The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

PRESS

February 13, 2020

VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 16

1922 Students navigate absentee voting in preparation for the Democratic primary election during spring break

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Jess Kirby Staff Writer

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

worried about how I’m going to be able to vote in this election,” said freshman and psychology major Carson Miller.

“My only option, the absentee voting system, is really confusing.”

For sophomore Patrick Healy, finding a way to vote has been an especially trying task.

The double major in political science and economics decided to register in Fredericksburg and originally had no problems.

“It was better for me in the 2019 elections to vote here than to try

voting back home,” he said. However, when he applied to vote absentee for the upcoming primary election, his Virginia’s Democratic primary application was rejected. “They had election will take place on March 3 declined it on the basis that school is during UMW’s spring break. As a still in session, but we’re not when the result, students registered to vote in primary is.”

Fredericksburg will need to either vote Instead of driving up to his voting absentee or commute to their polling precinct on election day, Healy will be location to cast their ballot. voting absentee in-person. According to Unfamiliar with the absentee voting the Fredericksburg, Va. website, voters process, some students have voiced already registered in Fredericksburg can concern. go to the general registrar’s office on “Since I’ll be out of the country on 601 Caroline St. within 45 days of the vacation during the voting period, I’m election to vote absentee in-person.

The last day to do so is March 1.

“It’s not fun having to go all the way into downtown just to vote,” he said. “I think it definitely makes it more difficult because we’re approaching midterms right before [the election] so of course people are going to be distracted. It’s really a matter of whether people are really that determined to vote.”

The absentee voting system can be somewhat unpredictable, so some young voters have elected to make the drive back to Fredericksburg on election day.

UMW Votes along with several other clubs have organized across campus to register to vote.

“I have voted absentee here Jess Foster / Facebook before in the primaries a year ago.

That’s part of the reason why I’m going to come up here and [vote]. It’s easier than applying for the absentee ballot and not really know if I’m going to be able to vote or not,” said junior Sam Hartz, an

“Since I’ll be out of the country on vacation during the voting period, I’m worried about how I’m going to be able to vote in this election.

My only option, the absentee voting system, is really confusing.”

-Carson Miller American Studies major and president of the UMW Young Democrats. He says the drive will likely take him three hours.

The UMW Young Democrats club has been discussing how to best inform the community of their options for voting in the upcoming primary election.

“So far it’s just being talked about in meetings, but we are looking at doing tabling or making flyers, things like that, or partnering up with other groups on campus like UMW Votes to try to get that •Voting | 2

Sex in the Dark event educates students about safe sex Alexandra Lewis Staff Writer

Residence Life staff hosted an event called ‘Sex in the Dark’ in the HCC Digital Auditorium on Feb. 4. The event was designed to educate students about sexually transmitted infections and diseases, as well as healthy sexual practices.

“I was inspired to throw this event after I noticed the lack of education on campus regarding protective and safe sex. Back in November, I attended an RA conference (VACUHO) and a Norfolk State RA put on this event for her residents,” said senior resident assistant Sydne Coleman, a senior psychology major. “However since our campus is so small and I only have about 16 residents, I decided to make it into a campus-wide event. The goal of the event was to expand upon the red flag and consent education done by the Title IX office.”

The turnout for the event was close to 60 people.

Upon entry, the RAs handed each participant a glow stick, piece of paper with an STD or STI printed on it and either an index card or QR code linked to a Google form for participants to post questions anonymously. Once everyone was settled they asked the audience to come to the front and talk to each other for a mingling game. After a few minutes, everyone was asked to crack

IN THIS

ISSUE

their glowstick if someone they talked “Sexual health is an essential to had a paper with an STD or STI, component of overall wellness,” Kagan which nearly everyone did. The object said. “I thought this panel would of this game was to show how quickly provide students the opportunity to ask these diseases and infections can spread challenging and difficult questions about through interactions with others. sex. As a counselor, I want to take part After this the audience split into in events that create a safe environment smaller groups to play Kahoot, in which to delve into meaningful, and sometimes the questions dealt with various topics of uncomfortable, topics like sexual sexual health. health.”

Michael Tucker, a freshman business One of the anonymous questions administration major, said, “It was very dealt with what symptoms to be on the informative. I just realized how blind I lookout for, which lead to a discussion was to all the about how diseases; all a lot of “My hope is that participants gained I knew about symptoms a greater understanding of STI/STDs was STDs aren’t obvious. like herpes, The extremes and how to practice safe sex. As the but I didn’t awesome button I received at the event shown to know about students in says, ‘Safe Sex Is Great Sex.’” everything high school else.” are a small -Eve Kagan After percentage, the games and symptoms concluded, the RAs had set up can be similar to a urinary tract a panel for the audience to ask infection, mono, the flu and a persistent questions. The panel consisted of Aide yeast infection. As a result, the members Sanchez, a prevention specialist with of the panel stressed the importance of Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support being tested regularly.

