The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

JANUARY 29, 2015

VOLUME 88 | ISSUE 14

PRESS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

Become an agent of change:

Ernest Green honors Martin Luther King, Jr. with students NIKKI OESTREICHER Staff Writer

The University of Mary Washington has once again earned recognition for its on-campus green initiatives as a recipient of the 2014 Green Travel Leader Award.

The award is given in recognition of several environmentally friendly programs enacted throughout the Fredericksburg, Stafford and Dahlgren campuses.

The Virginia Green Travel Star Award is the recognition program of the “Virginia Green program,” Virginia’s voluntary initiative to encourage green practices in the Commonwealth’s tourism industry.

The program is run through a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association.

UMW was one of 16 organizations to

Little Rock Nine member Ernest Green joined students and faculty as he reminisced on a lifetime of civil rights activism during the University of Mary Washington’s 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Green opened with a brief salute to late civil rights leader and UMW professor James Farmer, whom Green characterized as “an unsung hero” of the civil rights movement. Green revealed that he and Farmer were arrested together while protesting racial inequality at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.

The subject of Green’s speech revolved around the key characteristics of “an agent of change.” Citing Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malala Yousafzai and Thurgood Marshall, Green described an agent of change as, quite simply, “a singular individual with a dream of a better tomorrow.”

Green was quick to point out that not all agents of change become household names and that celebrity was not a part of the mission. He spoke of activists whose names and deeds never reached newspapers, received mention in history books or appeared in historical dramas, such as this year’s critically acclaimed civil rights film “Selma.”

“The mission was not to make history,” said Green. “The mission was to change the conditions of that time.”

Green was among nine African American students escorted by army troops to start classes at the newly integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. At 17 years old, Green was the first black student to graduate from LRCHS and was the youngest recipient of the NAACP’s Springarn Medal.

After graduating from Michigan State University, Green worked in employment law with a focus on securing jobs for minority women in the south. He later served as Assistant Secretary of Labor under President Jimmy Carter, and has since worked in corporate consulting. In 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded Green the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor that can be awarded to a civilian.

“When greater things are meant for you, no weapon can stop you,” said Green, alluding to Malala Yousafzai’s fight for women’s education in Pakistan that nearly cost her life.

After the address, students were able to ask Green questions.

“How was it possible to go through so many things and not lose your temper?” asked junior Roy King during the question

•SUSTAINABILITY | 11

•GREEN | 10

DivestUMW granted time to present in front of BOV

JONATHAN POLSON Associate Editor

Following the denial of Divest UMW’s request to speak before the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors, the group exhibited student outrage through a widely shared Facebook post. In response to the widespread reaction, the BOV offered the group 15 minutes to present their concerns and goals at the next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 19-20.

Divest UMW is a group dedicated to urging the University’s divestment from companies that profit from the use of fossil fuels.

According to Divest member Sarah Kinzer, the group recently emailed Chief of Staff and BOV Clerk Martin Wilder and University President Rick Hurley requesting the chance to give a 30-minute presentation before the Board. The BOV denied this proposal, instead offer-

ing that the group speak through the Student Government Association President Samantha Worman, who gives a presentation to the BOV on student affairs at each of their meetings.

In a response to the BOV’s denial, the group wrote a letter to the Board, which Kinzer provided to The Blue & Gray Press. The letter notes that speaking through the SGA president last spring “did not appropriately reflect the complexity and urgency of the issue and did not evoke the consideration necessary for a topic with such widespread student concern.”

The group also stated in their letter that the BOV’s denial of their request “clearly shows that the BOV does not have the intention to actually hear out the voices of DivestUMW and more than 1,000 of our peers. Instead, it shows that our voices are being dismissed.”

In the Facebook post, the group •DIVEST | 2

Ginny Clark/ The Blue & Gray Press After being denied the opportunity to speak before the BOV, DivestUMW expressed student outrage on Facebook. They were later granted 15 minutes to speak.

Going green: UMW recognized again for eco-friendly initiatives MICHAEL O’NEAL Staff Writer

University Relations Students painted the lids of recycling and trashcans with eco-friendly themes to encourage recycling.

IN THIS

ISSUE

I’D LIKE TO THANK

LOVE FOR SALE

#TJ1K

The 2015 Oscars recognize the top movie talent

Buy a significant other for the low price of $25

Taylor Johnson scores 1,000th career point

LIFE | 6

VIEWPOINTS | 5

SPORTS | 12

NEWS THE

BLUE & GRAY 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 Alison Thoet

MANAGING EDITOR Mariah Young

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jonathan Polson

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Hope Racine Nephthalie Lauture

VIEWPOINTS Tess Osmer

LIFE Amanda Motley

SPORTS Chris Markham

ONLINE

Lauren Brumfield

PHOTO

Ginny Clark

ASSISTANT EDITORS Emily Hollingsworth Alex Obolensky Mikey Barnes

ADVERTISING TEAM BUSINESS MANAGER Cara Sexton

ADVERTISING MANAGER Jess Wu

FACULTY ADIVSOR Steve Klein

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.

2

Iraqi ambassador gives students perspective on Middle East EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH Assistant News Editor

Iraqi Ambassador Lukman Faily gave a firsthand account of the current state of the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, to students and faculty at the University of Mary Washington on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.

Faily’s presentation, titled “Challenges of Iraqi Foreign Policy, Status and Prospective,” focused on recent events in the Middle East, including instability in Iraq and Syria due to the extremist group ISIS. Faily also covered the United State’s involvement with Iraq and their shared goal of confronting ISIS. Faily has been Iraq’s ambassador to the U.S. since 2013 and was previously Iraq’s ambassador to Japan from 2010 to 2013.

He was instrumental in opposing Saddam Hussein’s rule during the Hussein dictatorship and has urged for democracy in Iraq.

According to Associate Professor of History Nabil Al-Tikriti, he first met Faily in 2010 at a conference when Faily was Iraq’s ambassador to Japan.

“I found him very engaging, an engaging and involved personality,” said Al-Tikriti.

Al-Tikriti invited Faily to the university to offer students and faculty a new perspective on the current situation in Iraq and Syria.

“I hope that all students who come and listen to the presentation will gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges not only in Iraq but in the region and the Middle East as a whole, and get an Iraqi perspective, which is slightly different than an American perspective,” said Al-Tikriti.

Senior history major Lydia Phillips said she was not familiar with the current situation in Iraq, but she has learned about Turkish history through her classes and was interested in what Faily could discuss

University Relations Lukman Faily, who has served as the Iraqi ambassador to the United States since 2013, spoke to students.

about the country during his presentation.

“I’d definitely be more interested in [hearing Turkish] history,” said Phillips.

Olivia Tatara, a sophomore computer science major, said she has heard others talk about Iraq’s current situation regarding ISIS but wanted to know more about it.

“I heard a little about it, but I don’t know as much as I want to,” Tatara said.

Tatara said she hopes Faily will describe the events that are taking place in Iraq now.

Though Faily works to show others his country’s situation from his own perspective, Faily also walks in the shoes of others.

Or more accurately, he runs.

Faily has trained to be a marathon runner and ran in both the 2012 and 2013 Tokyo marathons for tsunami relief. Faily has also taken part in the 2014 Boston Marathon to honor those who were affected by

the 2013 Boston bombing.

Faily, who has also experienced terrorism in his country, identifies with the people in Boston who lost loved ones and their sense of safety. Faily wants to show the U.S. that both Iraq and the U.S. can use their shared experiences to work together and put a stop to the organizations behind the attacks.

“That’s where I can see a clear similarity, a clear sign that terrorism is a global phenomena and we need to have a global perspective and work with each other and understand the victimization terrorism is causing in the medium and long run,” Faily told the Boston Globe prior to the Boston Marathon.

Faily’s presentation took place in Monroe Hall 346 and was followed by a reception where students could speak with Faily.

DivestUMW speaks out about BOV presentation time use that time in any way she believes ap- receiving the information.”

