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FOURTH ESTATE December 5, 2016 | Volume 4 Issue 11 George Mason University’s official student news outlet gmufourthestate.com | @IVEstate
3 Dr. Yu breaks his silence
4 Social media scandal
9 Standing up to sexual assult
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Fourth Estate
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MacKenzie Reagan
Crime Log
Letter from the Editor Hello all, As I write this, I’m sitting at home and using throat lozenges like they’re candy (they kinda are, right?) As fate would have it, I’ve gotten sick at the worst possible time as the semester wraps up and finals loom overhead. Because of this, I handed production over to my editors. As you’ll see as you flip through this issue, they did a great job. While I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for the last production day of fall, I’m so glad I had a team I could count on to get the job done. Thank you to Sosan for remaining calm when I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Thank you to Jenny for pumping life into our new(ish) website. Thank you to Megan for working obscene hours to make us look spiffy. Thank you to Todd for listening to all my dumb stories and pretending to laugh. Thank you to Natalia for helping me learn more about this new campus I’m still getting used to. Thank you to Taylor for swooping in and taking on a still-being-defined section. Thank you to Dave for teaching me what Quidditch is. Thank you to Naomi, for getting me into a Troye Sivan concert for free. Thank you to Regine for helping to build our fledgling social presence. And of course, thank you to all the staff writers and photographers who’ve contributed this year. Thank you to the entire student media staff for welcoming me with open arms and, for some reason, letting me helm this publication. But, and I realize this is a gushy cliche, thank you to you, dear reader. Our team works hard to bring you the paper Mason deserves. I can’t wait for you to see what we do next semester.
Nov. 21
2016-033609 / Theft from Building Complainant (GMU) reported the theft of a sign. Suspect unidentified at this time. Ike’s| Pending | 5:52 PM
Nov. 21
2016-033615 / Stalking / Harassment by Computer Complainant (GMU) reported receiving unwanted messaes from an unknown subject on multiple occasions. Commonwealth Hall | Pending | Multiple Times
Online Editor
Todd Gonda Copy Chief
Megan Zendek Art Director
Taylor Wichtendahl Culture Editor
David Schrack Sports Editor
Naomi Folta Photo Editor
Billy Ferguson Graphics Editor
Nov. 22
2016-033617 / Destruction/Damage / Vandalism of Property Complainant (GMU) reported vandalism to a bathroom. Mason Global Center| Inactive | 12:28 AM
Regine Victoria Social Media Editor
Emmett Smith Distribution Manager
Kathryn Mangus Director
David Carroll Associate Director
Leslie Steiger
2016-033830 / Hit and Run
MacKenzie
Complainant (GMU) reported a hit and run of a state vehicle. Parking Services| Pending | Unknown
Expert Writing Instruction For Middle/High School/ University Students M.A. Degree-Level Published Writer Woodbridge Area $50/Hour - One-On-One in Public Library Setting Norton R. Nowlin, M.A. {U.T. Tyler, 1992} (571) 398-7149 nrnowlin@yahoo.com Appointments Only
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Unironically gratefully yours,
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Nov. 29
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CORRECTIONS
In vol. 4, issue 10 of the Fourth Estate, the article “GMU hosts Christians United for Israel panel” printed a sub headline and photo caption that stated Students for Justice in Palestine were protesting the Christians United for Israel. It was in fact the Christians United for Israel who protested the Students for Justice in Palestine.
ON THE COVER
Photos courtesy of Sean Hickey from Mason Recreation. Students from the RECR 121: Backpacking: Introduction course on a hike in Fall 2016. See page 7 for more information and other similar course offerings.
Fiscal and Operations Assistant Director
Alyssa Swaney Sales Team
Wesley Ward Sales Team Fourth Estate is printed each Monday for George Mason University and its surrounding Fairfax community. The editors of Fourth Estate have exclusive authority over the content that is published. There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the Editor-in-Chief should be notified at the email provided. Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media. Mail Fourth Estate George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950
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Dr. Shaoxian Yu breaks his silence The former Associate Directors of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education speaks out about his “termination without cause” GRACE ZIPPERER | STAFF WRITER
Dr. Shaoxian Yu, one of the two former Associate Directors of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education at Mason, has come forward to discuss his “termination without cause” from University Life. Since his last day of employment Nov. 3, he has come forward to share what he describes as the toxic work environment of University Life, which he believes led to his termination. “I’m speaking out because this isn’t just about me, but Mason as a community and justice students deserve,” Yu said. On Feb. 3 of this year, Yu said he received a letter from the former Assistant Vice President of University Life Jana Hurley with oversight from the Vice President of University Life Rose Pascarell notifying him of his “termination without cause.” Since Virginia is a right-to-work and at-will employment state, this means the university can terminate an employee at any time without clarifying a reason, according to the Administrative/ Professional Faculty Handbook. The handbook also stipulates that employees who are terminated without cause must receive the correct notification period according to how long they have been employed at the University. According to Yu, he was given nine months notice where he was transferred to work in INTO Mason, an English language preparation program for international students. When Fourth Estate last covered Yu’s case in March, he declined an interview for fear he would be terminated immediately. Yu released a letter to the Mason community on Nov. 3 to share his side of the story. To give some personal insight, he said that the shocking decision for his separation came after he scored a two for his performance rating after only receiving fours and threes out of four during his entire 13 years working at Mason. “Sadly, I believe this decision was in
retaliation against me because I raised serious issues and concerns regarding UL administration,” Yu said. He added that the culture of University Life administration demands you must follow the chain of command no matter what. “The office feels micro-managed and intimidated to not rock the boat,” Yu said. “I respectfully and directly spoke against these behaviors of University Life supervisors because I believed their actions were seriously harming the staff ’s ability to serve students and address students’ concerns.” Students have felt unheard in Yu’s absence because of the administration’s lack of response, according to Asian Pacific American Coalition President Nathan Tsuda. Their website states that the Asian Pacific American Coalition is an umbrella organization for eight Asian cultural student organizations with the goal of unifying the Asian Pacific American student voice. “We are the largest minority group at 14 percent on campus,” Tsuda said. In this regard, Erica Lee, president of the Korean-American Student Association, is concerned about representation in the administration. “To fire the only Asian American in [University Life] is upsetting,” Lee said. “We spoke to University Life about how without him, we don’t have anyone to go to. Their response was he shouldn’t be the only person. They didn’t offer us a support system, but instead expected us to find it on our own.” Mason graduate JC Videna, past president of the Filipino Cultural Association for the 2014-2015 school year, said Yu’s support of students was incomparable. “He wasn’t just an academic advisor. He actively sought to build personal relationships with students as a mentor and did the intangible things you could never ask for,” Videna said. “When I was going through some really hard times, he was there to help me through
