The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

VOLUME 88 | ISSUE 15 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

Moving on up: UMW ranks for affordability, accessibility

1922

Administration gears up to continue open dialogue with students CATE STACKHOUSE Staff Writer

This semester, students will once again have the opportunity to attend open forum discussions held by President Rick Hurley, Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Searcy and Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jonathan Levin. The talks will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 18, March 11 and April 8, in the Faculty Dining Room in Seacobeck Hall.

The idea for an open forum originated last semester. The talks are a continuation

University of Mary Washington The Univeristy of Mary Washington has been nationally recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the best schools for academics and affordabilty.

HOPE RACINE News Editor

The University of Mary Washington has again received national recognition for its academics and affordability, ranking as one of the Princeton Review’s top “Colleges That Pay You Back.”

The list, published on Feb. 3, features colleges that have notable academics, are affordable and provide a large number of career aspects for their graduates. The rating scale used to recognize the schools focused on how well each university offered a “return on education.”

Many students expressed agreement with UMW’s qualifications for and recognition on the list.

“It’s been pretty affordable right now,” said sophomore Nick Atwell. “Academically, I’ve had a lot of good classes. A lot of good teachers. So that has made it en-

joyable.” Freshman Hannah Belski said the academic environment she has experienced so far at UMW has stood out to here.

“I’ve liked all of my academics. I’ve loved all of my professors and all of my classes,” said Belski.

“IT’S BEEN PRETTY AFFORD ABLE RIGHT NOW. ACADEMICALLY, I’VE HAD A LOT OF GOOD CLASSES. A LOT OF GOOD TEACHERS. SO THAT HAS MADE IT ENJOYABLE.” - Nick Atwell UMW was also listed on other Princeton Review lists, including “Best Southeastern Schools” and “The Best 379 Colleges.”

“Yeah, it’s been good. Affordability has not been an issue. It’s been pretty good,” said freshman Matt Sklaw, “Academically it’s been good. The classes have been challenging but not overwhelming.”

This is not the first time this year that UMW has been recognized for their affordability.

Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine recently included the school on their list of “100 Best Values in Public College” for 2015.

While many students benefitted and agreed with the current tuition rates, according to some, some things could be improved.

“From a student perspective, I was lucky enough to not need financial aid. As far as tuition goes,it’s super affordable.

Room and board, not so much,” said senior political science major Ciara •RANKING | 10

“TYPICALLY AT A SCHOOL WHERE THERE ARE FOUR-CREDIT COURSES, STUDENTS TAKE FOUR COURSES RATHER THAN FIVE, AND I’M INTERESTED IN GETTING SOME FEEDBACK.” - Jonathan Levin of the forum held by Searcy and Levin during the most recent fall semester and will span a variety of topics. “Last semester, I wanted to have an opportunity to meet with students and talk about the Strategic Resource Allocation process. I had met with student government to talk about it, and conferring with Sam [Worman, student government association president], I said let’s hold a town hall for students, •OPEN FORUM | 2

Women’s basketball extends winning Incoming students to find commonalities streak as they head toward championship in first year experience program TAYLOR O’DELL Staff Writer

As part of collaboration between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, the First Year Experience will be changing for the class of 2019.

Associate Provost Timothy O’Donnell, Vice President of Student Affairs Doug Searcy and Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan Keith Mellinger are creating a new First Year Experience that will combine the first year seminar course, common interests, academic advising, peer mentoring and residential communities.

The process to enhance the first year seminar class began in 2013 when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaccredited the university. As part of the reaccreditation, the University of Mary Washington made a commitment to redesign and improve the first year ex-

IN THIS

ISSUE

perience.

The requirement of the first year seminar in the general education curriculum began in 2008, and the options for first year seminar courses have crossed all disciplines. In the upcoming fall 2015 semester, there will be more course offerings in other disciplines than in previous years. Students will be able to specialize their seminar toward their department with the new addition of classes from departments such as music or biology.

Another change is that students will be required to complete their seminar in their first semester at UMW. This will result in the creation of 65 freshman seminar course sections to accommodate the requirement.

The faculty that will teach these courses have already been designated.

One of the main goals of overhauling the program is to allow new UMW stu •FIRST YEAR | 2

UMW Athletics

NOT SO SWEET

MINDLESS MEDIA

WINNING STREAK

Cadbury Egg’s recipe to change in U.S.

Music industry values large commerical appeal

Women’s basketball keeps up wins against teams

LIFE | 7

VIEWPOINTS | 5

SPORTS | 12

NEWS THE

BLUE & GRAY

Freshmen to experience enhanced first year program

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

University of Mary Washington For the class of 2019, the university’s Academic and Student Affairs will collaborate in order to enhance the freshman seminar and living experience.

similar interests and preferences in fresh•FIRST YEAR | 1 dents to find commonalities amongst man seminar courses will flourish in a Liveach other. One way the school hopes to do ing Learning Community. This is reflected this is by requiring all freshmen to read the in the recent changes to on-campus houssame book, which will likely be handed out ing, such as the transformation of Virginia Hall from all-female housing to co-ed during orientation.

The idea was taken from the current housing, and the transition of Mason Hall Honors Program, which has had great suc- from upperclassman housing to freshman cess with requiring a commonly read book. residence halls.

One of the adIntroduced by Kelli “THERE IS CLEAR AND vantages of this Slunt, the director of the Honors Pro- COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT program, as mengram at UMW, the WHEN STUDENTS LIVE AND tioned by Mellinger, is that it common read has LEARN TOGETHER, THEY takes the best asallowed students to pects from a vabecome engaged in PERFORM BETTER.” riety of different the program before models at other they begin their peer institutions, - Keith Mellinger classes. Mellinger such as Chrissimilarly noted that topher Newport this program will hopefully allow for students to interact and University, Gettysburg College, Dickinson become invested early in their experience, College and James Madison University.

“It is what makes the UMW experience before they even come to campus.

As a final renovation to the first year strong,” said Mellinger.

Incoming students will select their program, freshman will live with classfreshman seminar and living preferences mates from their first year seminar.

“There is clear and compelling evidence during orientation this summer. While all that when students live and learn together, students will be required to take the seminar, those who wish to will be able to opt they perform better,” said Mellinger.

The goal is that students who indicate out of the living arrangements.

First Year Residence Halls for 2015-2016 Bushnell Hall Custis Hall (all female) Madison Hall (Gender neutral) Marshall Hall (offline Fall 2015) Mason Hall Randolph Hall Russell Hall Virginia Hall Westmoreland Hall All Female Residence Halls for 2015-2016 Ball Hall Custis Hall

Administrators give students platform to voice opinions •OPEN FORUM | 1 and I invited Doug Searcy to join me,” said Levin, “It was so successful that we decided to hold three this semester.”

According to Levin, approximately 30 students attended the forum in the fall semester. Students brought up a wide range of topics, including the Divest UMW movement, institutional funding and faculty salaries.

“I plan on attending the talks. I would like to continue to be aware of what is going on around campus,” said Ray Celeste Tanner, a junior communications major.

“I like to be up to date. I want to hear other students inputs and see how student issues are handled.”

One of the administration’s goals for the talks is to receive student input for strategic planning.

“We’re in about the sixth or seventh year of our current general education program, and I don’t think we’re going to overhaul it, but I am interested in getting student feedback on the program,” Levin said. Levin also indicated that there has been some discussion among fac-

ulty about moving to a four-credit course program rather than three credit courses.

“Typically at a school where there are four-credit courses, students take four courses rather than five, and I’m interested in getting some feedback,” said Levin.

“We may have some faculty who are part of that committee come and participate in the discussion.”

Levin, Searcy and Hurley stressed the importance of an open forum to encourage student dialogue.