•DIVEST | 1 announced to students that the BOV had propriate to bring forward information, isKronemer noted that students should dismissed their “request to allow for a pre- sues, or concerns that are relevant to the realize this progression in the group’s camsentation at their next meeting that would student body of UMW. In this instance, Ms. paign came about through the power of appropriately reflect the significant con- Worman plans to provide DivestUMW an student voices. cern that our student body is expressing.” opportunity to present information during “What was shown through our efforts The post, published on Tuesday, Jan. her portion of the meeting.” this week and results that we got this morn27, was accompanied with a birds-eye Kronemer and Hasan stated that while ing is that students’ voices are powerful,” view picture of the campus, edited with said Kronemer. “We want to continue a red “x” over seven buildings. The to bolster student support for Divest, text on the picture read, “Today, the and we want to continue involving stu“BIG PLANS ARE IN THE Board of Visitors dismissed the voice dents through this informal process.” of 1,036 UMW students. That’s the WORDS TO ENSURE THAT THE According to Hasan, Divest UMW equivalent of all the students living in is organizing a march across campus BOV KNOWS THAT THE Mason Hall, Virginia Hall, Randolph, on Feb. 13, six days before the BOV Bushnell, Willard, Jefferson, Westmoconvenes on the Fredericksburg camSTUDENTS ARE NOT reland.” pus for their meeting. Hasan said they STOPPING.” The group also stated, “Big plans anticipate around 200 students from are in the works to ensure that the nine different Virginia campuses to BOV knows that the students are not come together for this march, which -DivestUMW stopping.” will coincide with a global day of acFollowing the Facebook post, the tion advocating for divestment. group received an email from the UMW the group is excited for the opportunity to Kronemer stated that the goal of the Administration to meet with Hurley and formally air their concerns, they want stu- march is to convey the amount of support Wilder. According to Zakaria Kronemer dents to remember how this achievement and solidarity at UMW behind the goals of and Rabib Hasan, representatives of the was reached and they want the BOV to Divest and to show the BOV the amount of group met with administration members understand the passion behind that action. concern that should be placed on this issue.

Wednesday morning and were then offered “For us it seems this response is directly “We want to display [this] by uniting to 15 minutes to present at the next meeting. correlated with the fact that they didn’t like voice our concern for the investment in an The group will speak as part of Wor- their image being compromised with our industry that is directly harming the future man’s normal presentation before the visuals,” said Kronemer. “We really want of our students and harming the communiboard, according to Wilder. the BOV to take this with a genuine sense ties that we live in,” said Kronemer.

“The student BOV representative, Ms. of care and genuine attention,” not in order This year, the group’s immediate goal Samantha Worman, has a regular segment to “pacify our voices.” is to get the University to divest completeon each Board meeting to provide updates Wilder stated that “members of the ly from coal, a “first step and a pragmatic and to make the Board aware of any issues Board of Visitors are respectful of the con- step” in the group’s ultimate goal for all of student concern,” said Wilder. “She may cerns of DivestUMW and look forward to fossil fuel divestment, according to Hasan.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

SPORTS

Women’s swimming seizes close win over Gettysburg

with a 57.50.”

Other notable victories for the Eagle women were in the 200In a thrilling meet between Gettysburg yard relay of Fago, Alex Parrish, College and host University of Mary WashShannon Coryell and Steph Halington on Saturday, Jan. 24, the Lady Ealock, as well as Hallock in both gles narrowly edged out a 134-128 victory. the 200 and 100-yard freestyle, The standout performance of the meet came courtesy of UMW junior Katie Fago, Abby Cox in both the 200-yard UMW Athletics who set a new school record in the 100- fly and 500-yard freestyle, Co- The women beat nationally ranked Gettysburg on Saturday. yard backstroke at 57.50. Fago was also ryell in the 50-yard freestyle and the turn, and I put my head down and tried Anna Corley in the 200-yard IM. the previous record holder for the event.

“At the Capital Athletic Conference to move my arms as fast as I could.”

“I had no idea going into this meet that In addition to the exciting relay, the EaI would break my own record. My goal Championships, I expect to see relays gles saw two individuals win multiple was just to do a season best,” said Fago. break conference and school records and events. Anderson, a senior, won both the “I felt fast while I was swimming, but I make NCAA cuts as well,” Fago said.

The men’s team fell short of a victory 50-yard freestyle and the 200-yard backdidn’t know I was on record pace. Splits stroke, while junior Zach Eisig earned first can be hard to judge while swimming, against Gettysburg College during the Ea- place honors in both the 1,000-yard freeand the scoreboard wasn’t working, so I gles’ Saturday home meet 151-108. How- style and the 500-yard freestyle. didn’t know my time until my coach, Abby ever, there were many memorable perforAnother notable performance came from Brethauer, told me I had broken my record mances against a strong Gettysburg squad. the freshman Kenyon Huber-Wilker with The 200-yard medley relay comprised of Sean Mayer, Vance Solseth, his win in the 200-yard breaststroke.

“I was happy with our team’s perforAlex Anderson and Matthew mance because at this point in the season, Garstka came down to the we are all really broken down due to the final sprint, and the Eagle tough training, so seeing some of the immen won the event by 0.04 pressive times is a good sign of what is to seconds. come at conferences,” said Garstka.

“Alex got me a big lead, Both the women and the men will return which I needed because Getto competition on Saturday, Jan. 31, hosttysburg’s anchor is currently ing conference rivals Marymount Univerthe fastest sprinter in Divisity and Frostburg State University at 1 UMW Athletics sion III,” said Garstka, a jup.m. in the Goolrick Natatorium. nior. “I saw him coming at The men’s team fell to Gettysburg for the second time this season.

JULIAN MENK Staff Writer

Super Bowl Predictions FROM THE

BLUE & GRAY SPORTS EDITOR: Chris MARKHAM

24 - 17 STAFF WRITERS

MIKEY: 34 - 24 SEAN: 30 - 27 CODY 38 - 31

ETHAN: 30 - 27 CARTER: 27 -20 JULIAN: 33 - 20 MATTHEW 24 - 21

men's Basketball:

Jan. 24 vs. York College (Pa) (W) UMW: 74 York: 65

Women's Basketball: Jan. 24 @ York College (Pa) (W) UMW: 66 York: 48

Quote of the

Week:

“I’m just here so I don’t get fined.”

-Marshawn Lynch

The Seattle Seahawks running back repeated this quote 27 times in a recent Super Bowl media day appearance. Lynch has been fined $100,000 this season for his lack of interest and refusal when it comes to speaking with the media.

Super Bowl preview: game marks rift between eras

SEAN KINSLOW Staff Writer

The most anticipated sporting event of each calendar year, the NFL’s Super Bowl, is right around the corner. Players are gathering their thoughts and emotions while fans are busy gathering snacks and wagers. Through the smoke and mirrors that shroud the Super Bowl in the weeks prior there is still a game that needs to be played between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots and a champion that will be crowned at the end of the day.

The game will be the 49th Super Bowl and will be played on Sunday, Feb. 1st in Glendale, Arizona at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST. The New England Patriots will represent the American Football Conference in this year’s championship game. The Patriots finished the regular season 12-4 and were the best team in the AFC coming into the playoffs. That momentum continued in the playoffs as the Patriots defeated both the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts to reach the Super Bowl.

Their win over the Colts, however, came with some controversy.

The New England Patriots have been accused of slightly deflating the set of footballs their offense used during the game in order to gain an advantage in the cold wet conditions. The controversy, which has been more commonly referred to as “Deflategate” by most media outlets, has taken center stage of Super Bowl coverTom Brady vs. Seattle Secondary: Seattle’s Secondary, or the Legion of Boom as they are known, is a force to be reckoned with. Members include cornerback Richard Sherman, who is revered by some to be the league’s best cornerback; Kam Chancellor, the league’s biggest safety; Earl Thomas, who is a smart coverage safety with great range; and Byron Maxwell.

The Legion of Boom plays aggressive and smart. They cause many turnovers and are a key to Seattle’s success. Tom Brady is a three-time winning Super Bowl quarterback. He is smart with the football and can still make all the throws at the age of 37, but the experience of being in this position last year should play into the Seahawks’ hands.

age. Footballs with less air in them are preferred by some quarterbacks and wide receivers because they are easier to throw and catch. Regardless of this controversy, the New England Patriots are moving onto their eighth Super Bowl appearance looking to win their fourth overall.

The Seattle Seahawks will again represent the National Football Conference in this year’s championship game. The Seahawks are the NFL’s reigning Super Bowl champions and will look to defend their title against a strong New England team. The Seahawks, like the Patriots, finished the regular season 12-4 and earned the top seed in their conference’s playoff bracket. The Seahawks defeated the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers earlier in the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl. If Seattle wins, they will be the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots did it in 2004 and 2005.

Both teams struggled early in the season but turned it around quickly and have been almost unstoppable ever since. The Patriots are led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, genius Head Coach Bill Belichick and All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Seahawks are led by third year quarterback Russell Wilson, the best defense in the league and the “it” factor – everything seems to go right for Seattle, a result for being well coached, highly prepared and an attention to detail rivaled by no one in the league.

