Broadside: Issue 5

Broadside

Oct. 1, 2012 Volume 89 Issue 5 BroadsideOnline.com

@MasonBroadside Like us: Broadside

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

Fall For the Book:

Annual Event Celebrates Literature

See our review of “The Wettest County in the World” PAGE 11

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

Mason Student Sings @GeorgeMasonU National Anthem at Launches New Social Media Project Obama Rally They called her name and she headed to the stage. As excitement kicked in, Christine Gonzales’ main concern was not to fall in front of all the photographers taking pictures as she was going up the steps.

Gonzales, a Mason student, was given what she calls an amazing opportunity to sing the national anthem at one of President Obama’s campaign events in Woodbridge, VA on Sept. 21.

“There were a lot of people from my back left all the way to as far as I could see. To my right, there was the American flag, huge. Behind me, it said ‘Forward’,” Christine Gonzales

said. “I took a breath, looked around and started the song.”

Singing has been part of Gonzales’ life since she was three years old.

Back in San Diego, where she was born and raised, she and her sister, Melody, were in musicals and community based theaters. For six years, she did mariachi. She also plays the violin.

Graduating next May, Gonzales entered Mason as a voice major for two years, but transferred to New Century College to concentrate in community and public engagement.

STORY CONTINUED PAGE 7

Social media is constantly becoming a more integral part of the way society functions. Many companies, institutions and universities are beginning to use social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, to connect to the world, including a wider base of customers and students. Mason recently became a huge player in this game with its implementation of the “Mason Nation Project.”

Mason’s new president, Dr. Angel Cabrera, was the brain behind the project. With the help of the university’s Office of Media and Public Relations, the project is now in full

swing. The idea was inspired by Sweden’s creative use of its Twitter account.

“The curators of Sweden are different every week and tweet on behalf of the country. Dr. Cabrera thought it would be really cool if Mason did something similar,” said Tara Laskowski, Mason’s social media coordinator and Office of Media and Public Relations senior manager.

Following this model, Mason gives a new person access to the Twitter account @GeorgeMasonU each week.

STORY CONTINUED PAGE 6

Professors Open Online University

Starting Oct. 1, a duo of Mason Professors will launch Marginal Revolution University, their new online economics university to the public PAGE 8

C4I Center Offers Research Opportunties

The C4I Center in the Engineering Department provides graduate students with on-the-job experience PAGE 5

Cross Country Takes Second

Mason’s revamped cross country team competed against some stiff competition this weekend at the Oatlands in Leesburg PAGE 13

2

Broadside

Oct. 1,10, 2012 Sept.

2012

Correction

In last week’s issue, the article titled “Green Patriot Lead Environmental Sustainability Efforts at Mason” by Chandler Jenkins was accompanied by two photos which were not credited to the correct sources. The first photo belongs to Mason Community Relations. The second photo should be credited to Barbara “Babs” Wallace of Mason Green Patriots. Also, the last quote that reads, “This coming fall, students can look forward to more Mason Green Patriot events, more hilarious and informational videos featuring Gunston and local environmental leaders, and more opportunities to learn about all of the great green projects happening on campus,” should be credited to Barbara “Babs” Wallace, the Assistant Engagement Sustainability Coordinator at the Office of Sustainability.

News

SUB I Quad to Host Diversity Programming

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education (ODIME) at Mason is hosting their annual fall event Cultural Fusion this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The office initiated the program in 2008 to encourage networking and celebration of cultural diversity on campus between university students and staff.

The event consists of three days of programming. On Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a variety of different departments, offices and vendors will have tables set up in the quad for informational purposes. Then from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., student organizations will take over the tables for both students and staff to browse through. On Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. a Field Day will be held on the SUB I Quad. Later in the evening, the Immigration Dialogues, an event that explores immigrant identities within the United States, will be held in the JC Cinema. Monologues, spoken word and poetry will all be a part of the program. Cultural Fusion will conclude on Thursday night with the Cultural Fusion Global Party Social at 8 p.m. in Dewberry Hall.

Separate from International Week that is held in the spring semester, the event is a way of including diversity programming into the fall semester. Any questions about the week’s programming can be directed to ODIME.

OFPS Plans Upcoming Family Weekend

C-SPAN Visits Mason

DAKOTA CUNNINHAM /CONNECT2MASON

In collaboration with Cox Cable, the C-SPAN Campaign 2012 Bus came to campus to educate students about the resources C-SPAN provides to voters.

150

The number of authors who visited campus last week to participate in the thirteenth annual Fall for the Book

Each fall the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services (OFPS) provides Mason families from across the country with the opportunity to get a sneak peek into life at Mason. With this year’s Family Weekend just a few weeks away, preparations are in full swing to ensure that both students and parents have an enjoyable weekend.

Family Weekend 2012 is being held from Friday, Oct. 12 to Sunday, Oct. 14. This three-day event is scheduled to include a little something for everyone.

The programs range from open house tours of various campus facilities to educational events such as a book presentation by author Zach Wahls on his memoir, “My Two Moms”. For those looking for a good laugh, “The Daily Show Live: Indecision Tour 2012” will provide Daily Show fans with a chance to meet the creative minds behind the incredibly popular Comedy Central show. A Zumba fitness class, outdoor yoga, an introduction to Latin Dancing, and a family oriented 5k are great ways to get active during the fun filled weekend.

All of the opportunities provided during the weekend are 100% optional.

Rebecca Scott, the graduate assistant for family programs within OFPS has been planning this weekend for months now, and she encourages all students and families to register for Family Weekend.

“It’s going be a great event,” Scott said. “It will give families the opportunity to connect with their students at Mason”.

To read more about the weekend and register, visit masonfamily.gmu. edu or visit the Office of Orientation and Family Programs Services in The Hub room 2500. Registration ends Friday, Oct. 5.

Arlington to Host Oktoberfest Beer Festival

Arlington, VA – Willkommen! Lift a stein and say “prost” in celebration of fall. Celebrating 20 years of brewing more than 200 different styles of beer, Capitol City Brewing Company will host its thirteenth annual Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest Beer Festival at The Village at Shirlington in Arlington on Saturday, October 6 from 12:00 noon – 7:00 p.m. (all beer taps close at 6:00 p.m.).

Capitol City Brewing Co. will serve traditional German favorites including bratwurst, sauerkraut and fresh soft pretzels and feature its popular seasonal selections: Oktoberfest Lager and Pumpkinator Ale. Liab’ und Schneid – the Mid-Atlantic’s premier duo for live authentic German Alpine music -- will entertain revelers with traditional dance music as they sample select hand crafted beers and enjoy food from a variety of local vendors and popular Shirlington Village eateries.

News

Broadside

Oct. 2012 Sept.

10,1,2012

OPINION

Weekly Schedule

Reacting to a Disaster: NFL Response Long Overdue It is commonplace in our culture to fight a major change, pretending hardships do not exist, until our world is shattered with tragedy. It is routine that we prey on those who lack experience, those who show weakness, instead of addressing the real problem with our culture.

Replacement referees were never the issue. It was the NFL that was the problem. It is our society, our culture, that is the problem.

The NFL and its referee dilemma became priority number one.

All members of the media – including political media – took a break from the 2012 Presidential Election and quickly turned their attention to asking both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney what they thought of the replacement referees.

Health Care, the War in Iraq and any other political platform were forced into the background.

Again, a microcosm of American media: entertainment before news.

Roger Goodell and the 32 owners of franchises across the league believed that officials were replaceable.

Despite the prominence of their multi-billion dollar league, the NFL decided

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Oct. 2, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012

Oct. 4, 2012

Academic Skills Workshop: Overview of Study Strategies

Career Fair (Wednesday/ Thursday)

Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone?

(Thursday/Saturday)

SUB I, Room 3129

Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall

de Laski Performing Arts Building,Theater Space, Room 105

4:30 p.m. 5:45 p.m.

MANNY ALFARO/BROADSIDE

For nearly 92 years, the National Football League has been the cornerstone league in all of sports.

Serving as an outlet for social activity, millions of fans across the nation gather with friends every Sunday. Until last season, at least in our generation, the NFL could seemingly do no wrong.

When the players were locked out prior to last season, football was marred but not yet tarnished. It was bruised but unbroken.

As this preseason progressed and the season got underway, television sets across the nation were finally changing channels.

Coaches, players, media and fans spoke out in protest of the NFL’s newest blunder: employing replacement officials.

Faces of the NFL, such as Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, contested that the integrity of the league was tarnished. Games in weeks one through three in the 2012-13 season will forever have an asterisk. They will forever put a sour taste in the mouths of so many fans.

Worst though, as difficult as it was to watch the referee saga, the occasions, any many ways, is a microcosm for the United States of America.

3

it was better to save a few bucks – while, in turn, providing a careless service to the masses – instead of giving loyal viewers the game of integrity that we have all come to love.

None of this was ever about the money. It was about pride.

The NFL refused to give in to the demands of the officials until tragedy – in the form of a game changing blown call – jeopardized their fortune.

As long as the NFL had their lucrative television contracts, the league would not address the issue of officiating until the roof came crashing in. They held their ground, saying the new officials had not yet decided an outcome – with emphasis on yet.

When avid football fans began changing their channel after last Monday night’s touchdown-interception debacle, the NFL scrambled to make a deal.

They rushed to the rescue of the most prestigious sports league in the United States, not out of pride, out of pure greed.

Shame on Roger Goodell.

Shame on the NFL. And shame on us.

STORY BY CODY NORMAN

11:00 a.m.

- 4:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Oct. 5, 2012

Oct. 6, 2012

Oct. 7, 2012

Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi (Friday/Staurday)

Football: Mason vs.

