The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

January 21, 2016

VOLUME 89 | ISSUE 12

PRESS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

Former UMW Police Sergeant arrested for sexual assault on campus ESTER SALGUERO Staff Writer

Woodard, Mercer Halls open their doors to students this semester

William Somers, former sergeant on the University of Mary Washington’s police force and Lexi Coleman, the victim of an alleged sexual assault reported in December, were both present at the Fredericksburg General District preliminary hearing on Thursday Jan. 14. Judge John Stevens assessed that the case should be sent to circuit court, according to The Free-Lance Star.

In the General District courtroom Coleman, a 24 year-old woman who recently returned to Fredericksburg in April after enduring several months of recovery to undergo a gender conversion, spoke her testimony. Coleman disclosed that she had informally known Somers over the course of about three years.

The alleged assault took place at the Anderson Center on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 in the afternoon, according to CBS News. Coleman’s testimony described the surroundings as an area overlooking the Ron Rosner Arena basketball court. The Free-Lance Star also stated that Coleman claimed to have had exchanged a flirtatious conversation over text and confessed to having sent intimate pictures earlier the same day.

Coleman also asserted that she “did not want to have sex with Somers,” according to The Free-Lance Star.

During Coleman’s testimony, she stated how she left to the hospital later in the day on Dec. 12 and received a sexual assault forensic examination in which the results proved to be consistent.

Somers was arrested on Dec. 16, 2015 by the Virginia State Police and was charged with two felony counts

of forcible sodomy. He was hired in 2011 by the University and was a part of UMW’s police force for about four years. Michael Hall, Chief of Police at UMW, spoke about how he knew ‘Bobby,’ referring to Somers, through his involvement with the community Little League.

Along with Somers’ engagement in the community’s Little League, he also was in charge of the Rape Aggression Defense program at UMW until he resigned from the department on Dec. 14 and turned himself in on the charges. After the department fired Somers, officer Tegan Lewis replaced Somers and is now in charge of the Rape Aggression Defense program.

Chief Hall has held his status as Chief of Police for about a year. He spoke of the embarrassment and hurt that the department has been “shouldering” through this process.

“When that trust is fractured it’s catastrophic for the rest of the department because we shoulder that hurt,” Hall said.

Despite the pain that Hall has expressed along with others in the department, he still remains compassionate toward Somers. In an interview at the Brent Station accompanied by Captain Sandor, Hall pointed how it is important for him to remain cautious when judging others by the actions they have committed because he chooses to dwell on what a person does after the fact instead of what has already transpired.

Hall acknowledged that he cannot change what has happened but was assertive in stating that the department does not tolerate these actions.

“We don’t condone that type of ac

REBECA MURPHY Staff Writer

A new year brought with it new homes for two of the University of Mary Washington’s largest departments. Both the College of Business and the Department of Psychological Science began the spring semester officially moved into newly renovated Woodard and Mercer Halls.

On Dec. 7, 2015, the College of Business Student Advisory Board offered a tour of the finished renovations in Woodard Hall. Faculty then moved into the second floor on Dec. 16, 2015.

In anticipation of their new home, the College of Business had t-shirts made with Woodard Hall featured on the back of the shirts. The move is a big deal for the College of Business since this is the first time they have had their own building.

Chandler Hall housed both the Department of Psychology and the College

ISSUE

UMW honors the memories of faculty members and student

•SOMERS |11

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH News Editor

University of Mary Washington students and faculty have come together to honor two faculty members and a student who passed away the previous semester and over winter break.

Two memorials took place over the weekend, one in the foyer of duPont Hall on Friday and the other in the Rappahannock Grand Ballroom of the Jepson Alumni Executive Center Saturday.

The memorials honored the lives of faculty members JeanAnn Dabb, who taught art history and had previously been chair of the art history department, and Neil Tibert, who taught geology in the earth and environmental science department. Both passed away the previous semester and were longtime professors at the university.

Dabb passed away on Oct. 20 from cancer and had taught art history at UMW since 1992. Tibert died on Dec.

SNOW!

The Blue & Gray Press

•BUILDINGS |10

IN THIS

Ester Salguero/The Blue & Gray Press

•STEFAN |2

ALAN RICKMAN

GREEK LIFE

SPLASH ATTACK

Actor’s life and career honored following death

A different perspective on fraternities at UMW campus

Men’s and Women’s swim teams gear toward CACs

VIEWPOINTS | 4

SPORTS | 3

LIFE | 6

NEWS THE

BLUE & GRAY

Editors: Sarah Grammer & Emily Hollingsworth | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Dabb, Tibert and Sacoto remembered by UMW

PRESS

MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Markham

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Sarah Grammer Emily Hollingsworth

VIEWPOINTS Hannah Parker

LIFE Della Hethcox

SPORTS Mikey Barnes

ONLINE Ethan Tobin

PHOTO Alex Sakes

ASSISTANT EDITORS Kelly Emmrich JacobAtkinson Andy Unger

Faculty Advisor Sushma Subramanian

CRIME COVERAGE POLICY The Blue & Gray Press will publish the names of students who are formally charged by the University of Mary Washington Campus Police or the Fredericksburg Police Department to have committed acts of extreme violence against members of the UMW community or pose a large threat to that community, when names are released to the public. The Blue & Gray Press will publish names and write articles about criminal acts on a case-by-case basis according to the aforementioned parameters.

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•STEFAN | 1 20 from a brief illness, according to UMW’s faculty newsletter. He had taught geology at UMW since 2003.

A selection of Dabb’s artwork is featured in an exhibition that began on Thursday, Jan. 14 called “Awe and Wonder” at duPont Gallery. The exhibit, featuring paintings, mosaics and pottery, will continue until Feb. 26.

The exhibit also contained artwork from people who knew Dabb, and included brief but kind messages regarding Dabb’s influence on them. Dabb received the Grellet C. Simpson and the Mary W. Pinschmidt awards in 2009.

The Simpson award, according to the University of Mary Washington’s website, is UMW’s most prestigious award for excellence in undergraduate teaching.

Tibert, similarly, was featured in a

Emily Hollingsworth / TheBlue & Gray Press

story on UMW’s website before his death about his research analyzing sediments along the Potomac River. The research, which also was conducted with a few students in the program, was meant to examine the impact of sea-level rise in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Tibert also was a talented musician and played guitar, according to a story in The Blue & Gray Press in 2013.

While faculty and students have taken steps to remember Dabb and Tibert, students are also honoring a student who passed away at the beginning of December. Sophomore Stefan Sacoto was found dead on Friday, Dec. 4 in his off-campus residence, according to a school-wide email sent from the Office of Student Affairs.

Sacoto was originally from Lovettsville, Va. According to the email, Sacoto

was a member of Psi Upsilon, a fraternity at UMW and loved music.

The Phi Delta chapter of Psi Upsilon, the chapter at UMW, began a GoFundMe campaign approximately a month ago to plant a tree on UMW’s campus to honor Sacoto’s life. The campaign, also featured on the fraternity’s national Facebook page, has raised $5,005 of its $10,000 goal.

“No one can prepare you for the loss of someone you love. Nothing can be said that will heal the pain we feel from our fallen brother,” the page said. “Stefan Joseph Sacoto was taken too soon from us, but his memory will live on forever.”

Psi Upsilon has proposed the tree to UMW administration and are awaiting response, according to the group when contacted on Facebook.

Trial for Grace Mann case to begin in May this year JONATHON MYERS Staff Writer

A student’s murderer gets a trial date.

Former University of Mary Washington student Steven Vander Briel will begin his trial May 2 for the first-degree murder of fellow UMW student Grace Mann.

On April 17, 2015,, Mann was found unresponsive in her off-campus home on Washington Avenue that she shared with Briel and two other housemates.

Despite attempts at resuscitation, Mann was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mary Washington Hospital shortly thereafter.

Briel, age 30, first enrolled at UMW in 2002. After on-again, off-again enrollment periods, Briel was finally on track to graduate in Spring 2015. Testimonies from those that knew him described Briel as “non-threatening” and “friendly,” his indictment in the case coming as a shock to many, according to a previous report in The Free LanceStar. A former member of the rugby team, Briel earned the nickname “Care Bear” and was viewed as more sensitive than the other members of the team. His former teammates never reported any signs of mental illness, drug addiction or violent behavior, according to The Free Lance-Star.