“We hope that a wide variety of students attend. We speak frequently to student leaders. We appreciate their perspectives, and work their ideas into what we try to accomplish, but we would love to talk to students that we don’t see as much, and this is a forum that anyone can attend,” said Searcy.

While the administration has certain subjects in mind, they are not limiting the scope of what students can talk about during the forums. “[The discussions] are designed to be free flowing so anyone present will have an opportunity to bring up a topic,” said Hurley.

Both students that attended last semes-

ter and students that did not attend previous discussions have expressed interest in attending the spring semester open forums.

“It’s good that the administration has to answer to the student body because we don’t have enough forums where the administration has to answer to the students,” said senior math major Chris Dingus, who attended last semester’s discussion.

“Last semester it was good, because it allowed for discussions of Greek life with the administration.”

According to Levin, the administration plans on using these discussions to identify issues and track them. He noted that they hope to have an evolving agenda that involves student input to help set priorities.

“We really want a representative perspective, and to know what common concerns are,” said Levin. Searcy echoed a similar desire for student feedback.

“We want to hear both the benefits and challenges of campus life, and about the experiences of students at Mary Washington so we can engage in that discussion and use the feedback to make the student life stronger,” Searcy said.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

SPORTS

Digital Auditorium opens doors for Super Bowl Sunday MATHIEU WETMORE Staff Writer

It did not matter how much air was in the footballs at the University of Phoenix Stadium this past Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots won the biggest game of the year 28-24, but for some reason nobody can stop talking about Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

Rookie Malcom Butler’s incredible

goal-line interception ended Seattle’s last chance at winning the title for the second year in a row, gave Brady a shot at MVP and, most importantly, put a national spot light on Coach Carroll.

Everybody knows that Marshawn Lynch dominated Fantasy Football this past season, so the question on everyone’s mind is, “why in the world didn’t he get the ball handed to him with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl?” We can only hope to gain more insight from Lynch about what happened in his entertaining, yet frustrating press conferences.

This year’s Super Bowl was more entertaining by a long shot compared to last year, when Seattle burned the Denver Broncos 43-8.

The University Programming Council hosted a Super Bowl watch party so the University of

Mary Washington community could catch all of the action. The digital auditorium in the newly built Information and Technology Convergence Center created an amazing movie theater atmosphere for the nail-biting game.

Students, faculty and even some families came together to watch the game with Sodexo chicken wings and Vocelli pizza provided by UPC. Raffle tickets were also available, and prizes were given away every quarter. The grand prize was a customizable NFL jersey. UPC and the fans that attended, no matter who they rooted for, were extremely satisfied with the success of this year’s Super Bowl Party.

UPC is the main source for on-campus entertainment and events at UMW. With the recent success of the Super Bowl party, Aaron Mahmod, a junior business major, said he is looking forward to the rest of the activities UPC has planned for the year.

“There is always something exciting happening on campus. Keep your eyes open,” said Mahmod.

As Super Bowl memories fade away and the warm spring weather approaches, he encourages the UMW community to come out to future UPC events.

Make sure to be on the look out for what they have planned for the UMW community.

Webaction.com

Mathieu's Top 10 Super Bowl Commercials: 1) 'Breaking bad' e-surance commercial 2) Fiat commercial 3) Liam Neeson clash of clans commercial 4) Lexus Commercial 5) skittles arm wrestling Commercial 6) Dodge Commercial 7) Jeep Commercial 8) bud light pacman Commerical 9) Mercedes Commercial 10) Geico Commercial Read more on super bowl commercials o n page 6

School records fall as track and field teams ramp up competition CODY REYNOLDS Staff Writer

In the past two weeks, the University of Mary Washington Track & Field teams traveled to Ursinus College up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania for the Collegeville Classic on Jan. 23 and drove up to George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia on Jan. 31 for the Patriots Games. The events were their second and third meets of the season, respectively.

The Patriot Games were a huge suc-

Claire Harrington:

School and CAC Record-holder in pole vault: 11 feet, 1.75 inches

Jim Granger

SWIMMING:

Men and Women: Jan. 31 vs.

Frostburg and Marymount Men: (W) Women: (W)

cess for the Eagles, who saw two school records go down on the day. Sophomore Glenn Taylor ran the 60-yard dash in 7.10 seconds, and senior Claire Harrington led the Eagles on the day by breaking her own school record in the pole vault with a leap of 11 feet, 1.75 inches. Both athletes were the previous record holder in their respective events as well, adding to their already impressive careers.

“I felt proud beating my own record,” said Taylor. “I just need to improve every week and hope for the best. I hope I can do it again soon.”

Harrington, who also holds the Capital Athletic Conference pole vault record, has one more goal on her mind.

“It’s never going to be good enough,” said Harrington. “I’m motivated by my desire to make it to nationals.”

Harrington is close to acquiring her goal, only needing a leap of 11 feet, 7.75 inches to make the cut.

The men’s track and field team brought home several top-three finishers in the Collegeville Classic, as well as the Patriot Games. Sophomore Ben Sorensen finished first in the mile with a time of 4:26 in the Collegeville Classic and finished third in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:42 at the Patriot Games. Senior Nick Judy, who finished third in the pole vault with a vault of 14 ft., 10 in. in the Collegeville Classic, earned a respectable fourth place at the Patriot Games with a 14 ft., 1.25 in. clearance. The Eagles took third place at the Collegeville Classic, a mere six points behind Messiah for second place.

The women’s track team had a success-

ful day as well at the Collegeville Classic, taking home third and fourth in the mile, with sophomore Teagan Young taking third at 5:16, and freshman Rachel Lewis finishing fourth, also at 5:16. Young was also able to capture third place in

Jan. 31 @ Marymount (L) UMW: 50 Marymount: 65

School Recordholder in 60 meter dash: 7.10 seconds.

UMW Athletics

the 3,000-meter run at the Patriot Games, was limited and at times you may not get finishing only behind two Division I se- any jumps before a meet, and at the meet niors. you may only get three jumps,” fellow Other top finishwomen’s pole vaulter ers for the Eagles sophomore Caroline “I’M MOTIVATED BY Deale said. included junior Taylor Cockerille, who Deale met her perMY DESIRE TO MAKE IT sonal finished third in the goals but did not TO NATIONALS.” shot put event with a place in the meet. throw of 37 ft., 10.5 “I can do better if I in., as well as second run off the ground and - Claire Harrington finish my jump, that place finisher in Harrington in the pole will get me higher,” vault, with a vault of said Deale.

10 ft., 6 in. The women’s team also capBoth the men and the women will be back tured third place at the Collegeville Clas- in action on Sunday, Feb. 8 in the Vince sic, eight points behind second place St. Brown Invitational at Christopher Newport Joseph’s.

University, their last meet of the season be“Due to inclement weather, practice time fore the conference championships.

Weekly Scoreboard men's Basketball:

Glenn Taylor:

Women's Basketball: Jan. 31 @ Marymount (W) UMW: 75 Marymount: 48

Upcoming:

Men’s Basketball: Feb. 7 @ Salisbury University 4 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Feb. 7 @ Salisbury University 2 p.m.

3

VIEWPOINTS

Op Ed: Backlash brings greater fight for change

The University of Mary Washington is not a feminist-friendly campus. I acknowledge that by putting forth this statement I open the metaphorical floodgates for criticism, backlash and general opposition. I make this statement so that direct and lasting action can be taken in moving forward.

I do so confidently, despite knowing I will not personally experience many of the positives to come. Because of this, I have been asked, “Why do you do it?” The answer is simple. I love the University of Mary Washington.