Williamson Tech

Aquila Theatre: The Taming of the Shrew

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC) - Field

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

8:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

4

Broadside

Oct. 1,10, 2012 Sept.

2012

News

Forum Educates Students on Voting

ALEXANDRA SUDAK/BROADSIDE

As Election Day approaches, Mason student leaders are making sure everyone is honoring their civic duty and registering to vote. Last week, several organizations hosted an event for the upcoming election.

On Monday, Sept. 24, the members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Student Government, Mason Votes and the Lead Office came together to conduct a voter’s forum for the student body. Entitled Kritical Konversation, the event took place in the Johnson Center atrium.

Some of the topics discussed were the state of the country, the importance of voting, the candidates’ policies and voter registration laws. In attendance were Sarah Cioce, Assistant Director of the City of Manassas and Richard Mattox, former Congressional Press Secretary and current adjunct professor at Mason.

Robert Hiter, senior communication major and member of Kappa Alpha Psi was one of the main people in charge of the forum.

He discussed the purpose of the event and why it was so important to students, especially those who fall between the ages of 18-20— what is referred to as the millennial generation. Students should encourage each other to vote because they make up 24 percent of the voting age population, he said.

“I think that was one of the biggest

Man on the Street “That would be awesome, especially for Ikes, because Ikes has the most amazing tuna melt, and sometimes I crave Ike’s during the day. It doesn’t open until nine, and nine o’ clock is too late to eat because you’re trying to be healthy.”

- Senior Maia Wise

“It sounds like a great idea, because honestly it sucks having Ike’s right there, and Pilot House over there, and they’re the only two places to eat at night.”

- Sophomore Charlotte Taylor

things that motivated us to meet up with Mason Votes, Student Government and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and get something like this done; to inform students about, you know, what’s really going on and how it’s their civic obligation to make an impact,” Hiter said.

This knowledge and encouragement is all a part of what Hiter terms as dismantling the barriers to voting.

“We want to be able to first start breaking that barrier by just [giving] them knowledge on what it means to be an American and what you have to do after that. [This] means going out to vote, going out to register and going out to encourage others to do the same,” he said.

Hiter said that the host organizations chose the Johnson Center atrium in order to reach people that they would not normally come into contact with on a daily basis. If they felt so intrigued walking by, they could join in on the conversation. Overall, Hiter believed the event’s expectations were met, but the task is not quite completed.

“I do think that we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to making sure that everyone gets to the polling booths on Nov. 6,” he said. “So, you know, just being able to use this as a launching point, or starting point, was really beneficial.”

Senior government and international

politics major Timothy Moorehead believed the conversation was a bit onesided. There was only one open Romney supporter, which did not balance out the discussion, he noted.

As a veteran voter, Moorehead is looking forward to voicing his concerns for a second national election.

“It means you have something to say,” he said.

He commented on how some people do not know that they are voting for the courts and other facets of government during presidential elections.

“You are the government,” Moorehead said.

Other students took part in the conversation and had wise insight as well. Some of the advice given was to not be influenced by the views of peers when deciding who to vote for and to remember to research the congressional candidates in each district.

To close out the conversation, Cioce presented the fact that there are a total of five names on the presidential ballot, not just Obama and Romney.

For individuals who are on the fence about the election, she suggested going to www.isidewith.com in order to see whose policies and ideologies are the best match for them.

STORY BY JESSICA SMITH

How do you feel about

“I’m all for it. I would love there to be more dining options around campus. There should definitely be more healthier [24-hour] options other than fries.” - Senior Jonathan Smith

“Giving people the option to eat junk food whenever they want isn’t any sort of healthy plan. If we had more healthier options, a nice cafe like Jazzman’s, keeping that 24-hours would be awesome.”

- Senior Johnetta Saygbe

News

Broadside

Oct. 2012 Sept.

10,1,2012

5

C4I Provides University with Unique Study Opportunities Those looking to not only bolster their resumes but also make an impact on a nationwide scale might be interested in the Center for Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence, otherwise known as the C4I Center.

Started in July 1989 by Dr. Harry Van Trees, the C4I Center, originally named the C3I since the computing component was not added until later, functions primarily as a research institute providing academic assistance to the U.S. military and other government agencies.

Van Trees graduated from the prestigious West Point Military Academy at the top of his class and worked a series of positions for the Department of Defense in addition to spending over a decade as an electrical engineering professor at M.I.T., so he had an extensive background in the military, government and technology that made him an ideal candidate to supervise the C4I Center.

“He understood that the military needed technological help that they could get from the university,” said Dr. Mark Pullen, C4I’s current director. “He was convinced that Mason was a good place to the center because it’s close to military organizations and because of its innovative approach to information technology.”

Pullen, who runs one of the laboratories at the center in addition to his administrative role, took over after Van Trees retired in 2005.

Although it is incorporated in the Mason School of Engineering, the C4I Center is purely a research facility. The center proposes

projects to government agencies that provide the funding and recruit people with the particular skill set and knowledge needed to complete the project.

Participants can include anyone from faculty members from the Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering, students working on their theses and researchers who are hired specifically for certain projects.

One example of a project that the center is currently working on is DAGGRE, sponsored by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency or IARPA. The project’s goal is to design instruments that can predict what will happen in the future by using a process called crowd-sourcing, which involves the collective input of a large number of people from across the globe.

The C4I Center has a tremendous impact on society outside Mason.

“We believe we have a good reputation in the larger community,” Pullen said. “We work on projects for government sponsors where they have something they need to get done, and they need our expertise to get help. We are an intelligence community that collects and processes information for the Department of Defense as they look for ways to do the job better.”

However, the C4I Center also has a more direct benefit for Mason students. It provides work for graduate students looking to gain experience in the information technology field,

and even undergraduates can help support the computers and labs.

One graduate student, Samuel Singapogu, who is currently studying for his PhD in computer science, joined the C4I Center after discovering it on the Internet.

He was attracted to many factors of the program, including its in-depth research in multiple areas like networking, modeling and geospatial analysis and its prominent, well-tested faculty. Not only did the center give him an invaluable educational experience, but he also saw his work being used for a larger purpose.

“My job at the C4I center helped me learn how to identify and articulate problems,” Samuel said. “I was used to questions and answers for tests but I did not know how to look at a system and identify and articulate a

technical problem. This has helped me even in my PhD program to read through research papers and identify problems. I have also learned how to approach a problem to solve it – to understand requirements, find necessary components, not re-invent the wheel and make things work.”

STORY BY AMY WOOSLEY

Mason Dining establishing more 24-hour locations?

“I remember last year if we wanted to go to Pilothouse, we’d have to be ready to wait in line for 30 minutes.

The long lines suck, and everything is two swipes, so maybe a cheaper 24-hour joint that takes meal plans.”

- Junior Jenna Lively

“I’m sick of the food already, and I’d like there to be more options for me to choose.

Especially at hours of the night when a lot of stuff isn’t open. If there was another option, that would be cool.”

- Sophomore Jordy Liberto

“I would like that because I like to eat at all hours of the day, especially at night.

I would really like to have salad or healthier choices, because I feel like the nonhealthy choices are only open at night.” - Freshman Mailey Shimon

“It would be a big deal if they even kept places open a few more hours, at least until 12. A lot of times it will be 10:15, and most of the places on campus you can’t get food at anymore.”

- Sophomore Mark Wisinger

6

Broadside

Oct. 1,10, 2012 Sept.

2012

Twitter Account Gives Voice to Mason Public

CONTINUED FROM FRONT “This project reflects the diversity of the university, but it also compliments the social nature of our new president.

Dr. Angel Cabrera is an avid Twitter user, and because of that, the Mason community has gotten to know him and his personality in a very unique way. We hope the same thing will happen with our guests,” Laskowski said.

The project also aims to reflect the diversity prevalent throughout Mason, as well as the many voices of various faculty and students.

To begin the project, the creators, including Cabrera, Laskowski and others from the Office of Media and Public Relations, selected a few people who they believed had the potential to successfully kick off the project. The first user was a Mason freshman, Sarah Gabrial Smith, who Laskowski found through Smith’s interaction with @GeorgeMasonU on Twitter prior to the project. The second user was assistant English professor and marketing director for the Fall for the Book Festival, Art Taylor.

Future tweeters can be nominated through a form found at socialmedia.gmu. edu. “All of our curators will be established Twitter users with strong ties to the university—current students, faculty, staff members and even alumni,” Laskowski said.

Taylor works closely with Mason’s Media Relations staff each year on the Fall for the Book Festival, so when they began to discuss the Mason Nation Project, he was intrigued.

“Given that I’m also a professor here and an alumnus, I

News

guess they thought I could offer several different perspectives for Twitter followers here,” he said.

Prior to becoming a curator for the project, Taylor was already greatly invested in social media through Facebook, his own Twitter page and his personal literary blog.

Taylor believes this project opens doors for students and staff to be more connected to the university.

“This project offers some fresh, on-the-ground perspectives that you won’t get from a press release. And while I know that no single student, faculty member or alumna/ alumnus can really capture the full Mason experience, I hope that the accumulation of different views will add up to a more comprehensive picture of life on campus and in the larger Mason community, and in the process, bring that community together,” Taylor said.

From the standpoint of a professor, Taylor does not yet know how this project will play into the academics of the university. However, in time it may open the eyes of students and faculty to new forms of communication and teaching.

“I’m not sure yet how this might build relationships directly with students in my classes this semester. Maybe there’s a humanizing aspect of the whole project: seeing each other not as students and professors but as people with a real life beyond the classroom,” Taylor said.

Thus far, the project does not have an ending in sight.

“The project is ongoing right now and we hope to continue to get nominations for people who would be great for this project,” Laskowski said. For now, the Office of Media and Public Relations project will be continuously taking nominations and anyone is encouraged to offer nominees.