After a brief stint in Seattle, Briel returned to Fredericksburg to finish his degree; renting a room with Mann and two others in their Washington Avenue

home.

Mann, openly gay and an active member of UMW PRISM, was attending a “Day of Silence” event for the victims of bullying targeted at sexual minorities on April 17, according to a report in the Washington Post, before she returned home to find Briel there alone. Shortly afterward, one of the other two housemates received a text message from Briel about making a “mess” in one of the rooms. When the two housemates returned home, they found Briel soaked in sweat and behaving strangely.

He cryptically asked them what they would do if Mann never came back, and described an altercation in which Mann allegedly “lunged” at him and bit him, causing him to “defend himself.” In his description he openly admitted to strangling her, according to The Free LanceStar.

Mann was found with her hands bound with a belt and a sweater, with two plastic bags in her mouth and another over her head. One of the housemates began CPR immediately. By the time police arrived 10 minutes later, Briel had already left. He was later apprehended on Fall Hill Avenue.

The beginnings of an insanity defense are already being formulated by Briel’s attorneys, with the proper paperwork having already been submitted.

After pleading not guilty for all of his charges, the defense will have to prove Briel’s insanity at the time of the inci

•MANN| 11

Julia Davis/ The Blue & Gray Press

Thursday, January 21, 2016

SPORTS

Men’s and women’s swimming tearing up the CAC

UMW Athletics

MIKEY BARNES Sports Editor

The 2015-2016 season has brought another triumphant start to the season for the University of Mary Washington men’s and women’s swim programs. Arguably, the two most successful programs in school history have proven successful year in and year out, this season has proved no different. Coached by head coach Abby Brethauer and first year assistant Dalton Herendeen, the two programs are off to astounding starts to their seasons.

The UMW women’s swimming program, who has won 25 consecutive conference championships is predicted and on pace to make it 26 this season. The program is currently 9-0 and ranked 24th in Division III, and at one point were ranked as high as 12th, while also being ranked in top spot of the CAC. Like often many successful programs in collegiate sports are, the UMW women’s swim team is led by a number of seniors as well as a good core of supporting casts amongst the other classes. Senior Stephanie Hallock is a clear leader on this program, Hallock received CAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week earlier in the season and has contin-

ued her leadership and skillful swimming.

In early December, junior Anna Corley was named CAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week for her success in the water and senior Ashley Walnut was named CAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week for this past week. These awards thus far into the season are miniscule to the success they have had and skill they have portrayed.

The Eagles opened up their season on a huge victory over the currently 14th ranked Washington and Lee Generals. The Eagles were led in that meet by Hallock, Corley, seniors Katie Fago, Hannah Hagy and sophomore Megan Murphy. Sophomore Corries Presland-Byrne described the victory over the Generals as “insane” since the program had not beaten Washington and Lee in a number of years.

Murphy said about the victory, “we stayed positive throughout the meet and it was awesome to beat them for the first time in awhile...it felt good to kick the season off with that kind of start.”

Before the winter break, the women’s swim program finished in second at Gettysburg Invitational with outstanding performances by Murphy, Corley, Faggo, Walnut and Hagy. The women’s swim program wrapped up their home swim meets on Saturday January 16 against

UMW Athletics

St. Mary’s (Md.), with a blowout victory of 157-47. The huge victory was a great sendoff for the seniors, to wrap up their collegiate swim meets at home in Goolrick pool. When asked what lead to their continuous success year in and out, Presland-Byrne credited the coaching staff and the work ethic that the team possesses.

The UMW men’s program is off to a very noteworthy start of a season themselves as they are fighting for their 19th consecutive CAC championship crown.

Coming into this season, the men’s program has had to deal with the graduating of their star swimmer and former national champion, Alex Anderson. Despite his departure, a senior heavy program has bonded together to lead this team to success. With six of their core swimmers all being seniors, the Eagles men’s swimming program is off to a 6-1 start, with their one loss coming in a meet where they were missing a few key swimmers. That one loss coming by the hands of Washington and Lee. In that season opening meet, the Eagles broke out to an early advantage with a relay victory coming from senior Matt Garstka, sophomore Kenyon Huber-Wilker, senior Sean Mayer and junior Dallas Tarkenton. A strong performance

from the relay team and double individual victories from Huber-Wilker proved not strong enough as they fell 160-102. The loss propelled the guys in the coming weeks, as they have gone 8-0 since and at one point finding themselves ranked 26th in the nation.

The Eagles proved their strength in a CAC opening victory against Frostburg St. in which they defeated CAC competitor 98-24 in Frostburg. The Eagles were led in that meet by Huber-Wilker, Garstka, Tarkenton and senior Vance Solseth. The seniors on the program wrapped their home collegiate careers up with a bang as well, as they defeated St. Mary’s (Md.) by a score of 147.5 to 55.5. The seniors on the program all had success in their final home meet notably Garstka and Zach Eisig, who both had multiple first place finishes. Garstka too credited the coaching staff on the great success the program has had this year and year’s past and also wanted it to be noted that CAC competitors keep an eye on Connor Nye at the CAC championships whom he described as a, “dark horse coming for blood.”

Garstka, Murphy, Presland-Byrne and the CAC leading programs will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 23 at Gettysburg.

Washington Redskins offseason preview HOGAN LEPORE Staff Writer

It is now the offseason for the Washington Redskins after a tough loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. Luckily enough for me, I was able to attend the game. I was quite surprised actually, the atmosphere at FedEx Field was at an all-time high, I have never seen Redskins’ fans so proud to be apart of the franchise. I have been to FedEx Field in previous years and in those visits the atmosphere was definitely not as positive as it was this season. Of course it was a postseason game but I believe that is why the atmosphere was so exhilarating.

It seems this organization is starting to turn the corner and hit its stride. General Manager Scot McCloughan has definitely put this organization on the path to success, as he developed the NFL’s most impactful rookie class in 2015. McCloughan was brought in by team owner Dan Snyder

because of his unique ability to draft and develop. His most recent and significant work of art, so to speak, was during the regime in Seattle where McCloughan was the Senior Personnel Executive and helped the Seahawks win a Super Bowl.

In just his second year, McCloughan has devised a plethora of promising, talented young men to his 53-man roster, most notably Bashaud Breeland, Brandon Scherff and Jamison Crowder. Perhaps McCloughan’s biggest gem of his Redskins run thus far has been the selection of Kyshoen Jarrett, a safety from Virginia Tech, in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Jarrett was a force at the back-end of that Washington defense this season. Although the Redskins’ General Manager is a ‘build through the draft’ kind of guy, he does not shy away from free agency.

Usually in the NFL, when we think about

the draft and develop, we think of Ted Thompson of the Green Bay Packers. Of course, when we think of Thompson we also think of no free agent signings. McCloughan is a little different in that regard.

He is not afraid to sign a new body off the street. If McCloughan sees a hole in his roster, he fixes it. One good example is last offseason when he managed to sign two high dollar defensive tackles in Terrance Knighton and Stephen Paea, thus helping to bolster that thin defensive line spot for Washington. Both were not as effective as expected, but that justifies McCloughan’s overall ‘build through the draft’ philosophy.

I will focus on the Redskins’ top three options at pick number 21, including insight on each prospect. Washington’s positions of need (ordered from greatest need to least) are cornerback, inside linebacker

and safety.

Reggie Ragland, an inside linebacker from national champion Alabama, is the best, truest inside linebacker in this year’s draft. He has a unique instinct for the ball and great tackling form, very rarely do you see Ragland miss a tackle. Ragland won the will linebacker starting position back during his junior season in 2014 and never relinquished it. The unanimous first team All-American was the heartbeat for arguably the nation’s top defense during their championship season. The Redskins have a log jam of sorts at the inside linebacker position, where they have many viable options, but do not have a Pro Bowl caliber player. They could add one by drafting Ragland. Reggie Ragland is currently ranked as the 16th overall draft prospect according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report.

•Redskins | 12

Weekly Scoreboard MEN'S BASKETBALL:

Jan. 16 @ Marymount (L) UMW: 63 Marymount: 65

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Jan. 16 @ Marymount

.

(W) UMW: 62 Marymount: 49

Upcoming:

Men’s Basketball Jan. 23 vs. York (Pa.) 3:00 p.m

Women’s Basketball Jan. 23 vs. York (Pa.) 1:00 p.m

Men’s/Women’s Swim Jan. 23 @ Gettysburg College 1:00 p.m.