Key Match-ups:

LeGarrette Blount vs. Seattle Front-7: LeGarrette Blount is a big, mean, tough running back which the Patriots picked up late in the regular season after he was let go by the Steelers. The Patriots need to keep this game short and physical in order to win.

If Blount can continue to run the ball well against a strong Seattle front seven, punish would be tacklers and provide decent pass protection when called upon to do so the Patriots will be in good shape.

Weekly Scoreboard SWIMMING:

Women: Jan. 24 vs. Gettysburg (W) UMW: 134 Saint Mary's: 128 Men: Jan. 24 @ Gettysburg (L) UMW: 108 Gettysburg: 151

Upcoming:

Men’s Basketball: Jan. 31 @ Marymount

Special Teams: Special teams are an often forgotten part of football from a fan’s perspective.

Special teams included field goals, kickoffs, punts, kick returns and punt returns, amongst others. Both of these teams are well coached and talented on special teams, but it is easy to make mistakes on special teams. The team that plays better in this aspect of the game has an inside track on winning. One big special teams play, good or bad, often has a big role in deciding the winner of a game. That being said, Seattle seems to have the slight edge in this area of the game; they had one of the best special team units of any team in the NFL this year.

Upcoming:

Women’s Basketball Jan. 31 @ Marymount Men’s & Women’s Swimming Jan. 30 @ Johns Hopkins Jan. 31 vs. Marymount and Frostburg 1 p.m. - Goolrick Pool

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VIEWPOINTS

Why weighing options might be your best bet for post grad

Evonne/ Flickr

KATIE FRAZIER Staff Writer

Better job opportunities, the promise of higher salaries, writing the infamous master’s thesis, some extra bling to put on your resume and having that new diploma to stick up on the wall beside your bachelor’s degree. These are just some of the many reasons that students choose to pursue graduate school.

However, disenchantment with school and crippling student debt are daunting roadblocks that students also face on their way to obtaining a master’s degree. The high price of attending graduate school in the United States comes with not only a rigorous application process, but also soaring tuition figures.

So you have gotten your bachelor’s degree. Congratulations! Now what?

Depending on your major, graduate school can be a tremendous asset to you when the time to search for a job rolls around, but unfortunately for most students, it comes at their own expense. Mom and dad may have footed the bill for your undergrad degree, but grad school is inevitably your choice, and many parents are less likely to pay for it.

According to a U.S. News & World Report poll, one-fourth of graduate students

borrow nearly $100,000, and another 1 in duced. This is because European schools 10 borrow more than $150,000. That is want to attract more international students. more than the average undergraduate stuHowever, even though tuition may be dent borrows to reduced, the pay for school. cost of living in Even with scholEurope, as well IT IS NOT FAIR THAT arships, grants as food, books and government STUDENTS WITH ALL OF THE and plane tickloans, with their ets home, are all DRIVE AND INTELLECT BUT huge expenses. exorbitant interest rates, it is NO MONETARY MEANS TO GO I realize that I will have to still sometimes BACK TO SCHOOL GET TAKEN take out a loan, not enough. but I will not It is not fair OUT OF THE GAME EARLY. be $200,000 in that students debt. with all of the I like to look passion, drive and intellect but no monetary means to go at education as an investment. You do what back to school get taken out of the game you can and take out these loans in the hopes that you will be in a better place than early.

In my own personal experience look- before you applied, and you do not have ing at graduate schools, I have considered to pay loans back immediately after you schools in Virginia, but with the price of graduate. Hopefully you will land a decent tuition climbing up to $40,000 and $50,000 job that allows you to knock a lot of the a year, I needed to consider other options. payments out quickly.

I am an art history major, and I want to go So is grad school worth the insane to grad school because I plan to eventually amount of debt, stress and emotional and get my Ph.D. psychological strain? Well it depends. I In many European countries, however, will say it only makes sense to go if your such as Germany, tuition for international heart and soul is 100 percent in it. Do not students is either free or significantly re- go simply because everyone else is going

Rachel Carter/ Flickr

or you feel obligated to go because, ultimately, it will be a very expensive mistake in that case.

It will be difficult and it will be expensive, but if you are confident enough in your abilities and you will take it as an opportunity to better yourself scholastically, then by all means go for it. If you cannot afford to go back to school, that is perfectly fine. You can always take a year or two off to work, save up and really contemplate your decision.

Next to buying a house, education is one of those investments we make to see that it pays off in the long term. Graduate school is definitely not for everyone, but if you are thinking of applying and cannot afford it, explore your options. Do not be afraid to ask for help. If you are anything like me, I hate asking for things, but this is your education and your future so be selfish and be aware of the resources around you.

Grad school is an amazing opportunity, but it does not define who you are. You cannot tell a master’s or a Ph.D student from just looking at them. Regardless if you do or do not go, you are competent. And if you are adamant about pursuing your education, at the risk of sounding cliché, “if there is a will, there is always a way.”

Editorial: A greater investment in students, refocusing UMW’s vision

The Blue & Gray Press reported last week that current on-campus construction projects are on track to be completed on schedule. The article also discussed some of the features of the new buildings, which are exciting and will surely be welcomed by future classes.

Additionally, the article noted that the university’s next project – a $32 million addition to the Jepson Science Center approved at the November Board of Visitors meeting – may be delayed at this time due to higher education cuts in the Commonwealth of Virginia’s budget. Virginia’s budget shortfall resulted in large cuts in funding for public higher education institutions.

The University of Mary Washington has seen a tremendous amount of renovation in recent years, which has certainly had benefits on the school. The Information and Technology Convergence Center is an amazing and unique area where modern technology can be harnessed and applied in new and innovative ways. Students have embraced this building, and it is an addition to our campus that is surely attractive to prospective students.

The plans for the new University Center sound exciting as well, provid-

ing students with a central location to study and interact. It will likely become a staple on campus once completed.

However, these projects have not come without their costs. While most people note the noise as a nuisance, there are truly more problematic issues that continued construction projects bring to the university.

Any student in the College of Business or psychology department will surely attest to the frustration they have felt in not having a building they can call their department’s home. These students have been squeezed into the annexes or any spare classrooms in Monroe or the ITCC. Many students that are far into their disciplines share the sentiment that having classes, professors and fellow majors in a single place is a quality that is unique and great about this university.

Most students have buildings where they feel at home in their academic studies. It is comforting to have place that feels like a part of one’s academic journey, yet business and psychology students have been shoved around and placed wherever there is spare space.

It’s not a nurturing system of learning, and it is an issue that is too easily overlooked.

Additionally, the actual cost of con-

struction is something that every person on campus is feeling. Construction projects are paid by state bonds, but, as our paper reported in 2013, students pay a debt service fee as part of their tuition that has been steadily rising each year with the additional construction projects.

While this is not unusual at universities, it is something that needs to be noted given the current environment in which higher education exists. The Virginia government has cut higher education funding, and student debt is totaling toward $1.2 trillion throughout the nation.

This University cannot afford to be investing its budget into construction projects when more and more students are graduating with debts that far outweigh the value of their degrees. The University should be investing in academics by providing students with more opportunities to expand their knowledge.

For example, the University should invest in student research by helping promising students pay for the expenses that accompany extensive and noteworthy projects. The University should assist in providing students transportation on the VRE to Washington, DC or other nearby locations of Northern

Virginia where so many students have gained internships but have been saddled with enormous transportation costs. The University should work on instituting a system of textbook sharing that lessens the insane costs of textbooks that can strap a student’s budget for the entire semester. The University must focus on improving the conditions of all the residence halls before building onto a building that is one of the campus’ most up-to-date.

This University provides a valuable education thanks to the unparalleled faculty and the high standard of academic achievement, but the four years of hard work so many students are putting into college too often becomes pointless when students leave school and are unable to develop a career due to their thousands of dollars in debt.

The University needs to use its funds more wisely. We are at a point in time where this University needs to be investing in its students and their education. The purpose of this school is to foster academic and personal integrity, ambition and achievement in its students. It is time that we stop focusing so heavily on gaining new students and start paying greater attention to the students who are here.

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Mona Osmer | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Parents getting on your case about finding the one? This may work

SAMANTHA GROSS Staff Writer

Meet the newest love of my life: Liam Joshua Kennedy. He is 23 years old, lives in Washington, D.C. and likes Netflix almost as much as I do. That right there should speak to our intense compatibility, but we also love reading, writing and traveling. We met at a party and, as they say, sparks flew. How else can I explain it, those soulful brown eyes stole my heart right then and there.