them. You could just go into his office and talk about anything. To see him leave is so upsetting because I know students aren’t getting that kind of support from University Life now.” Students held a meeting with Pascarell and others in University Life last March, Lee said, to try to address their concerns and to receive some clarification. “They said why he was ‘terminated without cause’ involves a personal issue. They weren’t allowed to tell us specifics, but said they were legally allowed to tell him. Pascarell specifically said that if Dr. Yu wanted to ask her, he could contact her directly. Only she never responded to any of his emails,” Lee said. Yu said that to this day both President Angel Cabrera and Pascarell have not responded to him. Also, to this date the university has not made a statement on Yu, and Pascarell did not respond for a request to comment on either this article or the last. “Students felt like they had to take it upon themselves in order to start a movement in the absence of the UL’s involvement,” Andrew Miller, the chapter president for Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, said. Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is the first and only Asian interest fraternity on campus. Lee added students were tired of their voices not being heard. “In response to Dr. Yu’s termination without cause, leaders in the Asian Pacific American Association created a group called ‘Break the Silence,’” Lee said. “With support from many other cultural organizations on campus, we released a letter of solidarity, a list of demands, and a petition for his reinstatement on Facebook.” To this date the petition has received just over 2,300 signatures. Yu said he was amazed and so proud of the students. “The petition will bring positive change regardless of the outcome because all
of them showed in real time how to fight for justice. With this response, University Life had to pay attention to some of their demands,” Yu said. Tsuda said that with the guidance of Pascarell on diversity issues, though not necessarily regarding Yu specifically, the administration has communicated fairly well. “They created the Student Diversity Advisory Board to address concerns we have directly. So far it hasn’t had a huge impact, but has accomplished little things,” Tsuda said. Tsuda also said the Break the Silence movement has and will continue to be impactful. “We called them out on their diversity they claimed they had [through Break the Silence],” Tsuda said. Yu said that there is a high turnover rate in University Life staff because of the intimidation and fear factor, and many staff who leave are minorities and people of color.
than anything is to see the culture of University Life administration change. “University Life administration! The University Life staff do a fantastic job for our students and you don’t need to use the chain of command to lead. A healthier workplace culture can be created if staff are more inspired to serve our students instead of being intimidated,” Yu said. Lee added that if diversity is such a selling point it needs to be reflected more in our staff. “University Life needs actions to back up words about inclusive practices,” Lee said. Tsuda, Lee, Miller, Videna, Velasquez and Yu all made the comment that diversity is meaningless without inclusion. In this regard, “Their silence speaks volumes,” Velasquez said.
“It has broken my heart to see so many talented and committed staff to University Life leave over the years. Privately some staff members have told me that they support me but they are vulnerable to speak out,” Yu said. Rodrigo Velasquez, who was heavily involved with Yu’s petition last year as the past President of Mason Dreamers, a supportive organization for the Asian Pacific American Coalition and Break the Silence, said many came to him to talk about University Life. “Many of these UL members told me in confidentiality [that they felt the intimidation] after they left because of similar constraints to Dr. Yu,” Velasquez said. Velasquez added his thoughts on the idea behind termination without cause. “What University Life did when they terminated him without cause wasn’t unlawful but unethical because it harmed students,” Velasquez said. What Yu wants to happen more
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Shaoxian Yu)
Dr. Yu, formally one of the two Associate Directors of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education at GMU.
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Bunting-gate Senior Assistant Director of Admissions Andrew Bunting currently embroiled in social media scandal over Facebook post SARMAT CHOWDHURY | STAFF WRITER
Mason’s Senior Assistant Director of Admissions Andrew Bunting is currently embroiled in a social media scandal over a Facebook post. Posted on his personal page, his post sparked an outrage after it talked about the recent blog post from the National Organization of Marriage (NOM) and its relation to the recent presidential election. The blog post in question outlined how the organization planned on working with President-elect Donald Trump and his administration. “We will work with President Trump to nominate conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, individuals who will adhere to the words and meanings of the constitution. Such justices will inevitably reverse the anti-constitutional ruling of the Supreme Court imposing same-sex ‘marriage’ on the nation in the Obergefell decision, because the
decision lacked any basis in the constitution,” Brian S. Brown, the current president of the National Organization of Marriage, said in the post. Brown went on to outline the NOM’s goals, which include working with the new Trump administration to remove the condition for foreign aid that is given when same sex marriage is recognized and encouraging the passage of the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA). Bunting made a Facebook post encouraging those in his network to read the blog post in question and added his commentary.
discriminated against in the admissions process to Mason, as Bunting is a member of the Admissions Department. Students such as Elizabeth Kirby, a second year graduate student, were not initially surprised by the comments made by Bunting. “I have been a student at Mason for 6 years and I have seen a drastic surge in promoting diversity, yet I see declining tolerance amongst students and staff alike for conservative opinions that may not be in line with a progressive agenda,” Kirby said.
“If you agree with them [the NOM] then that is your opinion. Just know that to the rest of us, you are a piece of worthless trash,” Bunting said in the last part of the post.
Kirby added that, like many conservative-minded students who were following the issue, she was not surprised by what was seen as a lack of punishment from the administration against the actions of Bunting.
