Sam Jackson Photography |Courtesy
Senior Softball Stars SEE SPORTS Pg. 9
The Marlin Chronicle THURSDAY 4.12.18 || MARLINCHRONICLE.VWU.EDU ||
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Break out the bedazzler, decorate those caps For the first time in Virginia Wesleyan history, graduating seniors will be allowed to decorate their graduation caps
Val Miller| Marlin Chronicle BY CAMILLE BENZ cebenz@vwu.edu
Glitter, rhinestones and flowers, oh my! Seniors can finally decorate their graduation caps. A student council headed by Heidi Brinker, Wynter Bond and Brittany Hockey crafted a mortarboard decoration proposal for Provost Timothy O’Rourke. After receiving researched information on how cap decorations functioned in other universities, O’Rourke and the students came to an agreement that seniors will be allowed to express their achievements through decorations for the upcoming graduation ceremony in May. Senior Carolina Jesse is excited for the change. “I think it’s a good idea. I would definitely do it. Students can be creative, we can express ourselves through our caps instead of them being boring,” Jesse said. “What better way to express yourself and the happiness of being able to say that you have made it? It’s a fun thing to do… There shouldn’t be limits to how one wants to celebrate their achievement unless the message is profane or vulgar.” Jesse wants to represent her biology major with the decorations. “I would decorate mine with a biology or chemistry pun, or a quote by a famous female scientist,” Jesse said. Fellow senior Ashantiana Jackson also welcomes the change. “Being able to decorate my graduation cap means the world to me. It means that I can express this overcoming joy of reigning victorious after nearly completing my undergraduate degree. Out of my six siblings, only three of us went to college,” Jackson said. Jackson wants her cap to symbolically represent her journey to graduation. “It also represents my first step in
my career and eventually going to medical school. I can’t wait to put my quote on my cap and just be able to keep it as a keepsake that will motivate me for future endeavors,” Jackson said. A full list of the rules about cap decoration will be sent to all seniors in a letter. Profanity and crude political messages are prohibited, among other things. Decorations can only be two-dimensional and may not rise above the mortarboard more than a half-inch. No loose glitter is allowed, and the caps may not make noise. The letter will also provide suggestions on what messages would be tasteful and kind. The Student Government Association (SGA) agreed to take responsibility and initiative on the issue. SGA members, including Hockey, will be responsible during the Commencement Ceremony to watch out for inappropriate caps. If such circumstances occur, two designated faculty members are to approach the student and replace the cap with a non-decorated one. “I value when students take responsibility for ensuring that any activity on campus fits within the spirit and values of the campus” O’Rourke said. While other campuses across the nation have been celebrating for years with bedazzling stations, students at VWU just beginning to enjoy this change. There have been petitions in the past for cap decorations, but not have been successful until now. SGA Vice President Brittany Hockey said that the committee was originally formed after a group of students came to the SGA asking for help changing the rules. The
FREEZES
Tuition for 2018-19 academic year BY SARAH TUCKER smtucker@vwu.edu
Thanks to a tuition freeze, full-time students at Virginia Wesleyan University will pay the same rate of tuition in the 2018-19 academic year as they did this year. During the freeze, tuition will remain at $36,010. According to a report from the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia, there is a predicted average increase of 5.4% or $422 for four-year institutions. The freeze will exempt incoming and current students from this increase, but not from other mandatory fees such as room and board, meal plans and technology fees. President Scott D. Miller said the freeze was approved by the Board of Trustees. In a press release, Miller said that he and the board “recognize that higher education is a substantial investment for students and their families.” He also said they “reaffirmed the importance of affordability and access to quality higher education. It is essential for us to work with our students and their families to make that possible.” The Virginia Wesleyan University administration shared the word about the tuition freeze through many forms of social media, including Facebook and Instagram. The university’s website has also made a formal announcement. You may have also seen it mentioned in
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one of President Scott D. Miller’s daily nota bene. “I saw the news about the tuition freeze on Twitter,” junior Alizae Dollins said. Sophomore Jayla Cross said she read about the tuition freeze in an email. Some are unsure about the relevance of the freeze, perhaps due in part to the fact that very little has been shared about it. “I don’t really know what this means or how it’s going to impact my life,” said freshman Shannon Harris. Not much is known about next year’s tuition freeze other than the obvious statement that tuition for the next academic year is going to remain the same as this current year. There has been no information released regarding whether other expenses, such as room and board or meal plans, will also be price-locked or if they will increase. According to an article published in “The Wesleyan Review,” Virginia Wesleyan hasn’t had a tuition freeze for 20 years. The last time was in 1998. When asked if this action should have been taken earlier, Dr. Miller said “It would be inappropriate for me to be critical of the past as a result of being a President in his third year.”
SGA voted in favor of the change. “We’ve been working on this since last fall and it came to its conclusion a week or two before spring break,” Hockey said. She emphasized the importance of the graduating class respecting the rules. “In doing this, the Class of 2018 will begin a tradition for all students at Virginia Wesleyan University.”
SEE CAPS Pg. 2
Google images| Courtesy
Have a great idea for a graduation cap? Send in your suggestions and pictures to nlhart@vwu.edu or tag us on social media @marlinchronicle #gradcap for a chance to be featured in the next issue.
New director of Residence Life
COMMUNITY Page 5
Trump transgender policy
OPINIONS Page 6
80/20 Burger Bar Review
WEEKENDER Page 11 4/11/2018 2:11:37 PM
2 Thursday April 12, 2018 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
News
‘March for our lives’
The March for Our Lives event was was a student-led demonstration held in Washington D.C. on March 24 in support of stricter gun control. There were performances by well-known singers, and a crowd of over 800,000 estimated people in Washington D.C. Signs upon signs with messages were held up by both children and adults, with sayings ranging from “I should be writing my college essays, not my eulogy” to “Am I next?” to “Take the NRA down.” The contributor of the story participated in the march. This serves as a unique reflection of her experience. The views expressed do not reflect the views of the Marlin Chronicle.
All content provided BY ALLAINA BOGGS arboggs@vwu.edu
CAPS CONTINUED FROM FRONT “Students came to me with a thoughtful proposal that showed a number of other institutions allowed it and that offered set rules we could apply,” O’Rourke said. Despite the approved change, not all of the administration were pleased. “There are faculty members that are against it,” Hockey said, but providing adequate research and creating a safety net for possible inappropriate messages helped faculty see how the change could be both positive and regulated. In part, the opposition seems to stem from the break in tradition. Provost O’Rourke confirmed that some faculty would prefer a more traditional approach, but also said that they realize it is 2018 seniors who are graduating after all. “I ask the students to exercise good judgement,” O’Rourke said. Hockey also explained that Virginia Wesleyan was the only co-ed university in Virginia that did not permit cap decorations, with the exception of Norfolk State University (NSU). Wesleyan was also the only local religiouslyaffiliated university that did not permit decorations.