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VIEWPOINTS

Powerball promises millions, millions lost out

EMILY DALY Staff Writer

The winning numbers for the largest Powerball jackpot in American history were announced Jan. 13, and if you played, odds are you lost.

According to the New York Times, the odds of winning were about 1 in 292.2 million. It would be crazy to say that putting in $2 to play the lottery is a good investment, but there is something more to gain from Powerball frenzy than just cash money.

Many people’s dreams could be achieved with that much money. A University of Mary Washington student on the social app Yik Yak planned to use the money to buy the school, and no one can forget the gentleman in the viral Fox 5 News interview that said he would spend the jackpot on “cocaine and hookers.”

People who play the lottery often find it entertaining to come up with ways to spend the money. Sure, most people will never be a billionaire, but that does not stop many from dreaming.

Is the ability to dream about being dis

People all over the country bought Powerball tickets in hopes to win millions.

gustingly rich the only reason to play the Powerball? Maybe you have heard that playing the lottery helps education.

Virginia is very proud of itself because all of the money that the state makes from selling lottery tickets goes to education.

Cookies with side of Planned Parenthood?

HANNAH PARKER Viewpoints editor

Everyone knows that Girl Scout cookie season is the most anticipated season of the year, even beating out good ol’ Saint Nick, but are these mouth-watering cookies worth the Girl Scouts organization’s support for Planned Parenthood?

The answer, simply put, is yes.

In 2014, rumors swirled around that, originating from pro-life Girl Scouts moms, the Girl Scouts organization supports Planned Parenthood. The rumors blew up and anti-abortion groups began publicly announcing a boycott on Girl Scout cookies for that coming cookie season.

In response to the boycott, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts USA Anna Maria Chávez published a video denying these claims. Chávez was heavily bashed

by Pro-life Girl Scouts moms saying that she was lying and covering up the true motives of the Girl Scouts organization.

On the Girl Scouts official website listed underneath FAQ and Social Issues it explicitly says that they have no relation with Planned Parenthood. They do not support or advocate for Planned Parenthood and certainly are not teaching the scouts to support Planned Parenthood.

It also states that they do not take a personal stance as an organization on abortion. They leave this conversation and debate for the family to decide upon, leaving it out of the motives of the Girl Scouts organization.

Trending yet again this year anti-abortion groups are advocating against buying

Girl Scouts cookies in hopes of shaming their support of Planned Parenthood.

Groups such as American Life League, who in 2014 called for a National boycott on Girl Scout Cookies, are posting propaganda pictures of their boycott, as well as a website created called ‘Cookie Cott.’

Rumors have circulated from ‘the inside’ about Girl Scouts connection to Planned Parenthood and Girl Scouts USA has placed their rebuttal. But the fact of the matter is, whether Chávez is telling the truth or not is not important.

Girl Scouts support Planned Parenthood, so? Girl Scouts do not support Planned Parenthood, so?

The point of the Girl Scouts organization is to teach young girls self-confidence and the importance of ‘girl power,’ so when it comes to support for Girl Scouts or not, it should not come down to Planned Parenthood, it should come down to the kids.

Girl Scouts helps adolescent girls feel like they belong and help them find confidence, everyone should continue to support Girl Scouts simply because it is helping young girls find themselves.

What does slamming the door in the face of a 10 year old girl trying to sell cookies teach her? Never to get an abortion?

To quit Girl Scouts, the place where she found her friends?

No, it teaches her to stop forming opinions for herself and ruins the Girl Scout experience for her.

So if you are debating whether to buy Girl Scout cookies this coming season, buy the cookies with a side of I-do-notcare-what-they-support.

Travis Wise/Flikr

The Virginia Lottery website states that in 2014, 29.7 percent of lottery ticket spending went toward education in the form of $538.6 million, which sounds like something to applaud. You can be sure that this year even more money will be

sent in this direction because of the hectic buying of Powerball tickets.

According to ABC 8 Richmond News, in the past, the funds provided from the lottery became extra money for education, but now it is used to take the place of taxes to provide funding for schools. It is basically a voluntary 60 cent tax where you pay an extra $1.40 for someone else to win $1.5 billion.

Maybe this is why the lottery has gained the unappealing nickname of “the idiot tax.” The good thing about taxes, if there is such a thing, is that it all goes toward taxes. This is not the case with the lottery.

If you really want to help Virginia schools you should just pay taxes.

If you are going to play the next Powerball you should know that you are not going to win, schools probably will not be better off and the only enjoyment you will receive is from fantasizing about how to spend money you will never have. Also, you could dream about winning the lottery without buying a ticket. In short, the Powerball is a waste of money (unless you were 1 of those 3 lucky winners), which we knew all along.

Editorial: New year marks turning point in UMW history The New Year brings with it a Mary Washington that is unfamiliar to most. Virtually every current undergraduate student at UMW has come to know a campus constantly being tinkered with by consistent construction projects. These changes, while necessary, were not only seen as inconvenient to daily routines or sleep schedules, but a pain to look at as well.

However, spring 2016 is unique from past semesters in that it is the first semester in years to be 100 percent construction-free.

With the completed renovations to Woodard and Mercer Halls and the finishing touches to the University Center done, all major construction projects on campus are done, with the exception of the new track and field complex being constructed at the Battlegrounds. The peace and quiet is welcoming, yet unfamiliar to many students.

It has been a near decade-long period of rapid growth for the University, with major changes occurring every year in order to keep pace with the top schools in the state of Virginia. While many students view these changes as unnecessary and wasteful, we at The Blue & Gray Press believe that these evolutions are vital to the future of the school. It’s easy to look at a $54 million University Center and call it a waste at this moment in time, but 10 years from now, when the UC and other new buildings like it have been fully integrated into the UMW community, we, as first-hand witnesses to these changes, will say we had a part in the new era of UMW.

Our paper not too long ago underwent a similar change. Altering our name, website, social media and layout was not a welcoming change to many at the university.

However, these changes were necessary for the betterment of the quality of our paper.

As we see the University come under fire by current and former students about these “unnecessary” changes, we think back to the pressure we felt during our changes and cannot help but feel empathetic. Hopefully, as time goes on, students will learn to realize that what is new is not always bad and steering away from some traditions is sometimes necessary for the sake of progress.

One more major change is still slated for this semester, and it is more important than any of the new on-campus buildings.

As the UMW Presidential Search Committee winds down their search for President Hurley’s successor, we enter into a stage of UMW’s history that is pivotal in determining the long-term direction of the University. Whoever is selected as UMW’s next president, he or she will be handed a school fresh off of a major period of metamorphosis, in possession of its largest freshman class ever and a student body that does not shy from pushing for change.

We are turning a page in UMW’s history books right before our eyes. Rather than complaining about the changes and arguing against them, we should have more open minds, think about the future rather than the present and appreciate the fact that we have a chance to determine the future of our university.

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

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Thursday, January 21, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Hannah Parker | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

More than booze

Positive body image movement ignores health risks Is the promotion of a positive body image

supporting bad health habits?

ALEXANDRIA RIKER Staff Writer

and blackouts

Dean Hochman/Flikr

Frats need larger presence in community TESSA CATE Staff Writer

Our quaint, cozy campus is home to students bumbling up and down campus walk, frolicking across Ball Circle in the sunshine and getting down to business in the Hurley Convergence Center. The campus vibe is one of friendliness, where every student is equal to the next and Eagles of different social backgrounds and interests mix flawlessly. This kind of fluidity can be, in part, attributed to the lack of University-recognized Greek life on our happy little campus.

Refusing to allow the school to be dominated by “geeds,” a name derived from the term “GDI” or “God Damn Independent,” and defined by Urban Dictionary as “the non-Greek affiliated members on a college campus,” the town of Fredericksburg is home to two nationally recognized chapters, Kappa Sigma Rho Chi and Psi Upsilon Phi Delta. In addition, the Theta Gamma colony of Alpha Sigma Phi was established during the Fall 2015 semester.

Fraternity brothers can be spotted walking about campus sporting Greek letters; something the rest of the university’s students do not have the ability to partake in.

The question is – what else are they doing? They cannot just walk around in letter-clad packs, discussing the next party they are planning to throw. There has to be more.

Yes, the parties and social opportunities are a huge part of the college experience, as well as the fraternity experience, and should not be skipped over, but there is more to Greek life than booze and blackouts.

