March 7 issue

Despite the rain, chocolate enthusiasts crowded downtown Fairfax last weekend for the Chocolate Lover’s Festival. See what you missed in this week’s style section.

Pg. 4

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

March 7, 2011

Volume 87 Issue 17

Search con nues for missing Mason student Investigators have no suspects or persons of interest

Photo byJacob McLernon

University Hall, set to open on May 15, is next to the Rappahannock River Parking Deck and will contain an Einstein Bros. Bagels.

University Hall to open May 15 Building will include new offices, classrooms and retail space Jeff Giorgi Asst. News Editor As George Mason University’s student population expands, so do the campus’ needs.

More students means more faculty, more faculty means a demand for increased administrative space. The-soon to-be-finished University Hall aims to meet that demand.

“It’s a snowball effect,” said George Mason Press Secretary Daniel Walsch. “For every student you need a classroom, then more faculty and administrators.

It all just builds on itself.”

University Hall will officially open on May 15, although

several of the offices and administrators will have moved in early.

As of right now, University Hall is scheduled to be open during normal business hours and the first floor will remain open until all classes are finished each evening.

“The building will have three primary purposes,” said David Roe, president of the George Mason University foundation. “The first is to consolidate many off-campus operational offices at Mason into a building on campus to save the university on rental expenses.

The second is to add five quality classrooms to the Fairfax Cam-

pus, and the third is to create additional retail space on campus.”

At this time the only retail company to lease space is Einstein Bros. Bagel Company, however the retail space will not be available at the time the building opens.

The process behind planning out new space is not an easy task and often times takes years to implement. University Hall has been planned and approved since May 2009.

“There are multiple layers in the decision-making process to fund a new building on any of our campuses,” Roe said. “Ultimately, the Board of Visitors has to approve the administration’s

desire to add a facility and then the General Assembly decides whether or not to authorize the project as well as any related funding needed to build the facility.”

With all that has gone into University Hall and everything continuing to go into it, funding is an ever-present concern.

“If you’re growing, the trick is to be smart and efficient especially in dealing with public money,” Walsch said.

As of March 4 the cost for the University Hall project is expected to remain at $34 million.

See HALL, Page 2

grid for a little bit” which is one reason why her disappearance wasn’t reported until Feb. 19. According to the Washington Post, authorities said Decker was not reported missing right away because her Facebook account was active, although family had not been in contact with her.

“It was reported that Photo courtesy of Gabby Styles Bethany Decker had also had an George Mason University student ‘inactive’ Facebook account, but Bethany Decker has been missing that it had reappeared online and someone ‘posing’ as Bethany since Feb. 19. had been ‘chatting’ with her Gregory Connolly friends,” the warrant says.

News Editor “When enough people hadn’t heard anything and she wasn’t The Loudoun County Sherreturning calls, the family got iff’s Office is investigating the concerned,” Byrnes said. “So it disappearance of George Mason wasn’t like there was a threeUniversity student Bethany Anne week delay. It was more like Decker, a senior global and envithings weren’t adding up, and ronmental change major. A that’s when the family realized, search warrant was executed at we might want to do something the Centreville home of Decker’s about it.” current boyfriend according to a A Facebook group created Connect2Mason article. to bring attention to her disapDecker, who is believed to pearance had over 1,200 membe about five months pregnant, bers, but on Wednesday was reported missing by her famadministrators of the group sent ily on Feb. 19. Decker’s boyfriend an e-mail stating that the group and the reported father of her would be shut down. unborn child last saw her on Jan. “Pray for and Support 29 at her Ashburn apartment, acBethany Decker/Littlejohn and cording to the search warrant Her Family is being shut down. from the Loudoun County courtSorry, everyone, but I have gotten house, which was posted online multiple messages about this by reporter Michelle Sigona. Poevent causing harm to the inveslice found her car at the aparttigation,” the e-mail said. ment complex.

Mason police are not in“The family doesn`t really volved in the investigation. know what to say,” said Peter A Mason spokesperson told Byrnes Jr., the Decker family atNBC Washington that Decker torney, on “Nancy Grace.” “This had registered for classes and is one of those kinds of depresshad paid tuition, but did not ing things where they don`t reshow up at all this semester. ally know what to say. They`re Decker’s husband, Emile praying together and just keepDecker, is serving with the Naing the message tight. That’s tional Guard in Afghanistan. what they’re doing.”

Byrnes said it wasn’t uncommon for Decker “to go off the See DECKER, Page 3

An unfamiliar road Nation’s longest win streak ends at hands of conference foe Cody Norman Sports Editor It is a widely used phrase throughout all of sports, and perhaps one of the most cliché answers, too: The season is played one game at a time. And it never serves a team well to overlook opponents with their mind set on something bigger.

George Mason University basketball has been a hot topic all across the nation over the last several weeks as they have played an incredible brand of basketball on their way to 16 consecutive victories. The Patriots were playing stellar defense and rallying behind their two superstars, senior guard

Cam Long and junior forward Ryan Pearson, to thump every opponent since Jan. 8.

“Well actually, we’ve been coming out with a slow start the last couple of games,” said Long, who leads the Patriots with more than 15 points per game this season.

Over the last two weeks, however, Mason has come out of the gates very slowly. Since clinching the No. 1 seed in the CAA, they allowed both Northeastern and Georgia State to hang around and have performed as if there wasn’t a whole lot left to play for.

That mindset continued into the 13 minutes of Mason’s quarterfinal game against Georgia State

on Saturday afternoon. They led by just a bucket at halftime before buckling down and playing Mason basketball in the second half, running away with a 20-point victory.

“It all came down to the level of intensity that we were able to reach in the second half,” coach Jim Larranaga said. “The message was that we need to play George Mason basketball, the way we have been playing all season long.

And we were able to come with a nice double-digit victory.”

With their intensity back up to par in the second half and a match-up against Virginia Commonwealth looming in the shadows, the Patriots were expected to come out and put on a show in front of the Richmond crowd.

Instead, they came out on Sunday a step slower than their conference rival and were handed a 14-point deficit heading into the break.

As often as they have kicked it into gear in the second half this season, panic from the Green & Gold Nation was not evident in the Coliseum. Mason made a quick push in the opening minutes of the second half, closing the gap to just seven with more than 17 minutes to go in the second half, closing the gap to just seven with more than 17 minutes to go.

But the Rams rode the red-hot hand of forward Jamie Skeen to push the lead back to double digits and reignite a Richmond crowd.

“There was no question that from the beginning of the game VCU’s players were very focused and very sharp,” Larranaga said.

“We came out much more focused ourselves in the second half.

Photo by: Peter Flint

See CAA, Page 9

Senior Cam Long (20) drives in against Georgia State in past Saturday’s game.

What do you want?

Stricter abortion regulation on horizon

Student Government hosts forum to discuss students’ concerns

Virginia state government pushing to reclassify abortion facilities as hospitals; up to 17 of 21 clinics in Commonwealth may have to close

Ramy Zabarah Style Editor In light of all things democratic, members of Student Government are reaching out to students to prove that they run a system of the people, by the people and for the people.

“We realize that one of the biggest concerns or complaints that students have every year about Student Government is the fact that we really don’t reach out to students,” Speaker of the Senate Ally Bowers said.

What Do You Want Wednesdays, held on the first Wednesday of every month at North Plaza, is

an attempt by Student Government to hear what students have to say about certain issues on campus.

Students can come to the event, fill out a short survey and receive a free cookie for their participation.

Inspired by actions taken by a similar student government at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md., Bowers, along with junior Student Body Vice President Jacky Yoo and junior Speaker Pro Tempore Nicola Anderson began the initiative in October of last year.

See FORUM, Page 3

Aisha Jamil Broadside Correspondent A new law approved by the Virginia state senate is waiting for the signature of Gov. Bob McDonnell. If he signs the bill into law, Virginia abortion clinics will be classified as hospitals, meaning they would face stricter regulations that could force as many as 17 of the 21 facilities in the state to close their doors.

“The governor has expressed support for this bill,” said Jeff Caldwell, McDonell’s press secretary. “He will review the legislation, make [amend-

ments] and express his full opinion in the next 30 days.”

The bill authorizes Virginia’s Board of Health to set requirements for facility specifications for abortion clinics such as widening hallways, covering entrances and increasing surgical room sizes to 250 square feet.

If McDonnell signs the bill into law as he is expected to do, the new regulations would make Virginia the first state in the country to classify abortion clinics as hospitals, according to a Feb. 25 article in the Rich-

mond Times-Dispatch.

Women’s rights groups are expected to challenge the legislation in the court system, according to the article. If the bill passes, the Virginia Board of Health has 280 days to draft proposed regulations.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said he believes the law to be constitutional and will defend it in court, according to the article. The article said once every year or two there is a disciplinary case involving an abortion doctor.

There are approximately 27,000

abortions per year in Virginia.

“This comes as a big devastation to the issue of women’s rights and to everyone at Planned Parenthood,” said Jessica Honke, director of public policy for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. “Although it was depicted as a safety measure, it was definitely a political ploy to end abortion practices.”

Some George Mason University students were disappointed by the bill.