Services (FAHASS), Chris Eaglin, FAHASS representatives explained former UMW student and current that they are on campus every first outreach education coordinator with and third Friday providing low cost FAHASS, Dr. Nancy Wang, UMW or free testing, and the UMW Health Physician and Student Health Center Center offers one free STI test a year Director, and Eve Kagan, sexual assault for students which can be performed specialist and staff counselor for the anytime throughout the school year.

Talley Center at UMW. The Health Center will also provide

Harley quinn

“Birds of Prey” fails some characters.

LIFE | 5

treatments for STIs and practices strong doctor-patient confidentiality.

Cameron Coates, a senior communications major, said, “I know now if I’m ever in a predicament where I do catch an STD I know how to get tested and the resources across campus that can help with that.”

“As we received questions there were many things that we felt like students in college should have already known for safety and health reasons, and that just shows that there is not enough discussion around this topic,” said White.

“I thought it was very informative, especially when it came to the Q&A because I feel like a lot of people, including myself, don’t know how testing for these diseases work and how easily it is to spread to one another,” said Coates.

There were numerous questions on fear – about telling a partner, seeking medical help and taking the initial step to get tested. The panel explained that there is courage and bravery in simply showing up. The Talley Center can help students work through how to have those difficult conversations with others and themselves.

“My hope is that participants gained a greater understanding of STI/STDs and how to practice safe sex. As the awesome button I received at the event says, ‘Safe Sex Is Great Sex,’” said Kagan.

Coin Laundry

100th Win

Some students don’t trust SpeedQueen app.

Swim coach Justin Anderson gets his 100th career win.

VIEWPOINTS | 3

SPORTS | 8

NEWS

Editors: Kate Seltzer & Abigail Buchholz | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Nearly half of UMW students impacted THE

by Seasonal Affective Disorder 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.

James Pryor Staff Writer

“In 2019, 47% of UMW students said they felt so depressed it was hard to function,” reads the recent issue of the Wash Post posted in the Simpson Library, HCC and other locations on campus. These flyers, created by the President’s Council on Wellness and

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs

Associate Editors Grace Winfield

The President’s Council on Wellness promotes student health on campus.

UMW Wellness Facebook

UMW Student Affairs, give the details of seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.), along with symptoms of S.A.D., such as fatigue, depression, social withdrawal and hopelessness. They also share data from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II, a nationwide survey UMW participated in during the spring of 2019. This 47 percent is larger than the national average, which polled at 41.9 percent.

The report covered issues ranging from the general health of students, academic impacts in response to stress, and assessed the mental health of students at UMW. Alongside UMW, 140 other institutions were asked to take part in the data recording. A total of 88,178 surveys were collected, with an overall response rate of 17 percent. From UMW, 449 responses were received, making the response rate for UMW 12.9 percent.

Tevya Zukor, director of the Tally Center, said, “The idea that about half of students say that they have felt so depressed that it’s hard to function is probably an accurate statement, but some of that is seasonal •SAD | 7

Ginny Bixby

Business Manager Lucas Burkholder

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Kate Seltzer Abigail Buchholz

VIEWPOINTS Alicen Hackney

LIFE Cosima Pellis

SPORTS Jack Hagn

ONLINE Meaghan McIntyre Samuel Cobb

PHOTO Cayley McGuire

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

Student journalists weigh in on censorship bill to-school basis, supporters of the bill believe passing it would be a good start to changing the stigma against the Former journalist and Virginia press. delegate Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg) Students outside of school introduced a bill on Nov. 19 that publications are granted the freedom would guarantee student journalists of speech on school grounds, per the from seventh grade to university the Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des right to exercise free speech in school Moines.

The bill, if the House version sponsored media, whether or not it is is passed, would extend this right to faculty supported. School sponsored student journalists in terms of schoolmedia includes any material that is sponsored media. prepared by student journalists under UMW President Troy Paino said the direction of that he was in a student media support of the bill. “...my work was often adviser and “If the bill generally dispersed censored before publication passes and the to the student body without my explicit permission Governor signs of the institution. or consent. Students like myself it into law, I will The bill would work with our were not allowed to express still protect the attorney, board, our views, write about current institutes right to administrators censor any media events, or create important and faculty to that contained conversations.” determine its cases of slander, implications and libel, violations of how best we can -Kaitlyn Tiffany privacy or violation support students’ of state law.

First Amendment The Senate rights while continuing to manage the version of the bill, SB 80, died in University’s exposure to risk,” he said. committee. However, this past Friday, Kaitlyn Tiffany, a junior art major, the House bill, HB 36, did pass on says that this bill would have protected a 3-5 vote, but it was stripped of all her right to publish what she felt was mention of middle school to high relevant in her high school years. school age student journalists.

She felt heavily censored by school As of right now, only 14 of the officials when she tried to write articles 50 states in the U.S. protect the First for her school newspaper.

