Mastodon, Deftones and Alice in Chains gave ‘90s fans a reason to be at the Patriot Center yesterday night. See why our reviewer thinks the bands were every bit as good as they were in their heyday.
PG. 4
George Mason University’s Student Newspaper www.broadsideonline.com
September 27, 2010
Volume 87 Issue 5
Fearless
Photo By Peter Flint
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets look on as a man rappels down the side of Fenwick library last Friday. Rappelling is a core training exercise for ROTC cadets, however interested students were also allowed to try rappelling down the library.
GMU students, ROTC cadets rappel down side of Fenwick Library Mohammad Chowhan Broadside Correspondent Two by two, Patriots scaled Fenwick library. The 90-foot western wall provided an intense training exercise and exhibition for Patriot’s Day at George Mason University. Rappelling is a core training event for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. “This training teaches students [cadets] how to challenge themselves and trust their training and leaders,” said Major Paul Kremer, the professor of Military Science at the Patriot ROTC
Battalion. This training was not limited to cadets of the Patriot battalion. Anyone willing to sign a liability waiver could rappel. “This is a chance for students to experience something different and to see if they are interested in the army,” Kremer said. “There are a lot of smiling faces, and that is what we’re looking for.” Rappelling is an inherently dangerous activity. Safety was a paramount concern. Before anyone was allowed to get near the ropes they were instructed on safety procedures, how to tie their “swiss seat” harness and inspected by the staff at several stations, Kremer said.
Photo By Mohammad Chowhan
The event drew a large crowed of onlookers, and those who wished to sample the ROTC experience. “It was a chance to do something fun,” said freshman Nick Nicholson. “It was kind of a rush.” Once at the top, many students timidly rappelled down the brick wall face, while the more experienced ROTC cadets quickly made their way down the wall. “I would like to see more stuff like this,” said freshman physics major Eduardo Roca. Roca lost his shoe as he descended Fenwick. “It was intense,” Roca said. “Once
you’re at the edge, the nervousness and tension builds and climaxes.” For every one person who passed on this experience, there were three who eagerly jumped at the chance to rappel the wall. “How often can you rappel off a building?” said Kelsey Riley a junior majoring in tourism and events. She recruited her friend Lian Todd a junior majoring in psychology to join her descent. The fact that this training coincided with Patriot’s day was coincidental, but extending the exercise for another day — in order to invite more
Photo By Mohammad Chowhan
people to rappel — was intended to capitalize on exposure. “It helps get our name out there, and helps with school relationships,” said Erin Dailey, a senior majoring in government and international politics who serves as the cadet Battalion Commander. “It lets all the students see what we do.” About 51 students expressed interest in joining ROTC next semester, Dailey said. The organization touts scholarships and job security for future second lieutenants in the United States Army.
Photo By Peter Flint
Students and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets look on as students and ROTC cadets rappel down a building last Friday. Students were invited to rappel down Fenwick Library last Friday as part of an ROTC training exercise. “This is a chance for students to experience something different different,” said Major Paul Kremer, the professor of Military Science at the Patriot ROTC Ba alion.
Zipcar returns
Car-sharing service to offer rentals at Fairfax, Arlington campuses Gregory Connolly News Editor
Photo By Nicole Francisco
Zipcar, a car rental service, is now available to George Mason University students.
Zipcar, the popular short-term rental car service, is now available for members of the George Mason University community. “The Zipcar program as a whole is really aimed at providing people who don’t have a vehicle but occasionally need a way to get around,” said Josh Cantor, director of parking and transportation at Mason. The service costs $8 per hour and $66 per day to rent one of the four vehicles – two Toyota Priuses and two Scion XBs – assigned to Mason. Two vehicles are available at the Fairfax campus and two at the Arlington campus, Cantor said. “At Mason, we are always looking for new ways to innovate,” Cantor said in a press release. “By bringing Zipcar to campus, we are continuing with this tradition and offering students, faculty, staff and the community a new and greener way to think about transportation on campus, in
a hassle-free and economically friendly way.” In order to become a “zipster,” Mason community members can visit http://www.zipcar.com/gmu. There is a $35 annual fee for the service, though free annual memberships are available to departments for business use. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is open to all students, staff and faculty ages 18 and older. “Zipcars are well used in very urban environments,” Cantor said. He said that the on-campus population is a smaller version of the urban environments in which Zip-car thrives. Gas is included in the rental fee along with a reserved parking spot and roadside assistance, according to the press release. “Having a car on campus isn’t cheap,” Matthew Malloy, the vice president of global university operations for Zipcar said in a press release. “Parents and students have to think about the additional expense of parking, gas and maintenance.” Cantor said the Arlington campus
had a contract with Zipcar in the past but it was not renewed when it expired since Zipcar was going through an internal reorganization. “We were looking at bringing back a car-sharing vendor,” Cantor said. He said a Request for Proposal was considered, but it became unnecessary when University of Virginia signed a contract with Zipcar that Mason was able to become involved with. The contract lasts for three years and includes the four vehicles, though the contract allows for more vehicles on the two campuses if needed as well as a possible expansion to the Prince William campus if the demand is present. Cantor said the next few months will give an idea of the demand for Zipcar at Mason. Zipcar is present at more than 200 campuses, including Old Dominion University, College of William & Mary, UVA and Virginia Commonwealth University. Zipcar offers an iPhone application that allows users to reserve a car, honk the horn and unlock the doors remotely.