. Through multiple scenarios, players can join a special anti-terrorist unit bent on eliminating groups of domestic and international terrorists that are holed up in a house, or play as the terrorists defending the hostile location. In each playthrough, the criminals on “defense” have a minute to board up windows, set traps, establish security and secure the home. The counter-terrorist team on ‘offense’ has the tasks of surveying the enemy’s fortress and using the beginning of the time to make plans to breach the zone. Objectives can range from securing a hostage to taking out the criminals. But the most interesting aspect of this of this game is the destruction simulators. The game challenges users to take advantage of ordnance, destruction and the environment around them to destroy walls or shoot through windows. This game is literally breaking down all the rules to one-person shooter and co-op mission games. The game’s combat and destruction capabilities obviously lend its gore level to be something pretty intense, but nothing more or less expected than your normal ‘Call of Duty’ game. The trailers, footage and information from the conference still leaves a lot of questions unanswered; namely the storyline. “Rainbow Six Siege” will release on October 15th of this year and is rated M for Mature. •The Division (PS4, Xbox 1, and PC) Post-Apocalyptic cities seem to be a hot-button video game theme lately, and The Division is no exception. The game takes place in the middle of a deadly disease outbreak on the aftermath of Black Friday. A covert organization of agents known as “The Strategic Homeland Division (SHD)” or “The Division,” has been trained
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to operate independent of the US government in a case of national crisis. The player engages in a massive online multi-player environment where the player is pitted against AI-controlled enemies, the survivors and unknowing government agents, as well as fellow agents in the pursuit of pride, money and resources. The game is “The Last of Us” meets “Call of Duty” in that the player will use new and unique technology and weaponry that is pseudo-futuristic, while also having the overgrown and chaotic look of “The Last of Us.” The mechanics of the game are relatively straight forward, very reminiscent to “Rainbow Six Siege;” however, the storyline is a little more in-depth. Through the quests you learn more about the outbreak, it’s source, and continue to help piece together the nation city by city. The game mechanics and plot line are strongly intertwined There is a moral compass that the player is allowed to challenge by threatening fellow agents (other players) along with enemies. As detailed in a gameplay trailer, players can play co-op and betray other agents at their own leisure so that they may collect all of the spoils from an operation. It’s not clear whether or not these options will affect gameplay. With a heavier story than other games and a unique multi-player model, it’s definitely the answer to the wishes of players who are looking for multi-player combat like “Call of Duty” with the fantasy, environment, and story of “The Last of Us.” “Tom Clancy’s The Division” will be released in March of 2016.
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•The Rise of the Tomb Raider (PS4, Xbox 1, and PC) This is the long-awaited continuation to one of the most amazing glass-ceiling breaking feminist video games of our history. “The Rise of the Tomb Raider” is a sequel to the most recent series reboot of “Tomb Raider” where the supernatural secrets and encounters Lara Croft endured have been covered up by a secret organization known as Trinity. Now, Lara and her partner Jonah Maiava must journey to Siberia to discover the secrets of immortality that they engaged with in the beginning. The game maintains its usual third person game-play style, along with it’s well-known representation of a powerful female character. Players will be happy to see that the oversexualization of Lara Croft is now a much smaller billboard aspect for this game. From the ruin-exploring mechanics, the unique weapons and combat options we’ve heard of, and the graphic and game system updates this is a very welcomed revamp to an excellent game. While Tomb Raider used to come under fire for the over-sexualization of women, a negative trend seen quite often throughout video games, this game seeks to really turn the narrative. From the promotional materials and trailers, a new and powerful look has been given to Lara Croft and I think all game players and feminists will rejoice when it comes. “The Rise of the Tomb Raider” will release on November 10th, 2015.