Amendment of student journalists, and “When I was in high school, my while cases of how much protection head editor and principal •bill | 7 students have will vary on a school-

Daley Jennings Staff Writer

Primary elections will take place over spring break, requiring many students to vote absentee.

ABC News

Absentee application deadline approaching

out there,” said

•voting | 1 Hartz.

According to Healy, a member of the executive board for Young Democrats, the club is also planning to conduct a poll asking students who they support for the president and where they are registered to vote.

“We’ll be giving out information about how to vote in the primary, how to vote absentee, how you can vote if you’re still in Fredericksburg at the time or if you’re registered to vote at home,” said Healy.

UMW For Bernie, a club supporting Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, has been canvassing and handing out absentee applications.

“Most of the people that I talked to were registered here in Fredericksburg,” said freshman Addy Reeher, a political science major and one of the canvassers for the club. “When they found out that [the election] was during spring break, a lot of them seemed worried about being able to vote, but were relieved about being able to vote absentee.”

But problems with voting are not unique to UMW. According to The Washington Post, the voting registration applications of 171 students at George Mason University were rejected in fall 2019, as the Fairfax County voting registrar said the campus address was insufficient for determining which precinct the students should vote in.

A bill allowing no-excuse absentee voting going into effect in fall 2020 aims to mitigate this problem.

Despite the obstacles for voting in this primary election, Hartz says he’s never encountered any issues with people registering to vote using a UMW address, and that the Young Democrats will continue to recommend that students register to vote in Fredericksburg instead of their home.

“The timing is complicated for this one, but when it comes around to the general election, it’ll be so much easier,” said Hartz. “We do rides from the bell tower and from Anderson all day long on election day. You spend nine months of the year here. You live in Fredericksburg, and it just makes sense that you be represented by people who represent Fredericksburg.”

CORRECTIONS for THE Week For a photo captioned “Construction of Liberty Place on William Street” in the Feb. 6 edition of the paper, the photographer’s last name was misspelled.

The correct spelling is Emilia Michalkiewicz In a Feb. 6 article titled “Campus opinion split on new Virginia gun laws” a pull-out quote was misattributed to Maddox Robinson instead of Patricia Puccetti. It is correct in the content of the article.

PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

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Thursday, February 13, 2020

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Alicen Hackney | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Students want coin machines, not SpeedQueen app

MOLLY AVERY Staff Writer

Last semester, UMW announced that starting in the spring semester new laundry machines would be installed in all residence halls. Across campus, students are struggling to obtain quarters in order to do their laundry. As there is nowhere on campus to get quarters, students have to take time out of their schedule to travel off-campus to get them. This is inconvenient for most students, and has caused a build-up in the laundry. The university needs to install coin machines in the dorms to alleviate this issue.

Kathy Sandor, the director of Business Services on campus explained the switch from eSuds to SpeedQueen. At the beginning of the semester, eSuds services began to become unavailable. There was fear that the whole system would collapse, leaving students with only the options of coins to pay. New machines, which were already contracted for the summer, got moved to December instead.

“There were two options to enable a non-coin payment method and to re-establish monitoring capabilities: make a significant investment in hardware with a limited life span and delay implementation (restoring EagleOne and coin as the exclusive payment options), or a move to the SpeedQueen monitoring/ payment app provided by the maker of the new machines with a reasonable timeline for installation.

Some students find the SpeedQueen app hard to use.

Lauren Closs / The Blue & Gray Press

The second option was the appropriate long and short term solution,” said Sandor.

Although the switch in the system was an unexpected

New SpeedQueen laundry machines use app or coins instead of EagleOne.

change for students, some students are content with the new laundry machines. Junior Mya Bundy says she likes the new machines. “They are very sleek in design and they have more space for laundry.”

As nice as the machines are, students are struggling to pay for their laundry since SpeedQueen does not work with EagleOne. Instead, they have an app that takes money directly from students’ credit or debit cards. Despite the diagrams implanted in the laundry rooms, many students have found the app to still be confusing.

“I tried the app, but it’s very confusing and kept freezing on me. The diagrams are also confusing, and I’ve heard from others that they are too,” said Bundy.

Sandor strongly encourages students who are struggling with the app to reach out for help. “In addition to informational posters in the laundry rooms, instructions can be found on the EagleOne Card website, or by calling, emailing or visiting the EagleOne card office. RA’s are also a resource, having received training from UMW’s Caldwell & Gregory representative prior to the start of spring classes.”

As an alternative to the app, there is also an option to pay with quarters, which many students find themselves preferring as they don’t trust the app.

Junior and digital studies major Andrew Schneidawind is among these students. “Right now I can say that it’s a lot easier and less time consuming using the app, but I would feel a lot more comfortable using quarters instead because I don’t like giving my credit card out all of the time.”

However, getting quarters is not an easy task. The ATM on campus does not offer quarters, and businesses on campus are unable to exchange bills for quarters as they have a limited amount of change and cannot spare what coins they do have. This leaves students who want to pay with quarters with one option for obtaining them- to go off-campus.

