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FOURTH ESTATE November 7, 2016 | Volume 4 Issue 9 George Mason University’s official student news outlet gmufourthestate.com | @IVEstate
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Talk politics to me
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On-campus political groups ready for election
7 Club sport of the week: Equestrian
Fourth Estate
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Crime Log
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Campus News
11.7.2016
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Student Government update Key legislation, discussion and debates RYAN COONEY | STUDENT GOVERNMENT BEAT WRITER
On Oct. 27, the Mason Student Senate met in Hub rooms three, four and five for its weekly meeting to discuss the approval of finances for the upcoming Gold Rush and to appoint two new senators. A tradition since 2006, Gold Rush is an event prior to the first basketball game of the season where students and faculty come together for a massive pep rally with food and games. As part of this event, the senate approved an
expenditure of $7,350 for t-shirts. Not all of the money came out of the senate’s discretionary fund, though, as $4,100 was raised in donations from various sources. The senate’s university services committee also discussed ongoing legislation within the committee. Key parts included ongoing discussions to have construction alerts as a part of the Mason Alerts system, getting rid of the current tax on feminine hygiene products and having the TVs in the dining halls play Mason away games.
During the latter part of the meeting, the Senate interviewed two prospective candidates for open seats on the Senate. Both were approved following the lengthy interview and debate process that followed. Freshman Eric Wright was first through the process. Wright cited his previous experience of serving on student government during his high school years, as well as his time participating in Virginia’s 51st Future Delegate Program. In the program, students learn about the legislative process and shadow Richard Anderson, the
delegate from Virginia’s 51st House District. Wright also said that he was very open-minded when it came to discussing legislation and that he hopes to not only help the community but also create a better connection between Mason and nearby Washington D.C. Freshman Nicholas Priebe was the other appointment of the day. Priebe also cited his previous leadership experience which included serving as captain on both his baseball and soccer teams as well as working with Habitat for Humanity, a program that builds housing for those in need. On
campus, Priebe is currently associated with the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity as well as the George Mason College Republicans. He is also an intern with the Republican National Committee. Priebe stated that he is looking to help students in any way possible and hopes to make Mason’s campus the best campus in all of Virginia. Any students that are interested in joining the senate should inquire at the Office of Student Involvement located in the Hub.
Talk politics to me Political professionals share their insight with Mason at 2016 Communication Forum FAREEHA REHMAN | STAFF WRITER
reporter Angie Goff, who is also a Mason alumna.
them advice and that’s how we’ll grow in our careers professionally.”
The sixth annual Student/Industry Communications Forum, Political and Policy Communications: Impact, Ethics and the Art of Persuasion, was held Oct. 25.
Although topics were focused on the world of political communication, the speakers gave life advice as well.
Another notable quote that Moja appreciated was from panelist Arzu Tarimcilar, a board member of GAMA Holding, who advised the students to be respectful of their employers but to not compromise their integrity.
For the forum, political communication professionals and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley joined together onstage to discuss their thoughts, experiences and perspectives on the current state of political and policy-related communication and what we can expect in the years to come, according to the Communication Department’s website.
O’Malley gave the opening keynote address, urging students to “be fearless, be persistent” when trying to achieve their goals. The closing keynote was given by Mark McKinnon, co-creator of Showtime’s “The Circus,” a live documentary of the 2016 Presidential election. McKinnon shared a personal story in which he almost destroyed a valuable friendship for his career.
“You’re at a time when you think work is the most important thing. It’s not. People are. Family and “You’re at a time when you think work is the most friends are,” McKinnon said. important thing. It’s not. People are. Family and
friends are.” –Mark McKinnon, co-creator of Showtime’s “The Circus,” The forum was moderated by Michael Shear, White House correspondent for the New York Times, and was followed by a speed-mentoring session with various professionals hosted by NBC4 anchor and
Dineo Moja, a junior communication major who attended the forum, spoke of her favorite pieces of advice.