See CLINICS, Page 2

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News Event Calendar Monday, March 7 Reve(a)ling Feminist and Queer Art Show Johnson Center, 123 Gallery TBD Theatreworks Performance: Freedom Train Center for the Arts 10:30 a.m.

History & Art History Doctoral Colloquium Johnson Center, Room A 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Econ Society Presents: Tom Palmer Johnson Center, Cinema 5 - 9 p.m.

Public & International Affairs Graduate Information Research 1, Room 163 6:30 p.m.

MGC Meet and Greet Johnson Center, Bistro 7 - 10 p.m.

Tuesday, March 8 ICAR: Brown Bag Johnson Center, Gold Room Noon - 1:30 p.m.

AOII: Alpha Idol Johnson Center, Cinema 5 - 7 p.m.

STEP Information Session Johnson Center, Room A 5 - 9 p.m.

MBA Information Session Research I, 163 5 - 9 p.m.

MSA Information Session Research I, 161 5 - 9 p.m.

Mason Chamber Orchestra Center for the Arts, Concert Hall 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 9 Fidelity Investments Counseling Session Johnson Center, Room 244 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Holy Day Mass Student Union Building II, Ballroom Noon - 1 p.m.

Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason Johnson Center, Room 240K Noon - 1 p.m.

Mason ToastMasters Student Union Building II, Room 3 Noon - 1 p.m.

Program Board: Comedy Show Johnson Center, Room 244 7 - 10 p.m.

Thursday, March 10 Funds are Fried Day Johnson Center, North Plaza, Clocktower 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Mason Hall, Room D3 A & B 11 a.m. - Noon PEP Film Korea: II Mare Student Union Building I, Room 1400 1 - 3 p.m.

PEP Film Japan: Ponyo Student Union Building I, Room 1400 1 - 3 p.m.

Theater of the First Amendment: 24, 7, 365 Harris Theater 8 p.m.

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

Broadside

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The number of student slots on the George Mason University Board of Visitors. Applications for the 2011-12 school year are due March 28.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Volgenau School changes name New name does not include information technology Gregory Connolly News Editor The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering has had “information technology” dropped from its title to better reflect the direction the school has gone in.

“IT was the primary focus when the school started,” Dean Lloyd Griffiths said. “We have a broader focus now, which is excellence in engineering and research, particularly with our new Department of Bioengineering.”

Griffiths said the school is expanding into areas like sustainability and environmental engineering.

After receiving approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in bioengineering in 2010, Griffiths said he sought approval for a department of bioengineering. The request has reached the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, which is the final stop in the process. By establishing a bioengineering department, the school will be able to offer graduate degrees in the subject.

“Bioengineering will have 250 to 350 undergraduate students with a graduate student body of the same size,” Griffiths said. “We’re hiring additional faculty with the funds Dr. Volgenau gave to name the school.”

Bioengineering explores such areas as neural engineering, the application of statistics and computer science to molecular biology which is known as bioinformatics, the structure of the human genome and visualizations like MRI scans and ultrasounds.

In 2005, Ernst and Sara Volgenau gave a gift of $10 million to

the school. The school was named after the Volgenaus in honor of their gift.

Griffiths said there is enough space in the current facility for another year or two, but that more space will be needed as the school continues to grow.

“The university is looking at building another research building,” Griffiths said. “We’re working closely with the College of Science, and I think together we can present a case that there is a need for a shared building for biology and bioengineering.”

Griffiths said the biggest problems facing the school are both financial.

“There will be no faculty raises for five years due to state restrictions,” Griffiths said. “That puts us at risk for our faculty to be lured away by other institutions.”

Griffiths said there are many highly dedicated faculty at George Mason University, and though they have not had a raise in four years, they work hard and help advance research.

Griffiths said the other problem is with student scholarships.

“We have all these students applying here and to other schools, some very good ones of course, and those schools are able to offer better scholarships.”

Griffiths said teaching assistants are paid around $12,000 a year while competing schools offer up to $20,000 a year.

“We’re trying to find that extra $9,000 to lure the best students here,” Griffiths said. “The state budget is really hurting us.

We’re not alone. A lot of other universities are in trouble as well.”

Griffiths said the school is also looking at emphasizing ro-

Photo by Peter Flint

The Volgenau School recently had its name changed to be er reflect the direc on the school has gone in. botics and microrobotics in the future.

“There’s some pretty exciting stuff going on,” Griffiths said.

“There’s talk of machines that could go into our bloodstream and fight cancer and disease.”

Griffiths said robotics is important in the future and that there is considerable student interest in the field.

“Another area we’re inter-

Students comment on regulation of abortion clinics CLINICS, from front “Women should have the right to do what they want with their lives, bodies and future,” said Christine Ellis, a sophomore majoring in global affairs.

“They should be in control of when they are ready to become a parent. The government needs to back off.”

“Abortion clinics should be only that — abortion clinics,” said senior communication major Phillip Armstrong. “Requiring these remodeling standards is a cover just to shut them down. What is the real problem: killing a few cells that have no feeling or raising a child in a negative, financially unstable, unprepared and impulsive manner?” Armstrong said.

Although the bill does not ban abortion outright, many small or non-profit clinics cannot afford to conduct expensive renovations.

“It is unfair and unnecessary to put such restrictions on clinics,” said sophomore communication major Elisabeth Havinga. “There is a difference between a hospital and a clinic, one of them being the space and comfort each provides.”

“We do not have a stance on political issues such as regulating abortion clinics,” said Jared Bendy, a member of Campus Crusade for Christ. “However, we do support any initiatives that help a woman choose life.”

Planned Parenthood has already remodeled four of its

clinics in Virginia and is doing whatever it can to keep its doors open, Honke said.

“It is just unfortunate that such a law got passed,” Honke said.

Though the governor is set to sign the bill soon, senior communication major A.J. Verma still has hope that he will change his mind.

“I really hope that this bill is not passed,” Verma said.

“Women should have a choice and this state should not be the one to interfere.”

Since the Supreme Court gave states the right to regulate abortions in the 1990s, almost every state has passed laws concerning abortion, according to an article in Charlottesville’s The Daily Progress.

ested in is in the gaming area,” Griffiths said. “The kinds of games we do are what are called serious games — games that people use in simulation environments, in training environments and in medical diagnosis.”

Griffiths said the gaming field is rapidly growing, with close to 180 students already studying it at Mason.

University Hall part of master plan for George Mason Construction, from front However, the approved budget for the project is $45 million.

Since 1967 when Mason was a satellite school with two buildings for the University of Virginia, Mason has increased to over 550 acres.

“University Hall, as exciting as it may be, it’s all part of a master plan that has been involved for years,” Walsch said.

There have been five master plans in Mason’s life, the most recent of which was written in 2002.

Based on anticipated enrollment growth, Mason will need to expand over 2.1 million square feet over the next 20 years.

Coming this fall: concentration in energy and sustainability Concentration only available for Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies Nathan Dorfman Staff Writer Starting in fall 2011, a new concentration in energy and sustainability will be available to George Mason University students.

Proposed by Robert Ehrlich, professor of physics and astronomy, the energy and sustainability concentration is part of the Master of Arts program in interdisciplinary studies.

“Students can apply for the concentration now,” Ehrlich said.

Ehrlich said the concentration, comprised of existing courses, offers different perspectives from science and technology to policy and business. Energy and sustainability students will take courses in each of these areas.

According to Ehrlich, a concentration in energy and sustainability is needed at Mason now

more than ever before.

“As a civilization, it is imperative that we switch to a more sustainable way of life,” Ehrlich said.

“Nationwide, colleges and universities wake up to this fact and offer programs. Mason must take part in this trend.”

The concentration in energy and sustainability can prepare Mason students for a wide range of careers, from research and policy to marketing and entrepreneurship.

“Some may claim that green jobs are just a myth, but I think they are dead wrong,” Ehrlich said.

“By increasing the variety of energy supplies, we create jobs.”

In implementing the concentration, Ehrlich collaborated with environmental research professor Dann Sklarew.

“His encouragement was very gratifying and he was supportive all along,” Ehrlich said.

Ehrlich also appreciates the

support he received from Mason administration.

“Sometimes working with administration is not so easy, but I was pleasantly surprised,” Ehrlich said.

Ehrlich, who has been in the energy field for two and a half years, has been working on other initiatives in addition to the energy and sustainability concentration to bring renewable energy to the forefront at Mason. Ehrlich created a website, rev-up.org, which is becoming a national resource in energy education.

“The website helps both students and instructors who want to work in renewable energy fields,” Ehrlich said. “Internships related to renewable energy are also listed on the website, but it is up to the individual student to apply.”

Ehrlich is also writing a textbook entitled “Intro to Renewable Energy.”

“The textbook is not truly el-

ementary, for it requires a background in physics and math,” Ehrlich said.

Additionally, Ehrlich is organizing a two-week trip this June and July through Mason’s Center for Global Education. Traveling students will learn about renewable energy in three European nations: Denmark, Germany and Sweden.

“America has a lot to learn from European nations, some of which are way ahead of us in renewable energy,” Ehrlich said.

“Seeing things in real-world application is different than learning about things in a classroom or from a textbook.”

Ehrlich is intrigued that the trip has attracted mostly students outside of Mason.

