Broadside April 16, 2012 Issue by Student Media George Mason University

Big Man on Campus Leading by example and dreaming big led Kevin Loker to being Senior of the Year. Read more inside. STYLE • Page 5

Butts Dives to Success Senior diver Derrick Butts has outstanding Mason career leading to NCAA qualification. SPORTS • Page 10

Fly That Flag Why won’t the Kurdish Flag be flown in the Johnson Center during International Week? Find out inside. NEWS• Page 2

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper www.broadsideonline.com

April 16, 2012

Volume 88 Issue 21

Domestic Violence Speech Part of New Flash Lecture Series Lecture Series Designed to Inform Students in Informal Setting dents can expect flash lectures to occur once or twice a week between Tuesday and Thursday, “Let’s talk about domestic but each lecture is only anviolence,” shouted Angie Hat- nounced on the Student Governtery, director of the women and ment website and Twitter feed gender studies department, out- (@MasonStudentGov) 15 to 30 side Fenwick Library on the minutes before its start. During quad. Students walking by had the lectures, attendees are encouraged to tweet with the hashno idea what was going on. For 15 minutes, Hattery tag #gmuinaflash. “My senspoke on the efior thesis projfect that domes“I was actually really ect involves tic violence has analyzing data on families. The nervous, because I from social talk was given as didn’t know what to media, specifipart of a flash expect. I’m glad I did cally Twitter,” lecture series Cook said in organized by it. it was so relaxed an email. “I'm Student Govand informal that it kind of all ernment this provided a warm wrapped up in semester. social media “I think I've environment” these days and seen things out was very interhere [on the -Cortney Hughes, ested to see quad], but I ashow announcassociate professor in the sumed it was for ing an event a class,” said Department of Sociology strictly via sosenior anthrocial media pology major would go at Mason.” Sarah Elliot. While flash lectures are new In the same spot, Cortney Hughes, associate professor in to Mason, other institutions such the Department of Sociology as the University of Virginia and and Anthropology, gave her own Duke University have hosted flash lecture on Tuesday, April 3. them as well. Flash lectures will continue Hughes discussed her field work in Morocco, which examined the throughout the rest of the serelationship between Islam and mester. Student hip-hop group its views on contraception and Urbanknowlogy, English professor Mark Sample and an untechnology. “I was actually really nerv- named presenter on the topic of ous because I didn’t know what zombies are among the list of to expect,” Hughes said. “I’m glad scheduled flash lecturers. “If I have an interest, I have I did it. It was so relaxed and informal that it provided a warm that opportunity to get a little 10minute snippet and learn someatmosphere.” Student Government Secre- thing,” Hughes said. “That’s a retary Leslie Cook said she began ally cool thing.” C2M Managing Editor organizing the flash lecture series last fall by reaching out to Adam Sylvain contributed to this professors by email to guage in- story. terest in lecturing for 15 to 20 minutes on different topics. Story taken from Cook said the goal of the lectures Connect2Mason is to provide students with the opportunity to learn about different topics in an informal setting. According to Cook, stu-

Helena Okolicsanyi Connect2Mason

Photos Courtesy of Craig Bisacre

An all-day cricket tournament was held Sunday on the intramural ﬁelds as one of the ﬁrst events of International Week. The rest of the week will include events such as a soccer tournament and dance competitions.

Pause, Play and Learn: International Week

Students Celebrate International Culture at Mason

International Week, an annual event enabling the George Mason University community to experience various cultures from around the world, is taking place on the Fairfax campus Monday through Saturday. Other than the International Dinner Dance, most events are free. The theme of the 32nd International Week is “Pause … and View the World Around You! Play … and Explore the World Around You!” The idea is for students to recognize, interact with and experience diversity on campus. InternationalWeek comprises numerous events such as the Dance Competition, Cultural Workshop Series and International Dinner Dance. These events would not be possible without the

collaboration between the Office of International Programs and Services and the Office of Student Involvement. Research is a vital component of preparations for International Week, said Saraschandra Arveti, a graduate assistant at the Office of International Programs and Services and the Office of Diversity Inclusion and Multicultural Education. “There are three F’s [in any event] — fun, food and fiesta,” Arveti said. “But in international events, there’s an additional F, which is fact.” Much of Arveti’s research into food, music and culture has proven directly applicable to the International Week events.

See I-WEEK Page 7

Undergraduate Research Fund Grants Money, Promotes Student Research Program Also Develops Student-Faculty Relationships Michael Lagana Staff Writer A new undergraduate research program has been formed to promote student research and foster student-faculty relationships. The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program — formerly the Undergraduate Apprenticeship Program — was created as part of the Quality Enhancement Plan of 2011. According to Rebecca Jones, assistant director of the Oﬃce of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities and Research, the objectives of the URSP are to encourage undergraduate research and to develop lasting student-faculty relationships. “The goals of the URSP are really to help support undergraduate mentor-mentee relationships in pursuing an individual, independent-research, scholarly or creative project,” Jones said. The URSP pairs undergraduate students with graduate students or faculty members to work collaboratively on a research project. The program gives undergraduate participants ﬂexibility in deciding what project to pursue and with which faculty member or graduate student to be paired. According to Jones, participants can choose between a part-time project, which requires a 10-hour per week time commitment, and a full-time project, which requires a 40-hour per week commitment. Participants also receive a monetary award that varies depending on the full-time or part-time status of the project. Mentors receive a portion of each award as compensation for

their time. URSP guidelines do not limit projects to any specific discipline or field of study and are designed to provide opportunities for undergraduates to gain research experience that might otherwise be unavailable to them. “It is designed to support all sorts of different projects — in the humanities, as well as in the sciences, social sciences, government, history all different areas like that,” Jones said. “Everybody does scholarly work, and the body of knowledge of those disciplines is being added to by faculty and other researchers. So what we want to see is undergraduates coming alongside faculty and contributing to that.” Senior individualized study major and URSP participant Jordan Higgins, who is researching a psychological phenomenon for his final project, can attest to the benefits of the program. “My faculty adviser encouraged me to apply for the scholarship program in order to work in the lab. I ended up changing my work schedule so I could get in and get real lab experience, which both as an undergraduate and as a non-traditional student, is an incredible opportunity,” Higgins said. The program is open to all Mason undergraduates. For his URSP project, freshman government and international politics major Daniel Bond is conducting a comparative analysis of same-sex and interracial marriages from both a legal and historical standpoint. Bond expects to present his findings in three weeks. “I think that this is something that I am definitely going to continue on here and try and find

other professors to partner with and find other new ideas to pursue,” Bond said. Junior psychology and conflict analysis and resolution double major Krystal Thomas is another URSP participant. She is researching attitudes about the “stereotypical black person” to prove that there is no such thing. “When I heard of research, I thought it was just that you were in a lab coat [and] that you were in a lab working with chemicals,” Thomas said. “But the whole idea with research is about trying to find knowledge and increase knowledge and just having a question and wanting to find an answer.” After student researchers and their mentors have completed a project, their work is published in GMReview magazine, which is an annual cross-disciplinary undergraduate journal. According to Jones, students have other opportunities to present the results of their final projects to the academic community such as in academic journals and at university-wide events celebrating student scholarship. “There’s lots of opportunity for presentations as well, and that’s kind of the other side of disseminating the results [of a project],” Jones said. “There’s the college-level celebrations of scholarship, and there’s going to be a new celebration of student scholarship this spring, which will be a university-wide event.” Prospective URSP participants can learn more about the program through the OSCAR website, oscar.gmu.edu, on Facebook at Student as Scholars at Mason or on Twitter @Mason_OSCAR.

Graphic courtesy of Stephen Kline

Broadside

News

News The number of ﬂags that are ﬂown in the Johnson Center Atrium during International Week

Monday, April 16, 2012

Event Calendar Monday, April 16 Earth Week: Thinking Global April 15 – April 22 International Week 2012: Opening Ceremony and Celebration 12 – 1 p.m. Johnson Center, Cinema Brown Bag Lunch: President Merten University Hall, Room 3300 12 – 1 p.m.

Tuesday, April 17

International Week 2012: Dance Competition Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall 12 – 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 18 Meet the DieticianConcert: Jazz Ensemble Center for the Arts, Concert Hall 12 – 2:00 p.m. DC's Funniest Comic: College Competition Johnson Center, Atrium 8 – 10 p.m.

Thursday, April 19 Mason Dance Company: Spring Concert Harris Theatre 8 – 10 p.m. I-Week Movie Night: The Artist Johnson Center, Room A 9 – 11 p.m., Thur. - Sat.

Director of OIPS Explains Process Behind Which Flags Are Flown During I-Week Justin Lalputan News Editor Judith Green, Executive Director of the Office of International Programs and Services, clarified the rules regarding the 81 flags that are flown in the Johnson Center during International Week. Students who consider themselves to be from nations such as Kurdistan will not have their flag flown in the Johnson Center, though they can fly their flag during the parade that takes place during international week. Currently, the method for selecting flags takes into account how many international students George Mason University has from different nations. Mason looks at the nations that are most represented in the international student population, such as South Korea. According to the Guidelines for Display of Flags, the top 20 most-represented nations have their flags flown. The American flag is always flown, and the remaining 60 spaces are systematically drawn. The guidelines state, “The system for choosing the remaining 60 countries is based on listing them in alphabetical order and taking every other one, then every third one, and so forth, until our spaces are full. Countries not hung [in the current year] will be compiled as an ‘overflow list’ and each of these flags will be hung the following year so long as there

Photo by: Peter Flint

Students protest flag week policy during a demonstration at the North Plaza in Spring 2010. is still at least one international student from that country enrolled.” According to Green, there is limited space available at the Johnson Center, so they cannot fly the flags of all nations every year. The current process is intended to be fair to students, and there is no discrimination intended, Green said. According to Green, the Palestinian flag is flown at the Johnson Center, but under the name of “West Bank,” and the Kurdish flag is not in the running. The reason behind this is that when Mason submits visa documents for international students, the university must notify the government of two students’ country

The list that Mason uses is provided by the United States Department of State. This is the list that Mason uses when deciding what flags should be flown in the Johnson Center. Since Kurdistan is not on the list, it is also not taken into consideration when deciding which flags should be flown. But according to Green, this doesn’t mean that Kurdish students and any student that doesn’t have their flag flown won’t have their flag represented during International Week. “All students can and could fly their flags. In the parade anyone can fly their flag. In the showcase of cultures, anyone who has a table can fly a flag,” Green said.

“[The flying of flags in the Johnson Center] focuses on giving tribute to international students.” According to Green, if any student has any concerns, they can always meet with her or Birgit Debeerst, assistant director of OIPS, to discuss them. She acknowledges that while the system might not be perfect, Mason strives to make it as student-oriented as possible. “This I-Week promises to be filled with wonderful programs and we hope students find something that peaks their interest and we hope they participate. This isn’t an OIPS event. It’s a student event,” Green said.