M&C| WEDNESDAY | 8.19.2015| MACEANDCROWN.COM
Ross Reelchart Staff Writer The hype and anticipation built up from this summer’s Electronic Entertainment Expo has waned, and Gamescom in Cologne, Germany has come and gone. As the school year winds-up and the summer games drought ends, gamers enter a time of the year where the biggest and most anticipated titles of the year drop along with the autumn leaves. Most of the following games will most likely have a significant presence at upcoming conventions like PAX Prime in Seattle and the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba, Japan as they ramp up their final marketing pushes prior to their releases. So there will be no shortage of anticipation for any of these titles. In fact, there might even be a surplus of anticipation. Just don’t let it all go your wallet. The fall games season start out strong in September as the month starts with what is surely a Game of the Year contender, and one of the most talked titles of the year: “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.” As the last game in the revered Metal Gear Solid series, fans and non-fans alike will be treated to the best that game director Hideo Kojima has to offer, and he frequently offers a lot. Gameplay and story trailers show off the impressive tech of this open world “tactical espionage action” game, mechanics that few games can match and the same bonkers narrative that the games have come to be known for. Gamers can expect a wide open game world filled with dozens of mechanics that interact meaningfully with each other, and Kojima’s signature blend of dark narrative and juvenile humor. From here, al-
Fall 2015 Games most all other games this year will be compared to the swan song of Metal Gear Solid. While September was host to only one truly meaningful game release, October is when gamers will really have to start picking and choosing what new release they spend their hard-earned cash on as releases begin to ramp up. October continues the now-familiar trend of sequels and franchises with releases like “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege”, “Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate”, and “Halo 5: Guardians.” All three of these titles are the most recent additions to familiar brands, and only Rainbow Six seems to possess any substantial changes to an established formula. Rainbow Six seeks to maintain the theme of a multinational counterterrorist force fighting terrorists, but does so in the context of a fast-paced multiplayer tactical shooter with destructible environments. Assassin’s Creed transplants the same familiar pseudo-stealth by way of parkour gameplay into Industrial Revolution London. Halo 5 will be the second mainline Halo title not developed by the original creators Bungie, and will most likely feature the same sci-fi first person shooter action the series is known for, bolstered by its popular multiplayer modes. If nothing else, October offers games that will be fun to play, even if they aren’t necessarily original or innovative. One thing of particular note in October, however, is the presence of two surprising releases: “Rock Band 4” and “Guitar Hero Live”. Yes, the rock band-themed rhythm games that required gamers to buy mountains of quickly-obsolescent plastic instrument are coming back within
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two weeks of each other. Rock Band seeks to improve on the familiar color-matching formula while supporting any already existing peripherals. But Guitar Hero wants to reimagine the whole genre with an entirely new system of rhythm matching. There is honestly no real idea of how either of these genre reboots will fair upon release. November will be the month of the shooter with releases like “Star Wars: Battlefront”, “Fallout 4”, the everpresent “Call of Duty: Black Ops III” and “XCOM 2”. Only XCOM is not a first person shooter. XCOM takes the game-winning hardcore turn-based tactical squad management gameplay formula, and expands on it with more mechanics and better maps. However, this time XCOM is not Earth’s last defense against alien invaders. This time, they are guerilla rebels fighting against an already establish alien regime that has conquered Earth. Fallout 4 was announced to thunderous applause at E3, and will no doubt excite many gamers with its massive RPG open world set in postnuclear-apocalypse Boston. Battlefront is actually a reboot of the Star Wars themed multiplayer shooting games, only with better graphics and a reduced player count. And of course not a year goes by without a Call of Duty. But the yearly shooter franchise seems to be finally be learning how stale it is becoming, because this iteration seems to feature some truly weird gadgetry alongside its usual gunplay, bordering on techno-magic. Last year’s Advanced Warfare was a welcome breath of mildly fresh air to the franchise, so maybe the same will be true this year. Maybe.