As vice president of Feminists United, this university has, at times, been a place of great support. Other times, I have received more pushback than I ever imagined possible. To the professors and peers who challenge me and this club to more critically examine the world, this school and ourselves: I am thankful. I am a better person and feminist for that.

This is the legacy of feminism and of all great social movements: that the struggle allows and demands those involved to become more focused and determined to effect change. My lived experience of sexism, rape culture, harassment and deeply-entrenched misogyny at the University of Mary Washington will not allow me to stand on the sidelines and be an observer.

Nor can I allow myself, my opinions or my passion to be marginalized.

There exists a pattern within both the broader context of society and our charming microcosm of UMW in which women’s experiences are challenged, dismissed and denied. In a previous op-ed, my colleague Paige McKinsey had her personal experiences refuted in a public forum. Fundamentally, she was attacked. By speaking on behalf of a wider feminist collective, the experiences of club members were also mocked and denied. Nearly a dozen different commenters referenced Feminists United as bullies.

Fundamentally, Paige and our club were attacked. Rather than expressing horror at a Mary Washington rugby chant comprised of lyrics supporting sexual and physical violence against women, anonymous commenters denounced both she and our club for smearing the name of a prominent sports group. Rather than expressing empathy for Feminists United as victims of targeted online and street harassment, an

anonymous student Yakked that they are “trying to have FUC listed as a hate group/ terrorist organization.” Additionally, we were told to “Go join the caliphate if you desire so ardently to regulate human behavior” by another anonymous commenter named “PRIVILEGED MALE.” Both comments are done without the author taking any responsibility for their words, yet the assertion is that the latter is a valid critique of Feminists United and the former is a “far from a credible source,” according to article commenter “Billy Bob.” What cannot be mistaken is that the ability to hide one’s identity is a historical tactic used by countless oppressive groups and cowards throughout history. Before the advent of technology, groups used clothing to hide and shirk ownership of their hateful actions. Today, well-dressed individuals seated next to one another in Town Hall meetings post factual lies and personal attacks from their cell phones via anonymous social media apps. While tangible inventions change, tools exist in every century to keep oppressors in a state of power by creating an unidentifiable, vague concept or mass, while the focus and debate is directed toward their individualized targets.

Feminists United will continue to educate, disrupt, dismantle, organize, strategize and fundamentally affect change at this campus. For me, this is unequivocally rooted in my love for the University of Mary Washington. As a liberal arts institution, the academic atmosphere fostered here is one of intellectual rigor, personal integrity, and dedication to excellence.

From within many peers I see a relentless drive to make a difference, unparalleled by students at other institutions. Nonetheless, there are students and administrators who seek to cement the status quo rather than chip away at the gender, racial and religious hierarchies that continue to permeate campus dialogue and life. To conclude, I hark back to my opening: The University of Mary Washington is not a feminist-friendly campus because life is not feminist-friendly. We have the power to change that. By creating a collegiate space in which the fight for liberation is not exterminated, but rather encouraged, we can make both Mary Washington and our world a better place.

Kelli Musick Vice President of Feminists United

Nationwide Super Bowl ad surprises America

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH Staff Writer

Super Bowl commercials, as of late, have become a venue to bring social issues to a wider audience. The most notable of Sunday’s ads were a Nationwide commercial centered on preventable childhood deaths and an ad focused on the horrors of domestic violence that was sponsored by the organization No More, as well as the NFL. Social media exploded on Monday following the Super Bowl, starting a debate between those that found the commercials inappropriate for a light-hearted event and people that believed they brought up important issues.

The Nationwide commercial featured a young boy with a mop of curly hair explaining that he will never get married, never learn to fly and never grow up because he had died from a preventable accident.

The commercial then gives data: the number one cause of death in young children is an accident that could have been prevented. For some viewers, the commercial was an unwelcome experience, particularly for parents who have lost their children. Frank Eliason, global director of customer experience at Citi bank, lost his four-year-old daughter in 2004 during a liver transplant surgery. The commercial, featuring a deceased child, brought back painful memories for Eliason.

Eliason told Business Insider that he thought Nationwide did not choose a good way to bring up the topic.

“I know Nationwide has issued a statement stating that they were hoping to start a dialogue regarding safety in the home.

That may be a noble goal, but this is not the way to start a dialogue of any kind,” said Eliason.

In contrast, Lee Peterson, executive vice president of creative services at WD Partners, was interviewed by the Columbus Dispatch and said he did not see the commercial as an aim to elicit fear or grief,

Nationwide/ Googleimages

but rather to broadcast awareness about preventable accidents to new parents.

“It did the job of driving the message home and driving the conversation,” said Peterson. “Every other insurance ad beats around that point or deals with it with humor.” At the end of the ad, Nationwide showed a website called makesafehappen. com, a site that gives parents safety tips to prevent potentially fatal childhood accidents.

When asked about their commercial, Nationwide defended it, stating “We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us – the safety and well-being of our children.” To address viewers who found an ad coming from an insurance company as manipulative, Nationwide stated, “The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance.”

Maybe the commercial could prompt new parents to child proof their homes or be more cognizant of items that could injure their child. However, there certainly could have been better ways for Nationwide to broach that issue, without, in my opinion, playing on parents’ fears. People can be convinced to do anything if they are afraid, especially if they want to protect their children. For Nationwide, an insurance company, to showcase a parent’s worst fear and then state “we believe in protecting what matters most” is manipulation in its cruelest form.

Nationwide further stated that they were not using the commercial to boost sales.

Yet could it be argued that because the commercial is coming from an insurance company, they are specifically sending an implicit message to the parents that if they do not buy the insurance, they have less protection for their child when they need it?

I believed the commercial showed a lack of integrity and a lack of judgment on Nationwide’s part. Nationwide, even if your intentions were good I am not on your side.

Editorial: Embracing open and respectful discussion At The Blue & Gray Press, we love to see the university community engage in the discussion of vital issues on our campus. We also love seeing these important conversations take place on our website in response to our articles. Whether positive or negative, constructive criticism is a large aspect of journalism that all journalists understand and come to appreciate.

In addition, this editorial board enjoys getting letters to the editor and op-eds about issues the student body and university community find important. The discussions that take place in the comments can be constructive, informative and sometimes eye-opening.

While this is true, we would also like to remind everyone that the University’s Statement of Community Values is something that applies on our website,

4

whether anonymous or not.

According to the statement, “We hold among our foremost common values: the importance of personal integrity as reflected in adherence to the Honor Code, the right of every individual to be treated with dignity and respect at all times, the appreciation of and respect for diversity in our community and adherence to the University’s Principles on Diversity and Inclusion and the University’s Statement of Non-Discrimination, and the freedom of intellectual inquiry in the pursuit of truth. We accept responsibility to help create the environment we strive to achieve.

We will live up to these values and work to support our collective and individual successes. As members of the University community, we will not condone behavior that compromises or

threatens these values.”

This statement is something that every student at this university is well aware of, as it is taught to us during our first week at UMW. Given this, The Blue & Gray Press holds our university community to the same standards online. While anonymity is inevitable in some instances, this editorial board will not tolerate threats, harassment or personal attacks of any kind to anyone.

Anonymity will never stand as a justification for vicious attacks or offensive comments. If a comment is reported as offensive or dangerous, this editorial board will remove the post and act accordingly. If anyone, as a reader of The Blue & Gray Press, feels threatened, please feel free to contact us with your concerns.

We value the freedom of speech and expression, and as journalists, we understand its importance in society, but there are clear lines that will not be tolerated online.

Despite our differences, our university is a community that values open discussion when conducted in a constructive, informative and respectful manner.

The Blue & Gray Press is proud to serve as a platform for students, faculty and community members to air grievances, voice concerns and share opinions.