Campus Computers Due for OS Upgrade Mason to Operate on Windows 7 by Fall 2012

Friday, April 20

I-Week 2012: Tastes and Sounds from Around the World Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall 7 – 10 p.m. I-Week 2012: Disco Tek Johnson Center, Bistro 10:30 p.m. - 12:20 a.m.

For more events and activities, check out: today.gmu.edu

April 9 April 12

Suspicious Event. SUB II A suspicious letter was turned over to police for analysis. (55/Higgins) Suspicious Event Johnson Center Officer was dispatched to investigate a suspicious letter. (51/Huete) Warrant Service. Sandbridge Hall Brian Zurek (GMU) 21, of Foxborough, MA was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Fairfax County PD, and released on his signature. (56/Lighthiser) Credit Card Fraud. HQ Complaint stated that person(s) unknown used his stolen credit card. (20/Brudvig)

April 13

Medical Assist. PWC- Freedom Center Victim over exerted herself while exercising and passed out. Victim declined medical assistance. (15/Green) Peep into Occupied Dwelling. Lincoln Dorm Gaetano Lentini, 18, of Virginia Beach, VA (GMU) was arrested on 3 counts of the above offense. He was released after warrants were served. (25/Dean)

April 10

POLICE FILES

Possession of Marijuana Occoquan Rd / University Dr Officers seized illegal narcotics for destruction as the result of a traffic stop. (56/Lighthiser) Public Intoxication. Nottoway River/Braddock Road Chase Burke (Non GMU) 23, of Alexandria, VA was arrested and transported to the Fairfax County ADC. (56/Lighthiser)

April 11

The Rules on Flying Flags

Public Intoxication. Adams Hall Patrick Hastings (Non GMU) 20, of Boston, MA was arrested and transported to the Fairfax County ADC. (23/Aman)

Police Files are taken verbatim from www.gmu.edu/police. Broadside does not make any changes to public records.

Juan Campos Broadside Corresponent George Mason University is upgrading all of its computer labs and classrooms by fall 2012 with Windows 7, the latest operating system from Microsoft. According to Mike Fletcher, Mason’s manager of Computing Services, all classrooms and labs on the Prince William and the Arlington campuses already have the Windows 7 upgrade. In Fairfax, the Innovation 301 lab is the only room on campus in which Windows 7 is in use. Although the upgrade will only apply to the university’s labs, Fletcher said, “Some colleges run and maintain departmental classrooms, and many of these departments have already made the upgrade to Windows 7.”

“We want to be a cutting edge seems reluctant to help users if university, and here we’re running technical diﬃculties arise since an operating they are mainly focused on the system that was “We want to be a cutcurrent software. originally reting edge university A cco rd i n g leased in to Fletcher, Win2001,”Fletcher and here we’re runsaid in reference dows 7 will proning an operating vide a greater to Windows XP. system that was orig- experience beMason curcause Mason will rently runs inally released in be able to proWindows XP, 2001. ” vide a higher but the software lacks certain level of support. Most of Mason’s compatibilities -Mike Fletcher, manager of software probecause its regComputing Services grams are deular support signed to operate with Microsoft expired in 2009. adequately with The operating Windows 7. system is running on extended According to Fletcher, the support with Microsoft. Having upgrade is going to be free beWindows XP is problematic, cause Mason is automatically covFletcher said, because Microsoft ered under a university agreement

it has with Microsoft. There is wide speculation that the new Windows 8 upgrade is to be released in October 2012. When asked why Mason could not wait roughly six more months for the possible new release instead, Fletcher said he felt it was best to get the current system updated quickly and contend with future improvements at a later time. The process of the upgrade is going to be completely invisible to the users, Fletcher said. Starting fall 2012, however, students will be the ultimate judges of whether Windows 7 improves the classroom experience. “We must maintain a very generic system to meet all types of classes from math and science to English and philosophy,” Fletcher said.

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Broadside

News

Photos of the Week Much to the chagrin of those stuck in class, but to the delight of those walking by, the Mason Jazz Ensemble held a preview performance Wednesday for their upcoming Afro Jazz concert outside the JC. The actual concert will be held this Wednesday, April 18, at the Concert Hall. Photos by: Stephen Kline

Kappa Phi Lambda Helps Power APAHM Sorority Is the Force Behind Many Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Program Hannah Smith Asst. News Editor Multicultural greek life is different from other sororities. “We have cultural values and family values,” said Ada sophomore business major and member of Kappa Phi Lambda at Mason. So it’s a completely different vibe.” Every April, the women of Kappa Phi Lambda help to organize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with other groups like the Asian Pacific American Coalition and the newly dubbed Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education. Not an exclusively Asian sorority, many students rush because they are interested in PanAsian culture. The Kappa Phi Lambda colony was established at George Mason University in 2004 by two students who wanted to more actively promote awareness of Pan-Asian culture on a campus that was largely commuter-based. Although Kappa Phi Lambda is involved in philanthropy yearround, Spark Hope falls during Asian Pacific American Heritage

Month. It will benefit Horton’s Kids, a nonprofit that works to provide tutoring and recreational activities for children in Washington, D.C. area. It is one of the most popular events of APAH Month. “[It’s] Very popular. They know how to get people there and how to make their event very effective,” said Shaoxian Yu, the associate director of Asian Pacific American Student and American Indian Student Affairs for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Muticultural Education. Spark Hope will bring student groups together on April 27 for a night of cultural performances, skits and music. This year it will focus on Asian Pacific American women’s issues, Yu said. The benefit is free to the public, although donations are encouraged. APAHM kicked off with “Check the Mike,” a spoken-word slam with music, poetry and personal anecdotes. Filipino, Vietnamese and Japanese student groups hosted cultural programs earlier last week. “We try to hold fun events, and then we try to hold cultural

events as well,” said Alicia Kubokowa, a sophomore engineering major, the tresurer of the Asian Paciﬁc American Coalition and a member of Kappa Phi Lambda. APAHM Fest, on April 28, will be both. This year it will feature nationally recognized artists as well as those from the local community. In the past they have hosted well-known YouTube personalities at Mason, according to Lillian Nguyen, the executive chair of APAC. “It brings the whole community together,” said Ada Yang. The sorority is currently applying for a charter from Kappa Phi Lambda, Inc. They hope to have that accomplished by the end of the year. “I’m very proud of that organization,” said Yu, who is also the faculty advisor to Kappa Phi Lambda. “When they do things, they do it with quality.” For a full list of the Asian Paciﬁc American Month programs, visit odps.gmu.edu.

Photo Courtesy of Kappa Phi Lambda Colony

Kappa Phi Lambda is a sorority for women of any race who are interested in Pan-Asian cultures and traditions.

Campus Faces Meet Greg Werkheiser New Director of the Mason Center for Social Entrepreneurship Nathan Dorfman Staff Writer

Q. What are the purposes of the Mason Center for Social Entrepreneurship? GW: Our job is to identify, educate and network the world’s future social entrepreneurs. While other centers focus on social entrepreneurs’ late-stage development, we focus on the student experience and identify students with great ideas and great potential that can change the world. Q. Describe some of the latest programs that your center has designed. GW: Just a week ago, Mason developed a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration on social entrepreneurship. Fewer than 10 of these are available worldwide and enrollment begins in the fall. Q. How do you define social entrepreneurship? GW: The actual definition is still being sorted out in the field. But personally, social entrepreneurship is about using transformative ideas to solve major social problems in financially sustainable and scalable means. In this sense, while a solution may work in one part of the world or for certain groups, a so-

lution can be modified for equal or better impact in other parts of the world. For example, microfinance started out as a regional program. Now it is global. Q. Is there anything else you want to share with Broadside? GW: First, Mason is advantaged to have an interdisciplinary, universitywide social entrepreneurship center, which at other institutions would usually be housed within a business school. We want everyone to feel they can play a role. Also, our local geography is an asset, as Northern Virginia is a vibrant community that is home to the global headquarters of many international organizations. Our local geography, along with the diversity of Mason’s student body, is a major asset. As importantly, Paul Rogers, assistant professor of English, is the faculty director of the Mason Center for Social Entrepreneurship. This is a team effort, and he has been a wonderful partner on the academic side of things. To learn more, visit the Mason Center for Social Entrepreneurship’s website at masoninnovation.org.

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Patriots Buddy Up with Disabled Students Best Buddies International Creates Social Support System Vernon Miles Staff Writer The first thing one learns about Best Buddies International is that it’s not just another nonprofit, nor is it just another student organization. For buddies Pete Scamparia, a sophomore, and Eesha Minocha, a freshman, and for many others, it represents hope and a home in a generally unwelcoming world. Best Buddies International is a volunteer-run organization that helps create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But according to Scamparia, it’s about more than finding a place, it’s “about finding friends, where you can be free from bullying or prejudice.” Their eyes lit up when they heard their stories would be in the campus newspaper. Scamparia and Minocha talked extensively about their buddies in the program. Minocha talked about how she often goes shopping or to see a movie with her buddy Alexa Rivas, a senior studying psychology and pre-law, also President of the Best Buddies Club. Even something as simple as getting lunch becomes the excitement of the day. On Tuesday, Scamparta engaged in a three-legged race with his buddy, and though he didn’t win, the overall experience was not one he’ll soon to forget. Minocha speaks just as fondly of a whipped cream-eating contest and is very excited for the upcoming Special Olympics. She’ll participate in track, basketball and soccer; it will be her third year. As they leave to go get dinner

News Briefs

Mason Walk for Victims Rights George Mason University will be hosting the 16th Annual Victims’ Rights 5K Run & Walk at noon on April 27 at the Center for the Arts. The Annual Victims’ Rights 5K Run & Walk is an event held to honor victims of crime. The Aimee Willard Endowed Scholarship Fund is also involved in the 5K.. Aimee Willard was a Mason

(macaroni and cheese at Boston Market, one of Minocha favorites), it’s clear the program doesn’t just help them make friends with the Best Buddies crew but also with each other. More stories came in as word about the article spread. Alissa Doerner, a graduate student in Mason’s special education program, has been working with Mason’s Best Buddies since fall 2011. “The support and enthusiasm of the individuals involved including buddies, college buddies and chapter leaders is highly apparent on campus, in activities and even through social media outlets, such as Facebook,” Doerner said. “I do not see my time spent at Best Buddies as ﬁlling a volunteer role; I see it as an opportunity to participate in something that has had a profound impact on my life and hopefully on others. All of the activities I have participated in, from bowling to a bake sale to support the organization Spread the Word to End the Word have all been enriching ones. Making friends, being involved on campus, supporting an organization that is dedicated to a cause all while having fun—what could be a better college experience than that?” Scamparia seemed to agree. “It’s really just a chance to make new friends, something everyone should do, expand their social group,” he said. Tommy Miossi, buddy director for GMU Best Buddies and fourth-year student in the Mason LIFE program, fondly remembers going to a Washington Nationals game with his buddy, Katie Bredholt.

student who was raped and murdered on June 20, 1996, according to the event’s website. Registration takes place through race day, with a cost of $20 for community members, $15 for Mason faculty and staﬀ, and free registration available to Mason students. All event proceeds beneﬁt the Mason Victims of Violence Fund and the Rape Aggression Defense program. According to the George