“Only four of 19 applicants are from Mason,” Ehrlich said.

Although the deadline was Friday, late applicants may be accepted.

Broadside

News

Faculty Senate adjusts rules for academic minors

Forum issues include smoking policy, volunteering opportunities FORUM, from front On Wednesday, the two main issues were volunteering opportunities and university smoking policies. After students complete their surveys and receive their cookies, Bowers collects all the information and goes to work.

“I take all the surveys, compile a report and, based on feasibility, things that haven’t been

New rules allow students to pick minor from other catalog years

[Johnson Center] or even in Southside, there are cups of pita chips and hummus available.”

Although Student Government isn’t considered by some students to be as serious and devoted as it purports to be, initiatives like What Do You Want Wednesdays will help bring out the Jeffersons, Washingtons and even George Masons of today.

Photo by George Yanez

Members of Student Government met with students on the North Plaza to hear their opinions to help improve the campus.

BOV looking for student representatives Now accepting applications Gregory Connolly News Editor The George Mason University Board of Visitors, a 16-member board responsible for policy decisions and oversight, is seeking two student representatives.

According to the BOV website, the student representatives serve for one year. One student represents the Arlington campus, while the other represents Prince William and Fairfax campuses.

“I would highly recommend the position to other students,” said Danielle Miller, a student representative currently serving on the Board of Visitors. “Sitting as the undergraduate student representative on the board has given me a much better insight on how the University operates.”

“Traditionally, we do not receive many applications for this position,” said Nancy Murphy, the administrative assistant to the vice president of University Life. “This position can really make an impact at the university.”

The positions are non-voting and require the student representatives to participate in all board activities. All student applicants are required to have a 2.0 GPA or higher. The applications require at least one letter of

Congratulations to our Brothers who made the Dean’s List!

Daniel Broyles Colin Cannon Ezra Damm Andrew Fernandez Ryan Haddad

major Israel Campos said. “The group that has the most voice will get their say. That’s good.”

Success is difficult to gauge at such an early stage but students and the Student Government look to small victories to validate their efforts.

“Someone had a complaint last year that they wanted more pita chips around campus,” Bowers said. “I don’t know if you know now but if you go into the

Tyler Jorns Thomas Meeusen Evan Novalis Dylan O’Conner

It is our honor as alumni of Sigma Phi Epsilon to recognize these brothers who distinguished themselves and our fraternity. They demonstrated the Sigma Phi Epsilon commitment to excellence and leadership during the celebration of our 30th year at GMU. Well done!

Building balanced leaders for the world’s communities.

www.gmusigep.org

recommendation, though applicants may not include more than three letters of recommendation.

“The board members are actually incredibly receptive to the concerns expressed from the [student] representatives,” Miller said.

Miller said the undergraduate representative works closely with Student Government.

“The students are the voice of the student body,” Murphy said.

The Board of Visitors was established by an act of Virginia’s General Assembly when Mason cut its ties with the University of Virginia and became an independent institution. The board has a rector, a vice rector and a secretary.

Completed applications can be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for University Life in Mason Hall, Room D105.

The application deadline is March 28 at 5 p.m.

Murphy said leadership experience is a plus and also pointed out that the representatives get to introduce new issues and concerns to the board as well.

“They are the voice for student concerns,” Murphy said.

More information and an application can be found at ulife.gmu.edu/bovstudent.

No suspects or persons of interest have been identified by Loudoun County investigators DECKER, from front According to Fox 5 News, the two have been married for about a year and a half and have a 17-month old son, Kai. Loudoun County investigators said they have not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the investigation and that Decker’s husband and boyfriend are both cooperating with investigators.

News of Decker’s disappearance came as a surprise to friends of Decker, who say they hope all the media attention surrounding Decker’s disappearance will bring her home soon.

Gabby Styles, an integrative studies major who has known Decker since their freshman year in 2007, said in an e-mail interview that she first heard the news of Decker’s disappearance on the 5 o’clock news.

“I just froze,” said Styles “I couldn't believe it… It was and is so surreal to know that she is missing. I see these missing person clips all the time on T.V. and I never thought it would happen to someone I was friends with.”

“I had known things weren’t going so well this year for her,” said Erica Terrini, a Virginia Commonwealth University student who had been good friends with Decker since sophomore year of high school. “She’s in a really difficult situation and doing her best to go through school and take care

of her son, Kai, and still stay in touch with her friends and family . . . I was kind of shocked [she was reported missing] because it seemed I had just spoken to her not too long ago.”

Terrini described Decker as motivated, upbeat, witty and an all around good friend.

“She’s so open and understanding,” said Terrini. “I could really just count on her for anything.”

Styles and Terrini are glad that Decker’s disappearance has gotten so much media attention and urge anybody that might know something about Decker’s whereabouts to come forward.

“There may be someone out there that has seen her in a store and saw her face on T.V. . . . Having so much news about her will keep her fresh in everyone’s mind,” said Styles. “I am just thinking that she really needed a vacation and turned off her phone and took a break from everything. I am still very hopeful that she will come back safely from wherever she is and everything will be ok.”

Decker is 4 feet 11 inches tall, 130 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Any information concerning her whereabouts should be reported to Loudoun County investigators at 703-777-0475.

Broadside Editor-in-Chief Emily Sharrer contributed to this report.

Free Tickets for Mason Students!

Chamber Orchestra & University Singers Tues., Mar. 8 at 8 p.m. $ 15 adult, $10 student/senior CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Sat., Mar. 19 at 8 p.m. $ 55, $45, $35, $25 CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 8

Theater of the First Amendment: 24, 7, 365 Mar. 11, 12 at 8 p.m. $30 HT Mar. 12, 2 p.m.; Sun. Mar. 13, 4 p.m. $25 HT Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now

The Vision Series: Tyler Cowen, speaker The Financial Crisis: Where It Came From and Where We Are Headed Tues., Mar. 22 at 7 p.m.

Free/Ticketed HC

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra: Met Jazz Goes Latin Sat. Mar. 12 at 8 p.m. $ 40, $32, $20 CH ff ppd Free Student Tickets Available Now Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel Northern Stars Sun., Mar. 13 at 7 p.m. $38, $30, $19 CH Free Student Tickets Available Now Danú Fri., Mar. 18 at 8 p.m. $ 44, $36, $22 CH ff ppd Limited Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 8

ppd

=Pre-performance Discussion

ff

Mason Dance Company: Gala Concert Mar. 25, 26 at 8 p.m. $ 20 adult, $12 senior, $10 student CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 15

ff

American Festival Pops Orchestra Sat., Mar. 26 at 8 p.m.

44, $36, $28 HC ff ppd Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 15 $

The Vision Series: Kim Sheridan, speaker Art, Science, and Games: Learning in Studios Mon., Mar. 28 at 7 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed CH

Mason Players - Mainstage Series: The Elephant Man (contains explicit scenes and nudity) Mar. 31, Apr. 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9 at 8 p.m.

Apr. 2, 9, & 10 at 2 p.m. $ 15 adult, $10 student/senior HT Limited Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 22 Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly Fri., Apr. 1 at 8 p.m.; $86, $72, $44 Sun., Apr. 3 at 2 p.m.; $98, $80, $48 CH ppd Limited Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 22 Simply Sinatra with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra Sat., Apr. 2 at 8 p.m. $ 40, $32, $24 HC Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 22 Mason Percussion Concert Thurs., Apr. 7 at 8 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed DL Parsons Dance with East Village Opera Company: Remember Me Fri., Apr. 8 at 8 p.m. $ 44, $36, $22 CH ppd Limited Free Student Tickets Available Mar. 29

=Family Friendly BB=Black Box CH=Concert Hall DL=de Laski/3001 GT=Grand Tier III HC=Hylton Center HT=Harris Theater TS=TheaterSpace OR TH E RF

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

AR TS

Center for the Arts

E

The George Mason University Faculty Senate convened on Wednesday and passed a motion that will allow students seeking a bachelor’s degree to select a minor from previous catalog years.

Currently, according to the catalog requirement for degrees, “students may choose to graduate under the terms of any catalog in effect during their enrollment in degree status,” as long as they align all components, like majors, minors and concentrations, to a single year.

The proposal also stated, “In no case may a student choose the requirements of a future catalog year that takes effect after the student’s degree is anticipated.” The motion passed overwhelmingly.

Lloyd Griffiths, dean of the Volgenau School of Engineering, spoke to the faculty’s concerns regarding the budget. He said a tightened budget will make student scholarships and sustaining smaller programs more difficult. He echoed Volgenau’s call for more non-state dependent fundraising.

The other motion involved clarifying the role of the Academic Initiative Committee.

The senate voted to strike some language in the definition of the committee in order to better ex-

plain the function of the committee.

The other issue included in this motion was adding the vice president for Global and International Strategies to the committee as a non-voting member.

With these changes, this motion passed as well.

Rector Ernst Volgenau spoke before the senate. He addressed the issue of the university’s continued fundraising efforts and the need for non-traditional private funding methods of raising capital.

Volgenau said there should always be a focus on Mason’s other priorities, including recruitment and academic achievement.

Griffiths shared Volgenau’s enthusiasm about the recently renamed school’s evolution and future. Griffiths said the new name reflects the changing face of the school, which is adding academic focus into non-IT related areas, including the Department of Bioengineering.