Lauren Closs / The Blue & Gray Press

“Typically, I’d go and get quarters either from Giant or the bank, but I can’t constantly take time from my schedule to go and run that errand because I’m so busy.

I think that it is difficult to get quarters because you make such a hassle for people at the grocery store,” said senior anthropology major Michelle Holt.

For the convenience of students the best solution to this problem would be for the university to install coin machines on campus, so students could make changes without having to go out of their way.

“I would love for the university to install quarter machines because it would make paying so much easier.

I would definitely use it if the university installed one,” said junior historic preservation major Melanie Skahen.

There are many ways for the university to approach this. They could place a coin machine in each laundry room, or place one in Lee Hall, a central place on campus for all students to access it.

“I think a coin machine would be amazing if there was at least one in every laundry room, that way people don’t have to use the app if they prefer not to. If there was, I’d probably never use the app and just stick with coins just to be safe,” said Schneidawind.

However the possibility of getting a coin machine on campus may be slim. “Bill changers are high cost, high maintenance and liability for vendors,” said Sandor.

“For these reasons, UMW’s current laundry vendor does not service them.”

The new laundry machines are loved by many, but a coin machine could make the switch from eSuds to SpeedQueen nearly perfect. Students across the university must band together and demand a coin machine if one is to even be considered being placed on campus. If the university truly cared about making life for students as easy as possible, they would install a coin machine for the convenience of students across campus.

Staff Ed: New Voices Bill protects rights, but only for some the authority to censor student journalists.

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS The Virginia New Voices Bill to protect Student journalists are far too often EDITORIAL BOARD student journalists, HB 36, passed through criticized and told they are not “real” the Virginia Education Committee on Feb. 3 journalists. Yet, it is often students who crack open the lid on serious issues. For with a major amendment that does not include protections for middle and high school example, in 2017, high school journalists in Kansas did an investigation into their new journalists. principal’s credentials and found she had lied on her resume and bought some of her The bill, sponsored by Delegate Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg), says that “except degrees from a diploma mill. The principal resigned following publication. in certain limited circumstances, a student journalist at a public institution of higher “High school students are the crux of the issue,” said Hillary Davis, the New Voices education has the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press in schooladvocacy and campaign organizer for the SPLC. “They do not have the protections sponsored media... regardless of whether the media is supported financially by the that college students already have and we feel that it’s really important that we protect governing board of the institution, supported through the use of campus facilities, or these students and the advisers from retaliation,” said Davis. produced in conjunction with a course in which the student is enrolled.”

As college journalists, we must stand with younger journalists in public secondary The initial proposed legislation included protections for middle and high school education. They deserve the same protections under the law as any other journalist. students, but these protections proved controversial among some delegates, leading Censoring student journalists only discourages them from reporting on tough issues. to the amendment. According to the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), the Virginia We are in the process of learning how to report on serious issues in a responsible, New Voices coalition is hoping the legislature will hold the bill rather than pass it nuanced way. Legislators and administrators should be supportive of student in its current amended state. Hurst can progress with a vote on HB 36 or wait and journalists, not afraid of them and what they may publish. When students are stripped reintroduce it in 2021 with protections for high school journalists. It is unlikely that of their First Amendment rights they are also stripped of an educational opportunity. middle school journalists will be included because of opposition from legislators.

Student journalists of all levels deserve to be free from censorship.

New Voices laws are intended to counteract the effects of the Supreme Court This editorial was led by Ginny Bixby. decision in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, which gave school administrators

Thursday, February 13, 2020

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LIFE

Editor: Cosima Pellis blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Humans of UMW: Alexander Lee finds passion in student leadership

ERIN MATUCZINSKI Staff Writer

Numerous leadership positions and successful university-wide reforms later, junior Alexander Lee has earned a name for himself in the UMW community.

The Virginia native grew up in Woodbridge, where he and his family would geocache on weekends. With a passion for learning and a talent for teaching, Lee would join his mother at her job in the parks department and educate other families on the activity.

The outdoorsman was a Boy Scout, as well as the reigning chess player champion in Prince William County for seven years. In high school, Lee focused on academics and extracurriculars, like the debate team.

If you know him now, you’d be shocked to find that Lee never pursued student government until UMW, where he took a leap of faith and ran for a position on the Student Conduct Review Board the fall semester of his freshman year. Lee was also chosen to represent the Russell and Marshall residence halls on Community Council. The following spring he joined the Student Government Association (SGA) and sat as the Academic Affairs Chair. He currently holds the Student Life Chair.

Even though Lee has no plans to pursue public office outside of the university, he currently spends a chunk of his time advocating for other students to be involved in politics as well. He aided SGA in pushing UMW to approve “Day of Democracy.” The policy, which will be implemented for the first time next school year, cancels classes on election day in November so students can hit the polls as voters, student poll workers or volunteers.