On every fraternity’s national website, a clear and concise mission statement can be found.

According to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s national website, the organization’s mission is to “complement and enhance the educational mission of the host institution,” “promote the ideal of brotherhood,” “actively contribute to the personal growth and development of its members,” “promote ethical behavior and decision making,” and lastly to, “encourage service to others.”

These words might be specific to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, but the goals and ideals behind them are not.

The purpose behind the creation of fra-

ternities is to give university men a place to bond with one another, a place to grow on personal, social and academic levels, and a place from which they can work together to better their campus as a team.

These common goals unite Greeks despite their difference in letters, but do they unite the Greeks of UMW? For the fraternities that assemble on our campus to be recognized, not necessarily by the University, but by the student body and themselves as legitimate, they must work towards the mission and exemplify the values promoted by their national organization.

If the fraternities have not fully embraced these ideals and actively worked towards them, past efforts to gain official recognition from the University of Mary Washington can be deemed futile and all future efforts should be put on hold.

The University has no business affiliating itself with fraternities unless their members have a purpose, and hopefully one that benefits the school and greater community.

The brotherhoods of UMW have done work that should not be invalidated, this is purely a Greek call to arms to increase positive Greek presence on campus and in the Fredericksburg community.

This can be anything from teaming up with another campus organization for a service and giving competition to creating a funny lip dub video for all of campus to enjoy. The fraternities can even get the student body involved with the philanthropies and campaigns they are affiliated with on the national level. The ways to make a difference are endless.

The Rho Chi chapter of Kappa Sigma was recently recognized on the Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s national website for aiding local organization Tree Fredericksburg in planting 56 trees and cleaning up a local cemetery.

This kind of community-bettering activity is a great start to upping Greek presence and demonstrating purpose as an organization. Events like this can happen all the time, and why shouldn’t they? These fraternities are filled with intelligent and capable men, hopefully united by similar goals. It is time for them to embrace their mission statements and make some waves.

America is the land of the free and home of the brave, but has recently become the land of fast food and home of the obese.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than one-third of adult Americans are classified as obese. This past December, the American Medical Association officially recognized and classified obesity as a disease, a statement with which I could not disagree with more.

Now, normally when the AMA makes a classification, it becomes news to the public. Not only has the recognition of obesity as a disease by the AMA become news, but it has also sparked booming controver-sy throughout the public concerning whether or not the AMA made the right call.

While the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute commented that obesity is a “complex, multifactorial disease,” and the World Health Organization stated, “obesity is now well recognized as a disease,” others do not maintain such opinions.

According to U.S. News and World Report, University of California, Davis nutritionist Linda Bacon stat-ed that, “the AMA just determined that some people are sick based on how they look. What’s next? Will they pronounce being black as a disease because there are higher rates of cardiovascular disease in black communities?”

The people who seem to have the biggest problem with the recent classification of obesity as a disease are people who stand with the “Fat is Beautiful” movement. For those who are unfamiliar with the recently ignited movement, it consists of campaigns that fight for the right of overweight people to be treated equally, including when it comes to medical approaches for someone whose body is larger than the “so-cial norm.”

This movement has demonized people like Cathy Young, writer for the Boston Globe, who wrote, “the fat acceptance movement is hazardous to our health,” and Barbara Kay, writer for the National Post, who wrote, “fat-acceptance is not the answer to obesity.”

The fact of the matter is, obesity is an

epidemic sweeping across America, and making excuses for why it is ok or why it should be accepted are not going to cut it when obesity ends up becoming a leading cause of death for Americans. Columbia University and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examined the real impact of obesity on death rates in which the results revealed that nearly one in five U.S. deaths is associ-ated with obesity, which is nearly three times higher than previously recorded estimates.

It is hard for me to see obesity as being a disease when, unless it is a symptom or side effect of a previous medical condition, it is generally inflicted upon oneself.

Unfortunately, over-sensitivity has become a norm in American society, and excuses are being made left and right for things people do not want to face or own up to.

The “Fat is Beautiful” movement is a perfect example of this. Unless managed, being fat leads to being obese, and being obese is life threatening once it reaches a certain point.

Instead of taking responsibility for their own life and health, many are using this classification of obesity as yet another excuse as to why the unhealthy lifestyle they live is acceptable.

An estimate from the nonprofit RTI International (formerly known as Research Triangle Institute) says that about 42 percent of Americans will be obese by 2030 if obesity trends continue.

Obesity is an unfortunate occurrence in America, but it is an occurrence that needs to be recognized as a result of a person leading a poor diet, exercise schedule and overall lifestyle. The ramifications of being obese need to be recognized; there are larger implications than just to the individual.

According to Phit America, $190 billion is the amount of added medical costs every year that are estimat-ed to stem from obesity-related problems. That is nearly 21 percent of total U.S. health care costs.

Keeping that in mind, it does not seem so evil to think that considering obesity as a disease does nothing but cut people breaks they do not deserve and give them excuses they do not need.

Many obese people’s eating habits are causing them deathly health risks.

Allan Fosher/Flikr

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LIFE

Editor: Della Hethcox blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Fans mourn the passing of celebrated actor Alan Rickman

Warner Bros.

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, one of his most beloved and recognized roles for fans all over the world. Rickman appeared in all eight films. he also did stage acting and film acting for Alfred Blalock in “Something the Lord once in the Harry Potter movie series, but HANNAH PARKER lesser known movies.

Made,” Alex Hughes in “Snow Cake,” and this time there was no happy ending.

Viewpoints Editor Rickman received his first big break in Judge Turpin in “Sweeney Todd: The De“Harry Potter” co-stars were deeply afThe world stood in shock as the news the American acting world by scoring the mon Barber of Fleet Street.” He also was fected by the death of Rickman, having flooded social media sites that “Harry role as Vicomte de Valmont in the 1987 in the films “Dogma,” “Galaxy Quest,” worked with him for so many years of Potter” star Alan Rickman died at age 69 Broadway version of “Les Liaisons Dan- and “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Gal- their lives.

Star of “Harry Potter” Daniel Radcliffe on Jan. 14 after battling pancreatic cancer. gereuses.” He received a Tony nomina- axy.”

Of course, let us not forget Rickman’s was especially affected by Rickman’s According to the United Kingdom pa- tion for his role in this production. death, posting a public message on Gooper, “The Independent,” Rickman died gle+ about his relationship with Rickman. shortly after his diagnosis, which was an“As an actor he was one of the first of nounced only a few months earlier. the adults on Potter to treat me like a Rickman worked as an actor first in the peer rather than a child,” Radcliffe said.

U.K., then expanded his career overseas “Working with him at such a formative to the United States. Prior to Rickman’s age was incredibly important and I will entrance into the world of acting, he atcarry the lessons he taught me for the rest tended graduate school at the Royal Colof my life and career. Film sets and thelege of Art where he studied graphic deatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of sign. this great actor and man.”

After graduating, Rickman started a Other co-stars such as Emma Watson graphic design company with some of his posted messages about Rickman on social graduate school peers. He worked with media sites such as Facebook. the company for many years until he de“I’m very sad to hear about Alan tocided to audition for the Royal Academy day,” Watson said. “I feel so lucky to have of Dramatic Art and test his love for theworked and spent time with such a special ater. man and actor. I’ll really miss our converWith Rickman’s persistence and detersations. RIP Alan. We love you.” mination, it is no surprise that he was acEven Rowling, author of the Harry Potcepted into the academy at age 26, beginter book series, posted a message about ning his career as an actor.

Rickman’s death on Twitter.

Rickman led a diverse and fulfilling act“There are no words to express how ing career, from touching lives and breakAlan Rickman Info shocked and devastated I am to hear ing hearts as Severus Snape in author J.K. After his stage work Rickman made his most popular role mentioned before, one of Alan Rickman’s death,” Rowling Rowling’s book adapted film “Harry Potdebut in “Die Hard,” which was the insti- that has become iconic all around the said. “He was a magnificent actor and a ter” to completely switching personas and wonderful man.” world: Severus Snape. taking on the role as villain Hans Gruber gator to his overflowing fan base today.

Rickman also acted as character JaAlthough Rickman will no longer apOnce the world learned about the death in “Die Hard.”

Although these were Rickman’s best mie in “Truly Madly Deeply,” Colonel of their beloved Snape, it exploded. It al- pear on movie theater screens or on the known roles throughout his acting career, Brandon in “Sense and Sensibility,” Dr. ready felt the weight of Rickman’s death stage, he will ‘always’ be in our hearts.