Griffiths said he believes the school’s hosting space for startup companies will help to ensure Mason’s role in future innovation.

The final issue the senate dealt with was the announcement that the College of Health and Human Sciences will gain one senator and the Volgenau School will lose one in the 2011– 12 year.

tried before or things that aren’t too general like ‘I hate parking,’ we take it to the administrators,” said Bowers, a junior majoring in government and international affairs.

Many students stopped by, some to genuinely voice their thoughts and others to get a free snack.

“I think it’s great that they’re trying to hear our opinions,” sophomore economics

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Laura Bolt Administration Beat Reporter

Monday, March 7, 2011 | 3

20 YEARS 19

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Style

Broadside

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The number of self-titled albums by American alternative rock band Weezer.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Life is like a box of chocolates

Photo by Kumbe Hwang

Photo by Kumbe Hwang

Photo by Kumbe Hwang

Families enjoy Fairfax City Chocolate Lover’s Festival Kumbe Hwang Broadside Correspondent Clouds, wind and drizzles didn’t stop locals and visitors from attending the Chocolate Lover’s Festival in Fairfax City from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.on Saturday and Sunday.

The Chocolate Lover’s Festival started off with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. The Kiwanis Club of Fairfax is an international organization founded to help those less fortunate.

The organization helps disabled youth and students from financially unstable families throughout the U.S. Kiwanis reaches out to youth in foreign countries, like El Salvador, who cannot pay for vaccinations and provides them with medical supplies and assistance.

“This program helps children that are less fortunate not only in Fairfax,

but in third world countries as well,” said Kiwanis President Andy Deems.

“Helping out with these events not only helps those in need, but gives an opportunity to the volunteers to help out and be more aware of what is going on in reality.”

This year, the Kiwanis won the grant for the festival and will receive a portion of the money made during the festival.

The donations and grant money will be used to produce food packets and is given to students who receive reduced lunches during the week but may go hungry on the weekends, according to Deems.

Parents, grandparents, friends and children strolled into Fire Station #3 at 9 a.m. for breakfast, which continued until 1 p.m. Kiwanis and local high school volunteers served pancakes and

beverages and conducted face-painting sessions for children.

Exhibits throughout Fairfax City were open to the public, with more treats than usual. Cakes were on display while cupcakes and chocolate delicacies were sold to hungry customers.

“I came here last year,” said 4-yearold Jenny Sanchez. “I really like it. The chocolates are yummy and I got a unicorn, too.”

Like others who attended, Sanchez and her parents spent most of their time admiring the chocolates, both extravagant and classic.

The festival was not only about chocolate. There were unexpected events, like a glass musical by Jamey Turner, who has been working with crystal glasses as instruments since he was 6.

His outstanding performance

ranged from the classics of Beethoven to the heartwarming songs of Tennessee.

Other activities included mock trials, finger printing by the Fairfax County Sherriff’s Office and open houses all over Old Town Fairfax.

Families had opportunities to learn about history, decorating cupcakes and hands on activities during the festival. Children seemed to favor the face-painting and of course, the chocolate.

The Fairfax City Chocolate Lover’s Festival gave commuters and newcomers a chance to enjoy a relaxing weekend with friends and family while also giving a taste of Fairfax, its history and the community it has grown to be.

GBay returns to Mason Second annual University-wide auction helps raise money for student scholarships

Jennifer Southee C2M Reporter

Photo by Ramsey Neville

GBay returned to Mason for a second successful year last Thursday night.

The student-run silent and live auction Gbay held its second annual auction yesterday evening in the Johnson Center.

Items available to bid on ranged from restaurant gift cards to a copy of “A Shore Thing,” autographed by Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi which sold for $105.

The purpose of the event was to raise money for student scholarships at George Mason University. The event raised about $12,000 in net profits this year, compared to the $10,000 in net profits last year, said David Bier, a Mason Ambassador who helped with the event. The event drew an estimated 250 students, according to Bier.

Some of the more popular items in the auction included

creating and naming your own sub at the Pilot House. Two bidders won the prize, with each sub selling for $360.

The most expensive item sold was a vinyl banner used during the Mason men’s basketball Final Four run in 2006 in Indianapolis, which sold for $2,650, said Bier.

Auction items that allowed bidders to create and name their own sandwich, burger or smoothie from last year’s auction were evaluated by Mason Dining and were kept or removed based on their sales, said Bier.

Bier, who won the bid to create his own burger, “The Bier Burger” at the Rat at last year’s GBay auction said his burger will remain on the menu as it is one of the top-selling burgers at the restaurant.

Dippin' Dots were also sold at the event for $3 each and went towards student scholarship funds.

Watch some auction action Curious about what the event was like? Scan this image with a smartphone to watch C2M footage from the event right on your device.

Can’t do this? Use this link instead: bit.ly/c2mgbay

Broadside

Style

Monday, March 7, 2011 | 5

Celtic Woman to play Patriot Center

$plurge or $teal Which one’s a deal?

We all wish we could dress like the models on the runway and afford the clothes we see in Vogue, but let’s be honest, most of us are broke. As much as we love looking at the $600 pair of Louboutins or the $1,000 Chanel bags, the truth is we just don’t have the funds to support these expenses. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean we can’t still look like we’re fresh off the catwalk. Can you guess which of these deals is a steal?

- Marcella Robertson, Broadside correspondent

A

B

or

1

Photos courtesy of madproductions.com

B

A

or

2

Nathan Dorfman Staff Writer

A

Internationally renowned singing sensation Celtic Woman is coming to George Mason University’s Patriot Center this week.

Celtic Woman is an energetic all-female group consisting of three Irish vocalists and the effervescent violinist, Mairead Nesbitt.

The performance will take place on Friday, March 11,at 8 p.m.

The Emmy-nominated group has attained worldwide acclaim for their PBS television special Celtic Woman- Songs from the Heart.

Over its career, Celtic Woman has sold more than 6 million albums.

Performing Irish standards, classical melodies, modern pop hits, and original songs, Celtic Woman is on its 12th American tour.

Tickets, which can be purchased through Ticketmaster, range from $34 to $79. Tickets can also be purchased via telephone at (703)-573SEAT. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

B

or

3

So the next time you see those $200 pair of shoes, take a look around and see if you can find some similar ones for half the price, or even less. It can definitely be a challenge but there is nothing better than having a pair of designer-looking shoes or sunglasses and some extra money in the bank. So keep ‘em guessing — no one will ever know whether your purchase is a splurge or a steal.

Answers 1. B: Urban Outfitters Faux Fur Vest, $49.99 (A: Michael Kors Faux Fur Vest, $140.00) 2. B: Forever 21 Suedette Platform Heels, $25.80 (A: Miu Miu Satin Platform Pumps, $427.00) 3. A: Forever 21 Cat Eye Sunglasses, $5.80 (B: Juicy Couture Cat Eye Sunglasses, $120.00)

Plug in, sign on, tune out Student sound off on tech trends eReaders “I was running out of storage space for my books. I have almost 200 books [on it]. Plus I save money every time I purchase a book, so it has almost paid for itself. The only thing that it is missing is the ‘new book’ smell.”

Students voice opinions about technology trends Dylan Hares Media Beat Writer It’s 9 a.m. and the students for an introductory biology class get ready for lecture. As the lecture drones on, half of the class will inevitably end up on Facebook, distracting the other half.

College students are more “hard-wired” and “plugged-in” than ever before, complete with a host of gadgets to make their lives more accessible and streamlined.

Members of Generation Y lead busy, exciting lives, full of classes, extracurricular activities, jobs and a bustling social life.

Technology manufacturers keep up with consumer demands and compete constantly to bring us the latest and greatest. But what exactly are the gadgets of

choice for today’s young socialites and how do they fit into George Mason University’s academic community?

“It’s about simplifying your life,” said Angela Davenport, operations supervisor at Patriot Computers. “The trend this year is integrating all aspects of your personal life like social media, news and shopping. It has to do it all.”

The motivation behind the technology trend creates more devices integrated with social media and easy use for consumers.”

Here is what students had to say about the ongoing Mac vs. PC debate, the technologies they utilize, customer service and how their laptops, smart phones and eReaders make it easier to stay organized during the school year.

eReaders “I figured it would at least take up less room. I soon realized that Kindle uses arbitrary formatting that messes up the pagination of whatever I’m reading, which means I can’t cite them when I’m using it for school work.”

Martin Bonica junior history

Elizabeth Palmieri junior global affairs

Smart phones “My iPhone can do pretty much anything I need. Instead of having to carry a laptop, iPod and a phone everywhere, I can just use my iPhone.”

Mac v. PC “I don’t have to deal with someone over the phone. There’s too much that can go wrong on a PC. A Mac is just foolproof.”

Kate DeNardi junior government and international politics

Paul Laudiero English

FROM THE VAULT: ‘The Blue Album’ Ramy Zabarah Style Editor Few bands in the past two decades have given what Weezer has to the alternative rock scene while simultaneously staying just far enough off the radar as to avoid the influence of mainstream “sell-outs.”

