11.13.17- Fourth Estate

F URTH ESTATE Nov. 13, 2017 Volume 5 Issue 10

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com

NORTHAM WINS TIGHT RACE FOR GOVERNOR

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Ralph Northam takes the governor’s mansion for the Democrats in a close race. Northam celebrated with Mason as the nation watched Virginia’s elections end in victories for the left. Plus, see how our campus voted through exit polling on age, race, party, and more.

LIFESTYLE

NEWS See how Mason Men’s Basketball is ranked for the upcoming season. How are your favorite players doing?

How does No Shave November raise awareness about an important issue?

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LIFESTYLE

OPINIONS Improving safety for diabetic athletes in Mason Rec.

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Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Which do you prefer?

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11.13.2017

We are always recruiting volunteers for: - NEWS WRITERS - LIFESTYLE WRITERS - SPORTS WRITERS - COPY EDITORS - PHOTOGRAPHERS

For all inquiries, please email a resume and two clips (or visual samples) to: frehman3@gmu.edu AND apply online at http://c2ms.info/osmapply

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

Fareeha Rehman Sosan Malik Co-Editors-in-Chief

Katya Beisel Copy Chief

Michael D. Eberhart News Editor

Alex Shedd News Assistant Editor

Dinanda Pramesti Lifestyle Editor

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Co-Editor-in-Chief Sosan Malik

Co-Editor-in-Chief Fareeha Rehman

“Virginia is for lovers” - our state slogan of obscure origins. There are times when Virginians do not live up to this - re: white supremacists in Charlottesville - but we also share this home with those who do, including citizens who made history by stepping up to lead, and the constituents who gave them a chance.

On Nov. 7, 2017 Virginians elected the first African American lieutenant governor in our state’s history - Justin Fairfax. We also elected the first two Latinas to the House of Delegates - Hala Ayala and Elizabeth Guzman.

Danica Roem joined them, becoming Virginia’s first openly transgender elected official.

Though Democrats swept the race, the true story here transcends parties.

People of color have always been here but are making the simplest of historic wins in 2017.

News Editor Michael D. Eberhart

Lifestyle Asst. Editor Basma Humadi

News Asst. Editor Alex Shedd

Opinions Editor Jamie Beliveau

Lifestyle Editor Dinanda Pramesti

Copy Chief Katya Beisel

Ayala and Guzman won in Prince William County - where a $2.6 million initiative was passed in 2008 for police to check the legal status of anyone detained. The racial-profiling that ensued overcrowded jails and hurt Hispanic small businesses. Nearly a decade later, the county has two representatives considering concerns through their perspectives as Latinas.

Because of this, I’m proud to say we lived up to our slogan this election cycle. Virginia is for lovers, and the love is representation for communities that severely need it.

Basma Humadi Lifestyle Assistant Editor

Jamie Beliveau Opinions Editor

Catherine McKay Online Editor

Billy Ferguson Art Director

Michelle Gardner Photo Editor

Emmett Smith Distribution Manager

Kathryn Mangus Director

David Carroll Associate Director

Jason Hartsel Assistant Director

Lottye Lockhart Communicaion Manager

Jessica Smith Business Office Manager

Let’s talk - I want to hear from you. Send me your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

Fareeha Rehman Co-Editor-in-Chief

COVER PHOTO CREDITS Fourth Estate/Morgan McCarthy Masthead Turkey Fourth Estate/ Mary Jane DeCarlo News Photo courtesy of Ron Aira/ Creative services

Art Director Billy Ferguson

Photo Editor Michelle Gardner

George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950

Online Editor Catherine McKay Fourth Estate is printed each Monday for George Mason University and its surrounding Fairfax community.

The editors of Fourth Estate have exclusive authority over the content that is published.

There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the Editor-in-Chief should be notified at the email provided.

Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media.

Lifestyle No Shave November Fourth Estate/ Mary Jane DeCarlo Opinions Safety Fourth Estate/Billy Ferguson Lifestyle Black Friday Fourth Estate/Billy Ferguson

NEWS

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WHAT IS WRONG WITH WI-FI VA SEN. WARNER INTRODUCES TWO HIGHER ON CAMPUS? EDUCATION BILLS Mason’s IT Executive Director explains what New legislation would provide more information about colleges and student debt is being done to improve the networks LAURYN CANTRELL STAFF WRITER

OLIVIA BOOTH STAFF WRITER

connecting to Wi-Fi in the residence halls.

To tackle this issue, ITS have upgraded to a high-density coverage model by moving Wireless Access Points from public spaces to residence hall rooms.

“This approach allows the Wi-Fi signal to cover more area within the building,” Spann said. “We have also increased the visibility of ITS support staff to encourage students to report Wi-Fi issues.”

FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON

If you’ve never stood in the middle of a dorm room, holding your laptop to the ceiling in an effort to connect to eduroam or MASON-SECURE, then you’re probably not a Mason student.

Students have long complained of issues connecting to Wi-Fi in dorms, staying connected to the Wi-Fi around campus and trying to use the guest network that simply never works. I spoke to Charlie Spann, the Executive Director of Strategic Business Operations in Information Technology Services (ITS), to learn why these issues exist and what is being done to address them.

“The demand for Wi-Fi on campus continues to increase, as students increase the number of Wi-Fi devices they bring to campus every year,” Spann explained. “We have responded to this increase in demand through a series of Wi-Fi upgrades to the network equipment and software, including the guest wireless registration system.”

One of the most prominent issues for Mason students is the difficulty

To improve the network, students should report any issues or complaints directly to the ITS Support Center.

The center can be found in Innovation Hall, Room 226, contacted by phone at 703-9938870, or by email at support@gmu. edu. Once they receive a request, ITS Resident Technicians can be dispatched to the location and troubleshoot the problem. Students should be prepared with their NetID, MAC address, type of device, location where the issue occurred and other details such as the applications in use at the time.

Though there are still many issues with Mason’s internet service, ITS has been responsive to areas for improvements.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner reintroduced two bipartisan education bills this week designed to ensure current and prospective college students have access to better college data and financial counseling.

“We want to make sure you’re an informed consumer before you choose a college, and that once you’re in college and acquiring student debt, there is a process so you are aware of what you’re getting yourself into,” explained Warner. “While these bills may not solve the whole problem regarding student debt, we will be taking good steps in the right direction.”

In a phone conference with student journalists from Virginia universities, Warner highlighted the need to provide students, especially undergraduates, the proper resources to determine where to attend college as well as the financial implications of taking out student loans. “[The two bills] are an outgrowth of my interest in how we grapple with the increasing costs of higher education and the challenges of student debt,” said Warner. “I know as somebody who was the first person in my family that graduated from college, I’m not sure that I could have afforded to go to college in today’s environment.”

Department of Education makes institutional data available through its College Scorecard, but the information is limited.