As Bunting’s comment gained traction, concerns began to pour in about the commitment to diversity that Mason prides itself on. People started to question whether students were being
Students who didn’t either identify as conservative or support NOM’s agenda also felt that Bunting’s comments were a poor representation of the diversity and strength of Mason. Junior Isis
Mosqueda felt that the comments didn’t reflect well on the school. “I think saying people are worthless pieces of trash fans the flames for sure, that’s not to say however he did not have the right to voice his opinion on his personal account, though it was unprofessional. With his statements shown to the public, I don’t think it shines a good light on Mason as a university,” Mosqueda said. For sophomore Anastasia Edwards, the difference between conservative students and those who support the move from NOM on same sex marriage was an important factor that she felt was being lost in the media scrutiny. “If conservatives really do feel uneasy at Mason because of the label they identify with, but they also do not agree with Trump’s sentiments, then it is their job to remind people that Bunting’s comments were not addressed toward the entire Republican Party,” Edwards said, “but toward the specific group who voted Trump because they were anti-LGBT.” Edwards added that it was a shame to see a representative of the school say cruel words. As members of the Mason community grapple with the media coverage on the admissions process, the university’s student government was also airing out these very grievances. At the Nov. 17 session of the student senate, members of the student body that sat in the viewing section, or gallery, and senators voiced their concerns and got a chance to hear from the Dean of Admissions, Amy Takayama-Perez. Takayama-Perez covered the admissions process for the senate, stating that no individual admissions member makes decisions on their own. She added that an admissions committee of 14 members works on the admissions process, with the focus being on ensuring that Mason receives a large and diverse freshman class.
Bunting’s Facebook post that caused a stir for student and faculty.
“[There is] no data or evidence to support that anyone in the office has had a bias towards the process of admitting students. I want to be clear: I am the Dean of Admissions, and they [the admissions decisions] are made by a group and not on an individual basis. It is the same process that all of you here went through,” Takayama-Perez said.
Gallery members also received a chance to speak with a significant number of members from the College Republicans, who made an appearance to speak about Resolution 26, a resolution designed primarily to condemn the post made by Bunting and support all viewpoints at Mason. Former student senator and member of Mason’s College Republicans Hunter DeRensis agreed that the resolution should be passed. “While I do not believe that Mr. Bunting should be fired and believe what the Dean of Admissions has said, I believe that the resolution should be passed because the post unduly attacked members of the student body,” DeRensis said. Though the resolution was pushed to second reading and sent to the Administration and Finance Committee, it was done so after a contentious vote. Accusations were raised by some senators that senate leadership would kill the resolution in committee and thus prevent it from being passed. Freshman Matthew Owens and one of the speakers from the gallery shared the same concerns. “I think that even though he certainly has the right to free speech, there has been a complication added due to some people being worried that this would mean that the admissions process is biased,” Owens said. While Bunting never responded to any inquiries, when asking Director of Strategic Communications for Mason Michael Sandler to comment, he responded with a link to the Mason website clarifying that the views Bunting expressed were his own and not that of the university. An article that was found on Life Site is, so far, the only public response to this scandal from Mason. “Mr. Bunting’s comments on his personal social media page reflect his personal views. The university does not agree with his comments, and they do not reflect the views of the university,” according to the Life Site article. As of right now, Bunting is still on staff and listed as a member of the faculty. No information was provided or made public as to his current status within the Admissions Office.
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Student Government update Key legislation, discussion and debates RYAN COONEY | STUDENT GOVERNMENT BEAT WRITER
Student government met Dec. 1 for their weekly meeting in Merten Hall 1201. Key legislation of the day would include the passing of Resolution 26 in support of all ideas and political ideologies at Mason and elections for the chairs of the Administrative & Financial Affairs Committee, the Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee. Resolution 26 was first introduced at the senate’s regularly scheduled meeting Nov. 17. The resolution was originally drafted in response to comments made by Mason’s Assistant Director of Admissions Andrew Bunting who, following the election of Donald Trump, took to his private Facebook page and stated that those who agreed with the National Organization of Marriage, an organization that was very happy with the Trump win and looked forward to the potential rollback of LGBTQ rights, were “worthless piece[s] of trash.” The comments subsequently sparked anger and division on campus and
within the Senate itself. Chairwoman Danni Gonyo was one of the first to speak on the resolution, stating that “This issue deserves discretion. We don’t discuss hot button issues, we deliberate.” However, not everyone on the senate felt the same. “This is a controversial issue and there are many here who wish to speak to it. Holding the issue for the next two weeks would not be conducive,” Senator Jalen Stubblefield said. Senator Cammie Wires agreed with Stubblefield. “It is not fair to wait any longer. We are all adults and as a result we have to accept the consequences of our actions,” Wires said. Mason’s Dean of Admissions Amy Takayama-Perez was also in attendance at the meeting and spoke to the Senate about the admissions process, stating that not only were there 14 people on the admissions team, but that “No one single person in our office or under our oversight can deny or waitlist a student.” Takayama-Perez went on to say that there was no data to support anyone
having a bias in the admissions process and that should any bias be found there would be swift and severe action.
results on behalf of the students. The process is here for a reason, to make a better quality resolution happen.”
A number of those in attendance spoke in support of the resolution while others called for the passage of a revised resolution.
The resolution was eventually passed with little debate at the Dec. 1 meeting.
The resolution’s author, Senator Fred Edwards, also spoke on the issue. “This is a hot button issue that needs to be dealt with in a timely manner. We can either pass or amend, but failure to pass this resolution sends a message to all that we are ok with admissions marginalizing groups of students,” Edwards said. “There is freedom of speech but not freedom of consequence.” Eventually, however, Resolution 26 was sent to the committee of Academics & Financial Affairs. The committee met the next day, Friday, Nov. 18. Following a long meeting, they revised the resolution and passed said resolution. It was during this time that Speaker of the Senate Caleb Kitchen said, “The leadership promotes open dialogue in all of our debates, and the primary focus should be on achieving the best
When asked about the passage of the resolution, Edwards said, “It feels great. We’re standing with students, though I wish it had passed sooner, but I’m glad it passed. It shows that we make good on our promises.” Stubblefield echoed his colleague in the passage of the resolution. “When it first came in, only certain groups could get behind it, with other groups against it. But we came together, and it just goes to show that we’re stronger together and that when we listen first and compromise, we can better serve the student body,” Stubblefield said. In addition to Resolution 26, the Senate also voted to make Senator Emily Sexauer chair of the Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Committee, Senator Caiti Lively chair of the Administrative & Financial Affairs Committee and Senator Fred Edwards chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.