Keeping campus safe A series of persepectives on gun control in the academic world BY MICKELLA RAST mjrast@vwu.edu
With the March for Our Lives setting.” rying pepper spray or other defense event not far behind us, and stu“I think carrying guns would just items mentioned in the last article dent protests still continuing across make students feel more uncom- should be utilized by anyone who the country, the last installation in fortable versus less,” she added. wishes to use them. the “Keeping Campus Safe” series This view is also true of fac“I think those kinds of [selffocuses on a student’s perspec- ulty and administration. “It’s the defense] things should be fine, as tive. Madalyn Chevalier is a junior same kind of principle. If I saw long as they’re not fatal. I think the who has followed the events of the my teacher standing in front of the issue with guns is that, if you shoot Parkland shooting and successive classroom teaching a lesson with a somebody with a gun it’s not just outcry but is also a “firm believer” gun on his hip I don’t know how going to hamper them from hurtin the Second Amendment and I’d feel,” she said. ing you, it’s going to be something owns guns. Instead of arming people who that detrimental to their health and “I definitely think that guns come on campus, Chevalier wants possibly kill them,” Chevalier said. should absolutely be discussed in to focus on education and preven- “But I definitely think students an academic setting, especially be- tative measures. should be allowed to carry pepcause they’ve affected the school “I think we should have methods per spray and stuff like that.” She system so much. I think, you know, for deterrence, not for fatalities,” suggested tasers as another source you give power to something by she said. of protection and pointed out that being afraid of it and talking about Though the campus does hold several companies now make them it and being eduto resemble more I definitely think that guns should absolutely be discussed in c o m m o n p l a c e cated about it is super imporitems, such as an academic setting especially, because they’ve affected the tant,” Chevalier cell phones. school system so much. I think, you know, you give power to said. Other academic something by being afraid of it and talking about it and being Though she is institutions have educated about it is super important gratified that the proposed differMadalyn Chevalier issue has sparked ent measures to more education about guns, she is seminars on what do to in case an protect students that involve no also unsure about one solution that active shooter comes on campus, weapons at all. Marjory Stoneman would work for every setting. She there is comparatively low partici- Douglas high school, the original believes that security guards and pation in and awareness about the site of the Parkland shooting that other personnel should be allowed events. Chevalier suggested that left 17 dead, now requires students to carry guns, but does not extend running students through manda- to wear clear backpacks. The stuthese views to others on campus. tory shooter drills would be more dents have protested against this, For example, students should effective. claiming that they are ineffective. not be allowed to bring guns on “It’s all fun and games to say Chevalier objects to this measure campus, whether or not they meet ‘yeah, sure, this is what you do,’ because of the privacy violations it age requirements or pass compe- but if someone comes in with a brings, as well. “I’m a woman, I tency tests. “At first I was all super gun there’s going to be panic, and have all kinds of crap in my purse gung-ho about saying ‘yes, Second students need to have a practiced and in my backpack. And honestly Amendment rights,’ being allowed idea of what they’re doing to avoid I don’t feel like it’s anyone’s busito carry guns on campus, but the people getting hurt needlessly,” ness what I have in my backpack, more that I thought about it the she said. “We do fire drills, we do especially when it comes to things more I see the concern,” she said. tornado drills, maybe it’s time to like medications and female hy“I would like to think that it would do those kinds of drills.” giene products. I don’t really want be a good idea for us to be able However, she made it clear that to bare that to the world,” she said. exercise our Second Amendment she is not against self-defense. On Ironically, one of the forms of rights, but honestly I don’t know the contrary, she believes that ev- protest Parkland students used was how I would feel sitting in class eryone should know how to defend to fill their newly-mandated clear next to someone packing heat. I themselves and be prepared to do backpacks with tampons. don’t think that’s the appropriate so. Proactive measures such as car-
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Community The
MARLIN CHRONICLE Editor-in-Chief Justin Smith jrsmith2@vwu.edu Managing Editor Hayley Heath hrheath@vwu.edu News Editors Mickella Rast mjrast@vwu.edu Amanda Archer acarcher@vwu.edu Community Editors Cynthia Griffin clgriffin@vwu.edu Brianna Kidwell bnclarkson@vwu.edu Opinions Editor Ashley Kline aakline@vwu.edu Sports Editors Corey King ckking1@vwu.edu Luke Chiasson lachiasson@vwu.edu The Weekender Editor Julie Ainsley jmainsley@vwu.edu Photo Editor Allaina Boggs arboggs@vwu.edu Illustrations Editor Valerie Miller vgmiller@vwu.edu Alex Powers ampowers@vwu.edu Online Editor Nel Hart nlhart@vwu.edu
Thursday April 12, 2018 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
Watch your words BY MORGAN BOYD
mnboyd@vwu.edu
Over the past semester, it has become apparent that there has been an issue the playing of loud music and foul language. Dean of Students Jason Seward, assistant vice president of Student Affairs have been working closely with Student Government Association to advise the community of Virginia Wesleyan University to watch their words and not to blast music openly. “The signs were put up by Student Affairs Staff because they wanted to make sure the language being used in a public venue like Batten was appropriate for large area ranges: i.e. children and parents/staff…,” said Nicholas Hipple, President of SGA and senior at Virginia Wesleyan University. Last semester, Seward noticed an increase of private conversation in certain places of the campus that were an inappropriate use of graphic language turning public, as well as the increase in popularity of Bluetooth speakers. Rather it’s coming from someone’s backpack or cell phone it is increasingly disruptive to students who may be studying, classes that are being had, or something as simple as a person eating lunch. He says,”...it has everything to do with being a community, that’s being respectful, that’s tactful, that’s tasteful.” Batten is a busy place from morning to night. From visitors to tours to athletic competitions to faculty and staff walking, the space should be complemented with appropriate behavior. Most importantly the students that work, live, play here and these conversations that are usually taken place in the privacy of one’s living are displayed for public consumption. “Increase of inappropriate language and decrease in decorum,” Seward said, and he is not the only one who thinks that. Brittany Hockey, Vice President of SGA and senior at Julie Ainsley|Marlin Chronicle Virginia Wesleyan said, “Some are embarrassed to bring their parents here because if you walk through The Grille One of the many advisory signs hanging around Batten Center. somebody is dropping F-bombs.” In some cases, students need to enlist those who are very influential in our community among use the excuse or what someone may call it as “a part of American culture” and that curse words are just accepted language. their peers and classmates.” In the turn of events, Seward wants to Looking a little deeper, graphic language in business societal standards make it known that this is not a sort of enforcement that is one sided, is frowned upon. For example, if someone was to use curse words but rather continuously brought up by any visitors that come through during a business meeting, that person would be fired or asked to leave this campus, faculty, staff, students, etc. In addition to the signs, he that meeting and dealt with later. To think of this situation as common addresses it first hand if he is in earshot of those specific conversations further stating that it makes the community look “classless.” knowledge to a community of higher learning, it surely lacks it. “We are an institution of higher learning. We are a university. We are The main reason is to catch to attention of the students. So putting them up place where students usually look is a great way to start. a community of different races, creeds, colors, but at the end of the day Seward’s idea is to create an community of higher learning and positive we have to be one that is appropriate, and some or the things that we empowerment. Seward said, “We are recruiting agents of change...we have witnessed are concerning,” Seward ended.
Copy Editor Tara Truax tmtruax@vwu.edu Business Manager Justin Smith jrsmith2@vwu.edu Advertising Manager Jasmine Demir jkdemir@vwu.edu Podcast Manager
Club showcase
Lighthouse Spotlight
Tremain Torre
Senior International Studies What was your study away?
Brenna Will bcwill@vwu.edu
“My study abroad was at Oriel College of
Adviser Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne
the University of Oxford. The classes I attended were Behavioral Economics, Business and Legal Communication, and Ethics and Logic. We studied how people react to products, price changes, trades, and how people choose products if based on
The Marlin Chronicle is the official student newspaper of Virginia Wesleyan University. Staff meetings are held every Tuesday at 5:40 p.m. in Batten 217. Signed submissions are welcome, but subject to the discretion of the editor. Letters are not edited for content, but may be edited for length and mechanics. The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper may not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff of The Marlin Chronicle or Virginia Wesleyan University. The Marlin Chronicle Virginia Wesleyan University 5817 Wesleyan Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757.455.3311
“As a former collegiate student newspaper editor, professional journalist and long-time advisor for the Society of Collegiate Journalists, I understand the role and value of student media at a liberal arts institution. Virginia Wesleyan University proudly supports the editorial independence and press freedom of student-edited publications. We believe that student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently, assume full responsibility for decisions they make.” --Scott D. Miller, Ph.D
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Attention Marlins Do you have a club or organization that needs some attention? If you answered “yes” to that question, we have a solution for you. Simply email your club’s name and a little bit of information about it to Community Section editor Cynthia Griffin at clgriffin@vwu.edu.
location, trends, or social status. For Business and Legal Communication, we focused on how business language has changed over the course of history and how to write up documents for domestic and international contracts.”
Photo Credit: Eric Xiang
onicle
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How was your study away experience helpful? “I have already completed what I wanted, that of serving in the Army. Going to Oxford was a personal goal of mine and just supplemented my academics. It helped me see a different side of politics by witnessing the United Kingdom’s parliamentary system at work. I was also able to witness how business is done in the UK.”
What was your most memorable experience? “My most memorable moment was interacting with the locals. We went to a pub that was visited frequently by Bill Clinton back when he attended Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.”
What was most surprising about studying abroad? “In my study away program there were many professional students that had bachelor’s, master’s, and one with a doctoral degree. One of my friends told me that their school pays most of their study away journey in order for them to experience Western culture.”
Tremain received funding for study abroad through SHIPP. For more information on SHIPP, undergraduate research, internships, and study away, contact The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery.