Photo Courtesy of Alexa Rivas

The George Mason chapter came in ﬁrst place at the annual Best Buddies Basketball Tournament that was held at Oakton High School Saturday. Kamran Khan, a former student in Best Buddies, is now working with the Mason LIFE program, which helps prepare students with disabilities for life in college, to help expand their programs and reach more students. He’s very excited for the Relay for Life event Saturday and a corn hole tournament Sunday, he also said that the upcoming week is Autism Aware-

Mason University Police website, the RAD program is a two-day, 12hour, women’s self defense class oﬀered free to Mason faculty, staﬀ and students. Prizes are awarded for fastest male and female runners, fastest male and female walkers, fastest male and female student runners, largest team, largest student team and most spirited team. By Michael Lagana

ness Week and is a great opportunity to get more involved with Mason LIFE and Best Buddies. “We have book club, pop dance, American sign language and a bunch of other activities,” he said, “We’re also looking for mentors for next year.” Senior psychology major Masha Soldatenkova, was glad word was getting around about

Forensics Team Makes Finals The George Mason University forensics team placed fourth at the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament held from April 6 to 9 at Texas State University in San Marcos. According to Peter Pober, director of the forensics team, only 83 of the 400 forensics teams na-

the program. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone involved and deﬁnitely a lot of fun. I will stay with the club as an oﬃcer again next year, and I really look forward to seeing it grow.” It isn’t always in easy in Best Buddies. Sometimes lessons come hard. The group mourned the loss of one of their own, Bridget Healy,

tionwide qualiﬁed for the tournament. Mason is one of only six teams to have qualiﬁed for the National Individual Events Tournament every year since the tournament began 35 years ago. Fifteen Mason students from all four undergraduate classes advanced past initial competition and into elimination rounds, according to Pober’s statement. The following are Mason student achievements at the tournament:

earlier this year. The world is often daunting, especially with a disability, but Pete and his friends aren’t letting that stop them from enjoying life. “We’re human beings,” Khansaid. “We should just be treated like such.”

Individual Sweepstakes: Brennan Morris, 15th place nationally. Finalists: 2nd place: Rob Warchol, extemporaneous speaking; 3rd place: Warchol, impromptu speaking; 4th place: Jasjot Jaggi, persuasive speaking; 6th place: Sam Hopkins, prose interpretation. By Michael Lagana

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Broadside

Style

The number of groups participating in this year’s dance competition

Monday, April 16, 2012

A Look at Mason’s Senior of the Year Lead by Example and Dream Big

Photo By: Jake McLernon

Mason senior Kevin Loker has brought students up-to-the-minute news as the executive editor of C2M. He’s also been crowned Mason Majesty and was chosen as the Senior of the Year

Jeffrey Giorgi Style Editor Vermillion, S.D., sounds like it could be a town from the world of Pokémon. It doesn’t have much to make it well known. Okay, the Dakota Dome is located relatively close, but for the most part, the town is home to the kind of places that only small towns can claim — like the Corn Palace. But for Kevin Loker, one of George Mason University’s hardest-working and most-charismatic students, Vermillion is home. Senior of the Year, executive editor of C2M, Mason Majesty

winner — the list of titles and accolades for Loker is extensive and well deserved. As graduation draws near, I had the chance to sit down and talk with the anthropology major to discuss, among other topics, how a kid from such a small town came to make such a huge impact on a university more than halfway across the country from home. “I had done some different essay contests in high school, and a couple of them won me some trips out east,” Loker said. “Both brought me out to D.C., and I thought D.C. was really cool. I was interested in journalism or gov-

ernment or something in that area. At the time, I figured, ‘What the heck I’d apply, and it was between the University of South Dakota and George Mason University. I took a gamble on George Mason University.” Choosing to leave South Dakota behind was no easy decision for Loker, who was attracted to opportunities within the Northern Virginia and D.C. area that don’t exist in the Midwest. “There’s a lot I could learn in South Dakota, but there’s just a lot of opportunity that’s here at Mason because of its location and because of its makeup and the

people who go here,” Loker said. “I was able to get involved with media stuff pretty early here at Mason. And I was able to do my internship at The Washington Post and continue here at Mason, which is something that I wouldn’t have been able to do in Vermillion, S.D. — even though Vermillion, S.D. is pretty cool.” Indeed, the hardworking senior and communications team leader for Catholic Campus Ministry got his feet wet very early on at Mason. “I took a one-credit newspaper workshop my freshman year, and I was the news editor at Broadside within two months of my freshman year,” said Loker, reflecting on his early days as a Patriot. “The assistant news editor position was open, so I applied and got that. Two weeks later, the news editor quit for whatever reason, and the editor was like, ‘Uh, Kevin, could you step up and do that?’” Loker never fails to voice appreciation for such opportunities. If anything, he’s been humbled by his good fortune during his studies at Mason. “My involvement in student media has been the backbone of what I’ve done here and what I’ve been able to do and why I’ve been able to go and get an internship at The Post,” Loker said. A core function of any college or university is to instill a sense of belonging in the student body — a feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself. Much of Loker’s time at Mason has been spent trying to strengthen student body cohesion. “A lot of the things I’ve been involved with have tried to add to the sense of community at Mason,” Loker said. “The stuff I’ve done at CCM has been involved in that community and trying to build that up. That’s why I’ve done the communications stuff over there. That’s also kind of what I do with C2M as well. I think the more people know about a community, the better they’re able to function in that community.” His efforts to strengthen the

Mason community will certainly be a large part of Loker’s legacy. “I think one of the things that I’m probably the most proud of, since I can see it being a pretty cool thing for the university, is the Hunt,” Loker said. “It had its own share of things that could be improved on for next year. But it was really cool to see the different corners of the community, from dining to men’s basketball, get involved in an event that was supposed to get people together in a fun way to kick off the year with an adventure. I think it has the potential to continue to help bring people together to do fun and innovative stuff each year.” Nobody makes it to the top without a few miscues and missed opportunities, and Loker is no exception. “The Hunt we put together really, really quickly. It was something that kind of started in the middle of the summer—the idea—and then it was something that had us bring all these different corners together really quick,” Loker said with a slight laugh. “I wish we had started earlier because the week beforehand was quite stressful. I think I got about 30 minutes [of sleep] the night before because I was trying to get last-minute things taken care of.” Students who regularly follow C2M will remember an April Fools’ joke from last year about Mason getting a football stadium. When you clicked on the link in the article, it would redirect you for a quick Rick Roll. The only problem was, Loker didn’t know about it. “Someone on our site put up an April Fools’ joke that I didn’t really sign off on,” Loker said. “It involved Mason approving a football stadium for the next year. I didn’t think it was immediately apparent that it was an April Fools’ joke because the person at the time put together a graphic rendering of the football stadium.” Becoming Mason Majesty wasn’t part of Loker’s plann at Mason. It wasn’t even something he initially planned on being a part of.

“I didn’t get my arm twisted, but I got encouraged by CCM to enter it. They wanted to continue their presence in that competition and possibly win,” Loker said. “I got encouraged to go up there and I really didn’t want to. I think I turned in the form the day it was due. But I went up there and made a fool out of myself for the greater glory of God. At least that’s what I tell people. I had a really good experience doing that stuff because it was closer to the kind of stuff I did in high school with theater and choir.” The combined recognition of Mason Majesty and Senior of the Year is extremely high praise, and Loker knows it. “It’s really kind of a crazy thing to get a recognition like that,” Loker said. “It wasn’t something I was aiming for, so it’s neat and an honor to get recognized for just going about and trying to do the things with building a community and doing good work. It’s also cool to go up on stage and rap about Mason and Disney and have students give a stamp of approval. I like to think that means I’m somehow going about doing good work in the right way. It also might mean that they just liked me rapping.” For students hesitant to get involved because they think the opportunity will always be there tomorrow, Loker offers some parting words. “Pursue opportunity. Try it. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to come back. Just continue doing that,” Loker said. “I think a lot of times people get this sense of ‘Oh, I can do this when I’m a junior or senior,’ but a lot of the opportunities here at Mason are available [to you] as a freshman or sophomore. You’re going to walk away with a better experience from your time in college if you get involved in something you love early on. I think you’re doing yourself a disservice if there’s something you want to do and you’re holding off because this is the time to try things out and experience everything.”

The ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ Invades Mason Lions and Tigers and Elephants Oh My! Mariam Waqar Broadside Correspondent The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is making its annual visit to George Mason University, and if you haven’t already heard about it, talk to a Lot A regular. This year’s main event, dubbed “Fully Charged,” is making a large imprint on our campus. They’ve set up right outside the Patriot Center, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the wild animals (which are actually pretty tame). But, if you’re itching for a more traditional experience, walk down to the Patriot Center and buy a $15 ticket for a blast into the past. Aside from the horrible parking situation created by the circus, it’s nice to see campus so alive and vibrant as dusk approaches. But the throngs of people making their way into the Patriot Center by 6:30 p.m. may find themselves in somewhat of a conundrum. Bringing your own food isn’t frowned upon. As usual, seating in the Patriot Center requires a climb up narrow stairs. And to top it off, so many children running about will aggravate your acrophobia. (If you don’t already suffer from this malady, the kids may just be enough to make you fear heights.) But after you’re seated you’ll enjoy the view of a lifetime. Paradoxically, the higher your seats, the less you pay and the better your view of the entire spectacle. Throughout the two hours of variety perform-

ances, the excitement never stops! From the very beginning, the trumpet-like voice of ringmaster Brian Crawford Scott had me as giddy as the 7-year-olds around me. The clown performances (even though they were cliché) transported me back to the innocence of my own childhood. Their hilarious misadventures were short-lived though, as the trapeze artists soon made their way onto the stage. These daredevils’ mindboggling stunts surpassed the acrobatics I recall from the circuses of my youth. This act showcased a man riding a bike atop a tight rope 12 feet off the ground. Did I mention the aerial bicyclist carried a woman on his shoulders? The kids went wild for it, and I’d be lying if I said I resisted the urge to clap like a maniac for a good five minutes. Just when it seemed like the show couldn’t possibly offer anything more entertaining, the glowin-the-dark show got under way. With the lights extinguished, glow-in-the-dark figures emerged on stage for an acrobatic show, which was probably my favorite part of the entire experience. Its conclusion left me wishing it could have lasted a few more minutes, but this notion fast as soon as the lions came out. This was the moment I had most anticipated, but the spectacle of relatively tame lions exhibiting staged aggression left me more than just a little disappointed. Honestly, when a lion is so tame that it will kiss the ringmaster, isn’t it just a glorified version of a housecat? The elephants more than

Photo Courtesy of: millerpear.com

Clowns, elephants and high-ﬂying spectacles entertained Mason students and the Fairfax community at the Patriot Center. made up for my disappointment with the lions. The beautiful intelligence of the pachyderms became apparent as they played to the crowd, making it clear these animals understand what it takes to be entertainers. They instinctively gestured to the more populated sides of the audience, as if seeking

applause. They performed tricks such as lying on their sides and bowing to the ringmaster. They were the best performers of them all. The elephant act was short but very memorable because as one doesn’t often have the pleasure of witnessing such majestic creatures up close.