Following the election, Sexauer said, “I’m very excited to be elected to the position, as well as to see what happens next. I hope to make the committee the best it can be and to work with all the groups on campus, as the reason people come to Mason is because of our diversity.” Senator Lively was also looking forward to her new position. “I’m super excited. We have a lot of initiatives, and I’m excited to work with all of the communities here at Mason,” Lively said. “This was the first committee I joined and I hope to not only continue the legacy of Senator Stubblefield but also serve the student body and make sure the Senate runs properly.” Edwards -- or George, as some on the Senate affectionately refer to him due to his likeness to the nation’s first president -- took more of a professional tone when speaking of the election. “It feels good,” Edwards said, “and I hope that in this position I will be able to help the committee work more efficiently.”
Sexual offender on campus again Sean Tyree was spotted on campus again after harassing students back in 2014 SARAH BASSIL | STUDENT WRITER
Sexual offender Sean Tyree was seen on campus again after harassing students back in August of 2014. Two years ago, members of the Mason community were informed of a sex offender that was harassing female students on campus and around Fairfax County. The suspect was later identified as Tyree but was never arrested at the time because no crime had been committed to the police’s knowledge. In the last few weeks, Tyree has been spotted again.
(Photo courtesy of the VA Police sex offender registry)
Sex offender Sean Tyree.
Mason’s Interim Chief of Police Carl Rowan discussed the details of the events, as different accounts conspiring around the possible sexual harassment of students plagued the community.
Rowan said several female students were approached by a middle-aged man on the Fairfax campus outside the Johnson Center and the Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC) Tuesday Nov. 15. Rowan said the man claimed to be a student at Mason and invited the students to attend a party, emphasizing that there would be alcohol and it would be a good time. As multiple reports and phone calls were made to the Mason Police Department, Rowan said, an unnamed police officer recognized the man as Sean Tyree. Mason police, working with the Virginia State Police, searched the Johnson Center and surrounding buildings. Because Tyree was not found on campus, the police raided his house in Burke but did not find him there until the next morning, where he was
arrested for violation of his probation and parole, Rowan said. The Virginia State Police sex offender registry states that Sean James Tyree is a 30 year old man who was convicted of carnal knowledge, or sexual intercourse, of a child 13 to 15 years old Aug. 27, 2010. Tyree was then charged with two violations of the terms of his probation and parole, including failure to register as a violent sex offender in July and August of 2012. Freshman Selam Belay voiced her concerns about Mason administration’s failure to keep Tyree from showing up on campus again. “As a female college student, I believe it is the responsibility of my school to keep all students safe by enforcing punishments to the fullest extent possible,” Belay said, adding that although
Tyree was arrested and subsequently not allowed on campus, he was seen at Mason by several people. Sophomore Aiyha Abdelbagi added to the same sentiments of Belay. “The university’s first priority should be the safety of the students and I believe that was put at risk by this incident of a sexual offender found back on campus, especially considering how common sexual assaults are at GMU,” Abdelbagi said, then added “I understand that there are over 30,000 students attending and with that comes great difficulty tracking everyone.” Rowan went on to note that Tyree was served with a warrant stating that should he ever trespass on campus again, he will be arrested on the spot. This warrant goes hand in hand with the terms of his parole.
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Coursicle comes to Mason The new scheduling tool is now available to Mason students KATYA BEISEL | STAFF WRITER
With registration for the upcoming spring semester now underway at Mason, the scheduling tool Coursicle seeks to provide students with an easyto-use alternative to spending hours trying to find the right combination of classes or poring over the course catalog. Coursicle is a free online course scheduling and planning service that currently supports more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. The tool allows students to browse and assemble schedules, notifies users when seats in classes become available and even compares users’ schedules with Facebook friends who also use Coursicle. “Coursicle really came out of a pain that we as well as our friends were experiencing while we were students,” Coursicle Cofounder Joe Puccio said. Puccio and fellow cofounder Tara Aida have been working full time on the service since graduating from their respective colleges last May, Puccio
said. Aida studied math and physics at Harvard, while Puccio studied math and computer science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
registration: the arduous process of figuring out what classes to take and trying to fit them all into a non-overlapping schedule,” Puccio said.
Puccio said that Coursicle was inspired by his and Aida’s own experiences at college.
Puccio claimed that he and Aida received hundreds of requests from students that Coursicle add support for their colleges since Blackboard had discontinued MyEdu, a similar course scheduling program. MyEdu was used by millions of students nationwide and supported over 800 schools, including Mason. Blackboard purchased MyEdu in 2014 and shut the service down recently.
“When I was an incoming first-year at UNC, I spent several hours trying to plan out my class schedule, and then when I finally went to register for my classes, I got into only one of the five I needed to take,” Puccio said. According to Puccio, he began working on a program that would text him that same night when seats in classes he wanted became vacant. Then one of his friends suggested that he make the program available to other students. According to Puccio, roughly 900 students had signed up for Coursicle by the end of that registration period, and the number doubled the next semester; now 80 percent of students at his alma mater use Coursicle, and the service’s reach is only growing. “A few months later, Tara suggested we try to solve the other side of
S TAY MASON
“Since then, we’ve really been trying to fill the gap MyEdu has left,” Puccio said. Puccio explained that technological inadequacies are partly to blame for students’ struggle to formulate cohesive schedules. According to him, the software that universities provide to search available classes and plan their course load are frequently outdated and tedious to use. “One key difference is that, unlike most scheduling tools, Coursicle allows students to sign up to receive a text
A sample schedule created on Coursicle. message when a class they want to take has an available seat. Another difference is that we’re actively developing Coursicle and adding features that students request,” Puccio said. He added that the majority of course scheduling programs and services available to students are updated infrequently and can be difficult to use. Additionally,
STUDENT SUPPORT FUND
many alternatives to Coursicle assume that students already know what classes they need to take and that they merely want to see possible combinations and permutations. With the creation of Coursicle, Puccio said he hopes to make course scheduling easier and fix these problems for students.