STORY BY EVAN PETSCHKE

Follow @GeorgeMasonU on Twitter to keep up with this week’s new tweeter!

“Diversity Sucks” Event Held in Liberty Square On Sept. 25, Mason hosted an event called “Diversity Sucks” in Liberty Square in order to stimulate conversations about diversity amongst students.

The program was advertised by flyers posted around the Shenandoah neighborhood; the residents of Liberty Square were emailed directly by the event coordinators to participate in a discussion about diversity.

Khorey Baker, Assistant Director of Residential Education and spokesperson of the program, said that his role in the program is not to define diversity for the attendees but to inspire them to engage in candid and open-minded conversations about what they think diversity is.

Baker also said he is interested in bringing students together to create friendships and to help them prepare themselves to be

better global citizens after college.

As far as the name of the program goes, a resident of Liberty Square said that the title Diversity Sucks was designed specifically to capture the attention of people. He was right. Baker said that it is just a name to get a reaction. The reaction was quite clear as all the seats in the lobby were taken.

The program began with a brief introduction from Baker as well as the establishment of two ground rules: students will not be held accountable for what they express during the program and that they should speak honestly.

After asking students what diversity means to them, Baker repeated that his goal is once again not to define the word diversity for the students. He then showed a short YouTube video regarding diversity issues in

Australia.

After viewing the clip, students expressed what they think are positive or negative outcomes about diversity training both in and out of Mason. One student said that, if improperly trained, it could force people to think about others in a negative way.

Baker took it a step further and explained that despite the name of the program being used as an attention-getter, diversity does sometimes suck. An example would be when people do not take the time to think about the sensitive topic before approaching others. He also said that diversity sucks when an offended individual does not grant another the benefit of the doubt after being unwittingly insulted. Clarification is the key.

Towards the end of the program, Baker placed a strong emphasis on social justice,

which is a concept that centers on equality and solidarity while recognizing the values of human rights.

“If we are going to have a wide range of different students with different backgrounds, it should be the same within the faculty and staff as well,” said Sarina Stephenson, senior social work major. Stephenson believes that the people running the university are not quite as diverse as the students attending it.

Pizza and refreshments were provided for the students who expressed their overall satisfaction with the program by giving Baker and his colleagues a big round of applause.

STORY BY JUAN CAMPOS

News

Broadside

Oct. 2012 Sept.

10,1,2012

7

DOMINO’S GMU STUDENT DEALS Spec #1 One Large 1 Topping Pizza for $7.99 plus tax & delivery Spec #2 One Medium 2 Topping Pizza for $6.99 plus tax & delivery STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

Mason Student Chosen to Sing at Obama Campaign Rally CONTINUED FROM FRONT “I decided that I don’t need a degree to sing or to enjoy music, but I needed the knowledge and experience working with leadership, nonprofit organizations and the business sector.”

Gonzales said.

Community leadership is a part of her upbringing and her family. Her sister, Melody, is the Latino Vote director for the state of Virginia in the Obama campaign and suggested that Christine submit her name and a short bio to the campaign offices for the possibility to sing at the president’s event.

“I got the email confirmation the night before the event,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales also helps with registering citizens to vote, one of the activities organized by the grassroots movement that seeks to get the president re-elected.

After she found out she would be singing at the event, she did not tell to any of her friends.

Only 10 minutes before going on the stage she took an Instagram picture of her nervous face and posted with the caption, “I’m about to sing the national anthem for the president in

Woodbridge.”

She prefers to sing for a multitude of strangers, as long as there is no one she knows in the audience.

“I had a lot of people angry at me because I didn’t tell them,” Gonzales said. Those who saw the picture she posted responded with encouraging and supportive remarks.

Christine did not get the chance to shake the president’s hand. They came on and off the stage through different entrances and their paths never crossed.

“I’ve seen him speak. He is an amazing speaker; I would love a hug. But it’s not my time yet,” she said.

At the end of the event, she walked toward her car and amazingly people recognized her and stopped her saying what a great job she had done.

“Some woman stopped me and hugged me saying ‘I loved your song,’ Gonzales said. “That was the cutest thing.”

STORY BY SEFERINA LIRIANO

Spec #3 Two Medium w/ 2 toppings each for $11.98 plus tax & delivery (Additional toppings $1 each / Deep Dish $1 more)

(VALID FROM 9PM UNTIL CLOSE)

ONE LARGE 1 TOPPING PIZZA WITH STUFFED CHEESYBREAD

$10.99 plus tax & delivery

(Additional toppings $1 each / Deep Dish $1 more)

(703) 352-0990

8

Broadside

Oct. 1,10, 2012 Sept.

2012

News

Mason Professors Start Online Economics University Marginal Revolution University’s Plan

ALEXANDRA SUDAK/BROADSIDE

Economics Professor Alex Tabarrok hopes that MRU will be able to be integrated into the classroom.

Mason Professors Dr. Tyler Cowen and Dr. Alex Tabarrok, both economists and co-authors of the Marginal Revolution blog, have announced their plans to launch their very own Marginal Revolution University (MRU) on Oct. 1.

MRU will not only benefit Mason Economics students, but anyone with access to a computer.

Internet users across the globe who are willing to learn about economics will have the opportunity to become an MRU user.

As Cowen said in an email interview, “MRU will expand quality, access, and affordability to economics education. It will aid the Mason brand and make it more global. It will show Mason to be a hotbed of innovators, as it truly is.”

Cowen and Tabarrok have carefully engineered an eight point curricular plan for MRU, which can be seen to the right.

What makes MRU unique is that it is merely a learning module that can be used to create a MOOC. MRU will be simple and user friendly, therefore accessible for everyone around the world.

Accessibility is key to this project for success, and social media is playing a huge role, especially in this day and age. Not only will MRU be completely free, but extra material will be provided to those who are interested: the low bandwidth will make the module accessible on mobile devices for students or users on the go, with absolutely no advertisements.

Users will be able to keep up with class via Twitter or Facebook. Exams and quizzes will be offered to challenge users, and Cowen and Tabarrok have stated that video lectures will be subtitled in major

languages.

Work is not exactly necessary but users will be encouraged to submit content. On Sept. 5, Cowen and Tabarrok wrote on their blog, “We think education should be better, cheaper, and easier to access.

So we decided to take matters into our own hands and create a new online education platform toward those ends. We have decided to do more to communicate our personal vision of economics to you and to the broader world.”

As a student, this is the perfect opportunity for free education, something that should never be passed up.

Join today and learn about the first course Tabarrok has pre-prepared on Development Economics and find out why “some countries are rich and some countries are poor.”

Use the QR Code below for more information.

STORY BY ERICA JALBUENA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

The class’s core material presents what would normally be a 45-hour class in about fifteen hours, plus some additional material that is optional.

The average classroom video posted online will be slightly above five minutes.

Questions and answers, homework and tests will be provided throughout the entirety of the coursework.

Students will following some of the world’s leading economists, practitioners and writers on development economics on Twitter.

“Country Sections” will be added to the base core of material to broaden the spectrum of material covered and provided.

Users will be encouraged to submit content to the professors online including questions, documents, powerpoints and their own videos.

The material is intended to be of interest to users at all levels, regardless of professional or academic experience.

The program is not a Massive Open Online Course. It is a flexible learning module that can be used as a part of traditional course material.

Entertainment

Broadside

Oct. 1, 2012

9

OPINION

Nutrition Impossible: Green Colleen: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Even When on Campus

For many students, college is the first time away from home and their first real taste of freedom. It’s also the first time students do not get to sit down to a home-cooked meal every night.

While most colleges offer healthy eating options, students tend to reach for the faster, unhealthier options, which can quickly lead to the freshman 15.

Studies have shown that there are a number of reasons as to why students tend to gain weight at college, especially during their first year.

College is a whole new social setting, and our culture associates being social with eating. When meeting up with friends, students almost always go to get something to eat. Southside is popular because you can swipe in and spend the whole day there, doing homework and getting up to grab something to eat every once in a while.

Pilot House and Ike’s are popular for late night hang outs, giving students a chance to eat and chat early into the morning.

Meal plans are designed to give students a wide variety of options as to what they can buy and how many times a day they eat. With a meal plan, a student can decide to eat just twice a day, or several

times a day.

Because students do not feel personal responsibility for what they are spending when using a meal plan, they can abuse the system and eat more than they need to.

According to Lois Durant, the resident dietitian at Mason for the past nine years, students tell her that they have been teased by their peers for trying to eat healthy.

She also says that the lack of nutritional education in middle school or high school programs could contribute to unhealthy eating in college, when students have to adjust to making decisions about what they eat instead of just showing up for dinner like they are used to at home.

To help make healthy eating easier, Mason Dining is hosting the Whole Grain Challenge. The goal is to increase the intake of whole grains which have more fiber and B vitamins and are all around healthier than white bread or pasta.

For more information on this event, or for ideas on how to eat better at school, contact Durant for specific tips for eating healthy on our campus.

STORY BY TALIA WUJTEWICZ

Upcycling Cereal Boxes

Quick Tips

COLLEEN WILSON/BROADSIDE

Upcyled cereal boxes can quickly be transformed into desk organizers with a few quick cuts. Cover the boxes with colorful paper or paint to match your room decor.

Sugar rush: Cut out soda and sweets as much as possible.

The most important meal of the day: Eat a healthy breakfast as often as you can. During the week, Southside opens at 7 a.m.

Midnight munchies: Stay away from late night fast food binges.

Snack time: Stock up on some healthy snacks for your dorm room. The JC food court has a SimplyTo-Go station that has cups of fruit and veggies, salads, sandwiches.