Oh, but there’s just one more thing about him: he is not real. I made him up, folks. It was as easy as clicking a button.

Literally, all I had to do was click a button, and Liam Joshua Kennedy was born.

Let me explain. I found invisibleboyfriend.com, a website that lets you create an interactive fake boyfriend or girlfriend, and so I did. The site highlights its interactivity, and they are serious about it.

Once you sign up, you pick the name,

Kena Sen/ Flickr

age, location, personality and picture of free text, so there was a solid three-hour your new significant partner. That fake period where I had to come to terms with person that you created then sends you a the fact that my boyfriend creation had retext. Or rather, a random person paid to jected me.

“Why do this?” pretend to be your THE FACT THAT A BUSINESS you may ask. Well, significant other have you ever felt is texting you, but WAS CREATED OUT OF DESIRE TO mom’s stare bear you would hardly THROUGHLY CONVINCE PEOPLE down on you as know it.

THAT YOU ARE HAPPY OR she asks, yet again, I only tried WORTHY OF LOVE US A SAD whether you are the trial version, dating anyone yet?

REALITY OF OUR CULTURE. but, for a mere Which is basically $25 a month you the same as saying, “Does anyone want can receive texts, voicemails and even to date you yet?”

Or maybe all of your a hand-written post card from your new friends are in love, and they just do not care beau. All I got for signing up was a measly who knows it.

The person that you create “hello” text, but it was pretty unnerving to is meant to convince people that you are respond to actually. I worried about finddesired and blissfully unavailable.

Howeving that perfect balance between funny and casual, just like I would with a real roman- er you think of it, this service is meant to tic interest, and I even stressed about how protect people from the omnipresent feellong it was taking “Liam” to respond. This ing that you must be with someone. If you was before I realized that I only got one are not with someone, people think there

Global Personaly/ Flickr

is something wrong with you. You might even think that there is something wrong with you.

The pressure that society puts on young people to be in relationship, lest you be seen as unattractive or lesser, is ridiculous. Instilling the idea that a person’s validation comes from other people makes it exceptionally difficult for anyone to find happiness or confidence on their own. Besides that, now is the time to embrace not having anyone depend on you, to move freely without having to think of others, to exercise your independence and sense of adventure. This website, although novel and interesting, reflects the huge amount of social pressure that is put on people to be in relationships.

Both its conception and success indicates a need for some kind of alleviation from this pressure. The fact that a business was created out of the desire to thoroughly convince people that you are happy or wor-

Patriots once again scrutinized for cheating allegations

COLEMAN HOPKINS Staff Writer

The New England Patriots and their head coach, Bill Belichick, are no strangers to cheating or the subsequent scandals that arise from their rule breaking. For instance, Spygate, the filming of the Jets’ defensive signals during a regular season game in September 2007, resulted in the loss of draft picks and fines for stealing the signs, a highly egregious and impactful offense.

However, the Patriots reached a new low earlier this week when allegations that they used purposefully deflated footballs during their AFC title game against the Indianapolis Colts were proven true.

Since Spygate, other allegations of cheating have surfaced, including the videotaping of the Rams’ walkthrough prior to the Super Bowl in 2001, as well as rumors that the Patriots cheated against the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles in their Super Bowl wins.

The AFC title game was in New England, and the weather was horrendous.

Cold rain makes the ball slick and very difficult to grip, so passing becomes infinitely harder under these conditions. The Colts are a passing team, and, during the game, they had zero success throwing the ball downfield. The Patriots, with the exclusion of an interception, which the allegations spawned from, passed at will, with Tom Brady collecting two touchdowns and

Jack Newton/ Flickr

a high passer rating. Brady’s successful passing opened up the opportunity for the Patriots to run the ball, which they did with authority.

The ability to throw the ball opens up various dimensions for the offense to take advantage of, so the impact of being able to move the ball through the air certainly changed the game. Some Pats fans have tried to downplay the significance of the tampering with footballs, pointing out that it did not really impact a one-sided game since the Patriots were winning one way or another. I take issue with this position for several reasons because, while it did influence the outcome, it also probably would not have mattered overall. At the same time, one has to wonder what would have happened had the Colts done this, as the NFL has been extremely harsh on rule-breakers over the past few seasons.

On one hand, fans that say that the game was not really impacted are right; the Patriots were going to steamroll the Colts either way. The Patriots rebranded themselves as a run-heavy team this year, often milking the clock on long drives and setting up a potent play-action game once they wear down the defense. The Colts specifically had issues defending the run and had a depleted secondary, so the Patriots’ offense was built to exploit their weaknesses.

So while the New England offense

clearly could have used some play-calling diversity in the form of passing the ball to beat the Colts, I highly doubt that they needed their passing game so badly to win that they had to cheat to make it fully available. In the case of their second two Super Bowl wins, the Patriots had to cheat to win, and likely did, as the Eagles and Panthers were clearly the two dominant teams in league those years, with few weaknesses on offense, defense or in coaching. So in those cases, the cheating did make sense – if cheating ever does makes sense – but in this case fans are just left scratching their heads. So, for anybody who was paying attention to the two teams this year, it should have been obvious that the Pats were going to win. In a lot of ways, this looks really Nixonian, because, like Watergate, it seems pointless and bizarre, though a connection also has not been established yet.

One has to wonder about what would have happened if the Colts had used deflated balls, because as an almost exclusively passing team, they certainly would have performed differently had Luck been able to throw the ball.

As of now, Belichick and Brady have denied that they knew anything about the balls being deflated and have vehemently repudiated allegations that they were involved with the deflation of the balls. Is the league biased towards the Patriots? Some

players, like the vocal Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks, thinks so, but depending on how the league reacts, that sentiment could be dispelled.

Former head official Mike Pereira was quoted saying, “This is cheating. And this is something the league doesn’t want. It’s bad enough that rules get taken advantage of and you kind of work against the intent of the rule. But this is cheating. And it is something the league will deal with harshly.”The Patriots have failed to acknowledge that they tampered with the ball. It remains to be seen how the league will react, but in a year that saw plenty of bad publicity and a handful of scandals, it would be hard to defend a mere tap on the wrist.

While I personally do not believe that the balls’ weight made much of a difference in such a lopsided contest, I do believe that something has to be done to put an end to such an ethically baseless attitude that is present in the Patriots’ organization, and that starts with the coach, who is notorious for this type of behavior.

Whether it is in the form of more fines or suspensions, I believe that the NFL needs to send a clear message that they are going to take the league back and give it legitimacy again it. The only fair thing to do at this juncture is to suspend Belichick for the Super Bowl, though I am not holding my breath on the league to take action.

5

LIFE

Editor: Amanda Motley | blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Best picture nominees: a focus on the everyday, or forgotten, heroes ALISON THOET Editor-in-Chief

This year’s batch of best picture Oscar nominees are an interesting compilation of both the dramatic and the comedic.

It is an unusual mix with perhaps the most comedic nominees ever, with “Birdman” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” scoring best picture nominations. However, more importantly, this year’s nominees reflect the theme of 2014: heroes.

I don’t mean superheroes (though “Birdman” may touch on that account); rather, I am talking about the people forgotten by history or whose stories are ignored.

These are the heroes of history and society, the people who spent their lives fighting for something meaningful.

“American Sniper” provides the story of what it is like to be a soldier in war, a story society often tries to look away from. “The Imitation Game” sheds light on Alan Turing, a man who saved thousands of lives in World War II by cracking the German Enigma Code but was later persecuted for homosexuality. “Selma” forces us to look at the injustices of racism and the difficulty of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s fight against a world that did not accept him.

“The Theory of Everything” tells the story of a man whose name we have all heard, but whose life struggle we could not begin to understand. The film gives insight into the life of Steven Hawking, a genius trapped inside his own body.

“Boyhood” and “Whiplash” share the stories of everyday boys growing up, something we can all relate to, but still difficult in its own right.

These movies all present the stories of incredible people, but it is the presentation of those characters by the actors that really make the films. Steve Carell transforms from his typical funny guy into a mean millionaire in “Foxcatcher,” Benedict Cumberbatch went so far as to imitate a speech impediment for his portrayal of Alan Turing in “The Imita-

tion Game,” and Eddie Redmayne delved even further into the life of Steven Hawking by undergoing physical therapy to convincingly contort his body in displaying Hawking’s transformation with ALS. This year, many women also stretched the bounds of characters and delivered powerful performances.