T IN F O & A P P LY A STAY M A S O N .G M U
.EDU
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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Students release sexual assault demands Student Government spreads word on sexual assault demands during Patriots in Action Week GRACE ZIPPERER | STAFF WRITER
During Patriots in Action Week, which ran from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, student government helped spread the word about the Women and Gender Studies department’s sexual assault prevention demands for the Mason administration. This event was part of an ongoing effort to involve more students in the pledge to end sexual assault on campus. Patriots in Action Week is a student government project that looks to prevent sexual assault and educate the community on gender violence, according to student government’s website. Pablo Ramírez Uribe, the secretary for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs for Student Government, was heavily involved in organizing the events of the week and has been the primary student government contact in overseeing the demands. “The events [last] week all had the purpose of helping students understand, in an institutional sense, what they can be involved in and what they can expect from the university administration and student government,” Uribe said. Ramírez Uribe said that during the “Vigil and What’s Next” show, the last event of Patriots in Action held Friday evening, the demands were discussed in more detail. “The Vigil centered on highlighting the events of the week, having a moment of remembrance for sexual assault survivors and pledging to continue the fight against sexual assault. After Patriots in Action we need to continue to provide tools to end sexual violence on campus,” Ramírez Uribe said. Ramírez Uribe added that student government has a critical role to play in continuing to check on the demands. “They are an accumulation of work-inthe-making for a long time,” Ramírez Uribe said. The demands were first presented to the university Oct. 4 during a nationwide event called Take Back the Night where Ramírez Uribe was co-master of ceremony. According to the Take Back the Night Foundation’s website, the event focuses on ending all kinds of sexual violence.
Ramírez Uribe said that the event was the perfect place to release the demands. “The name of the event refers to the night as a space where fear of being alone and the fear of rape is especially uncomfortable for women and victims of sexual assault,” Ramírez Uribe said. “The night can apply to any space metaphorically where comfort is taken away because of lack of closure, justice and societal understanding towards victims of sexual violence.” However, there has been a gap in communication with university administration since the official release of the demands. Ramírez Uribe confirmed that while the administration had heard about the demands, they were not directly given to them. “It ended up working out that during Patriots in Action, I was able to meet with Rose Pascarell [the University Life Vice President] to discuss the demands and establish direct communication. We talked about how all of the demands are already in the works and being addressed in one upcoming policy or another,” Ramírez Uribe said. Mary Ann Vega, one of the creators of the demands and co-MC of Take Back the Night, also met with the new Title IX coordinator, Jennifer Hammat, during Patriots in Action to discuss the demands. According to Mason’s Compliance, Diversity and Ethics website, Mason is in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which states “Sexual assault and sexual harassment are forms of sex discrimination [and are] prohibited [at the university].” Hammat’s job as the Title IX coordinator is to assist any student, staff or faculty member who is concerned about “sex discrimination or sexual misconduct” as well as assist in policy implementation. “All of the items on the list are being addressed in one form or another by the Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence implementation team and out of the Title IX shop here in Compliance, Diversity and Ethics, in collaboration with other campus partners,” Hammat said. One of the demands that requested a campus survey has already been implemented. A Task Force on Sexual Assault
and Interpersonal Violence was created by President Cabrera in 2014 and is made up of Mason faculty, staff, students and community members. In their Final Report published Feb. 28, 2015, the force’s eighth recommendation stated the university should initiate a campus climate survey on sexual assault. The “Mason Speaks: Sexual Violence Survey” was sent Oct. 23 through the official university email server. The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights have identified these surveys as the best practice to generate data on sexual violence on campuses, according to the United States Department of Justice’s website. “By seeing the results of this confidential survey,” Ramírez Uribe said, “sexual assault on campus becomes more tangible in our minds. Sexual assault is so prevalent, but we [as a society] are so resistant to get to the bottom of it.” Ramírez Uribe said he is confident there will be opportunities for student government to continue to work closely with Pascarell and others in continuing the goals of the demands. Sara Alhariri, an attendee of Take Back the Night who has experienced sexual assault, said she one hundred percent agrees with the demands because she believes it is crucial to have a supportive environment in the university’s administration. “[The way Mason] can help get rid of the victim stigma in society,” Alhariri said, is “by allowing victims to become something more beautiful: survivors.” Here is the List of Demands: We demand that sexual assault prevention experts/experts on sexual violence should not only be consulted during the policy making process, but their opinion should be a vital part of the decision making process. We demand the release of regular updates on what progress is being made on the recommendations released by the Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence Task Force.
that students can participate in annually during their academic career. We demand a reporting system that takes into account the fear victims of sexual assault experience when reporting to police/the university. We demand that the waiver used by the Mason Police Department be removed as it makes it harder for advocates to work with students while they are in crisis and the use of the waiver can suggest that advocates do not have confidential relationship with the student.
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We demand for all departments that interact with victims during the reporting process to be trained in trauma informed responses to sexual assault disclosures. We demand that the hearing process be designed alongside experts in sexual violence prevention or scholars who focus on sexual violence. We demand the hearing process be equitable, realistic in its needs, and trauma informed. We demand policies in place to provide financial support for students who have been sexually assaulted and need to drop out of school.
Yoga Introduction:
RECR 186 (1 Credit) T TR 3:00-4:15pm W F 1:30-2:45pm W F 3:00pm-4:15pm T TR 10:30-11:45am T TR 9:00-10:15am T TR 7:30-8:45am
We demand trigger warnings on all timely warnings sent out about sexual violence. We demand a staff member for Counseling and Psychological Services that has experience in providing support to victims of sexual violence and intimate partner violence. We demand an updated statement on the availability of resources and options for victims of sexual assault and interpersonal violence for use by faculty. We demand sustained funding support and emphasis on sexual assault service provision since Wellness, Alcohol and Violence Education and Services has been absorbed by Student Support Services.