The new bill would create a comprehensive, user-friendly online database for information submitted by states and universities, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration. The database would include debt loans, transfer rate, graduation, as well as job outlook for student’s majors and areas of study.

The bill was brought forward in previous Congressional sessions, but the revised 2017 version adds privacy protections through encryption of students’ individual information.

The Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act would give students the tools and information needed to borrow and pay their student loans responsibly.

“When Senator Kaine and I met with students of the commonwealth a few years back, one of their biggest concerns was how easy it is to obtain loans and accrue debt,” said Warner, “but [they]

wouldn’t know how this will translate into the amount of monthly payments and the burden it may put you under.”

The bill includes interactive counseling as well as an annual sign-off for students’ previous loans so they do not unknowingly accrue more debt.

Low-income students who are Pell Grant recipients will receive additional annual counseling to be better informed about the terms and conditions of the program.

“After undergraduate and law school I had a combined $15,000 in debt,” said Warner. “While that seemed like a lot 40 years ago, it really is nothing compared to some of the levels of debt students take on today.”

Currently, the average Virginia public university student will graduate with $29,000 in student debt, and total student loan debt stands at $1.45 trillion nationwide according to statistics released by Senator Warner’s office in March 2017.

Warner partnered with senators from both major parties to reintroduce the legislation. The bipartisan spirit, Warner said, strengthens potential support for passing the bills, which are designed to support students and their families to make well-informed decisions about their academic careers.

The Student Right to Know Before You Go Act will increase availability of more accurate information about colleges and universities. The

“To support students on the move, we have setup two ‘SWAT’ support stations - one in the Johnson Center and one in Merten Hall.” Spann stated, “In the past year, technicians at the SWAT stations have resolved over 340 reported issues.”

ITS has planned Wi-Fi upgrades this year for Rogers Hall, Whitetop Hall, the Arts and Design Building, Nguyen Engineering Building, Enterprise Hall, Research Hall, and Sandy Creek Parking Offices.

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLY MCALPINE

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NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

MASON TURNS OUT FOR HISTORIC VIRGINIA ELECTION A breakdown of how students voted in the 2017 race MICHAEL EBERHART NEWS EDITOR

Virginians elected a wave of Democratic candidates statewide, and Mason voters were no exception.

According to campus exit polling, 90 percent of Mason voters supported Ralph Northam for governor - a 14.2 percent increase over Hillary Clinton’s share of student’s support in the 2016 election.

Further down the ballot, Democratic candidates won the races for lieutenant governor (Justin Fairfax), attorney general (Mark Herring), and district 37’s representative to the House of Delegates (David Bulova, who ran unopposed). Fairfax county voters also approved a bond referendum to fund $317 million for local schools.

Photos couresy of MASON CABLE NEWS

A more complete breakdown of campus exit polls is shown below.

Polling was conducted by Mason Cable Network through surveys with 300 registered voters outside of Mason’s polling place in Merten Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Photos couresy of MASON CABLE NEWS

Photos couresy of MASON CABLE NEWS

Photos couresy of MASON CABLE NEWS

Photos couresy of MASON CABLE NEWS

Virginia voters made their voices heard at the polls last week in the first major election since President Donald Trump’s victory one year ago.

NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

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NORTHAM AND DEMOCRATS WIN MAJOR VICTORIES IN VIRGINIA’S ELECTION

The candidates hosted an election night watch party-turned-victory rally at Mason OLIVIA VERMANE STAFF WRITER

FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCCARTHY

Democrat Ralph Northam won the race to be Virginia’s next governor, defeating his Republican rival Ed Gillespie in one of the first statewide general elections since President Donald Trump was elected last November.

Although some polls in the final days before the election predicted a close race, Northam won the election with 53.89 percent of the vote. Gillespie received 44.93 percent according to the final tally.

“You have taken one of the reddest states in the country and you have turned it into not just a battleground, not just purple – you have turned it into a blue state,” Kaine said to the roaring crowd of more than 800 attendees.

Democrats Justin Fairfax and Mark Herring also took the stage at Mason as they celebrated their respective victories in the races for lieutenant governor and state attorney general.

Fairfax is now only the second African-American candidate to take

FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCCARTHY

the position of lieutenant governor in Virginia after L. Douglas Wilder, who served from 1986 until 1990.

Fairfax briefly addressed his plans to fight for affordable higher education by making community college and apprenticeship programs more accessible. He also spoke about his goals of reforming the “broken criminal justice system” and dismantling “piece by piece the broken prison pipeline.”

“Ours is a commonwealth of hope, of inclusion, and of opportunity for everyone,” agreed Herring. “We have rejected the politics of fear and division

in favor of a commonwealth that strives for justice, equality, and opportunity.”

stage for a sweeping victory speech as the crowd cheered at his return.

A small group of demonstrators briefly interrupted the celebration just as Northam took the stage. A man forced his way to the front and attempted to jump the barricade as other protesters scattered throughout the crowd chanted “Sanctuary for all!” The protest was a reference to Northam’s campaign pledge to ban sanctuary cities in Virginia.

He explained that the Democratic victories mark a political turning point in Virginia, and signal a direct rebuke of President Trump and Republican ideology. He mentioned issues like higher quality education, healthcare, environmental protection and gun control that motivated his campaign, and discussed how he would continue to support these policies as governor.

The protesters were quickly escorted out of the building by security, and Northam was welcomed back to the

Northam continually thanked those who had helped drive his campaign forward, including the persistent efforts

of Mason Democrats who worked on his campaign from the beginning. He also acknowledged the many other volunteers and activists who knocked on doors and made phone calls to persuade voters before the election.

After an exciting night for the Democrats in Virginia, Northam concluded that this election is only the beginning for them.

“So tomorrow, my fellow Virginians, the hard work of governing begins,” he said. “Let’s get to work.”

FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCCARTHY

Northam’s campaign hosted an election night watch party at the Hub on Mason’s Fairfax campus. The gubernatorial candidate was joined by supporters, media reporters, and elected officials, including incumbent Governor Terry McAuliffe and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.

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NEWS

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GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

Photo courtesy of RON AIRA/CREATIVE SERVICES

PATRIOTS OPEN THE SEASON WITH A NARROW VICTORY HOGAN LEPORE STAFF WRITER

The Mason men’s basketball team started their 2017-2018 season on the right note, defeating Lafayette College on Friday, Nov. 10 at the EagleBank Arena.

Returning junior and sophomores hope to lead Patriots to victory HOGAN LEPORE STAFF WRITER

According to rankings by ESPN writer John Gasaway, the Patriots are the No. 175 ranked best men’s basketball program heading into the 2017-2018 season.

While this ranking is no indication of what is to come from the Patriots this season, it is an interesting assessment when considering the effects of transfers, coaching changes and last season’s record from all 351 teams.

In addition to these other factors, Gasaway also incorporated a stat for Roster Possession-Minutes, or RPM percentage. According to Gasaway, this is a percentage of possession-minutes that a team’s roster gets back from the previous season.