My trip to the circus began primarily as one of convenience, but it turned out to be so much more than I’d imagined. Nestled within our home is an event so astounding, so thrilling and so oldfashioned that every Patriot should experience it. The multitude of exhilarating performances

scrunched into a two-hour window elucidates why the circus was so popular in times of old. The circus truly is, in the famous words of the ringmaster, “The Greatest Show on Earth!”

Broadside

Style

A Visceral Thrill Ride

Mason Makes College a Family Aﬀair Share Your Dorm With Your Sibling Jessica Storm

A Genre Affair Unlike Anything Before

Photo Courtesy of IMDB

“The Cabin in the Woods” is an exercise in genre ﬁlmmaking. Simultaneously following cliches and blowing them out of the water

Jeffrey Giorgi Style Editor Reviewing “The Cabin in the Woods” without divulging the plot of the film feels like an impossible task. To speak to the movie’s plot would be to possibly

deny potential viewers of one hell of an experience. That being said, “The Cabin in the Woods” is quite possibly the most entertaining movie of the year so far. You’ve probably seen in the trailers, what little plot details can be safely revealed without spoil-

ing the flick. Five college kids, all of whom fulfill their own cliché roles, head out to — you guessed it — a cabin in the woods for a weekend of boozing and sexing. But things soon go horribly wrong. It’s a formula you’ve seen before, but much as “Scream” deconstructed the slasher genre in 1996, “Cabin” is a game-changer that takes what you know about the genre, spins it on its head and then says, “Here, have some more.” One of the reasons this film shines is that all of the characters are quite likable. Yes, they do happen to fall into familiar roles for the genre, but the formulaic aspects of the characters account for only the thinnest layer of each person’s identity. Many people will recognize Chris Hemsworth from his role in “Thor” last year and from the hype for the upcoming “Avengers” film. “Cabin” was actually shot two years ago, before either of Hemsworth’s action flicks. His recently acquired star power adds a sort of meta-layer to his character, which would not have been the case if this movie had hit the theaters prior to “Thor.” The influence of writer and producer Joss Whedon, creator of such fanboy favorites as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel” and the often-idolized “Firefly,” can be felt

throughout much of the film. A few choice dialogues simply scream Whedon, as does the film’s treatment of the female heroine. None of this is meant to take away from the accomplishments of first-time director Drew Goddard. He shoots the film serviceably and allows the film to take its time picking up pace early on. When Goddard removes the training wheels, the project breaks open all at once to deliver a third act that will have audiences simultaneously gasping and cheering. “Cabin” is being marketed as a straightforward horror film, and while the blood does spill (boy, does it spill), it’s difficult to classify it as a strictly genre film. You will be laughing just as much as you’ll be jumping, if not more. In fact, the viewers with whom I saw the film were laughing from start to finish. Laughter from the audience typically destroys a horror movie for me, but this film is meant to be an experience. Sharing it with a crowd who appreciates what they’re seeing makes it that much more special. “The Cabin in the Woods” is well worth the price of admission. Prepare to be missing out on seriously great conversations if you opt not to see it.

Button Mashing — ‘Final Fantasy’ A Look at the On Going Series and the Dangers of It Going Stale Antonio Washington Broadside Correspondent The central conflict in every installment of the “Final Fantasy” series pits an assembly of characters against some evil and, sometimes, an ancient antagonist who wants to destroy the world. The stories usually begin with a sovereign state battling a rebellion comprising the game’s protagonists. The heroes are often fated to defeat the evil force dominating their world, which is what causes the main heroes to unite. You would think that after twelve installments (and a few sequels) with essentially the same basic plot, players would begin to think it’s the same game over and over. Well, actually, it’s not. Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and developed and owned by SquareEnix, the series blends of science fiction and fantasy. The enterprise began with the 1987 release of “Final Fantasy” in Japan and in America three years later. Two sequels, “Final Fantasy II” (1988) and “Final Fantasy III” (1990) were also released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Subsequent titles are numbered, usually with an unrelated story. (Think of them as volumes instead of sequels.) The series was a huge success, branching into other genres such as third-person shooter, tactical role-playing and action roleplaying. Although the series remains successful, it is beginning to lose the appeal it once enjoyed. This isn’t because of poor presentation or graphics but because the series

is beginning to give players a linear story and overly simplistic combat. “Final Fantasy” used to be a challenge; now it’s a shell of its former self. Let’s examine “Final Fantasy XIII” and “Final Fantasy XIII-2.” Both games have elements of science fiction and fantasy with a few futuristic elements, but they strip players of the freedom to veer off the principal plot. No longer can a player explore caves, abandoned villages and small towns between elements of the main quest. Not only has the exploration component of “Final Fantasy” taken a hit, combat has become almost effortless. “Active Time Battle” is a trademark feature of the “Final Fantasy” series. ATB essentially concerns the flow of combat. Time bars are usually located near the character’s name, and during combat the bars gradually fill up. Once the bar is full, the character can act, choosing to employ skills such as attack, magic, item and so forth. “Final Fantasy XIII” and “Final Fantasy XIII-2” maintain the traditional ATB concept, but also incorporate a subtle amount of AI. Winning a battle in “Final Fantasy XIII” and “XIII-2” requires no strategy; at the press of a button, the character selects what attacks and skills to use. The player could go into the menu and manually select what specific skills to use, but the AI is always faster and already knows what attacks to use as well as the creature’s weakness. The only strategy element in “Final Fantasy XIII” and “Final Fantasy XIII-2” is the Paradigm System, which allows the player to

Broadside Correspondent As students leave home and travel to college, it can be difficult for siblings to stay in touch. Hoping to keep students and siblings connected, the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services will host its first annual Siblings Day weekend on Saturday, April 28. All George Mason University students are invited to participate and register their siblings for the fun-filled weekend. In order to attend the event, students must register their siblings on or before Wednesday, April 25 at masonfamily.gmu.edu. The signed registration form must be submitted to the office of orientation and Family Programs and Services via mail or by emailing a scanned copy. The event is open to siblings aged 12 to 18. While the office hopes to accommodate younger siblings in the future, they have planned this year’s weekend for adolescent siblings. As the graduate assistant to the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services, Jennifer Burns is excited to watch this event come to fruition. “We hope that this will be a way that siblings and teenagers can stay connected after one goes off to college,” Burns said. Sibling attendees must pay the registration fee of $20. The fee will provide a T-shirt, games and trivia, a pizza party and late-night trivia on Saturday. In addition, students can purchase discounted tickets for themselves and their siblings for Kings Dominion. The Kings Dominion tickets are $25 each, and transportation to and from the amuse-

ment park is included. Event organizers hope that the weekend will be an opportunity for younger siblings to learn about college life as well as stay connected with their collegiate family member. Students may use the opportunity to show their siblings around campus, introduce them to friends and show them dorm life. Each Mason student may bring up to three guests to stay with them for the weekend. The event is not limited to just siblings. Students may invite cousins or family friends as well. Students will check in their siblings on Saturday, April 28 from 9 to 10 a.m. in The Hub (SUB II). Those with tickets to Kings Dominion will depart shortly after registration. Other campus activities will include trivia at Corner Pocket, a drive-in movie in Parking Lot I and laser tag in the The Hub (SUB II) ballroom. Sibling Day activities will conclude on Sunday, April 29 with brunch at Southside. “We are excited to see this event start and hope it will continue to grow and expand in future years,” Burns said. As younger siblings begin to consider and prepare for college, visiting college campuses can ease their concerns and provide a window into college life. Organizers believe the event will be an opportunity for students to gain a better understanding of college life and of the Mason community in particular. Students interested in participating may direct questions to the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services at 703.993.2475 or families@gmu.edu.

Get Thrifty

Smart Shopping Can Save Mega Bucks Kaitlyn Reitz Broadside Correspondent

Photo Courtesy of IGN

A favorite among gamers, “Final Fantasy” has been a pioneer in RPGs (role playing games) for over two decades. change battle strategies during new installment brings somecombat. For example, if you’re thing new, whether it is characpinned by a tough boss, you can ters, locations or story lines. This turn the situation around by is what fans enjoy. Sure, “Final switching to a defensive position Fantasy XIII “and “Final Fantasy by pressing a few buttons to have XIII-2” have simplistic combat two characters jointly sustain the and a linear plot, but every “Final attack, protecting the medic and Fantasy” is different, which restoring the party’s hit points. means that this is far from the Although this article may ap- final iteration of the series. pear to be genre bashing, it isn’t. The series is fantastic, and each

What’s old is new again. Thrift shopping is becoming a more popular form of purchasing clothing and it can be especially useful for those of us college students who are on a budget. It seems that people either enjoy or strictly avoid thrift shopping. Though it can be fun rummaging through racks of clothing, some find the thought of wearing someone else’s clothing unappealing. But as long as you know how to search through all of the items in the store, it can actually be fun and easy to find some great deals. “You can find clothes that are barely worn and in perfect condition. It’s a great deal,” said Vicenta Tran, a freshman chemistry major. For those who have a slightly higher fashion standard, the store Plato’s Closet offers cash for gently used, name-brand clothing and sells the items at a generously discounted price. The closest Plato’s Closet store to campus is in Chantilly. “It’s a good way to find nice clothes that are pretty cheap, but you have to do a lot of scavenging,” said Jake Chavara, a freshman government and international politics major. It is beneficial to check out

many local thrift stores and larger chain thrift stores to get an idea of which stores carry items you like. The clothing and accessories in some places are of better quality and in better condition. It is also important to allot adequate time to thrift shopping because, in order to find the diamond in the rough, it is necessary to search through large amounts of clothing. Typically, the time spent shopping will pay off. You can end up leaving the store with a couple shirts and a pair of shoes for around $20. Seventeen magazine recently challenged fashion bloggers to create a fashionable look for under $17. In the process of creating her look, blogger Sammy Davis of Sammy Davis Vintage went to Goodwill and Salvation Army. Luckily for us at Mason, there are some thrift stores just around the corner. Yesterday’s Rose is on Main Street and they carry everything from sweaters, shirts and dresses to jewelry and handbags. There is also a Goodwill located on Main Street. Whenever you want to go on a shopping spree but don’t have a bit of cash, just remember that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. If you take the time to search through the clothing at a thrift store, it can literally pay off.

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Say ‘Yes’ to Less Stress Student Organization Hopes to Improve Well Being Through Yoga and Meditation Gabriella Gayl Broadside Correspondent It could be dueling for a parking spot or attempting to get through a three-hour lecture after pulling an all-nighter at Ike’s. It could be accidentally spilling drinks on a customer’s table or having an ex bash you on Facebook — George Mason University students deal with a lot of stress. In a population of approximately 31,000 students, young people at Mason can get lost in the shuffle and may struggle at times to manage school, work and interpersonal relationships.