Since their debut self-titled album in 1994, critics and listeners have failed to agree on a single genre under which to classify the four-piece band from Los Angeles. Their series of self-titled albums over the years have been affectionately given color-coded nicknames by fans.

1994’s “Weezer” also known as “The Blue Album,” established the band and placed them in a market where teenagers could relate to frontman Rivers Cuomo’s sarcastic take on life while joyously banging their heads to distorted guitar riffs and crash cymbals that resembled angstinspired grunge rock of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

With the help of such hit singles as “Undone – The Sweater Song,” “Buddy Holly” and “Say it Ain’t So,” “The Blue Album” soared to popularity and dubbed Weezer with that new sound — a modern take on punk rock some call power pop.

While the Beatles established the genre, Weezer gave power pop a new perspective by gathering aspects from all ends of the musical spectrum to create what is now considered a solid foundation and influence for various bands today.

While certain tracks, such as “Buddy Holly,” introduced power pop to the mainstream market, the rest of the album dealt with a much bigger picture — a sweet and melodic approach to the acceptance of life’s hardships.

Weezer’s earlier lyrics, written primarily by Cuomo himself, reflect on personal life experiences, exemplified by the jealous boyfriend portrayed in “No One Else” or the narrator fearful of the demise of his parent’s marriage in “Say it Ain’t So.” Recent years have not been as kind to Weezer’s sound. But while some fans fear Weezer has fallen into the sell-out’s dark abyss, I like to find relief in going back to my CD collection and listening to a time when genius came in the form of power chords, major keys and simple retellings of life’s little speed bumps.

6

Opinion Broadside

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Monday, March 7, 2011

Broadside

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

Response to Minster’s pedagogy

Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Gregory Connolly, News Editor Jeff Giorgi, Asst. News Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Elizabeth Perry, Asst. Opinion Editor Ramy Zabarah, Style Editor Erin Powell, Asst. Style Editor Cody Norman, Sports Editor Pat Carroll, Asst. Sports Editor Peter Flint, Photography Editor

Benjamin Shaffer, Copy Editor Marine Jaouen, Copy Editor Jared Barrale, Copy Editor Liz Milligan, Designer Michelle Buser, Designer Dylan Hares, Staff Reporter Scott Miller, Advertising Director Jacques Mouyal, Business Manager Kathryn Mangus, Faculty Adviser David Carroll, Tech Adviser

Editorial Policy 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.

© 2011 by Broadside. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor-in-chief.

Corrections and clarifications: In the Feb. 28 issue of Broadside, the article “Mason Inn Receives LEED-Gold certification” incorrectly stated that The Mason Inn was “the first LEED-certified building at George Mason University,” which is not true. The sentence should have said The Mason Inn was the first LEED-Gold certified building at Mason.

In the Jan. 31 issue of Broadside the story “Pregnancy scare? Know your options” incorrectly reported that LifeChoices Resource Center was not a medical facility. The center became a medical facility on Dec. 1, though the center’s website did not reflect this change until after the printing of the article.

Noise in library It’s more efficient to study in your own home Brandon minster G R A D S T u d e n t

Opinion

Columnist

The ancient rocker Bob Dylan, who was surmised by most of Generation Y as being an artifact from Generation B, once said, “The times they are a-changin’.”

Well, he really said, “Harara rararah shuhushushna lamanana,” but the album notes indicate the previous meaning. And that meaning very accurately describes the world.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the modern library.

The historical image of a library involves dusty shelves overseen by dusty librarians who speak a language that has 37 different words for “shh.”

Those librarians have been replaced by a new breed of administrators who want the library to be cool again (or, more accurately, for the first time).

It must have been this type of administrator who oversaw the design of the Johnson Center, a combined student union and library.

I imagine the planning involved a discussion like this: One campus bigwig said, “the library is too small.” Another said, “we need a student-union-to-student ratio closer to 1-to-1.”

Finally, a third campus bigwig cut the Gordian knot by suggesting, “why don't we put them together, combining the loudest building on campus with the quietest?”

The JC study carrels are probably considered a substitute for those in Fenwick Library. The cramped quarters of Fenwick often pushes students to find a study spot in the JC library stacks.

When this has happened to me, I’ve had a number of the “new library” experiences that Bob Dylan

was singing about.

Once while studying in the library, I found myself in the middle of a soccer game. Had I been studying soccer, the additional material would have been invaluable. Sadly, however, I was not studying soccer, and the impromptu game was somewhat distracting.

Another time I found myself next to two former high school cheerleaders who cleared a large space to see if they remembered their old cheering routines. An hour and a half later, the question was evidently still unanswered.

Even Fenwick is subject to “new library” activities. Large common tables are often the setting for fraternity meetings or sports team camaraderie-building.

Group study rooms become temporary lounges for groups of friends who have inadequately sized apartments for entertaining.

And “quiet study area” signs are disregarded as the fascist social control mechanism they so obviously are.

The unreliability of adequate studying areas in campus libraries has led me to try to create “old library” conditions in my home. My wife laughed at my design, wondering how I planned to get quietness in a house with three kids.

It turns out those old librarians were onto something: Telling people “shh” gets them to be quiet.

In just a few weeks of conditioning, my house of small children is now a more productive study space than a university library.

I’m yet to be overwhelmed by cheerleading routines or soccer games, and I’ve never been muscled out of my desk by two people who just wanted to eat lunch together while calling themselves a “study group.”

Anyone looking for a study area and dissatisfied with the “new library” routine can apply for a library card at my house, where he or she will find comfortable seating, well-behaved patrons and the soothing mumblings of Bob Dylan.

While I agree with Brandon Minster’s statement “education in our nation is a shambles,” I cannot reach his conclusion in regards to education professionals.

Perhaps this is the English major in me, but I believe that words only have the power that we, as speakers, give them.

The word “teacher” implies teaching — it is rather nonsensical to separate “actor” from action.

If the point was to make cracks at the expense of professional educators, then call them “instructors” or “professors” for clarity.

As Mr. Minster pointed out, even parents can be teachers.

I will concede all too willingly that the content that educators lecture on may not qualify as teaching, but that issue has more to do with curriculum building and school boards than teachers themselves.

Now, as to this stance Mr. Minster has taken regarding the “myth” of educators sac-

tion, usually in the subject they want to teach. So these sorts of statistics don’t account for everyone who ends up in the field; it’s pure crockery.

My last point about this supposed myth of public school education is this: Can you do better? Education positions in this nation are under-filled, underpaid and, most of all, desperately needed!

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development down-voted the U.S. from first in education to 14th in December. The nation has also fallen from second to 13th in college-level education over the past 15 years.

So if you’re really that disgusted with teachers, become one yourself and save us the bellyaching. That, or lobby for greater funding.

Patrick Scanlan English

A side effect of smoking In response to a recent article in Broadside about the debate over smoking on campus, I think it would be helpful to point out something that many people are not willing to say.

As a former smoker who has retained a sense of smell, I’ve found it extremely disturbing when someone who smokes before class sits near me in the classroom. They stink!

The intense smell of cigarettes is both annoying and sickening. Naturally it’s reasonable to assume that they don’t know they smell bad or else they wouldn’t do it. Who wants to smell bad?

Unfortunately, telling someone they stink is not as easy as it sounds. It’s deeply humiliating for someone to point out that you have a bad odor and that it’s affecting others. Natural psychology will resist this perception. “It’s not me who stinks — it’s the other guy!” I think students who smoke need to be made aware — respectfully but constantly — that when they smoke before class, stewing in cigarette smoke, they smell terrible.

This smell is discomforting to those around them and it’s not unreasonable to say, “Hey, maybe you could not smoke right before you come into class.” Professors should

include such statements in their outlines and not be afraid to tell a student.

Regrettably, if someone does smoke before class regularly, there may be no other option but to tell them, politely and respectfully, that “it’s nothing personal but your cigarette smoke is really awful and distracting in class. Could you sit somewhere else?”

Jonathan Posey Junior Psychology and Engineering

Brandi Morehead’s column is too sexually open I am writing in reference to your column “Everybody Loves Morehead.” I first read this column in the Feb. 28 issue of Broadside.

Broadside is a student publication and intended for students. I admire its free discussion of many points of view and its reporting. But one can disagree with its decision to publish such sexually open comments, even if written as a kind of fun-pleasure exploration, even if humorously intended by Ms. Morehead and even if perceived as entertaining by many of its readers.

I am a 64-year-old auditing student, a pediatrician and a heterosexual male who has been married for 39 years to the same woman. Therefore, I have experienced sexuality for more years than most students and

I have experienced monogamous fidelity in sexuality more years than most students. My belief and experience is that sex is very good, that it is enjoyable and that it is most happily and pleasurably enjoyed in a trusting, enduring and faithful relationship.

Discussing this issue with staff members of Broadside, I gained insight into acceptable standards of local culture at George Mason University. I gather that “casual sex” is not that uncommon and that it is not frowned upon.

But students may do well to consider the emotional and psychological — acknowledged of unacknowledged — after-effects of “casual sex.” Do you know how many students have sought treatment for STDs, pregnancy, abortion counseling or painful emotional consequences of broken “casual”

relationships?