Rickman in two fan favorite roles, as Dr. Lazarus in “Galaxy Quest,” left, and as Colonel Brandon, right, in “Sense and Sensibility”.

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Den of Geek, God of Pizza/Tumblr

Thursday, January 21, 2015

LIFE Student clubs promoted at Club Carnival ELIZABETH MORAN Staff Writer

Every floor in the University Center buzzed with excitement last Wednesday, Jan. 13, as more than 100 student organizations and clubs prepared to recruit new members during the spring semester’s Club Carnival. More than 300 students attended this year’s event, signing up with volunteer clubs, sports club and leisure clubs.

Although students may know about many clubs on campus (such as the a cappella groups or club sports), lesser known clubs are finding their own niches in the student community. For students like Grant Raycroft, junior English major, and Mark Quigley, junior math major, they found their own niches as officers in the Children of Time club, as well as the national club, Math Association of America, which has an on-campus chapter.

Raycroft is the president of Children of Time (which is also known as the University of Mary Washington Science Fiction Theater club). According to Raycroft, Children of Time “is a club for science fiction fans, we screen films and television.”

As a club, their mission is to foster and nourish a positive community for all students who enjoy all things science fiction.

Although they do not typically host large events on campus, they have recently participated in the cross-club event called MaryWashicon.

MaryWashicon is an event where the UMW Geek Alliance hosts events such as panels and discussions to celebrate anything and everything nerdy.

The UMW Geek Alliance is a campus-wide community of clubs that many people might consider nerdy, such as the Video Game Club or the Western Animation Club.

Last semester the Alliance hosted a cross-club Halloween Costume Contest, an event that was well received.

Gaining exposure at the Club Carnival not only recruits new members and spreads awareness about the unique club offerings that UMW offers, but for Raycroft, the addition of the UC is a welcome change.

“I like having the carnival in the University Center. It beats the heck out of the stuffy hot gymnasium. All that extra seat-

ing is mighty appreciated as well,” Raycroft said.

A twice yearly event, Club Carnival is what each club makes of it. For Raycroft, it depends on the club’s willingness to share their mission with their fellow students. The carnival does not promise members, however that falls on the clubs themselves. “It’s a great way to get your name out there and get new students excited,” Raycroft said.

For those interested, Children of Time meets every Friday at 9 p.m. in Trinkle 204. For more information, visit their Facebook page: UMW Science Fiction Theater.

For a club that mixes both academic and personal pursuits, try the Math Association of America. For Quigley, the club’s promotional officer, MAA is not what people traditionally expect. As a club, they tend to focus more on their involvement with the local community than just numbers. “We don’t do what you think we do,” Quigley said. “We hold many events, like bowling with professors, t-shirt designing, holding meetings with free pizza, spring picnics and hosting a calculus tournament for high school mathletes.”

Students should not be discouraged by the word ‘math’, Quigley said. “It is a shame that people are turned off by the M in MAA,” since the club is more focused on community UMW Geek Alliance improvements and club fellowship. For Quigley, he hoped that the Carnival would be a chance to encourage future members as well as give himself a chance to advertise and share the club’s message that the MMA is meant to be a collaborative and enjoyable environment.

Unlike many clubs, they do not have weekly meetings, but that does not mean they do not have events. To keep track of their happenings, visit their Facebook page: Math Association of America at UMW. Club Carnival is a tradition that helps the many student clubs gain recognition, and thanks to the UC, clubs had a comfortable space to promote their goals and missions.

If you are looking for a club, you are sure to find the perfect fit thanks to the diverse clubs run by your peers.

Elizabeth Moran /The Blue & Gray Press

UMW students check out the clubs at this semester’s Club Carnival.

24-Hour Play Festival captivates campus

Student members of Studio 115 host the 24-Hour Play Festival annually.

OCEANA PEEMOELLER Staff Writer

On Jan. 16, student-run Studio 115 opened the semester by smashing the bottle that is the Festival on the metaphorical ship that is the semester itself.

Kenneth Bellamy, a senior double majoring in theatre and English Secondary Education, explained that everything from auditioning to writing scripts all took place in that 24-hour period.

An event from the early 2000’s, 24 has seen the whole gamut of direction its plays have taken. Just last semester, the plays included a modern take on the interactions of the Greek gods, a performance piece dedicated to the female orgasm and a play about a student starting to move past a failing relationship.

The air hummed with excitement and conversation in equal measure; first in the hallway of duPont’s basement and then in Studio 115 itself. Once everyone found their seats, it was mere minutes before the lights dimmed and plunged the audience into darkness.

The actors took their spots, the stage brightened and the show began.

“You never know what might happen, you don’t even know the mood of the plays going in because they aren’t written until that night,” said Alexander Taggert, a graduating senior theatre major who has participated in the event for the past 10 semesters.

The first play, “El Camino Real” depicted two college students taking a break at a diner during an impromptu road trip to Disney World. They also asked a waitress for directions to Murphy Ranch to scatter the ashes of one student’s grandmother, only to discover that it was built in the 1930s as a base for Nazi activity in the United States. It also led to the awkward—and completely hilarious—discovery that Grandma’s a Nazi.

Taggert’s comment about the moods of the plays was never truer than in “Lily in the Dark,” the second play. “Lily in the Dark” explored themes of moving forward and mourning with a supernatu-

Studio 115

ral twist vaguely reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Coincidentally enough, this skit’s setting also took place on Christmas Day and dealt with its protagonist conversing directly with a couple spirits in order to see her life with clearer vision.

The third play, titled “The Mary Washington Improvicon’s Present an Evening of Games, Japes, and Comedy,” was a slightly meta take on how an improv actor’s personal drama can and will ruin a show.

The fourth and final act was a fitting sendoff to this year’s graduating seniors as well as a bittersweet note to end the performance. It followed a college advisor helping the different types of seniors about to leave the hallowed halls of their university. As the final lines of this skit so succinctly summed up, no matter how often those involved go through the song and dance, “it never gets any easier.”

“I liked the fourth one with the academic advisor. It was great how many different types of seniors they captured; like the ones who are panicking about graduation, the ones who don’t care, and the ones who just want to go home and somehow get a job. It’s very relatable; I think I’ve gone through all of the stages by this point,” said Audrey Studio 115 Carol, a senior English major.

For those who missed out on participating in the 24-Hour Play Festival and still want to get involved, keep an eye on Studio 115’s Facebook page, because among some of the studio’s upcoming events is a full length theatrical production. The next play this semester will take place the first weekend of the Fall 2016 semester back at Studio 115.

“As far as people who may want to join us in the future, I say just come out and try it,” Taggert said. “We are a really welcoming group of people. Most people would think there would be a lot of pressure to try and learn lines of a play in less than a day but it’s really a low pressure environment. Come as you are and be open to the experience. You’ll have a great time.”

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LIFE

Celebrities condemn the majority white Oscar nominations

DELLA HETHCOX Life Editor

The Oscar nominations for the 88th Annual Academy Awards were released last week and the rage from many inside the entertainment industry was palpable. Celebrities took to twitter to decry the obvious lack of diversity among the nominations.

Some celebrities, like Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee, went as far as to refuse their attendance at the February ceremony, as well as encouraging others to boycott the seemingly exclusive event. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pinkett Smith and Lee took to Facebook and Instagram to express their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the nominee list.

In a two and a half minute video clip posted on Facebook, Pinkett Smith sat on a couch and asked her viewers a question, and proposed her plan for the future.

“Today is Martin Luther King’s birthday and I can’t help but ask the question, ‘Is it time that people of color recognize how much power, influence that we have amassed that we no longer need to ask to be invited anywhere?’ I ask the question, ‘Have we now come to a new time and place where we recognize that we can no longer beg for the love, acknowledgment or respect of any group?’

That maybe it’s time we recognize that if we love and respect and acknowledge

ourselves in the way in which we are asking others to do, that is the place of true power?’ I’m simply asking a question.

Here’s what I believe. The Academy has the right to acknowledge whomever they choose, to invite whomever they choose and now I think that it’s our responsibility now to make the change. Maybe it is time we pull back our resources and we put them back into our communities, into our programs, and we make programs for ourselves that acknowledge us in ways that we see fit, that are just as good as the so-called mainstream ones? I don’t know, but here is what I do know… Begging for acknowledgment, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power and we are a dignified people and we are powerful and let’s not forget it. So let’s let the Academy do them with all grace and love and let’s do us differently.”