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Rock Climbing Introduction:
RECR 134 (2 Credits) T 4:30pm-7:30pm
The list of demands and where to sign if you so choose can also be found at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ 1FAIpQLSfkIhuf3vsOLqOlYQxuPbiGhPhfFCEMwxGz7AOtgolmRNyKFA/ viewform
We demand the implementation of sexual assault prevention programming (PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEAN HICKEY FROM MASON RECREATION)
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12.5.2016
Culture
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Sweater Beats comes home to DC DINANDA PRAMESTI | STAFF WRITER
On the night of Nov. 23, I got a lucky chance to sit down with DJ Sweater Beats. His real name is Antonio, but people call him Sweaters — or, as a tour member calls him, “Daddy Sweaters.” While growing up in Rockville, Maryland, Sweater Beats was always musically inclined. He started out in the industry putting his music on Soundcloud, an online audio and music streaming service. Throughout middle school and high school, he learned how to play the guitar, and his favorite genres to play were rock ‘n’ roll, emo and pop punk. “After high school, I heard Rat Tat Tat for the first time, which is beats and guitars at the same time. This was new to me and that’s kind of what got me into production,” Sweater Beats said. Afterwards, he started hearing more and more electronic music, and his music style slowly transitioned. He said, “There was a transition definitely. Back
in high school it was rock ‘n’ roll, then it was a lot of hip hop, and then I heard dance music and then it all evolved to what I am now. A little bit of rock, a little electronic, a little bit of R&B.” And there was no doubt that he incorporated all of those musical elements and genres into his live show at U Street Music Hall. Infused with slow, calm and dreamy pop, his show progressed into headbangers with electropop weaved in. The stage was set up like a circle around Sweater Beats, with him in the middle. There were also smoke machines and colorful lights to add dramatic flair. When Sweater Beats first came onto the stage, smoke was covering the surrounding area with gray-colored lights in the background. Sweater Beats wanted to take us through a cloud-filled, dreamy and intimate journey for the first few minutes of his set. Then, it progressed into dance-pop and head banging tunes. The audience was hooked. Sweater Beats kept us on our toes for more. As the night progressed, everyone
was sweating, and my feet were giving up on me. However, this was a good thing. Sweater Beats held our attention for hours and kept us dancing and head-banging the whole time. Concert goer and musician Stephen Kampen said, “I loved the set, I love how he transitioned from mellow and chill beats to something that everyone can rock out at. He ended the show with a bang.” There was not one moment where I — or anyone — felt like going home. In fact, I’m pretty sure more and more people came into the venue to see him perform. This is a testament to not only his talent in music production but also his personality. Sweater Beats was warm and friendly — just like sweaters. He has a good intuition for what the audience wants. Therefore, it made the venue feel a bit more intimate and personal even though it was packed with people. “He just made the whole room vibe with him, which is honestly amazing,” another concert goer, Jillian Fitzpatrick, said. Throughout his career, Sweater Beats
has also done remixes from up and coming artists, such as Gallant, to well-established ones, such as Rihanna, which exemplifies his diverse taste in music. “I love doing remixes because they send me samples, so I have this palette of sounds that I work with. Basically I just take the a cappella of a song — or just something cool that stands out in the original song — and kind of work on that and build drums, chords and my own sounds over it. But still keeping the original idea,” he said. When Sweater Beats came out with his own remix of Gallant’s “Weight in Gold,” everyone in the audience sang and head bopped along. The audience engaged even more so with Rihanna’s “Sex With Me.” His relatability and likable demeanor off-stage transferred into his performance on-stage, which made it a very eventful night for everyone. After attending Rockville High School, he went to community college in the area and graduated from Hunter College in New York. He lived there for five years before moving to Los Angeles last year.
Sweater Beats has released two official EPs, “Cloud City” and “That Feel,” and a third one, which he distributed on Soundcloud just as he was starting his career, but he doesn’t like talking about that one because — as he humbly said — “it was not good.” However, his favorite EP is “That Feel,” for “the musicality of it.” Sweater Beats has also collaborated with songwriters and producers such as MAX and Imad Royal. “Collaborating with songwriters is different from collaborating with producers. With other producers, we’re just nerding out and jamming, trying to make really cool beats. When I collaborate with songwriters, it’s more about directing because we both know our own roles. And I like doing that because we get a good finished product,” he says. Sweater Beats is one of the few musicians that people need to keep an eye on, because this night was a memorable night for everyone.
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GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
Campus news
12.5.2016
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Mason Alum stands up to sexual assault Documentary gives Mason Alum a chance to speak up SYDNEY CANO | STAFF WRITER
Approximately one in five women and one in 16 men are victims of sexual assault while in college. Out of those victims, less than 10 percent of them actually report their cases. Sexual assault has become the most under-reported crime on and off college campuses. It has become the elephant in the room. We all know it’s a problem, yet most choose to not talk or do anything about it. Why is that? Critically acclaimed documentary “The Hunting Ground” set out to discuss and bring awareness to the rape culture that has infiltrated college campuses. The documentary shows the journey of two victims filing Title IX claims against their universities, which have treated their cases as if they were frivolous. The documentary received many awards, including a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song “Til It Happens to You” and a Bergen International Film Festival Human Rights Award. The song “Til It Happens to You” was also nominated for an Academy Award. Lady Gaga performed the song at the 88th Academy Awards, with 50 sexual assault survivors appearing onstage alongside her. Featured in this documentary as well as at the Academy Awards was Mason alumnus and sexual assault survivor Robbie Woodsum. Recently, we were able to catch up with the Maine native and ask him a few questions about his time at Mason, his postgraduate life and being featured in “The Hunting Ground”: IV Estate: What did you major in and when did you attend Mason? What activities/clubs were you involved with while at Mason? Robbie Woodsum: I attended Mason 2007--2011. I graduated with a BS in Marketing. I was a member of Stand Out, an LGBT student organization. I also taught indoor cycling classes on campus. IVE: What were the services that helped you on campus? RW: GMU Sexual Assault Services [now the Student Support and Advocacy Center] was the center that helped me on campus. Connie Kirkland, the former director, was my champion. I don’t think I’d be alive today if it weren’t for her support. I came to see her the day after my assault. I had also just miserably failed a test as a result. From the very onset she took action. She scheduled an appointment at the health center, she got me