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4 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
Thursday, April 12, 2018
April 24 Information Systems Competition Presentation
Time: 9:30 a.m.- 10:45 a.m Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite Client: Eastern Shore Watermen’s Museum and Research Center
April 24 Guest Speaker Presentation
Time: 2:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite Speaker: Chris Stuart (VP of Top Guard Security)
April 24 Information Systems Competition Presentation
Time: 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite Client: Eastern Shore Watermen’s Museum and Research Center
April 24 Business Law Discussion
Time: 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 a.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite
April 25 Importance of Internships
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite (Hourigan Construction) Panel Discussions Guests: Heidi Brinker (VWU 18’) and Sydney Covey
April 25 Cross Cultural Understanding: What We Need to Know to Succeed in Our Commerce & Career
Time: 9:30 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite Guest Speaker: Dr. Tony Astro (Navy Veteran & Owner of Mvoss Creation LLC)
April 26
MBE 101 Shark Tank Presentations
Time: 9:30 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality
April 26 Job Fair
Time: 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite Including: YMCA and Northwestern Mutual
April 26 Information Systems Competition Presentation
HOME AND BACK
Time: 1:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite Client: Eastern Shore Watermen’s Museum and Research Center
Marlin Travel Made Easy
April 26 MBE 360 Operations Class Poster Presentation
Time: 2:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Location: Pearce Hospitality Suite
Virginia.Amtrak.com | #TakeTheTrain
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4/11/2018 2:10:25 PM
5 The Marlin Chronicle |
CAMPUS countdown April 14 Seafood in the Dell
Thursday, April 12, 2017
Get to know the director of Res Life Director of Res Life David Stuebing reflects on his past in the field of student affairs and the upcoming fall housing selection process
Time: 4:30 p.m.- 6:30p.m. Location: Univeristy Commons
BY EMILY VIAL esvial@vwu.edu
The 36th Annual Seafood Party in the Dell will feature a delicious menu, Kona Ice and a fun musical performance by the BJ Griffin Duo.
Sitting down with the new director of Residence Life, David Stuebing, it was clear to see that the smiling man in the well-tailored, deep blue suit has a lot on his plate. Given the stacks of paperwork on his desk, and the knowledge that the Housing Lottery for the Fall semester is impending, this is no surprise. Born and raised in Zambia, in central Africa, Stuebing came to the United States and attended Purdue University in Indiana. In his words, “fresh from boarding school in Kenya, that was kind of a study abroad experience.” Stuebing also said that with his special circumstances, “I have a soft spot in my heart for students where going home is more complicated.” In his time at Purdue, Stuebing moved from major to major, through engineering, then computer science, then graduated in psychology with minors in anthropology and organizational leadership. He then continued at Purdue to get his Masters in Education with a focus in college student development. “I gave myself a liberal arts education at a technical school,” Stuebing said. He got his start in Resident Life as a resident advisor. As part of his programming, he and his residents took part in Purdue’s “Adopt-aSport” program and became the Women’s Volleyball team’s biggest fans. What was once an underdog team at Purdue, is now one of the bigger contenders in the division and Stuebing credits that in part to the morale boost and sportsmanship of the fan section he helped to cultivate. “It just kind of became a perfect storm and spiralled up into something great,” Stuebing said. Stuebing went on to become a youth pastor in central Pennsylvania and worked as an intern at Messiah College after finishing his graduate program. Then he moved on to Washington College in the Eastern Shore, as an assistant director of Residence Life where is he served for seven years. “This gave me a lot of experience in creating what we want to see,” Stuebing said. He described his time at Washington College as “tumultuous” and “full of transition,” something the Wesleyan student body is familiar with, as Washington College also rotated through a handful of directors of Residence Life in Stuebung’s time with them. “Working through those dynamics set the stage well for being here,” Stuebing said. Going into the housing selection process for the fall, David offered some insight on this year’s model and the challenges of this year’s situation. Residence Life will be continuing with the StarRez system that was integrated last year in order to maintain the most fair practice
April 17 Port Day Oral and Poster Presentation Workshop
Time: 4 p.m. Location: The Lighthouse This workshop will explain the technical elements of poster design and poster content. For more information contact the CDIP staff at 757.455.3107 or careerdevelopment@vwu. edu.
April 18 Instrumental Ensembles
Time: 7:30 p.m Location: Hofheimer Theater The Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and Orchestral Ensemble perform under the direction of Dr. Jason Squinobal and Dr. Sam Dorsey. This student music performance is in Hofheimer Theater. For reservations, call 757.455.3282.
April 22 Annual Strike Out Cancer Day
Allaina Boggs|Marlin Chronicle David Stuebing began his new position in January of 2018 for all students. He also made note that the selection process will be completed before finals week this year in order to alleviate student and staff stress. Stuebing did acknowledge that there would be some students who are inevitably upset by the results of the lottery, but had an optimistic point of view. David said that students “need to know how to have those conversations,” whether it be between incompatible roommates or suitemates, or between student and RA, he believes these are valuable learning experiences that prepare students for the challenges of the real world. “Everything we do should be preparing students for life beyond college,” Stuebing said. For students he has three tips, and one request. 1. Clear all holds from the business office -- fast 2. Register for classes as soon as possible. 3. Plan ahead and have a backup on backups to avoid ending up on the waiting list. Finally, David wants students to know this: “if anyone sees my toddler, he loves fist bumps, so he would love it if everybody fist bumped him.”
Alphas welcome new members
Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Marlins Park softball field More than $100,000 has been raised for the American Cancer Society in the last nine years and the 2018 goal is $25,000. The entire community is invited to participate in this important fundraiser.
April 22-27 Marlin Prestige Business Conference
Time: All day Location: Various locations The confrence will feature special guest speakers to the popular “Shark Tank,” the agenda provides a variety of presentation and panel discussions. See page 4 for more details.
CRIME BLOTTER
Courtesy|Thinkstock April 2 12:19 a.m. |Liquor Violation Allen Village No description April 7 7:57 a.m.|Vandalism Greer Bench damaged
Cameron Irby|Courtesy Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated welcomed two new members during their probate in the Marlin Grille on March 17. BY MARLYN SILVA mhsilva@vwu.edu On a college campus, there are various types of clubs and organizations that make the college experience worthwhile. An intricate part of Virginia Wesleyan is the various Greek organizations that are currently active on this campus. All of them serve a unique role and have their own, unique presence within campus life. An important part of the Greek community is also welcoming any new member into their organization who share the same values and standards they uphold and believe in. Two Greek organizations that have recently welcomed new members are Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. As both organizations welcomed their new brothers and sisters, who stood out the most, in particular, was Alpha Phi Alpha. They respectively accepted into their fraternity, junior Cameron Irby and freshmen Ryan Richardson. Although, what makes the fraternity stand out is the recent steps they have taken in order to be even more inclusive, meaning not just within their men, race, etc. but with sexual orientation as well. Richardson identifies himself as gay and not only wishes to provide more encouragement for other students to join the fraternity but to also bring more diversity within the organization as well. “Hopefully that’ll show people that may have thought ‘Oh, I couldn’t do it because I’m gay’ or because I’m you know, not even gay just like ‘Oh, I’m white, I can’t join because it’s a black fraternity’. Hopefully, this will show them that ‘Oh, I can do it too if I’m interested’ or ‘I can’ not just because this organization says black men. Most people think when they think of a fraternity, they think of real buff, straight guys, but now we all come in different shapes and sizes,” Richardson said. The Dean and Financial Secretary and Treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha, Junior Myles Stevens, believes that this is a good sign and step towards growth and progress. “We’re not just remaining stagnant throughout on this campus. From our perspective, for him being openly gay, that shows we’re progressing as a chapter and as
individuals. Basically, he beat the odds himself,” said Stevens. The president of the fraternity, and junior, Anthony Bowden, stressed that being inclusive can only help their members to prosper. “We recognize the fraternity as being an institution to where all men, can grow, meaning of diverse background, as long as you are a male, you are able to join the organization and you still hold high the mission statement as well as the goals and objectives of the fraternity.” Being open and inclusive to any male is certainly not a new concept for the men of Alpha Phi Alpha. “It first became integrated in 1945 and that was when we let entry of our first member who is not of African American descent, he was actually a white male. Since then we have been growing, since 1906, we’ve really been growing as an organization to accommodate the needs of all males,” Bowden explaineds. Overall, Richardson is more than happy to be a part of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. “I feel accomplished for one and I also feel like I joined something that is bigger than myself. Now I can actually reach out help people more than just how I was doing before. I can actually touch people in a different light and in a different way.” Richardson also believes that the ability to be inclusive is certainly important as it shows a positive sign of progression. “This is how you grow as an organization.” As a fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha strongly upholds principles of acceptance. “We say love for all mankind. We recognize not everybody looks like us and not everybody may share the same goals as us, political viewpoints, and sexuality goes in that as well. Not all of us like women, not all of us like men, but we do recognize that we all have that one drive that’s for self-development and using that self-development to better our communities,” Bowden remarked. As Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity continues being inclusive, it can only make the experience for students who are interested in joining even more rewarding.