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Though December seems like a prime release window, the previous month of November is the usual prime release for games. That is not to say that December is bereft of good releases. “Just Cause 3”, “Xenoblade Chronicles X” and “Hitman” all debut at the beginning of December. Just Cause 3 is the sequel to the surprisingly well-received “Just Cause 2” after it was found that combining a huge open world with a limitless capability for destruction proved to be a winning mix. Now the game will feature an official multiplayer mode, so friends and strangers alike can take part in the festival of explosions! Xenoblade Chronicles X will be the follow up to a Wii-only RPG and, like that one, will probably be one of the best RPG games of the generation. Hitman is this writer’s personal favorite. If the developers deliver on what they promise, then the game will be a glorious return to form for the assassination simulator. Unlike the previous game “Absolution”, Hitman will be a sandbox where players are free to plan their murder within the intricate dollhouse of each level. All three games do not aim to innovate so much as they plan to hone a good formula to perfection, which can be just as good as something entirely new. There are many more games releasing in the tail end of 2015, and some that have yet to be announced. But hopefully this little list of the biggest names coming out will prepare you for a fall replete with big releases and nice surprises in gaming.
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Walk Car
Ross Reelchart Staff Writer How many different modes of transportation are available to a university student? At least in terms of just getting around campus, there are a surprising variety. But what if it were possible to get around quickly without using any of your limbs or your sense of balance, while also possessing a massive amount of portability? Enter the “WalkCar”. Developed by 26-year-old Japanese engineer Kuniako Saito, and his team at Cocoa Motors, the “WalkCar” is a personal transporter that sits somewhere between a Segway and a skateboard. Weighing between 4.4 and 6.6 pounds, and roughly the size of a laptop, the “WalkCar” is designed to carry a single person just over 7 miles at about 6.2 miles per hour. It is made of lightweight aluminum and can carry up to 265 pounds and takes about 3 hours to fully charge. Despite being of diminutive design, and looking about as sturdy as a laptop to stand on, the “WalkCar” has demonstrated itself to be quite capable of carrying a person at a breezy pace. In the demonstration videos, the “WalkCar” is shown to be able to maneuver as nimbly as a skateboard and even carry a person up on standard pedestrian incline. Acceleration is handled by simply standing on it, and braking occurs by simply stepping off. Turning is handled by the user shifting their weight. All of this is accomplished by a little metal platform with wheels that can be stored in a laptop bag. While not available yet, the “WalkCar” is set to hit Kickstarter in Q4 of 2015, where curious customers can reserve their own. The price is projected to be about $800. So instead of buying an actual laptop, save up and by one you can ride on.
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Opinion Ross Reelchart Technology Editor The world is a complicated place, full of nuance and subjectivity. One man’s good is another man’s evil, and it has been the job of pretentious philosophers the world over to determine if there even exists an absolute good or an absolute evil. However, no one has ever really contested the position of being a dick because everyone knows that being a dick is a bad thing. Good and bad may be subjective, but being an annoying dick is universal. Despite this undeniable truth, no one has ever set about the task of putting dickitude through the mathematical wringer in order to produce an objective, numerical measurement of how much a person or group of people can be a dick. This was the conclusion I reached after googling “dick”, sifting through 500 pages of phalluses and a former vice president, and then giving up and drinking it all away. Thus that will be the baseline of how much effort I put into exploring what I, and my liquor bottles, have dubbed “The Dick Factor”. After spending hour upon hour developing my dick measuring methodology (a method that I am assured will be lost in an ocean of male insecurity and pills), I have finalized a complex mathematical equation that will give humanity an objective way to tell just how dickish a person, or group of people, is acting. It is impossible for anyone to actually view the equation without protective eye wear and three condoms, and I risk everything just telling the world about the Dick Factor in the first place. But I can still tell you what it results in and how it’s is calculated. The equation takes in the offender’s initial Dick Rating (DR), their Adjusted Dick Rating (ADR), the Civility-to-Funny Ratio (CFR), Alcohol (A), and several other highly important and dubiously-named variables. The result is the offender’s Dick Factor, measured on a scale of zero to “God’s Mistake,” covering all variances such as “Insufferable Misanthrope”, “Irredeemable Asshole,” “Punchworthy Turd Blast” and Donald Trump. In order to demonstrate the accuracy of the Dick Factor, and appease the eldritch gods of mathematics, I will find the Dick Factor of a few example subjects. For the sake of statistics, assume that all final Dick Factors have an error margin of +/- fifteen percent douchiness. Dick Flips off Memorial, Dicks Respond in Kind