On his Instagram account, Lee wrote an essay similar to Pinkett Smith’s, accompanied by a picture of King Jr. “People, the truth is we ain’t in those rooms and until minorities are, the Oscar nominees will remain lilly (sic) white,” Lee wrote.

Celebrities and non-celebrities alike took to Twitter to continue the discussion, using the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. Many people noticed the obvious snub of Wiz Khalifa’s song “See You Again” featuring pop star Charlie Puth.

Actor Daniel Oyelowo, in a speech at

the King Legacy Awards, urged those in the industry to examine the way in which the Academy chooses nominees.

Oyelowo knows firsthand what it feels like to have been snubbed, as last year “Selma” was passed over by the Academy despite its popularity among critics.

“This institution doesn’t reflect its president and it doesn’t reflect this room.

I am an Academy member and it doesn’t reflect me, and it doesn’t reflect this nation,” Oyelowo said.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy, issued a response on Jan. 18 saying that “We (the Academy) have implemented changes to diversify our membership in the last four years. But the change is not coming as fast as we would like.

We need to do more, and better and more quickly.”

Despite the Academy’s statement, it seems unlikely that celebrities, and the public, will let this issue go. The ceremony will take

Wikipedia

place Feb. 28, and it remains to be seen if more celebrities will boycott the event along with Pinkett Smith and Lee.

Great Lives: Jack London,determination and dreaminess DELLA HETHCOX Life Editor

Hardly an empty seat remained in Dodd Auditorium last Thursday evening as the 2016 Great Lives series debuted with a lecture on one of America’s most renowned authors, Jack London.

George Washington Hall brimmed with members of the Fredericksburg community, as well as University of Mary Washington students, all expectant of an entertaining event.

Great Lives originally began as class in 2004, but since then has become a weekly community event, thanks to the financial support of John Chappell. During the season, each week a new biographer presents the audience with a lecture on an intriguing historical figure.

According to the Great Lives website, these authors are chosen according to the diversity of subject matter, ranging from politics to literature and art to sports.

Dr. William Crawley, Director of Great Lives & Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History, welcomed the large audience and introduced the season’s various speakers, whose expertise spans the liberal arts

Little Pilgrimages/Wikipedia

world.

“This year’s series is gonna be our best one ever,” Crawley said, as the audience laughed, knowing he says this every season. Crawley proceeded to thank the audience for their continual support and noted that last year, Great Lives totaled more than 10,000 attendees.

James L. Haley kicked off the season with a riveting and thorough background on author and wild child, Jack London. His lecture was loosely based on his biography of London, titled “Wolf.”

Haley, a Tulsa native, lives in Austin and spends his time enthusiastically sharing United States history with audiences all across the country. Haley has written several historical books as well as three novels, and his first historical piece was published when he was 19 years old.

“There are only two states with a big interest in their histories: Texas and Virginia,” Haley said as he prepared to regale the audience with tales of London’s transcontinental escapades. Haley remarked that UMW is his idea of heaven because that means there are about 4,000 students studying liberal arts, which means history, his favorite.

Although many may recognize London from their high school classes and novels such as “Call of the Wild” and “White Fang,” London’s writing career spans more than just those two novels.

During his lecture, Haley pointed out that London wrote science fiction, in addition to his classic man (or dog) versus wild novels. London also spent many years as a war reporter in Korea and Mexico, as well as going undercover in London’s poverty-stricken East End for his work, “People of the Abyss.”

Born in San Francisco in 1876, London grew up in Oakland, California in a chaotic home environment. At the age of 8, London’s mother, Flora Chaney London, sent him to work. Their relationship was strained from the beginning, although London continued to support her throughout

her life, despite her harsh treatment.

An enterprising worker, London worked as an oyster pirate and as a coal worker, but after years of backbreaking physical work, London took off a few years to be a professional hobo. London wasted no opportunity to use his personal experiences in his novels; his experiences as an oyster poacher appear in his novel “Fish Patrol.” His first big break came when “A Thousand Deaths” was published by The Overland Monthly in 1899.

His personal life was just as colorful as his professional life, despite his marriage to Charmian Kittredge, London was a serial cheater. Yet even after his death, Charmian was still his biggest supporter, even going so far as to write her own biography of his life, which Haley pointed out is highly inaccurate, but an interesting read.

Haley called London “the most misunderstood writer in our canon,” since many people only recognize him for two novels as well as his, at the time, troublesome politics. As a dedicated socialist, London’s views frequently got him into hot water. In fact, he was known as the “boy socialist of Oakland.” However, Haley stressed the fact that if London found out that his beliefs were wrong he was quick to change his mind, placing a greater value on the truth than his own personal beliefs.

“Jack London should’ve been killed many times,” Haley said, but London thrived on change and challenges with a mixture of dreaminess and determination that made of him not only one of the best American authors of the 21st century, but also one of

The Bancroft/Wikipedia

the greatest war reporters.

Haley joked with the audience that he could talk about London until next Tuesday, but he only ran over by 10 minutes, although his entertaining speaking style could have easily enticed the audience into another hour.

Haley’s lecture proved to be an intriguing inauguration evening for the 2016 Great Lives series, as the audience became more familiar with the life of one of America’s most celebrated authors.

Each lecture will be in Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall, each Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

For more information about the series, call (540) 654-1065 or visit their website:http://www.umw.edu/greatlives/

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NEWS

Renovations to Mercer, Woodard bring more space to departments

POLICE BEAT

BY EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH Assistant News Edtor

Sexual Assault On Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m., two instances of forcible sodomy took place in the Anderson Center. The offender, a former UMW Sergeant, was arrested, and the case is currently being handled by the Virginia State Police.

Trespassing On Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m., trespassing occurred at Arrington Hall. The subject and the identification of the trespassing were closed.

•BUILDINGS | 1 of Business before it was demolished in 2013.

Although, the building was open to tour last month, most students have not seen inside Woodard Hall until this semester. Some features of the new renovations include, new furniture, 31 private faculty offices, five team rooms, five classrooms, student copy center, computer lab and large collaboration breakout room; all offering a fresh modern look.

In addition to these features, Woodard is attached to the Eagle’s Nest, the WMWC Radio Studio and post office.

This is a valued convenience for business students. With the ability to be able to grab a bite to eat before or after class, work on their studies and run errands, schedules can run a little smoother now.

Walking into the main entrance of Woodard Hall, the lobby is bright with red sofas and a scroll bar displaying news updates for the College of Business and stocks.

Faculty and students are enjoying these new features. Professors who previously had offices in George Washington Hall during the renovations liked the changes in Woodard Hall, particularly the open spaces.

Rachel Graefe-Anderson, assistant professor in the College of Business, misses her cozy corner office in George Washington, but “it’s really nice to have our own space,” she said.

One noticeable feature: there are both the men’s and women’s restrooms on both floors in Woodard Hall. To some, this may be trivial. However, for business faculty and students, it is a great convenience.

Since the building officially opened, day-to-day functions have not truly put Woodard Hall to the test. John Mulloy, senior accounting major, has enjoyed the new building, but believes there could be improvements.

“The building is a nice addition for business majors to call their own. Some improvements could be made, like seating outside classrooms in the hall,” Mulloy said. He was not the only student to comment on the lack of seating.

A few students were frustrated having

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Rebeca Murphy/ The Blue & Gray Press

to stand or sit on the floor while waiting for their classroom to become available or their turn to speak with a professor.

Smita Oxford, assistant professor in the College of Business, shared her thoughts, believing the structure would meet the needs of students and professors. “I think that it was very well thought out. Every time I need something, it’s there,” Oxford said. “They did a good job figuring out the motions and layout. From a teaching standpoint, they structured it effectively.”

Students and faculty in the Department of Psychology are also adjusting to their new space in Mercer Hall. Modern renovations bring in more light and space for students and faculty to focus on their work. Sammy Buechler, junior psychology major, commented on Mercer’s structure and the amenities offered to students. “It’s nice to have windows and a computer lab of our own,” Buechler said.

The Department of Psychology was previously located in the annex trailers located off College Avenue, and were known to be closed off and dark inside due to lack of natural lighting. They also shared the trailers with business students, which could be cramped at times.