April 9 3:23 a.m. |Larceny/Theft Physical Plant Table sets stolen
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Opinions
Thursday April 12, 2018 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
$5 transcripts Metal over man Wesleyan charges students for transcripts.
BY JONATHAN JOYNER
Tech companies such as Amazon and Facebook cause humanitarian concerns.
jrjoyner@vwu.edu
As students, we struggle to keep up with the day-to-day financial issues that arise in college. Whether the expenses are related to school or not, we must always continue to stay on top of them. I bring this point up because of a recent change that Virginia Wesleyan has made concerning our transcripts. Starting back in January, VWU now charges five dollars per copy for transcripts. This is a change from the previous system in which you could go to the Registrar’s Office and ask for a copy of the transcripts for free, request transcripts through Web Advisor for free, or pay three dollars for transcripts to be sent out to a specific location. From what I have seen, most students did not even know that school began charging for transcripts. To me,
be charged unless the service is being used. I may not know the particulars of how the school works through its budget, but I have enough money-sense to know that $4800 a year is a healthy bit money to be spending for nothing. The school had two options for handling this pricing change: find a new vendor and hope for the best or begin charging a standard fee per transcript request. The school decided to go with a mix of both options. We now have a new vendor called National Student Clearinghouse. Together with this new vendor, the school decided to begin charging a standard $5 fee for each request. Now before any of you conspiracy theorists try to say that the school is just trying to take money from us, you
Alex Powers|Marlin Chronicle BY ASHLEY KLINE aakline@vwu.edu
Bing Images|Courtesy Students have to pay $5 per copy for their transcripts. this change, though not much of a pressing issue, does need to be known by the students. To me, $5 is a fair price to for a simple copy of our transcripts because of the process the school now has to go through to get you a copy in the first place. The reason for this change is actually one that we, as students, would not be expected to know about or understand. To obtain a copy of your transcripts online before, the school would send the request through an online vendor they had handling all the transcript requests. This vendor, known as Credential Solutions, recently sought to change their pricing model. They decided that, whether students used the online request for transcripts or not, the school would be charged around $4800 a year for their services. To me, this is insane because the school should not
would be wrong, because the school only keeps $2.75 of the five dollar charge; the difference goes to National Student Clearinghouse. Honestly, I am not fond of paying any more money to the school than I have to, but I believe the school made the right call with this decision. Yes, we pay five dollars for a copy of our own transcripts, but the school had to choose between that and wasting almost $5000 a year on a service that may not be worth that much money based on student usage That kind of gamble is not financially sound and I applaud the school’s decision. That $4800 could be used on other, more important things like keeping this campus running, expanding the campus, upgrading our facilities and enhancing our experience here at Wesleyan.
Tution freeze: students react BY FARAH HAIDARI fahaidari@vwu.edu
The Board of Trustees met earlier at Virginia Wesleyan … A tuition this year and reached the conclusion freeze for 2018-19 is just one of many that the school should not raise tuition actions we are employing to help our for the 2018-2019 school year. For students and their families benefit from the last 20 years, the school has been the lifelong value of a world-class raising its tuition on a yearly basis. education,” Miller said. It’s good that According to the press release sent President Miller is thinking about the on March 15, “We recognize that higher future, rather than just right now. Yes, education is a substantial investment for some students may not agree with how students and their families,” President he is handling things, but in the end the Scott Miller said. Miller also said, “At outcome is more important than what their winter meeting last month, our people think. Trustees reaffirmed the importance I am personally happy that the school of affordability and access to quality has finally made the decision not to higher education. It is essential for us raise tuition. A lot of times I have been to work with our students and their annoyed that this school is already families to make that possible.” It’s expensive and tuition still continues great that the school is finally realizing to rise. I know people who decided this because continually raising tuition to transfer because the school was too expensive for them. At the same is a financial burden on families. Senior Lydia O’Conner is happy that time, I am annoyed that the school is finally taking the school this action the is finally freezing As a senior, it makes me wish they did year after I leave. I would tuition, but it before. have loved it not happy LYDIA O’CONNOR if the school that it took did this when them this I was here. long to take the initiative. “I think it’s frustrating I personally hope that the school because it (tuition) has risen almost stops raising tuition altogether. When every school year… As a senior, it students are freshmen they expect that makes me wish that they did it before,” the cost will stay the same, no one O’Connor said. O’Connor also wishes thinks that the cost will rise from there. the school would offer a grandfather I love this school so much and am very clause where students would be locked grateful for how much I have learned in to the same tuition rate they paid academically and personally since I’ve their freshman year. “When I was a been here, but the school needs to stop freshman, it was a few thousand less raising the tuition every year and I than it is now and it would have been hope that happens in the next few years nice if they had a grandfather clause. so more people can benefit like I have. Then, it would stay the same for the four years,” O’Connor said. “Affordability will continue to be in the forefront of our planning
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Many think of new technological to maintain the systems. What else is out advancements as blessings, but what if there for these cashiers in an economy they’re simply wolves in sheeps’ clothing? where they’re no longer needed? What about Recent controversies with internet- cashiers who do not meet the credentials for based companies, such as Facebook and other forms of work? What will become the Amazon, beg the question whether or not new stereotypical first job for teenagers? such companies should be regulated. I say Amazon’s apparent desire to get rid of that changing climates call for changes of cashiers demonstrates a greater care for profit policies. than people. It shows the company’s greater Recently, Amazon has acquired Whole love for metal than man. Foods, a grocery store centered on providing I believe Amazon mimics the organizations healthy food options. In the spirit of full found in many works of the dystopian genre. disclosure, my mother was an employee of Amazon is exactly the form of entity that Whole Foods before the shift and continues shows such as Doctor Who, movies such to work for them today. This colors my as Blade Runner and authors such as Ray perception of Amazon. This acquisition Bradbury, Lois Lowry and Suzanne Collins is in addition to Amazon purchasing The have tried to warn us about. Washington Post several years ago. So far, Personally, as a result of their poor business Amazon has made its way into two major practices focused more on profits than people, industries, grocery and news, and has put I have chosen to boycott Amazon. I refuse to countless others in jeopardy. Toys ‘R’ Us give my money to a company that would value stated its reason for bankruptcy was lack money more than my fellow human beings. of consumers as a result of one-stop shop Amazon may be convenient, especially for online companies, us college students, such as Amazon, but aren’t the as well as business livelihoods of others I refuse to give my money to a com- more such as Walmart important pany that would value money more and Target. I think than our momentary it’s time to put a than my fellow human beings. Amazon c o n v e n i e n c e ? stop to Amazon’s may be convenient, especially for us We do not have apparent quest to wait for the college students, but aren’t the liveli- federal government for domination hoods of others more important than to develop new of all industries. our momentary convenience? If government monopoly laws ASHLEY KLINE officials do not geared for the put regulations on modern day. We can Amazon, we are start changing the destined for total monopoly as the company course our society and take a stand together drives those in a variety of industries into for a better tomorrow. the ground. The recent controversy surrounding Furthermore, as Amazon acquires new Facebook proves a need for tech company companies they develop businesses more regulation in other respects. Political firm reliant on technology than ever before. Cambridge Analytica used information from Amazon is working to develop cashier- the Facebook accounts of over 50 million less grocery stores. Recently, the company users to gauge voter personalities and interests has launched a pilot store with no cashiers in the most recent presidential election. This in Seattle, Washington called Amazon Go. scandal has opened up a floodgate regarding Is this the direction it’s looking to go with other Facebook security concerns. As a result Whole Foods? At a local Whole Foods, of the scandal, the net worth of Facebook Amazon is piloting a program where founder Mark Zuckerberg dropped billions Amazon customers can purchase their of dollars in a matter of two weeks. When groceries online and have them delivered on trial, Zuckerberg himself recognized straight to their doorstep. With such the necessity of regulating tech companies. measures, Amazon is making the position “I actually am not sure we shouldn’t be of cashier virtually obsolete. regulated. I think in general, technology is an If Amazon is able to perfect these increasingly important trend in the world and business models they’re experimenting I actually think the question is more, what is with, I wouldn’t be surprised if other the right regulation, rather than ‘yes or no, companies followed suits by developing should it be regulated?’” Zuckerberg said in similar checkouts. This would force an interview on CNN. If even the Facebook millions of cashiers out of their jobs as founder himself agrees with the concept of stores rely on computers and potentially regulating tech companies, why shouldn’t small teams of computer-savvy individuals we?