This stat was created to predict the performance of each team based on which minutes (players) are returning.

For example, the Braves of Bradley University are bringing back their entire roster, putting their RPM at 100 percent. Meanwhile, programs like Kentucky (seven percent RPM) and Duke (19 percent RPM), who have many freshmen move onto the next level, have very low RPM percentages. Mason’s roster currently has a RPM percentage of 52, while the average RPM among all Division I schools is 56 percent.

The returning player with the most impact on Mason’s roster may be junior guard Otis Livingston II. Livingston averaged 14.3 points per game – the highest of all returning

players on the Patriot’s 2018 roster. He also averages three assists per game, 3.1 rebounds per game and led the team in free throw percentage – 91.9 percent – for the 2017 season.

On the topic of returning players, Mason sophomores Ian Boyd and Justin Kier look to bolster the Patriot’s backcourt. Boyd seemed to be the sixth man for the Patriots last year (only starting four games, but appearing in 31), as he led the team in scoring off the bench (5.9 points per game) and minutes off the bench (19 minutes per game).

Kier started 29 games last season, averaging 27.7 minutes per game while scoring an average of 5.8 points per game. The Grottoes, Va. native also led the team in 3-point shooting last season (38.6 percent), and showed impressive defensive outings throughout the 2017 season.

“Both of those players are so much more mature as sophomores,” said head coach Dave Paulsen, speaking about the team’s young backcourt in an interview with gomason.com. “They understand what it takes to bring energy and focus every day in practice.

That’s a culture shock for most freshmen, the importance of consistency. I’ve been pleased and impressed with both of their efforts this fall.”

However, the most unexpected news on Mason’s roster is not the two promising sophomores, but the one who will no longer be on the roster.

Redshirt sophomore Daniel Relvao will be leaving Mason and returning to his family and going to school in Europe.

This comes at an unfortunate time for the team, with this season right around the corner. Relavo averaged only 6.9 minutes per game, but his presence in the locker room may be the biggest hole left.

Despite this loss, Livingston and company are looking to lead Mason back to the NCAA tournament in March. This would be a feat that George Mason has not accomplished since 2011, when the Patriots made it past the first round after beating Villanova.

The Patriot men started their journey to the tournament on Friday, Nov. 10 at EagleBank Arena against Lafayette.

As for the rest of the Atlantic 10 Conference, here is how Gasaway ranks each school: 46) Rhode Island – 72 percent RPM 68) St. Bonaventure – 73 percent RPM 73) Saint Joseph’s – 88 percent RPM 81) Virginia Commonwealth University – 31 percent RPM 84) Davidson – 71 percent RPM 98) Dayton – 34 percent RPM 119) La Salle – 63 percent RPM 148) Richmond – 47 percent RPM 160) George Washington University – 38 percent RPM 165) University of Massachusetts – 42 percent RPM 180) Saint Louis – 59 percent RPM 215) Fordham – 48 percent RPM 238) Duquesne – 48 percent RPM

Photo courtesy of MASON ATHLETICS

Out of the 351 Division I intercollegiate men’s basketball programs in the nation, George Mason University is left hanging in the middle.

As for the two young guards in the backcourt, Ian Boyd and Justin Kier played admirably. Boyd recorded ten points, four rebounds and three assists in his 30 minutes of game action. Kier had a personal best night - the sophomore logged career highs in both points (15) and steals (four) in Friday’s game against the Leopards.

Photo courtesy of ALEXIS GLENN/CREATIVE SERVICES

MASON MEN’S BASKETBALL RANKED MIDDLE OF THE PACK

The Patriots toppled the Leopards 67-65 in a close finish. Mason led by two at the half, and held on to win by two. Junior Jaire Grayer led the team in minutes (38), points (17), rebounds (nine) and blocks (three). Otis Livingston II, who scored 14 points for the Patriots, led the team in both assists (six) and steals (two).

NEWS

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MASON APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OF POLICE

Chief Carl Rowan Jr. answers concerning questions on campus crime and safety

Photo courtesy of CARP

SABRINA ACERRA STAFF WRITER

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION IN ELECTIONS CARP convened to talk campaign attacks in the 2016 Presidential election and 2017 gubernatorial election CLAIRE UNDERWOOD STAFF WRITER

The Nov. 10 conference began with Jennifer Keohane, a former Mason professor who now teaches at the University of Baltimore. She explained that character assassination is a tactic aimed at people with a high public profile, and includes spreading fallacies about those individuals through media and public influence.

Keohane then described how both parties used character assassination during the recent gubernatorial election.

According to Keohane, Ralph Northam’s win in Virginia and other Democratic victories across the country were considered a strike back against “President Trump’s racist and negative rhetoric.” But the Democratic candidates won by assassinating the characters of many Republicans as well.

The Washington Post reported on Oct. 27 that Democrats sent out a mail piece linking Ed Gillespie, the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, to white nationalists that marched in Charlottesville. Prior to that, Gillespie’s ad tried to link Northam to MS-13 gang violence.

Keohane added that no matter what the intent or platform of the candidate, character assassination can be found everywhere.

The panelists also described how character assassination can backfire on the would-be assassins. Mason professor Eric Shiraev used one of the 2016 presidential debates between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as an example.

During the debate, Shiraev recalled Trump standing “too close” to Clinton and “looming over her.” Clinton responded to that incident by describing Trump as a “creep.” Shiraev believes that was one way for Clinton to assassinate Trump’s character, yet the tactic backfired on her as Trump went on to win the presidency.

statistic is actually a good sign, because it means students are reporting these crimes more than in the past.

“Law enforcement has been something that I have always loved,” said Rowan.

“I always tell people that it is not a job - it is a calling. It is the idea of helping people, crime victims, and taking the bad people off the streets has always been big with me and here I am.”

“One of the things I think Mason does really well is get the word out to people on what their reporting options are,” said Rowan. “You could have a university the same size as Mason with fewer numbers, but that doesn’t mean that they are safer.”

Rowan started his career in law enforcement 45 years ago. His first position was with the U.S. Marshals in 1972, and he we went on to work as a supervisor in their legal counsel division.

Mason does have many options for students to report these offenses, including the Student Support and Advocacy Center, Title IX office, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, and of course 911 in an emergency.

“It has been an interesting career because I have been on both the government and private sector,” said Rowan. “After 9/11, I was asked to assist in some special projects involving law enforcement and the intelligence community.”

According to the latest Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, sexual assault reports on the Fairfax campus went up from 13 cases in 2015 to 20 last year - a 53.8 percent increase. Rowan said this

“I think we are doing a good job at working with Title IX and the Student Support and Advocacy Center,” said Rowan, “if there is a complaint those cases get handled thoroughly and we are seeing a new willingness for students to come in and talk to us or Title IX and get the ball rolling.”

Mason Police are also investigating the case of a sophomore student who died in September after falling from the

fifth floor of Piedmont resident hall.