Read up: There are plenty of blogs that focus on healthy cafeteria eating and lots of motivation.

It’s hard to believe, but we are already five weeks into the semester.

Almost all at once, the tests, readings and homework seem to have piled up, nearly crushing us under their weight.

Around this time each semester, I start to become untangled.

My laundry bin overflows, my hair is constantly in a messy ponytail and my desk becomes unrecognizable.

Buried under a mountain of paperwork, I can hardly find a place to set up my laptop and get some work done.

The environment is hardly conducive to a productive workspace. This week, I decided to shape up and get myself in order.

I threw my laundry in the wash, brushed my hair and sat down to attack my desk.

A short while later, I had a

full recycling bin and stacks of neatly organized papers.

The only trouble was that I still had no place to put them. Leaving them on my desk would only welcome the clutter back and stuffing the papers in the drawers would undo all of my work to organize them.

The solution was upright desk organizers designed to hold papers and magazines. The problem was that I didn’t have any.

A quick look through my recycling bin solved that.

I am a big fan of recycling papers, plastics, tin and other resources, but an even better option is upcycling.

Upcycling is the process of taking waste materials and transforming them into new products. This week, I found some old cereal boxes and got to work.

I cut the boxes at a slant and leveled the tops,

shaping them into the traditional desk organizer design.

Then, I covered both sides with patterned paper to hide the cereal box designs.

You can use old wrapping paper, magazines, newspapers or even paint the sides.

My new desktop organizers are now sitting in the corner of my neat and tidy desk, holding my papers for quick and easy reference.

STORY BY COLLEEN WILSON

10

Oct. 1, 2012

From Binding to Box Office

Broadside

Entertainment

Former Mason professor Matt Bondurant has book turned into movie Matt Bondurant caught his first break at Mason.

After moving back to his hometown in Northern Virginia, Bondurant began interviewing for part-time academic jobs but was hired as a full-time faculty in Fairfax, a rare feat for an aspiring author with no publications to his name.

“I was the guy with a Ph. D. and nothing else,” Bondurant said.

Despite a heavy teaching load consisting of four composition courses, Bondurant published his first book shortly after coming to Mason.

He immediately began working on his second book, efficiently using his infrequent free time to churn out another novel.

“You have to manage your time,” Bondurant said. “But the teaching schedule allows some flexibility.”

Because it is essential for an author to have numerous publications to his name in order to advance in the field of academia, Bondurant worked at an astonishing pace, publishing a book every three to four years.

“If I hadn’t been under the gun, academically speaking, I would have spent another year or two on most of my books,” Bondurant said. “But, on the other hand, after three or four years, I get kind of sick of one thing. I invest myself in a world for three or four years.

As soon as I’m finished, I leave it and move on to something completely different.”

Now at a point in his career when he can take more time between novels, Bondurant intends to follow the path of Jeffrey Eugenides and Jonathan Franzen, taking about 10 years to publish his next work.

Abnormal, perhaps, for an established author, Bondurant has written a handful of books, each for a vastly different audience.

While the style of writing – a blend of fact and fiction – remains constant, Bondurant has

You want to write a book that somehow changes the landscape a little bit. You want to put something out that seems like such a fresh, new take on something that books after that will ever be written the same again.

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

explored remarkably different subject matters and locations.

His first book, “The Third Translation” features an American Egyptologist in London while his newest book, “The Night Swimmer,” is a modern gothic novel based in a small town on the southern coast of Ireland. “The Wettest County” brings him back to the states during the prohibition era in Franklin County, Va. “I’m really fascinated by isolated communities and environments,” Bondurant said. “So [my work] is based heavily on research. I do write a lot about things that actually are.”

While the subject matter may seem scattered and unusual, Bondurant writes each of his novels for an ideal writer. Each of his three books has an intended audience and is,

oftentimes, focused on appealing to someone close to him.

“I was writing my first book for my graduate school friends. That’s why it is full of scatological humor and weird things,” Bondurant said.

“The second one was for my dad. It was to pay homage and to honor them in some way. ‘The Night Swimmer’ was a book I wrote for my wide. I wanted to write a book that she would just love; it’s more of a love story, a relationship story.”

Currently in theaters, Bondurant’s “The Wettest County in the World,” was turned into a film by director John Hillcoat and fields a cast of Shia Labeouf, Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce.

“The film is an honor of a kind,” Bondurant said. “But it’s a different animal than your book. It’s somebody else’s artistic vision based on my book.”

His goal, he says, has and always will be to write with the goal of earning an opportunity to publish another book. Like authors before him, he aims to write novels that will change the scenery of novels forever.

“You want to write a book that somehow changes the landscape a little bit,” Bondurant said. “You want to put something out that seems like such a fresh, new take on something that books after that will never be written the same again.”

STORY BY CODY NORMAN

Entertainment

Broadside

OPINION

A New Take On Prohibition

It is the rugged days of Prohibition, forcing many to take their drinking habits to underground establishments called speak-easies.

The 18th Amendment, far from saving the country’s moral compass, made for wilder parties and greater excess of alcohol consumption.

Moonshiners and bootleggers became the most loved, hated, revered and feared members of society.

While some law enforcement officers tried hard to do their civic duty, others were easily bribed, and in some towns they even attempted to take over the industry altogether for their own personal gains. In many of the largest distillery towns they succeeded, but not in Franklin County, Va. “Lawless,” a film based on the book, “The Wettest County in the World” tells the fictionalized story of what happened in the back woods Virginia county so many years ago. It is based on the true story of the Bondurant family, three brothers who were successful bootleggers.

When a special deputy from Chicago, played by Guy Pearce, comes into town, all of the other moonshiners in the area are quick to pay him off for the privilege of distributing their alcohol.

Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy) and his brothers Jack (Shia LaBoef ) and Howard (Jason Clarke) are the lone dissenters, refusing to pay the over quaffed city man.

The film’s incredibly violent depiction of the retribution that they incur and the war that ensues is visually arresting.

There is no hope of looking away as men are killed by flying bullets and flashing knives. Although it is difficult to feel empathy for Forest Bondurant at first, one can’t help but be in awe of him for his strength while facing almost certain bloody deaths.

His younger brother, Jack, is an idealistic boy trying to succeed and keep up with his infmaous brothers. It is fascinating to see the way his character builds as he deals with the violence and cruelty around him.

Whether you are a history buff looking for a movie based in the reality of Prohibition or a collegestudent looking to watch a good gun fight, this is a film worth watching.

Although it is no longer in theaters, wait for it to come out on DVD and in the meantime be sure to read the book that it was based on, “The Wettest County” by Matt Bondurant.

STORY BY EMILY BARTONE

Oct. 1, 2012

11

Book Review: “The Wettest County in the World” Historical fiction novel based on Prohibition has a personal touch In December of 1930, Jack, Forrest and Howard Bondurant were crossing a bridge with cars full of illegal moonshine when they were stopped by local sheriff deputies looking for trouble.

Historical accounts of the event are unclear, but the altercation quickly turned violent and two of the brothers were shot.

Decades later, Matt Bondurant, grandson of Jack, learned about the shooting and of the violent past his grandfather and great-uncles had experienced during Prohibition in rural Virginia.

“In contemporary society everyone sort of universally agrees that [Prohibition] was a bad idea,” said Bondurant, author of “The Wettest County in the World.” “It was a terrible idea, so the people who were breaking the law during that time are not seen as criminals today, they were just more like interesting people.”

The novel, which now sells under the title “Lawless” after the movie based on the same story, is a historical fiction about Frederick County, Va. during prohibition.

Though the storyline is fictionalized, the characters are Bondurant’s ancestors and their real-life associates that Bondurant spent years researching.

“My work is always heavily informed by research,” said Bondurant. “I write a lot about things that actually are.

Sometimes I will move them around or mess with them or sometimes I leave

them the way they are.”

The novel follows Bondurant’s grandfather and great-uncles, Jack, Forest and Howard, through their bootlegging business that helped make Frederick County the biggest producer of illegal alcohol during prohibition.

Bondurant pieced the story together with any transcripts he could find from the time period, mostly newspaper clippings and court documents.

To fill in the holes, he fabricated internal thoughts, dialogue and events that he felt were true to what he knew about the characters and the time period.

Bondurant uses split-narration and leaps between years from chapter to chapter, which is sometimes a little difficult to keep up with.

However, by being in the head of two very different characters, one deeply involved in the elusive bootlegging business and the other a reporter trying to crack into it, the culture of the time An old family photo of Jack Bondurant serves and area is richly explored. as the book cover for “The Wettest County in The book opens with a note from the World.” director of the film “Lawless”, discussing the glorified view of prohibition, a time in their description of violence and when American gangsters met the ideals death. of the Wild West.

As a microcosm of the prohibition and The time was far from romantic Depression era America, the book is a though. fascinating look at the culture and grisly Murder and extreme violence was all lifestyle of the time. simply a means of survival and times in Frederick County were tough.

STORY BY COLLEEN WILSON Be wary if you have a sensitive stomach, some of the scenes are jarring

@GeorgeMasonU

This week: Art Taylor

English professor, fiction writer, marketing dirctor for #FallFortheBook

12

Oct. 1, 2012

Broadside

Entertainment

OPINION

The Carouser Report: Carousing Safely

Broadside is taking a break next week, but make sure to look out for issue six on Oct. 12.

In the dodgy world of journalism, the search for the truth is a sought out commodity. Fortunately for you, I am chock-full of it.

Unfortunately, the powers that be see it otherwise. Like a stray scratching at the back door, the issue of college drinking is a permanent annoyance for those who have moved far beyond their college years.