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In 2012, a woman took a picture of herself throwing the one finger salute next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Like all poor judgements, this was posted on the internet. Like the internet we all know and tolerate, it came back and bit her in the ass. The woman lost her job, and was also sequestered to her house because she was sent death threats and rape threats. This case proved a challenge for my equation. You see, my equation was primarily built for determining the Dick Factor of only one party, which would have been the woman. The Humor Rating of her obscene gesture was too low to balance out the Expected Respect multiplier, and so she would have received a Dick Factor of “Flailing Dumbass.” Note that the Dick Factor did not initially take into account the karmic comeuppance she received for being a mid-tier dick. But the Dick Factor was never intended to also compare the dickishness of a second party affected by, or responding to, the first. In this case, the internet should have been pleased with costing the woman her job and what was left of her public respect. Instead, the internet decided to go the extra mile and threaten actual violence against her. This put the Threatening Physical Harm variable through the roof, which is normally a relatively insubstantial variable, causing the internet to receive a Dick Factor rating of “Barely Contained Psychopath.” That then caused the woman to receive a secondary Dick Factor rating, one that took into account the “Unfairly Destroyed in Return” variable, of “Sympathetic Flailing Dumbass”. In the end, my equation stood turgid, proud, and throbbing in the face of this unexpected case. It also proves that being a dick to other dicks does not make you not-a-dick. (Source: http://madworldnews. com/flipping-off-dead-soldiers/) Hipster Dicks Fight Modern Racism with Retro Racism The first quarter of this century has, so far, been a non-stop barrage of everything wrong with the world coming to a head. All of the bad things bubbling beneath the civil surface of our world have boiled over, kind of like me after several drinks with someone I mildly hate. Racial tensions are back in vogue after a 50 year break. Haters are back to fight the unstoppable march of progress like evangelical cows in front of a fabulous gay train, which is also how
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I made up with that friend I mildly hate. But these are also times of progress, where more and more people are looking for ways to right these ageold wrongs. Sometimes they suck at that too. At the Fieldston Lower School in New York, the administration has put into place a program that will help stamp out racism among third graders forever: segregating them by race. Yes, in order stomp out childhood racism like asking where a classmate comes from or mistakenly donning blackface (my calculations give that situation a result of “Charmingly Inappropriate” by the way), the school has opted to separate children by their race and then have them ask questions about the foreign hordes that they have been cut off from. My equation does in fact account for good intentions that dumb people often possess while perpetuating their dumb existence, called the Having Emotions in the Right Place, Extra Stupid or (HERPES) Variable. Unlike real herpes, however, this variable’s impact is negligible at best. But it’s also like real herpes in that people who have it are often plagued by enough mental deficiencies that it hardly stops them from being a burden on the rest of us. By comparison, the Head Stuck up Own Ass variable and Historical Blindness variables are off the charts! When the final variable of Forgetting That Children Aren’t Racist, Just Dumb is taken into account the Fieldston Lower School achieves an impressive Dick Rating of “Secret Klansman”. In the words of mainstream media, “Numbers never lie.” In this case, the numbers are right in pointing out that not everything is a problem, and assuming so leads good people to become dumb people who then become racist people who then become school administrators. (Source: http://nypost. com/2015/05/24/the-newest-liberal-idiocy-segregating-3rd-graders/) Gamer Dick Gets Caught, Will Probably Meet More Dicks in Prison The public perception of gamers has been evolving over the years to become more acceptable in the mainstream and more inclusive to people who are not the worst society has to offer, which is a good thing. But if that is indeed the case, why am I still a “gay boy jew lizard” according to Xbox Live and a “triple fag sundae” according to League of Legends? Some say that such language is the work of only a vocal minority, just like how