Marion Cotillard starred as a French working woman wracked with guilt at keeping her job at the expense of her coworkers’ bonuses in “Two Days, One Night,” while Rosamund Pike disappears in the popular-novel-turned-film “Gone Girl.”

Reese Witherspoon ventures on her own in “Wild,” Julianne Moore defines the struggle of losing oneself to Alzheimer’s in “Still Alice” and Felicity Jones lights up the life of a brilliant scientist in “The Theory of Everything.”

The men seem to be in line with the biggest films of the year, while the women are pulling a new focus to independent films. There is no telling the favorite for best picture yet, but “Boyhood,” filmed over the course of 12 years, took home the Golden Globe. Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette were both nominated for the film, and Arquette already has a Golden Globe and SAG award for her performance.

“Birdman” also has a large cast of nominees, with Edward Norton and Emma Stone in supporting roles of Keaton. Both leads in “The Theory of Everything” were nominated, with Eddie Redmayne already winning both the Golden Globe and SAG award for best lead actor this year.

“The Imitation Game” has no wins thus far, and the much acclaimed “Selma” only has one Golden Globe for best original song.

West Anderson’s newest •OSCARS | 9

Larry Sabato highlights life, death of President Kennedy at Great Lives GINNY CLARK Photography Editor

“How many of you were alive and remember November 22, 1963?” asked Larry Sabato, looking out onto a completely packed Dodd Auditorium. Dozens of hands went up. “Ah, a fair number of you!” Sabato noted. “Well I suspect then that you remember not just the day, but how this stayed with you for years and years.” Audience members nodded.

There lay a resonating kind of truth in this. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy was not so easily forgotten, but etched into American memory for years thereafter.

This is what thousands of scholars and writers have dedicated their lives to: Kennedy, a man whose remarkable legacy lives beyond him. But few have captured a sense of the figure so honestly and successfully as Sabato. Author of the New York Times bestseller “The Kennedy Half-Century,” Sabato is the founder and director of University of Virginia Center for Politics. His PBS documentaries “Out of Order” and “The Kennedy Half-Century” have both won Emmys in 2013 and 2014, respectively. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the University of Mary Washington welcomed Sabato to speak on Kennedy as part of the Great Lives Chappell Lecture Series.

Sabato’s passion for his subject, the life and legacy of Jack Kennedy, is immediately apparent on stage. Having handed out pro-Kennedy brochures as a seven year old in 1960, Sabato was very aware of the political figure from a young age on. He shared how, as a young Catholic student in 1963, the nun gently explained that the president had been shot, but was still alive.

“So we took out our trusty rosaries,” Saba-

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Flickr

Ginny Clark/The Blue & Gray Press

Larry Sabato spoke about John F. Kennedy at Great Lives Lecture this week. to recalled. “Every Catholic school kid had At Thanksgiving, just a few days after one, right in the desk.” Thirty minutes lat- the assassination, everyone in Sabato’s er, the class was learned of the president’s large Italian-American family went around passing. the table and asserted their conjectures.

It seems like a bold choice for a biog- No two theories lined up. “Castro, it was rapher to delve into his own life. Senior Castro! No, it was the Anti-Castro Cubans!

Sarah Palmer, a history and English double No, it was the CIA!” said Sabato, recreatmajor, commended Sabato’s choice. ing a sense of the scattered conversation “Something that struck me as I listened that night. was the way that Sabato drew so much on “You didn’t have the facts,” Sabato his personal experience,” Palmer noted. said plainly. “And so, it encouraged lots “And in a way, a big part of his lecture was of speculation…It’s so unlike today when the strength of Kennedy’s legacy. It seems we see everything immediately. We never fitting that a talk on Kennedy focus strong- saw the Zapruder film of the actual assasly on what he meant to people.” sination until 1975 – twelve years after the

assassination!”

Considering our modern technology in 2015, it’s hard to believe that such vital information could be withheld for so long, or dispersed so slowly. But this distinct difference in the technologies of then and now is exactly why Sabato was so motivated to research the events of Nov. 22, 1963.

“We were able to produce [things] about the assassination that nobody ever has before,” said Sabato, referring to his analysis of the Dictabelt recording, alongside other pieces of evidence. “And the reason we were able to produce something new is because technologies are constantly changing and improving. And who knows what will happen in the future?”

Sabato also emphasized the importance of studying Kennedy’s impact on later presidents. “Each president tries to use his predecessors to accomplish his own goals and agenda,” said Sabato.

He gave the example of tax cuts used

by Ronald Reagan – an economic strategy that Kennedy had implemented in his own presidency. Sabato remarked, “I absolutely insist that the world would not be here if Kennedy had not been here and made the decisions that he had made.”

“The Kennedys always wanted to go not the extra mile, but the extra hundred miles,” said Sabato. He then spoke of how, before America had ever landed on the moon, Kennedy aimed to land America on Mars. A NASA specialist had to explain to the president that with the available technology at that time, the endeavor was simply not possible. “And so,” Sabato said grinning, “Kennedy had to be convinced to settle for the moon.”

Thursday, January 29, 2015

LIFE

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“Selma” surrounds the Civil Rights Movement and social issues of the 1960s. The film focuses on King’s motivations and the opposing forces during that time.

HOPE RACINE News Editor

It’s difficult to think critically about a movie like “Selma.”

The 2015 civil rights historical drama checks all the boxes of a good movie.

The film is extremely well casted – Tom Wilkinson makes a very convincing President Lyndon Johnson, Nigel Thatch provides a brief and well-executed appearance as Malcom X and David Oyelowo shines as Martin Luther King, Jr. Like many historical dramas, it embellishes a bit. There are historical inaccuracies, specifically in regards to Johnson’s role, but the bones of the story are all true.

In 1965, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the rest of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference set their eyes on Selma, Alabama as their next project. Running off the success of the March on Washington, and desegregating Alabama, the next goal was to secure voting rights for the citizens of Selma.

In 1965 Selma, along with much of the South, African Americans were technically allowed to vote – but as the movie shows during a painful opening scene, there were multiple systematic laws in place that made it almost impossible to fulfill this goal.

An early scene shows Annie Lee Cooper, played by Oprah Winfrey, as she attempts to register to vote. She is met with contempt and frustration when the clerk forces her to recite the preamble of the United States Constitution and the circuit judges in Alabama. Cooper fails when she is unable to recite the names of all 67.

Later in the movie viewers see the SCLC attempt to find the best legal avenue to pursue, which provides a larger conversation about the barriers between African Americans and the vote. To register, individuals must have a voucher from a pre-registered individual. There are knowledge tests that can be given on demand, and a charge for every year the individual went unregistered. At one point it is mentioned that 50 percent of the population in Selma was

African American, but only two percent of them were registered to vote.

The movie also touches on some of the tensions King faced throughout his life that history forgets. They give ample time to his tenuous relationship with other civil rights leaders, such as Malcolm X and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

In addition, “Selma” sheds light on the marital troubles between King and his wide Coretta, who is played with effortless grace by Carmen Ejogo. It seeks to provide an answer to the long-standing rumor that King was caught in an extramarital affair on tape. These scenes are placed to show the tension that surrounded King on all sides, and, more importantly, to show that like everyone else fighting for equality, King was just a man.

This is what “Selma” does very well – instead of making a dramatic biopic of King, it focuses less on the man and more on the movement, shining light on individuals who are sometimes lost in King’s

shadow. It focuses less on King’s motivations and inspiration and more on the tactics and planning that went into marching thousands of people through the Alabama heat for five days.

However, historical accuracy, good casting and notable screen writing all mean nothing when watching people run for their lives as they are ridden down and beaten in the head. There is very little that can prepare audiences for the several scenes of police brutality, screaming children and horrifying violence.

In any other movie, these scenes would not be as shocking, or illicit the same level of horror; but audiences are unable to escape the fact that these scenes are true.

This is history and fact, and “Selma” does not attempt to downplay those facts.

With the backdrop of the Vietnam War, “Selma” is a startling and moving depiction of war on the home front, one that audiences will have a hard time forgetting.

The Blue & Gray Press: The Pinterest Project 27 Boards

1,690 Pins

Hair Fixes

+ Create a board like “Pinterest Fails” Edit

MARIAH YOUNG Managing Editor

Pinterest. It is just one of those things that catches your eye. The inspirational quotes, the fitness tips, the hair and makeup tutorials. It’s all so enticing, and the best part is that it all seems possible. The DIY coat rack, the three-minute mac-and-cheese

cups and the outdoor adventures that always seemed like something you couldn’t do is now something accessible and Instagram-able. Is it really though?