“We are actually the first public school in the country to voluntarily cancel classes every year for election day, we made it a school holiday and that’s completely unique,” said Lee. But what Lee is most proud of during his time at UMW isn’t related to politics, but campus wellness and safety. He created his own themed housing group, Eagle Wellness Housing, which is a substance-free community currently located on the fifth floor of Bushnell Hall. Additionally, with the help of Ray Tuttle, Lee worked to create the medical amnesty policy now Alexander Lee is a junior at UMW. known as the “Safe Sammy Policy”, where Despite his extensive experience students who are overly intoxicated during his college career, Lee never can seek help by themselves or by their truly knew where he wanted to go in peers will not be charged with a conduct life until recently. He considers it one of violation. He has recommended it to the his greatest hardships. He finally settled Virginia Higher Education Substance on a double major in political science Use Advisory Committee. He is thankful and psychology after bouncing between that his time in student government has different career choices and areas of allowed him to explore drug policy, as he study. says he is very passionate about reducing Lee attributes a part of his collegiate the harm caused by drug and alcohol success in both academics and leadership addiction. to his family.

“Both Eagle Wellness Housing and “My parents were always supportive,” the Safe Sammy Policy mean so much he said. “They’ve always pushed me to me,” said Lee. “I think they really do to do more than required to do and I have a big, positive effect.” think that’s where I get it from.” Lee

Erin Matuczinski / The Blue & Gray Press

especially admires his father’s family that immigrated from China to America after World War II. His grandfather was a part of the Flying Tigers, the AmericanChinese air force against Imperial Japan, and his dad served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.

“That side of the family was definitely an inspiration,” Lee said. “They always believe really strongly like, go and make things happen.” While he still doesn’t know exactly what profession he wants to pursue, Lee is looking to follow in his parents’ footsteps and attend graduate school.

Why getting “friendzoned” actually has its benefits AJ ROBINSON Staff Writer

A lot of guys hate being in the “friend-zone.” Many of us resent being outside of a woman’s radar for potential partners. It takes a big shot at the male ego in a way that is visceral and deep.

Guys often get made fun of by their male friends about being “friend-zoned.”

However, there shouldn’t be any shame in having friends that are girls. In fact, girls are the best kind friends to have.

With the help of a close female friend, there is nothing that a man cannot conquer.

I know guys like to often pretend they don’t have feelings, but guys may be even more emotional than girls are.

It just doesn’t seem this way because society has taught us to suppress our emotions. Women are more encouraged to express their emotions and bond with each other. Meanwhile, men who openly express their emotions are often seen as spineless and weak.

This often leaves us with nowhere to turn and forces us to internalize how we’re feeling constantly. Suppressing emotions isn’t healthy in the long run and consequently can turn us into emotionless robots over time.

This is why it is a great idea to have that female friend you can lean on, who is more in touch with her emotions and will support you in expressing yours.

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AJ Robinson and his friend, Ariana Barrett.

Everyone needs someone that will just listen to them.

Female friends can also give advice about relationships with other women since guys often have a blindspot when it comes to understanding women. A close

AJ Robinson

female friend can help you pick up on subtle nuances in your conversation and improve your relationship.

“We know each other very well. From the way we dress, all the way down to the tone of voice. I think we can just see

so much that goes right over you guys’ heads most of the time,” said my good friend Ariana Barrett.

Female friends can be great wingmen for guys. If you ever need any help meeting someone new, having female friends is a huge advantage, especially if your friend has similar qualities to those you are looking for in a potential partner. Besides having great insight on what a girl may be thinking, she can also give you advice on how to best present yourself. She may tell you how she evaluates men and the things she looks for in a guy. She can help you decide what to say and more importantly what not to do.

“I think it’s just really beneficial to have that perspective. Even if you wanted something simple like fashion advice, asking female friends is a great way to figure out if you look good or not, and she’ll be happy to offer suggestions,” said senior Mike Janowski.

They might also have a friend they could set you up with or be willing to advocate on your behalf. If you’re around a group of women, even if they are just your friends, it will automatically make you more attractive and trustworthy to other women.

Not only do women make great, emotionally supportive friends, but it is also beneficial for men to see the female perspective. Moral to the story-- go out there and get friend-zoned. It’s never shameful to make a new friend.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

LIFE

“Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey” is flawed but entertaining

ABIGAIL WEBER Staff Writer

“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),” recently retitled “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey” in theaters, is a very fun movie.

Every fight scene is well choreographed with breathtaking stunt work and creative use of the environment. Every actor is clearly enjoying themselves, especially Ewan McGregor, who chews the scenery to a pulp as primary villain Roman Sionis. The pop-heavy soundtrack is perfect for every scene, and every set is lovingly crafted to capture just the right atmosphere.

But the flaws of “Birds of Prey” aren’t in what’s on screen, but what isn’t.