We want to continue to offer a space where students can express and share their views.

We encourage the submission of letters and op-eds. If you want to share your views, reach out to us with your submissions by Sunday evenings at 9 p.m.

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

Thursday, February 5, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

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

Mainstream media outlets continually warp artists and their sounds

The Neighbourhood/ Googleimages MONA OSMER Viewpoints Editor

On a season 5 episode of the popular show,“Louie,” Louis C.K. walks into a coffee shop. Every customer in the coffee shop is mindlessly complaining, and all are having zombie-like interactions with each other.

Louis has a very blunt humor in general, and I love it. However, in this instance it is also insanely depressing; he encapsulates the society we live in spectacularly.

The mindless nature of the coffee shop customers, for example, is something I see everyday.

Media, along with advertising and mainstream music, are the sole fuelers of our society’s mindless nature, and it deeply bothers me. What is causing me to be this way, now more than ever, is the recent popularity of my favorite EDM (Electronic Dance Music) artist ODESZA. Their single, “Say My Name,” was produced roughly five months ago, and

Schwayze/ Googleimage

through major marketing strategies, ODESZA has finally stuck its foot through the door of mainstream music.

The whole thing is bittersweet. “Say My Name” is one of ODESZA’s more simplistic mixes. To clarify, nothing about ODESZA is simplistic, for I still have not listened to anything like them before. This particular song, however, is simply more basic than their underground mixes. Their album, “No.Sleep,” which was produced over a year ago, should have been their claim to fame, but nowhere is this album even mentioned on mainstream media sites in the U.S. The transitions and the layers of ODESZA’s beats show the scrupulous nature of their music. Therefore, I would rather see them get praised for their hard work, which is more prevalent in their “No. Sleep” mixes. The same thing happened to The Neighbourhood. “Sweater Weather,” their 2013 single from the album, “I Love You,” hit the charts hard and sent shock waves through the nation. Released that same year was their album, “The Love Collection,” which featured one of my favorite songs, “West Coast.”

The catchiness of “Sweater Weather” out-shined the intellectual and captivating nature of the songs released on “The Love Collection.” It thoroughly upsets me that people would rather listen to plain, catchy songs rather than stimulating and evocative music.

It is for this reason that I stopped listening to the radio roughly three years

ODESZA/ Googleimage

ago, and I have not missed it. The incessant over-playing of mediocre beats and thoughtless lyrics just evoke nothing but measly dopamine, if that, that makes your brain happy. Is there anything wrong with being happy? No. It is merely the fact that mainstream music ensures that you are happy, but not critically thinking. The majority of underground music is the exact opposite. For me, music is a connection to my physical life; I can connect with the beat, the lyrics and even the instruments through my everyday experiences and memories. I listen to music with layers, with meaning.

Indie bands such as Modest Mouse, The Shins and others died out, although Modest Mouse is currently making a come back because their music did not change for mainstream listeners. “Float On” was the only song by Modest Mouse that ever got popular enough to infiltrate mainstream music. It was even featured on one of the Guitar Hero set lists. However, “Float On” is one of Modest Mouse’s more bland and stagnant songs, with lyrics that are relatable, but still incomparable to their other songs.

Modest Mouse did not change their music to fit society. They kept on making their strung-out, raspy, innovative and, honestly, just strange music, and therefore the majority of people forgot them. I, however, bought their t-shirts and dreamed of going to one of their shows, idolizing them for years to come. If you are one disinclined to listen to underground, then I suppose T-

Bent Image Lab/ Flickr

Swift is your best bet to understanding this notion of mainstream artist warping.

Everyone knows that Taylor Swift started out usurping her southern belle look: blonde hair, blue eyes, long legs and all.

She took the nation by surprise by climbing to the top and stabilizing herself as a major pop-artist, who, let’s face it, is now a force to be reckoned with. Not too many artists get that opportunity. Most have to adapt to the world that their music is coming into, a world that might not be ready for the different, unique and intellectual nature of their sounds.

Both AER and Schwayze are two more prime example of this, although their music has a strong following on the east coast, their reggae roots are not a prominent part of the music industry style today.

I am one listener among a surprising number of many others who is fed up with the mindless tunes that escape from the speakers of many, fueled by mainstream music outlets. Individuality should be praised, not put down.

AER/ Googleimage

Super Bowl halftime performance revitalizes music industry Missy Elliott steals the show and reclaims the spotlight KATIE FRAZIER Staff Writer

Step aside Katy Perry because the queen of rap has come back to steal the show and claim her crown. “You make me feel like I’m living a teenage dream” was more like “I feel like I’m living in 2003” thanks to the incredible Super Bowl 2015 halftime performance by Missy Elliott.

Performing some of her greatest hits, such as “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It” and “Lose Control,” Elliott instantly transported millions of viewers back to the earlier 2000s.

Although Katy Perry made headlines for months leading up to her Super Bowl 2015 halftime show, it was Elliott who, after a long career hiatus, seemed to come out of nowhere and immediately bring the crowd to their feet.

Amidst a medley of dancing sharks and colorful beach balls, Elliott absolutely dominated her halftime slot. Elliott, revered as one of the most revolutionary rappers of our generation, is responsible

for the infectious beats and club anthems that dominated the millennium.

She shared the stage with the sparkling and energetic Katy Perry and showed the world the return of the independent female vocalist.

Aside from being an incredibly talented rapper, producer and successful businesswoman, Elliott has a lot to teach the public

on feminism and the importance of being a powerful woman in a male-dominated profession. Known for her “tomboy” aesthetic in many of her iconic music videos, Elliott proves that she can play the game with the boys. I always admired Elliott’s independence, body-positivity and witty lyrics.

She is proud of her voice and her size.

With lines like “Whatchu know about that/ so cute and fat,” Elliott shows she is not ashamed of her body and allows her voice to be heard.

She also supports women who embrace their sexualValdi Valdi / Flickr ity in ways

that are sometimes considered socially unacceptable.

Her song “Work It” proclaims: “Girls, girls, get that cash/If it’s nine-to-five or shaking that a**/Ain’t no shame ladies do your thing/Just make sure you ahead of the game.”

For younger age groups that are not familiar with Missy Elliott’s music, social media exploded with people asking if Katy Perry had just unleashed a new musical talent into the world.

Elliott then responded on Twitter proclaiming that she had, in fact, returned, and her 2.5 million followers seemed overjoyed. Elliott instantly became a trending search on Google and iTunes, and three of the songs that she performed at the Super Bowl halftime show stole the fourth, fifth and seventh spots on the iTunes charts.

Elliott is back and better than ever, and she wants everyone to know it. Patriots and Seahawks fans may disagree on a lot of things, but not the glorious return of Missy Elliott.

5

LIFE

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

Class Council’s senior countdown, a bittersweet night for class of 2015

Class Council

Seniors pose with friends Friday night at Class Council’s senior countdown hosted in Goolrick Gym. This event marked 100 days until the class of 2015 graduates.

AERIEL MERILLAT Staff Writer

This past Friday was a bittersweet night for this year’s seniors, as the class of 2015 began the journey toward the end of their undergraduate careers.

Class Council’s 2015 Senior Countdown on Jan. 30 marked the start of the 100 days left until this year’s commencement ceremony, taking place on Saturday, May 9. Every year, the event consists of a casino-themed night, including a variety of games such as poker, roulette, craps and blackjack. This year’s Senior Countdown was held in Goolrick Gym. This was the first year Class Council held the event in the gym. Cait Cobb, a sophomore Class Council president and international affairs major commented, “It was a lot better than last year’s, which was held in Seacobeck Faculty [and] Staff [Dining] Hall. Having the event in Gool-

rick provided a lot more space for everybody.”