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we only ever have one president at a time yet they all manage to ruin the country singlehandedly all the time. If this is indeed the case, the future should look bright because one extraordinarily vocal gamer dick will finally probably get what has been coming to him. A Canadian teenager has been arrested and brought up on 23 charges of false police reports and “swatting”. “Swatting” is the incredibly crappy “prank” wherein someone with no life and a gaping butthole where their face should be calls in a SWAT team-worthy emergency to kick down the door of an innocent party, usually someone playing a game on the internet. It should come as no surprise that this prank leaves no one happy as the victims are traumatized and police money is wasted. One of the most major factors in my equation is Pettiness, which is a measure of how pointless and asinine an act is when measured against its own consequences. So when a rare Canadian asshole decides to swat an innocent person or when a school newspaper gets hacked, the Pettiness Factor approaches maximum pettiness. It should also come as no surprise that the shamefully-named Doing It for the LULZ percentage was damn near a full 100 percent for the kid, which is not a good thing. I also added a few extra point under the table when I learned that he also called in a bomb threat to Disneyland which I have now dubbed the Are You Kidding Me variable. Taken all together, the kid reached an astounding Dick Factor of “Failed Abortion, Try Again?” I should note here that my Dick Factor equation is so powerful and rigid that it produces its own side effects. Most notably my equation can sometimes make you lose faith in your fellow Man as you watch him do the dumbest and most useless things for almost no reason at all. If the feeling persists for more than four hours, consult your urologist. Maybe the three of us can get together for a few drinks and a fabulous gay train. (Source: http://arstechnica.com/ tech-policy/2015/05/teen-pleadsguilty-to-23-charges-of-swattingharassing-online-game-rivals/) Mace and Crown Website Gets Hacked by… Someone. Probably a Dick. If you’re reading this, then that means two things. Firstly, congratulations! In a few paragraphs you will be fully certified by the Board of Dick Calculating (a.k.a. me) to use
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the Dick Factor equation to measure dicks, dumbasses, and douchebags! Secondly, it means that the Mace and Crown website has made it back onto the internet super highway to be ignored by everyone, including the hacker group that got it taken down sometime in May. So unless the Mace and Crown had published an article slamming “El Moujahidin”, which I am now currently assuming is like Mexican ISIS, there does not seem to be any reason for the hacking beyond the fact that we are dirty western devils. If that IS the only reason, then I cannot exactly blame them. The previous three entries kind of proved that we are horrible people. But if I had to offer some constructive criticism for the El Mouja-dizzle, it would be that there are better places to hack even if you just wanted the publicity. There were a lot of things happening that weekend that competed with your take down of royalty-themed school newspaper. David Letterman had his last show air on television, and everyone was still picking their faces up after “Mad Max: Fury Road”. I think the only person who saw your hacking was the guy managing the website and the other guy who happened to be in the room at the time. Now it’s important to know that my equation, like all mathematics, has no inherent bias or opinions on anything. So race, religion, creed, sexuality, or preference of Mountain Dew does not play into the calculations of the Dick Factor. The equation does not care who or what the El Mouga-Mania 2015 was hacking for or against. The equation only cared about the Pointless rating of the hacking, the Misplaced Effort variable and the We Won’t Care in a Month quotient. This calculation was pretty simply and straight forward, as it used some of the most basic variables and left out the more nuanced ones, resulting in a final Dick Factor of “An Annoying but Good Effort”. In the end, my Dick Factor equation remained the pulsing obelisk of impartiality and truth in a world plagued by subjectivity and nuance. A world where crappy things happen, committed by flawed and crappy people. But now we are able to say, without doubt or hesitation, just how dickish each of these crappy people were and rate them alongside their fellow dicks-in-arms like Marvel’s El Mouga-atron: In-dick-ity War Part 2.