in touch with Mental Health Services [now Counseling and Psychological Services] and she reached out to my professor to allow me to retake the test. It didn’t end there. We met weekly to talk about... anything. When Mental Health Services told me the help I needed was beyond their capabilities, she found a private practice therapist to take me on, at no cost to me. I would have failed every class that semester if it hadn’t been for her reaching out to professors to explain why I was doing so poorly. And on nights when I thought I wanted to end it all, I could call her at anytime for help. I owe her my life. IVE: As a sexual assault survivor, what is your message to other sexual assault survivors? RW: My message to others is to find support in whatever way you can. It’s not something you can survive on your own. IVE: In what ways can friends, family, and even strangers respectfully help and support a sexual assault survivor? RW: Ways to support survivors: first and foremost, believe them. Don’t ask stupid questions like “How much had you been drinking?”, “What were you wearing?” and other bullshit things like that. Second, don’t push for details or answers. Let them tell you what they want, when they want it and how they want it. Just be ready to listen. Third, reassure them that help and support is always available if they need it. It’s difficult asking for help, especially in this nature. I’ve felt guilty for how many times I’ve asked for support, but I’ve always been reassured it’s okay. Fourth, empathize, don’t sympathize. IVE: Can you talk a little on your involvement in sexual assault activism? RW: As for other activism, I’ve done public speaking on campus, years ago. I’ve also done speeches at the D.C. slutwalk. Here in Maine, I’ve emceed Portland’s Take Back the Night and served on its steering committee. I’ve also been on the planning committee for gala fundraisers supporting domestic violence women’s shelters. It was actually Connie that reached out to me about the documentary and got me in touch with the production team. IVE: Has your role in the activism changed since you were featured in “The Hunting Ground”? RW: Since “The Hunting Ground,” I haven’t done as much vocal/public activism. It’s too painful for me. IVE: What did you major in and when did you attend Mason? What activities/clubs were you involved with while at Mason? RW: I attended Mason 2007--2011. I
graduated with a BS in Marketing. I was a member of Stand Out, an LGBT student organization. I also taught indoor cycling classes on campus. IVE: What do you hope that people take from “The Hunting Ground” after watching it? RW: After watching the documentary, I hope people realize that sexual assault is a nationwide epidemic. I want people to disprove rape culture and take the side of the survivor. It’s not a feminism, race or sexuality issue, but a human rights issue. IVE: How was it being able to meet Lady Gaga and to be part of something as powerful as her Academy Awards performance? RW: My experience with Lady Gaga, Vice President Biden and the Oscars was interesting.... It was an honor to meet them both, and all of the other survivors who participated. It was one of the most challenging moments of my life. To share that with millions all over the world made me feel incredibly vulnerable, but proud to put a face to the issue. I hated the attention afterwards, and I almost regret doing it. People thought it was awesome or cool. Some even suggested how lucky I was to get to do this. Those people don’t understand the real price I paid to have that experience. IVE: What is your message to the Mason community regarding sexual assault? RW: My message to the Mason community is one of action. Take action if you see a potential assault occurring, take action by supporting survivors and take action by striving for a campus free of sexual violence. Woodsum’s story hits close to home for all of us as he’s a Mason alumnus. He’s not the first and he won’t be the last student to be sexually assaulted. In September, two sexual assault cases were reported during the first week of school here on campus. Although the student body has not heard any follow up from these cases since they were first reported, we can only hope that the university has taken them seriously and took future precautions. Robbie’s story is one of millions and unfortunately millions more will be told. It’s on us to do the right thing. If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, contact Mason’s Student Support and Advocacy Center at 703-993-3686.
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12.5.2016
Opinion
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After graduation, where will you lead? MOHAMMAD SABRI
My experience at George Mason University has been a rewarding one, but my path in getting here wasn’t always so certain. I came to Mason after attending community college for two years. When it came time to decide where to transfer, I have to admit I held a bit of a grudge against Mason for not accepting me straight out of high school. But as I finish the semester and start to think back on my time here, I realize I owe our school a debt of gratitude. Mason will always be the place where my passion for social activism and community involvement blossomed.
I have always been involved with organizations promoting social change and natural disaster relief. In fact, I’ve been volunteering with Islamic Relief since I was a middle schooler. During my time here I’ve become deeply passionate about refugee advocacy and ending policing violence. I’m currently a member of SEED, Students Engaged in Ending Displacement, an organization that seeks to raise awareness and find solutions about problems facing refugees and people displaced by natural disasters. I also keep busy by being involved in Peacebuilding Fellows, the Muslim Student Association, United Muslim Relief and Dialogue & Difference. Each of these organizations has opened my
eyes to the issues and opportunities for our generation. While I’ve spent most of my time focusing on inequity abroad, it wasn’t until I learned about Teach For America during a class presentation that I considered the challenges of poverty and access here in the United States. My interest in educational inequity had already grown tremendously after hearing the story of Malala Yousafzai. Her story plus the mission of Teach For America inspired me to do my own research and learn more about the disparities that exist in our education. Growing up I was fortunate to attend Loudoun County Public Schools, one of the richest counties in the nation. It was an entirely foreign
notion for me that not every student had access to a quality education. Once I learned more, I was hooked. I knew I had to be part of the solution. For me, teaching will be the beginning of a long career in politics, justice and activism. I am working toward my degree in Conflict Analysis & Resolution so that I can one day help create legislation that will seriously disrupt educational inequity and address other injustices in our society. But before I head into politics, I know how important it is that I gain first-hand experience in the classroom. I hope to model my career after DeRay McKesson, a prominent leader of the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against police brutality. Before
McKesson became a social activist, he chose to make his impact in the classroom through Teach For America. I know I have a long and challenging road ahead of me as a classroom leader. But I also know that, just like everything else I have done in life, nothing worth having comes easy. This time next year, I cannot wait to join the fight to end educational inequity from my Tulsa classroom. Mohammad Sabri is senior studying Conflict Analysis & Resolution and a member of Students Engaged in Ending Displacement. Sabri is also a 2017 Teach For America-Tulsa corps member.