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Trump’s transgender policy BY MARLYN SILVA
mhsilva@vwu.edu
Since Trump took office, the United States has dealt with many issues and various setbacks. One of the many controversial issues surrounding the Trump administration is whether or not we should allow troops who identify as transgender serve our country through military service. There have been many talks on this topic dating back to President Trump initially tweeting out the ban on transgender troops in 2017.
Val Miller|Marlin Chronicle
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7 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Building up the next generation through education BY SABRINA LEMON smlemons@vwu.edu
was clearly very talented; one teacher told the gifted student, “You have to learn what the rules are before you can break them.” This is a bastardization of a quote spoken by Pablo Picasso. However, I most appreciate the way the Honorable Dalai Lama XIV phrased this sentiment, “Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.” Somewhere along the line it has become more appropriate to act like Paris Hilton and her staged reality show or her home movies, than to emulate a real-life person, such Melvin B. Tolson, a professor who taught at Wiley College, Texas in 1935. Denzel Washington portrayed this man in the movie, “The Great Debaters.” As for the women, why not try and emulate someone like Miss Booke (with an E) who traveled all the way to Wiley College because she wanted a better education than she could get closer to home. I don’t like using modern entertainment to drive a message home, but it seems like genuine history and it is a treasure trove of knowledge that has fallen by the wayside. Briefly touching on education, and since this is a four-year school that has Alex Powers|Marlin Chronicle recently transitioned into a university, which seeks to advance the education of those who seek master’s degrees, the tricky part of providing an education is not just in access, but is making the education that is being offered valuable to the person seeking it. This value in education holds true in public schools and private schools, from kindergarten all the way through the doctoral programs. Even with the best intentions of equality in education, we are not offering equal access to education in the public schools or undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral levels. culture, religion, or other variation differs from our own wheelhouse.
Read more online! Visit marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
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We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union… I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase in one form or another, once bitten twice shy! However, it seems in the 21st-century nobody wants to be reminded that they were bitten. This also brings to mind TV shows that I grew up with, though some may have been reruns by the time I viewed the shows. Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Old Yeller, Father Knows Best, Family Affair, My Three Sons, The Andy Griffith show, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Facts of Life, Different Strokes, The Jeffersons, Archie Bunker, The Beaver, The Addams Family and The Munsters – the beauty of these shows were the lessons they taught of empathy, compassion, owning up to one’s mistakes, communication, patience, humility, learning to apologize and learning to deal with loss. These lessons used to mirror the values learned at home in middle-class America. Somehow we exited the 80s with the dark side of the television industry warping family values and leading our youth like cows with nose rings away from their families. On the heels of sadistic television programming came the internet. These learned skills and methods of coping and growing have disappeared from the games children play, the shows they watch on TV, even the interactions with their parents and family members. The sad part is people are unwilling to see this or admit the lack of human connection and interaction; the very social foundations that are at core of a healthy, functional society. If an individual cannot discern appropriate behavior, choices, accept shortcomings and failings or even their successes and wins in a healthy manner; this is a disservice to society. When we miss an opportunity to educate and develop our children in healthy ways to deal with the world, we open the door to allowing others to mold, alter, or warp the minds of our youth. Sometimes it is a person they know, sometimes it’s the abyss of the internet, or the imitation 13-year-old on the other end of the Wi-Fi! All the access to knowledge and information via keyboard and computer screen so many people are saying still, “not me, not my child, not my neighborhood, not my tax bracket, not in my educational level, not in our denomination, not in my nationality.” With all the information out there, people still want to bury their heads in the sand close their eyes and walk around blindly or worse, maim their children before they ever send them into the world. If parents don’t teach their children how to use their words or other skills to communicate they will use other methods at their disposal to deal with their problems and ultimately create more problems. For example, video games: how do you deal with adversity in a video game? The various reactions in traditional video games such as PacMan, Mario Brothers/SuperMario, Donkey Kong, Frogger and Space Invaders are to eat your opponent, beat your opponent with a hammer, throw barrels at your opponent, run over your opponent, or blast your opponent out of the sky. Keep in mind these were considered mild in the 1980s. Social, personal, moral and ethical standards are being demolished by video games, lyrics in music that debase others and TV shows where it is more important to be famous for doing stupid, illicit, or dangerous activities, or even better if one is having extramarital affairs or engaging in relationships that are inappropriate with people they hardly know. It has been said more Americans need to mind their own business, but whose business is it to protect the innocent children, the infirmed, those who are being trafficked, and others who do not have a responsible adult looking out for their well-being? It is the mindset of “not my problem” that enables bullies to continue, to thrive and not develop a healthy sense of morality and ethics. Bullies in the school arena do not grow out of being bullies. They just change their tactics and trade the schoolhouse for another arena. Part of a parent’s job is to also inform their children of the basic laws that applies to everyone as public school systems have dropped the ball on this responsibility. There used to be classes in the public-school system that taught about problem-solving aside from math and logic questions. If there was not a class there was usually an extracurricular activity they might have been called Forensics Club, Debate Club, or Leadership Club. There were also organizations such as Youth in Government, 4H and FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America to be a part of, not to snub athletics or drama club. Each group like any organization has a set of rules, specific or implied; there are social dynamics, and no matter what group one is a part of there are standards of behavior that are expected to be met if one wants to remain a part of that group. I will use an example from a movie, I believe it is FAME, from the 80s; I could be mistaken in the reference. The quote was spoken to a young and developing musician who
MILITARY CONTINUED FROM Pg. 5 He had initially tweeted, “The United wards. Just because someone may States Government will not accept or allow not identify with their assigned transgender individuals to serve in any cagender, doesn’t mean they should pacity in the U.S Military.” He then went be prevented from exercising their even further to say, “Our military must be ultimate right as an American citifocused on decisive and overwhelming viczen. tory and cannot be burdened with the treThe main argument presented mendous medical costs and disruption that is that a person being transgender transgenders in the military would entail.” may present a risk. Being transObviously, “tremendous medical costs” gender may be a huge weight on isn’t enough of a reason for such a decision someone’s mind and may present to be made. It isn’t surprising to me that medical problems when it comes people have been shocked and livid that a to gender reassignment surgery. policy people have not only been working A person’s decision on how they towards, but hoping for, is being destroyed. identify shouldn’t factor into if Even though these tweets were released they’re allowed to serve their in July 2017, it was only this past month country or not. Each person should that a new, updated policy regarding transBing Photos|Courtesy of course be examined mentally gender troops was announced. As reported President Trump’s original tweet stating his policy on transgender in the military. and physically, but deciding how online by CNN and other news outlets, the they feel happiest shouldn’t be a new policy says that “transgender persons deciding factor. with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria—individuals who the policies state may It doesn’t help that the new policy is not very clear to begin with. If there isn’t a clear require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery—are disquali- solution, then what exactly is the initial problem? Some people believe that this is another fied from military service except under certain limited circumstances.” It’s also been act of discrimination that the Trump administration is enforcing on citizens. This belief reported that they believe people who are transgender, or have a history of gender dys- is not hard to agree with. Based on their previous policies and actions, the discourse phoria will present a “considerable risk to military effectiveness and lethality.” Despite this new policy has brought to our society is not surprising. The way the initial ban was this, it might take some time to see what happens as the military is still required to accept announced on a social media website was ridiculous. How are people supposed to take transgender individuals. Overall, it seems that it’s unclear where this may lead. issues seriously when Twitter seems to be the only way we can check for updates? How The new policy that’s been put into place seems to be vague and offers no solution to are people supposed to take issues seriously when even after months we still don’t have anyone who considers themselves a transgender troop. In the end, there is still a ban and a definite, clear definition as to what exactly is going on. Hopefully, as time moves on, the fact that there’s exception for people under “certain circumstances” is unsatisfying we’ll be able to get more answers than can be given in a standard 140-character tweet. to hear. Regardless of there being new developments regarding transgender troops, it feels like there is no true solution and that as a country we’re taking many steps back-
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Sports Everybody loves Grayson Women’s lacrosse player and mother, Megan Schallock, includes her son in her success on and off the field
BY MEGAN SHERMAN mrsherman@vwu.edu