“I can’t say much on the Tristan Medina case, it is still a very active investigation,” said Rowan. “If there is anybody we haven’t talked to that could assist in the investigation we would love to hear from them, but we have made a lot of headway. Hopefully we will be able to break some news some point in the near future.”

The Mason Police Department doesn’t shy away from allowing students to go behind the scenes. They are always looking for opportunities to have students tag along or even be trained in special skills to feel safe on campus.

“I would encourage any student who would like to do a ride-along to call us,” said Rowan. “We are happy to come out and do training for different student groups with Active Threat training or Rape Aggression Defense, anything like that. We are here to help keep people safe and if they know who we are that will help to improve the relationship a lot.”

Another key topic the panel discussed was political polarization. This refers to the two-party system deliberately embracing an extreme ideology while also trying to appeal to the majority.

Both Keohane and the panel moderator Richard Sheehe discussed how polarization can shape public opinion. Polarization can lead to character assassination. The panelists believed that all political victories are a result of some degree of polarization.

CARP was founded at Mason in 2016 in conjunction with the International Society for the Study of Character Assassinations. Although all politics involve strategy, CARP’s goal is to research the ways false accusations, rumor spreading, and media targeting are used, and to develop more honest ways to manage political communication.

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE SERVICES

The Lab for Character Assassination and Reputation Politics (CARP) recently conducted a virtual panel to discuss character assassination during elections.

Mason recently appointed Carl Rowan Jr. as the new Chief of Police and head of public safety.

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LIFESTYLE

11.13.2017

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty or alumni, and organizations every week. This week, we take a close look at Mason student Lauren Lapid, Mason faculty Michael Hunter, and Patriot Activites Council (PAC). If you know of a Mason student, faculty member, alumnus or alumna, or organization that would like to be featured on FACES OF MASON please submit your request via: https://goo.gl/HZ4SMd INTERVIEWS BY MIA WISE, DINANDA PRAMESTI, AND HUONG CAO

STUDENT Lauren Lapid

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

What organizations are you involved with on campus?

I’m an active sister in the Chi Kappa chapter of Chi Omega here at Mason, a Peer Research Mentor for the Honors College, a member of Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, a member of AIGA Mason, and a Mason Ambassador.

What made you want to get involved on campus?

Being an out-of-state student, I knew I wanted to establish myself on campus, keep myself busy, but also develop a close-knit group of friends that would help me get through college being

2,000 miles away from my family. I’ve always kind of been an extroverted person involved on campus, and so I was daunted but also excited at the prospect of going to a school where nobody knew me or had any other expectations of me. Getting involved on campus became a platform for me to not only socialize and network, but also to discover and develop who I am as a person.

What drew you to Mason?

I actually hadn’t seriously considered leaving California for college until I attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) that Mason holds for high school students.

I attended the summer before my senior year of high school and fell in love with DC and what Mason has to offer. Getting accepted into the Honors College was also a huge factor, because I knew I wanted to attend a university rather than an art institution for undergrad. Getting the interdisciplinary coursework the Honors College provides in addition to Mason’s strong art school and business program made the choice a no-brainer!

You’ve had internships at Paramount Pictures; how were those experiences?

deal with pretty much any sort of deliverable that touches a theater— whether it’s a collector’s ticket, movie still displays, or even movie prize packs.

This summer, a large amount of my work went toward “Transformers: The Last Knight”, so I actually got to design social posts for prize pack giveaways for different theater circuits.

Literally thousands of people saw and interacted with posts I designed, so it was incredible to see what impact I was able to make.

My department [at Paramount Pictures] is really unique because we

FA C U LT Y / S TA F F / A L U M FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

Michael Hunter, Access Service Specialist at Fenwick Library What is your position at Fenwick Library?

Outside of providing circulation and information services, which is everything from checking out books to doing research and reference questions. I also work in interlibrary loan and in the reserve section -- so if an instructor is setting up the courses, we help them

put their course materials together to provide that content for their courses.

If George Mason doesn’t in our interlibrary loan, we find it and deliver it to whoever is asking for it.

How long have you been doing your job and what did you do before this?

I have been doing this job for a year and a half. Before this, I was a teacher in Prince William County Public

Schools.

Do you have experience in being a librarian?

I do, I have my masters degree in Library Information Science. For Library Information Science, it’s not just about books, it’s about information and the management of information and how you find and disseminate information. You know, “fake news” is a buzzword now, and it’s a lot of that,

finding the good from the bad. Finding what people want to know, interpreting questions of what people think they want to know versus what they actually need to know. Basically, the management of information.

O R G A N I Z AT I O N Alexis Loar - Vice President of Publicity Patriot Activities Council (PAC)

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

Why did you decide to get involved with PAC? I decided to get involved with PAC because I am interested in pursuing a career in public relations. With my current role in PAC, I’m allowed to plan and promote events, which is something I want to do for the rest of my life. For me, it’s basically an internship but through PAC, I have obtained so many opportunities. I have met new people. I made friends and

memories. We have had an awesome time changing the environment we have here on campus.

How does PAC differ from other organizations on campus? (What is unique about PAC?) Our mission statement is that we are a student-run organization that bridges the gap between various Mason communities by having awesome events all year round. The different thing between us and other organizations is we are here for all Mason students. We are not a cultural or political group of

student or promoting a specific interest.

We are here to serve the entire Mason community and find areas that we can bring different organizations or groups together to one space and have them enjoyed Mason’s experience of diversity.

What are benefits for students who are involved with PAC? I hope people just make memories and make new friends. For those who are on the executive board, which consists of 12 students, I want them not only to make new friends but also to obtain real-life experience and skills that we

can use in the workforce.

Does PAC have any upcoming event?

We are having our awesome Superheroes Series where students can come and watch the latest superhero movies. Next month, we are showing “The LEGO Batman Movie” in the Johnson Center Cinema. This event is free for Mason students. We also have snacks and popcorn!

LIFESTYLE

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FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

Shopping now or later?

MICHAEL ABLER STAFF WRITER

As we enter the latter half of fall, we start preparing for Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas. People are beginning to come up with shopping plans before November ends and before Dec. 25 rolls around. But there’s something else that coincides with these two iconic holidays, something that many people know all too well. These events are the two shopping days known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

For those who don’t know, Black Friday and Cyber Monday take place right

after Thanksgiving, and entail people desperately shopping for the hottest deals of the upcoming holiday season, which, much like the holiday itself, only take place once a year. The Black Friday mayhem starts the first Friday after Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday starts the on the first Monday after Thanksgiving, but with two wellknown shopping days, which one do people prefer more? And even more to the point, why do some people prefer one day over the other?

NO SHAVE NOVEMBER

Spreading awareness for men’s health

JAMES STEMPLE STAFF WRITER

November brings thoughts of family, tradition, holiday, and daylight savings.

All that and the lack of shaving.