“Due partially to stress, a surprisingly high percentage of college freshmen don’t go on to graduate,” according to an about.com article by wellness coach and health psychology specialist, Elizabeth Scott. “Many students keep crazy hours from staying up late to study, getting up early for classes and trying to cram in all the work and fun that can possibly fit.” But there’s a simple answer to relieving all of this stress from the challenges that college students face. All one has to do is say yes. YES Plus, which stands for Yoga Empowerment Service Plus, is an organization at Mason that focuses on helping

students effectively manage different aspects of their lives through meditation, intellectual discussions, breathing techniques and interactions. The YES Plus club is based on one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world called the Art of Living. The organization is a nonprofit humanitarian and educational organization that takes part in service projects ranging from rural development to women’s empowerment. Many young people have noticed the difference that YES Plus made in their lives. “This course has helped me become more relaxed and more confident,” said

Harsh Agarwal, a Mason graduate student in computer science and the president of the YES Plus club. “This course touches on relationships, the difference between love and lust and even how to handle finances.” Agarwal, who founded the Mason chapter of the YES Plus club in May 2011, finds the Sudarshan Kriya yoga courses, which focus on influencing one’s emotions through breathing exercises, the most relaxing. At Mason, yoga courses are becoming more popular. “At GMU, what I find is that people are very diverse and holistic in the way they approach life,” said Sriraman

Damodaran, the instructor of the YES Plus yoga courses and a student in the Krasnow Institute. “They really want to explore the different aspects they come across in life, and there is a lot of interest from this university to really have this kind of practical way of applying focus to different fields in our society.” Interest meetings for YES Plus courses next year will take place in May. For more information, call Agarwal at 313452-3691.

Studant Organization Hopes to Improve Well-Being Through Yoga and Meditation I-WEEK, From Front The Dance Competition will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center. This is a ticketed event, and free tickets are available at the Oﬃce of Student Involvement, located in The HUB (SUB II). The competition will include performances from groups including the Afghan Student Association, Arab Student Association, GMU Bhangra, Bengali Patriots Association, Filipino Cultural Association, Hellenic Society, Hispanic Student Association, Indian Student Association, Mason Ke Rang, Nepalese Student Association, Pakistani Student Association and Persian Club. Each group will showcase the dances, costumes and music of its culture on stage. “I’m nervous, but we will see how it goes. Planning is very hard and practicing is stressful, but I know everything is going to turn out well,” said sophomore Vicki Georges, who is one of the dance competitors from the Hellenic Society. “Everybody comes together and gets to see people dancing.” The top three groups will perform at the International Dinner Dance from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at Dewberry Hall. Those who attend the dinner

will meet new people from around the world and get to know about a spectrum of cultures, all while tasting food from different countries. Tickets for this event must be purchased at the Center for the Arts box office. All the workshops will be held Tuesday through Thursday at Patriot Lounge in SUB I and on the Quad. Siri Sunkara, a graduate student from India who will conduct a henna workshop, said she is excited to create her own designs for the temporary tattoos. She said students interested in receiving a free henna tattoo should attend her workshop, during which Sunkara will also explain the history of henna tattoos. In addition to the henna workshop, there will be a Roma-inspired dance workshop and a workshop to make leis, the traditional Hawaiian flower necklaces. The Roma-inspired dance workshop will be taught by a Russian instructor and will introduce participants to several styles and techniques of dance from around the world. Participants in the lei workshop will create their own leis using the tops of soda cans. “We want to make these workshops for students so they can make themselves comfortable and relaxed,” said Birgit Debeerst, an assistant director

for programming at the Office of International Programs and Services. “We want them to learn but in a fun way, and we don’t want them to feel trapped as if they’re in a classroom.” A staggering amount of effort goes into putting International Week together. “There are a lot of responsibilities. Planning is fun but very sensitive,” Arveti said. “We try not to put anything offensive about someone’s culture when we create posters, for instance. But I enjoy it.” International Week started in 1981 and for the first few years had no official theme. Eventually it developed a purpose of sharing diversity. “In the late ‘80s through the late ‘90s, themes appeared in more political scenes whereas in the 2000s, they appeared in more global celebration of all the countries getting together,” Debeerst said. “Most of the events are organized by the international-related organizations, so we want to see more American students participating and learning about different cultures,” said Vivian Dao, a senior peer educator in the Peer Empowerment Program. For more information, visit iweek.gmu.edu.

I-Week 2012 Events Today Opening Ceremony Noon - 1 p.m. North Plaza (Johnson Center Atrium in event of rain)

Tuesday Dance Competition Noon - 2:30 p.m. JC, Dewberry Hall Henna Workshop 3 - 4 p.m. SUB I, Quad

Wednesday Roma-Inspired Dance Workshop 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. SUB I, Patriot Lounge

Thursday Lei-Making Workshop 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. SUB I, Patriot Lounge

Friday International Dinner Dance (Tickets required) 7 - 10 p.m. JC, Dewberry Hall

Photo by: Stephen Kline

I-Week 2012, an annual celebration of international culture, has returned for another year. Highlights include three workshops, a dance competition and the International Dinner Dance.

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Broadside

Opinion

Percent of creative directors that are women.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

Broadside

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

Thumbs up to George Zimmerman being charged in the Trayvon Martin case. Thumbs up to there only being a few weeks before summer 2012 begins.

Gregory Connolly, Editor-in-Chief eic@broadsideonline.com Cody Norman, Managing Editor Jacquelyn Rioux, Copy Chief Justin Lalputan, News Editor Hannah Smith, Asst. News Editor Rebecca Norris, Opinion Editor Jeff Giorgi, Style Editor Cody Norman, Sports Editor Colleen Wilson, Asst. Sports Editor Stephen Kline, Photography Editor Krista Germanis, Asst. Style Editor

Benjamin Shaffer, Copy Editor Shannon Park, Copy Editor Michelle Buser, Designer Janelle Germanos, Staff Reporter Jacques Mouyal, Business Manager Kathryn Mangus, Faculty Adviser David Carroll, Associate Director

The letters, columns and views expressed on this page are solely those of the writers. They do not reflect the views of Broadside or its staff, unless otherwise noted. Broadside is a weekly publication printed each Monday for the George Mason University and surrounding Fairfax community. The editors at Broadside 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 editorin-chief should be notified at the information given above. Broadside is a free publication. Limit one copy per person. Each additional copy is 25 cents. Please be so kind as to bring a quarter to our office on the first floor of Sub II.

Thumbs down to there only being two issues left of Broadside for the year! Now what will you read? A Continuing Thumbs down to GMU: we spend more on a parking permit than 60 percent of Haitians live on in a year, and then you turn around and hijack hundreds of the best surface spots for a month so you can bring in a circus for all the families outside of Mason who don’t pay for parking permits. What a fine day to be a Mason Patriot.

Clarification

Mama Asia’s Top 10

In the article from the April 9 Broadside titled “Abortion Protest Stirs Controversy,” the word “support” was not meant to be synonymous with the word “advocate.” It should be deﬁned as “assisting in a time of need.” Broadside apologizes for any confusion.

Essential Lessons Leading to a Bountiful Life Hala Numan

Columnist

Broadside is Beginning its Search for a New Staﬀ

Life is simple — if you know what you’re doing. If not, you’ll probably be lost for a while and one day, you’ll slowly start to find your way. Wouldn’t it be easier if people who have already found their way could just share their secrets with you? The following 10 items are life lessons my mom deemed most paramount to one’s ultimate success in life — a.k.a. advice to live by. Everyone should take at least one for the road — Mom’s orders. 1. Do not accumulate problems in your life. In other words, don’t leave any problem unsolved. Otherwise, your worries and stress will only multiply, possibly deterring you from your solid track to

Interested students should contact the incoming Editor-in-Chief, Cody Norman, at cnorman2@masonlive.gmu.edu or stop by the Oﬃce of Student Media in the lower level of Student Union Building II (The Hub) for more information. Applicatations will be accepted until all editorial positions are ﬁlled.

9. You will be treated according to where you place yourself. It’s simple: If you put your needs last, people will put you last on their list of priorities. If you treat yourself with dignity and love, people will follow your example. 10. “To be happy for mere seconds, I might be miserable for many years.” Do what is good for you, not what makes you happy in the short term. Sometimes your fleeting desires don’t bar your path to success, but most of the time they do. 11 (BONUS). Patience is the foundation for all of the advice I just gave. “Do this and don’t forget to wash the dishes” is what we usually hear from our parents, but what I’ve provided here are 10 lessons from a wise woman. These 10 adages are what she would call the “butter” of life’s most valuable lessons. So, eat your butter, kids!

Women and Minorities Must Deal With Glass Ceilings Preventing Equal Opportunities Rebecca Norris

Opinion Editor I am a writer — an aspiring journalist — but I am also a woman. That means I am likely to encounter obstacles during my professional career that my male colleagues will not have to deal with. You would think that as a woman living in the 21st century I would have equal opportunities across the board. However, I cannot even begin to tell you how inaccurate this assumption is. According to the 2010 Global Media Monitoring Project, articles written by women account for less than 50 percent of all news stories. Furthermore, only 13 percent of all stories focus on women. These statistics seem disconnected from global demographic averages. Women constitute 51 percent of the world’s population, but we are not getting as much coverage as we deserve. Nor are we given equal opportunities to fill positions in which we could utilize our talents to better inform society about important issues.

Want to share your opinion? Submit your letter to the editor or artwork to: opinion@broadsideonline.com

Note: Letters to the editor are welcome and are printed on the basis of space, quality and timeliness. All submissions are the property of Broadside and may be edited for brevity, clarity and grammar. Material containing libel, racial slurs, personal attacks or obscenities may be edited or rejected. The author’s name, class year (and/or title where appropriate), major and daytime phone number must be included for veriﬁcation of authenticity. The deadline for submission is Thursday by 10 p.m.

benefit you. No one can guarantee how many minutes you have, so use them wisely. 5. Give in proportion to what is deserved. Only spend time with people and on matters that are worthy of your time. That’s all. 6. Life is beautiful. Enjoy the work you do. You are doing it for your growth and happiness. Your life will be beautiful if it is a source of enjoyment rather than a burden. Remember to visualize your goal so you know the hard work you’re exerting is worth it. 7. What you’re doing now will reach you tomorrow. Or as my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Fitzpatrick, used to say, “The report cards of today are the paychecks of tomorrow.” 8. Don’t waste what is necessary for what is unnecessary. Friends will not give you their health or money because you put them first, nor will your boss. Spend time with friends and do favors for others but not at the expense of your aspirations.