The movie’s greatest strength is its complex yet playful Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie). Harley Quinn’s problem has always been that her origin and entire shtick is tied to an abusive boyfriend she can’t completely let go of. “Birds of Prey” nails the messy, complicated duality of Harley Quinn perfectly: she’s a powerful, intelligent woman who nevertheless makes foolish, impulsive decisions. For example, the plot kicks off when she drunkenly decides to blow up Ace Chemical, the place where Joker turned her into Harley Quinn, announcing to the world that they broke up--and she’s thus fair game since she isn’t under his protection anymore.

There’s no doubt the movie is Harley’s story, a fact Warner Bros. acknowledged with its post-opening weekend name change. While the rest of the cast has some time to show off their skills, particularly Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), they get nowhere near the well-rounded characterization or arc that Harley gets.

Harley even determines the narrative structure: her narration weaves the story together, skipping back and forth between the past and present and introducing most of the characters via onscreen text that explains their relationship to her. Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) isn’t even properly introduced until roughly halfway through

the movie, when Harley’s narration interrupts before she can introduce herself to give a long backstory.

This exclusion tends to happen when they’re each working their own individual plot line; they mostly get a chance to shine when sharing the scene with Harley. Getting to see women work together, fight over things other than men, and have actual relationships is incredibly refreshing in the maledominated action and superhero movie genre. The movie is loaded with scenes of women supporting women-- from one character rescuing another from getting in a car with a sketchy guy while inebriated to one character offering another a hair tie in the middle of a fight sequence.

Still, the female camaraderie and representation is undercut by leaving Oracle out of the movie. The DC comic Birds of Prey are led by Oracle, aka Barbara Gordon, a wheelchair-using hacker. Erasing a disabled woman from a movie based on the team she founded and runs is in poor taste if not downright offensive.

“Birds of Prey” further erases disability in the character of Cassandra Cain. The Cassandra Cain of the comics was raised without speech so that she could understand “body language” instead, predicting her opponent’s moves to become the perfect assassin. As a result, Cassandra has difficulty with language, both in reading and writing as well as the physical act of speaking.

The character bearing her name in “Birds of Prey” is a scrappy, snarky pickpocket living in foster care. She’s adorable, an important part of the plot and portrayed well by Ella Jay Basco, but she’s not Cassandra Cain. The erasure of Cassandra’s disability (along with the rest of her character), is perhaps worse than taking Oracle out of her own story. At least Oracle has a chance to get her own movie someday. For many new fans, this will be the only Cassandra they know, and it will likely impact future portrayals.

“Birds of Prey” offered valuable representation for women in many

“Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey” was released on Feb. 7, 2020.

ways, but it let down one of the most chronically underrepresented minorities in cinema. My roommate, who went to “Birds of Prey” with me, has never read the comics. She enjoyed the movie on its own merits, without the weight of what it was trying to adapt dragging her down. In the end, how much you enjoy “Birds of Prey” will likely depend on

how faithful you expect it to be to the comics and how much of a deal breaker its disability erasure is for you. It’s a fun movie, and recognizable as an adaptation of some of DC’s greatest ladies (Cassandra Cain’s personality rewrite aside), but an adaptation of “Birds of Prey” without Oracle will never have all of my love or respect.

Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as The Huntress, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, Jurnee Smollettt-Bell as Black Canary.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

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VIEWPOINTS

The State of the Union address is no place for childishness

BENN MELLINGER The State of the Union is a means of relaying the status of express the feelings that many Americans are currently having Staff Writer our nation. However, this year it was corrupted by the petty with the president and his cabinet, they/we are tired and fed up dispute between two individuals, President Donald Trump with the lies and half-truths. Donald Trump purposely did not and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The event began as it normally does, with an introduction shake her hand because he dislikes anyone or anything that goes against him.” said followed by the entrance of the president. The first spurn of the evening occurred junior history and sociology major Kyree Ford. when Trump did not shake Pelosi’s offered hand. At the close of the speech, Pelosi Although the speech has many glaring inaccuracies, due to the speaker’s actions ripped Trump’s speech in half. This stage should not be a place for personal politics, much more news time was devoted to discussing her as opposed to the issues at hand. all members involved should be treated with respect. This speech is designed to inform If she was so interested in the inaccuracies of the speech, she should not have fed the American the ever-hungry people on mouths of the the State of mainstream media. the Union This is not the not the state first time that the of Trump two have had a and Pelosi’s dispute, and was relationship. in fact nearly Whether predictable. The or not Trump relationship, purposefully though tension declined to plentiful, has shake the lacked integrity speaker’s and respect from hand, both both sides for actions were years disrespectful Donald Trump ignores Nancy Pelosi’s offer for a handshake.

Whether Trump Nancy Pelosi rips her copy of Trumps speech.