The answer is maybe, but not always.

A couple weeks ago, my little sister decided she wanted to darken her hair. She marched her naive freshman self across Jef-

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64 Followers

ferson Davis Highway to pick out hair dye at Giant. My sister, with naturally very dark brown hair decided to dye her hair all one color. Picking up what she thought was the color of her natural hair, midnight black, she walked out of the store, back to her dorm and promptly dyed her hair with her friends watching.

Approximately eight hours later I received an overwhelming number of calls, voicemails and texts. It caused a flashback to my first year at UMW, when I attempted to do the same thing.

Now the Young sisters both know: never dye your hair freshman year. An hour of tears later, my sister and I stood in Target looking up ways to remove hair dye from hair. After several Google searches on our phone, we

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settled with a “pin” on Pinterest that seemed do-able at 10 p.m..

A solution, or so we thought: Dandruff shampoo, 50 crushed Vitamin C tablets, a shower cap and an hour of time should have removed the bold black hair that covered her face. After sitting under the shower cap with tingling roots, she came back with her hair...the exact same color we started at almost two hours ago.

While her hair was the same color, my hands, which served as the applicator, managed to turn bright orange and started burning with a weird copper smell.

This lasted for almost two days, during which time I started my new internship in Washington, DC and shook hands with several new people.

Pinterest gives a stigma of

everything being so easy, and always successful, but Pinterest is wrong and we intend to test some of the most famous, and also weirdest, pins.

In honor of this failed experiment, the Life section of The Blue & Gray Press plans to test out Pinterest experiments, recipes, DIYs and projects. Every other week we will come back with a review: did it work, was it easy or did it stain our entire wardrobe? It will allow you to wade through Pinterest, knowing what to skip over and what to actually pin for future projects.

If you are interested in testing out Pinterest projects on behalf of The Blue & Gray Press, or if you have an idea you want us to try, let us know!

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MARY WASH

SPEAKS

OUT

This Week: Club presidents address important issues Obama’s State of the Union brings proposals with middle ground for America BENJAMIN HERMERDING

As president of the University of Mary Washington Young Democrats, I was overjoyed to hear our president outline a progressive vision for the year ahead in his recent State of the Union address.

With only two years left in office and “no more campaigns to run,” President Barack Obama delivered a message of reducing inequality and growing our stagnating middle-class.

Through “middle-class economics,” the United States can lead the world into the future.

Throughout the address, President Obama raised issues of economic importance to the middle-class: education, health care, inequality, immigration, infrastructure and the environment.

He proposed a bold new agenda for each of these issues, while maintaining he will strive for necessary bipartisan compromise.

Much to the chagrin of many in the audience, President Obama pointed to his many successes in office.

Obamacare is reducing the number of uninsured Americans and slowing the ballooning costs of health care in the United States.

He reminded detractors in the audience, “This is good news, people.” The economy is growing at a clipping rate.

The combat mission in Iraq and Afghanistan is finished. Gas prices are the

PRESIDENT OF UMW YOUNG DEMOCRATS

lowest they’ve been in years.

But with these triumphs come problems we must address in the coming two years.

As young adults, we are acutely aware of the burden that college debt has inflicted upon our generation.

We understand 21st century jobs require higher education, which we are obliged to pursue.

make a stronger America.

Our environment stands at the brink of disaster, with climate change a looming problem.

The president reminded us that we now lead the world in wind power production and “every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008,” but we must always do more.

TO SAY I WAS THRILLED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ADDRESS IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THE PROPOSALS HE LAID OUT ARE IDEAS THAT ALL AMERICANS CAN COME TOGETHER ON. THE PATH HE OUTLINED WILL SET THE UNITED STATES ON A PROGRESSIVE PATH TO THE FUTURE. But more education comes at a cost. No generation before ours has been so crippled at the outset by skyrocketing college costs.

Decreasing this debt while increasing educational opportunities for Americans is a middle-class priority.

President Obama understands this, which is why he intends on lowering the cost of community college to zero.

While some will decry the president’s proposal by using meaningless buzzwords like “welfare state,” we know this investment will drive down our debt, create a more educated populace and, ultimately,

By declaring he “will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts,” President Obama pledges to protect you and me from climate change naysayers in Congress.

The president must continue to press Congress to pass legislation that increases middle-class livelihoods.

Legislation like guaranteed sick time and maternity leave, tax breaks for education and child care, and ensuring that the richest Americans pay their fair share by matching the tax rate paid on capital gains

with ordinary income.

The economy is coming back and getting stronger thanks to the hard work and efforts of the middle class, a group who plays a crucial role in holding up our economy and moving it forward.

President Obama recognizes this, which is why he is putting forward policies that support this group, allow them to benefit from the strengthening economy and continue contributing to its upward climb.

This is middle-class economics: legislation that moves us closer to everyone having a fair shot at success.

The president didn’t shirk social issues either. He reminded us of the need to address women’s access to health care and their right to choose, called for a national dialogue on racial tensions and for reforms in the criminal justice system and, along with addressing same-sex marriage, was the first president to address bisexual and transgender rights in a State of the Union address.

To say I was thrilled by President Obama’s address is an understatement.

The proposals he laid out are ideas that all Americans can come together on.

The path he outlined will set the United States on a progressive path to the future. The University of Mary Washington Young Democrats are excited to fight for this future.

UMW is no longer a ‘feminist friendly campus,’ says FUC president PAIGE McKINSEY

Last semester I was asked if I thought the University of Mary Washington was a “feminist friendly campus.”

At the time, I said yes it was, citing the record-breaking number of sign-ups Feminists United received at Club Carnival, the wonderful faculty in the Women and Gender Studies Department and the enthusiasm of our members.

While Feminists United still has dedicated members and the faculty of the WGST program continues to offer important courses, I no longer find UMW to be a “feminist friendly campus.” What is unfortunate is that my answer changed around the time that the club increased its visibility on campus.

We went from a club that met Wednesdays at 8 p.m., to a club that tried to affect change on campus, pulling back a thin veil of a “feminist friendly campus” to expose the insidious misogyny and hatred very much alive at UMW. Here is why my answer changed. As many students know, a motion passed through our student senate last semester proclaiming that the UMW community would support institutionalized Greek life on campus.

What many students do not know are the troubling arguments made in support of the motion. When one student senator argued that the Greek system is inherently discriminatory in that is only allows people of one gender to join, another countered that UMW already has sex discrimination

PRESIDENT OF FEMINIST UNITED ON CAMPUS

in the form of the Women’s Health Center. circulated about “the feminists” using inWhen the argument was made that re- sulting and disgusting words to describe a search shows that institutionalized Greek group of students who asked that the safeLife on campus increased the rates of ty of this student body be counted as a top sexual assault, a fellow senator said this priority. statement (which is supported by numerHere is why my answer changed. Evenous studies) is simply a stereotype and to tually, the club was able to meet with adstereotype fraternities in such a way was ministration members about what more the equivalent of UMW can do to racial stereotypes. prevent sexual Here is why assault and supFEMINISTS UNITED WILL my answer port victims and CONTINUE TO PUSH changed. Once survivors. the motion passed FORWARD IN TRYING TO MAKE These meetthe Senate, there ings were proUMW A SAFER AND MORE was a town hall ductive and the meeting on the EQUITABLE PLACE FOR ALL administration subject. While the was open to our STUDENTS. meeting appeared ideas. After one WE ARE NOT GOING well mannered meeting with our and cordial, this Title IX CoordiANYWHERE. WE WILL NOT was not so. nator, Dr. Leah STOP. When I spoke, Cox, a group of I asked the memus walked home bers of the proon College Ave. Greek life side to address the studies and We had no posters, t-shirts or anything research which shows that institutionalized on our persons that would indicate that Greek life on campus increased the number we were the executive board of Feminists of sexual assaults. I asked them to explain United. As the cars drove by we heard how they plan to address this issue when, someone yell out a window “**** the femas of right now, UMW has far to go in ad- inists!” equately supporting victims and survivors.

While street harassment often leaves As soon as I finished, people were “yak- people with a feeling of discomfort and king” about how “this feminist needs to fear, this time was especially worrisome. calm the hell down” and how I was “scary.” Not only were we confronted with an act of Later on that evening more “yaks” aggression, we were singled out and identi-

fied as “the feminists.”