Gender Inequalities in the Workforce

As the 2011-12 school year comes to a close, Broadside is looking for interested students who are passionate about journalism. We will be interviewing and hiring to ﬁll the following paid staﬀ positions: -News Editor -Assistant News Editor -Style Editor -Assistant Style Editor -Sports Editor -Assistant Sports Editor -Photography Editor -Business/Opinion Editor -Assistant Business/Opinion Editor -Copy Chief

success. 2. Do not delay today’s work. Today’s work should be accomplished today, for tomorrow is another sun, bringing more obligations you must attend to. 3. “Make it small, it’s smaller. Make it big, it’s bigger.” Life’s trivial problems are usually magnified by anxiety. In other words, it’s all in the mind. Whether you want to minimize or maximize a problem in your life is all in your hands. If you exaggerate the problems in your life, you will encounter a beast devouring your tranquility. So minimize them instead. You can simply stomp out this or that worry and continue on with your daily happiness. 4. Life basically amounts to an accumulation of minutes. Ask yourself if you are using each and every minute wisely. You can ask questions like “Will this benefit my health, increase my knowledge, enhance my spirituality or earn me money?” If the answer is no to all, then leave it for it will not

“An important future indicator for a developing economy is its treatment of women,” Sheryl WuDunn, co-author of “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” and the first Asian American to win the Pulitzer Prize said in “The Case for Girls,” a November 2001 article by Anya Kamanetz. Considering the lackluster economy of the United States, it is essential for women to become a more prevalent source of power. If women are ever to out-climb men on the corporate ladder or even reach the same rung, they must be given equal opportunity. “A country that gives girls equal opportunity has twice as much talent and brainpower to draw on,” said Anya Kamenetz, a staff writer for the business magazine “Fast Company.” “[It] is likely to be more open and flexible in ways that promote international

trade.” Once American corporations recognize the full potential of women in the workforce, society will change a great deal. Before the United States can reach that point, however, it will be crucial to acknowledge female ambition and a woman’s ability to fill a seat of p o w e r, which is equivalent to that of a man. “To realize the potential of women employees, companies will have to recalibrate traditional notions of power and personal ambition,” John Kador wrote in his November 2011 article “Women: The Next Tipping Point.” I am committed to my dream of becoming the creative director of a major magazine with offices among the skyscrapers of New

“To realize the potential of women employees, companies will have to recalibrate traditional notions of power and personal ambition.” — John Kador

Editorial Board: Gregory Connolly, Editor-in-Chief Cody Norman, Managing Editor Jacquelyn Rioux, Copy Chief Rebecca Norris, Opinion Editor

All unsigned staff editorials are written to represent the view of the Broadside staff, a diverse set of opinions determined by the members of the editorial board. Letters to the editor, columns, artwork and other commentaries strictly represent the opinions of the authors and do not represent the ofﬁcial opinion of the newspaper.

York City. “Only 3 percent of all creative directors are women,” Dylan C. Lathrop, the editorial design director for “GOOD” magazine, stated in his June 2011 article “Why We Can’t Let Design Become a Boys’ Club.” Put simply, women are denied equal opportunities for professional advancement despite their qualifications or exemplary performance within the field. There is an unseen yet unbreachable barrier that restricts minorities, such as women professionals, from stepping higher on the corporate ladder. Knowing this distressing truth about the future awaiting me, I could easily be dissuaded from pursuing the dream I have always held near and dear to my heart. But what would that say about my ability in accordance with my gender? Yes, gender stereotypes are still all too common. We’ve heard them all: Women are weak, they give up and they’re too sensitive. At a time when our society continues to pursue equality for minority groups, it is of paramount importance that we defy such stereotypes and work whole-heartedly to reach our goals regardless of the statistics against us.

Phone: 703-993-2950 Fax: 703-993-2948

Opinion

Driving the Drunk: Keep Mason’s Of-Age Population Safe Providing a Bus to Transport Of-Age Adults to Old Town Fairfax on Thirsty Thursdays Could Save Lives No one refers to George Mason University as a party school. We’re no James Madison or Radford; that’s not how we roll. First of all, we’re a commuter school by a wide majority, so no one Columnist hangs around long enough for a good party. Second, Mason police are known to crack down hard on foul play such as underage drinking, and nobody wants to deal with that kind of trouble. It seems like the party scene here at Mason is restricted to either smallish but sometimes rowdy get-togethers in upperclassmen housing or the weekly Thursday-night flight into Old Town Fairfax for cheap booze and dancing to be found primarily at Hard Times, Buffalo Wing University and The Auld Shebeen. I’ve had my share of outings into Old Town. It’s a good time, and I meet a lot of new people, most of whom are other Mason students. However, there is one thing I find disturbing each time I go to Fairfax on a Thursday night: I see a lot of tipsy people in possession of car keys. While it would be nice to believe that students at this university would be so responsible as to not drive drunk, it is undeniable that it happens. Everyone goes into Old Town with a game plan. Usually, either someone draws the short straw and has to be the designated driver, or you shell out around $20 for a cab to drive you there and back. I don’t know anyone on campus who walks. It’s not very far, but it’s just far enough to be implausible, especially if you expect to be intoxicated on the way back. Stumbling your way through the minefield of police peppered throughout Old Town on Thursday Kristin Janiero

Letters to the Editor President of Patriots for Choice Speaks Out Martin Luther King, Jr. would not have supported likening women’s healthcare to a lynching. As a woman of color, I am deeply offended that Students for Life would even invoke his name. This is just another example of how the radical anti-choice lobby insensitively and creatively warps history to further their political agenda. I find this utterly inappropriate and morally reprehensible, particularly because Dr. King won an award from Planned Parenthood for supporting women’s healthcare. But this barely scratches the surface of the issues posted in this week’s Broadside [April 9 issue] about the abortion protests that occurred on our campus. Apart from the fact that only one member of Patriots for Choice was included in the article (and with far less space) to the two that were included from Students for Life, it appears that some things were either left out from carelessness or simple bias. First and foremost, Students for Life is not a recognized student organization at George Mason. Second, this article was simply a spotlight on the anti-abortion group’s efforts and advocacy. Patriots for Choice’s entirely grassroots effort was not shown in the appropriate light whatsoever. This article made a mockery of the effort and hard work of numerous social justice and ethnic groups on campus who were absolutely appalled by the presence of the so-called Genocide Awareness Project. If the Broadside sent representatives to actually observe our presence instead of simply taking everyone at their word after the fact then the truth could have been reported. The truth is this: students, faculty, and staff were overwhelmingly disgusted by the presence of this group on our campus. Not only because of the gruesome imagery displayed but also because of what the group implies: that a medical

nights is no one’s idea of a good time. The problem lies in the misconception that a designated driver can stop drinking 30 minutes before the bar closes and sober up or in the reluctance of students for whom 20 bucks is too much money to spend on what amounts to a total of about 10 minutes of transportation. Twenty dollars is a lot of money to a college student. The end result of a Thursday evening in Old Town appears to be multiple drunk drivers navigating within the same small area. An environment is created in which it is far too easy for people to be hurt or thrown in jail. Unfortunately, I don’t think this problem can be totally eliminated. There will always be people who drive drunk, but there is something Mason could do to help keep students safe. Many schools across the country provide transportation for students when times are ripe for partying. Many believe this is a smart way of protecting students, who will inevitably drink, from the dangers of drunk driving, but it is also controversial. Some argue that providing transportation for drunk students is a school’s tacit endorsement of partying. This view is nonsense. Universities can pretend young people don’t drink, but that’s like claiming young people don’t have sex. This willful oblivion is stupid and leads to harmful consequences. More can be gained from mitigating the risks that come with intoxication than from trying to pretend that students don’t drink. I would like to see the transportation department here at Mason provide a shuttle on Thursday nights between the Fairfax campus and Old Town. I spoke with Josh Cantor, the director of parking and transportation, about the feasibility of this idea. At first glance, extending the schedule of Gunston’s GoBus on Thursday nights seems pretty easy. The recent addition of the Fairfax Square route brings the

decision one in three women make is in anyway comparable to genocide. To denigrate the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust is outside of the scope of civil discourse. This group is not representative of the George Mason community as a whole and that was hardly a take away from that article. But, again, perhaps if more than one person was quoted and a reporter was on the scene for more than a few minutes then it would have been properly reported. Alas, I ask too much. -Lily Bolourian President, Patriots for Choice

be important to all students on campus. But neither will any other number of activities that all of our tuition costs and alumni donations go to support. We need to ﬁnally start thinking of Mason as a whole: a dominant research institution, a top-notch modern university, and a powerhouse athletic presence with a tradition alumni and students can be proud of. Think of the 2006 men’s basketball team. Imagine that feeling every weekend during the fall. The same arguments from 20 years ago don’t cut it anymore. It’s time for Mason to embrace a topuniversity-of-33,000-students persona and act like a major urban university. Our students and alumni deserve just as much as anyone else. -Ken Goldman Government & Politics, 1994

Mason Club Football Your article “An Undying Question: Football,” [April 2] by James Ho was amusing, frustrating and infuriating all at the same time. As a founding member of the GMU Football Club, I spent several years at Mason trying to work through the very same arguments for and against NCAA football on our campus — but that was almost 20 years ago. Not much has changed, I’m afraid to say. As far back as 1993 when we were a ﬂedgling club sport on campus, some in the athletic department and other high-level positions at Mason used the cost argument to negate the importance or value of an NCAA-sanctioned team. And while I don’t diminish the expenses that go with supporting a team, let me ask this: Do the students at Penn State, Nebraska, Virginia Tech or even at JMU and William & Mary deserve better or more than the Mason nation? Those students have associated costs with their football programs, but I’m pretty conﬁdent you couldn’t get them to give up their traditions for anything. Simply put, football builds pride and a bond with your college like no other single activity can. There are costs and risks, but isn’t Mason “mature enough” to handle the challenge? Football at Mason will never

Broadside Issues As a 2010 graduate of George Mason University, I don't read the Broadside as much as I did as a student. So of course the one issue I happen to read in a few months (April 2) upsets me. I must express my dismay in two areas. 1 - On the front page (the front page!) you show a student holding up a sign in support of Trayvon Martin. The problem? He uses the word "your" when it actually should be "you're". It may not be a big problem to some, but putting it on the front page of the school newspaper shows a lack ofproofreading on two levels - that of the student and of the editor. Your message tends to not be clearly conveyed when you use incorrect grammar as people tend to focus more on your mistakes than your message. 2 - I was also upset with Sayed Shah's article about the recent hate crimes. Sayed uses the death of Trayvon as a lead in to an article about racism, but never explains what Trayvon's death has to do with his article. It seems he is just going along with the media and not waiting for the facts to come out. Sayed never bothers to ad-