A 7-3 record, 21 goals and 10 assists is a no- The team not only works with one another on senior Rebecca Winslow said. table start to the season for a lacrosse player. the field, but off the field as well. Grayson has “We all love hanging out with him and Not to mention a senior lacrosse player who become a bonding opportunity for the team as playing with him. He definitely helps us bond juggles the stress that intensifies as graduation some teammates helped Schallock look after more because when one person has him it grows closer. That alone is impressive – now him when she was in class or just needed an brings everyone else together and it’s just like add raising a baby boy to the mix. Megan extra set of hands. a team effort to try and keep him happy, laughSchallock continues to be ing, and smiling at all an integral part of women’s times,” Callahan said. lacrosse’s success thus far, Schallock’s son, even after welcoming her Grayson, wasn’t the son into the world just a only new addition to month before the spring the program this year; season began. the team now plays Schallock gave birth to under head coach Grayson James on Dec. 1. Kendyl Clarkson. Despite this being about a Clarkson previously month before the season coached at Methodist began, Schallock did not University and played let this inhibit her senior at Buffalo State. The season. In actuality, it moVWU lacrosse team tivated her further. “Once accrredited a lot of I had him I made the detheir success to Clarkcision that I was going to son’s laidback coachplay because I felt great,” ing style. Schallock said. “I think that coach Her schedule is a hectic has changed the mindone: class, practice and set of the team, the taltaking care of Grayson. ent was always there, However, she has the help but now everyone and support of her teamwants to have fun and mates, which essentially everyone wants to be made their team chemistry there,” Dowd said. even stronger. “It was just really “She did amazing, I’m exciting to have somehonestly mind blown. I one come in who rework, go to class and play ally encouraged and lacrosse, and I’m like believed in us,” Cal‘that’s what I can handle.’ lahan said. I see her with Grayson and Callahan played a she’s never stressed, she’s key part in the Maralways happy. She handles lin’s success so far. it so well, and she’s still an She’s a solid defender awesome lacrosse player,” who’s also scored senior McKenzie Dowd eight goals. She said said. that the team intends Junior Jordan Callahan on keeping up this also spoke highly of the high-velocity scoring way Schallock has carried in order to propel them herself. “Like a freaking into the postseason Meghan Schallock| Courtesy champ. I mean nothing’s Five regular season Grayson holds a lacrosse ball as the team prepares for a recent game at Birdsong slacking, her stick skills games remain for the are there, her IQ is there and she’s never “I think he’s brought us together more be- Marlins, all of which are conference play. “I missed practice or anything, so she’s a pro,” cause we’re doing more things together than think we have a real good shot at conference Callahan said. just lacrosse. We’re all here for Megan, and this year, and my goal’s this year I just want The team chemistry between the new coach we all want to help her, and we all love Gray- to get back in shape and just keep pushing,” and the players has helped them already double son. I think it just gives us a different aspect Schallock said. their wins from last season. This is shown on of being a team and a family because now we the field as they have already tallied 57 assists. have one other person to add to our family,”
Marlin tennis keeps swinging BY JENNA WHITENER jjwhitener@vwu.edu
rainy forecast Instead of taking for Sunday, the time off from practice Marlin’s openor going on vacation, ing match was both the men’s and moved up to Satwomen’s tennis team urday night. This of Virginia Wesleyan proved to be a difUniversity packed ficult adjustment their gear and headed for the Marlins afto Hilton Head, South ter the eight-hour Carolina where they drive south forced competed in the Spring the match to be Tennis Fest hosted by played in a no-ad Professional Tennis format where sinRegistry. While there, gles were played the teams competed in first rather than matches against teams doubles. At #4 from across the counsingles, freshman try. VWU Sports Information | Courtesy Courtney SimOver the course of a Andreas Combos gets set for a return shot while playing singles on March 19. mons fought her week, the men’s team, way back in the now 6-6 overall, competed in four matches, three taking place on Hilton Head Island and the final match in Charleston, South Carolina on second set from her 6-1 loss in the first set losing the match 7-6. At #3 singles junior Katie Staman grabbed an early lead and captured the first March 29 against Div. I Citadel. The Marlins earned their fifth win of the season in the first match of set 6-3 before dropping her lead and losing the match in the next sets. the week on March 24 over Union College of Schenectady, New York. After several other close singles matches, the Marlins were down 4-2 Their lead was secured early on by doubles pairs Nicholas Gunther and and needed to win all three doubles matches to defeat Union. Despite Mitchell Perry, and Anthony Wilson and Andres Combos, who helped fighting hard, the Marlins fell short, giving Union the deciding match the Marlins gain a 2-1 advantage heading into singles. From there it and leaving the Marlins at a 6-2 loss. The women’s tennis team faced another tough loss against central was smooth sailing for the team as they won five of the first six singles regional power the University of St. Thomas on March 28 after they sets and advanced to win the match 6-1. Three days later, the team fell to St. Olaf College 6-3. The Marlins dropped in all three matches of doubles and singles leaving them at a were unable to gain much traction against St. Olaf early on in doubles, 9-0 loss. “Despite losing both matches, it was still a really good experience,” but they fought hard during singles and were able to grab three of the six sets to put their name on the board. “We came out a little slow freshman Audrey Bally said. “We were able to learn from the matches against St. Olaf,” sophomore Nicholas Gunther said. “But the follow- and grow as a team.” The Marlins hold a 8-6 record overall after the Spring Tennis Fest ing day we were able to beat the University of St. Thomas, who had beaten St. Olaf a couple days before.” The doubles matches against St. and are currently ranked seventh in the ODAC. Because the women’s team only played two matches compared to Thomas gave VWU a leg up in the competition as they advanced to singles with a 2-1 lead thanks to Gunther and Perry, and Wilson and the four matches played by the men’s team, they decided to attend the men’s matches when they were not playing their own. “We really supCombos securing wins against their opponents. After a solid 7-2 win over St. Thomas, the team traveled two hours ported one another,” Bally said of the experience. “It was a great way to Charleston where they faced Div. I team Citadel. Despite playing the for us to bond with each other and with the men’s team.” The VWU tennis teams were not all business all week, however, and match in Division III format, the Marlins were unable to secure a win many of the athletes were able to enjoy the coast of South Carolina by over the Bulldogs and fell short 9-0. The record of the men for their annual spring break trip comes to visiting the beach and exploring Hilton Head between their practices 2-2, the squad is currently 8-6 overall and ranked fourth in the ODAC. and matches. The men’s team returns to action on April 14 on the road against The women’s team competed in two matches during their time in Roanoke for an ODAC match up, while the women’s teams face conSouth Carolina. The first team the women faced was Union College and due to a ference opponent Randolph-Macon College on April 11 on the road.
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8 Thursday April 12, 2018 The Marlin Chronicle marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
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DUGOUT LUKE CHIASSON is a junior majoring in communication
Using sports to take your mind off of class work Now that Villanova proved they are the best team in college basketball by dominating March Madness, it is officially baseball season. The start of the Major League Baseball season is a time for hope, unless you are a Miami Marlins or Tampa Bay Rays fan, then you have no hope, but for fans of the other 28 teams, the first week of April is the first look at how your team will fare for the 162 game season. Whether you are a fan of the defending World Series Champion Houston Astros or a fan of a team coming into a new season with full health like the New York Mets, fans always believe that this is their year. That is the beautiful thing about baseball; as the season starts to turn into spring, America’s pastime starts to shine. From old timers at the ballpark to young kids admiring their favorite players, a baseball game is a place for anyone to have fun. Even though it is now baseball season, it is also playoff time for the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association. While the MLB gets the attention for the first week of April, it is also when the NBA and NHL stars shine while they strive to capture a championship for their city. The grind of regular season is over and only the best of the best are left as teams in both leagues give max effort day in and day out to win playoff series. Both sports receive criticism from fans and media that they take games off during the season and do not always give max effort, some of the criticism is just, but those critics quiet come playoff time. Will LeBron bring another title to Cleveland after a drama filled season? Will the Las Vegas Knights win the Stanley Cup in their first year as a team? Those are just two storylines to follow throughout April and May. Once each league crowns a champion, it will be at the point in the MLB season where the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. As the school year winds down and the intensity of the work increases as professors continue to pack on the work, the level of motivation tends to go down. This is natural as the weather gets nicer, students find more and more ways to procrastinate. While I do not condone the procrastination that I often participate in, a sports game is a perfect way to enjoy the weather while supporting the campus community. If you do not know by now, VWU boasts the #1 softball team in the country, so I suggest going out to see them before they hit the road for the NCAA Tournament. The baseball team is currently on top of the ODAC as well. If baseball or softball does not catch your interest then head out to Birdsong Field and catch the men’s or women’s lacrosse teams in action. VWU is a small community where you often see the same people day in and day out, so I recommend that you go out and support the student-athletes. We are all in this together as we strive towards the end of the semester and into summer vacation. Nonetheless, it is almost the end of the spring semester, so if the stress of school is getting to you, if campus athletics are not your thing, just take the night off and flip to an early season baseball game or basketball/ hockey playoff game to forget about the tribulations of the end of the semester.