Moja appreciated when panelist Danny Selnick, senior vice president of strategic markets for Business Wire, encouraged students to “always ask questions and to always go to the people we admire. We can’t go wrong with asking
“[The Panelists] kind of reinforced things I’ve believed for a while, that our society doesn’t always put value on, especially in a field that’s competitive and can be so ruthless,” Moja said. The communication forum is one of many outreach programs developed to support the Communication Department’s key mission. According to the Communication Department’s website, “The Insight Committee of the GMU Department of Communication was formed to build and enhance relationships between the department, the students and the larger community of practicing public relations and communication professionals.” Anne Nicotera, chair of Mason’s Department of Communication and self-proclaimed “Worrier-in-Chief ” of the forum, said that, being an election
(PHOTO COURTESY OF MIMI ALBANO)
2016 Communication Industry Forum panelists speaking at George Mason’s Communication Industry Forum on Tuesday, October 25th. year, this year’s theme was obvious to the Insight Committee during the planning stage this past January. “We try to come up with a theme that’s different from the previous year and that helps our students explore a different avenue of a communication career,” Nicotera said. All of her worries were relieved when
she saw “all 360 of the chairs were full” that Tuesday morning. “As the people who will be writing speeches, producing the campaign ads and reporting on the candidates,” the forum pamphlet said, “Mason Communication students will be called on to shape and lead our nation’s political discourse.”
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Farewell to Dean Nutter School of Business Dean departing for University of Oregon KATYA BEISEL | STAFF WRITER
After 20 years at Mason, Dean of Business School Sarah Nutter will switch out her Mason green and gold for the University of Oregon’s green and yellow as the dean of the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business in January. “I love Mason and its mission; our entrepreneurial culture and our commitment to diversity, inclusion and accessibility. And, I love the people of Mason, the students, faculty and staff. It has been a privilege to be part of this fast growth, young university, so making the decision to leave was not an easy one,” Nutter said. Nutter joined Mason’s faculty in 1995 and was promoted to acting dean of Mason’s business school in 2013 before being permanently hired to the
position. She served as director of the Executive MBA program, accounting area chair and Presidential Fellow before becoming dean. According to Nutter’s faculty directory biography, she has taught undergraduate and graduate-level accounting and taxation courses. Her research has been published in the Journal of Accounting and Economics, The Accounting Review, Journal of the American Taxation Association, Advances in Taxation and Statistics of Income Bulletin. Before joining the Mason faculty, Nutter worked as an economist for the Internal Revenue Service for five years, where she wrote about and researched federal tax policy issues. Reflecting on her time at Mason, Nutter said, “Because Mason is a young, fastgrowth organization, I have been able
to do so many different things during my time here. I have had opportunities that in a more established organization would have been unlikely. At Mason, you learn to be strategic, flexible, nimble and adept at adapting to a changing environment.” She will take over for Bruce Blonigen Jan. 17, 2017. Blonigen has served as the Charles H. Lundquist College’s interim dean since Dean Cornelis “Kees” de Kluyver left the position in September of 2015. In a statement from University of Oregon Senior Director of Public Affairs Communications Tobin Klinger, Nutter said, “The Lundquist College of Business is incredibly well-respected across the country. It will be an honor to serve as dean at this pivotal time in the university’s history. I’m eager to work together to shape the future of the college, building upon the work of
the incredible faculty and leadership for which it is known.” In a statement to the UO faculty on Oct. 7, the University of Oregon’s Provost and Senior Vice President Scott Coltrane said the university is gaining a talented dean. Coltrane said Nutter has “significant experience in academic leadership and strategic planning, built on an inclusive approach that has permeated every aspect of her work.” President of the University of Oregon Michael Schill agreed. “What most impressed me about Sarah was her incredible commitment to collaboration and inclusion,” Schill said. “While many in academia have this commitment, few embody it the way she does. Sarah Nutter will be an outstanding addition to our university.” (PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON NEWS DESK)