I also suggest that students consider whether “openness” to “whatever” is a viable life option. If and when you are married and have children, will you still be open to a spouse’s suggestion for other sexual encounters? Do you think that your children will have no opinion on this? If you are not open to genocide, rape, cruelty to animals or polluting our planet, then you yourself are making value judgments. You cannot be open to everything. Usually, we are most open to what most pleases us or what we wish to rationalize.

Ron Bashian Retired Pediatrician Auditing Student

The campus housing farce Mason spins classification as a residential campus to attract students Alan Moore S E N I O R

Opinion

Columnist

The art of spin seeks to take a half-truth or downright fabrication and translate it into a better image through skillful public relations.

Here at George Mason University there is no better example of spin than the university’s recent classification as a residential campus by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Excessive promotion of this is premature and potentially harmful.

Determining the classification as a primarily residential campus is based on “the proportion of degree-seeking undergraduates who attend full-time and the proportion living in institutionally-owned, -operated

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.

rificing for their pupils, I almost cannot fathom such an outlook. To begin with, even primary education positions require a bachelor’s degree, most states require a master’s to teach high school and don’t even think about teaching post-secondary without a doctorate.

Education professionals are, with good reason, some of the most educated people in their given fields.

Why compare education graduates to education professionals? This notion does not hold water.

Turning to your hard proof, I concede the veracity of Mr. Landsburg’s statistics on face, but I disagree in application. It makes little difference whether teachers come from the upper quartile or lower quartile — standardized qualifications are all the weedingout I require.

Besides, many people who end up teaching major in something other than educa-

or -affiliated housing.”

Additionally, 25 to 49 percent of degree-seeking undergraduates at a four-year institution must live on campus.

Mason barely achieves that at 26 percent.

By the Carnegie Foundation’s own admonition, their classification system is meant for research purposes only stating further that “it is so highly institutionalized that it is often invoked without explanation or rationale” by college administrators.

They go on to describe conflict between classification and identity, cautioning colleges and universities from reading too much into their classification and attempting to use it to their advantage. Carnegie spokeswoman Gay Clyburn recently went on record stating that the emphasis of the school’s reclassification as a residential campus is unusual.

In other words, Mason is taking a research classification and spinning it in order to mis-

Editorial Board: Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor

represent its identity for recruiting purposes.

Nothing is a better example of this spin than the “news article” on Mason’s website, written by the Office of Media and Public Relations Associate Manager Dave Andrews.

This glorified press release reads more like an advertisement for a resort than a news report, using buzz words and catch phrases like “robust campus life programming,” “vibrant campus life,” “dazzling array of new buildings” and a “neighborhood atmosphere.” Does that sound like an accurate portrayal of Mason? The reality is that Mason is a big, ugly construction site and a ghost town on the weekends.

So why should anyone care about this issue? Admittedly, there are much more pressing problems facing this campus.

However, this boils down to an identity crisis. If Mason administrators and staff recruit students under false pretenses, we have a problem.

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.

Truth in advertising is important because deceptive marketing techniques are unfair to the consumer and they ultimately come back to bite you.

If students looking for a neighborhood atmosphere come to Mason and are disappointed, then the reputation of the institute suffers, recruiting falters, faculty attrition increases and alumni are ashamed.

Lord knows the school has milked the 2006 Final Four run for all its worth. Anyone who enrolled here based on the assumption that our men’s basketball team is a perennial Division I championship-caliber team must be sorely disappointed.

There is no doubt that attempting to move Mason to be a residential campus has many benefits, but we shouldn’t jump the gun and promote something that isn’t what it seems. The consequences of spin might be more than we can bear.

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Opinion

The true price of Sodexo The dining monopoly that the company holds over students Justin Lalputan S o p h o m o r e

Opinion

Editor

Let me start by saying this article has nothing to do with the Sodexo controversy regarding their workers. Sodexo is taking advantage of another group of people — students.

If you live on campus, you know what I’m talking about.

The price of food at George Mason University ranges from somewhat pricey to utterly ridiculous, and all of it is (with the exception of licensed brands) approved by Mason each fall.

With the exception of Southside — a great deal if you have meal plans — the price and quality of

on-campus food compared to offcampus food is pretty bad.

For example, a 16” pizza sold at Pilot House is roughly $11.49, and that’s just for a plain cheese pizza. Pepperoni will run you roughly $13 with tax and there are more expensive pizzas.

Look at Papa John’s. They deliver to campus and in fact have a deal for Mason students to order a large specialty pizza for $10 without tax or delivery fee.

So with tax and tip, that would cost about $12 to $15 depending on your generosity.

Compare that to the 16” Pilot Supreme pizza at about $16 and you’ll begin to see that students on campus are paying Sodexo’s ridiculous prices for mediocre food.

Now, let’s look at the One Stop Patriot Shop. I’m constantly in there buying sodas, ramen or even ChapStick (hey, it’s cold outside) and I’m constantly aware that I’m being ripped off.

To make matters worse, I can’t even use my meal plan when I’m in the One Stop, so all that money comes directly out of my pocket.

On campus, one regular soda is $1.59 without tax. I can get one for less than a dollar at the pharmacy in Fair Oaks Mall and for $1.25 at most other places. They’re making at least a 29-cent profit — roughly a 20 percent increase.

So why do I buy from them knowing that I’m getting ripped off? Why would I spend the little money I have paying gourmet prices for average food?

The answer is simple. I do it because it’s convenient.

When Sodexo prices items on campus, they are well aware of the fact that when I’m sitting in my dorm room at 1 a.m. and I suddenly get a craving for ginger ale, I’m not running out to Walmart.

No, I collect the pennies off of my floor and run to the One Stop because I don’t have a car and it’s

right next to my dorm.

It’s tragic but true. Sodexorun stores, which would never survive outside of campus, have a stranglehold on campus dining.

What really irks me is the fact that Sodexo isn’t the only entity trying to make money off of Mason students.

Why don’t we have a dollar/value menu at Burger King or Taco Bell?

It’s because national brands such as those dictate what they sell and at what price for each location.

When they look at us, they don’t see broke college students.

They see the money that they’re going to take out of our pockets.

Sodexo and the national brands are lucky that I don’t have a car because if I did, I would never eat here. And honestly, at these prices, you shouldn’t either.

Bad teachers and budget cuts The states should stand up to unions and fix the education system Paul Panasiuk S o p h o m o r e

Opinion

Columnist

These past few weeks, states across the nation have seen an eruption of protests as Republican-controlled legislatures and governorships attempt to balance their budgets by restricting reckless public sector labor unions.

The state receiving the most news coverage, Wisconsin, has introduced legislation to rein in collective bargaining, which will only allow public unions to negotiate wage increases at or less than the rate of inflation. As a result, the 14 Democratic state senators have childishly fled to Illinois to avoid the vote.

Many view these unprecedented bills as an attack on the

rights of workers and organized labor. The fact of the matter is that public sector unions are largely different from private unions.

While private sector union membership is a voluntary and healthy contract between the employee and employer, public unions rip the contract to pieces.

For decades, public unions have used their lobbying abilities to attach themselves to the government teat and, like parasites, extract high wages, nearly full health care coverage and large pensions from the lowly taxpayer.

On top of receiving salary much larger than the average private school teacher, public school teachers in Milwaukee receive, from the public, 74.2 cents in benefits including pension and health care for every dollar of their salary.

The taxpayer shells out the entire cost of premiums for medical and visual as well as half of dental. You would think state employees would pay for their small contributions to pension funds, but tax-

payers contribute a full 13 percent of their earnings every paycheck. I will spare you the statistics on taxpayer-covered local and supplemental pensions and retiree benefits, as they would likely make you sick.

Public unions, with help from the media, have portrayed public union employees as poor workers whose rights are being threatened.

Public unions should not have many, if any rights. Their wages and benefits should be determined not by how many Democrats they get elected through massive political campaign contributions, but by the people they serve — the taxpayers.

When states are hurting from a distressed economy, and members of private unions and those not members of unions at all are forced to cut back, public unions continue to suck every last drop of money they can from taxpayers’ paychecks.

The budgetary crisis across the nation and the sensible and

necessary response of restraining public workers’ wages unearths a much deeper question: Are public sector workers held accountable for what they do?

Since Wisconsin is making headlines this week, the Department of Education reports that two-thirds of eighth grade students cannot read proficiently and only 39 percent are proficient in math. Not only are public teachers not performing the jobs they were hired to do, but they are being compensated for failing miserably.

I can only imagine the inefficiencies amongst the myriad of other state and local government jobs.

I applaud the states standing up to unions and making headway balancing their budgets. Perhaps after they finish cleaning up what should have been done years ago, they will finally fix the education system and government inefficiencies by firing incapable but well-paid workers. In the end, after all, it’s really not about the teachers; it’s about the children.

Monday, March 7, 2011 |

You should never stay in an abusive relationship People should walk away from hurtful partners Kristin Steve Opinion Columnist In high school, I knew a girl who had all the potential in the world. She was extremely intelligent and actually received her diploma at age 16. After graduation, her boyfriend followed her to college.

Months later, I ran into my former classmate and she informed me about problems she had been having with her boyfriend.

He would get drunk and pick fights with her.

Once, he even punched her. He would say disturbing and frightening things to her such as, “You look good in red.”

She informed me that when he said this he actually meant, “You’d look good in blood.”