You’ve probably heard the term “No Shave November” thrown around before—maybe as a joke or an excuse not to shave. But if you delve further into the event, it actually gets quite deep.

The concept comes from growing awareness for health issues that impact men—prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and the like.

There seems to be two main foundations that helm the ship: Movember, an Australia-based international non-profit charity formed in 2004 and

focused on growing mustaches to help raise awareness for these issues, and No-Shave November, a web-based charity formed in 2009 with the goal of letting all your facial hair grow out and donating the money you would have spent on shaving.

“I like Black Friday more because it’s more accessible and I know more about it than I do about Cyber Monday,” Freshman Ala-Al Sindi said, which was also the same reasoning by Senior Scott Robinson who still somehow managed to still maintain a neutral outlook on the question on the whole, “I prefer Black Friday more, but I don’t care that much about either of them.”

However, some shoppers prefer Cyber Monday over Black Friday.

Junior Bailey Walker enjoys Cyber Monday more because, “It’s more convenient to shop online, and there aren’t any violent hassles like the hair grow all November. And although Movember has a focus on mustaches, all hair is acceptable.

Yes, all hair—women are encouraged to join in as well—the No-Shave November website says to “[let] those legs go natural, and skip that wax appointment.”

Whether it’s donating, buying no shave November merchandise, or just staying healthy, anyone can join in on the fun.

Movember encourages men to stay aware of their family history and to stay more active. Their site states that men “die on average six years earlier than women.”

Despite the severity of the problems these organizations are trying to raise awareness for, it’s all meant to be fun. No matter how disgusting your hair might get, it’s all in the name of charity.

Although these are two charities working towards the same goal, the process remains the same. You start with a clean shave on Oct. 31 and let

And these problems are severe— prostate cancer is the leading cause of death among men after skin cancer, and testicular cancer

there is with Black Friday.”

that day has become infamous.

Junior Jackie Reed feels the same way, saying that, “It’s easier to see the quality of the products without dealing with other people.” Reed, however, didn’t find any crazy stories that came to mind but, she did say that, “I enjoy seeing the videos of people running through the doors, there was one video I saw where this Nike store was totally trashed.” So, it’s clear that Black Friday certainly has more notoriety when it comes to what people think of when they hear the name.

“The craziest thing I’ve heard about Black Friday is that people have shot others in line to get a new product first,” said Sindi. Walker also said that, “It’s crazy, people getting into fistfights over an item in the store,”

Despite its popularity, many people can’t deny how utterly chaotic Black Friday is in comparison to Cyber Monday. The violence associated with is right up there with them. But these types of cancer don’t normally affect men of college age. In fact, the people I spoke to either had no idea no shave November existed or had no idea the meaning behind it. “I just shaved today so it was never a big deal to me,” said Ali Asif, junior.

This isn’t to say that the people of Mason are a p at h e t i c , but perhaps they’re just not in the know. This is exactly the goal of Movember a n d N o - S h av e November, to educate the people

Robinson also shared the same sentiments on this occasion too. Yet, despite this infamous reputation, Black Friday continues to be the more well-known day.

So, this holiday season, have fun shopping at either Black Friday, or on Cyber Monday - just be aware of the apparent dangers involved with shopping both online and offline. who need it.

So maybe this month it’s best to keep an eye on your family history, because you never know what could be around the corner.

If you’re feeling generous or want to spread awareness along with these nonprofits, donate or stop shaving—it’s never too late.

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

BLACK FRIDAY VS. CYBER MONDAY

LIFESTYLE

STUDENTS VOTED, SHIFTING THE FOCUS ON ISSUES THEY CARE ABOUT...

A vote casted is a voice heard...learn how students chose to exercise their civic right ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER

Each and every eligible student registered to vote on-campus had the chance to vote at Merten Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 7. In particular, 300 students completed an exit poll survey conducted by Student Media’s own Mason Cable Network. The data was categorized by gender, age, class, year, candidate, and most important social issue.

FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCARTHY

The data indicated 90 percent of the students swayed blue, and about a quarter of them voted with civil rights in mind. With this in mind, hearing from some of the student voters firsthand better contextualized the data

and additionally shifted it to a more personal and individual level.

Students seemingly stepped back from local-level issues, taking their vote as an opportunity to rise against the current presidential administration’s course of action.

“I don’t agree with Trump, so I know if I vote for Democrats they’ll put a stop to doing whatever he wants,” freshman Maria Torres-Bernedo said. As a voter, Torres-Bernedo’s unhappiness with Trump’s work and rhetoric was enough to turn her ballot blue.

With President Trump and current elected officials in mind, other students

focused on issues that mattered to them. Senior Suzanne Abribat and sophomore Khalilah Hamer shared that, as women, protecting their rights for access to healthcare is critical and influenced their vote for Northam. Hamer additionally stated “[she] is not fond of the conservative ways for [tax purposes],” and regarded higher education as a main issue as well.

Another student--Eric Nielsen, a member of the executive board for GMU College Republicans, considered his values and ideals as he voted in this election. He confidently cast his vote for Ed Gillespie, Jill Vogel, and John Adams. On a national and statewide scale, Nielsen believes that “[the Republicans’] economic policies are most pertinent [to him].”

Additionally, a push for their win would lead to the economic changes he desires.

Aside from analyzing the traditional social issues American students face, sophomore India Moon took a lesser-known path when deciding who to

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vote for. Instead of focusing on party affiliation, Moon searched up each candidate’s scandals posted on the Web. In doing so, she noted Libertarian candidate for Governor, Clifford Hyra, as the least involved with dirt or scandal. Scandals were a key factor in Moon’s vote for Hyra this year.

Throughout the campaign, Northam had the support and backing of former President Obama, and President Trump endorsed Gillespie. As a result, each campaign developed a sense of rhetorical associations. GMU Democrats member Terence Stovall voiced his opinion in this regard, saying that Northam’s efforts “stand for unity, and a better Virgina for everybody...not just a few.”

Whether a student supported a Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian, a sense of urgency and awareness was evident in each vote. Students on campus interestingly demonstrated a great example of spirit, both as American and Mason Patriots.

FOURTH ESTATE/ANGELIQUE ARINTOK

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FOURTH ESTATE/ANGELIQUE ARINTOK

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LIFESTYLE

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Therapeutic horse riding program helps people cope HUONG CAO STAFF WRITER

On Nov. 2, students in George Mason’s Department of Social Work gathered to discover something many may not have heard before - “How Riding and Working With Horses Can Impact People”. Wendy Baird, the development director of Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program shared her insights about what she considers a “fast-growing discipline” with students considering careers in nonprofits.

According to their website, Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP) is a nonprofit organization that uses equestrian-based services to help people with disabilities, at-risk-youth, and recovering military service personnel. According to Baird, the organization mostly provides services to kids with disabilities, although they also serve adults.

“Kids come for small group riding lessons. A group can be from two to four members and the therapeutic benefits are coming from the riding process,” she added.