George and Mason shuttles to Old Town on Thursday nights, arriving at 10:50 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. respectively. The shuttles then return to the Fairfax campus to end their routes for the day. Why not tack on another two-and-a-half hours to the Mason GoBus on Thursday nights? Cantor, who expressed great concern for the transportation needs of students throughout the interview, explained that the obstacles for this idea are a lack of priority, funds and interest. Currently, the idea of Thursday night transportation to Fairfax would fall into the fourth or fifth slot on the transportation list of priorities. The top three prerogatives of the parking and transportation department are purchasing more buses, adding weekend Mason-toMetro service for students and Mason Inn guests and adding a shuttle route to Burke. According to Cantor, extending Go-Bus operating hours on Thursday nights would cost between $200 and $300 per week; this is not a large sum of money. Cantor stated that if the department does not have enough money to put into a large priority project, it could possibly divert funds into a smaller project, such as the Thursday night route to Fairfax. Because the shuttles are not equipped with fare-collection devices, charging students a dollar or two to ride is not an option. Regarding the level of interest in such a service, Cantor stated that he has never been approached in an organized way about a Thursday night shuttle although he has received several individual endorsements. While many people often speak negatively about the parking and transportation department at Mason (I, too, am guilty of begrudging them each year when I pay for a parking pass), it is apparent that Cantor cares about Mason students’ transportation needs and desires and is receptive to new ideas. Cantor stated that students can show their supdress the Trayvon situation, but instead decides to jump to conclusions to further his own agenda. Maybe I have been watching different news programs but I wasn't aware that enough information has been released to make the assumption that Trayvon's killing was racially motivated. Of course everyone has an opinion on the subject, but I wouldn't use my opinion as a foundation for an article. Looks like I will again be waiting a few months before reading another issue. -Travis Wilson Class of 2010 Patriots for Choice I responded to this article on the website, but was concerned that my protest would be neglected, as it seems the site doesn't get much traffic. And this issue cannot be neglected: My friend pointed this quote out to me, and I did not believe that any newspaper that wishes to be credible could have such an oversight: " The demonstration was protested by Patriots for Choice, a student group that supports abortion." Wrong. So wrong. Patriots for Choice does not "support abortion". Patriots for Choice supports the right of women to choose whether or not they are physically, mentally, or financially ready and able to carry and give birth to a child. They do not support abortion. They do not promote abortion. They fight for the right to keep it a viable option for women who may be in need of it. Even the Pro-Life term is incredibly misleading. It seems to suggest that Pro-Choice advocates are not in support of life, which is blatantly untrue. They care very much for life. They also care about the rights, not just of children (or babies, or fetuses, or zygotes as the case may be), but about the rights of women to do with their bodies what they will. This is not about being for abortion. This is about the right to choose.

port for a Thursday night shuttle to Old Town when the parking and transportation department puts out its bi-annual survey in the fall semester to gauge students’ wants, needs and attitudes. Cantor stated that a question regarding this idea could be included on the survey, which the department uses to determine priority projects and allotting funds. A significant show of support on this survey could result in the implementation of a Thursday night route. Regarding the argument that adding a route to Old Town on Thursday nights would constitute an endorsement by the university of drinking, I point out one important fact: Many proponents of this point of view insist that these “drunk buses” encourage underage drinking. This won’t be an issue here. The proposed route would only shuttle students to Old Town, where bars admit only individuals who are 21 years of age or older. Thus, Mason would be shuttling adult students engaging in legal behavior. This is purely an issue of providing a safer environment for students who choose to participate in legal, normal college behavior. Shouldn’t that be something everyone can get behind? In the end, Mason students are responsible for their actions. Every student knows driving drunk is never a good idea. However, a responsible student and a drinking student are not mutually exclusive. Drinking is often a part of college life, and its place on a college campus cannot be ignored. The difference between a responsible and an irresponsible student is not whether they choose to drink but whether they choose to get drive. Providing more alternatives to drunk driving will make it all easier for students to act responsibly. Adding a late-night route to Gunston’s Go-Bus on Thursdays would provide students with a convenient alternative that could drastically reduce the number of drunk drivers and potentially save lives.

And I think the Broadside owes an apology to Patriots for Choice. -Cassandra Whalen

exam. I don't know about full time professors, some of whom I know have teaching assistants, but my only assistant is my 9 year old daughter. She's a great organizer and tracker-of-grades, but when it comes down to determining the subtleties of feudalism as addressed on a midterm exam, she's a little out of her league. That leaves me alone to grade the exams. In a class of 10, 15 or even 25 to 35 students, grading an essaybased exam isn't really that diﬃcult. Sure, it's time consuming to a certain extent, but that's all part of the job - and by that I mean, that's part of what we're getting paid to do. However, when class sizes extend beyond that - and I have taught a dozen classes of 50+, including several sections reaching 75 and even two that had 110 students - the essay-based exam becomes completely unwieldy at those numbers and due to the sheer volume of information, it's nearly impossible to quickly, effectively and eﬃciently grade that many exams. In classes over 50, a multiple-choice exam is almost a necessity. If you think grading exams quickly isn't a priority, then you haven't met the 53 students in my class at GMU this semester that expected to get their midterms returned in one week. Success on an exam of any type is a function of preparedness. Studying is a skill that has to be learned and practiced like anything else. The fact that Ms. Kim expresses her early college career didn't return results up to her expectations as far as exam scores go shows that as she proceeded past her freshman and sophomore years, her study skills improved and she was simply better able to prepare for exams in her later years in college. I would bet she'd have succeeded in those later exams no matter what type of exam was administered.

Multiple Choice Exams I wanted to take a moment to respond to a piece in the Opinion section of Broadside's Mon 26 Mar edition, "What do multiple-choice exams prove?" by Angela Kim. In my role as an adjunct history professor with 11 years of experience, not just at GMU but at Northern Virginia Community College, I have had the opportunity to write, administer and grade 133 exams (yes - I went backthrough my records and counted!). I'd say the split between multiple-choice and essaybased exams is about 40/60 - most often, I do rely on essay-based exams, but what Ms. Kim needs to understand is that multiplechoice exams have worth and an important place in the classroom. Just like no two students are the same, no two classes are the same - neither are any two professors. We rely on our knowledge of how classes work and how students learn to determine whether a class is better suited to an MC or EB exam. In the course of any given semester, I have even used both types of tests with one class. No matter what type of exam I choose to give, I guarantee you about half the class will hate it, call it unfair and feel like they didn't do as well as they could have done on the other type of exam. The laws of statistics also kick in here in that no matter what type of exam I give, the old-fashioned bell curve is pretty much how the results pan out, although in their collective defense, my classes' bell curves aren't centered solidly atop 75, but more towards the high C/low B range. It may shock GMU students to hear this, but not everybody that takes a class gets an A. Blaming the style of exam given by the teacher simply isn't logical. It's also important to take into account class size when critiquing a professor's choice of

-Wes Fleming

Free Tickets for Mason Students! Mason Jazz Ensemble NIGHT AT THE PALLADIUM Apr. 18 at 8 p.m. $15 adu. $10 sen./stu. CH LimitedFreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 10 Mason Dance Company SPRING CONCERT Apr. 19-21 at 8 p.m. $15 adu. $10 sen./stu. HT LimitedFreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 10 American Festival Pops Orchestra BROADWAY LIGHTS Anthony Maiello, conductor; Lisa Vroman, soprano Apr. 21 at 8 p.m. ff $23 $38 $46 CH ppd FreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 10

MASON WIND SYMPHONY AND SYMPHONIC BAND

GEGO WEAVING THE SPACE IN BETWEEN Monica Amor, MICA, speaker Apr. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Free HT

Mark Rozell, speaker Apr. 30 at 7 p.m. Free CH

Mason Players

TEN MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL

Apr. 27-28 at 8 p.m. & Apr. 28 at 2 p.m. $15 adu. $10 sen./stu. TS LimitedFreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 17 School of Music

A MEMORIAL CONCERT: CELEBRATION OF LIFE Apr. 29 at 2 p.m. Free HT

MASON SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE

M3E (MASON MODERN MUSIC ENSEMBLE) CONCERT

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel

Apr. 25 at 6 p.m. Free HT ppd

Pre-Performance Discussion

Apr. 29 at 7 p.m. Free HT

Apr. 29 at 7 p.m. $19 $30 $38 CH ff FreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 17

May 4 at 8 p.m. Free DL May 5 at 8 p.m. Free DL May 6 at 7 p.m. $20 adu. $15 sen./stu. CH LimitedFreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 24

FAIRFAX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Adam Golka, piano May 12 at 8 p.m. $25 $35 $45 $55 CH LimitedFreeStudent Tickets AvailableMay 1

Family Friendly BB Black Box CH Concert Hall DL de Laski Rm.3001 FG Fine Art Gallery GTIII Grand Tier III HC Hylton Center HT Harris Theater TS TheaterSpace

703-993-8888 or cfa.gmu.edu/students

Center for the Arts FAIRFAX

MASON VOCAL JAZZ

MASON SCHOLARSHIP CONCERTO CONCERT

THE POWER AND PASSION OF BRAHMS

MASON CHAMBER ENSEMBLES CONCERT

Mason Dance Company MAY CONCERT May 4-5 at 8 p.m. $15 adu. $10 sen. /stu. HT LimitedFreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 24

MASON GUITAR ENSEMBLE

Apr. 22 at 4 p.m. $15 adu. $10 sen./stu. CH LimitedFreeStudent Tickets AvailableApr. 10 Apr. 23 at 8 p.m. Free DL

The Vision Series OBAMA AND THE CONSTITUTION: WAR POWERS, CZARS AND SIGNING STATEMENTS

Visual Voices Series

7 0 3 - 9 9 3 - 7 7 5 9 o r h y l t o n c e n t e r. o r g / s t u d e n t s

Hylton Performing Arts Center PRINCE WILLIAM

Broadside

10 |

Sports

4.20 m

The height of Mandissa Marshall’s ﬁrst place pole vault

Monday, April 16, 2012

Making a Splash

Enough is Enough Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino is Just the Latest Victim of Unjust Media Exposure Cody Norman Managing Editor

Photo Courtesy of: Mason Athletics

Derrick Butts is graduating as the most accomplishd diver in Mason history.