Here is why my answer changed. It came to our attention at the end of last semester that the men’s rugby team performed a chant one night at a party.

The chant discussed violence against women, including murder and battery, sexual violence against women, including assault, necrophilia and rape, and used derogatory words to describe the women in the chant.

I would ask the members of Mother’s Rugby to consider the words of Dr. Chris Kilmartin, a professor in our psychology department: “Although the vast majority of the men are not sexual predators, their participation in these chants provide support for the sexually aggressive men who were present.

We should ask ourselves if we would be so comfortable if the chants were racist in nature. Sexism is still an acceptable social activity in many sectors of society, and it has got to stop.”

Here is why my answer changed. As soon as Feminists United started affecting change on campus, we were faced with aggression and hatred.

To those who are responsible for the examples I have described please know one thing: Feminists United will continue to push forward in trying to make UMW a safer and more equitable place for all students.

We are not going anywhere. We will not stop.

8

LIFE

Easy to make lasagna rolls

Directions: In a large pot of water, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Depending on the size of your pot, you may need to do this in batches. Divide half of the pasta sauce among six jumbo muffin cups (if you don’t have jumbo size, you can just make smaller lasagna rolls in regular size muffin cups).

Lay the noodles on a flat work surface and spread the ricotta cheese over each one. Top the ricotta with the spinach, and tightly roll the noodles.

Slice each roll in half and stuff three lasagna rounds into each of six jumbo muffin cups with the cut sides up. Sprinkle the tops with a dash of salt. Top with the remaining sauce and the mozzarella cheese.

Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let cool for several minutes before unmolding. As they cool, the lasagna rolls will meld together. To unmold, run a butter knife around the edges, place a flat object such as a cutting board on top of the rim and turn upside down. If desired, serve with torn fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese and/or additional pasta sauce.

Oscars 2015 showcases heroes •OSCARS | 6 quirky film, “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” won the Golden Globe for best comedy.

No matter who gets to take home a little gold statue, however, this year brought

films that turned the spotlight on everyday people struggling with disease, injustice, growing up and life in general. It is important to recognize what films can do not only for entertainment value, but for starting a conversation on something that has long been ignored or passed over.

Alison’s top picks for Oscars 2015

Flickr

Ingredients (Serves Six):

9 whole wheat lasagna noodles

2 cups store-bought pasta sauce (or homemade, if you prefer)

1 ½ cups reduced-fat ricotta cheese

4 ounces chopped spinach (about 3 cups)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 ounces) Salt

Torn fresh basil, to serve

Grated parmesan cheese, to serve SARAH NAYLOR Staff Writer

I love to plan and prepare meals for my family and for my boyfriend, but I’ll be honest – I’m not much of a cook. Instead of cooking, I love to bake anything and everything, so I am always on the lookout for new baking recipes to try.

Some of the kitchen items I use the most in my baking are muffin tins, and it turns out that the humble muffin tin is good for so much more than baking your usual muffins and cupcakes.

In fact, you can use them to make a variety of breakfast or dinner treats, including these lasagna rolls.

This recipe comes from Matt Kadey’s book “Muffin Tin Chef” and is so fun and easy to make. Plus, they are much lower in fat and calories than more traditional versions of the recipes.

You can also add other ingredients if you want, such as meat, vegetables or mushrooms to make the dish more versatile. I loved making this Italian meal, but not as much as my family enjoyed eating it.

THE

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Jefferson lecture event celebrates religious freedom statute

ALEX SPENCE Staff Writer

Students and faculty will gather to celebrate the freedom of religious expression on Jan. 29 at the 2015 Jefferson Lecture.

The lecture commemorates the Virginia Statute, which allows for individuals to worship freely in whichever religion they choose. The lecture will take place at the University of Mary Washington on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium.

According to Craig Vasey, chair of the classics, philosophy and religion department, the goal of the lecture is to “expose [students] to new ideas and points of view [and] expand understanding.”

The lecture is named in honor of founding father Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the statute that would become the basis for religious freedom in America.

Last year’s lecture event saw over 700 people in attendance, with UMW students making up approximately 50 percent of the crowd.

Vasey said he hopes even more will attend this year, as he said he believes it is in students’ best interest to take advantage of the free intellectual events that are available to them.

This year’s guest speaker is Douglas Laycock, a prominent professor of law at the University of Virginia. Laycock’s lecture will address religious freedom and the culture-war.

This annual lecture is to raise awareness of the Virginia Statute and understand it through multiple viewpoints.

Religious freedom is an important top-

Kevin Labianco/ Flickr The Jefferson Lecture event celebrates the long standing American value of freedom of religion, and explores the ways this statue has affected American life.

ic not only to adults, but also to students.

The impact religious freedom has on each person varies, but for sophomore business major Connor Hudson, it impacts his life through his friends.

“I have friends who are Jewish, Catholic, Muslim and Christian. I don’t judge them, and they don’t judge me,” said Hudson.

As for freshman Nicole Spreeman, the

Disability Resources hires new director LINDSEY CRAWFORD Staff Writer

Over winter break, the University of Mary Washington named Sandra Fritton as the new student disabilities director for the Office of Disability Resources.

Fritton comes to UMW from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she received a Master of Fine Arts in theatre and a Ph.D. in Special Education and Disability Policy.

Fritton has been involved with students with disabilities for more than 13 years.

During that time, she worked in all different areas of special needs individuals, previously serving as a K-12 special education teacher in King and Queen County as well as Hanover County.

According to Fritton, after realizing how much she loved working with students, she quickly worked toward getting more immersed in the field. “[The] most rewarding thing is seeing hard working students succeed in education,” said Fritton.

As the new student disabilities director, her duties consist of making sure learning is more accessible for disabled students.

This includes arranging a wide range of accommodations for them and making sure all their needs are met. While her tasks as the new director are numerous, Fritton said she is ready to get started on giving students with disabilities a chance to gain a better education.

Freshman Karen Smith agrees that Fritton’s responsibilities as the new director are imperative.

“It is necessary for the University to include accessibility to students with disabilities because it enhances diversity and allows everyone a chance to succeed,” said Smith. “Without it, students with disability would have a greater risk of being left behind.”

According to Fritton, the largest challenged she has faced so far is getting equipped with the university’s computer system. Fritton said she has loved UMW and is excited to get to know the students and staff better.

“The people, students, faculty and staff have all been wonderful and welcoming,” said Fritton. “The general atmosphere of collegiality is evident here at Mary Washington, making it a very attractive place to work.”

ability to choose for herself is most impactful to her.

“I don’t necessarily identify myself with any one religion, but it is important that I have the choice,” said Spreeman.

Neither Hudson nor Spreeman were aware that the Jefferson Lecture was an annual event.

“It is worth being aware of,” said Vasey.

The city of Fredericksburg is also host-

ing a separate event in honor of the Virginia Statute. On Sunday, Feb. 1, former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will speak on religious freedom at 2 p.m. on Washington Avenue. Following Cuccinelli’s, speech a celebration will be held at Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters.

Little Rock Nine member urges for activism and awareness to UMW •GREEN | 1 and answer session.

“A lot of prayer, a lot of support, a lot of love,” Green replied.

Green also stressed the importance of patience and not giving up, no matter how big the obstacles may appear.

“Our family and friends never gave us the opportunity to forget that our mission was to go to school,” said Green.

As a teenager, Green once came across an older black man in his neighborhood who asked him why young people like himself felt the need to upset the white community and create problems for the black community.

“He should have asked, ‘why not,’” said Green. “Why not challenge conventional wisdom? Why not demonstrate that change is possible?”

According to Green, when an agent of change reframes questions of “why” into questions starting with “why not,” he or she finds that challenging the status quo

seems a little less daunting.

“You’re not in this alone,” Green said to the students. “Form bonds with people from all walks of life. Take advantage of what’s in front of you, but don’t be afraid to look beyond.”

He encouraged everyone in the audience with a smart phone to share his words on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, but also offered a word of caution, noting that while social media does play a role in enacting change, it can also lead to inaction.

Green counseled the audience to stand up against injustice, reminding his audience that retweeting “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” “I Can’t Breathe” and “Bring Back Our Girls” in tribute to Michael Brown, Eric Garner and the kidnapped girls in Nigeria, respectively, is not the same as taking action.

“Everything he talked about today really brought you back,” said senior anthropology major Jillian Talley, reflecting on the address. “He reminded us of the importance of really doing something.”