Baird shared that it is easier to quantify the physical impacts, which last long after a fifteen-minute lesson. However, what she has heard about most often from parents are the social and emotional benefits.

“Kids with disabilities are often isolated but a horse is very empathetic,” Baird said.

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

In addition to services for kids, NVTRP partnered with a local military installation and provided therapeutic riding services to

active duty services members. Leaving the base can cause anxiety for soldiers and riding with horses makes them feel relaxed enough to let down their guard and enjoy things.

The life-changing experience NVTRP offers individuals is a reason why it has such a low turnover and a long waiting list. Even though the organization tries to accommodate all needs, not all horses can be used for therapy.

“Horses are carefully chosen to meet the needs of each individual. Some people need a stubborn horse. Others need a very gentle, forgiving horse,” Baird said.

Due to the long waiting list, the organization does not take riders from the community. But volunteers are welcomed. Instructors must go through a certification process required

by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. But Vicky Kirsch, the director of Mason’s Master of Social Work program shared: “To be a side walker, you do not need to know everything.

They will teach you.”

Being around horses provides a sense of peace.

For any student who loves horses, volunteering with NVTRP could be an ideal stress reliever.

Zahra Bakhsh, a student in Mason’s Master of Social Work program said, “you may not be able to attend a therapeutic session but you can go to places where they offer riding lessons and incorporate that experience because it is a great way to de-stress. Just riding horses and you feel so much better about life. I really like that.”

NIC’S FLICKS- THOR: RAGNAROK NIC MACOTTO STAFF WRITER

Star Rating: 3/4 In terms of a feature length film, “Thor: Ragnarok” is like going to a comedy club for a night while getting a little more than expected. Since this is another Marvel Studios production, you probably expect some exciting action sequences and a good time. This installment in the trilogy of the beloved god of thunder is definitely an improvement over its predecessor, “Thor: The Dark World” (2013). It may not be the finest superhero movie ever made, but it definitely stands out.

After the ending of “The Dark World”, which probably had you scratching your heads due to so many unanswered questions, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) clears things up by discovering his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), is missing. After returning to his homeworld of Asgard, Thor deduces that his adopted brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), has been impersonating him so he could rule the land. Thor then forces him to find Odin. With the help of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch in a nice cameo) on Earth, the dysfunctional pair find Odin in Norway.

Odin reveals to his sons that Hela (Cate Blanchett), his firstborn child who he banished, will soon come to take over Asgard. Instantly though, she appears behind them and destroys Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir.

Thor and Loki try to escape but Hela intervenes.

Thor winds up on the planet Sakaar. Taken prisoner by a woman known as Scrapper 142 (Tessa Thompson), Thor is forced to fight in a gladiator match against the Grandmaster’s (Jeff Goldblum) champion to save Asgard from Hela. After getting his cut off, he learns the Grandmaster’s champion is the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), who hasn’t been seen in two years.

Taika Waititi takes over as director from Kenneth Branagh and Alan Taylor, and brings out more from everyone on the crew. His shift in tone is somewhat of a departure if you compare it to Branagh’s seriousness back in the 2011 Thor film.

if they have improved. Javier Aguirresarobe’s cinematography makes this movie beautiful to look at in many shots. The use of color shines brightly and makes it particularly resonating. The visual effects are also extravagant. They contribute to the action sequences, like any other movie of this medium, which evoke the same kind of feelings you probably have when you see a scene from a Star Wars film.

Everything you hear also contributes to the quality of the final product. The score from Mark Mothersbaugh has many moments that add to the excitement of the scenes. With regards to the music though, you’ll probably wonder why a Led Zeppelin song is in the movie. The lyrics may be perfect for the narrative, but it does seem a bit weird to include it. Regardless, it adds some level of enjoyment.

With the most special aspects of “Thor: Ragnarok” covered, you’re probably wondering about the acting. Everyone is well-suited for their roles and rather casual in their character’s shoes – especially Cate Blanchett, who is delightfully devilish in her portrayal – but everyone else is too casual in their performances.

The film also has some missed opportunities. It could’ve gone a little deeper into the internal struggles of a couple of the characters. There also aren’t too many messages conveyed. Only one topic is at the center, which is one that all superhero movies attempt to bring up: heroism.

What separates “Thor: Ragnarok” from others is the idea that real heroes take real risks. That is what makes this movie a keeper.

Before you go see it, here’s a warning: it may seem somewhat confusing at first, but if you think about it, everything fits together like a puzzle. This movie provides us with a surprise here and there, a good antagonist, reasonable stakes for its heroes, strong work behind the camera and laugh after laugh.

Comedy is something anyone can appreciate but you need to be careful with how it’s presented.

Luckily, “Thor: Ragnarok” was.

In addition to the technical side, the visuals feel as

KEY 4 = Great; 3 = Good; 2 = Fair; 1 = Poor; 0 = Ooh, let’s not go there

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

HOW RIDING AND WORKING WITH HORSES CAN IMPACT PEOPLE

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GOODBYE, IGOR!

It has been so amazing having you with us these past few months! You are such an amazing person and our Student Media family won’t be the same without you! Good luck as you head back to Macedonia and come back to see us as soon as you can!

Best, Jessica Smith

Igor’s passion for learning about student media in the George Mason community falls align with his enthusiasm and involvement for the craft. Igor has taught me a lot about aspects of courage and compassion within journalism. It has been a pleasure seeing Igor enjoy his time as a fellow with Student Media.

- Angelique Arintok

Igor: Thank you for your outstanding work this fall and for sharing your talents and perspective with our students. It was a pleasure working with you and I hope you stay in touch.

Safe travels back home—we will miss you! —Jason Hartsel

Hey Igor, You brought incredible insight and wisdom to our office. Also, I enjoyed our several adventures out in D.C. and Philadelphia! Will miss you, keep in touch, safe travels! - Jackie Reed Working with Igor has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve never met someone so passionate about media. He has reminded me of why we do this – to show students what they’re capable of, and give a platform for their voice to be heard. –Matt Dotson

Igor—Thank you for sharing your cultural heritage, your wisdom, and your passion for training student journalists. You have touched us all with your kindness, your enthusiasm, and your humility. We will miss you. — Kathryn Mangus

Igor, through your visit I've come to appreciate press freedom that the U.S. enjoys. Thank you for all you've done. San Antonio is not same without us! - Rodger Smith

Thanks for everything you did this semester. You were a great addition to the Student Media team and you will be greatly missed! —Tyler Byrum

IGOR STOJANOV

Thanks for your outstanding work at Student Media — you'll be missed!

Igor—It’s been great working with you. Best of luck!

—David Carroll

Illustration by: Mary Jane DeCarlo

OPINIONS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

11.13.2017

Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to jbelive2@gmu.edu

IMPROVING SAFETY IN MASON RECREATION

safety officers from administering.