They like to use statistics to mash down the peeping blisters that glorify the drinking scene. An awful tragedy weighs heavy in the truth game.

To that end, I can only say that for every horrific tragedy, hundreds are prevented by good folk who understand the phrase “Live tonight to party tomorrow!” The burden falls on us to keep each other safe.

In order to avoid the pithy, overchewed rhetoric you’ve already heard about responsible drinking, I suppose, as always, I should give you some practical real world advice.

It is a bad decision every time. Drunk driving is a ghastly sin. If you really need to get home, call a taxi, ride the bus, or call someone who hasn’t been drinking. However, staying the night is your best option.

Your bed will still be there tomorrow.

I’ve slept everywhere: on the couch, on the floor (wrapped in a rug), in a tree house, in a tub, outside, and even with a dog in his dog bed.

I’m like a drunken Dr. Seuss. But in the end, I woke up safe to enjoy my green eggs and ham.

Additionally, as a party host, you are

responsible for your guests. The art of stealing and hiding keys is no joke. I’ve hidden drunken guests’ keys everywhere: the desk drawer, between the mattresses, inside shoes.

I’ve even hidden some in the toilet.

There is no measure you should spare to prevent impaired driving. If you have to flush them, get on with it: lives were saved.

Know thyself. If you know Wild Turkey 101 isn’t something you can handle, don’t try chugging it like water.

Knowing when to stop is pivotal.

Yeah-yeah, we are a generation of excess, I know. Regardless, having an idea of what you can handle is important. Some people just aren’t built to drink certain types of booze.

Learn what you can handle, and go from there. I used to think I could put a whooping on a bottle of Jack Daniels.

Needless to say, Jack and I are still friends but we don’t hang out much.

Know where your peak is, and enjoy it.

No one really cares if you can drink 15 beers.

Acting a fool is bad form. As you get older, you’ll realize your years of experience in drinking have paid off. No one said you had to stop having fun.

However, it is easy to make the distinction between those who can handle their booze, and those who can’t.

At my place, we used to have an excellent rule. Those who came and made a fool of themselves were required to wear a badge of shame sharpied on their face the next day.

You walk a thin line when you get

wasted because no one wants to be the clown that everyone is laughing at, not with.

Take care of each other, always. In every group of friends, there are the mother types. God love ‘em. We can all take a lesson from their book.

Be there for friends when they’ve tipped the bottle a tad too much. The classic routine of making sure they are on their side, have water, and a safe place to stay goes a long way.

I promise they will thank you later.

If you get in over your head, call the experts. That three-digit number is there for a reason, and believe me, worst things have happened.

By its own nature, carousing relies on a group of drunken merrymakers to even exist.

We have to be a community that stands behind the well-being of all partiers. If we don’t, the nasty labels given to us will most certainly stick.

Cheers!

STORY BY DUSTIN POST

Brion’s Grille invites you to celebrate our 23rd Anniversary on October 8th

HALF PRICE MENU FROM 4-11!!

TRIVIA WEDNESDAY Weekly prizes!!

LUNCH BUFFET Mon-Fri 11:30-2:00 Half-Price Burgers ever Tuesday night!

PRIME RIB special every Fri and Sat night CHECK US OUT ONLINE brionsgrille.com BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH IN TOWN

Editorial

Broadside

Oct. 1, 2012

Broadside

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

Cody Norman, Editor-in-Chief

cnorman2@masonlive.gmu.edu

Colleen Wilson, Managing Editor Stephen Kline, Photography and Design Editor Elise Baker, Editorials Editor Aaron Locke, News Editor Alexandra Sudak, Assistant News Editor Emily Bartone, Entertainment Editor Bryan Dombrowski, Sports Editor Jennifer Miller, Assistant Sports Editor Sae Rynn Kwon, Copy Editor Michelle Minnich, Copy Editor Manny Alfaro, Cartoonist Kathryn Mangus, Faculty Advisor Jacques Mouyal, Business Manager David Carroll, Associate Director Broadside is a weekly publication printed each Monday for George Mason University and its surrounding Fairfax community. The editors at Broadside have exclusive authority over the content that is published.

OPINION

Socialization or Education

Mason exemplifies what many believe to be one of the best institutions of higher education in the world. Its respected observers continue to watch it grow and compete more and more with top tiered schools. The university teaches their slogan “Where innovation is tradition” through its classes that start at the 100-level all the way up to 400. Mason is providing its student body with an education that will place its students at a higher level than other institutions when they enter the working world.

What if I told you that the way to succeed is by attending class and being attentive? You would say that it is easy enough, but as soon as your phone vibrates, that world-class education suddenly becomes second to the threeword message.

This institution is filled with adults who are ready to take the next step in education, and to thrive in today’s ever changing world. Students are adults and can make their own decisions.

Specifically, this article pertains to the

freedom of texting in class. So make the choice, decide if texting takes a priority over a discussion that will help transition you from a student to a worker.

When you begin to text, does the class stop? I’m pretty sure that when your English 101 professor is in a lecture about how to create the perfect thesis for an upcoming essay, he won’t stop at the first vibrate sound. So you, the student, have the choice: answer or ignore the text. When the text is answered you miss the chance to write the perfect thesis that has been a struggle to create. When the text is ignored, your thesis will be much stronger in the next essay because the guidelines of a student to be attentive were followed.

Why are you here at Mason? Is it to socialize or to get an education? Now I don’t know how you’ll respond, but the answer should be education. In the new environment of college with so much more freedom and socializing than before, it can be easy to forget your main purpose for attending Mason.

Your parents are paying tuition for you

13

to attend class to expand your mind.

How would they feel about seeing the professor teach macroeconomics and you’re sitting in the back texting about what to get for dinner?

As a college student, you have the choice to text in class. Let’s not forget that this is an institution for adults to receive an education and more importantly make their own decisions. So go ahead, make that decision.

Just know that one outcome will be more favorable than the other when that choice is made.

STORY BY NATE FALK

Sexiled Island

BY MANNY ALFARO

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.

Want to share your opinion?

Contact Us

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.

Broadside

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.

George Mason University Mailstop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone: 703.993.2950 cnorman2@gmu.edu

14

Broadside

Oct. 1, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS Help Wanted

Help Wanted

JOIN AVON Need cash for books tuition or some fun$$? Ft/Pt-flexible schedule. Sell AVON/MARK on campus or to friends/ family.

Free website. Contact HEIDI THOMES HEIDIBURGAN@HOTMAIL.COM Text 571-281-5882 WWW.START.YOURAVON.CO M REFERENCE CODE: HTOMES

Occoquan, VA family looking for a live-out nanny to care for our sweet 3 YR old. Ideal caregiver will enjoy walks, games, crafts and songs. Hours will almost always be 9 - 4 on Tues/Thurs and 12:30 - 4:30 on Mon/Wed/Fri. Total would be 28 - 35 hrs/wk. Position requires reliable transportation, experience with preschoolers and English fluency. Non-smokers only. To apply, email: michelleleff@gmail.com

iOS Developer Wanted Well financed startup seeking talented iOS developer. Great salary, stock, benefits for the right person. Able to work around class schedule. Located in Herndon, VA. Call with any questions.

Email resume to Susan Donohue. FullCircle GeoSocial Network, Inc. 703-870-3228 x112 SDonohue@FullCircle.net

To place an ad in Broadside, call (703) 993-2880 or email classifiedads@ broadsideonline.com

Now Hiring Part & Full-Time

Do you enjoy working with children? The Compass School of Manassas (located one mile from GMU’s Prince William Co. campus) is looking for energetic, enthusiastic teachers to add to our team. The Compass School offers early childhood programs for Infant, Toddler & Preschool-age children, in addition to Summer Camp & After School for school-age children.

www.TheCompassSchool.com

9811 Godwin Drive ● Manassas, VA ● 703.331.1303 To apply: call, visit, or e-mail RRBryce@gmail.com

Editorial

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Math Matters Throughout the campaign season, I have constantly heard that the rich don’t pay their “fair share” and that the 47% percent of the country doesn’t pay federal income taxes. Quite frankly, it has gotten old and out of hand. The truth of the matter is that the rich pay well more than their fair share of taxes.

Those in support of Mr. Obama will continue to go around saying it’s an outrage that Mitt Romney paid 14.1% in taxes on the $13.7 million he made in 2011. That equals $1,931,700 he paid in taxes. Obama supporters will then state that someone who makes $60,000 pays too much in taxes at 15.5% or $9,300. Mr. Romney pays 207.71 times more than in taxes person who makes $60,000 a year.

Where exactly is he not paying his “fair share?” Some of you may recognize these numbers and that’s because I got them directly from President Obama’s Truth team on Facebook.

The other big thing that the Obama campaign likes to throw around is the fact that Mr. Romney isn’t in touch with the 47% of Americans who do not pay federal income tax. The truth is that 46.6% of Americans didn’t pay federal income tax and they really have no incentive to vote for a candidate that is going to cut taxes. Cutting taxes meanings social programs will have to downsize or be cut all together, so why would those 46.6% have any reason to vote for Mr. Romney? For the Obama administration to claim that Mr. Romney is out of touch with the American people because of this is hypocritical. If Mr. Romney is out of touch with the 46.6% who don’t pay taxes, then Mr. Obama is out of touch with the 53.4% who do pay taxes. No hard working middle class American wants their taxes to be raised for a program that they may never use like Welfare. Programs like Welfare are great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not something that one’s child should look forward later in their life. Honestly, welfare should have a time limit and encourage more people to work. The problem isn’t that there aren’t enough jobs, it’s that don’t want to work for less than they were before, but sacrifices are necessary to be successful.