As cocktail attire-clad students entered into the event, each senior was given a Class Council cup, a raffle ticket and instructions “ for the games and auction.

To start out with, the seniors received a total of 50,000 cash to play at the various games. At the end of the night, they were given the opportunity to cash in their winnings for an additional raffle ticket or to use it toward an auction prize. The auction prizes, sponsored

by Class Council, included gift cards for

businesses such as Brocks, Chipotle and Hyperion. Other gifts included a skydiving trip, custom University of Mary Washington wine glasses, a UMW wine stopper, a Keurig coffee machine, a GoPro video camera and a custom UMW afghan blanket.

“It is always interesting watching people bid for the prizes,” said Cobb.

“A lot of students combine their tokens and end up with totals, like, 2.1 million.”

Class Council successfully turned Goolrick Gym into a mini Las Vegas themed casino. Behind each casino game

I’M TRYING TO GO TO ALL OF THE SCHOOL EVENTS BEFORE I GRADUATE,” said At The Blue & Gray Press,

were members from Class Council and student volunteers dealing the cards, rolling the dice and playing for the house.

Alongside the games, seniors were treated to an oxygen bar and giant projection screens displaying a variety of music videos. The event created a space where the graduating class of 2015 could celebrate the past four years’ accomplishments and all of those yet to come.

Sarah Phillips, senior psychology and business double major, attended Senior Countdown to “try and make the most of my last semester of school and spend time with my friends.”

“I’m trying to go to all of the school events before I graduate,” said Phillips.

While the night may have been a reality check for most seniors realizing their days at UMW are now numbered, Class Council succeeded in creating a successful rendition of the bittersweet yearly tradition that is Senior Countdown.

SuperBowl XLIX commercials change the marketing game tiquing the ads.

The commercials this year highlighted controversial issues, including gender standards, online bullying and child safety.

These ads generate a discussion of their quality and their content, which in turn can help spread awareness of certain issues.

nominating that person. The tweet had to be accompanied with #VolvoContest every time a car commercial aired during the SuThis year marked a change in the typiper Bowl. cal milieu of SuperBowl ads and commerThese ads took over Twitter for the evecials, namely that most of the ads could be ning, with a majority of the trending topics viewed before the game itself aired. throughout the night focused not only on However, the commercials that actually the game itself, but also aired onto TV during on the ads. the Super Bowl were Most of these ads not the only commerfeatured a convenient cials. hashtag at the bottom of Lesser-known the screen or at the end brands and products of the commercial, comthat could not afford pelling Twitter to enthe 30 second spots on gage in hashtags such as television aired their #paywithlovin’, #dreamown Super Bowl ads ingwithjeff, #likeagirl, online. #AngryNeeson52, #HeThey promoted roesReborn, #grubhub, their products by post#loctite and #whenpigsing a new ad coincidfly. ing with the Super The success of an ad Bowl, rather than vyduring the Super Bowl ing for a pricy game has a lot to do with the day spot. tone of the ad and how The entire marketwell it is executed. ing experience around The high cost of not the Super Bowl comjust buying the air time, mercials has changed YouTube but the entire strategy over the past few used around the ads is This year’s Superbowl commercials incorporated hashtags into their marketing strategies online and on televison. years. Posting the ads leading to less accessiearly for people to view them and build For example, instead of trying to run Volvo decided to try a different kind of bility to this marketing platform yet more buzz has been a recent phenomenon. a 4.5 million dollar SuperBowl ad, Newmarketing campaign instead of airing an ad creative ways for companies to utilize the The ads then live on after game day castle Brown Ale poked fun at Doritos and on game day.

The company asked fans to Super Bowl spotlight without airing tradithrough various websites that ask people to vote on the best and worst ads of the game. the expensive air buy. Newcastle created a tweet the name of a person they would like tional spots during the game.

Numerous articles are also written cri- fake commercial for the snack chips and to nominate for a free car and why they are

EMILY HANSON Staff Writer

6

posted it online. Throughout the ad Newcastle products were on display.

Larger businesses also decided to opt out of creating a game day ad. Automakers GM and Ford were two of a large number of businesses that did not air commercials this year.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

LIFE

Hershey takes Cadbury products off American shelves JULIANE KIM Staff Writer

Chocolate fans on both sides of the Atlantic are in an outrage. Let’s Buy British Imports, or L.B.B., a major importer of British candy and confectionary, has made an agreement with the Hershey Company to cease imports of all Cadbury chocolate into the United States. For those who have no idea what the big fuss is about, Cadbury is a British company famous for its extremely popular Dairy Milk Chocolate bars and Cadbury Creme Eggs.

According to the Huffington Post, the Hershey Company bought the rights to manufacture and distribute Cadbury products in the U.S., including the popular Dairy Milk bars and

C r e m e bury Eggs, for $300 mil- introduced their first lion. This is the reason Hershey milk chocolate bars. This eventuwas able to manufacture the Cadbury ally led to the creation of Cadbury’s famous Dairy Milk bar, which was candies for themselves.

People across social media have made to have more milk in ratio to othtaken up arms against this perceived er ingredients than any other chocolate bar on the market at the affront to British time. Cadbury continchocolate lovers, “THERE ARE ued to grow and expand with #BoycottHerCERTAIN until 1971, when Cadshey being the rallying call on Twitter. PRODUCTS I WILL bury came out with the Cadbury Creme Egg, Others have posted MISS.” another iconic product. angry messages on One reason Cadbury Hershey’s Facebook -Kathryn Hall supporters are so upset page, and thouabout the import ban sands of people have signed an online petition protesting the is that Cadbury’s chocolate brings up childhood memories for some. This is Hershey Company.

Others are saddened, but seem more especially true for the Cadbury Creme Eggs, which are especially popular resigned to the news.

“There are certain products I will during the Easter season.

Cadbury Creme Eggs will still be miss,” said junior Kathryn Hall. “I can understand people being upset. I my- available in the U.S., as will most of self was on [hearing] the first news be- Cadbury’s products, except they will be made by Hershey instead of Cadfore I was told all the details.”

John Cadbury founded Cadbury in bury, and with a different recipe.

Unfortunately for Hershey, the 1824 and sold his cocoa and drinking chocolate that he made himself in his American versions of Cadbury’s chocgrocer’s shop. Years later, in olate are deemed to be unac1897, Cad- ceptable for

many fans of British confectionary. British chocolate tends to contain more milk in comparison to American chocolate, and this difference is reflected in the recipe for Cadbury chocolate manufactured by Hershey. Hershey chocolates seem to focus on the main ingredient being sugar, while British chocolate enthusiasts insist that the extra milk results in a creamier, more delicious candy.

Junior Da-Veia Brown summed her opinion on the issue up in a few wise words, saying, “I mean, I guess chocolate is chocolate overall. Everyone has their own preference and it’s all sweet in the end.”

Materials

1 glass bowl 2.5 tablespoons of coconut oil 1.5 tablespoons of beeswax (found on Amazon) 12 drops of the essential oil of your choice (you may use multiple scents or just one) 10 empty lip balm containers (found on Amazon)

Directions

Flickr

This lip balm is an easy to make alternative to traditional, store-bought lip balm.

NOELLE PAOLICELLI Staff Writer

Everyone knows what it is like to have peeling and cracked lips. Lip balm is one of the most commonly used products to maintain healthy lips. Did you know that many lip balms contain chemicals, alcohol, salicylic acid and artificial fragrances?

Homemade lip balm is a fabulous gift for

anyone. It is easy to personalize and it is nice to know exactly what ingredients are going into making it. Not to mention, if you like making it, you can turn it into a small business. Students are always looking for cute, homemade things to buy on the “Give it, Lend it, Sell it” Facebook page. Most importantly, it’s fun, so invite your friends over and get crafting.