No matter how much my friends and I tried to plead with her to end the relationship, she would not break up with him.

She gave her unhealthy relationship the vast majority of her time and energy.

Often, people make light of abusive relationships but the truth is they are not a joke.

The Journal of Trauma reported that 50 percent of women murdered in the U.S. are killed by either their husband or someone they know.

National Crime Statistics report that 25 to 30 percent of adolescent relationships are abusive.

The Family Violence Prevention Fund reports that every nine seconds, a woman is physically abused. These

findings are extremely alarming.

Many students across the U.S. watch television shows that belittle how harmful abusive relationships actually are.

In reality, an abusive relationship will ruin your life if it persists.

While it does seem like the majority of abused students are female, male students are as well.

Abuse can occur in many forms.

Obviously, occasional verbal fighting with a significant other is normal, but if someone is battering you or mentally and emotionally draining you, it is time to seek help.

I know people who have been in mildly abusive relationships who did not want to leave them because they had invested so much trying to change the person who was hurting them.

These people want to see the good in others.

This is not a bad mindset, but there is a line that should not be crossed.

I do not believe the solution to an abusive relationship can be worked out. I also do not believe that the solution is counseling or anger management.

The solution is walking away. Leaving.

It is also incredibly important to let someone know what has happened to you and to talk to a counselor or therapist.

An individual who is hurting you more than making you happy is never worth a minute of your time.

57 %... …is how much of your school year the tuition you pay covers. Contrary to popular belief, a student’s education is not paid for entirely by tuition. 43% of the school year is covered by state funding and private support.

Can You Imagine If You Had To Pay

100%?

As of March 10, your “funds are fried.” Join Mason’s Annual Giving Office from 10:30am-2:30pm at the JC Clocktower for and more information on how small gifts, even your spare change, add up to make a difference!

funnel cakes, music, t-shirts,

supportingmason.gmu.edu/studentgiving

PATRIOTS ȘɄɑ PATRIOTS BRING CHANGE, LEAVE A MARK

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8

Sports

Broadside

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The number of NCAA Tournament berths the Men’s Basketball team has had under head coach Jim Larranaga.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Vertrail Vaughns Painful Past Has Fueled Success

Softball team aims for title Experienced team hopes to improve even more

Ryan Comer Broadside Correspondent As the Patriot softball team’s season moves into full-swing, the team is confident and expects success.

“My expectations are probably the highest they’ve ever been,” said senior outfielder Stephanie Strother. Junior infielder Tori Dudley, equally enthusiastic, agreed, saying, “I’m definitely expecting to go to the CAA Tournament.”

Their optimism is due in part to the 14 returning players from last season. “We’re returning our entire infield,” said Dudley. “We have some experience behind our belts now.”

The benefits of experience are evident in the team’s steady improvement. In 2009, the Patriots only won two conference games (16-33, 2-19) and finished eighth overall. In 2010, the Patriots won nine conference games (21-24, 912) and finished fifth in the conference. They hope to improve even more this season.

Head coach Joe Verbanic attributes the team’s improvement to the players. “They’ve embraced the things that I’m teaching and they’ve worked really, really hard and they continue to get better every single day.”

Photo by: Peter Flint

Vertrail Vaughns (11) goes in for a lay-up against VCU in the CAA tournament.

Pat Carroll Asst. Sports Editor Redshirt freshman Vertrail Vaughns has been through a lot of hardships in his young life.

When he was 13 years old, Vaughns was chased by a Rottweiler. In his escape, he attempted to jump on a car to elude the dog and smashed through the car’s windshield, badly injuring his face.

“That’s where all these scars on my face come from,” said Vaughns.

The event in his life was just one of a few bad incidents that Vaughns has been through.

From being hit by a car at the age of seven to undergoing wrist surgery last season, Vaughns knows pain. Coming off a freshman year in which he medically redshirted, Vaughns was hungry to get back on the court.

Struggles are an understatement for what Vaughns has been through in his young life.

The scars are the reminders of the tragedy that he underwent

when he was 13.

“It was painful,” Vaughns said with a laugh.

Regarding his recent surgery, he was in a cast for three weeks and was unable to move his hand at all during that time.

When he got the cast off, he started rehabbing it by stretching it out and eventually regained all motion in his wrist. It wasn’t until two weeks after he regained motion that Vaughns shot a basketball.

Vaughns sure hasn’t had any setbacks from the injury.

This year he has been a catalyst off the bench, shooting an impressive 51.7 percent of threes with 4.7 points per game.

The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Vaughns has really shown his worth this year.

Against Virginia Commonwealth University two weeks ago, he scored 12 points in 11 minutes of play, shooting four of five from 3-point range.

“My dad and my stepdad were shooters so we would go to the gym everyday and just shoot

2,000 to 3,000 shots,” said Vaughns. “They taught me to shoot with a high arc and have a funny spin on my ball.”

His shooting has been lethal off the bench, providing the Patriots with a catalyst who can change the complexion of the game with a few shots.

Until this season, Vaughns was for the most part unknown to the George Mason University population. He played in six games of the 2009 basketball season, and was unable to show what he could do on the floor, especially from behind the arc.

Earlier in the year, Vaughns wasn’t playing nearly as much as he is now, due to his lack of defensive pressure and intensity.

“I wasn’t drinking and eating how I was supposed to. I’ve picked up my defensive intensity and rebounding and have a lot more energy now and the offense just followed,” said Vaughns.

It doesn’t look like Vaughns will be getting benched any-

time soon. He can contribute on both ends of the floor and is a great substitute in the backcourt.

Vaughns is also considered the best dancer on the team, according to junior Ryan Pearson.

Pearson went on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday and had to explain himself for his dancing performance on ESPN2 before the Northern Iowa game.

“The best dancer on the team by far is Vertrail Vaughns.

This guy has a lot of dance moves and we try to copy him a lot. Some things he does on the dance floor are just amazing,” said Pearson, on First Take.

He was also challenged by a fan this summer when the team was in Italy to a dance-off.

“I’m from Dallas and we have a lot of different dances, like the Dougie. Coming from down South, you have to know how to dance and have rhythm.”

Vaughns is hoping that he and Patriots will be dancing more this March if they head into the NCAA tournament.

Events Calendar Women’s Basketball vs.

Georgia State March 10 at 12 p.m.

The Lady Patriots enter the postseaon play in the Women’s CAA Tournament at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. as a No. 8 seed.

Coming off a big senior night win against Northeastern, the ladies are hoping the momentum from the win will carry on into the tournament.

The Lady Patriots have never made a berth in the NCAA tournament and hope to make it this year.

Mason Scoreboard Mar. 2: Baseball vs. Mt. Saint Mary’s- W 9-5 Mar. 2: Women’s Lacrosse @ George Washington-W 17-9 Mar. 2: Women’s Basketball vs. Northeastern- W 77-55 Mar. 5: Softball vs. Cornell- W 2-1 Mar. 5: Baseball vs. Niagara- W 10-5 Mar. 5: Men’s Basketball vs. Georgia State- W 68-45

However, it is not just the upperclassmen who are contributing. The team has eight freshmen who are playing a large part in the team’s development.

“They’ve been a great addition,” said Verbanic. “They’ve brought a lot of energy and they’re a talented bunch who have really challenged and pushed our older kids to play and excel at a higher level.”

Dudley added that, “The freshmen have taken it upon themselves to step-in and they’ve played a big role in challenging us.”

Ultimately, the team hopes the combination of experience, talent and motivation will translate into success on the field.

“The program is growing,” said Verbanic. “When I came here six years ago, we were really building from scratch, but the kids’ hard work is really starting to show. They’ve worked their tails off, and have made themselves into a good ball club and good players. ” The Patriots will have several chances to prove themselves in various tournaments such as the Patriot Classic, the Mason Invitational and the Cherry Blossom Classic before they enter into conference play on March 26 against Delaware.

Coach’s Corner with Mason baseball coach Bill Brown

Photo by: Peter Flint

Sophomore le -handed pitcher Nick Kendrick.

Brandi Morehead Staff Writer The Patriots’ 2009-10 baseball season resulted in a 28-22 record due to an extensive amount of injuries, but with the fresh meat of a newer, younger team, Coach Bill Brown feels optimistic that this season will be a complete turnaround.

The evolving new pitchers of this season include junior Brandon Bartlett, freshman Jake Kalish and sophomore Brandon Kuter. Untested in the past nine games, the pitchers are evolving together and performing well.

Growing as a team and being mentors to these younger players are starters Chris Cook, short stop and second baseman, and Chris O’Grady, pitcher.

“My biggest challenge this season has been becoming more of a vocal leader,” Cook says. This is something many of the Mason players have found to be difficult this season: taking the place as leaders from the previous seniors.

Brown expresses his excitement for this season with new

and old players playing different positions, making this whole team a “new” team. The new team is growing as one, to be the best team they can be. A brand new team starting from scratch is fun, according to Brown’s philosophy.

Despite having a young team, Brown is satisfied and excited about his batting line-up. Cook currently holds a team record for 13 straight plate appearances with a base hit. As the start of his batting line-up, Cook holds a powerful position.