CAA Champion Derrick Butts Olivia Karegeannes Broadside Correspondent George Mason University’s senior swimmers and divers are cleaning out their lockers and reminiscing about their Mason athletic careers as their ﬁnal year comes to a close. Diver Derrick Butts remembers both his darkest and brightest moments. Butts’ brightest moment this year outshined those of some of the most talented athletes at Mason. Butts became the ﬁrst Mason men’s diver to make it to the NCAA championships, marking his place in Mason’s diving history. In the 3-meter dive, Butts placed 23rd in the preliminaries and ranked 29th overall. He was also named the 2012 CAA Men’s Diver of the Year. Butts’ road to the NCAA Championships had a few roadblocks. Leading up to his senior year, coach Roland McDonald left to coach at San Diego State University, leaving Butts feeling lost and confused. “Our coach of two years just up and left. I was pretty crushed at this point,” Butts said. “I thought I would have to start all over. I thought about quitting because I had come so far. I thought about transferring schools.” Butts had been diving too long to give up so easily. Originally beginning as a swimmer for a

community swim team, Butts named CAA Men’s Diver of the found more excitement in diving. Week during his freshman and “I was on a summer league sophomore years. swim team, and I was not very He continually improved in good,” Butts said. “I lost every race the 1-meter and 3-meter at the that I had ever been in and one CAAs, but he was not meeting his day I happened to look over to the ultimate goal of competing at the other end of the pool and see NCAAs. some of the Shaken d i v e r s by the depardoing crazy ture of the things off diving coach the board.” “He always believed in he had be“At the come accusme from the moment end of that tomed to, summer I Butts was unhe got to the school told my sure of his fuand motivated me the ture. mother that I no After Mcwhole time. He yelled l o n g e r Donald left, when I needed to be wanted to Dennis Ceppa swim and stepped in, yelled at and praised that I taking over as me when I needed to assistant divwanted to take up diving coach for be praised.” ing,” Butts Mason. said. C e p p a ’s Conhistory of -Derrick Butts, CAA dive tinuing to leading divers champion d i v e to success rethroughout sultedg in him h i g h being named school, Butts was recruited by Metro Atlantic Athletic ConferMason as well as the University of ence Diving Coach of the Year five Delaware. times. Choosing to attend Mason, “I was lucky enough to join Butts’ diving career started off in the program just in time to watch the right direction. During his Derrick grow and become a refreshman year, he placed third in sponsible young adult,” Ceppa the men’s 1-meter dive and fourth said. in the men’s 3-meter dive at the Butts’ growth as a diver was CAA Championships. He was also not immediate. While Butts was

already an accomplished diver, Ceppa saw what improvements needed to be made to take him to the next level. “It was easy to see from the first day I stepped on deck to coach here at Mason that Derrick was an extremely talented athlete,” Ceppa said. “But he was missing refined technique and the discipline to help him remain persistent enough to change.” This persistence allowed Butts to make it to the NCAAs, but Ceppa’s encouragement is what pushed him to change and improve. “He always believed in me from the moment he got to the school and motivated me the whole time,” Butts said. “He yelled when I needed to be yelled at and praised me when I needed to be praised.” Having made the USA diving nationals four times in a row, Butts plans to train hard for the Zone Championships this summer with Ceppa by his side. “I am proud to call him a friend and wish him nothing but the best as he continues on to the next stage of his life,” Ceppa said. Where will Butts go from there? “I am looking to become a juvenile probation officer in the area. And if my career takes off how I want it to, then I will no longer be able to dive full time, but I will definitely be diving in my free time,“ Butts said.

Games of the Week Wednesday, April 18 Baseball vs. Longwood, 3 p.m.

It is not our culture or our society that is the issue. Ironically enough, it is the ruthless and reckless regard of journalists today. It is an unfortunate reality that “got ya” journalists, the men and women across the nation who devote their time and eﬀorts to bringing down public individuals, are widely recognized for their work. It’s a shame that honest journalists can seemingly not exist in a world that enjoins ever greater dirt digging and mud slinging. But that is what journalism has become. The role the media plays throughout this nation is incredible. Take, for instance, the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman controversy in Florida and think about the impact of the pictures that have surfaced – an outdated picture of an innocent-appearing Martin sitting side-by-side with a prison mug shot of Zimmerman. At what point did it become okay to crucify someone in public, abusing the power of the media to destroy the reputation of someone who does not have the platform to print a newspaper, air a radio or television show or communicate his or her words on a widely renowned platform? But it is not the power that is troubling. It is the lack of responsibility displayed by members of the media that, in turn, has transformed the world of sports into one dominated by the opinion of media outlets. We have turned into a society that puts so much heat on professional and collegiate sports owners and directors to rid their programs of people who partake in shockingly popular extracurricular activities.

Support Your Favorite Mason Teams at Home

Thursday, April 19 Tennis (M) vs. Championships at ODU, TBA Tennis (W) vs. Championships at ODU, TBA

Saturday, April 21 Softball vs. Towson, 1 p.m. Baseball vs. Old Dominion, 2 p.m. Volleyball (M) vs. Princeton, 4 p.m.

Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino was dismissed from the Razorbacks’ program for intentionally misleading athletic director Jeff Long about the secret relationship Petrino had with 25year-old Jessica Dorrell, his mistress who was present during a motorcycle accident Petrino was involved in on April 1. Almost immediately, the news surrounding Petrino’s accident and his affair surfaced and the public was left to form an adverse opinion based on incomplete information. A disgraced coach left to pick up the pieces of his marriage and physically heal from the effects of the accident, all the while releasing statements to the public through pushy members of the media. Under such circumstances, it is the public that has been conditioned to demand answers. It is the public that has been conditioned to follow the sticky stories of the week. But despite his status and despite his brainless behavior, Bobby Petrino does not owe you, me or anyone else in the public a damn thing. He doesn’t owe you answers about his personal life or about why he cheated on his wife any more than I owe you an answer for why I organize my pencil drawer to reflect their value. It is not any of your business. While I respect the mandate of the media to be watchdogs and to hold people accountable for actions that affect our society, I refuse to accept the media world as a platform that abuses its power to leak personal information and personal issues that affect the livelihood of a human being. Bobby Petrino is just the latest victim to the brutal world. Tomorrow it could be you or me. At what point do we decide enough is enough?

Friday, April 20 Volleyball (M) vs. Rutgers-Newark, 7 p.m. Soccer (W) vs. George Washington, 7 p.m. Baseball vs. Old Dominion, 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 22 Softball vs. Towson, TBA Baseball vs. Old Dominion, 1 p.m.

| 11

Sports

Patriot Invitational

Workout of Full-Body Calf Stretch the Week Kaylin Newman, sophomore thrower on the Track and Field team Colleen Wilson Sports Editor Kaylin Newman, who competes in the hammer, discus and shot put events, uses the full-body calf stretch to engage her legs to throw. The stretch beneﬁts the quadriceps as well as the calves. Newman learned the exercise from her coach, who uses it to loosen the team up after a heavy lifting day. “Throwing is all about being able to get your body across the circle quickly. You use your arms for throw and release, but your legs do most of the work,” Newman said. The shot used in women’s collegiate competition weighs 4 kilograms, or 8.8 pounds; the discus weighs 1 kilogram, or 2.2 pounds; and the hammer, which is essentially a shot on a wire, weighs 4 kilograms.

1. Reach down and grab your right ankle and bring it back behind you.

“Throwing is all about being able to get your body across the circle quickly. You use your arms for throw and release, but your legs do most of the work.” -Kaylin Newman, thrower on the Mason Track and Field team

2. Extend your opposite arm to help keep your balance as you lift up and stretch.

Colleen Wilson Sports Editor

Photo Courtesy of: Mason Athletics

Throwers use their weight to balance against the hammer and must release it at a strategic point in their turns. Professional throwers usually get four to ﬁve turns in a throw. Newman averages two to three turns for her throws. “One turn can take a whole season of experience to get down. It adds several meters to your throw,” Newman said. At the Patriot Invitational on Saturday, Newman threw the discus 31.59 meters, the hammer 36.66 meters and the shot put 10.17 meters. “Being a multi-event athlete makes it a challenge to balance myself and excel,” Newman said. Newman and the rest of the track and ﬁeld team continue to train for the CAA Outdoor Championship meet, which will be held the weekend of May 4 - 5 at home.

3. Stretch out through your calf and extend up onto your toes. Hold for several seconds.

4. Step forward into a lunge and then reach down to grab your left ankle, repeating steps 1 through 3.

The Mason track and ﬁeld team hosted the Patriot Open Invitational on Saturday at the George Mason Stadium. Competing schools included: American, Boston University, Bridgewater, Essex CC, George Mason, George Washington, Georgetown, Howard CC, James Madison, La Salle, Lake Erie, Lynchburg, Maryland, UMES, Mount St. Mary's, Navy, Penn, Princeton, Richmond, Roanoke, St. Peter's, Temple, VMI, VCU, Villanova, Virginia and William and Mary. The team posted 14 IC4A/ECAC qualifying marks at the meet.

Women’s 100 m Dash Third place- Aneesha Scott 11.95 sec

Women’s Javelin First place-Kelsey Reese 47.02 m

Women’s High Jump Second placeDominique Graham 1.63 m

Men’s 200 m Dash Second place-David Verburg 20.91 sec

Women’s Pole Vault First place- Mandissa Marshall 4.20 m

Women’s 200 m Dash Third place-Crystalyne Clark 24.44 sec

Men’s Long Jump First place-Lavell Handy 7.64 m Second place-Travaughn Baker-Johnson 7.54 m

Women’s 400 m Hurdles Third place- Taylor Wheaton 1:01.12 sec

Men’s Javelin Second place-Jason Wellington 57.36 m

Men’s 3,000 m Steeplechase Second place- Daniel Callan 9:20.28 sec

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Broadside

12 | Monday, April 16, 2012

Sports

Weekly Roundup Colin Gibson Broadside Correspondent

Baseball Fresh off of their only loss this month, the Patriots took down Northeastern University to tie the season series 1–1. The Patriots never trailed in the game and were able to ride a three-run second inning to oust the Huskies 7–5 in Boston. The win pushed Mason’s record to 24–12 overall with a 10–7 record in the conference. Senior Ryan Pfaeffle, the starting pitcher, notched his fourth win of the year after pitching five innings. Closer Chris O’Grady, a redshirt junior, earned his CAA-leading 10th save of the year. With this victory, the Patriots have a near-perfect 7–1 record in the month of April.

Men’s Volleyball Looking for its 11th win of the season, Mason took on New Jersey Institute of Technology in a gripping ﬁve-set match. After dropping the ﬁrst two sets 25–17 and 25– 23, the Patriots found the will to win in the next three sets, battling back to steal the match 3–2. The team was ignited by junior outside hitter Michael Kvidahl’s 20 kills and aided by junior middle back Piotr Dabrowsk, the conference Defensive

Player of the Week, who contributed nine kills and nine blocks. The victory moved the Patriots’ record to 11–14 and 7–5 in conference play, as they forced the Highlanders to an 11-16 overall record and 5–7 in conference play.

Softball

The Patriots’ season-long struggles continued as they dropped both games of a double-header against conference rival Hofstra. A three-run homer by freshman third baseman Brooke Blankenship was the lone highlight for Mason as Hofstra took game one by a score of 12–3. In the second game, the Patriots improved on the defensive end, giving up nine runs. But they failed to get the bats going, again scoring just three runs. The two losses dropped the Patriots’ record to 10–32 overall and 4–7 in conference play.

INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM TO OPEN MINDS. HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE TO OPEN DOORS.

Women’s Lax

In their final home game of the season, the Patriots ended a five-game losing streak and topped Old Dominion University 9–7. Mason’s offensive attack was sparked by senior midfielder Emily Ellisen, who scored three goals and added two assists. Junior goalkeeper Brittany Pastrana earned the win in net as she helped the Patriots on the defensive end, making seven saves. The win over the Monarchs was the Patriots’ first since 2008, and it pushed their record to 3–10 overall with a 1–3 record in the CAA.

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Broadside is looking for new editors and writers for next school year. Interested? Fill out an application and get started now at the Office of Student Media in Sub II

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ďŝŬĞ͘ŐŵƵ͘ĞĚƵ All students, faculty and staff who bicycle to campus on Tue, April 24 are greeted with drinks and snacks by the Parking and Transportation office and mechanical support from a local bike shop. A ŐƌŽƵƉ ƌŝĚĞ around Patriot Circle will start at 12pm at Southside Plaza.

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