1. Combine beeswax and coconut oil in a glass micro wave-safe bowl.

2. Microwave until all ingredients are melted and well blended.

3. Remove bowl from the microwave and add drops of essential oils.

4. Mix well with a whisk.

5. Pour the mixture into the lip balm tubes.

6. Let them cool until the lip balm is hard.

7. Cap and label (don’t forget to be creative).

Tip:

Make sure that you only microwave the waxes in 30-second incremements. This prevents the wax from getting overheated. If it overheats the wax will not set properly.

7

FOLLOW US!

@theBlueandGray

BlueandGrayPress

The Blue & Gray Press

LIFE UMW’s Open Mic has a new star

By KELLY EMMRICH Staff Writer

Flickr

The first official Open Mic Night of the 2015 spring semester brought a relaxed and intimate feel to the Underground.

The formerly named “UPC Live” event struggled last semester to take off in popularity, unlike other weekly functions such as karaoke, bingo and trivia.

Several Underground event coordinators spoke about a typical Wednesday Karaoke night, calling it “incredibly hype” and noting the “staple crowd pleasers” of Taylor Swift and Frozen songs.

On a normal Wednesday night, the Underground usually hosts about sixty students and faculty with every table full and very little floor space available.

This week, with the Open Mic Night, that was not the case.

With less than thirty people in the underground, and most there for the Red Pepper Gouda, only one student was brave enough to perform.

Freshman Ryan Ford played an original song called “Insomnia.”

Ford mainly writes his own music with a unique sound quality that correlates with the Indie scene.

Ford has been playing guitar for around four years and has been singing for one.

Even though this was not Ford’s first Open Mic Night, it was his first at the University of Mary Washington.

Ford, despite the fact that he is no stranger to the stage, said, “The best part of a performance is when it’s over.”

“It’s like racing,” said Ford. “While you’re doing it, it’s painful, but when it’s over there’s a certain satisfaction.”

Although he only played one song for the Underground’s Open Mic Night, Ford left a mark.

Shortly after his performance, Rose Frechette commented on how Ford’s Indie rock voice and melodic guitar styling truly touched her.

“The atmosphere really changed from a typical night at the Underground into a concert.

It’s a shift that that everyone felt, not just me,” said Frechette.

After just five minutes, Ford changed from an anonymous student to a star.

In addition to Frechette, several other students and Open Mic Night coordinators came up to Ford after his set to compliment his impressive debut performance.

Even though the Open Mic Nights are currently poorly attended, hopefully more musical students will step up to the stage on future Wednesdays and more people will come out to see the talent.

NETFLIX FEBRUARY BINGE LIST DELLA HETHCOX Staff Writer

February can seem like the hardest month of the year as midterms approach and winter persists.

Need a break from reality? Netflix will add more than 40 films and eight recent TV seasons by the end of the month, including season three of the hit political drama “House of Cards.”

Whether you need a film for a Valentine’s Day party (or a date) or just a show to numb the pain after hours of midterm studying, the new selection of films and shows for this month will have something for every occasion.

Bittersweet romantic comedies have come into their own genre recently. If you enjoy a more realistic love story, try “Save the Date,” a 2012 film starring Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie.

This is a great choice if you’ve enjoyed similar films like “500 Days of Summer” or “Drinking Buddies.”

Want a more typical love story? “Elsa and Fred” is a later-in-life love story set in New Orleans and starring Shirley Maclaine and Christopher Plummer. Although it was released in 2014, it’s a remake of a 2005 Argentine film of the same name.

For a film with more romantic intrigue, try the period drama “In Secret,” starring Elizabeth Olsen and Tom Felton. Olsen portrays a young woman trapped in an

arranged marriage, while Felton is the intriguing family friend.

If comedy is your genre, try “Russell Brand: Messiah Complex.” Brand dishes out his scathing opinions on nearly every topic imaginable. For something more tame, watch “Mr. Peabody and Sherman,” starring the voice of Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), or “The Little Rascals Save the Day,” the second film in the “Our Gang” series by Universal Pictures.

How about “Hot Pursuit?” This movie is a 1987 film full of comedic hijinks and stars a young John Cusack pursuing his girlfriend across the Caribbean after missing their flight all because of a failed algebra exam.

If you like thrillers, view “Catch Hell,” starring Ryan Phillippe as a washed up actor who is kidnapped on his way to a shoot.

Another option is “Blood Ties,” a 2013 film with Clive Owen and Billy Crudup as two brothers caught on opposing sides of the law in Brooklyn during the 1970s, with Marion Cotillard and Mila Kunis as the girlfriends.

For your mystery fix, try “White Bird in a Snowstorm,” a 2014 film based on the novel of the same name, starring Shailene Woodley.

Woodley portrays a girl dealing with the mysterious disappearance of her mother

and the subsequent emotional issues.

Explore the complicated relationship between an unknowing actress (Sasha Grey) and her fan (Elijah Wood) in “Open Windows,” a 2014 film about Internet crime.

Dreaming of an island vacation? The first four seasons of “Hawaii Five-0” await you. Action packed and full of gorgeous Hawaiian scenery, this show is the perfect study break companion.

Kevin Spacey fans can catch the third season of “House of Cards” on Feb. 27 and follow along as the politician and his wife exact his revenge on enemies.

Although college feels like you are in a gladiatorial game, it’s nothing compared to the entire series of “Spartacus” that’s now available.

This show can give you some perspective on what “fight to the death” really means (Be warned that this show does contain adult content).

For a show with the perfect mixture of comedy, nostalgia and gore, the first five seasons of “M*A*S*H” have been added, in which American doctors navigate a field hospital during the Korean War with American optimism and wartime cynicism.

Happy viewing.

Humans of UMW

By NANCY MILROY

“Join students from around the state to build solidarity for environmental, social, economic and educational justice issues faced throughout Virginia. Virginia Power Shift will be held here at Mary Washington from February 13th-15th in the ITCC. We will have 3 keynote speakers and 40+ workshops.”

- Beatrice Ohene-Okae

THE

BLUE & GRAY IS NOW

SELLING ONLINE ADS

send an email to: blueandgray.managing@gmail.com for information and pricing 9

NEWS POLICE BEAT

P O L I C E

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: UMW celebrates the past and moves forward with progress

BY EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH Assistant News Edtor

LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS

A case of underage alcohol possession was reported at Eagle Landing on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 a.m. A student was given an administrative referral.

DRUG VIOLATIONS

A student was found with possession of marijuana at Eagle Landing on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 1:30 a.m. The student was given an administrative referral.

Two students were found with possession of marijuana at Randolph Hall on Friday, Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. The students received administrative referrals.

Two students were found with possession of marijuana at Randolph Hall on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. The students received administrative referrals.

LARCENY

Larceny from a vehicle was reported to the Fredericksburg Police Department at Eagle Village on Wednesday, Jan. 28 between 8:30 a.m. and 9 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.

UMW recognized for cost, high graduation rate •RANKING| 1 Peacock.

Unlike The Princeton Review, Kiplinger judged schools based on their admission rates, percentage of returning students, student-to-faculty ratio and graduation rate.

UMW ranked sixth in Virginia and ninety-second in the nation, coming behind other Virginia schools such as the University of Virginia, The College of William and Mary, James Madison University, Virginia Tech and Christopher Newport University.

UVA ranked second in the nation.

However, the university was also recently awarded a high ranking by the Social Mobility Index, a study that ranks universities on their accessibility, taking into consideration the tuition costs and economic diversity of the student body.