Brown, who has been coaching for 30 years, pitches George Mason University basketball coach, Jim Larranaga, a compliment as well.

“Excellent job. One of, if not, the best coaching jobs ever done with a team,” said Brown. “Jim and his assistant has them ready to play.”

The Patriots are 10 games in with only three losses, this young team is looking promising. With the help of 30 years experience behind him, it looks as though Coach Brown is leading his team to a victorious season.

Are you ready to dance?

Broadside will be hosting a Bracket Challenge on ESPN.com after selection Sunday for all Mason students to participate. Prizes will be awarded to Mason’s top Bracketologists.

Broadside

Sports

Monday, March 7, 2011 |

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NCAA Selection Show preview Patriots aim for a high seed in March’s Big Dance

Photo by: Peter Flint

Mason fans packed the Richmond Coliseum to support the Patriots both Saturday and Sunday.

Pat Carroll Asst. Sports Editor Well, the win streak is over.

We aren’t going to be winning the CAA championship. But we are still an NCAA tournament team nonetheless. The NCAA tournament Selection Show is this coming Sunday and the George Mason Patriots will be dancing this March.

Our first loss since Jan. 8 will not hurt us. As of March 4, we are slated to be a No. 7 seed and facing a No. 10 seed Illinois team. The CAA is likely to get two teams: George Mason and Old Dominion. The rest of the field of 68 is up for debate.

According to ESPN analyst and bracketologist Joe Lunardi,

the Big East will receive eleven tournament bids, which would be a new record previously set by the Big East with eight teams.

With eight teams in the AP Top 25, the Big East is the strongest conference in all of college basketball.

Pittsburgh is shooting for a No. 1 seed, while Notre Dame, Syracuse, Connecticut, Louisville, Georgetown and St. John’s are fighting for top 5 seeds.

Villanova, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Marquette will look to strengthen their at-large chances in the Big East tournament this week but have strong resumes regardless.

The Big Ten has a strong chance to get six teams into the Dance, including the No. 1 overall

seed favorite, Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been dominant all year, on the back of freshman phenom Jared Sullinger.

They had their first loss in February to the Wisconsin Badgers and have a potent lineup that can battle with the likes of Duke, Kansas and Pittsburgh.

Wisconsin and Purdue are looking to get a top 5 seeds. Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois are also in, according to Lunardi, but can prove themselves in the Big Ten championship.

Michigan State, under head coach Mike Izzo, has been to four Final Fours in the 00’s and is always dangerous in March. Look for them to make another title run this year.

Joe Lunardi also has the At-

lantic Coast Conference receiving six bids in a down year for the conference.

Duke and UNC are definitely in with strong records. The past two NCAA champions have been strong this year with senior leadership on the Blue Devils in forward Kyle Singler and guard Nolan Smith, who is a Player of the Year candidate.

Florida State, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Clemson still have work to do. Teams with unimpressive records against inconference opponents, in a down year for the ACC don’t look good for the Selection Committee.

Florida State and Virginia Tech had signature wins against Duke, both at home, that will help their RPI and could solidify their

spots as tournament teams. The loss of senior forward Chris Singleton has been a major blow for the Seminoles and will play into how much success they have in March.

The Southeastern Conference is looking to get five teams this year with strong teams in Florida and Kentucky leading the pack.

Vanderbilt has had an impressive season, being in the top 25 for a good portion of the year. Tennessee is also up there in the SEC and should be dancing as well.

The Big 12 has a solid stock of teams that should be in. Kansas fields a team that can dominate on both sides of the ball.

With junior twins, Marcus and Markieff Morris and freshman standout Josh Selby, the Jay-

hawks have the tools to make a run at yet another NCAA title.

Texas has had a surprising year with big wins against Kansas, Missouri and Texas A&M. Freshman Tristan Thompson has been a key contributor to the Longhorns’ success and looks to make an impact in March.

Kansas State had a rocky start to the season but have picked the intensity up with wins against Kansas and Texas in the latter part of the regular season.

Senior Jacob Pullen is averaging 19.6 points per game and was the key ingredient to the Wildcats’ Elite Eight run last season.

Less than a week away from the best sporting event in the nation to begin. Let’s go!

Section 124 A Fan’s Perspective Chris Douthat Patriot Platoon Member If you were to poll a hundred college students and ask what they’re favorite activity to do on a weekend was, I guarantee no one would answer, “wake up at eight in the morning.”

But that’s just what me and two friends did, all for the sake of seeing our team compete in the CAA tournament in person.

And even though it didn’t turn out the way we were hoping that it would, we all agreed that coming down was a great idea.

Seeing George Mason play is always an experience, win or lose. But watching the Patriots absolutely pulverize a Georgia State team that gave us trouble just a week earlier made winning that much more enjoyable, especially when you consider the importance of the game and what was at stake.

And as exciting as seeing George Mason come from behind and defeat an opponent is, it’s the atmosphere of being at the tournament with hundreds of other Patriot fans that I’ll remember most.

We all expressed the same

CAA Tournament Experience

emotions, whether it was joyous applause after a Mike Morrison dunk or frustration when the game started off slow.

The school spirit was alive and well; you can’t help but feel Mason pride when you chant “George!” and the fans in the stands yell “Mason!” right afterwards.

Beating a team by twenty during a tournament game is fun by itself, but having Doc Nix and The Green Machine there as well made for a perfect day.

Their performances always make for an enjoyable time, especially “Killing in the Name” and “Dream On.” You can’t help but get pumped up when you hear the pep band play; their presence at games is crucial, especially at times when they are close.

The VCU game wasn’t very fun, but losing to a hated rival never is. A loss is a loss though, and I accepted it for what it was.

We already have our tickets punched for the NCAA tournament; this tournament wasn’t going to change anything.

You couldn’t help but hate VCU at that moment, whether it was the fact that they happened

to be getting all the calls going their way from the refs or that they seemed to make every single basket they attempted.

Their fans even attacked our pep band, having signs that compared them to the show “Glee.”

We might ultimately be thanking VCU later down the road though; now that the winning streak is over, the team can now prepare for where it really counts, the NCAA tournament, addressing and fixing all the mistakes they made against the Rams.

When it was all said and done, the weekend ended up being one of the most fun I’ve had in a while.

I made the two-hour trip with some of my best friends and watched my school compete in the conference tournament; even witnessing them win a game.

And even though George Mason ultimately ended up losing on the second day, I can’t remember the last time I was as happy as I was the first day.

You can bet that I’ll make the trip next year, even if it means losing some sacred sleep.

Larranaga: ‘Our guys were just a little tentative’ CAA, from front But then we started playing in too big of a hurry. We were shooting the ball too quickly and selecting shots way too early. But I think our guys were just a little

tentative.”

The rest was history for the Patriots as they could never close the gap to less than ten and failed to reach the conference championship as the No. 1 seed.

Selection Sunday is right around the corner and the Mason Nation holds onto their seats, hoping their March fate has not changed because of 40 minutes of bad basketball.

Losing the streak may be blessing in disguise Cody Norman Sports Editor Nobody likes to lose. I get it.

I, myself, am overly competitive to the point that I will not even admit defeat in Facebook Family Feud. As a former athlete, that is just the way I am. And that’s the way it has got to be for all collegiate athletes: Win at all costs.

But a loss in the semifinal game of the CAA Tournament this weekend may be a blessing in disguise for the Patriots.

Math is not my strong suit so correct me if I am wrong, but there is this idea called the Law of Averages that states that outcomes of a random event will even out within a small sample.

So since Virginia Commonwealth University had their horns hardened for their match-up with George Mason University on Sunday, they’ll find there is a good chance that they will return to their typical, limp state on Monday against Old Dominion University. Or by

the NCAA Tournament, at the very least.

But it also states that, at some point, a 16-game winning streak is going to catch up to you. And if Mason would have rolled through the tournament without a loss, they would have been playing on the heels of an 18 game streak. That, to me, would have been a scary, scary thing.

The ball is going to bounce a different direction at some point. And you do not win 16 consecutive games without a little help from the basketball gods.

Mason rolled into Richmond on Thursday night with a little swagger. They were the No. 1 seed in a growing conference and were playing an outstanding brand of basketball.

Ryan Pearson has been the top player in the CAA for the last two months and Cam Long was, well, Cam Long. The tandem has been an unstoppable force as of late and sometimes it takes a tough outing to knock

you back to reality.

I would have loved to sit courtside as Jim Larranaga and his bunch climbed the ladder to cut down the nets in Richmond as much (if not more) than the rest of the Green & Gold Nation.

But it needed to happen at some point.

And it is better that it happened now than in the first or second round of the NCAA Tournament. We want another Final Four bid. Hell, we want a National Championship appearance. We don’t want to settle for a trophy at the beginning of March. The one in April is much more important and much more desired.

So what if we aren’t a higher seed in the Big Dance? Who cares if we end up matched with one of the better teams in the nation. Mason fans, we are one of the better teams. To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.

Somebody has got to knock off the bigger guys.

Why can’t we be that somebody?

Interested in all things sports?

You could be a sports writer and have the opportunity to interview top athletes and their inspiring coaches.

Become a sports writer today!

E-mail Cody Norman at cnorman2@masonlive.gmu.edu

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| Monday, March 7, 2011

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