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The STAY Mason Student Support Fund, developed with input from students, faculty, staff and senior leadership, is designed to provide temporary, short-term, financial assistance to students who are managing demanding academic requirements while struggling with debilitating financial circumstances. STAY Mason aims to support students by providing short-term emergency funding and cost of attendance assistance. STAY Mason funding may be available to students who meet the following criteria: ▶Students who are currently enrolled in degree-seeking programs (and who have completed 12 or more credits at Mason) ▶Students who have applied for, or who will apply for, financial aid and have exhausted all their financial aid options, including their subsidized and unsubsidized loans (DACA students are welcome to apply for the Fund) ▶Students with proven academic potential, defined as a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average ▶Students with demonstrated short-term financial need, including a temporary hardship, sudden emergency and/or an inability to pay cost of attendance (tuition; housing; books; meal plans; transportation) are encouraged to apply. The STAY Mason Fund is NOT meant to provide long-term or full tuition relief. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, and the decision to grant funding is based on extenuating and/or unforeseen circumstances that affect the student’s or his or her family’s ability to contribute to pay the student’s cost of attendance. There is no guarantee that funding will be available in any given semester. The Student Support and Advocacy Center provides comprehensive services for students in an effort to foster the safety and well-being of the Mason community. Staff assist students who are encountering barriers to their academic success or personal growth. For more information or to make a referral please visit ssac.gmu.edu.
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On-campus political groups ready for Election Day VICTORIA DAVID | MASON VOTES
The 2016 Elections are not just on playing out on TV. They are also happening right here, on Mason’s campus. The two major party-affiliated student-run political organizations on campus, Mason Democrats and College Republicans, have been working for months to promote their candidates, share their ideas, and, above all, encourage people to vote on November 8th.
We interviewed Danni Gonyo, Field Director of the Mason Democrats, and Colin Sapko, President of the College Republicans, to learn more about their respective groups and opinions on this historic election. “It is not up to one of us to tell.” When asked about the campaign so far, Colin Sapko says it has been “an exciting time on both sides.” Although he emphasizes that Donald Trump didn’t
even make the top three student choices in the Mason precinct’s mock primary, he thinks that the on-campus organization is “ready to move forward.” “We want to focus on what matters for students, what is going to have a big impact on them, like the meals tax and the right to work laws,” Sapko says. But the issue of the presidential election cannot be avoided. When it comes to Republican nominee Donald Trump, their position is as clear as it can be given the delicate context they find themselves in: “His personality definitely takes away a lot from the issues. But it is important that we elect a conservative candidate, especially given the impact it will have on the Supreme Court.” He acknowledges the current controversies and the fact that it was not their “number one choice” while making clear that people are going to make their own decision in the end. “It is not up to one of us to tell.”
(PHOTO COURTESY OF MIMI ALBANO)
WE WANT TO HEAR
On the Democratic side, Danni Gonyo thinks Hillary Clinton
is running a “fantastic” campaign focused on “positivity and civility.” When asked about Clinton’s perceived lack of appeal among young voters, she thinks that there has been a large increase in support recently, especially since Trump’s “nasty woman” comment made during the final debate. Although the on-campus organization leans more towards progressive side of the party than the official Democratic platform, it claims to represent a wide range of opinions. “We had members who supported all the candidates during the primary season, even Martin O’Malley!” Gonyo says. The same goes for the College Republicans, which wants everyone to “feel welcome”. Both organizations have from 50 to 60 active members that come to their weekly meetings. “We have the same goal: make sure that college students are heard.” For this very special election year, both organizations have been busy conducting voter registration drives, canvassing, calling local voters, and hosting events on campus. But the heart of their activities remains networking and providing crucial opportunities for students who want to get involved.
FROM YOU!