However, it is the little things people notice in Mercer Hall. Courtney Hardy, sophomore psychology major, has so far liked the features of the new building.

“I like the desks here a lot more.

They are larger and more comfortable.

It’s [also] nice I can use my Eagle One card to access the building after hours,” Hardy said.

Many convenient features were added to the renovations list, including 24 faculty offices, three large classrooms, two eye tracker labs, two social development labs, two quiet testing rooms, two computer labs, a cognitive lab, a control room, a physiology lab and media lab.

Although the walls are bare and tags are still on the furniture, everyone is very excited to have somewhere to call home.

On Monday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., possession of marijuana, possession of schedule and three instances of trespassing took place at the University Center. The offenders were arrested.

Hit and Run On Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., a hit and run occurred at Lot 33 at the Battleground. The case is pending.

Vandalism On Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 4 p.m., vandalism occurred in Brompton. The case is pending.

On Monday, Jan. 18 at 12:30 p.m., vandalism occurred at the William Street Lot. The case is pending.

Drug/Alcohol Possession On Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m., possession of marijuana was found in Alvey Hall. Three were given administrative referrals.

On Thursday, Jan. 14 at 11:15 p.m., marijuana was found in Alvey Hall. A student was given an administrative referral.

On Friday, Jan. 15 at 3 a.m., underage intoxication was discovered in Randolph Hall. An EMS gave transport and a student was given an administrative referral.

On Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1 a.m., underage intoxication occurred at Westmoreland Hall. An EMS gave transport and a student received an administrative referral.

On Sunday, Jan. 17 shortly after midnight, public intoxication took place at Double Drive. An EMS provided transport and a student received an administrative referral.

Larceny Between Thursday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Jan. 10 between 5 and 6 p.m., larceny occurred in Randolph Hall. The case is pending.

Between Friday, Dec. 11 and Monday, Jan. 11 between 3:30 p.m. and 11 a.m., larceny occurred at Brent House/Randolph bike rack.

The case is pending.

On Thursday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m., larceny occurred at the University Center.

The case is pending.

Between July 2015 and Friday, Jan. 15 at 4 p.m., larceny occurred at the top of Sunken Road lot/stairs to Mercer Hall. The case is pending.

On Saturday, Jan. 16 between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., larceny occurred at the University Center. The case is pending.

On Sunday, Jan. 10 at 12:45 a.m., possession of marijuana was found in Alvey Hall. Three students were given administrative referrals.

On Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 8:30 p.m., marijuana was found the UMW Apartments Building 2.

Two students were given administrative referrals.

On Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. marijuana was found the UMW Apartments Building 10. A student was given an administrative referral.

The Blue & Gray Press will publish the names of students who are formally charged by the University of Mary Washington Campus Police or the Fredeicksburg Police Department to have committed acts of extreme violence against members of the UMW community or pose a large threat to that community, when names are released to the public. The Blue & Gray Press will publish names and write articles about criminal acts on a case-by-case basis according to the aforementioned parameters.

The information was compiled with assistance from UMW Police Manager James DeLoatch and Fredericksburg Police Department Public Information Officer Sarah Kirkpatrick.

•TECHNOLOGY| 11 Thursday, January 21, 2016

NEWS

Briel to stand trial over three days Changes to the “Anytime Meal with insanity defense Plan” come to UMW this semester

•MANN | 2 dent in order. Briel’s attorney, along with an expert assigned to evaluate Briel, are both of the opinion that Briel was insane at the time, but further details have yet to be released, according to The Free Lance-Star.

Briel’s trial will take place over the course of three days from May 2 through May 4, beginning at 10 a.m. the first day. He is currently being held in Rappahannock Regional Jail where he will await his trial, according to The Free Lance-Star.

A beloved member of the community, Mann’s funeral in Falls Church drew in over 1,100 people, including students and faculty in attendance at a campus

vigil in her honor, according to The Free Lance-Star.

Concerns have been raised over previous threats made against other members of Feminists United other than Mann, with many stating that they feel “unsafe” on campus. Rumors even began to spread that the incident with Mann was an extension of deeper anti-feminist sentiment at UMW. President Hurley has stated previously that there is no evidence to support that the threats over social media had any relevance to Mann’s death, according to a letter sent by the president on June 8 to the Feminists Majority Foundation.

UMW Police comments on Somers •SOMERS | 1 tivity by [any] means,” Hall said.

Students have expressed two very different attitudes with their concerns about the police force and the campus.

Victoria Anderson, a junior history major, was unsure about the hiring process in which the officers must undergo.

“It makes me wonder about the people UMW hires,” Anderson said.

However, another student stated that she confided in the police department to make the necessary improvements she felt might increase safety on campus.

“I’m disappointed to hear that this event happened but I feel that campus police will adjust their hiring process,” Megan McLaughlin, a junior biology major, stated.

Hall made it known that he would

make improvements if the department finds areas where it should be necessary.

He also spoke of the urgency that the department felt to move forward from this situation and how to learn to work with the community during this process by being as transparent as is legally possible.

The department was notified about the case immediately and the UMW police department has been cooperating with Virginia State Police to expose the incident in order to move on. Hall expressed his concerns about the victim in hopes that she may find stability through this process. The case is now on its way to the grand jury to determine the indictment.

CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS TO Chris Markham, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramarian, ssubrama@umw.edu

• In the story published Dec. 3, titled “Student has bike stolen, surprised when her property is returned,” the times the bike may have been taken was said to be between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Those times were incorrect. The times are now, according to UMW’s police’s crime log, between 12 p.m. (noon) and 10 p.m. In the story, the two students reported to be responsible for taking the bikes were named. Their names have been removed from the story. Our policy at The Blue & Gray is to not publish the name of a student, faculty or staff member related to certain incidents unless they have committed extreme acts of crime against students or who pose a threat to students at UMW. For those who we reported in the story, and who did not meet those qualifications, we are deeply sorry.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

fredricksburg.today

SARAH GRAMMER AND EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH News Editors

Having heard student comments last semester, Campus Dining at the University of Mary Washington has made changes to its “Anytime Dining” meal plans. Freshman students, who are required to purchase the “Anytime Dining” meal plan, had many complaints about the plan because their meals could only be spent in the UMW Dining Hall. This semester, Campus Dining is allotting “Anytime Dining” students up to 30 meals a semester to use at any on campus retail location.

These locations include Naturally Woodstock, Qdoba, Jamba Juice, Lil Joe’s, Vocelli Pizza, the Simply togo Market and the Blackstone Coffee across from the HCC. The Eatz on the Other Street food truck is not included in the program.

The meal plans are determined by the University. Campus Dining implements these plans and policies.

It seems students, freshmen and upperclassmen are pleased with the compromise.

Freshman student, Emily Oliff, is happy with the changes, and says, “I think it’s nice to go to Vocelli’s and get a slice of pizza without worrying.”

Upperclassmen students are also glad to see the change. Many upperclassmen like Junior Calvin Augustine thought it was wrong that Campus Dining limited the freshman’s options . Augustine says, “I didn’t think it was fair that they were forcing freshman [to have a meal plan with so few options].”

Junior political science major, JC Sevart, thinks the addition of options for freshmen will give them a better taste of the freedom that comes with living at college.

“I think giving them a little more options gives them the chance to experience college as a freedom,” Sevart said. .With this new addition to the “Anytime Dining” plan, Campus Dining has elected to cut University Buffet hours back to their original closing times, 8

p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. A few other changes include new menu items at Joe Stacks and weekday lunch bars at Chef’s Fare in the Dining hall.

According to Rose Benedict, unit marketing coordinator for University of Mary Washington’s Dining Services, the retail locations typically close later at night, giving students options after late-night classes.

“The change in the Anytime Dining plan allows students on that plan to use 30 meals for Meal Deals at retail campus dining locations,” Benedict said.

“Since several of the retail locations are open until 10 p.m. most nights, students on the Anytime Plan can now dine on campus later in the evening without having to use a lot of Flex dollars,” These changes are meant to accommodate students and give them the best dining experience possible, according to Benedict. And according to her, this is not a job that her or Dining Services take lightly.

“We are not here to just get by; to put in our hours and then go home,” Benedict said. “We are here to provide students with exceptional dining experiences and help get UMW known for having the best campus dining program in the state.”

While Campus Dining has made some important changes, students like Senior studio art major, Iainne Johnson, believe that there is more to be done.