When participating in athletics, diabetic athletes are much more likely to experience severe hypoglycemia, especially if they fail to recognize their low blood sugar in the heat of the moment. This sort of misleading information can be dangerous to diabetic athletes and needs to be changed before the consequences are eventually reaped.

CHRIS KERNAN-SCHMIDT COLUMNIST

Mason Recreation seems to have some sort of aversion to proper safety standards when it comes to diabetic athletes. The issue lies in their inability, or rather their unwillingness, to provide proper and relevant life-saving information to club sport safety officers, and to be quite honest, it is scary as a competitive diabetic athlete. Incorrect information, administrators who do not seem to care, and lackluster training are a recipe for disaster – and in this case, a medical emergency.

Athletes with diabetes constantly monitor, check, and regulate their blood glucose levels. It is imperative that there is a strong network of teammates, coaches, and administrators behind them to ensure that should anything go wrong it will be taken care of in a safety-conscious manner. This reassurance is priceless for diabetics.

Sadly, Mason does not foster an

environment where diabetic athletes can feel safe and assured that they will be taken care of should an emergency occur.

Mason currently requires club sports to have a few players in each Mason team or sport club undergo first aid training to become designated safety officers.

The course teaches the students about basic sports injuries, recognizing heat stroke, etc. When I read the first-aid manual they train with, I noticed it provided two pages of surface-level, FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON sometimes incorrect, information about diabetes. In a competitive setting, in five minutes. This piece of informathis basic first-aid information has the tion could mislead coaches and players potential to be dangerously misleading, who believe the athlete should be ready to “get back in there” when in reality irrelevant, and incorrect. it would very likely end in the athlete For example, contrary to the manual, passing out. When a diabetic passes out a diabetic athlete is unlikely to recover they require the use of a glucagon pen from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) (needle), a tool which Mason forbids

It may come as a surprise, but Mason wouldn’t have to spend any money to receive more in-depth and quality diabetic education for the safety officers.

The Mason chapter of the College Diabetes Network offered to host a training session to provide correct and relevant information and dispel any myths the safety officers and coaches may have about diabetes. A George Mason Recreation administrator said that they would not make the proposed info session mandatory, implying that it was unreasonable and a waste of the safety officers’ time. So the issue is not

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about money or resources—it’s about the lack of action by those in charge.

The session may be boring, and some may not even retain the information, but they signed up to be a safety officer so they have a responsibility to do their best to take care of their teammates.

The issue of providing proper diabetic training is not one of money, time, or resources. It’s a moral issue. Most of you reading this probably do not have diabetes. You may have asthma, epilepsy, or any myriad of diseases that affect your ability to play sports like diabetes does, or you may be perfectly healthy, but either way, why shouldn’t Mason do all it can to provide the safest environment possible for everyone? All athletes deserve and have earned the ability to feel safe when playing for Mason, so now it’s time for them to step up. The solutions are out there, and the support system is here. I urge Mason Recreation to do the moral thing or if anything save itself from a potential lawsuit. I urge you, the reader, whether or not you play a sport to learn more about diabetes. Be aware, be supportive, be who Mason Recreation cannot.

HOW A BATHROOM FLYER CAN PROTECT OUR PATRIOTS SOPHIA UPSHAW CONTRIBUTOR FROM ROOSEVELT @ MASON

Flyer coutesy of SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

I had just moved into my dorm for my freshman year at Syracuse University. I sat in the bathroom down the hall and saw a flyer posted on the back of the stall door. It read, “Seeking support for sexual assault, harassment, relationship violence, or stalking?” Below, it provided emergency contact numbers, confidential reporting options, resources for more information, and listed students’ rights and Title IX protections. Although this flyer wasn’t applicable to my own experience, I felt secure in the knowledge that if I ever needed help, I would only have to look so far as any bathroom stall on the entire campus.

A year later, I transferred to Mason.

From the banners in the Johnson Center, Student Government’s Patriots in Action week, and the It’s on Us campaign visiting our school, I concluded that this campus was committed to protecting the safety and security of its students. But it felt like something was missing. From my eyes, I could see the absence of a resource I had valued so much at my previous school every time I went to the restroom.

Long time Roosevelt @ Mason member Kaelyn Vitale conducted a recent survey that shed light on how

unaware students were of available resources on campus. The survey asked respondents to select which offices on campus were responsible for reviewing reports of sexual assault or a similar crime and had the authority to initiate an official investigation and response.

but adjusted the information to reflect Mason’s resources. I consulted friends, m e m b e r s of Roosevelt, and even peer mentors at the Student Support

and Advocacy Center for their suggestions, concerns, and advice regarding the flyer. It was important that the language in the flyer was gender-neutral, sensitive, yet informative. It was also important to stress that there were other sexual assault resources on campus, like free HIV testing, and a difference between confidential and non-confidential reporting.

C sexoncer ha ual ned rel rass ass ab or atio men ault out sta nsh t, , lki ip ng vio ? len ce,

Out of more than 240 students surveyed, only one could identify all of the correct reporting resources (The Office of Compliance, Diversity and Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, and Mason Police). From the results of this survey and from personally inquiring friends and For FO peers, I realized that the lack YO R and 24/ UR I M con to d 7 con of this knowledge among SA MED i fi t R F I esp act o scuss dent students proved to be CO ETY ATE u NTA , o a y r D t 3 nse Se our ial* s P more damaging to our 15 24 S, CT -44 Team xual a repo uppo Fo / 7: campus climate than 3-4 at nd r ting r t, a •7 co r 24 nta /7 11 71 the Rel op dvo ct off cam on *C even the lack of V 5. o a c e Co atio tion cac nfi pu a ra •# de sp Ho mpu uns ns y, nti s 78 ho using it. > us sc al— >T ne elin hip , you on e you , 3 on o rc Vio 15 fid r in g ell (D rep •3 e f C o 46 n rm 15 ent lenc #7 PS) or t a 8-3 tial ati -44 on 8 o to er e c 26 su >> 3-2 is p n y be rim 0. ppo To 22 r e i o o n r t u 4 ect ta r c ves to D I drafted a be rep e nd ell df rom , o tiga epa 44 inve or t a ad r c ted r tm 3-0 st vo be c flyer over >> all ing ca 21 iga onc To 31 : Cal ent cy d te er 1 i scl 5-4 l 71 of , or d: no Vis ano o winter Pu sed titl Co 1 4 r ny it 3 o i b n e FO

break, modeling it after the flyer I saw countless times before,

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As a commuter student, I also stressed the importance of not only including the flyers in residence halls but also academic bu i l d i n g s and student centers. I approached university offices focused on student life, facilities, housing, student centers, mental health, and student safety. I sent emails, made phone calls, dropped into offices, searching for anyone who had the authority to approve and implement this measure.

I ran into dry periods where I would receive no replies and busy weeks where I had meeting after meeting with

university faculty and staff. There were several times where I lost hope of the initiative ever being passed and it was only because of unwavering support from members of Roosevelt and Student Government that my perseverance eventually paid off. As I made my way through a maze of bureaucracy, the news of this initiative resounded throughout the administration until it made its way to the Dean of Students herself.