Trump instead of Clinton WARREN SMITH
President-elect Donald Trump has defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in their bids to become the next President of the United States. But the question now is whether he is trusted by the American public. Many concerns have been expressed about Presidentelect Trump’s ability to lead this country with integrity. For example, one of the big issues in our country is police brutality against blacks and members of other minority groups. During an interview with Trump, Anderson Cooper asked him whether he felt that blacks were being targeted and treated unfairly in light of the Texas incident where motorist Sandra Bland was pulled over for allegedly changing lanes. Trump stated, “I hope it’s not, but it might.” Trump also noted that the officer was very aggressive in his approach to Bland. Now, it is no secret that minorities have often received hostile, unfavorable treatment from racist police officers and a broken criminal justice system. During recent American history, documented police brutality incidents have ranged
from civil rights marchers being set upon with tear gas, dogs and fire hoses in the turbulent 1960s; to the beatings of Rodney King and Abner Louima, as well as the shooting of Amadou Diallo in the 1990s; to the shootings of Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin and Freddie Gray in the 2000s, along with countless others who were beaten and murdered because of the color of their skin. Yet Trump says that he hopes that racism does not exist. The person who leads this country must know and understand its history and be willing to face it directly. How can he address the nation’s problems if he does not fully believe what history has shown? While this country has come a long way from the slavery era, many examples of racism still exist. Another issue is Trump’s views on women. According to CNN, Trump has made many negative statements about women. In the opinions of many Americans, these statements are disheartening and unfitting for a president who says that he seeks to represent all Americans. His negative comments on women have ranged from “Bimbo” to “It really doesn’t matter what they
write as long as they have a pretty piece of ass;” ”A person flat chested is hard to be a 10;” and ”Look at her face, would anyone vote for that?” Then there was Trump’s verbal feud with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, during which he made the following statement: “There was blood coming out of her eyes, coming out of her wherever.” Despite these statements, a determined Clinton campaign, and many Republicans who did not side with him as their presidential candidate, Trump managed to overcome the odds and will soon become the 45th President of the United States of America. Like it or not, it was a remarkable victory that was not foreseen and that will be talked about for years to come. His claim of making America great again in my opinion refers to white privileges rather than privileges for all. Personally,
I can’t remember a time in history when America was great for African Americans or other minorities. So what part of “Making America Great Again” was he referring to? While pushing his wife’s economic and education plans, Clinton said that when Trump says he wants to “make America great again,” he’s all but announcing that he wants to stick it to the poor and minorities. “I’m a white southerner – I know what ‘Make America Great Again’ means, and all of you of a certain age know exactly what it means. I didn’t fall off
this truck yesterday, I’ve heard this song a long time. It means first, I’ll give you the economy you had 50 years ago, and second, I’ll give you the society you had 50 years ago: I’ll move you up and move somebody else down.” America has chosen to trust Donald instead of Clinton. Why? Despite Clinton’s plans for unity, respect for law and equality. America wants to make America great once more and again. The question remains, great in whose eyes?
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GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
Opinion
12.5.2016
11
Dr. Yu says goodbye to Mason SHAOXIAN YU
Dear Mason faculty/staff, students/student leaders, student organizations, alumni and community members: On Feb. 3, 2016, I was presented by University Life (UL) Administration with a letter of termination without cause for my position as one of the two Associate Directors in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education (ODIME). My last employment date at Mason will be Nov. 3, 2016. I was taken by complete shock for this decision UL Administration made. I have served Mason for over 13 years during which I consistently received fours (the highest performance rating) and threes. This decision of separation was right after I received a shocking performance rating of two in 2016 for the first time in my career at Mason. Sadly, I believe this decision was in retaliation against me because I raised serious issues and concerns regarding UL Administration. In my appeal letter of February 11, 2016 to President Cabrera and Provost Wu, I stated that over the last 13 years at UL, I had witnessed and experienced fear, intimidation, harassment, retaliation, and termination of many UL staff,
particularly staff of diverse backgrounds, who either left or were forced to leave Mason. It saddened me to see many talented and committed UL staff being intimidated and harassed so frequently. To date I have received no response from the Administration. Instead, my termination sends a chilling message to UL staff, apparently without regard to the loss of resources for the students I served and loved. Mason faculty/staff, students/student organizations, alumni and local community members responded to this unjust decision strongly. Twenty seven student organizations and 2225 students, faculty/staff and community supporters signed a petition, and many student leaders and student organizations protested on campus. Injustice to one is injustice to all. If it could happen to Yu, it can happen to you! As my departure day is approaching, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all the supporters and my legal-fee donors in this fight of justice for me and, more importantly, for our Mason community. Your support for me in this difficult time means more to me than words can express. I love Mason students and I love Mason! Goodbye!
Chinese translation:
亲爱的梅森教职员工，学生，学生组织 的负责人，校友，和社区成员们， 在2016年2月3日梅森的“大学生活管 理部”对我呈现了一封信件，以“无缘 由解聘”的名义解除我作为多元文化办 公室副主任的职位；2016年11月3日将 是我受聘梅森的最后一日。我对“大学 生活管理部”的这一决定感到无比震 惊。我已经为梅森服务了13年；在绝大 多数的年度总评中我都得到4级（最高 级） 和3级的评分。而让我吃惊的是， 在2016的年度总结中我却头一次得到2 级的差评。这一让我离职的决定就是出 现在我得到2级差评之后。我确信这一 决定是对我的打击报复，因为我曾对“ 大学生活管理部”指出过一些管理上的 严重问题并且对这些问题表示过担忧。 我在2016年2月11日写给Cabrera校长 和吴教务长的呼吁信里指出，在“大学 生活管理部”工作的13年里我目睹和经 历了恐惧、威吓、骚扰、报复以及很多 员工的被解职；尤其是很多有不同种族 或文化背景的员工， 他们不得不选择离 去或者被迫离去。目睹这么多有才华和
责任感的员工频繁遭到打压和骚扰让我 感到极度悲哀。迄今为止我没有收到任 何来自学校行政部门的回复。这个“无 缘由解聘”的决定令所有“大学生活管 理部”的工作人员感到寒心，对我曾经 服务和热爱的学生也是一个重大损失。 而校方却明显无视这一损失。 众多梅森的教职员工、学生和他们的 组织、校友以及社区成员对这一不公 正的决定反映强烈。有27个学生组 织、2225名学生、教职员和社区的支持 者签署了一项请愿书。很多学生领导人 和学生组织在校园里举行了抗议活动。 对一个人的不公正就是对所有人的不公 正。既然它会发生在尉绍先身上，它也 同样会发生在你们身上！ 在我即将离去之际，我想利用这个机会 对所有的支持者和法律费用的捐助者表 示由衷的感谢。你们为我的公正，更重 要的是为整个梅森社区的公正进行了抗 争。在此困难时刻，你们的帮助对我弥 足珍贵，贵不可言。 我热爱梅森的学生！我热爱梅森！