4/11/2018 2:21:45 PM
9 The Marlin Chronicle | marlinchronicle.vwu.edu
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Player profile: softball seniors
Sam Jackson Photography| Courtesy
Pictured left to right: Amy Large, Kiersten Richardson, Amanda Archer, Alana Peters, Teresa Cardamone, Alexis Smith and Cassetty Howerin pose with their championship rings. BY JUSTIN SMITH jrsmith2@vwc.edu
The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team recognized their senior players at their senior day game against Guilford College on April 8. The Marlins captured both wins in their double-header with scores 9-0 and 10-1. Virginia Wesleyan’s 2018 graduating class consist of seven softball players:
Amanda Archer (#21)
Major: Communication Position: Outfield Hometown: Amelia, Va. Favorite class taken at VWU: Senior Seminar: Historical/Critical Research
Teresa Cardamone (#17)
Major: Business Position: Designated player / Catcher Hometown: Oak Hill, VA Favorite class taken at VWU: Fundamentals of Information Systems
Cassetty Howerin (#12)
Major: Recreation & Leisure Studies (Therapeutic track) Position: First Base Hometown: Dover, DE Favorite class taken at VWU: Safety & First Aid or Homeless Shelter
Alana Peters (#18)
Major: Communication Position: Pitcher Hometown: Oakton, VA Favorite class taken at VWU: Topics in Communication: Sitcoms
Kiersten Richardson (#13) Major: Criminal Justice Position: Shortstop Hometown: Richmond, VA Favorite class taken at VWU: Criminal Profiling
Amy Large (#25)
Major: Biology Position: Outfield Hometown: Kennett Square, PA Favorite class taken at VWU: Safety & First Aid, Ceramics or Ecology
Alexis Smith
Major: Recreation & Leisure Studies (Managment track) Position: Team Manager Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA Favorite class taken at VWU: Sports & Facility Management
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SUMMER SESSION IS FOR EVERYONE, whether you are behind in coursework or planning to graduate early. Summer Session at VWU will give you an opportunity to engage in specialty courses, complete General Studies requirements or advance in your major. S U M M E R S E S S I O N D AT E S SESSION 1 May 29 - June 26 (4 weeks) SESSION 2 May 29 - Aug. 17 (12 weeks) SESSION 3 July 9 - Aug. 17 (6 weeks) ONLINE SESSION 4 May 21, 2018 - July 6 (7 weeks) ONLINE SESSION 5 July 9 - Aug. 24 (7 weeks)
DISCOUNTED TUITION Summer Session at VWU is affordable! Studying during summer will cost you 73% less than during the academic year. At $399/credit and five sessions from which to choose, you can gain up to 12 credits in course work, independent research or internship credit. ROOM AND BOARD During Summer Session on-campus housing and meal plans will be available for you. For more details, contact Residence Life 757.455.3295. ONLINE STUDY Day students may take one online course in both Session 4 and Session 5. CONTACT YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR Discuss registration with your advisor during April Advising Weeks. For all other inquiries, contact Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson
Associate Professor of Biology, Director of Summer & Winter Session
dgonsalvesjackson@vwu.edu
For more information and course listings visit www.vwu.edu/summersession
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4/11/2018 2:04:40 PM
THEWEEKENDER
April 12, 2018
PAGE 11
80/20 BURGER BAR: A REVIEW Bayli Foley reviews a restaurant that puts a twist on your average burger RATINGS: FOOD QUALITY
#ROLE MODELS
ENVIRONMENT
Columnist Wynter Bond examines portrayals of women of color in popular culture
SERVICE
BY WYNTER BOND wcbond@vwu.edu BY BAYLI FOLEY bmfoley@vwu.edu
Let’s talk about 80/20 burger. Never have I ever had a better burger in my whole existence. 80/20 Burger Bar is a small-ish restaurant and bar in Ghent open for dinner Monday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They spend all day preparing their burgers for dinner and use local grass fed beef and all local ingredients. The prices for burgers range from about $12-$14 and every order comes with a side of fries of which you can choose three styles. My personal favorite was the house fries, which are made with garlic, rosemary and parmesan cheese. Some other options you have are the nye spice, inlet (these feature old bay style spices) and border. If you come to 80/20 burger and you’re ballin’ a little bit then you should consider an appetizer which are all almost as good as the burgers. I’ve personally had the pickle chips (you really can’t ever go wrong with fried pickles) and the 80/20 wings. I’ve gotta say, for a burger place, their wings are pretty great! Their house-made barbeque
Bayli Foley | Marlin Chronicle
A vibrant mural greets outside visitors of 80/20 Burger Bar in Norfolk, VA.
sauce is a perfect mixture of sweet and tangy and their hot honey garlic is equally as delicious. Get both. When it comes time to order your burger, you’ll find a list of somewhat peculiar names for each option. Of the 22 listed, each one is unique. For example: The Nanny. This genius creation is a PB&J burger. Before you write this off, let me tell you, I was also hesitant but hear me out. It has house-made bacon peanut butter, pepper jelly, and… more bacon. The flavors on this burger come together so beautifully that it is unlike anything you will have at any other restaurant. The pepper jelly brings together the salty and
the sweet to just the right spot. The peanut butter is crunchy from the bacon, which adds some excitement in each bite and also works to bring together the salty and sweet flavors. However, none of this overcomes the star of the dish, which is the burger patty itself. It is prepared, seasoned, and cooked to absolute perfection. Since the restaurant spends all day preparing their patties, they are bursting with flavor. Whether you want PB&J on your burger or not, any one you choose will be to die for. With a restaurant whose simple goal is to serve you the “best d*** burger you’ve ever had,” they flourish.
POP CULTURE ROUND-UP BY JULIE AINSLEY jmainsley@vwu.edu
“Jersey Shore: Family Reunion” is a Success
The shore gang is back and better than ever in their new MTV spot. The show premiered on April 5 to very high ratings, even in a culture of watching shows later on streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. Before the show premiered, it was already renewed for for a second season. Audiences are waiting to see how they incorporate old gags and fun with them being older. All of the original cast appears on the show, with the exception of Sammi Sweetheart. The show will now be coming on weekly on Thursdays at 8 p.m.
GiGi Gorgeous is Engaged
YouTube personality Gigi Lazzarato, better known as GiGi Gorgeous is engaged to her girlfriend of two years, Nats Getty. The pair got engaged while on a trip to Paris. According to “People,” Lazzarato came out as a gay male before coming out as a transgender female in Dec. 2013, and then she identified herself as a lesbian in Sep. 2016 after dating Getty.
Black Panther Breaks Barriers in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will allow a theater to show motion pictures in Saudi Arabia for the first time in 35 years, premiering with the blockbuster “Black Panther.” This is a huge step for the country. The film is now the highest grossing superhero film of all time and the third highest grossing film in U.S. history, passing “Titanic.” With this news, Salman will also allow women to sit together in theaters.
“Fixer Upper” Ends after Five Seasons
The hit HGTV show featuring Chip and Jonanna Gaines and all of their shiplap came to an end on April 3. The pair completed 78 renovations for the series and ran 14 side-businesses in the process, while keeping up with their family and adding a new addition to the Gaines household. While Chip and Joanna will be greatly missed on our television screens, they deserve some much needed relaxation.
Lea Michele and Darren Criss Announce Upcoming Tour
“Glee” fans rejoiced in excitement as Lea Michele who played Rachel Berry and Darren Criss who played Blaine Anderson announced their summer tour dates, including one coming to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on June 3. The pair said they will be performing a little ‘bit of everything, from “Glee” hits, to Broadway tunes, and individual records. Tickets go on sale on Apr. 13.