UMW was ranked third in the state, behind George Mason University and Virginia State University, and 140th nationally.

10

Creative Commons

MARIAH YOUNG Managing Editor

the 1960s, with the rise in the Civil Rights Movement, the celebration was eventually made to be a month long by celebrations on college campuses.

Then, in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month.

When doing so, he called on the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” according to the History Channel. African American artists are some of the most defining contributors

In addition to celebrating music and art, the University will also host discussions concerning vital issues that affect every student and member of the university community. On Feb. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m., the Feminist United on Campus, in partnership with Virginia Organizing, will host a “Dismantling Racism Workshop.” The event will focus on discussing personal, cultural and institutional racism and ways to act as an advocate against racism.

Additionally, the James Farmer Multicultural Center and Virginia Organizing will hold a panel discussion on Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m., entitled “Racial Disparities in School Discipline.” During this discussion, the panel will focus on “policies and practices at the local, state and federal level that contribute to disproportionate disciplinary consequences for children of color in the public school system,” according to the James Farmer Multicultural Center.

Additional student-led clubs that are not considered advocacy groups, such as Cheap Seats Cinema, are also hosting events to celebrate Black History Month.

Cheap Seats will show the movie “Dear White People” throughout the weekend of Feb. 13 through 15. The movie is “a social satire that follows the stories of four black students at an Ivy League college where controversy breaks out over a popular but offensive black-face party thrown by white students,” according to IMDb. To celebrate and remember the importance of Black History Month, the university community will host additional events throughout the month, most of which are free and open to the public.

The Blue & Gray Press is seeking assistant editors to fill editorial positions.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

Last week, the University of Mary Washington welcomed Ernest Green, a notable member of the Little Rock Nine to the school. He spoke as the keynote speaker for UMW’s celebration of Black History Month. During the month of February, the James Farmer Multicultural Center will be teaming up with various on-campus organizations to host a series of events aimed at celebrating Black History Month.

Black History Month, also known as National African American History “SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO Month to some organizations, has been HONOR THE TOO-OFTEN recognized in the month of February NEGLECTED by every United States president going back to 1976. In addition to the United ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF States, countries including Canada and BLACK AMERICANS IN the United Kingdom celebrate black history during different months.

EVERY AREA OF ENDEAVOR In 1915, Carter Woodson, a histoTHROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY.” rian, and Jesse Moorland, a minister, founded the Association for Negro Life and History (ASNLH), dedicated to - President Gerald Ford promoting the achievements of black Americans and others of African deto society’s music and art, continuing to scent. Now known as the Association for make contributions in today’s world. the Study of African American Life and Back at the UMW, the campus commuHistory, the organization chose to cele- nity will celebrate the month in many difbrate black history during the second week ferent ways. One of the many ways that Afin February to purposefully meet with the rican American culture is honored through birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Freder- celebrating the contributions made to the ick Douglass. musical arts by famous musicians such as As the celebration started, small organi- Duke Ellington. On Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 zations such as clubs and churches would p.m. the UMW Jazz Ensemble will perform host speakers and clubs during the month selections from Ellington’s vast collection of February, but as time went on, mayors of music, and on Saturday Feb. 7 at 3 p.m., of cities across the country began issuing the UMW Voices of Praise and the Praise proclamations recognizing the week. By Dance Team will perform in Gospel Fest.

THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS ASSISTANT EDITORS WANTED

Assistants will: - Edit - Report - Research and assign articles - Work hands on with the news team

We will train you in: - AP Style - Graphic Design - News writing & reporting If interested, email blueandgray.news@gmail.com for more information!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

NEWS

POLITICS

Virginia Senate passes bill barring discrimination based on sexual orientation MARIAH YOUNG Managing Editor

The Virginia State Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring for state agencies. In a 19-19 vote tie, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the legislation through the Senate.

Senate Bill 785 was sponsored by Senator Donald McEachin, the Democratic senator for Virginia’s 9th Senate district.

“I am pleased to see this bill pass the Senate. Virginians’ employment should be based on their job performance, not on other irrelevant characteristics,” said McEachin in a statement. “All Virginians deserve equal opportunity, justice and fairGinny Clark/ The Blue & Gray Press ness and this bill is an important first step.” UMW students advocate for nondiscrimination and sexual orientation acceptance during a rally.

Republican Senators John Watkins (Powhatan) and Jill Holtzman (Fauquier) by Republican Senator Stephen D. Newbroke from their party and voted with the man (Lynchburg) reworked the language 17 Democrats in the Senate, causing the to say the car services must “comply with 19-19 split. This marked Northam’s first all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimHonorable Mentions highlights the notable professional achievements of tie-breaking vote of the Virginia General ination.” Currently, Virginia nondiscrimination law does not include protection of the University of Mary Washington faculty and staff.

Assembly’s 2015 session.

“Employment discrimination in any LGBT members, a reason for the necessity form is truly unacceptable, and the Com- of Sen. McEachin’s bill.

Professor of Music and Jan. 8-11, 2015.

Last week also saw the defeat of two monwealth should be held to a high stanComposer-in-Residence David Long’s Steve Klein, adjunct instructor of Endard in this regard,” said Northam in a bills, both in the House and the Senate, that composition Homage to Normandy was glish, Linguistics and Communication, statement. “I was proud to cast today’s tie would have repealed Virginia’s same-sex performed on Jan. 24, 2014 by La Mu- will be presenting a paper, “Hugh S. breaking vote to ensure state employees marriage ban, which was struck down by sique Saint-Romain de Fullerton, the Black Sox are not treated differently simply due to a federal court almost a year ago and was Reiningue. The compoScandal, and the Eththeir sexual orientation or gender identity.” upheld by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals sition is a tribute to all ical Impulse in Sports The legislation will now move to the this past October. that dedicated and lost Writing,” at the annual When the Supreme Court refused to Virginia House of Delegates, which is also their lives in the Battle NINE Spring Training take up the 4th Circuit Court’s ruling, it a Republican-controlled body. of Normandy in the SecBaseball Conference “I hope the House of Delegates will effectively legalized same-sex marriage ond World War. in Tempe, Arizona, on in the Commonalso take a biparMarch 13. tisan approach to Melody Denhere, assisVIRGINIA’S PAST FOUR wealth. Same-sex couples were imcodifying non-distant professor of mathStephen Farnsworth, GOVERNORS HAVE ALL mediately able to crimination for ematics, presented her professor of political begin applying for Virginians,” said work “Rank Estimation science and director of ISSUED EXECUTIVE marriage licenses, McEachin. for the Functional LinUniversity Relations the University’s CenORDERS TO BAN SEXUAL but the ban remains According to ear Model” in a session ter for Leadership and Stephen Farnsworth within Virginia’s Associated Press, on Probability and StaMedia Studies, recently ORIENTATION code. the Senate has tistics at the Joint Mathgave a U.S. Department DISCRIMINATION IN The two meapassed similar bills ematics Meetings which of State program lecture in previous seswere held in San Antoentitled, “U.S. JournalSTATE HIRING, YET THE sures to remove the marriage ban from sions, but the legnio, Texas from Jan. 10 ism, Public Opinion and islation died in the PROHIBITION HAS NEVER the Virginia code – 13.

Foreign Policy DevelRepublican-con- BEEN CODIFIED INTO LAW were struck down opment,” in Washingby the Civil Law trolled House.

At the 100th Annuton, DC., for visiting

BY THE GENERAL Subcommittee of Virginia’s past al Conference of the Palestinian professors. the House Courts four governors American Association ASSEMBLY. of Justice Commithave all issued of Colleges and UniJim Groom, executive tee and the Senate executive orders to ban sexual orientation versities, Jeffrey Mcdirector of teaching and discrimination in state hiring, yet the pro- Courts of Justice Committee.