Rex / Shutter Erin Shaff / NYT / Redux to the purposefully institution that they represent and the American people. Not shaking someone’s hand is declined Pelosi’s hand or if he simply didn’t see it remains unsure. Everyone a sure signal that you have no respect for them, which is not acceptable considering the interviewed believed it was intentional. One potential reason for not shaking her hand relationship that the two are required to have. On the other side, Pelosi cannot allow was offered by junior Alec Charoenthep, “he didn’t shake Pence’s hand so maybe he her personal feelings to manifest in such a way. Her feelings are justifiable and her wasn’t expecting it.” follow up statements regarding the matter are as well, however, it is incredibly rude to “Trump didn’t shake her hand on purpose because Pelosi, at every chance she gets, have done that on the national stage as she did. bad mouths and degrades him constantly. If I was in his position I would have done “I feel that her actions were childish, and I’m not surprised by them at all. I think the same, if I’m not respected then I won’t respect you back,” said freshman Rob she is a selfish politician who is only interested in furthering herself and her party at Gambrino II. the expense of American citizens,” said senior biology major Lewis Grant.

At the end of the day what has happened is in the past, now it is up to both sides to Pelosi has stated that she “tore up a manifesto of mistruths” and that “it was attempt to move on and forge a better relationship. Everyone’s had a fight that made necessary to get the attention of the American people.” Her actions are very similar a relationship better, although it is much more common for that to go the other way. to those of her opposition, President Trump, and should be something she is trying to It seems incredibly unlikely but maybe the two will be better off after this. If there’s fight against, even if it is something that many Americans can agree with. one thing they can unite on it should be the American people and making this nation a “Nancy Pelosi’s actions showed how divided America currently is. Her actions better place.

Rise of baby characters in entertainment is lazy marketing

JUSTIN REICHARD Staff Writer

Ok, let me explain myself before you get mad at me. Baby Yoda is cute and the memes are great, what I have a problem with is the concept of him in general.

The baby mascot trend is a cheap and lazy way for companies to recreate their brand and cash in on the pre-existing success of other brands’ marketing tactics, instead of finding new and creative ways to engage consumers.

Recently, Planters killed Mr. Peanut in a pre-Super Bowl spot commercial. Cut to the second quarter of the Super Bowl and it’s Mr. Peanut’s funeral. Other famous mascots attend. As they bury Mr. Peanut, Kool-Aid Man cries on his grave and then we have Baby Nut. The idea of using an ad to kill off a company’s 104-year-old mascot is a daring marketing move--and one that left me really confused. I remember seeing everyone talking about it on Twitter and wondering what they were gonna do, did they have a new mascot that they were going to introduce now? Everyone was waiting on the Super Bowl to see the commercial only to reveal Mr. Peanut… as a baby.

Baby mascots are trending. I’m not sure if this was done directly because of Baby Yoda, or if they had it in

the works since before The Mandalorian premiered. It’s no secret that Disney is a company that is known for heavily merchandising their properties. The new Star Wars franchise show, the Mandalorian, debuted on the new streaming channel Disney+.

The highly anticipated series was released on Nov. 12, just before the holidays. Starring was adorable, merchandisable Baby Yoda--a blatant cash grab, to me. I am not here to discuss whether the show is good or bad, but the creation of this character seems solely bent on making Disney even more money. There is also Guardians of the Galaxy’s Baby Groot, another Disney property in which they just turned a full-sized character into a baby.

In popular culture, baby culture has formed. There are artists DaBaby and Lil Baby. Beyond their names, the two came together to make the track, “Baby,” which was critically reviled for its vapid, baby-centric lyrics and its transparent cash-grab status. Even further exemplifying the baby trend is the popular Snapchat filter, which turns the user into a baby.

My problem with these baby mascots, and “baby culture” in general, is that it is lazy, as well as insulting to its audience. Taking something that everyone already knows, shrinking it down and making it cute and expecting consumers and viewers to just eat it up is

Baby Nut, Baby Yoda and Baby Groot have taken over entertainment media with remake marketing.

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degrading. It reads that companies don’t think that they have to try very hard to get consumers interested in their products. Just make it cute, and it will sell.

I could be wrong and hope that I am, but I can see making cute and cuddly baby mascots as a new way for companies to try and stay in the cultural zeitgeist and stay relevant online in the near future.

I just hope that we will see more creative mascots and characters in the media. There is so much that can be done to engage the viewer, and across so many different platforms. Take Geico, for example, that has had several successful advertising campaigns, including the caveman, little piggy and the Geico Gecko. These are all creative, memorable, and, most importantly, not rehashes of pre-existing material. I don’t want to feel insulted when I turn on the TV and see focus-tested adorable mascots running around trying to get me to buy something that I don’t need.

You can call me cynical. If this is the way that companies move forward, then I hope they at least get somewhat creative with it. I want to see the Trix Rabbit as a cute baby, then he could have a little Trix, as a treat.

Planters / Disney Plus / Marvel Studio

Thursday, February 13, 2020

NEWS

POLICE BEAT ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ & KATE SELTZER News Editors

Trespassing On Friday, Jan. 31 at 11:52 p.m., an individual was caught trespassing on College Avenue after being forbidden to do so. A trespass notice was served.