“The Nest is a shadow of what it used to be,” Johnson said, “ I do like the addition of Qdoba, I like the food truck, but by dinner it was already closed.”

Though students seem to approve of dining changes thus far, in their eyes Campus Dining still has a long way to go before winning them over.

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SPORTS

Editor: Mikey Barnes | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Club tennis captain beats the odds

Club Team Spotlight: Women’s Frisbee JACOB ATKINSON Staff Writer

Leah Machesney Junior Emily Saia has battled Hemangioma since age of 10 and uses tennis to defy the odds against her. As a captain of the club tennis team, she is doing well.

JOSEPH GARAY Staff Writer

Participation in sports is an important part of Emily Saia’s life. Currently a junior studying psychology at the University of Mary Washington, Saia has been a part of the university’s tennis club since freshman year.

Growing up, Saia was very active, playing lacrosse and soccer. Unfortunately as she grew older she began to notice a problem in her leg; a problem that would begin to limit her ability to play the sports that she truly enjoyed.

In fifth grade, Saia was diagnosed with Hemangioma.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Hemangioma is a “benign (noncancerous) tumor made up of blood vessels.” Also, according to their website, Hemangiomas can occur in different parts of the body, including: “skin, muscle, bone, and internal organs.”

By the time she was in eighth grade she began to notice that at certain times her left leg, more precisely, her left thigh, would begin to swell more frequently, becoming painful to the touch and making it difficult

for her to walk or move in the fast paced manner that is demanded in sports.

It was during her eighth grade year that Saia underwent four procedures, in an attempt to block or stop the blood flow to the tumor. Despite the doctor’s’ efforts, the procedures did not work and the swelling and tightness would return.

“Physically removing the tumor would have caused damage to my leg muscles, since the tumor itself is in the muscles,” she said “and in the end, the tumor is benign, so it wasn’t a matter of life and death.”

According to the AAOS, “Hemangiomas very rarely become cancerous, most do not require any medical treatment.”

So after the unsuccessful surgeries, Saia decided that it was best to leave the tumor where it is, and adjust life so that her leg would not become as irritated.

It was during this time period that Saia began to notice the environments in which her leg pain would begin to flare up.

“I began to notice that the swelling and pain would flare during certain times of the day, particularly while I was playing contact sports, where you are more likely to be hit by a ball or another player.”

In order to obtain more control over the

pain that results from the hemangioma in her thigh, Saia decided it was best to not play those contact sports that were irritants.

This however, does not mean that she stopped playing sports altogether. As mentioned before, remaining active in sports is very important in Saia’s life.

“I wanted to remain active and be challenged” Saia said, which is why she decided to play Tennis more.

During her high school years, Saia was a part of her school’s tennis team, which won a conference championship. She is currently the captain of the student-run tennis club team at the University of Mary Washington, which, according to the University of Maryland’s tennis club blog, defeated West Virginia University, in the Silver Bracket finals last spring.

Saia strives to maintain an active life, not letting the Hemangioma stop her from participating in sports, saying “It is what it is.” Saia is enjoying her time in the Tennis Club where she and her fellow tennis players “are there to have fun.”

The University of Mary Washington tennis club currently practices every Monday and Thursday from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Early playoff exit leaves Redskins hungry

•Redskins| 3 Jaylon Smith, inside linebacker from Notre Dame. Smith is probably the most athletic inside linebacker in this year’s draft.

When evaluating him, it looks like there is a running back at the linebacker position.

Smith’s greatest strengths are pass rushing, defending the run and covering plenty of ground. Smith had a brilliant junior year this season until he blew out his knee, tearing both his ACL and his LCL. He underwent reconstructive surgery to repair all damages. This injury did hurt Smith’s draft stock a bit. The sure-fire top-five pick from summer workouts until his injury, has seen his overall ranking go down a bit.

Although Jaylon might not care, his injury has indeed cost him over $10 million. The top five picks of the first round in the NFL Draft are usually offered a starting contract of four years, $22.6 million. Mid-round selections usually make a starting level of about four years, $9 million. So Smith has other things on the line besides just draft stock. That being said, Washington would get another Pro Bowl caliber backer in Smith. The All-American and Butkus Award winner is currently ranked as the second overall draft prospect according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report.

Last, but certainly nowhere close to being least is cornerback Mackensie Alexander of Clemson. I am not a betting man,

Thursday, January 21, 2016

but if I were to bet on who the Redskins would take in the first round I would bet on Alexander. This is the Skins’ biggest need and Alexander is one of the best in college.

A tweet by Matt Miller read, verbatim, “In the final 24 games of his #Clemson career, Mackensie Alexander allowed 0 TDs.” This stat is astounding. Alexander excels in man coverage, football IQ, instincts, speed (both acceleration and recovery speed), physicality and his work ethic. It is tough to say whether he is the best corner in this year’s draft, but he is certainly one of the best. The First-Team All-ACC corner decided to forgo both his junior and senior year in order to enter the draft. I feel the Redskins will not waste anytime weighing their selection if Alexander is still on the board at 21st. Mackensie Alexander is currently ranked 10th on Matt Miller’s Overall Top 300 Big Board.

But the Redskins’ offseason doesn’t end there. McCloughan is also very aware of his current players who might be on their way out.

The most notable free agent that must be the top priority for the Redskins is quarterback Kirk Cousins, who helped lead Washington to a postseason berth. Other big names include defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, running back Alfred Morris, running back Chris Thompson,

fullback Darrel Young, inside linebacker Will Compton, inside linebacker Mason Foster, outside linebacker Junior Galette and strong safety Duke Ihenacho. Although the NFL’s salary cap will grow to somewhere around $150 million this coming offseason, signing most of these guys could be hard to do with only $13.5 million in cap space so McCloughan will look to restructure contracts like Desean Jackson’s and/or Pierre Garcon’s. It is tough seeing McCloughan keeping both Jackson and Garcon, so McCloughan might look to free agency to sure up that position. A couple reassuring names are Mohamed Sanu or even Rishard Matthews (both impending free agents). Time will tell what happens with the Redskins this offseason, they have many pending free agents but I believe Scot McCloughan will do a fine job maneuvering contracts and staying under the cap number.

It is no secret the Redskins had a surprising season, and it looks like their success will continue. The Redskins seem to be the team with the most potential in their division and with Scot McCloughan at the helm I believe the Redskins are the offseason favorite to win the NFC East again next season.

When walking down Campus Walk on any given day, a group of students throwing a Frisbee around on Ball Circle will most likely catch your eye. Ordinarily, a Frisbee being thrown would grab someone’s attention, but this is no mundane back and forth; these students are launching the Frisbee all the way across the grass in magnificent fashion. This doesn’t just grab you, it stops you in your tracks for a moment to stop and stare. If you’re wondering who these people are, they are most likely a member of a University of Mary Washington Ultimate Frisbee team.

The women’s Ultimate Frisbee team practices every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on the recreational fields behind the parking garage.

The objective of Ultimate Frisbee is to pass the Frisbee through the air to your teammates, with the goal of eventually catching it in the end-zone to score points. The club is open to any female student that would like to try the sport and there is no requirement of prior experience or knowledge of the sport. As it is an unconventional sport, the club is more than understanding of participants coming into the club without knowledge of the rules or techniques of the game. As a team member you will be taught how to play and get to know your teammates in the process.

Savannah Steblein is a freshman on the women’s team and emphasized the connection that the team shares. “The reason why I love the team so much is that sense of community,” Steblein said. I can trust that any girl will have my back and when we play, if a player does something well, at least one person, if not more, will be there to say ‘good job.’”

This club is not for one particular type of person. It is welcoming to those who have never played a sport in their life, or to those who have been involved in sports since they could walk. Steblein came into the UMW community last semester with the intent of joining the women’s crew team.

After meeting some of the Ultimate team members and learning some new ways to throw a Frisbee in a casual setting, she was hooked.

The team spends the majority of their time on the recreation fields but will typically play in a few tournaments each semester. These tournaments range from a more relaxed competition where the team can build a stronger connection by bonding as a team, to competitive and more challenging ones. With two tentative tournaments for this upcoming semester, the women’s team hopes to stay involved with potential tournaments and continue to build the team.

This club is growing in their size, skill and passion for the game. They focus on the fundamentals, fostering a sense of community and having fun out on the field.

For anyone interested in joining the club, there is contact information along with the club’s brief description on the UMW Club Sports page.

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