Another thing to consider in this election season is something that will have

a major impact on the George Mason area. I fully understand that cuts have to be made in the federal budget in order to get the debt under control, but cutting defense spending is a major kick to the groan, especially for the Northern Virginia and D.C area. 130,000 jobs would be lost in the area, not exactly a great way to keep one’s promise of adding jobs. Not only would 130,000 people lose their jobs, but they would be forced to look elsewhere and possibly move away. The housing market in the area would take a major hit for anyone who doesn’t have the money to relocate their entire family. Other jobs would eventually suffer as well like retail since there would be less people with extra money to spend and the retailers would have to down size or shut down, causing even more job loss. I understand if one thinks cuts need to be made in defense spending since this isn’t considered war time, but those people should not be coming from the Virginia/D.C area.

President Obama has done a few good things during his term in office, but they can’t outweigh all the failed promises he made 4 years ago. William Bennett said it best, “If you think I’m being too hard on the president, let’s hold him to his own words and promises.” If one of your close friends ever lied to you or broke many of their promises, you wouldn’t trust that person again. So why are we going to trust Mr. Obama with four more years of our life, four years that will consist of paying off student debt and searching for jobs following graduation, four years that could determine whether or not we live the life we envisioned as high school students? Just ask yourself if four more years is worth losing an opportunity on your life goals and gaining a life of regret and sorrow? I sure as hell won’t risk it Andrew Nichols Where Are All the Fans?

Fellow students listen up! I know you’ve got exams, class, study, and social obligations. But I also know you are Patriots at heart. That’s why I implore you to get your rear end to a Mason men’s soccer match! As I write this they are ranked #20 in the nation (and climbing)! Do you understand what that means? Out of all the Division

I schools in the U.S., we are No. 20. Yes, your team!

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything about soccer, or even if you think soccer is boring (Which I promise you, college soccer is a whole different animal! Very exciting!). This comes down to supporting your fellow students, who work hard day in and day out to give you a product that you can enjoy. We want you to come with your songs, your cheers, your voices, your friends...anything!! Just get excited, get there, and support us! It’s really a shame when the opposing support is louder than the home crowd, especially when they live 100 miles away. You live next door! On top of that, it’s free for students with ID to enter! Take advantage! When we play at home we want...no!, we expect to have a pro-Mason crowd. So far, it’s happened only a few times.

So come out to Mason Stadium Wednesday, October 3rd at 7 pm to see us take on Hofstra. We start a 4-game home stretch that night and it’s long past time for you to show up! Show us that support. Cheer on our guys. Give us something more to play for! And thank you to those who do come - you know who you are and so do we. Don’t be so silly as to think that we don’t comb the stands as we sit across from you. No one goes unseen.

How loud can you get Mason?

Joe Gould Undergraduate Assistant, Men’s Soccer Response to “Martys for Mitt” I object to your self-victimization as a supporter of Mitt Romney. While I certainly believe that you have been criticized for your political ideology, you are far from a martyr. People tend to have varying opinions on this subject.

If you aren’t prepared for a few opposing remarks from those mean Democrat bullies, then maybe you should explore Canadian politics. I hear that our neighbors to the north are much more polite.

It sucks that people were rude and ripped down your sticker, but let us not pretend this is a one-sided conflict. This is politics and feelings get hurt.

Andrew Stevenson

Check out our new website at BroadsideOnline.com Follow Broadside on Twitter at @MasonBroadside Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/MasonBroadside

Editorial

Broadside

Oct. 1, 2012

For Every Reaction an Overreaction For every action there is at least one opposite overreaction. In both the Middle East and Southeast Asia, violent protests against an antiMuslim film posted on YouTube have been well-documented. While the film was very distasteful, killing innocent people definitely constitutes a gross overreaction.

United Nations. Since 1999, the OIC has been pushing for the UN to officially denounce blasphemy against religious figures.

Taking advantage of the horrid fallout from the film, the OIC has once again called upon the global body to denounce what they call the growing intolerance towards Muslims with an international code of conduct for media and social media to disallow the dissemination of incitement material.

While the OIC puts on a good

show about how great a global blasphemy law would be, its usage at the national level leaves much to be desired. Take Pakistan, a country that has had a blasphemy law since the days of British Imperial control. Ebrahim Moosa, professor of Religion & Islamic Studies for Duke University’s Department of Religion, stated in a Duke press release that Pakistan’s blasphemy law has ruined Pakistan’s reputation for decades.

“Several politicians who had petitioned for the reform of the blasphemy laws were assassinated in the past three years. Courageous religious leaders who called for the moderation of the laws have gone into self-imposed exile,” said Moosa.

According to Moosa, from 1986 to 2007, there were 647 cases of

blasphemy brought to Pakistani courts. Of those numbers, vigilantes killed 20 suspects and scores more were thrown in prison for years without trial. The reason why any international body would want to apply this track record globally will be left to individual speculation.

This is to say nothing of the disturbingly broad nature of what can constitute blasphemy, with religious expression and proselytizing being actions that could be banned. It’s bad enough that in most Middle Eastern countries, one can be legally prosecuted for leaving Islam; to give it an international legitimacy greatly harms any efforts in advancing religious rights in the region.

Like most ideological outrage, the outrage of the OIC over blasphemy

The Weekly Rant with Storm Paglia Student Government is supposed to “serve the students and needs of the Mason community” but that is not the case with Bill 4. Bill 4 is a disgusting waste of student’s money and completely unnecessary.

Let’s start out with some background on Bill 4. It was brought forward to the Student Senate to provide funding for a speaker at Take Back the Night, an event during Sexual Assault Services’ Turn Off the Violence Week. This bill allocates money for a specific speaker, Ben Privot from “The Consensual Project.” His website for The Consensual Project goes as far to say “I want to ____ you with my hard ___ until you ____ all over me” in one of the blog posts on “How to Talk Dirty.” I’m sorry, but it is absolutely ridiculous for Student Government to waste $250 on TEN MINUTES for this guy to speak. Let’s be real here: this is not an event that all Mason students will attend and is not even geared toward a majority of students.

I commend Sexual Assault Services’ Turn Off the Violence Week and the goal to end violence, but to waste our money on an event disseminating messages that not all of us may agree with is an injustice to students and should not occur. Student Government

is not the Student Funding Board.

Funding for an event or speaker like this is something that without a doubt should be going through SFB. This bill’s debate was pretty intense during the Senate meeting, and this very valid point, which I agree with, was raised.

According to the official minutes, Senator Cameron Burnette said, “I have nothing against the Feminist Student Organization, but this guy is a little out there. This event is not for us to pay the money for; there are other organizations on the accompanying resolution that can pay.” He’s 100% right: why can’t the Feminist Organization or someone else pay for this themselves?

I think the most ridiculous aspect of this is that he is being paid $250 to literally stop by for ten minutes and then run off on his “busy schedule.” That’s $25 a minute. Student Government has a starting budget of $20,500 per academic year. It’s absurd enough that $10,000 of that is spent on Gold Rush t-shirts, but at least that’s something tangible that students can actually get use out of.

The speaker is not going to have some magnificent words of wisdom that would change anyone’s life, so why not spend that money on

something the students can enjoy?

What I’m trying to say here is that Student Government should focus on the issues that students actually encounter, and use their budget to fund initiatives for all students, not just a small faction of our huge student body population, especially on crude and inappropriate events such as this one.

Shame on the Senators who brought this bill forward: they need to realize they can not recklessly spend our money with the initiative of not having any left at the end of the year because it does not roll over.

Be responsible.

STORY BY STORM PAGLIA

OPINION

is selective. While the OIC wants to use the UN to protect religious figures from ridicule because of a sacrilegious film, their efforts to stop the many lethal attacks on Christians in their member states are far less substantial. For example, there is Nigeria, an OIC member state that has an approximately fifty percent Christian population . Nigeria has seen waves of bombings on churches in its predominantly Muslim north. While OIC officials condemned the attacks, they have yet to introduce before the UN a measure to deal with the violence and Nigeria remains a listed member of the OIC, even with some calling for its removal.

One wonders what should be done. Morocco serves as a good example, with large numbers resorting to prayer rather than

OPINION

15

sporadic violence. Anger is just fine; it’s what comes of it that can be morally disputable.

For every action, there seems to be at least one overreaction. The violent protests were one overreaction. Another that could have greater long-term fallout is what the OIC seeks, which would harm both free speech and religious expression.

STORY BY MICHAEL GRYBOSKI

Know Yourself October is here once again.

Not only is this month known for the bringing of fall weather, football and Halloween but it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For those who do not know, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the annual campaign to raise awareness of the disease.

Many people are aware of breast cancer, but are not aware of the steps and ways to detect the disease, which in my opinion is most important. Being able to identify the symptoms and signs beforehand could help prevent the loss of many lives.

To start, it is important to know the symptoms and early warning signs breast cancer may have. These can include a change in breast skin or a lump in the breast.

Also, any change in how the nipple looks or feels should catch your attention.

Every person should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and any time an abnormality is discovered, it should be investigated by a healthcare professional.

Breast cancer can happen in both men and women.

OPINION

Performing a self breast-exam each month and looking for any abnormalities will help with prevention. Any changes should be discussed with a doctor or physician. Be sure to especially look for a lump closer to the armpit.

The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, meaning there is no way to prevent it.

However, there are many steps that may be taken to reduce the risks.

Knowing the symptoms and knowing your body and how it works can only benefit you in the end.

STORY BY ELISE BAKER

16

Oct. 1, 2012

Broadside

Running Down a Dream

Sports

Cross Country Host Home Meet The men’s cross-country team hosted its first and only home meet of the season in Leesburg, Va. at Oatlands, the team’s relatively new home course. The competition was fierce for the men as they placed second against top teams such as La Salle University, the favorite to win the Atlantic 10, and American University, whose assistant coach was Mason’s former cross-country assistant coach.