Despite the fierce partisanship of this election cycle, both student organizations — Democrat and Republican — were able to work hand in hand to encourage students and community members to register to vote in a non-partisan manner. Both organizations worked together to host a Rock the Vote event in October. Democrats and Republicans worked together to host a Rock the Vote event in October. The two groups came together for a Rock the Vote event in October, an example of the bipartisan work that is getting done on campus. “We have the same goals, we want to make sure that college students are heard. We understand where each side is coming from and we try to create a good and positive atmosphere,” says Sapko. Gonyo agrees on this point, saying that the Democrats strongly believe that who someone votes for doesn’t matter, all that matters is that they votes. Both organizations have planned a lot of events on Election Day, especially with Get Out the Vote efforts that are completely non-partisan. They will, for instance, be handing out sample ballots to inform students on the issues that are on the ballot this year. The Fairfax Meals Tax referendum especially matters for both groups, although their positions diverge. The proposed Meals Tax referendum that will appear on ballots in Fairfax is a measure that would, if passed, have concrete consequences on the daily lives of students. The measure would authorize the Board of Supervisors to levy a meals tax “at a rate not to exceed four percent” on prepared food and beverages.
Let’s keep Mason Dining in the Top 10 Virginia Food Service Programs!
Looking ahead, the on-campus elephants and donkeys are beginning to shift their focus towards the gubernatorial election that will take place next fall. They are also trying to partner with other organizations on campus. College Republicans are in the process of signing up a philanthropy partnership with CUFI. Mason Democrats are looking to partner with other RSOs and will be joining the Roosevelt Institute and other organizations for a Jeffersonian Dinner the weekend before Election Day.
YOU COULD WIN A GoPro CAMERA Check your email for access to the survey at: http://vcil.cc/0gxeiyt
Mason Votes reached out to third party organizations on campus but did not get a response before deadline. For more information, visit masonvotes. gmu.edu (PHOTO COURTESY OF MIMI ALBANO)
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Sports
11.7.2016
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Club sport of the week: Equestrian JAMES STEMPLE | STAFF WRITER
11 other schools in the area and in some local shows around Virginia.
Few people would have the courage to get up on a horse and compete against others, but the Mason equestrian club does just that.
The shows themselves are different than most, as the club “[picks] horses by random and does not get a practice round,” Alina Parikh, president of the club, said. “It’s all about rider knowledge and rider control.”
The equestrian club is a co-ed program that competes across Virginia in various horse shows. Club members practice weekly with their coaches in order to compete. The term “equestrian” is a broad term to describe all horse activity; however, Mason’s club rides and competes on the horses. The competitions are run by the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association. The club competes against
Like many sports, equestrian relies on a point system to determine the winner. The higher you place, the more points you score. So winning first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth means each team receives 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point(s) respectively. The winner is decided by a judge, who evaluates based on the knowledge, control and style of the rider.
There are also different “classes” for each show, and each class gets its own judge to determine its winner. The club practices a style of horse riding called “English Hunter Discipline,” in which the rider is judged on style. “A big part of good riding is having good balance. It keeps you in the saddle pretty much. You want to make sure you have good posture with your heels down in the stirrups,” Parikh said on riding in this style. Parikh said English Hunter Discipline is often judged by “who is the fanciest?” The head coach of the hunt team, Sue Buscher, owns and operates Timely Manor, which is the barn that the club rides at during practice. Practices are
when the riders fine-tune their style and knowledge of the English Hunter Discipline. Tara Applegate coaches the Western-style team, Western being a another style practiced by some of the team members, and also serves as an assistant coach to the hunt club. They are accompanied by Susan Wolf, the other assistant coach, and Mark Buscher, who helps teach lessons. All of the coaches have been known to help new and experienced riders improve how they ride. “All of our coaches are very skilled teachers who have been able to make riders like myself become better riders and help us to figure out what we need to work on. Sue has been a truly
amazing coach and has helped us to become great riders,” Parikh said. Though the club receives a sizeable budget from the school, they also organize several fundraisers. The fundraisers help fund various causes, from trips to the Rolex Kentucky Three-day Event to the victims of Hurricane Matthew. Those interested in the sport are recommended to take horsemanship classes offered by Mason. “[The class] will teach you the basics of riding and horsemanship and will help you transition into being a part of the club,” Parikh said. “We take riders of all levels—even beginners who have not ridden very much before.”