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There has been so much going on lately. With conversations laden with heavy material such as gun control and pointless American Idol drivel, it seems as though lighthearted antics can be hard to come by. When it comes down to it, we all need role models to guide us through the murky waters of life. Which is why there are no better role models than Cardi B and Tiffany Haddish. Now, these two women have been bogged down by haters as America promoting ratchetness and boisterous behavior as suitable for the masses. But I don’t see their lack of “professional polish” as a flaw. I see it as real. Don’t get me wrong, I love our people of color in Hollywood. They are all (not including Stacey Dash) amazing, giving people. But it’s been a while since we have had a person of color unabashed and unrelenting in how they choose to portray themselves, especially when it’s not exactly the status quo. Let’s start with Tiffany Haddish. While most people know her from the critically acclaimed 2017 film “Girls Trip,” I remember her from Kevin Hart’s show Real Husbands of Hollywood. The comedienne and actress has also appeared on OWN’s “If Loving You is Wrong” and “The Carmichael Show” before her casting of Dina in the NAACP Image Awardwinning smash hit. Her character can easily be seen as more “ratchet” than the other three best friends in the group: she’s loud, provocative, says the first thing that comes to mind, and uses expletives and innuendos like no one’s business. Imagine everyone’s surprise when she turned out to be that way in real life, too. I find it refreshing. I feel as though I can connect to her more solely because she acts like someone I’d actually want to be friends within life. She is smart, funny, and doesn’t care what other people think of her. Back when she was promoting “Girls Trip,” Haddish went and bought an $4,000 Alexander McQueen dress. She then again wore it when she made history later in 2017 as the first black female comedian to host “Saturday Night Live.” There, she commented on how the dress cost her “more than [her] mortgage” and how she was going to wear it for special occasions. Haddish showed up in the white McQueen gown again when she presented an award at the 2018 Oscars. She’s so down to earth and has not forgotten where she has come from. That’s an admirable quality in a role model these days. We all know Cardi B, AKA Belcalis Almanzar (Side note: okay, I still expect some kind of magic to happen whenever I say homegirl’s full name. It sounds like a forbidden Harry Potter spell and I feel like someone’s supposed to turn into an evil anthropomorphic garden hose or something). We all had “Bodak Yellow” downloaded and blasting in our cars with the windows down last summer. Something about that song makes me automatically hype and just ready. Cardi also just dropped her debut album “Invasion of Privacy” earlier this month. What I admire about Cardi is how she is unashamed of her past and is actually serving as an inspiration for those in her previous situation. Before breaking into the celebrity atmosphere as 2015 is a reality star on “Love & Hip Hop: New York,” Cardi B was an exotic dancer. When asked about it in interviews, she claims that it was actually positive for her and how she was able to escape poverty and domestic violence because of it. But she also speaks of how she never lost her dream of being in music because she knew that she could do better than what she was doing. Cardi is a role model because she shows what perseverance looks like, even in what can seem like the very bottom of a negative situation. Cardi B shows that anything can be possible, even for women who are doing something that society can permanently put you in a box and think nothing of you. It’s hard out here right now, especially for women of color. There are so many positive people in our world, but these two women appeal to the younger generation. I think that they could teach the older generations some things as well. We can’t take life too seriously.
4/11/2018 2:39:17 PM
THEWEEKENDER
GOODBYE, WHITE RHINO
PAGE 12
April 12, 2018
The white rhino will enter extinction after the last male past away
BY AUSTIN EDMONDS acedmonds@vwu.edu
Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhinoceros has died. The 45-yearold rhino really began to struggle with age related issues as well as multiple infections before a veterinary team had to make the tough decision to euthanize Sudan. Sudan lived at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya where he was surrounded by armed guards to protect him from poachers. Elodie Sampere, a representative for Ol Pejeta said, “He was a gentle Giant, his personality was just amazing and given his size, a lot of people were afraid of him. But there was nothing mean about him.” Sudan may have passed on and be the last male northern white rhino, but it may not mean extinction of his breed as researchers were able to save some of Sudan’s genetic material in hopes of successfully artificially inseminating one of the last two females. Many researchers blame the demand for rhino horn in trade in China and Vietnam are to blame, as there is a big poaching epidemic in those countries. The reason rhino horn is so valuable is that it is believed that their horns cure various ailments. Also, rhino horn prices had sold for about $30,000 to $35,000 per kilogram
as of 2015. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy took precautions for poaching, however, by placing radio transmitters on the animals and dispatched incognito rangers into neighboring communities to gather more information on poaching. Some may have heard of Sudan, as he made headlines just last year when the Tinder dating app named him the “most eligible bachelor in the world” in a campaign to fundraise for the charity Save the Subspecies. All five remaining rhino species are considered threatened, and the western black rhino has already been declared extinct due to poaching. The only two northern white rhinos left in the world are Sudan’s daughter Najin, and his granddaughter, Fatu. Sudan had failed to mate with females from a related rhino subspecies found in South Africa. The second-to-last male, Suni, passed away in 2014 via a heart attack. Both Sudan and Suni were likely to old to be fertile by the time they were brought to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Sudan was born in 1972, in southern Sudan when there were still about 1,000 northern white rhinos roaming earth, however,
ZOO IS IN BLOOM
Alex Powers | Marlin Chronicle their habitat has been destroyed by human conflict. It also doesn’t help that rhinos are concentrated in countries riddled by war. They are killed for not only their horns, but also for their meat and exchanged for
money. Sudan was sent to a zoo when he was just three years old in the Czech Republic. The efforts of the Conservancy are greatly appreciated, however, it was a little too late for a real turnaround.
NEW MOCA EXHIBITS The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art introduces new exhibits for visitors
Spring means new babies to care for at Virginia Zoological Park
Ashley Kline | Marlin Chronicle
(Above ) Emery is a four-month-old lion taking his place as the baby king of the jungle. (Right) The newest baby giraffe stands proud as it makes Norfolk its new home.
BY AUSTIN EDMONDS acedmonds@vwu.edu
The two brand new exhibits at Moca, also known as, The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, are the Inka Essenhigh and the New Wave exhibits. The Inka Essenhigh art was very naturistic. Every piece of art involved some part of nature whether it be people crawling in the desert or someone standing in the water and gazing upon the stars. The New Wave exhibit, however, seemed to be more meaningful art and focus on topics related to the current social, political, and cultural topics. For example, in the New Wave exhibit, you can find a painting of a voter’s button with the words “Get Rich or Die Voting.” The New Wave exhibit is more relatable as many viewers made comments on much of the art compared to really none for the Inka Essenhigh exhibit. Moca security worker Roy Smith summed it up
perfectly by saying, “Most people come in here and they walk through the exhibits and the Inka exhibit gets the ooh’s and the ahh’s while some people get out right offended by the Wave exhibit.” Although, the crowd was younger, there were a few older folks who reacted the same way. All together, the audience at Moca was mostly children to young adults and the sense was that the audience was pleased with the two new exhibits. The Museum of Contemporary Art can be found at 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Admission is free, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On days that aren’t free the price is $5.50 with a college or military I.D or if you’re a senior citizen of age 65 or older. The price for a normal adult is $7.70 and as for children, kids age five and up are considered students while kids ages four and below are free.
BY CAIMAYA ASHTON clashton@vwu.edu
Every year, the zoo animals welcome new offspring to the world. This year, the Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk has welcomed a few new babies to the world. A baby bongo and zebra have been welcomed in the year of 2018. On March 5, the Zoological Park welcomed the baby zebra “Athena.” Baby Athena was birthed from the 16-year-old Hartmann’s mountain zebra Abby. Athena weighed 80 pounds and stood three feet tall at birth. The zoo gave her the name Athena based on the tradition of choosing a name that began with the first initial of their mother’s name. In Athena’s case it was the letter “A” from her mom Abby. Don’t panic if you don’t get to see Athena and her mom Abby. They are put behind the scenes when the weather is cooler. However, as the weather warms up, they will be making an appearance out for the public to see. While the baby fever just began to simmer down, the zoo also welcomed a baby Bongo on March 23. The baby bongo was born male and weighed 50 pounds at birth. The baby bongo was welcomed into this world by his mother, Betty the
Bongo. He is the newest addition to the family. The bongo clan also celebrated a birth earlier this year on Dec. 25, Joy the Bongo. Betty the Bongo and her new baby are available for the public to see. When the baby bongo was born, the zoo did a poll to determine the new baby bongo’s name. The options for the baby bongo were Blarney, Bugs, Buster or Baxter. Once the votes were tallied, it was announced on March 27 that the baby Bongo’s name is and will be Baxter. The Virginia Zoological Park is in full bloom, especially with the new additions that the Zoo has to offer. The Virginia Zoological Park is located at 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504. The zoo is open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To keep up with current events happening at Virginia Zoological Park or just animals in general, visit virginiazoo. org.
THE SUNDAY READ Feature pieces, opinions, and stories by the editors of The Marlin Chronicle.
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Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park
“A Quiet Place”
“Invasion of Privacy” by Cardi B
Baseball season is officially here and our local minor league team, the Norfolk Tides, are back in action. Harbor Park is the perfect spring hangout with great food, exciting entertainment, and some good old-fashioned baseball. The next home game is against the Buffalo Bisons on April 20 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available online from $10 to $13.
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John Krasinski, better known as Jim Halpert on “The Office,” directs his third film. The film has received a lot of great reviews. “A Quiet Place” also features his real-life wife, Emily Blunt. The film debuted in theaters on April 6.
Cardi B’s debut studio album came out April 6. The album features her hit song “Bodak Yellow” along with other features with Migos, Chance the Rapper, SZA, and 21 Savage.
4/11/2018 2:04:06 PM