Nine months later, I am thrilled to say that this initiative is being implemented this semester thanks to the interest and dedication of the Office of Student Life, Mason Police, and the Office of Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics.

As students who came to Mason for an education, our safety, privacy, and enrichment should be the university’s priority. Based upon the passing of this initiative and the response from administration, it is evident that the school is now more aware and intent on not only listening to but also addressing the needs of its students. It has been a great privilege to witness active change on campus. It is an even greater joy to see its outcomes, that empower, inform, and protect lives.

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OPINIONS

11.13.2017

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Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to jbelive2@gmu.edu

THE DIFFICULTY OF PARKING AT MASON Should Mason Place a Limit on Northern VA Student Admission?

As a commuter, driving to Mason daily has been the ultimate struggle.

After commuting for 45 minutes to an hour, circling around Lot K for an ideal parking spot can be stressful, especially because the walk from the parking lot to the campus seems to last for eternity.

During my first weeks of classes, I was late for my 9 a.m. class even though I left my house two hours in advance.

The freshman class of 2021 is the largest class ever admitted at Mason, making the total number of students roughly 36,000. This includes about 2,727 in-state students that were admitted this year. Because Mason is primarily a commuter school, freshman are allowed to have their cars on campus.

Interestingly, Mason’s Director of Parking and Transportation and Administration Josh Cantor stated that fewer parking permits were sold this year than last.

“We actually sold almost 400 less permits this year and almost 1000 less general permits,” Cantor said. “Parking stayed busier than in past semesters, but by this time of the semester, there are hundreds of general spaces available all day.”

I believe that the reason for the hundreds of available parking spots is because a lot of students simply aren’t going to class. During my first week, my lecture classes were filled to the brim.

Now, the lecture halls are half-empty and groups of students even walk out during class.

The percentage of freshmen residents with cars has decreased from 45 to 17 percent over the past decade. Freshmen that live on campus can have cars, but have limited choices of permits. Only one third of all residents have cars and only 55 percent of all students have vehicles.

According to the Parking and Transportation Update Fall 2017 (parking.gmu.edu), students are encouraged to arrive an extra 30-45 minutes before class because traffic on and around the Fairfax campus greatly increases, especially during the first few weeks of the semester. The update and emails that I received thus far only mention how busy campus is at the beginning of the semester, and student attendance is a valid explanation.

“As space is physically limited, we tightly control how many permits we sell for each type, which was a strategy of our master plan,” Cantor said.

“Honestly, parking is still the same.

There aren’t more spots and Mason still hasn’t changed the restricted areas,” junior Aisha Shafi said. “What’s really frustrating is that they still have carpool restrictions from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. I get that parking is competitive, but they block off way too much space for people who carpool. An entire row of parking stays empty in Lot A for carpoolers.”

FOURTH ESTATE/CHRISTINE VIRAY

PARESHA KHAN COLUMNIST

Although statistics show that more parking spots are available, freshman Nabeel Saleem feels frustrated when trying to find parking spots.

“I don’t take classes early [in the] morning because that’s when traffic is at its worst,” Saleem said. “But when I come to campus after 10 a.m., it’s so hard to find a good spot and I don’t want to upgrade to a parking deck because that’s just too expensive.”

I personally feel very anxious when trying to find parking at Mason. Even though the ninth week of school has gone by, I still haven’t been able to adjust to parking. I continue to arrive an hour before my classes begin, yet still fail to find a reasonable parking

spot close to campus. The parking lots generally are very far from campus and I’m glad that I bought the general parking permit for just one semester because I will definitely be upgrading to a parking deck for spring 2018.

“We are informed of academic buildings that are going to be built, anything such as concerts happening at Mason that impacts traffic, or anything that impacts parking,” Building Patriot Pride Switchboard Assistant Tyrell Sanders said.

Building Patriot Pride was created in 2008 to increase awareness of the impacts on parking.

FOURTH ESTATE/MICHELLE GARDNER

I understand that EagleBank area is a phenomenal location for concerts in Northern Virginia, but I really don’t appreciate the emails that suggest I park in different lots. I feel that as a student, I should get priority when parking. Non-Mason members should be directed to Rappahannock parking deck, or any other lot that has more spaces instead of Lot K or A. I specifically remember that it took me 30 minutes to leave campus because concert goers were crowding lot K. “The campus master plan calls for future parking decks when future buildings are built on lots. The overall strategy is to maximize existing parking before building new parking, as well as increasing the use of transit, buses, bikes, and carpooling,” Cantor said.

To improve parking for students, the Parking and Transportation and Administration Staff will try to build parking decks in the future if the lot

space is used for new buildings.

However, parking decks are very expensive to build - up to $30,000 per space - and have to be paid for through revenue generated over time by parking permits. Thus, the more debt accrued to finance construction, the higher the permit price goes.

“Knowing one’s options, looking for ways not to drive alone and reduce parking demand can help, as well as help people save money and reduce carbon emissions which is part of the campus sustainability goals as well,” Cantor said.

Mason encourages students to carpool but that option just isn’t possible for me.

I live in Aldie, Virginia, which is quite far from the Fairfax Campus. Parking has been a struggle for me since the beginning of the semester and it still is. I would really like to see major improvements being initiated.

There’s a reason why the majority of Mason students have general parking permits: it’s the cheapest option. After paying thousands of dollars for tuition and textbooks, adding fees for parking is infuriating. The “master plan” seems to be a helpful solution, but it needs to be implemented immediately because, as the Space Needs Analysis projects, enrollment on the Fairfax Campus will grow by approximately two percent per year through 2020.

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Recipe of the Week

LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE Gourmet Caramel Apples Ingredients: 4 large tart apples 4 wooden pop sticks 1 cup milk chocolate chips

11.13.2017

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Obtained from tasteofhome.com 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 4-1/2 ounces white candy coating, coarsely chopped 1 teaspoon shortening 1 package (11 ounces) Kraft caramel bits 2 tablespoons water 4 pretzel rods, coarsely crushed 1/2 cup Reese’s pieces 1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. Wash and thoroughly dry apples. Insert a pop stick into the top of each; set aside.

2. Place chocolate chips in separate microwave-safe bowls. Heat in

a microwave until melted; stir until smooth. In another microwave-safe bowl, melt candy coating and shortening; stir until smooth.

3. Combine caramels and water in another microwave-safe bowl. Heat in a microwave until melted; stir until smooth. Dip apples into caramel; turn to coat. Immediately press pretzels and Reese’s pieces into sides of apples. Drizzle melted chocolate and candy coating over tops.

Place on prepared pan; let stand until set. Yield: 4 servings.

LAST WEEK’S GO FIGURE!

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LAST WEEK’S MAGIC MAZE

LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU

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COMICS FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON