Broadside: Issue 4

Broadside

Sep. 24, 2012 Volume 89 Issue 4 BroadsideOnline.com

@MasonBroadside Like us: Broadside

Declining state funding necessitates steady rise in student tuitions to combat unpredictable economy PAGE 5

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

Farewell from the Scherrens

Mason:

No. 1 Up and Coming University in the Nation Obama Campaign Touches Home in Woodbridge On September 21 President Barack Obama made a campaign stop in Woodbridge, Virginia where he pitched his vision for the country over the next four years.

According to Lt. Dave Cooper, Fire Marshal for Prince William County 12,000 people were in attendance at G. Richard Pfitzner stadium home of minor league baseball team the Potomac Nationals where President Obama spoke. This campaign event marks his 42nd stop in Virginia since taking office. In 2012 alone he has visited the Commonwealth 13 times.

Before taking the podium the supporters heard

Budget Forecasts Minimal Growth

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

After a combined tenure of 45-plus years, Dr. Morrie Scherrens and Dr. Sandy Scherrens say goodbye to their Mason family PAGE 10-11

Former Basketball Player Takes Talents to LA

from a variety of speakers. Starting things off was George Mason University student Christine Gonzales who performed the national anthem.

Following Christine was Jill Borak, a Woodbridge resident and member of OFA-Virginia. She told of the struggles and hardships she and her husband faced in the past. She explained to crowd how she believed the president’s policies helped her family through tough economic times. After Jill came Democratic Senator and former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner.

Jordan Baird has been teamed up with Joe Jonas on the CW’s “The Next” PAGE 13

STORY CONTINUED PAGE 4 STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

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News

C-SPAN plans tour bus visit at Mason

C-SPAN announced last Wednesday that their Campaign 2012 Bus would be touring around Virginia and visiting several universities, including Mason and Northern Virginia Community College.

The visit to Mason will be on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 1:30-3 p.m. The goal of the bus’ stop at Mason is to speak with students about campaign programming and resources, and to discuss student thoughts and opinions on the upcoming election.

C-SPAN representatives will encourage student participation by asking them to comment on the issues they find most important in a fifteen second video taken using a smartphone.

These videos will be uploaded to an internet database using Tout, a video-based social media service. The bus that will be stationed at Southside Plaza is designed to highlight the several resources C-SPAN provides to help students understand the effect of media on this campaign and other politics in America.

App for College Student Discounts

The University Network (TUN) announced the release of Deal Finder, a free mobile app that helps college students save locally.

Now available in the App Store and on Google Play, TUN’s Deal Finder app helps students find nearby deals on the goods and services they regularly spend money on.

With over 12,000 participating merchants nationwide, Deal Finder provides local deals and discounts offered around more than 600 college campuses, including Mason.

TUN has been helping students save with its website TUN.com and now students can access the same deals and discounts while on the go. With this app, students will always be in the know of what deals are available to them, whether it is a few dollars off at the local pizza place, 20 percent off at a retail clothing store, discounted bowling rates, or 25 percent off haircuts.

Celebrate Mason’s Future with President Cabrera

Puppy for President

STEPHEN KLINE

At the Obama Rally in Woodbridge last Friday, a service dog was one of aproximately 12,000 supporters.

$61.4

The number, in millions, that the university budget increased this year

President Cabrera will be speaking at the JC in Dewberry Hall on Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, at 11:30 a.m.

Cabrera will speak to his vision for the future for Mason and take questions from attendants. The event will provide a great way to network with not only the president but also the faculty members, staff, and students that will be in attendance.

According to Rose B. Pascarell, Associate Vice President of University Life “’Celebrating Mason’s Future’ is a great opportunity for students to come out and have their voices be heard. Dr. Cabrera asked students to get involved and be active members of the Mason community when the semester began -- well, this is a key moment for students to participate in a conversation on the future direction of the university.”

For those who cannot physically be in attendance, the event will be streamed online at Capitol Connection. The program does not require an RSVP so all students are encouraged to come out and celebrate the future. An RSVP is not necessary, but if questions can be directed at the Office of Events Management at (703) 993-8844.

To watch the program, scan the QR code below into your smartphone to be directed to a live stream of the event.

News

Broadside

Sept.10, 24,2012 2012 Sept.

OPINION

WEEKLY SCHEDULE TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

MANNY ALFARO

Forever Up and Coming is Not Such a Bad Thing Being “there” implies complacency. It implies that students, staff, faculty and administration are content with what this institution has become. And it suggests that Mason, a university based solely upon the principal of innovation, has nothing left to innovate.

On Monday, The U.S. News and World Report compiled its data and released to the public its fifth annual list of the best universities. The criteria focused on universities that are making the most promising changes in the area of academics, faculty and student life and, after claiming the No. 1 spot in 2011, Mason was pinned as the No. 1 up-and-coming university in the nation.

It may seem off-base and out-of-touch to consistently refer to any institution as up-and-coming. It seems natural that, at some point, the university would finally arrive at its intended destination and graduate to a list of more stagnant universities.

Not a chance.

An old Hindu proverb states, “There is nothing noble about being superior to some other man. The true nobility is being superior to your previous self.”

It would be an incredible honor for Mason to frequently top the list of up-and-coming universities for the rest of the institution’s existence. Such an honor denotes an attitude of challenging oneself, and ones’ students, to strive to be better. It denotes an approach that is forever adjusting and forever adapting to the changing landscape of the college education.

Mason is a different type of university. We are very much unlike the University of Virginia. We are different from Virginia Tech. And we are different from William & Mary.

But different does not mean worse.

The rate at which this university has grown is exponential. At just 40 years old, Mason has grown into the

largest institution in Virginia in terms of student enrollment and has surpassed the giants in our state. We have continued to expect more, demanding higher qualifications for freshman applicants, and we have made significant strides in challenging students to go out and experience their education.

Mason has been up-andcoming for several years and we have attained an incredible feat – not that we have been recognized, but that we continue to be recognized as a university that is still coming.

We do not set our sights on being better or more prestigious than other institutions. We focus our goals on becoming a better, more prestigious, more up-andcoming Mason.

Are we “there” yet? Well, I hope we never are.

STORY BY CODY NORMAN

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Celebrating Mason’s Future: Q&A with President Cabrera Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall 11:30 a.m.

Study Abroad 101 Johnson Center, Room 234 4 - 5 p.m.

Fall for the Book: Alice Walker Center for the Arts, Concert Hall 3 - 4 p.m.

Mason’s Women’s Soccer vs. William & Mary Field House 7 p.m.

Concert: Sutton Foster Center for the Arts, Concert Hall 8 p.m.

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Obama Brings Campaign Energy to Rally in Woodbridge STORY CONTINUED FROM FRONT

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

Man on the Street

- Senior Nadira RobinsonBurton

Work in Progress

A look at Mason’s construction projects

- Freshman Sjocelin Traverso

Warner leveled attacks against the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, calling his plan wrong for America.

He also made subtle reference to Romney’s controversial statement about the 47 percent of people who do not pay federal income tax.

Warner praised the president for his commitment to the brave men and women serving in harms way overseas. Warner also praised him for keeping his promises to end the war in Iraq and beginning to end the war in Afghanistan.

Obama took to the podium with loud cheers and energy from the crowd. He congratulated the Nationals baseball team for bringing playoff baseball to Washington.

He made a prediction that the World Series would be a White Sox versus Nationals matchup.

The president said this election is a choice between two fundamentally different visions for the country. He continued by criticizing Romney and the Republicans for wanting to continue the practice of trickle down economics.

“I don’t believe we can get very far with a leader who writes off half the nation as a bunch of victims,” said Obama, in response to Romney’s statements about the 47 percent of Americans who do not pay federal income tax.

Obama said he offers a better plan for the future, one that is practical and focuses on creating jobs, growing the middle class and rebuilding the economy on a stronger foundation.

He broke down his five-point plan point by point. First, he spoke about exporting more products and outsourcing fewer jobs. His second point focused on controlling more of America’s own energy. The third focused on education and providing skills that American workers need to compete in the twenty-first century job market. The fourth point of the president’s plan was reducing the deficit.

The fifth and final point focused on national security.

Obama was victorious in Virginia four years ago. It has become a state his campaign has focused in on and looks to carry in 2012.

STORY BY SHANE SMITH/MASON VOTES

What do you think of Mason being named the number one up-and-coming school?

- Senior Kathleen Strylowski

- Freshman Bobby Jacksta

- Junior Elbert Cheong

Fenwick Library Addition Budget: $57,369,000 Completion Date: Aug. 2014 This addition will reposition Mason’s largest library as the main research library for the University and as a “network” hub for the Johnson Center

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University Budget Forecasts Minimal Economic Growth Despite the variety of increases projected from Mason’s Office of Budget and Planning, one very important increase is missing: state funding.

In the budget forum held earlier this month, Mason representatives discussed the current state of the university’s budget.

The general word used to describe most changes was increase, including room and board, that has seen a 19 percent increase since 2001, and in-state undergraduate tuition which has increased by 104 percent since 2001.

Accompanying these increases is an overall university budget increase from $826.6 million last year to $888 million this year.

David Moore, the Director of Budget and Planning Analysis at Mason said this $61.4 million increase can be attributed to private funding, Educational and General (E&G) operating budgets, Auxiliary Enterprise operating budgets, research sponsored program activities, capital support and state financial aid.

Of the $61.4 million increase to the budget this year, state funding only makes up $0.8 million. Herein lies one very obvious decrease in Mason’s current budget. Since 2001, state

funding has seen a 51 percent decrease.

“Similar to the rest of the nation, the Commonwealth of Virginia was affected by the economic downturn in 2008,” said Moore. ”During this downturn, the state reduced agency budgets to align with available resources. Higher education institutions were not spared from the budget cuts and this contributed to the decrease in state funding,” said Moore.

This decrease will be felt primarily in the pockets of students.

“The university’s current long range planning model estimates an increase of approximately 4.6 percent in fiscal year 2014 and 3.8 percent each year during fiscal year 2015-18,” said Moore.

These future predictions are all a part of the university’s plan to combat the current unpredictable economic climate. According to Moore, Mason’s moderate annual tuition increase is associated with replacing the loss of state funding, which resulted from previous state budget reductions.

Of course, none of these numbers are guaranteed.

“These increases, however, are modeled for planning purposes and are subject to General Fund support from the Commonwealth of Virginia and approval of tuition fees by the Board of Visitors,” Moore said.

It is because of these probable tuition increases that some limits on new initiatives through the current budget framework.

However, he is confident Mason will be able to continue growth,” said Peter Stearns, University Provost.

Ultimately, Mason is constantly trying to balance a stable and supportive budget, while at the same time keeping students happy by maintaining affordable tuition.

“We will work hard to make sure the results do not hurt student experience at Mason, and we believe the approach is compatible with continued dynamism and excitement, just in a more challenging climate,” said Stearns.

However, with the current national and statewide economic climate, tuition increases are unavoidable to continue on the track to prestige that Mason has set itself.

STORY BY AARON LOCKE

Since 2001, in-state undergrad tuition has increased by

104% 51% Since 2001, state tuition support has decreased by

$400 Million Dining Contract Up for Bids

ALEXANDRA SUDAK/BROADSIDE

In anticipation of the expiring contract between the university and Sodexo, Mason Dining has opened bidding for vendors who are interested in providing dining services.

Though the contract is supposed to run through 2014, eight companies were sent invitations to bid for the job this fall since the university is considering major renovations to the Johnson Center. The new contract will begin on July 1.

According to the Request for Proposals document, the contract vendor will receive a proposed goal guaranteed minimum of 22 percent of gross sales or $4 million each year, whichever is greater. If the contract is extended, the goal for the goal guaranteed minimum will increase to 22 percent of gross sales or $9.5 million whichever is greater.

The document also outlines the university’s expectations for each dining service to maintain

and improve dining services and campuses, along with instructions for moving along in the bidding process.

“I want to make it clear that we are not kicking Sodexo out,” said Mark Kraner, Executive Director of Campus Retail Operations. “This is mandatory. We must go out to bid every once in a while. My job is to work with the contract partners to provide services and make sure that the goals of the university are being met and the students are being served.”

Four potential vendors, Sodexo, Chartwells, Aramark and Thompson Hospitality attended a meeting on Sept. 21 to secure their bidding positions. The companies have until Oct. 3 to ask any clarification questions before they submit their proposals. In the first week of November, the bids must be returned to the university.

The university has hired a consulting firm to evaluate the bids and will recruit from faculty,

staff, student government and other facets of the university for their input on the different vendors.

At the end of November, the bids will be narrowed down and questions can be sent back to the vendors for clarification. Companies will then be brought back for further interviews.

The expected date of award for the vendor the university chooses is Dec. 3.

Dining is the university’s largest contract, which Kraner estimated to be worth upwards of $400 million over a ten-year period. Typically, contracts for food services are written for fiveyear periods with an option to renew for five more. This year, dining services handled $28 million of business, but Kraner estimates that with continued growth in residence and retail the budget could soon increase to $40 million.

STORY BY COLLEEN WILSON

Field House Renovation

Fine Arts

Budget: N/A

Budget: $9,359,891

Completion Date: Jan. 2014

Completion Date: July 2013

This project provides needed upgrades the exterior and general appearance of the facility

Provides University classrooms that include updated technology standards to meet faculty pedagogical needs

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News

Cornerstones Professor Guides Students in the Philippines A unique study abroad program at Mason has students traveling to the Philippines for a six-week long, nine-credit life-changing trip.

Al Fuertes, a New Century College professor, who specializes in community-based trauma, started the program in 2008. Although there are many study abroad programs offered at Mason, the Philippines trip is uniquely different based on three aspects of the trip, according to Fuertes.

“The trip is a grass roots peace-building excursion,” Fuertes said. “What makes this trip distinct from others is that we address conflicts from the perspective of the locals in the communities we visit. I wholly believe that the locals understand the reasoning behind the conflicts better than any outside sources.”

The trip focuses on both environmental and cultural awareness. These are two aspects that make it unique.

“The trip is very community based. Students have the chance to immerse themselves in the lives of the people in communities,” Fuertes said. “They get to experience and live the daily lives of the people in the communities, not only visit and observe. The entire country is the classroom and the people we meet, the places we visit and the stories we hear are texts and credits of experiential learning.”

Thanks to Fuertes and his efforts in establishing the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute in the Philippines in 2000, the group of Mason students is the only one allowed to participate in the courses offered there. In this way, Mason students are offered something out of this program that others are not.

For one day during the trip, students are involved in a scavenging expedition in which they visit one of the largest landfills in the world called Smokey Mountain.

“There, more than 2,000 people reside who the government does not recognize, therefore they do not receive any government subsidies,” Fuertes said. “We have the opportunity to help these people by collecting things in the landfill such as recyclables and cashing them in for money to give back to them.”

The trip encompasses visits to multiple cities across the Philippines, utilizing the different regions to accomplish its goal of educating the students with a hands-on approach.

AL FUERTES

“As for the environmental awareness we promote on the trip. We visit Del Monte plantations where they grow pineapples,” Fuertes said. “We are informed that the company uses aerial sprays for pesticides and insecticides. These chemicals then wash away into the water systems of local villages, producing harmful side-effects for these areas. The lessons we learn from each area are very empowering.”

Other lessons learned come from unlikely sources.

“Filipino youth not in school due to lack of funds, but that are still very active in the development of their communities, teach our students on the trip about things such as plowing fields, planting crops and many other things. This experiential learning can only be taught outside the classroom,” said Fuertes.

The week-long homestay of the trip, according to graduate Chris Generous, was

life-changing.

“My favorite part was the community-exposure home stay in Dumaguete City, where Mason students were paired off and grouped with a Filipino student and a local family. We spent about a week with the family. We slept at their home, played with the kids, learned about local social work programs, and sang videoke. We forged really strong ties in such a short time span,” said Generous.

The experiential learning Fuertes credits this trip as providing engages the students in ways ranging from fun activities to serious issues. “We learned about the various cultures of the Philippines,” said Generous. “We put human faces to the issue of poverty, from playing basketball to child labor.”

The group attende Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute in Davao City, where they learned from practictioners and explored environmental issues, such as mining, rice planting

and marine sanctuaries.

“When students tell me that the trip made them think twice about their major and then their career, it makes the trip that much more meaningful to me knowing that it made such an impact on their lives in a positive way,” Fuertes said.

Fuertes views the last activity of the trip, a climb to the summit of a volcano, as a sort of metaphor for all those on the trip.

“The climb is a challenge, but once we get to the top, all the effort is worth it. This trip is one in which students experience life out of their comfort zones. By the end, they have realized how much more responsible they have become and how much they have learned and grown as people,” Fuertes said.

STORY BY CHANDLER JENKINS

Roanoke Entrance Road Improvement Budget: $1,640,000 Completion Date: Aug. 2012 The road improvements include (1) doubling the length of the left turn lane for east-bound Braddock Road into Roanoke River Road onto campus; (2) widening Roanoke River Road on campus to have three lanes outbound, a median, and two lanes into campus with a dedicated left turn lane into Lot K and a dedicated right turn lane onto Po River Lane by the Patriot Center as the road heads toward Lots L and A; and (3) synchronizing the traffic signal at Roanoke River Road and Braddock Road, so left turns out of campus and University Mall can be made simultaneously to improve traffic flow on Braddock Road

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Rising Admissions Standards Affect Potential Applicants Innovation begins with enrollment, and Mason has found prosperity in its growing applicant pool.

As a fairly young university, Mason has already made large strides to improve its academic standing.

Its spot as number one on the U.S. News and World Report’s list of up-and-coming national universities pays tribute to Mason’s continuously increasing enrollment standards.

“The academic profile has increased over the past five years, primarily due to the large increase in applications we’ve seen,” said Sarah Dvorak, Mason Director of Undergraduate Admissions said. “Since we have more students applying than five years ago and still have around the same number of students in the freshman class, it has become more selective in general.”

Reported by College Board, in 2011 Mason received around 17,000 applications. Of those applicants, approximately 9,000 were admitted and just fewer than 3,000 enrolled.

According to Sarahbeth Morofsky, a Mason Admissions Representative, the average SAT score of a Mason student (reading and math combined) is between 1150 and 1240.

The middle 50 percent range for ACT scores is 25 to 29. The average high school GPA is approximately 3.6 to 3.9. These numbers place Mason in the mix with the country’s most prestigious schools.

Along with ranking number one on the U.S. News and World Report’s list of up-and-coming national universities, Mason is also ranked in the overall top 150 schools in the nation.

Its rankings continue to increase and Mason has been recognized by many institutions as a school to watch.

“The thing I find most amazing about Mason’s success is that it is such a young university,” said Morofsky in an information session for prospective students. “Mason has only been established for about 40 years, so to come this far so quickly is a huge accomplishment.”

Despite having a more selective admissions pool, the Admissions Office insists they have continued with their holistic approach to making application decisions and that their requirements

have not changed over the years.

Admissions considers a number of aspects when reviewing applications.

These include primary factors, rigor of high school curriculum, grades, grade trends and test scores, as well as secondary factors including the optional personal statement, video essay, letters of recommendations and resumes.

“Most importantly, we need to feel confident that each student will be prepared academically for college coursework,” said Dvorak. “We’ve seen a marked increase in academic talent amongst our incoming freshmen as demonstrated by experience in more rigorous high school courses, higher GPAs and test scores than in years’ past.”

While the admissions office at Mason has not changed admissions requirements, the increased number of applicants has forced them to pay closer attention to these factors and become more selective.

Mason has seen such an increase in applicants because of all it has to offer as a university. Its diversity makes it especially unique and it attracts students from all over the world. Its location in a quiet, suburban area so close to Washington, D.C. also attracts students looking for a more subdued environment while having a city at close reach.

The unique Robinsons Professor program adds to the academic offerings, where professors from Ivy League schools are brought in to teach at Mason.

“Mason’s academic program encompasses a traditional devotion to classical education with innovative and modern aspects,” said Morofsky.

In regards to Mason’s slogan, “Where Innovation is Tradition,” Mason is continuously adding new aspects that attract a wide variety of students. This adds competition to the application pool as well as strength to the university as a whole.

STORY BY EVAN PETSCHKE

Ambassadors President: Mark Mansdoerfer A Student Perspective of Rising Admissions Standards Since the spring semester of my freshman year, I have been a member of the Mason Ambassadors.

As an ambassador, I am responsible for giving tours and working at various admissions events throughout the year. During that time, I have certainly seen major changes in the dynamics of admissions events and tours. ply the size of tour groups and events, which can be attributed to the fact that Mason’s academic programs are improving and becoming nationally recognized. Additionally, while giving tours, I have noticed that prospective students are generally more interested in their tour and the school.

We have also seen an increase in Day Shadows, a program where prospective students can follow a current student throughout their day of classes. All of these examples show that we are bringing in highly-

motivated, academicallyinclined students to Mason. Lastly, with increasing numbers, there is much higher demand for ambassadors and our time. Between Day Shadows and tours being given twice a day, six days a week, ambassadors have had to support an increasingly competitive admissions process.

Ultimately, due to the large number of prospective students that Mason is now bringing in on a weekly basis, the admissions process has become much more competitive.

STORY BY MARK MANSDOERFER

President’s Park Dining

Science & Tech II

Budget: $6,362,155

Budget: $52,198,285

Completion Date: July 2014

Completion Date: Aug. 2013

The project is envisioned as a place where students can find healthy alternatives for anytime dining in a facility that introduces incoming students to Mason Spirit while providing comfortable and flexible places to dine, study and relax

Completes the consolidation of the College of Science into one area of campus (David King Hall, Science and Technology I and II, Research Hall)

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Green Patriots Lead Environmental Sustainability Efforts at Mason Green is the new black at Mason this year, thanks to a group of student ambassadors for the Office of Sustainability who identify themselves as the Green Patriots.

Chris Baumgartner, Mason’s Sustainability Outreach and Communications Coordinator, started the group last spring. According to President Giulia Manno, the team of about 20 members aims to help communicate sustainability initiatives to the greater Mason community.

The group’s members cannot be identified as solely interested in environmental affairs; their fields of study range from Communications to Government and International Politics, to Conservation to Elementary Education. Roger LeBlanc Jr., a sophomore studying Environmental Sustainability Studies, joined the Green Patriots in the spring of 2011, shortly after the formation of the group.

“I joined Green Patriots because I met many people in it through the Sustainability LLC and my conservation themed alternative break to Florida,” said LeBlanc. “I like the fact that the environmental service Green Patriots does is centered on Mason’s campus.

That is what keeps me coming back to it.”

The group meets on a weekly basis in September and then on a biweekly basis throughout October, November and December. In its meetings, the group discusses local sustainability issues and participate in campus events. “We discuss sustainability topics that are relevant to the Mason community. This includes recycling, sustainable agriculture, alternative transportation methods, eco-art, sustainable building and environmental economics,” said Manno.

This past semester, the group volunteered at campus events such as the Rogers and Whitetop Hall Sustainability

Opening Ceremony and Concert, the Mason Organic Gardening Association’s Sustainable Food Day and Patriot Pack Out. “The Rogers and Whitetop concert was my favorite event,” said LeBlanc. “The dinner beforehand, on top of being 100% vegan and delicious, was successfully a zero waste event. Biodegradable cups, utensils, and plates were used, and with no meat products being served, all of our food was able to be composted. This was really heartening for me because a large event like that usually has a huge environmental drain. Typical event caterers use plastic utensils, plates and cups which are made from non-renewable petroleum. It is so sad to me that oil that takes millions of years for the Earth to produce is used for a few seconds at parties and then thrown away. The Green Patriots concert gave me hope that more Mason events could be waste free in the future.”

Danielle Wyman, Interim Program Manager for the Green Patriot Program, is excited about the future of the group.

“I am beyond thrilled with the excitement and enthusiasm each of these wonderful students has for building a more sustainable Mason,” said Wyman.

“I hope that this group continues to grow in size and enthusiasm and will be one of the leading features that sets Mason apart from other universities.”

“The Green Patriots have been making their presence known at a handful of sustainability-related events and have assisted with a variety of outreach efforts in the way of social media, videos, interview series and so on.”

One of these efforts includes a Recycling Awareness series called “Gunston Recycles Plastics 1-7,” which features the first recycling center located in the Johnson Center.

“Gunston is Mason’s old mascot. He is a memorable character and we would like the Mason community to recognize him as the ‘face of sustainability’ on campus. We circulate these videos through social media networks such as Facebook and YouTube, as well as on the Office of Sustainability’s website. The purpose of these videos is to help inform the Mason community in a fun, lighthearted way,” said Manno.

Another video project the Green Patriots have begun is the Green Patriot Interview Series, in which Mason faculty and students highlight their personal work in sustainability.

“An example of someone who was used for the interview series was Olivier Giron. Olivier was a fine arts student at Mason who focused on illegal dumping,” said Manno.

LeBlanc is looking forward to being a Green Patriot this year due to the multiple facets of service opportunities the group provides.

“I will be attending the weekly meetings this semester and learning about sustainability through my peers. I also plan on helping out with the educational videos, the first of which will focus on the Mason bike share program,” said LeBlanc.

When asked what the future holds for the Green Patriots, Manno said, “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.”

GIULIA MANNO/GREEN PATRIOTS

Patriot Pack Out is a recent initiave that allows the college community to donate old clothes and appliances to charities in the local community.

STORY BY CHANDLER JENKINS

GIULIA MANNO/GREEN PATRIOTS

West Campus Connector Budget: $15,000,000 Completion Date: Nov. 2013 This connector will facilitate pedestrian, vehicular and bike movement of Mason students, faculty, staff and visitors between east and west campus areas without the need to use the regional roadway system

Discovery Hall

Budget: $30,770,128 Completion Date: Aug. 2013 The building will house the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, other University research, and lab business incubator space

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Mason Inn Earns Certification as Green Hotel for Sustainable Initiatives The Mason Inn’s initiative to make the hotel environmentally friendly began when creating the blueprints for the hotel.

The hotel was built to sustain energy because of an improved thermal building ‘envelope,’ high-efficiency glazing on windows and doors and high-efficiency water-source heat pumps that result in energy cost savings of 15.4 percent.

The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel has officially been labeled a Virginia Green Hotel by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, adding to its status of being one of the most sustainable buildings on campus.

“Sustainable building and LEED/ Green certification is, and will continue to be, an important part of Mason,” said Marc Fournier, Mason Inn general manager. “It is part of the Mason University culture and recognition for being conscious about our resources helps the community understand our commitment.”

During the construction of the Mason Inn, nearly 90 percent of the on-site construction waste was diverted from landfills to recycling agencies and more than 30 percent of the total building materials were manufactured using recycled materials.

Not only is the building itself sustainable, but the staff also exercise environmentally friendly practices. For example, documents are printed double-sided to conserve paper and housekeepers are

trained to accommodate sustainability. ”There are several green housekeeping initiatives, such as using effective and sustainable cleaning materials, having a comprehensive recycling program and training staff about environmentally friendly best practices on an ongoing basis,” said Fournier.

Sustainability is maintained in all aspects of the hotel: all guest rooms feature water-conserving shower heads, low-energy light bulbs and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Landscaping on the premise is based on native plants that have less of a chance for drought and therefore do not need to be re-planted year after year and parking spots for hybrid vehicles and carpooling are reserved in the parking garage for guests.

“From the moment you enter the parking lot and begin using the facility you can feel and see the difference,” said Fournier.

Fournier, however, pointed out that not all guests are willing to accommodate to the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.

“The biggest challenge we have now is that some guests are not as passionate about sustainability as others,” said Fournier. “Some people park in the hybrid parking when they don’t drive a hybrid vehicle. Some guests complain about the shower pressure etc.”

The Mason Inn, however, is still dedicated to providing sustainable lodging

and being recognized for their effort.

In April, the Mason Inn started the self-audited Virginia Green application process. This process included a visit from the reviewers who then decide if the building meets the standards of Virginia Green. A month later, the Mason Inn was approved.

According to the Virginia DEQ’s website, Virginia Green is an initiative to reduce the environmental impact the state’s tourism industry. Virginia Green covers various areas of tourism aside from lodging such as dining, attractions, wineries and events as well at travelling green.

Similar to the Virginia Green recognition, the Mason Inn is also Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and Crestline Earthpact certified.

“LEED certification is a third-party certification program. It recognizes both design and construction aspects of a development to ensure environmental sustainability,” said Fournier.

The Mason Inn has worked closely with environmental agencies like LEED in order to develop the most sustainable building and practices possible. That hard work has now paid off in the form of this statewide recognition.

The decorative entry way to Mason Inn is made entirely of recycled plastic.

STORY BY NIKI PAPADOGIANNAKIS STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

The Mason Inn earned the Leed Gold certificatoin for its several sustainability efforts.

Campus Ponds Serve as Eco-Friendly Run-Off Deposit Despite it’s less than favorable appearance, the pond located in front of the Center for the Arts is a sustainable resource that contributes to both the environmental and campus well-being.

The man-made pond was excavated in 1989 in order to control the volume of rainwater that flows through the western end of the campus. A smaller pond located by Roberts Rd. and Braddock Rd. covers the eastern end.

“It’s all gravity,” said Bob Endebrock, director of Facilities Project Management and Construction.

He explained that no pumps or pressurized systems are necessary for the water to flow since the campus is located uphill.

As far as maintenance goes, a control gate along the edge of the pond regulates the level of water.

People occasionally complain about the pond being brown since they do not understand its other purpose.

The pond was not only built to control the flow of water throughout the campus but clean pollutants as well.

While attempting to level itself, the excess water that exits through the control gate becomes filtered before being released into the greater environment, thus legitimizingthe pond as a sustainable resource.

In other words, the Mason Pond, including the small pond by Roberts Rd. and Braddock Rd., serves as a medium that purifies Mason’s flow of water so that it will not harm the surrounding habitat.

The brown color of the pond stems from sedimentation – the process in which matter accumulates at the bottom of the pond due to

erosion.

An annual survey is conducted to analyze sediment that has accumulated inside the pond. Every few years the bottom of the pond gets dredged out in order to bring it back to its designed capacity.

When it rains, toxins are picked up and flowed down into the pond.

The constant construction on Mason’s campus is a possible source for pollutants, according to Endebrock.

Endebrock said that the Office of Facilities Project Management and Construction is waiting for the completion of the campus’ construction before the pond undergoes another dredging process.

Despite the present-day construction around campus, a proposal for the pond is circulating.

Endebrock said that they were planning to reestablish a plant ledge around the pond in order to store plants like duck potatoes and cattails.

Water plants are known to improve the water quality because they absorb chemicals.

This would be another method of sustainability.

The project, however, costs a little over one million dollars.

In the meantime, students and faculty members can rest assured knowing that the Mason Pond is undoubtedly a sustainable resource that contributes to the betterment of the environment.

STORY BY JUAN CAMPOS

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Broadside

Sept. 10, 24, 2012 Sept.

2012

Mason Bids Farewell to Two Major Contributors to Mason History

No two days at Mason are the same.

With a combined tenure at Mason of 45 plus years, Dr. Morrie Scherrens and Dr Sandy Scherrens reflect on their time at Mason as they say prepare to say goodbye to the institution they helped to shape.

Dr. Morrie Scherrens recalls when he arrived in Fairfax 37 years ago, Mason was just a shell of what it has become. It enrolled just 5,000 students and the on-campus housing options consisted solely of the student apartments. Mason was not a number one option. Students arrived hesitantly to campus, electing to go to Mason only when their first several options fell through.

“Most students that came here in the 70s or 80s were coming here as a second, third or fourth choice,” Dr. Morrie Scherrens said. “Most students that come here now are coming because they want to be here.”

In his 37 years on Mason’s campus, Dr. Morrie Scherrens played a major role – along with Dr. George W. Johnson and Dr. Alan Merten – in shaping the reputation of the university. While the two former presidents focused much of their attention on bringing in the best faculty – with the idea that the best faculty would attract the best students – Dr. Morrie Scherrens focused much of his efforts on building an

infrastructure around the institution that was necessary in attracting the brightest students.

“There is a culture that Mason continues to embrace,” Dr. Morrie Scherrens said.

“One of diversity, one of inclusivity. And I think that is what Mason has stood for since I have been here.”

When Dr. Sandy Scherrens arrived at Mason as Vice President of University Life in 2004, the institution was still considered a commuter school. Athletic events saw just a few hundred students in attendance and weekend activities were almost nonexistent.

“It was like ghost town on the weekends,” Dr. Sandy Scherrens said. “There was literally nothing going on.”

According to the Scherrens, it was commonplace among students to believe that Mason was not a “real” institution and that Fairfax was not a “real” campus. Dr. Sandy Scherrens dedicated a large chunk of resources within University Life to increasing student involvement.

In her eight years as vice president, University Life has grown from 120 employees to over 600 employees, each of whom dedicates their career to bringing Mason students an incredible college experience. Students now pile into the Patriot Center, attend major events at the Center for the Arts and participate in on-campus weekend activities, immersing themselves more and more into the new identity that Dr. Sandy Scherrens has helped create.

“I think we have seen the payoff,” Dr. Sandy Scherrens said. “Students seem really happy to be here.”

Along with getting students involved, Dr. Sandy Scherrens has always been a strong advocate for students

as leaders. When she arrived at Mason, however, there were no programs or offices in place to properly educate students on the intricacies of leadership.

“That just seemed like we were missing the boat,” Dr. Sandy Scherrens said. “When we talk about educating students, looking at the big picture, that just seemed like a really important piece that we weren’t giving them.”

In just her second year at the university, Dr. Sandy Scherrens played a key role in the creation of the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) Office, an office that now hosts a variety of different events for students to develop skills in leadership.

“It’s such an important component to educating the student,” Dr. Sandy Scherrens said. “You have to have a way to take what you’re learning in the classroom and put it into action.”

For many years, the administrators within Mason worked to develop a plan that would make the university an attractive place for all students – preparing for any opportunity that would thrust Mason into the spotlight.

With the proper foundation in place, thanks in large part to the work of Dr. Morrie and Dr. Sandy Scherrens, Mason was primed to take advantage of their opening, when the men’s basketball team made its improbable run into the Final Four.

Freshmen applications increased exponentially, transfer applications hit an all-time high and, most importantly, students were arriving at Mason because they wanted to be a part of something.

“We have the attitude of the underdog because there has always been UVA and Tech,

the big schools,” Dr. Morrie Scherrens said. “But we have risen quicker than anyone ever thought we could rise.”

Despite the rapid growth, Dr. Morrie Scherrens and Dr. Sandy Scherrens have held to their core values and have continued to make student satisfaction the top priority within the university.

“We offer students an opportunity to get involved and to voice their opinions,” Dr. Sandy Scherrens said.

“But then we listen to their opinions, and we act upon those opinions.”

With the input of students, staff, faculty and alumni, Dr. Morrie and Dr. Sandy Scherrens have played a key role in morphing the university into one of the most respectable universities, an institution that was recently named the top up-andcoming university by U.S. News & World Report for the second time in five years.

Dr. Morrie Scherrens announced his departure from the university in mid-May after being named the president at Newberry College. Shortly after that message, Dr. Sandy Scherrens announced that she will be joining her husband in South Carolina, relieving Mason of two key members of its rich tradition beginning on Oct. 1.

Though their home will no longer be in Fairfax, their presence and their work within the community will forever be a key component in Mason history. “[Mason] has been a great place to work,” Dr. Morrie Scherrens said. “As Dr. Merten always said, ‘I hope we did the right thing, at the right time.”

STORY BY CODY NORMAN

News

Sandy genuinely cares about everyone. She has an extraordinary ability to empathize. And she remembers. She asks, how is this student, or what happened with that staff member. She knows that University Life is not paper, it’s not process, it’s people.

Judith A. Green Executive Director Office of International Programs & Services

Sandy has been a true champion for University Life at the Arlington Campus. She listened to our needs and celebrated our successes. Today Arlington students have access to many essential services and resources, thanks to Sandy’s great advocacy.

Lori Cohen Scher, Ph.D. Director, University Life and Campus Administration Arlington Campus

Dr. Sandy Scherrens greatest impact while serving as Vice President of University Life was her commitment to student engagement and the value she places on diversity. Dr. Scherrens embraced diversity not only in her vision for University Life, but she lived it in her interactions with students from all walks of life.

Pam Patterson Assistant Vice President Dean of Students, University Life

Mason and University Life were so fortunate to have Sandy leading us as we continued to grow and make Mason better for all students, staff and faculty!

Alissa Karton

Assistant to Vice President & Director of Special Projects, University Life

One of Sandy’s gifts as a leader is that she always asks about the impact of decisions on the people impacted.

Todd Rose

Associate Dean, University Life

Dr. Scherrens was an amazing leader for University Life. She exemplified the Mason Spirit and will definitely be missed.

Charvis V. Campbell Assistant Dean, University Life Prince William Campus

Sandy has been a strong advocate for student concerns since the day she arrived at Mason.

Her impact will be felt for years to come.

Rose B. Pascarell Associate Vice President, University Life

News

Broadside

Sept.10, 24,2012 2012 Sept.

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To Students, Staff & Faculty: It has been a privilege and honor to have been a part of the George Mason University family. It’s hard to put into words what Mason has meant to us.

Morrie began here when we had 5,000 students and our only on-campus student housing was the apartments.

We only had a handful of buildings, and were told by others that we would never have a law school, award doctoral degrees, have Division I athletics, be a research university or be residential. We are now all of those things and much more.

Sandy began when we were a commuter school without a community, minimal weekend activities and social life. Today, weekends are as busy for our students as the weekdays and we have more students from other schools visiting on the weekends than we have students leaving to go elsewhere.

Athletic events that only had a few hundred students 8-10 years ago now represent a large percentage of soldout events. Our students are involved in several hundred student organizations. They attend CFA and Patriot Center events in record numbers and are engaged in more community service activities than ever before. Our students have always been our best ambassadors and today they make us proud of their commitment to improving the welfare of those in our surrounding and global communities.

Institutionally, we have been the underdog and exceeding the expectations of others for so long, that being the first real “Cinderella, up-and-coming, mid-major school” to reach the Final Four was not all that surprising. Who else could play that role better than Mason?

When told by others that we could not achieve something that was critical to our strategic objectives, we encouraged ourselves to prove the critics wrong. We discovered early that as a team we were stronger than the sum of our parts. That chemistry has helped us surpass seemingly unattainable goals.

We have a 40-year history of becoming something better than others predicted.

We did so because the faculty and staff believed they were making a difference in the lives of students. President

Johnson believed if he attracted the best faculty we would begin attracting the best students. President Merten built on that strategy of faculty/staff excellence and leveraged it by placing a higher priority on university life and by building the infrastructure necessary to attract the best students. He took a school that had many of the features of a commuter college and built it into an unmistakable research, residential university. And now President Cabrera is leading us in a new visioning process, building on this solid foundation that we have created.

As we look back on the past, we realize that the reason Mason is considered one of the great success stories in higher education is the shared vision that was understood throughout the campuses.

We all felt that we were part of building something special. As a community, we understood that our best bet for success was to be open-minded, collaborative and transparent. We learned to embrace change. We believed that we would only improve if we were willing to consistently evaluate our performance. But most importantly, we have always stayed true to our core values.

In closing, George Mason has been family to us and we depart with good memories and great friends. We hope that as large as Mason grows or as complex as it may become that it never loses its focus and purpose. We are all about the students. We have a heavy responsibility to prepare them to be the next generation of leaders. We hope that Mason continues to embrace diversity and inclusion. We hope that Mason remembers that each action we take should be other-oriented. Handling the difficult situations that require sensitive individualized consideration in an empathetic way has always been the Mason way. It differentiates us from other schools and it is what has made our time here so special. For both of us our experience here has shaped our lives forever.

We wish everyone all the best. Thank you for letting us be part of the Mason story. Your best chapters are still in your future. Take care and stay healthy.

Go Patriots!

From Morrie & Sandy Scherrens

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Sept. 24, 2012

Broadside

Entertainment

Entertainment

Broadside

Sept. 24, 2012

Former Mason Basketball Player Teams Up with Joe Jonas on Reality Singing Competition “The Next” I’m going into this thinking I’m going to win. That’s the approach I take; that’s the approach I always take.

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

A crowd of several thousand of his newest fans roared with excitement as Jordan Baird was called to the stage.

It was early August and Baird had just been announced the winning contestant on the Baltimore show of “The Next”. He glowed with excitement as he paced across the stage to thank his mentor, Joe Jonas, and acknowledged the crowd for allowing him to move forward in the competition.

The moment was surreal.

“I was pumped,” Baird said.

“The whole place was going crazy. But then I got backstage and they told me they were not actually disclosing

the winner.”

Not knowing his standing within the competition, Baird was forced to watch the show on television to find out if he would be advancing.

As senior co-pastors of The Life Church in Manassas, Baird’s parents hosted a viewing party at the church where many members of the community gathered, awaiting the results. For a second time on the show, Baird sat with his family and anxiously anticipated the announcement.

Finally, after enduring the hour-long show, Baird heard the news he had been waiting for: he would be moving on

to compete in the semifinals at Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles.

“The place went crazy. It was berserk,” Baird said. “It was really cool to be there and to be able to share that with everybody.”

Nearly a month before the winning announcement, Baird was taken by surprise when Jonas arrived in Manassas. While teaching a music class for children at the church, Jonas unexpectedly walked through the door – met by a chorus of screaming teenagers – and revealed that he would be mentoring Baird throughout the duration of the show.

“When he walked in, I was pumped,” Baird said. “I really

thought we would be the best fit for each other.”

Baird and Jonas were a perfect fit for one another because they share a similar life story.

Both men grew up singing in the church where their fathers served as pastors.

They are the middle of three brothers and both played high school sports, honing a competitive spirit that has translated into the music industry.

“He really brought a lot of his experience,” Baird said. “He is the man when it comes to performing and singing on stage – and singing to the ladies.”

Jonas spent nearly 72 hours in Gainesville, Baird’s hometown, and immersed himself into his mentee’s lifestyle. In between song preparation, Baird and Jonas found time to attend church, play table tennis and hit the gym for a game of basketball.

“He really helped me with my stage presence and filling up the room,” Baird said. “It’s a different world once you get here and his experience really benefits me throughout the show.”

Performing on a national stage, however, is nothing new for Baird.

Aside from singing the National Anthem in front of 9,800 fans before last year’s homecoming game, Baird made the top-40 in the 2009

season of “American Idol”. In the summer of 2011, he was eliminated from the X-Factor after just one performance.

“I have done [American] Idol and I have done X-Factor, and I got cut from those,” Baird said. “But this is the biggest platform I have ever had. Win or lose, I still have millions of people who have seen me sing. I will still have this huge momentum, this huge following. It’s a great opportunity.”

Even despite his previous success, Baird and his father give a lot of credit to the experience and education he has received as a music major at Mason.

“Before [Mason], he was not ready for this stage,” Baird’s father said. “Even though the music is very different in style, his performing at [Mason], his teachers, his choir directors had to be in place. They have played an incredible role, whether they are aware of that or not.”

Much unlike any other music competition on television, “The Next” is what Baird describes as a “quick-hitter.”

It gives contestants an opportunity to perform on live television at least three times, with the live-show portion of the competition beginning and ending within one week.

“You’ve got to bring it and you’ve got to be ready to put it all out there when you get the chance,” Baird said. “That’s

13

just the nature of the show.”

Instead of discovering new, unpolished talent, “The Next” found their niche in finding local heroes with a huge following of regional fans – proven artists on the brink of success. “[The Next] set me up to do well,” Baird said. “Giving me Joe was a huge plus for me because his music targets the same demographic as I would probably target with mine.”

With the competition narrowed to just seven contestants, Baird will begin his quest for the grand prize, a $1.5 million recording contract and an opening act in his mentor’s tour, at 9 p.m. on Sept. 27.

“I’m going in to this thinking I’m going to win,” Baird said. “That’s the approach I take; that’s the approach I always take. I’m a competitive person. But winning doesn’t just mean taking the whole thing. Winning can come in a couple different forms.”

With the show’s nonelimination form, Baird will perform again at 9 p.m. on Oct. 2 before the two-hour finale at 8 p.m. on Oct. 4.

“Jordan is a special kid,” Baird’s father said. “I think this is his time, whatever that means. He is doing what he’s supposed to be doing and having a blast doing it. He was made for this moment.”

STORY BY CODY NORMAN

14

Entertainment Mason Welcomes Students and Authors to “Fall for the Book”

Sept. 24, 2012

Broadside

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

End of the World: Zombie Apocalypse Fifty-eight years after the United States government launched Project 4.1 to study the medical effects of nuclear fallout, Justin Watson and his friends have continued working on the experiments, with disastrous results.

Watson, who graduated from Mason in 2010 with a degree in government and international politics, has opened an urban haunted house called The Warehouse with four colleagues in Rockville, MD. The Warehouse features an imaginary scenario of a continuation of Project 4.1.

The haunted house centers on the story line of Atomic Advancements, a private pharmaceutical company that decided to continue the work on the decades-old research project to study the response of human beings who were exposed to significant radiation from highyield weapons.

That is when everything went horribly wrong.

The Warehouse, which is located a block from the White Flint Metro station, is a 37,000 square foot department store in a dying shopping mall. Watson and his

company have transformed the space into 17 rooms with zombies, decaying bodies and armed guards. A hospital wing, jail and laboratory are all included, but Watson has kept the final room a secret.

He promises that it will be different than your average ending to a haunted house.

“Our premise is that The Warehouse is going to be more terrifying than any other haunt you’ve ever been to,” said Watson. “We aim to scare grown men.”

Visitors will explore the storyline by traveling through each room, meeting 75 zombies on their way through.

Watson and the four other co-owners of The Warehouse bring a variety of backgrounds to the company, including construction, law and human resources.

Watson said he knew that government and international politics were not the correct choice for him, but by the time he realized it he was too far into his degree to make a change.

Instead, he took advantage of his entrepreneurial spirit and joined up with his friends to create a zombie house.

Even with their combined skills, the company is still an amateur in the zombie and horror scene. To prepare, they have spent the past year visiting other haunts and attending conferences.

“The Warehouse is inspired by a mixture of Dawn of the Dead, Walking Dead and 28 Days Later,” Watson said.

“Our zombies are aggressive.

They won’t just stumble around like the zombies in the Thriller music video; they’re going to be vicious.”

Tickets are $30 on regular admission nights and $25 on student discount nights. More information can be found at the website hallowinc.com.

STORY BY COLLEEN WILSON

Zombie Survival Tips 1. Just like in the movie Zombieland, Watson stresses the importance of cardio to make a quick escape from attacking zombies.

2. Clean water will be a limited resource in the event of a zombie attack, and Watson recommends that everyone have a plan to stock up in case of emergency.

3. Keeping your energy up with sustainable food is important when you’re on the run from the undead. “Canned food is a great option; you don’t want to rely on salads during a zombie apocalypse,” said Watson.

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

Last year’s Fall for the Book featured author Steven King.

Each fall Mason hosts an exciting collection of nationally recognized novelists, poets, historians, journalists and other professionals at a unique festival called Fall for the Book.

The thirteenth annual Fall for the Book festival takes place September 26-30 at venues across campus and the surrounding D.C. metro area.

Over the past decade, Fall for the Book has grown from a two-day literary event into an annual week-long festival promoting education on all levels and inspiring an advanced appreciation for literature and writing among all who attend. Past participants have included such highly acclaimed authors as Mitch Albom and Stephen King.

Their contributions have done a great deal to build the festival into the great success that it is today.

The festival is designed for all ages, and includes events that are tailored to every reading level from elementary and high school students to the most avid readers and writers. Fall for the Book

consists of a variety of events that are tailored to actively engage the audience, from skits and dancing to storytelling and meet-and-greets with critically acclaimed authors.

This year’s sponsors are proud to present an accomplished group of participants including: Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple; Neil Gaiman, most wellknown for his novel Stardust; and Michael Chabon, Pulitzer prize winning author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.

Fall for the Book offers Mason students a unique opportunity to connect with some of their favorite authors of modern literature, graphic novels, screen plays and more. It also provides a great way for the community to come together, thanks the festival’s local sponsors.

For more information on Fall for the Book, and to find a full schedule of events, please visit fallforthebook.org.

STORY BY EMILY BARTONE

Entertainment

Broadside

Sept. 24, 2012

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Patriots Day

Patriots Day Pleases Participants Last week Mason celebrated Patriots Day; an annual precursor to Mason Day hosted each fall by Planning Board.

The lively carnival pulled a crowd of students eager to join in the festivities. Attendees enjoyed attractions, games, live entertainment including a performance by Sub Radio Standard and delicious carnival treats. Several student organizations used the event to raise money for their causes or to recruit new members.

STEPHEN KLINE/BROADSIDE

George Mason University, Barnes and Noble, and the Fairfax County Public Library present the 14th annual

Fall for the Book Festival September 26 - 30, 2012

Alice Walker

Neil Gaiman Author of Coraline and American Gods Friday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Center for the Arts

The Color Purple Thursday, Sept. 27, 3 p.m.

Rita Dove

A limited number of student seats still available! Reserve seats now at reservations@ fallforthebook.org

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove Wednesday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m.

Harris Theatre

More highlights on campus:

Reserve seats now at reservations@fallforthebook.org

Alice Walker

Michael Chabon Sunday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.

Center for the Arts

Neil Gaiman

Nearly 125 authors in all! www.fallforthebook.org

“Call and Response” “Artist Books” FOUND Magazine’s Josh MacPhee Todd Gitlin Donna Britt Dean Spade the 2012 Election, on Higher Education Today, and on Literary vs. Genre Mason MFA Alumni and Students Mel Nichols, Peter Pober, Susan Richards Shreve, John Turner, and

Michael Chabon

Reserve seats now at reservations@fallforthebook.org

Mat Johnson Tim Ryan

Philip Auerswald, Alan Cheuse, Bassam Haddad, Joshua Kryah,

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Sept. 24, 2012

Broadside

Entertainment

OPINION

Carouser Report The quintessential party is played out weekly for a host of onlookers who take pride in knowing the age-old traditions of college. Rarely seen are the nights when these characters, with their admiration for booze, go searching for an answer to life’s question at the bottom of a bottle.

It was late afternoon. My associate and I were sitting on the patio of a local dive bar drinking rum and cracking peanuts, intermittently ordering wine spritzers to keep the buzz running strong. The bar seemed a safe distance from the burdens and monotony of education that plagues those who have neither left youth nor entered adulthood.

Our journey began when

two middle-aged women, who had been knocking back tequila shots with gusto, approached us. A conversation began, but was abruptly interrupted when one of them leaned over and asked if we knew where the party was. On a Tuesday night? I gave her the number to the local Party City.

I felt it was time we kick it into fourth gear as we ordered another round.

Within an hour, we were no longer adhering to social norms. I began spreading gibberish throughout the bar about two female undercover cops who were trying to infiltrate college parties. Once the rumor reached the owner of the bar, he went looking for the dirty weasel who was uttering blasphemies

about his niece. We were found and asked to leave at once. There was no room for swine like us. If the cut rate joints wouldn’t have us, what refuge was there for persons who’d learn to party like animals but failed to adhere to proper adult etiquette?

We set off across town. We were in search of answers now, but the brute reality of it was that no amount of booze could fill the chasm.

We were met with the gracious smiles of barmaids at the next joint. They had no knowledge of the commotion we’d left behind. “Two beers for me and two beers for my friend,” I said hastily.

“And keep them coming until we’re no longer standing.” She smiled with fear, but begrudgingly forked over

Fear and Loathing on Main St. four bottles.

Our troubles began when my associate began catcalling the waitress. His lewd mannerisms were not that of your average bar junky.

However, the situation was exacerbated when I slid a glass across the counter. It fell over the edge and shattered at the barmaid’s feet.

A bouncer grabbed us and we were once again on the street.

Luckily for us, all we had to do was stroll down the street to the next place. Once inside, we ordered spirits.

The manager approached us and we were over-joyed to be greeted with complimentary vodka. Much to our dismay, it was merely water. He then informed us we couldn’t be served. He’d received a call

from the drinking establishment up the road. Apparently two werewolves were on the prowl and they were looking for trouble.

The water would not do, so we beckoned a bar guest to do our bidding and buy us shots. The manager quickly caught on, and with that we were banished.

As we walked, I began to wonder about the meaning of this wretched night. It was not a holiday, celebration time, or even a sporting event. We had stooped to the level of dogs and all in the name of what? Perhaps the rotten feeling that we’d yet to find our place in this world had crept up on us long before our eighth drink.

With no place left to go and the goons waiting around

the corner to lock us up, we resorted to the only place we had left: bed.

With despondent feelings in the air and fractured notions of what we hope to become, we are a generation of hopeful partiers. But we fail to reason that even some answers cannot be bought for $12 a case.

STORY BY DUSTIN POST

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

THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE GOES THROUGH VIRGINIA

The C-SPAN Campaign 2012 Bus is Coming to Your Campus!

Thurs., Sept. 27, 1:30 – 3 pm Southside Plaza Students can tour the Bus to learn about C-SPAN’s Campaign 2012 resources and programming through interactive, multimedia equipment.

Offered locally by:

Stop by and tell us your thoughts on the election via See your responses at www.tout.com/cspanpolitics.

Created by Cable. Offered as a Public Service. c-span.org/bus

P163 C12 BTVA GMUniversity.indd 1

9/20/12 5:14 PM

Entertainment

Broadside

Sept. 24, 2012

@GeorgeMasonU

OPINION

Green Colleen:

First stop: Sarah Gabrial Smith

Dorm Dining on a Dime Staying on budget in college can be a big challenge, whether you mismanage your weekly meal plans and run out before Thursday or have trouble scraping together your change for an $8 tray of sushi in the JC. On those desperate nights, students often turn to the epitome of all college food: Ramen noodles. The prepackaged meals are filling and flavorful and often retail for around 10 cents a package, a third of the price of a cup of water on campus.

But as your college career drags on and money stretches even tighter, the basic flavors of Ramen noodles can quickly turn bland and boring.

To solve those noodles woes, revolutionize the standard meal with a few extra ingredients for different flavors. I transformed my Oriental flavored noodle package into my version of a homemade peanut pad thai.

The add-ins I used this week cost only a few dollars

each, and most can be saved and used again and again.

The sriracha chili sauce added a spicy kick that the basic noodle packages don’t deliver. I’m not a big fan of spice, so I appreciated how the chunky peanut butter bit through the heat and provided some relief. The soy sauce added a hint of tang, but next time I’ll cut down on the amount of the prepackaged flavoring I use to keep the sodium levels a little lower. Finally, the scallions and red onion added a nice, fresh flavor and aroma to the meal and served as a beautiful garnish.

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Last week, Mason announced that it would be launching the “Mason Nation Project,” a program that would allow one student, faculty, or staff member to have full control over the official Mason handle for a week.

Ramen Noodle Upgrade Ingredients:

Directions:

STORY BY COLLEEN WILSON

Did you try Green Colleen’s project this week?

Tweet the results to @MasonBroadside

FREE TICKETS FOR MASON STUDENTS! THE VISION SERIES Economics for Everyman Steven Pearlstein, speaker Sept. 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Free CA

SUTTON FOSTER Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. $40, $55, $70 CA 1 Free Ticket per ID Avail. NOW

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18

Broadside

Sept. 24, 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

Editorial

We Are Home to Accessibility

Here we are at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, home to many great restaurants on and off campus.

According to Google Maps, we are just 20 miles from the National Mall in Washington D.C., 14.5 miles from the Manassas National Battlefield and 19 miles from Arlington National Cemetery.

There are many different places we can visit as students here at Mason.

But the question is, do we take advantage of all the opportunities we have here at Mason?

According to freshman Tosca Lanfranconi, “It’s very easy to get around the area because of all the shuttles. I have not had one problem getting somewhere because of lack of transportation”.

I have to agree with Tosca because Mason could easily

not put this much of an effort in allowing students to leave campus, but it does.

Not only does Mason have CUE buses that take Mason students around Fairfax for no charge, but also free shuttles to the Vienna/ FairfaxGMU metro station.

As Mason students, we have the ability to travel through Fairfax and the nation’s capital, thanks to the shuttle and CUE buses.

It’s the perfect system for us as Mason students because not only do we get our own little community on campus, but we can join the real world whenever we choose to eat, shop, or simply visit beautiful and unique sites.

Mason is an institution that wants its students to learn and absorb information like sponges and knows that the best way this can be done is by allowing the

students to leave the campus.

To be honest, would it be easier to get around campus if I had a car?

Yes, it would. But I can get by without one because there is no shortage of public transportation on campus to get around northern Virginia and the D.C. metropolitan area.

After being here at Mason for just a month, I’m already in love with the area because it is unlike anywhere I’ve been before. On one trip, I can visit sites that honor men who sacrificed their lives to protect our nation.

On another trip, I can visit the building where the fate of our nation is decided through legislating, vetoing and debating. The possibilities are endless.

Going to school here at Mason is a unique experience, thanks to the unparalleled opportunities to visit

places that not everyone can see.

The best part is that Mason provides easy access to these locations thanks to the CUE buses and shuttle services.

I do miss my car that is parked in front of my house over three and a half hours away. However, I don’t need it here with all of Mason’s transportation services that allow us to study history, politics and science like nowhere else in the nation.

STORY BY NATE FALK

Parking Vultures

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

Editorial

Broadside

OPINION

Martyrs for Mitt The Republican Party has nominated a Mormon millionaire as its candidate for the highest office position in the United States, which is, of course, the presidency.

Mitt Romney is not an easy candidate to champion. He has adjusted his stance on more than a few issues, is viewed by many as unprincipled, and, as recent events have shown, is a bit of a gaffe machine.

But at the end of the day, Mitt Romney is the Republican nominee and as a voter who has a number of views that align with those of the Republican Party, I feel it is my duty to not only give Governor Romney my vote, but to stand up for him.

It’s not easy to be an advocate for Governor Romney and his running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan.

I have been ridiculed, mocked, and laughed at. I have had my Romney Ryan stickers torn from my door far too many times.

I have been called “ignorant” or “insensitive”, I have been told that I am as “out of touch” as the public has declared my candidate.

I know I am not alone. I

know that especially on a college campus, standing up for Mitt Romney is a daily battle.

The constant barrage of negativity, the subtle fear of demonization by association, coupled with the feelings of doubt which inevitably creep about as the anti-Romney assault presents itself, is almost overwhelming.

Despite all this, Republicans all over the country are willing to stand by their candidate all the way to November 6th.

We will champion the cause, we will suffer the slings and arrows of the tens of millions against our candidate. We will continue to be martyrs for Mitt Romney.

STORY BY DAVID DORSEY

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.

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Sept. 24, 2012

19

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Objection to the Carouser Report I am a pediatrician and a first-time adjunct faculty member at GMU this semester, in the undergraduate biology program. However, I have been on campus the past four years, auditing courses and teaching the honor premedical group, Alpha Epsilon Delta.

I have read more issues of Broadside than most people now on campus.

Being a 1968 college graduate, your readers can safely surmise that I do not now “carouse” very much, although I’ve done my share of drinking.

Broadside, an excellent university newspaper, has higher standards than to glorify reckless and abusively loud partying. Although free speech is priceless, every newspaper has both a right and obligation to consider the civic message which it allows, simply by virtue of putting those words under its masthead. Need Broadside implicitly condone “partying your head out” as you “terrorized the neighbors, and finagled the fuzz?”

People who drink to excess, who consider it “college bliss”, who “splurge on the orgy of booze” have every right to do what they want with their own bodies. But I guarantee that every student will read, some time this year, of an auto accident where a college driver was blazing drunk - and in which both that person and innocent victims died.

What will Broadside print, in that issue, when “Carouser Report” makes its weekly boast of unrestrained drunkenness - with perhaps a moment’s silence for the “11:45 PM” arrivals from other “wild parties” - who did not live to arrive?

Ronald S. Bashian, M.D. Adjunct Faculty, Undergraduate Biology Program

about dictating what’s good for women despite having never experienced what it’s like to be a woman. Also, it’s a weak argument to reference Ted Kennedy’s car accident and Bill Clinton’s affairs, because neither built his political platforms on car accidents or affairs with interns. And, by that logic, shouldn’t we be enraged with Clarence Thomas for the sexual harassment of Anita Hill, or does he get a pass because he’s aligned to Gryboski’s party’s beliefs? Furthermore, their actions in office are far more pro-women than Romney’s public policy. Maybe when we aren’t having to waste time debating if our rapes are legitimate or convincing conservative politicians that our vaginas aren’t so magical they can prevent conception if it’s rape, then we’ll be able to focus on how conservatives aren’t waging a war against women. Perhaps if our rights weren’t endlessly threatened by pearl-clutching conservatives intent on overturning Roe vs. Wade or depriving us with basic healthcare needs (such as cutting Planned Parenthood funding because they perform abortions in addition to breast cancer screenings or refusing to pay for birth control, which oftentimes is prescribed for reasons other than contraception), then we’ll be able to focus on the economy. And for the author to imply that really the war is women versus women (pro-life versus anti-life, I guess) is just condescending, because this is so much more than the catfight he’s imagining. It’s a deliberate and conscious effort to restrict the rights of women because of their personal moral convictions. It’s selfish, it’s insulting, and it’s enough to make me wish Michael Gryboski sprouts a vagina tomorrow so he can experience what it’s like to be a woman instead of imagining what’s best for them.

Katri Haas

A Woman’s Take on a Man’s Take on the War on Women The War on Women isn’t a theory or a hyperbolic expression, it’s a reality that goes unnoticed by people like Michael Gryboski.

Conservatives who favor abortion restrictions or support religious organizations that refuse to provide contraception are anti-women. It’s just that simple. Maybe Gryboski isn’t aware of his privilege as a white, middle-class male, but he and other conservatives entitled to their political opinions based on their conscience have no qualms

Why Should I Vote?

In my Government 101 course this semester, several students have written about friends who say: “Why should I vote? It doesn’t make any difference?”

In a democratic society every adult, with some exceptions, has the right to vote: But it is not just a right: it is a duty and a responsibility.

True, Presidential elections sometimes look like eccentric prize-fights, but an election is also a regular celebration of the way we organize ourselves.

Millions upon millions of people turn out across the nation to vote, and in doing so, express their faith in and commitment to our democracy and the freedoms it embodies.

Why then do people say my vote does not make any difference? Difference to whom or to what?

First, it makes a difference to the struggle between candidates. It is a recognition that you support the values and programs your choice represents.

No one, fortunately, can be the decision maker and deliver a casting vote.

Second, it makes a difference to you.

Voting is a matter of pride and selfrespect as a citizen. Being proud of your country is being active in its political systems and exercising your civic right and responsibility. When you vote, you publicly express that commitment. Not to vote reneges on your civic duty.

Third, it makes a difference to our system of governance. It cannot be sustained without the citizen voting, and an election is a call to civic involvement. Tell us, we are saying to each other, who are we entrusting power to?

It is an invitation to express your opinions and values, and it will be cherished by those who have voted like you.

Fourth, it makes a difference to people in other nations. American elections are watched closely across the world as an example of democracy in action. You only have to see the long queues of people waiting to vote in their country for the first time, to realize what it means to them and why our example is so important.

Finally, it makes a difference to us, as a people. On Memorial Day, we remember those who have given their lives, millions of them, so that, among other things, we can vote. To vote is to recognize that legacy, to affirm and recognize what ordinary men and women, most of them in some way related to us, did for us.

The first Tuesday in November is traditionally Election Day – and it would be even more of a celebration if it were a national holiday, because many people’s work commitments make their participation difficult. But the right, the duty and the responsibility remain.

Make a difference. Vote!

Hugh Sockett Professor, Public and International Affairs

20

Broadside

Sept. 24, 2012

OPINION

Editorial

Spreading the Smiles area. Looking back, the first conclusion I made as a freshman was about how nice everyone was. Just to make sure that I was not the only one who felt this way, I asked other students what they thought about the impression given off by Mason.

“I felt that Mason did a good job of making the freshmen feel welcome,” said Joe Moschetto, freshman. “[People were] definitely friendly and it was good to know that they were making an effort to get the freshmen involved in campus life.”

Existing in a friendly environment provides the jumpstart to keeping a positive outlook. In addition to being surrounded by genuine people, there are some simple things that will help make your positive outlook last.

1.

Read Inspiring Quotes: Studies have shown

As Mason students continue to embark on their fifth week of school, the stress and multitude of to-do lists are in full swing. Class readings, exams, presentations, group work, jobs, extracurricular activities, families, friends; how are we supposed to keep up with it all without exploding? There are the typical answers, such as time management, going to class and studying. To me, the one answer that is the most important is to keep a positive outlook. We all have days where our moods may be less than stellar, but do we really like feeling that way?

When you have a positive outlook, there is no time to be unhappy because you are too busy being productive in order to keep up with the fastpaced trend that life brings.

Lucky for us all, Mason is one of the friendliest, most welcoming places in the

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Listen to Your Favorite Music: Your favorite music is always an instant mood lightener because it allows you to leave your reality. Art in general momentarily helps to erase the worries and stress that we seem to be surrounded by 24/7. Find your escape!

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a guarantee to getting some of it to come your way. Even if you don’t believe in it, complimenting someone still makes you feel better about yourself. You never know; your compliment could make that person’s day.

5.

Smile: Smiles are contagious. We all know it and smiles simply make you feel good. Start the domino effect of spreading smiles and help George Mason continue to live up to its friendly, welcoming reputation here in the D.C. metropolitan area.

Be aware of the numerous opportunities on campus to get help with questions about

your major or academic career.

“I think it is important for a student to always be working and living just outside their comfort zone,” said Jade Barricelli, academic advisor and technology coordinator in the Academic Advising and Transfer Center. “Make sure you go to that event on campus that will allow you to meet new people. Just outside the comfort zone is where you grow. Push yourself a little bit everyday and find opportunities for positive interactions and experiences.”

People see the world and their lives the way they want

to see it, not necessarily the way it actually is. It is important to keep a positive outlook on school and everything in general. Not only will it affect everything you do, but it will also encourage others to do the same.

STORY BY ELISE BAKER

Sports

Broadside

Sept. 24, 2012

21

Mason Student is Redskins Calendar Cover Girl

NBC 4

There is no bigger fan of the Washington Redskins than Lindsey McCormick.

McCormick was born and raised in the D.C. area and quickly adopted her family’s passion for the hometown football team. She bled burgundy and gold. More telling, however, is the tune that echoes throughout her home each time the doorbell rings, “Hail to the Redskins”.

“I don’t know whether to answer the door or cheer,” said McCormick, a threeyear veteran on the Redskins cheerleading squad and a current Mason student.

A competitive dancer throughout high school, McCormick tried out for the Redskins cheerleading team at 19 years of age. She spent one year on the non-dancing ambassador group before earning a spot on the sidelines every Sunday for her favorite team.

“I love to dance and I love the Redskins,” McCormick

said. “I had the urge to continue my dance career; I didn’t want to stop dancing.

But it wasn’t until I got older that I started to think, ‘Dancing and Redskins together might be a good idea.’ It was the best of both worlds.”

Since her debut on the sidelines in 2010, McCormick has dedicated a vast majority of her time to the Redskins organization.

While other students were enjoying their spring break at home last year, McCormick was on a promotional tour to Iraq and Kuwait, visiting members of the U.S. military and performing variety shows for troops in the Middle East.

“Just to meet all those guys and see how they [were living] was pretty crazy,” McCormick said.

As a member of the team, McCormick is required to attend 20 promotional events per year in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. She must

either hold a full-time job or attend school full-time, on top of the full-time job of cheering for the Redskins.

“You don’t just show up on game day and happen to know all the dances everyone around you knows,” McCormick said. “It’s a whole lot more than dancing. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun.”

Early this summer, McCormick traveled to Aruba with her squad for the annual photo shoot for the Redskins’ First Ladies of Football Cheerleaders calendar. Each of the 40 women participated in the event with only 12 appearing in the annual calendar.

McCormick was chosen by management to lead the way as the 2012-13 Redskins cover girl.

“I was very surprised, to say the least,” McCormick said. “[It was] really cool, though.”

Aside from Redskinsspecific events, McCormick

spends a significant amount of her time visiting veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, attending charity golf tournaments and volunteering at Fight Night, one of the largest events in D.C. “[Cheerleading] has given me a lot of opportunities to see different things,” McCormick said. “I have been able to meet a lot of different people.”

McCormick has the opportunity to cheer for a team that has more buzz and excitement surrounding it than any former Redskins team in recent history. Like many other fans in the area, she looks forward to the future with player Robert Griffin III leading the way for her team.

“There is a whole different vibe in D.C.,” McCormick said. “There is a whole different energy.”

STORY BY CODY NORMAN

Harmouche Aids Patriots in No. 20 Ranking This past week, Mason had the honor of having one of its freshman soccer players named the CAA Rookie Player of the Week.

Ghiles Harmouche, midfield for the team, scored two goals in two games against St. Peter’s and St. Francis. Upon hearing about this nomination, Harmouche said he was proud to be an asset to the team and that the title helped his confidence as an incoming player.

Harmouche is a Fairfax native and knew he wanted to stay close to home. Luckily, he already had contact with a few Mason soccer players in leagues around the area and he knew that Mason fit perfectly into his career as a soccer player.

“I like Mason’s style of play; other schools like to play chase, or play with the ball at their heads, but I prefer the ball at my feet. That’s where I

am best, and I saw that same style of play in Mason’s team,” said Harmouche.

He has also come to really appreciate the camaraderie among the team. Harmouche said they are extremely close, and “like a family, we help each other out, work hard at soccer, and have fun, as well.”

Harmouche has played soccer for as long as he can remember.

“When I was three years old, I would go to my dad’s soccer games and play at halftime with him and his friends,” said Marmouche. “It is the only sport I have ever played and it is my dream to be a professional player.”

Soccer is definitely a family affair: his father played soccer at Georgia Tech and taught the game to Harmouche from a young age, sharing stories of his own experience with soccer. He taught the values of hard work and dedication

that Harmouche embodies to this day.

Growing up, Harmouche played soccer in every conceivable way: in club, at school and eventually in D.C. United Academy team.

The academy teams are for the best players, and professional soccer teams run the programs to train young soccer players for professional leagues in the future. Now that Harmouche is at Mason, his core values of hard work and dedication are critical to his contributions to the team.

He abides by a quote from head coach Greg Andrulis: “Do your work and do a little of your buddy’s work.”

Harmouche’s sense of commitment to the team is outstanding, as he knows that it is the best way to be successful.

“We have a strong freshman team and sometimes, we come out firing, but in the

game against Navy, we came out lax,” said Harmouche.

“This was a major ego check and showed us that we still have to work hard to be the best. I know our team can win a CAA title and even an NCAA title, as long as we each continue to do our part and some of our teammates’ work, as well.”

Harmouche is majoring in athletic training, but is not limiting himself, as he is also considering teaching. As for now, his focus is soccer and he hopes to continue to be a valuable asset to his team in hopes of reaching a CAA title and NCAA title.

“It encompasses both the athletic aspect and intellectual aspect of sports so well, and everyone loves it– it is the world’s game,” said Harmouche when asked why soccer is different from other sports.

STORY BY JORDAN CONAHAN

AMY ROSE/BROADSIDE

Ghiles Harmouche has three goals and two assists in eight games for the Patriots this season.

22

Sept. 24, 2012

Broadside

Women’s Volleyball Continues Tradition of International Recruitment

Mason is a place of diversity, which can be seen and heard every day with a simple walk around campus.

A great deal of international recruiting is done to bring a diverse range of players to the school.One team taking advantage of international recruitment is the women’s volleyball team.

Ever since two girls from Hungary were recruited in 1993, there has been at least one international player on the team. Coach Pat Kendrick continues to bring great opportunities to international recruits.

The first big thing that all of these girls and every international recruit must go through is meeting NCAA eligibility, along with the countless paperwork. Just like every student at Mason, they must have certain SAT scores and meet certain standards. However, for international students, extra things like at least a 6.5 in English as a second language exams must also be obtained to attend Mason.

These requirements can be very intimidating to international recruits. Sometimes, they cause other schools with fewer requirements to recruit players who would not be eligible to play at Mason.

Kendrick explained that high

school and collegiate level sports in other countries are not as established as they are in the United States and Canada. Athletes usually play on club teams that they had to seek out and join. These teams have players ranging in age and availability. Players and coaches may have other full-time jobs, with the club teams coming second.

Once players turn 18, they are too old to play on youth leagues and intense competition for the country’s pro league, if there is one, begins. If players are recruited to schools in the United States, they have the chance to pursue their sport, education, and travel at the same time, which is an opportunity they would not have in their home countries.

However, a major downfall of international recruitment is that players cannot go home for holidays and breaks, which can bring issues with adjusting and staying focused.

It is a top priority that players and coaches create a support system for anyone that is far from home.

“Anyone that is far from home needs to know they have people here. We create a family away from family,” said Kendrick.

Creating a second family is very easy to accomplish here at Mason,

whether it is with other teammates or someone from the over 100 countries represented at Mason.

“When people ask me if I have kids, I say, ‘Yes, I have 14,’ said Kendrick.

The experiences international recruits have span beyond their place on the team. For example, Australian players on the women’s volleyball team were able to travel to Chicago with fellow teammates, and were able to see snow for the first time.

Mason sports all have a budget; it is up to the individual teams to figure out how they would like to spend it for the year. They may decide to only recruit from the U.S. and take referrals for international students or they may decide to take recruiting trips.

Coach Kendrick has done both of these during her time at Mason. She has had great players referred from overseas by other coaches, but has also made trips to places like Brazil for recruitment.

With the amount of international recruits increasing all throughout the country, Mason is sure to see many more smiling faces arriving from all corners of the world.

STORY BY JENN MILLER

STEPHEN KLINE

Senior utside hitter Yin Ran is from B eijing, China. She was selected as one of the top players in Beijing before coming to play for Mason.

Fitness Tips and Facts for Women Every girl knows that to stay healthy, you should not only exercise but also maintain a healthy diet.

Just about every magazine has something about diet, and advertisements constantly mention the ‘secret flat belly foods’’. Most of that propaganda is a load of crap.

Eating healthfully is fairly simple: eat lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables and limit processed sugars and hydrogenated fats. Sounds easy, right? If only.

Maintaining a healthy diet may be one of the most difficult things to do in college. I constantly struggle to eat well, with such delicious fattening and sugarladen foods constantly

available on campus.

However, hidden among all those burgers, waffle fries and macaroni wedges, there are a surprising amount of healthy options. Although I have been a health food nut for most of my life, I still had to do a bit of searching to find filling and healthy food choices. Some of my favorite healthy food locations on campus include Goldrush, IndAroma, La Pat, the Bistro and Southside.

If you are searching for healthy food off-campus or don’t have a meal plan, I have found that Wegmans is the best around. Wegmans has a large variety of healthy food and an awesome produce section at affordable prices.

Also, the local farmers market

in Fairfax has excellent fresh produce on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

If you are keeping up with exercise, you will notice it is significantly easier to do well on your workout when you are eating healthy.

Incorporating enough protein into your diet is crucial, because it not only keeps you full and satisfied for a longer time, but it also provides a large amount of energy for fewer calories per ounce.

Some excellent sources of protein for vegetarians are nuts, beans, legumes, soy products, and high-protein grains such as quinoa.

For those meat eaters out there, although Chick-Fil-A

Sports

and Taco-bell might seem extremely tempting, try to choose leaner meats for protein. The grilled chicken at Southside is an excellent choice, and pairing that with your favorite options from the salad bar or the stir fry section can provide a filling and healthy meal.

When it comes to improving your diet, start simple. By switching simple carbohydrates with complex ones, like maybe a whole grain bagel with peanut butter instead of a plain bagel with cream cheese, can make a significant difference over time.

Switch out fried rice with white rice, chips at Subway with fruit, fast-food with stir fry from Hot Spot or a salad.

Even if you are not extremely motivated to make your diet more healthy, but still want to lose weight, try limiting portions. One important thing to remember – don’t eat if you aren’t hungry.

Heavy night snacking when you aren’t actually hungry can significantly set back your health. The body does not have enough time to metabolize the calories you eat late at night, and the extra calories are stored as fat. Sadly, that might mean switching your midnight Pilot House to doing something more productive, like, I don’t know, homework? If you need a late night snack, try something with protein and a complex carb, such as yogurt

and granola. If you are indeed dragged to Pilot House or Ikes with friends, choose cereal, fruit or maybe just one slice of pizza instead of three.

Hopefully these tips are enough to bring out the health nut in all of you! But if not, just try your best to eat healthy, and maybe go on a run before you have that slice of Oreo pie.

STORY BY COLLEEN ZIMMERMAN

Sports

Broadside

Sept. 24, 2012

Rugby, a Ladies Game

23

Coach Speaks of High Hopes for Young Team Rugby is a tough, physical sport that, while not popular in the United States, has a global appeal.

The women of Mason's Rugby Club are a combination of girls with previous experience and ones who are complete novices to the sport.

Sherwin "Squirrel" Birashk, head coach of Mason's Women's Rugby Club, would have fallen into the latter category.

"I started playing when I was 15. I was actually a baseball player, but I didn't make the junior varsity squad," said Birashk, who is affectionately known as Coach Squirrel.

Birashk is a Mason alumnus who played for the Men's Rugby Club from 199699. Back then, a women’s rugby club did not exist at Mason.

While Birashk acknowledges that there is a different gender dynamic between the

“

men's and women's teams, he knows that the girls he has coached are just as tough as the guys.

"Back then, it was just starting to pick up a little. We had a couple of girls who just kind of wanted to come play around during our practices," said Birashk.

It would not be until about 10 years later in 2009 that Mason's Women's Rugby Club would officially be formed. Birashk came on as head coach of the team last spring.

A rugby team needs about 15 players to compose a formal roster, but Birashk believes about 25 players are necessary for a given season with how often injuries can occur.

Last season's team went 6-2 in play and graduated 11 seniors, so this year, Birashk is starting with 15 rookies.

Birashk believes that rugby

is fit for anyone, especially those who are currently not participating in a sport at Mason but participated in varsity sports in high school.

"I can teach the sport to anyone in about 3 to 4 weeks, and have them be a starter as long as they are willing to work hard," said Birashk Birashk has high expectations for this team, even though it is mostly comprised of rookies.

He wants the team to play a very high tempo style of game.

"My goal is stronger, faster, better. It's always about raising the bar. If you played for me last year, I expect you to take that next step up higher," said Birashk.

The women's rugby club plays in the Matrix conference, which is comprised of teams from universities such as Georgetown and Catholic.

The rugby club has already

FUNNY, VIBRANT, ESISTIBLE.” R R I D N A G N I M R A H C

Scott Mantz, ACCES

S HOLLYWOOD

MASON WOMEN’S RUGBY

Despite the youthful roster, Coach Sherwin Birashk has high expectations for his team. notched one win this season.

Mason's rugby club plays six conference games with a playoff in the spring.

The club's games usually take place on Saturdays at Field 4 at the Recreational

Sports Complex.

Birashk does not believe that success can come overnight.

However, he is hoping that when his current team of freshmen is more

experienced at the sport, Mason's women’s rugby will be competing for, and winning, a national championship.

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