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Editor’s note: If you search Connor Norton on our website, you’ll find countless stories in which he’s quoted. Not only has he been a convenient source (his office in SGA is next to ours), but he’s an extremely well-spoken voice for the LGBT community as well as one of ODU’s most active movers and shakers. I’m very pleased to announce that he’s going to have a weekly column on Queer issues here in the Mace. Mainstream journalism has traditionally done a poor job at accurately representing and giving voice to minority communities.I welcome any chance to correct and prevent that in the Mace, especially because our school is so diverse. If you’d like to work with us or have an idea for a story, please don’t hesitate to contact us. -Sean Davis, Editor-in-Chief
Queer Column Connor Norton Staff Writer Welcome to ODU new monarchs, especially you who come from places where you may have never really fit in or thought you belonged. For me, ODU became a small slice of the world where I could make my voice heard and truly create a world that respected and loved everyone; and that’s exactly what you all can do with this world too. Some of you might have some preconceived notions of what college life is, and what your experiences were where you grew up and where you went to high school. Forget those things. The difference between College and High School is that your voice, participation, and influence on the community is valued and will affect every aspect of the life you’ve chosen to live and improve here. For Queer people, it can sometimes seem a little more intimidating; school and living environments are completely different. From having to explain who you love, to why your gender identity isn’t and doesn’t need to be part of the accepted bi-
nary, it’s challenging… but the more you seek resources, become engaged in the community, and stop settling for people who don’t accept who you are; the sooner you will create and find the perfect community and home for you. Old Dominion is a diverse and inclusive campus, but only if you seek out and pursue the resources that help make it so. For the Queer identified students of ODU, there is ODU Out: The LGBTQ Student Alliance. This organization is the leading student engagement and involvement group on campus that works to partner students interests, concerns, and relevant topics into programming and engagement initiatives to benefit the campus. On top of this, the organization creates the foundations of the LGBTQ social community which allows events, engagements, and outings that aren’t about activism; but simply about being an open and inclusive community. Sometimes Queer students entering a university don’t understand that the fight is only part of the identity, another part is remembering there is a community of love, fun, and hang-
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ing out that is just as important to be a part of than always fighting for change. For students who seek to be engaged in activism and working to change policies and the narrative around diversity; organizations like ODU Safe Space and ODU Gay-Cultural Studies exist. ODU Safe Space is an organization that partners students with faculty/staff in an effort to educate and include all members of the monarch community in accepting new understandings of people other than themselves. This organization also works closely with ODU Out and focuses much more heavily on intersecting discussions of Race, Gender, and Sexuality in programming/speaking engagements that prompt discussion and learning. Organizations like The Office of Intercultural Relations and Women’s Center also partner with Safe Space and ODU Out to recognize the multiple identities that intersect within the Queer community. ODU Gay-Cultural Studies was an endowment campaign started some years ago to establish a Gay-Cultural Studies major/minor program within
the university; both for undergrad and graduate degree seeking students. This organization works with a diverse group of faculty, staff and students to help create a growing importance on the education that surrounds LGBTQ discussions and history. All of these organizations have great influence, and provide diverse homes for all those who seek to be involved in making the Queer community of ODU as engaging as they would like. This doesn’t end with organizations and committees, the Spectrum Floor is a living learning community on campus constructed with the purpose of engaging students with social justice, with an emphasis and priority on members of the LGBTQ community. Old Dominion’s commitment to the engagement and equality of it’s Queer students is indispensable. Just this past year, a task force was formed by the President’s office to specifically address issues of communities, their inclusion, and the sensitivity to diversity education on the campus. The changes coming to ODU are recent, and not without struggle and
Submit your creative pieces by emailing artsandentertainment@maceandcrown.com Foxtrot by Bill Amend
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frustration from fellow monarchs. It’s important to recognize all monarchs come from their own worlds, experiences, and we will never be able to truly relate to them. That is not an excuse to not be inclusive of listening to and understanding that all people deserve equity. Equity is to say “I will never know your life, your struggle, but I recognize the difficulty; and ask that you recognize and respect my different struggle and life.” While you find yourself at ODU, I challenge you to use “Equity” more than “Equality” because the things you want in life, the experiences you have had, they will always be something more special and important to you than anyone else. So don’t ask for them to be lowered and made ‘equal’ to everyone else’s. Be proud of your life, own your identity, and be ready to embrace a spectrum of others that you would have never encountered if you hadn’t come to Old Dominion. Welcome All Monarchs, and we look forward to seeing you engaged in your college experiences.
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Making a dierence one section at a time Now Paying Writers, Photographers, Videographers and Artists Meetings Tuesday 12:30 in the U-Center
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