Andrew Gerard, who is in his eighth year as Mason coach, is the director of Track and Field and has completely revamped the cross-country program since he has arrived.

With experience at such prestigious schools as William & Mary and Stanford, he was able to put cross-country on the radar in Mason’s sports program.

“This year’s team is one of the most experienced and most accomplished teams I have ever coached at Mason,” Gerard said. “They could do some of the most unprecedented things ever done in the program. We have just

been putting the last few pieces together and I look forward to a strong showing this weekend.”

With six weeks until the end of the season, the team has been training extra hard.

“We have been pushing hard these last few weeks.

The boys are running around 60-110 miles a week,” Gerard said. “Each week, we have been doing a combination of long runs, tempo runs and race runs. The guys really live a Spartan lifestyle. They have to take care of themselves; they cannot be out until three in the morning like you hear famous athletes doing. The amount of water they drink throughout the day could be the difference between a good and a bad practice.”

Looking at past meets, Mason has placed second in the meet at William & Mary, who are the defending conference champions, and placed well at the meet in Richmond.

With the southeast arguably being the strongest region in the country, Mason competes with top

competitors. In the past, they have made it as high as second place in the Regional Championships.

This year, the Championships will be held in the second week of November in Charlotte, N.C. Gerard calls the Regional Championships the ultimate goal where they will hopefully place well and come out with a higher ranking than before.

“Talent means nothing without hard work, it is truly a blue-collar sport. Our athletes must be disciplined and committed to the lifestyle in order to be successful,” Gerard said. “The team is only as strong as its weakest player.

I could have my first four players place one through four, but if the fifth player places 267th, the team wins nothing. It is paradoxically one of the most individual yet team sports.”

STORY BY JORDAN CONAHAN MASON ATHLETICS

Senior Phillip Blankenship competes in the Mason Invitational last season, a meet in which he placed first and Mason had seven more runners place in the top 20.

Rise of the Patriots: Improvements in Athletics Athletic Director Tom O’Connor believes Mason’s athletic program is the model program in the CAA. The unforgettable Cinderella journey to the Final Four in 2006 started the beginning of a new era in Mason Athletics. Most recently named the number one Up-andComing University this year by US News and World Report, Mason is still feeling the effects of its historic underdog run.

Year after year, the sports program continues to thrive and gain more recognition. Currently, the cross country and soccer teams are ranked 9th and 20th, respectively, in the nation. Over the summer, four athletes from Mason represented the United States at the Olympics in London. Last year, Men’s Outdoor Track and Field won

the CAA championship while Men’s Swimming finished second place.

With a flourishing basketball team, yearly expectations are high once again.

“I don’t want to say it’s a roller coaster but we’re always on the upper level with our sports programs across the board; somewhat of a measure is the won and loss records of teams or championships but, you also have to remember that it is a complete program,” said O’Connor on the state of Mason Athletics.

“We don’t have any NCAA violations. We’re at a complete NCAA certification: the NCAA came in, which they do to every school in the country, and [reviewed] the program. We didn’t have to fix anything.”

Even with Mason sports teams on

the rise, O’Connor believes there is room to grow. However, it might not be your first guess as to what he thinks will bring the program to the next level: improving athletic facilities. Although satisfied with athletic areas like the RAC and Aquatic Center, he thinks other facilities still need some work.

“We have great coaches. We have great athletes. Some of our facilities are terrific but some are not up to speed. We know that and we want to make that a priority,” he said.

Mason is certainly on the right track to reaching that next milestone. New scoreboards, handrails, an extension of the hospitality room and renovations in the men’s and women’s locker rooms have all been a part of recent renovations of the Patriot Center. The Field

House is going to start undergoing renovation next spring to create a Center of Sports Performance. This will include a rehab area, training room, exercise room, nutrition room and weight room for athletes.

Renovations to the baseball, soccer, lacrosse and track areas are also becoming a focus.

The biggest project is the West Campus Connecter, a road that will run from West Campus going under Rte. 123 to East Campus near the RAC. “We want people to say, ‘wow, that’s really a neat place’,” said O’Connor, referring to the future motorists on the West Campus Connect, also known as Campus Drive.

The project is expected to be completed by November 2013 and

will provide a drive-by at some of the Fairfax campus’ premier athletic facilities, including the Field House area and the RAC. Standards for the Patriots are set high and it shows through the awards, recognition and even spirit of the students. As seen just by walking around campus, the student body is more supportive of its sports teams than ever before. The Patriots have their sights set on the next step toward improvement; it is just a matter of time, but for now, but O’Connor likes where the program is headed.

“When you take a look at the breadth and scope of the whole program,” O’Connor said. “We’re in pretty good shape.”

STORY

BY

JAMES

ZEMBRISKI

Sports

Broadside

Oct. 1, 2012

Mason Club Takes Hockey to New Depths Mason is home to the highest ranked college underwater hockey team in the nation. The team placed 10th overall out of several adult, club and college teams at the national tournament this past spring.

This semester, they are looking for recruits to replace graduating players, five of whom have gone on to play for the U.S. national team.

Underwater hockey is more than just the subject of a random factoid mentioned on tours to prospective students; it’s a full fledged team that is part of a growing national community.

Having originated from the United Kingdom in the early 1950s as a game called Octopush, underwater hockey has slowly been on the rise for the last half century. It has also found a home at Mason.

The sport is similar to its icy counterpart except it is played in eight feet of water and does not require a goalie. From above the waterline, it looks like feeding time at the aquarium, but under the water, it is a scene of precise passing, swift swimming and intense play.

“Everyone should come out for one day and try it. I thought it would be a lot less interesting, but I came out and loved it” freshman Cody Spraker said.

Spraker had plenty of options for student organizations to get involved in on campus. However, Spraker said that after running track and cross country in high school,

he wanted to try something really different; he found that with underwater hockey “It’s a one-of-a-kind sport. The only 360-degree sport,” said Dan Yocum, club President. “When a player has the puck, an opponent can come at you from any direction: left, right, in front, behind, above or below,”.

Senior Chris Fischer explained how the game has a steep learning curve, but is actually just like a lot of other sports, particularly hockey and lacrosse. Offensive strategy focuses on passing the puck between mids and attackers around the defense’s perimeter until a hole is made, or until the other team synchronizes its breathing incorrectly.

The sport largely revolves around communicating when a player is ok to stay underwater or when he/she is in need of air. Players often cycle from the surface to the bottom in intervals ranging from 10 seconds to a minute. This playing technique is the first wall that new players have to overcome. “[During] the first week, [new players are] often just sucking down air the whole time, getting used to playing in the equipment. But quickly after, [they] start picking up on things,” Fischer said.

Fortunately for the players, the club provides all the equipment, including sticks, pucks, snorkels, gloves, flippers and masks. The only item a player needs to bring is

17

PHOTO BY: BRITANY MANIGLIA

Key to a succesfull drive is a combination of speed, lung capacity and tenacity to endure a defense’s barrage a swimsuit.

The team practices on Tuesdays from 9 to 10:30 p.m., Fridays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Sundays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the competition pool of the Aquatic and Fitness Center.

The team features both guys and girls from nearly every athletic background, which is a huge factor that contributes to the team’s success.

“If you can float, you can play underwater hockey,” Fischer said.

The team sent five rookies to nationals this past year and even more to away tournaments all over the continent. They have traveled

to Florida, California, Canada, Michigan and Illinois. The team travels by van using its club funding to cover travel expenses.

To gather some interest for new players, the team is hosting a tournament on Oct. 20 at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Teams from near and far, including George Washington University, the University of North Carolina and Michigan State University, will come to participate and give new players a chance to meet other rookies and returners.

On such a competitive position on

the national level, this tournament will play a big role in foreshadowing how the rest of the year may pan out.

Fischer, Yocum, and Spraker encourage anyone to try out and say that it’s never too late to start. It’s a fun form of exercise and it can make for a really unique conversation starter. Be sure to check it out.

More information on the club can be found on their website at: www. gmu.edu/org/uwhockey/ STORY BY BRYAN DOMBROWSKI

Fitness Tips and Facts for Women For all the noobs who have not been to the gym that often, there are several unsaid rules that most people follow.

Certain things scream out “I am here to stare at myself.”

For example, many guys who lift prefer to wear cut off shirts in order to give their arms some room to move around.

However, when you cut the shirt past the point of practicality and are walking around in something less than a rag, you have gone too far. Yes, we other gym-goers recognize that you have nice abs and very large arms, but please put some clothes on.

Although it may be tempting to take pictures of how much weight you are lifting, or how many minutes you lasted on the elliptical, pictures of your amazing gym feats are not necessary. It just makes you look like an attention seeker. The most effective way to demonstrate that you have been working out is to have a fabulous body, so save the photos for more appropriate occasions.

Another important tip to not be that guy or girl at the gym is to be respectful of others around you. First off, please prepare yourself for sweating, which means put

on some basic deodorant or other smell-enhancers. No one enjoys deeply inhaling foul body odor, especially if it is for long periods of time.

Also, if you know you are the type of person that sweats buckets, come prepared. The gyms on campus provide towels for $1, but there are also some fabulous free paper towels conveniently located in the bathroom.

Another respectful move is to share the machines and equipment. If you notice someone is waiting to use the chest press, maybe do one more set and come back if you aren’t finished. Do not be

that person who sits around all day zoning out on one of the benches.

Finally, and most importantly, please do not be a creep. A majority of people at the gym are there to do one thing: exercise. I have never once attended the gym in order for others to stare at my butt. Almost everyone has a wandering eye at the gym now and then. That is perfectly normal. However, when you start following someone around or staring intently at a specific individual, please restrain yourself.