POLICE POLICE BEAT

BY EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH Assistant News Edtor

VANDALISM

LIQUOR LAW VIOLATION

A case of underage intoxication was reported at Eagle Landing on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 12:30 a.m. A student received an administrative referral.

Damage to a vehicle was reported to the Fredericksburg Police Department at Eagle Village between Monday, Jan. 19 and Tuesday, Jan. 2. The case is pending.

A hit and run that caused property damage was reported at Eagle Landing on Monday, Jan. 26 at 8:30 a.m. The case is pending.

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

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

NEWS STUDENT SENATE BEAT WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28

Student Senate is still in the search to fill a vacancy available for the Election Processes and Rules Committee Chair.

With Student Government Association elections approaching in the next four weeks, members of the Senate were asked to find a chairperson.

Without someone to fill the vacancy, elections will be difficult to conduct. *** A motion was introduced that would result in any student found guilty of a sexual assault off campus or found responsible for a sexual assault on campus facing immediate expulsion. The motion was tabled for later discussion.

The Association of Residence Halls submitted a new clause to their constitution, which needs the approval of the Senate. This clause requires the Vice President of each hall to attend Student Senate Meetings. The constitution was downvoted due to a technically. *** Two motions were passed at Student Senate for approval at Executive Board: •Administration to fully review Apogee as the Internet Provider on Campus •The Director of SAE to report to Student Senate to explain the new finance policy towards UPC, Giant, and Cheap without student input.

REPORTING BY TAYLOR O’DELL

Deli Station M-F) “Create Your Dish” Station (M-F) Korean Rice Station (Monday) Curry Station (Tuesday) Norwegian Rice Station (Wed.) “Oodles” Noodle Bar (Thursday) Burrito Bar (Friday) Poached Egg Station (Sun. Brunch)

Sustainable construction wins recognition •SUSTAINABILITY | 1 win the award, and the only university to do so.

“I think Mary Washington is on the right track, but there are always ways to improve,” said senior English major Sean Stableford. “We should look into alternate forms of power. It would be cool to see solar panels on dorm roofs one day.”

This award caps off a strong year for sustainability initiatives at UMW. In 2014, UMW obtained LEED silver certification for the new Information and Technology Convergence Center on the Fredericksburg campus. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.

To receive LEED certification, building projects must satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification.

Arguably the most notable of UMW’s recent sustainability initiatives is its recycling program. Available on all three university campuses, the program provides recycling bins in all campus buildings and at all events.

This past year, UMW students custom-painted the lids of recycling bins to

draw more attention to the program. UMW also ranked first in the 2014 RecycleMania “Per Capita Classic” competition, a nationwide, eight-week competition between colleges and universities.

UMW’s collection of 244,944 pounds of material during the RecycleMania competition was comparable to the result of removing 67 cars from the road, or the equivalent of the energy consumption of 30 households.

While these achievements in sustainability are representative of positive change, UMW still has areas in which it can improve.

“I one time saw a squirrel take a banana peel out of a recycling bin, and I don’t think banana peels are recyclable, so I don’t think the school is doing enough,” said senior Max Traubert.

A recent project of custom-painting the recycling bin lids on-campus is aimed at reducing misuse of the bins in the future.

Over the past several years, the UMW community has focused on maintaining an environment of responsibility and sustainability, and this mentality has fueled many initiatives such as RecycleMania and LEED certification of buildings, projects that are expected to be increased and expanded in 2015.

Carving Station for Dinner (M-TH) Lasagna for Lunch (Wed.) Specialty Pastas for Dinner (M-TH) Evening in Paris Dinner (Sun. Rotations)

Monday Dine-Up! Filet of Beef & Crab Cake

Vegan Bar & Gluten-Free Bar (M-F) Chili / Baked Potato Bar for Lunch (M) Breakfast for Dinner (TH) 5 New Signature Burgers (M-F) New Black Bean & Rice Veggie Burger New Dine-Up Menu (M-TH) Filet of Beef & Crab Cake (M) Smoked Prime Rib (Tues.)

Jumbo Fried Shrimp (Wed.) New York Strip Steak (Thurs.)

UMWDINING.COM

Coming Soon Black History Month Celebration Dinner African Cuisine—Monday, Feb. 2 5-7 p.m., Smart Market in Seacobeck

DINING@UMW.EDU 11

SPORTS

Editor: Chris Markham | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Men’s basketball secures important win, remains in hunt for final playoff spot

Staying Alive

ETHAN TOBIN Staff Writer

UMW Athletics Asa Scott’s return after a semester leave has the Eagles playing better both defensively and offensively.

2015 UMW Athletic Hall of Fame Class Inductees:

Melissa Block - Class of ‘04, women’s lacrosse player, two-time

first team All-America selection and 2003 CAC Player of the Year.

Tamalyn Reed - Class of ‘93, volleyball player, UMW all-time kill and serve aces leader.

Carol Hawley - Class of ‘84, equestrian team rider and coach from

In Saturday afternoon’s matinée against conference opponent York College Spartans (4-13, 3-7 CAC), the University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team secured an impressive 76-65 win. The win notched their third tally in the win column over their last four games in what has been an otherwise unfortunate season.

In addition to this match-up, the Anderson Center also played host to several alumni events, including special honors for veterans and the 2014 UMW Hall of Fame class, all of which created more buzz amongst the already energetic crowd.

The first half marked a stalemate in which both teams displayed good shooting percentages and were solid defensively.

The resulting score of the half ended in an even 31-31 tied score line. The Spartans’ sophomore forward Dalton Myers, who shot four of six from the field, ignited important momentum for his team early on, which resulted in the Spartans maintaining small leads throughout the half.

Countering a quality Spartan offensive shooting effort was a defensively hungry Eagle team whose 1-3-1 defensive style “led to a significant amount of turnovers, which in return gave us extra possessions,” according to head coach Marcus Kahn. The Eagles generated nine Spartan turnovers over the first half.

Along with a great combined defensive effort for the Eagles, freshmen forward Eric Shaw picked up an emphatic block that set the tone for the Eagles defensively. Sophomore guard Brent Mahoney and senior guard Taylor Johnson contributed defensively as well, picking up three rebounds and two steals.

At about 2:22 remaining in the first half, Johnson sunk his third three-point shot of the half, marking his 1,000 career point

and bringing his team within one score of the Spartans.

“The way I caught the ball and shot, I knew it was going in. I got goosebumps,” said Johnson.

Johnson, who is averaging 13.8 points per game this season, closed a memorable first half with his fourth three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining on the clock, bringing his first half total to a game leading 12 points.

From the first seconds of the second half, the Eagles never looked back. On the defensive side of the ball, the blue and gray combined for five steals and generated another eight Spartan turnovers.

Offensively, points kept pouring in for the Eagles. Within a four minute time period beginning at the 16:00 mark of the second half, the Eagles opened up a 55-41 lead. Strong second half offensive contributions from sophomore guard Asa Scott, sophomore forward John Lutkenhaus and Johnson producing seven, six and thirteen points, respectively, were the catalysts in propelling the team to victory.

In his career day, Johnson finished with a game-high of 25 points, adding to an overall great team victory.

After the game, Kahn noted that he thought the game “was an all-around good effort.” With eight games remaining in the season, all of which are important conference games, Kahn pointed out that the mentality of the team remains the same going forward despite the win.

“Although we dug a hole for ourselves early, we are well in the hunt,” said Kahn. “You never know what can happen. We are continuing to get better every game.”

With this win, the Eagles move into the seventh position in the Capital Athletic Conference, which keeps them well in the hunt of a playoff spot. Their season record now stands at (4-13, CAC 4-6). The eagles will next take on Marymount University

#TJ1K

‘84 - ‘98. Hawley is the first ever member from the UMW equestrian team to be indcuted.

Megan Reese - Class of ‘98, women’s swimmer, was 5-time AllAmerican in the 200-yard and 400-yard individual medley’s and 3-time All-American selection.

Men’s Soccer team of ‘97 - the only male program in UMW history to advance to an NCAA tournament DIII Final Four.

UMW Athletics

UMW Athletics/Twitter

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Saturday’s basketball game against York College was a big win for the Eagles, but stealing the show midway through the first half was a special moment for senior guard Taylor Johnson. Entering the game, Johnson was a mere seven points away from surpassing the 1,000 career point barrier. Sure enough, the senior delivered in front of the home crowd as he buried his third three-pointer of the first half to send the crowd into a frenzy. Johnson is the 18th UMW player to ever reach the mark.

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