Clurken, Professor of learning technologies, University Relations presented the keynote at “I think our generation’s Republicans hibition has never been codified into law History and American Melody Denhere might have a different perspective than by the General Assembly.

Studies and Special Asthe University of OklaThe passage of this bill comes on the those in the Senate,” said College Republisistant to the Provost for homa’s 2015 Academic heels of other debates in the Virginia Gen- cans chairman Nicole Tardif. “In general, I Teaching, Technology, Technology Expo diseral Assembly over protections against find the debate unnecessary.” and Innovation, co-precussing the vision unBenjamin Hermerding, president of the LGBT discrimination. Last week, a bill to sented as part of a panel dergirding the Domain legalize smart phone car services, such as UMW Young Democrats, felt that the acentitled, Century Amerof One’s Own initiative Uber or Lyft, in Virginia was reworked to tion was necessary and overdue. ica: A Multi-Campus that originated at UMW. “It’s shameful for the Commonwealth remove language that would have prohibDigital History Collabited drivers to discriminate against LGBT to have any kind of discrimination codified oration.

Ben Odhiambo Kisila, into law,” said Hermerding. “I applaud the customers. associate professor of According to the Washington Post, the state Senate for taking measures that give Mehdi Aminrazavi, proearth and environmental language was not noticed until the bill went the GSM community the rights they defessor of Philosophy sciences, and his former to the State Senate floor. Quietly, the bill serve.” and Religion, recentUMW research students Opponents of same-sex marriage urged was sent back to committee and stripped of ly co-edited From the University Relations Elyse Clark, Sunnan Virginia lawmakers to wait and see what the anti-discrimination language.

School of Shiraz to the Yoon and Laura Pilati Paul Fallon The legislation’s original language stat- happens in the upcoming Supreme Court Twentieth Century, the had their research paed that drivers would be prohibited from ruling on whether states have the power fifth volume of An Anthology of Philos- per, “Hydroacoustic and spatial analysis discriminating against passengers based on to ban same-sex marriages and refuse to ophy in Persia. of sediment fluxes and accumulation “points of departure and destination, race, recognize same-sex marriages that ocrates in two Virginia reservoirs, USA” color, national origin, religious belief or curred in a different state. The cases before Paul D. Fallon, Associate Professor of published in the peer-reviewed journal affiliation, sex, disability, age, sexual ori- the Supreme Court come from Kentucky, Linguistics, presented a poster at the an- Environmental Science and Pollution Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, but will entation, or gender identity.” nual meeting of the Linguistic Society of Research.

However, the quick changes overseen have national implications on the future of America, held in Portland, Oregon, from by the Transportation Committee headed same-sex marriage in the U.S.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

11

SPORTS

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

Teamwork makes the dream work with the women’s basketball program MIKEY BARNES Assistant Sports Editor

In sports, one often hears the quote, “There is no ‘I’ in team.” It is a phrase that promotes the importance of teamwork and emphasizes success can only be achieved when it is a group effort.

The University of Mary Washington women’s basketball program has overcome adversity and, with their strong work ethic as team, has rallied to continued success this season.

“Unity” is the motto for the women’s program this season. It was instituted by 12th year head coach Deena Applebury.

“Unity is our team’s focus on and off the court,” said Applebury. “If we want to be successful, we must play for each other and for the good of the group.”

Senior Caitlin Ciniero, among other members of the team, said they are all in favor of the mission.

“I love it. It really creates a team. Teamwork and bonding both on and off the court has really led to our team success,” said Ciniero.

With a current record of 15-4, 11-1 in the Capital Athletic Conference, the Lady Eagles, led by head coach Deena Applebury, are a force to be reckoned with after tearing apart their opponents this season.

The women have won seven straight games and nine of their last 10, with only one victory by a margin less than 10, a 5-point victory against rival Christopher Newport University.

The Eagles’ lone loss in the past 10 games came against the current 19th ranked Salisbury University Seagulls by a margin of six points.

In their last nine victories, the women’s team has won by an average of 22 points a game over their opponents, all but one of those victories coming against conference opponents.

The Eagles are currently second in the conference behind Salisbury, who the Eagles will meet on Saturday, Feb. 7.

All together now

UMW Athletics The University of Mary Washington women’s basketball team is having one of its most successful seasons in recent memory and shows no signs of stopping.

During this streak of success, the Eagles have been led by head coach Applebury, sophomore captain Brianne Comden, senior captain Claire Haeuptle and fellow senior Caitlin Ciniero.

Comden is currently leading the team with just over 13 points during the season and just under 16 during the streak, with multiple 20-point performances.

Haeuptle is second in points, with nearly 10.5 a game during her senior season and her own share of 20-point performances during the streak of success.

Prior to the win-streak, Ciniero had one performance of double-digit scoring, but she has had three straight now, including a 15-point performance against Frostburg while shooting 100 percent from the field at 7-7.

Eagles named to CAC Silver Anniversary teams In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Capital Athletic Conference is honoring the top athletes in each sport since the conference’s creation in 1989. These are the Eagles that were recently selected.

Men’s Lacrosse

- Luke Dick: Class of 2014

Women’s Lacrosse - Jenny Atmar: Class of 2012 -Melissa Ballance: Class of 1999 -Melissa Block: Class of 2004 -Bridget Geiman: Class of 2001 -Catherine Kennedy: Class of 2012 -Allie Kimmelman: Class of 2012 Thursday, February 5, 2015

Ciniero has been a real catalyst for the team’s success, most notably after the injuries to freshman Kelsey Dean and senior Aubrey Howland.

A number of other members of the women’s program have stepped up in recent weeks.

Freshman Kendall Parker scored a career and game high 22-points against Frostburg in their Jan. 28 matchup, in which UMW won 88-44. Parker also scored a game high 16-a-week prior in their victory over rival CNU. Junior Sarah Listenbee is another Eagle who has stepped up big as of late, with three double digit performances in the last seven games, including a near double-double where she fell one rebound short against York College.

“Even after their injuries, [Dean and Howland] have continued to remain big assets for the team with their cheering and overall support,” said Ciniero. “With everyone stepping up, it really shows what depth we have. All of us are very big as a team. [It’s] nice to be able to rely on everyone.”

The Eagles are a well-rounded program that has not allowed the injuries to some key players or withdrawal of others to ruin the team’s push for success and attempt to return to the ever so desired NCAA Tournament.

As long as the ‘I’ stays out of the word ‘team,’ it is very much possible that the success for the ladies will continue in their favor.

Pair of Eagles named CAC Athletes of the Week

Teagan Young: Female Runner of the Week

Alex Anderson: Male Swimmer of the Week

Baseball

- Steve Blankinship: Class of

1995 -Eric Fitzgerald: Class of 2007 -Kevin Foeman: Class of 2006 -Jay Glover: Class of 1993 -Eric Guyton: Class of1999 -Jeff Hootselle: Class of 1997 -Brian Lillis: Class of 1995 -Mark Mathews: Class of 1994 -Nathan Payne: Class of 1997 -Don Purcell: Class of 1993

UMW Athletics

Sophomore Teagan Young was named CAC Female Runner of the Week for the first time this indoor track season.

Young placed third in the 3,000meter run last week in the Patriot Games at George Mason University, finishing only behind two Division I athletes and finished with a time of

UMW Athletics

Senior swimmer Alex Anderson received the honor of CAC Athlete of the Week last week for the fourth time this season.

Anderson finished first for the Eagles in the 100-yard butterfly against Johns Hopkins with a time of 50.99. Anderson also finished first in the 200 IM against Frostburg and Marymount 1:51.46.

12