Men’s basketball season preview Patriots will play season opener on Nov. 12 BEN CRISWELL | STAFF WRITER
With the men’s basketball team opening its regular season this Saturday, Head Coach Dave Paulsen is prepared to improve off the 11-21 record the Patriots finished with last year. This year, Mason has one of the youngest rosters in the Atlantic 10 Conference with just three seniors and no juniors on the roster. There are also a total of six freshmen, which means the team will look to its seniors and even sophomores for leadership. And since the team is young, Paulsen expects there to be some obstacles during the year. Consistency is among the biggest. “It is a huge adjustment for freshmen [and sophomores] to be able to bring it every day and to sustain intensity,” Paulsen said.
captains. Last season, Livingston averaged 11 points per game and showed himself more than capable of being Mason’s primary ball handler.
anchor the Patriots down low, but with the graduation of Shevon Thompson, rebounding will have to be a collective effort if Mason is to be successful.
What Paulsen likes about Livingston is his work ethic and love for the game. Paulsen said, “He works as hard and is as passionate as anyone I’ve ever coached.”
Mason’s guards are going to be especially big on the defensive end. The guards will have to disrupt passing lanes and crash the boards to combat the physical stature of the opponents.
One key difference between this year’s team and last year’s will be versatility. Last season, Mason boasted one of the biggest frontcourts in the Atlantic 10, but the bulk of that frontcourt is now gone. The Patriots will now look to their forwards and guards to guard multiple positions defensively and create matchup problems on offense. “We’re going to be more versatile offensively and defensively, but we have to be able to handle the physicality,” Paulsen said.
Paulsen also said that he likes “the steps our sophomores have taken in terms of becoming more consistent.”
Physicality will be big with the Patriots this season. And without a traditional center on roster, an undersized frontline is going to have to play big.
One of the sophomores expected to take on a leadership role is Otis Livingston, who was named one of the team’s
Defensively, a key factor for the Patriots will be rebounding. Forwards Jalen Jenkins and Troy Temara will most likely
Offensively, the style of play will be different than that of years past. Last season, Thompson dominated the ball down low and could score in a variety of ways around the rim. This season, the Patriots will most likely look to spread the floor to give their guards and wing players more room to operate, making the ability to make shots (as always) paramount to their success. In terms of shooting, last year’s Patriots shot just 29 percent from three and only 67 percent from the line. Those numbers may go up with the addition of a couple key players and as the team becomes more guard-oriented. One of those key players for the Patriots this season will be guard DeAndre Abram.
At 6 feet 7 inches tall, he is one of Mason’s tallest and most versatile players. In his freshman year, Abram played 20 minutes a game, but will now be forced into a more dynamic role. Abram was limited oftentimes last season to beyond the three-point line, but has progressed into a more “do-it-all” player, both offensively and defensively. Paulsen expects four freshmen to see significant minutes on the court this year: Troy Temara, Ian Boyd, Justin Kier and Kamari Newman. All bring something different to the table and will provide a solid bench for Mason this season. While Paulsen does not like to set expectations based on wins, he said that, “The ideal season would be that we can sustain the level of effort and intensity we’ve had to this point and that we don’t allow either success or short-term failure to impact the process.” Paulsen also said that he likes the spirit of his young team, but jokingly added that none of them have been yelled at during a game yet. The development process will also be a
big part of the Patriots’ upcoming year. Mason will retain the majority of their starters from last year, but will have an inexperienced bench. It is safe to say that the inexperience will be short-lived, however, as the best way to combat inexperience is to play. The goal, Paulsen said, is progress—getting better each day. Another goal for Mason will be to make their home court a formidable place to play. Paulsen said he hopes to finish the year with a .500 or better record at home. In the inaugural year of EagleBank Arena, the Patriots finished 7-8, with a Jan. 22 contest played at the RAC. Paulsen knows that in order to establish a formidable home court, it must start with their play. In his second year, Paulsen appears to have taken the right steps in terms of building the foundation for a winning program. This season, Mason will look to build off that foundation and make strides in terms of effort, consistency and, ultimately, wins. The Patriots open the season Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in EagleBank Arena.
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