Sure, that dude in the corner might be ripped and

has a beautiful face, but he might actually be at the gym to work out. Feel free to creep after you leave the facility, but until then, keep your desires in your head. Maybe you are staring at someone because the exercise move they are doing might be a tad bit strange, or they look quite awkward on that one machine, but please try not to judge.

Different things work for different people, so if someone is doing a stretch move that might look a little awkward, don’t bother them.

Everyone looks a little strange while working out now and

then, so just focus on what you are doing and the gym will be a better place.

STORY

BY COLLEEN ZIMMERMAN

18

Oct. 1, 2012

No Lockout for Club For the second time in eight years, the NHL is in the midst of lockout due to a dispute over the Collective Bargaining Agreement but the GMU Capitals Fan Club is not letting the stalemate affect the growth of their club.

Whether you see the group’s information in chalk written on the sidewalks, painted on the cubes outside Southside or on Facebook, the fan club is always trying to spread the word about Mason’s most dedicated group of Caps fans. The club may bleed red, white and blue but it is open for hockey fans of all levels to join.

“Once you see your first hockey game, you are a fan,” said Rachel Hart, the club’s president and founder.

During the season, they meet to watch games at the Rathskeller, organize giveaways for Caps gear and work to establish group discounts to Caps games. However, with this season being delayed with each passing day, the group searches for alternative ways to be active. Aside from advertisement and club meetings, they already have organized a trip that is for five dedicated hockey fans to travel to the American Hockey League Winter Classic this winter to see the Hershey Bears play the Scranton Penguins.

The club’s commitment to spreading their name has carried over to the local community as well. They have volunteered with the Capitals to participate in two community

Broadside

Sports

projects already this semester.

The first, Playground Design Day, was a program organized by Capital Mike Green’s So Kids Can, Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority and KaBOOM! to build a Caps-themed playground in Alexandria.

Along with many volunteers, including the GMU Capitals Fan Club, Caps players Brooks Laich, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green, the new park provides a safe place for kids to play and exercise. The second event was part of the D.C Public School’s Beautification Day. Volunteers, along with the Capitals, went to D.C. to work on exterior and interior projects PHOTO COURTESY OF GMU CAPS FAN CLUB Rachel Heart and Evelyn Oborny at a playground they helped build from the ground for schools.

“We clean up, put together goodie bags up. Students can be involved in these events by joining the GMU Capitals Fan Club. for kids, paint murals on the wall and stuff like that. It gives Caps fans a chance to be involved in the Capitals community and hockey fan. Whether they are playing or not, firmly established.”

Hopefully the NHL and its players can meet players, which is one of the initiatives to you still love your team,” Hart said.

Season or no season, Hart wants the club find a solution so fans do not have to see a get fans to come out,” Hart said.

As for the lockout, the NHL canceled the to remain as a group of dedicated members repeat of the 2004 lockout when the entire season was canceled. Missing another entire preseason last week. Like many of us, and to keep growing.

“I really want people who are not just Caps season of bone-crunching hits, unbelievHart is unsure about what is going to happen.

“I don’t want to say that the lockout is defi- fans, but hockey fans in general, who really able saves and mind-blowing goals within a nitely going to happen but there’s probably a love it and are invested in the group. There decade is torture for hockey fans. The GMU good possibility because players are signing are lots of places on campus where you can Caps Fan Club will be ready to cheer on their say you have 200 members but you can’t Washington Capitals if and when an agreeoverseas,” said Hart.

She believes that the fan club will be the even name five,” said Hart, explaining the ment is reached. importance of dedication. “I really want us to strong no matter what.

“The Mason students have been great. become a little Mason community of Capitals STORY BY JAMES ZEMBRISKI When you are a hockey fan, you are always a fans and for when I leave the group to be

Vote for Jordan Baird to win a $1.5 million recording contract this week on “The Next.”

Shows air this week on The CW:

Tuesday, Oct. 2 9-10 p.m.

Finale Thursday, Oct. 4 8-10 p.m.

#TeamJordan

Sports

Broadside

Oct. 1, 2012

19

Passing the Torch: Club Seeks New Players Three years ago, Mason’s bowling club made it into the postseason for the first time.

This may not seem like a huge deal, but for a club team to qualify and hold their own against NCAA teams is rare.

Only two of the players from that team remain. They are looking to make it back this year and ensure that the club will continue to last after their departure.

“I believe we have a shot, especially in years to come as well. Most players are freshmen and sophomores and some have real talent: in a few years, we could make the playoffs constantly,” said Billy Symanowski, the club president.

During our interview, Symanowski mentioned that he has been managing a lot of different aspects of the team and is looking to start training someone to eventually fill his position.

While Symanowski is looking for a potential leader amongst his current players, he and coach Bryan Mehio are looking for more players to fill up the team’s roster.

“We don’t shy away casual bowlers. If anyone wants to come out with us, they are more than welcome,” Symanowski said.

The team practices at Bowl America Bull Run in Manassas, which is a little far for students living on campus but the team coordinates rides to drive out anyone who is interested.

“If someone has their own transportation, we practice Sundays from 6:30 to 9pm, usually on the higher number lanes. The desk staff knows us and often we are in some Mason gear,” Symanowski said.

However, before you decide to stop by, the club asks that you contact them first at GMUBOWLINGCLUB@ Gmail.com.

At practice, Coach Mehio is there to help train and teach players, but the club is also hands-off once you are on the lane.

“It is important to let each bowler do their own thing.

Bowlers have a routine from pick-up in the approach to the throw. I knew a guy who used to meditate before each game in the lanes,” Symanowski added.

While practices are laidback, bowling tournaments can get very heated and intense.

“William Patterson University usually gets us fired up. As one of the top

NCAA teams, they think they are good and can get a little rude. When we do well, it pisses them off; they brush us club teams off and we step up.

It’s great to smoke an NCAA team,” Symanowski said.

The team has some friendly rivalries and is close with the team from Pennsylvania State University and often ends up cheering for them.

Surprisingly, it is the women’s teams that get the most into the games: they break out into chants and cheers. Mason currently plays with a coed team because they do not have enough players to form a men and women’s team (five players each). Ideally, they would like to have both but have to work with how many players they have come out.

If Mason ever hopes to return to the playoffs this coming spring, they are going to have to place well in the fall and winter. The season is year round and the team practices even when school is not in session. Points are awarded for beating teams and a huge way to earn some is at a tournament held in New York each year. It is four days of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. bowling where wins are worth double.

There are also plenty of

BRYAN MEHIO

Bowling Club poses in team gear at Bull Run, their long time home field and practice location in Manassas regular value tournaments that the team attends in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The club also hosts their own home tournament towards the end of October each year.

“We are dedicated to Bull Run. Administration pushes us towards other

alleys, but there’s a lot of other things going on and we can’t abandon this alley,” Symanowski said.

The players, Coach Mehio, and Symanowski are all hoping to make it big this spring and in coming years.

Bowling is the most popularly

FREE TICKETS FOR MASON STUDENTS! MFA THESIS EXHIBITION: AMBER RHODEY October 1-5 Free FG WHERE HAS TOMMY FLOWERS GONE? October 4,5,6 at 8 p.m.

October 6,7 at 2 p.m. $15 adu., $10 stu./fac./sen. TS 1 Free Ticket per ID Avail. NOW MUSIC FACULTY ARTIST SHOWCASE October 5 at 8 p.m.

Free HT ROYAL DRUMMERS AND DANCERS OF BURUNDI

October 5 & 6 at 8 p.m. $23, $38, $46 CA October 7 at 4 p.m. $30, $38, $46 HC 2 Free Tickets per ID Avail. NOW

STORY BY BRYAN DOMBROWSKI

AQUILA THEATRE - The Taming of the Shrew October 7 at 4 p.m. $20, $32, $40 CA 2 Free Tickets per ID Avail. NOW

VIRGINIA OPERA - The Pearl Fishers October 12 at 8 p.m. $44, $72, $86 October 14 at 2 p.m. $48, $80, $98 CA 1 Free Ticket per ID Avail. Oct. 2

BROADMINDED ON SIRIUSXM RADIO A live morning drive time broadcast October 16 at 8 a.m. TS 2 Free Tickets per ID Avail. Oct. 2

MFA THESIS EXHIBITION: DEVON JOHNSON October 8-12 Free FG

AMERICAN FESTIVAL POPS ORCHESTRA Pop, Rock, Country, Jazz!

October 13 at 8 p.m. $30, $38, $46 HC 2 Free Tickets per ID Avail. Oct. 2

MASON WIND SYMPHONY & FAIRFAX WIND SYMPHONY Fall Concert October 16 at 8 p.m. $10 adu., $5 stu./sen. CA 1 Free Ticket per ID Avail. Oct. 2

EXHIBITION: Manal Deeb, painter October 8-19 Free FG

MASON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA October 14 at 4 p.m. $10 adu., $5 stu./sen. HT The Artists and Art in an Era of Interconnected 1 Free Ticket per ID Avail. Oct. 2 Globalization - Elaine King, speaker October 11 at 7:30 p.m.

MFA THESIS EXHIBITION: SUZANNE DESAIX Free HT October 15-19 Free FG VISUAL VOICES SPEAKER SERIES

CA Center for the Arts FG Fine Art Gallery HC Hylton Center HT Harris Theatre TS TheatreSpace

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

Center for the Arts

played sport in America and students like Symanowski want to ensure that it remains a part of the club sport culture here at Mason.

FAIRFAX

STICtuKdEeTnSt FREE

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

Hylton Performing Arts Center PRINCE WILLIAM

20

Oct. 1, 2012

Broadside

Sports