Vandalism Between Friday Jan. 31 at 10:00 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1:00 a.m., a vehicle was vandalized on the 1600 block of College Avenue. This case is pending.

On Saturday Feb. 1 at 10:40 a.m., there was an incident of graffiti in Mason Hall.

This case is pending.

Between Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11:40 p.m. and Sunday Feb. 2 at 1:05 a.m., ceiling tiles were damaged in Russell Hall. This case is pending.

On Thursday Jan. 23 at 10:57 p.m., a sign was vandalized in Randolph Hall. This case is pending.

On Sunday Jan. 26 between 10:15 p.m. and 10:28 p.m., ceiling tiles were vandalized in Russell Hall. This case is pending.

Possession On Thursday, Jan.6 there was an incident of marijuana possession in Russell Hall.

There has been one admin referral.

Petit Larceny Between Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 a.m., a skateboard was stolen from Bushnell Hall.

This case is pending.

Between Monday, Jan. 6 and Feb. 5 a laptop was stolen from Woodard Hall.

This case is pending.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Students find various ways to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder

•SAD | 2

affective disorder, some of that’s depression, and in fact, a good bit of that is that sad things sometimes just make us sad.”

Zukor stressed the impact of an individual's situation on their mental health, “For example, if you have a grandparent or a parent or someone we care about die, it doesn’t mean we are clinically depressed, as much as it means we might still feel depressed and struggle to function understandably at that moment,” said Zukor.

S.A.D is not a new concept; it has

increase in their depressive symptoms in the winter,” said Zukor.

Grace Hopps, freshman, has been dealing with seasonal affective disorder since the sixth grade, and said staying productive is her main way to fight off the depression of S.A.D. “Staying out of the dorm really helps with productivity if that’s an issue because, personally, once I get home all I want to do is curl up in bed,” said Hopps.

The Wash Post lists not only the warning signs of S.A.D., but also strategies to cope with increased feelings of depression during the colder months. Coping mechanisms such as exercising to release natural endorphins, and consciously shifting one’s mindset to put a positive spin on negative situations are listed, along with the first recommended bullet point, “Increase your natural light exposure by opening your curtains to let in light or going for a walk outdoors.”

Zukor commented on light and its effect on S.A.D, “It gets worse the further you are from the equator. It has everything to do with the sun, vitamin D, things like that. One of UMW got survey responses back from 449 students regarding their mental health.

UMW Wellness the effective treatments for seasonal affective disorder is gone under different names in the past. light therapy. Lightboxes are shown to “Some people used to call what now gets be really, really effective.” diagnosed as seasonal affective disorder Derek Knight, a freshman on campus ‘the winter blues’. So there’s been this who deals with vitamin D deficiency, understanding in the world for a very something often brought up in long time that many people have an comparison to S.A.D, has found his own

way to deal with the colder months.“I take vitamin D supplements year-round, but in the winter specifically, I go out of my way to get vitamin D. I also refuse to listen to depressing music, especially at night,” said Knight.

When reflecting on the 47 percent of UMW students who reported feeling too depressed to function, both Hopps and Knight expected the percentage to be higher.

“I actually thought that number would

“So there’s been this understanding in the world for a very long time that many people have an increase in their depressive symptoms in the winter.”

-Dr. Tevya Zukor be higher, but my personal friend group might be disproportionately made up by people who have S.A.D. or some other depressive thing,” said Knight.

UMW has taken measures to make sure all students are healthy and happy on campus. Releasing the flyer has not only boosted awareness but has given tips to help cope with mental health through multiple mechanisms such as exercising, spending time in soft, yellow light, practicing mindfulness and having the Tally Center available for all students.

Zukor’s stance on coping mechanisms was entirely positive: “If it’s placebo or not it doesn’t matter. If you’re feeling better from doing it… Good. You’re feeling less depressed.”

Censorship bill important to student journalists •Bill | 2

would not allow me to write about politics, sexual orientation, religion or anything controversial. When I did attempt to break their conservative mold, my work was often censored before publication without my explicit permission or consent. Students like

“I can say without question that the University supports freedom of speech and freedom of the press.”

-Anna Billingsley myself were not allowed to express our views, write about current events, or create important conversations,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany expressed disappointment in the failure of the House bill to include younger student journalists, and the failure of the Senate bill to pass it at all.

“Young people deserve the right to free speech just as much as any adult.

I think it’s unfortunate that it didn’t get passed, it would have been a great protection for young journalists.”

Anna Billingsley, associate vice president of University Relations, thought it would be jumping the gun to comment on how it might affect the student publication on campus.

“Bill 36 is still moving through the legislative process; we generally do not comment on legislation that’s still pending,” she said.

However, she did offer assurance that the school has the students’ best interest in mind when they plan to move forward.

“I can say without question that the University supports freedom of speech and freedom of the press.” she said.

James Pryor, a sophomore english major and a staff writer for the Blue & Gray Press, was disappointed that SB 80 died in committee, as well as the amendments to HB 36, but was not convinced that it would have provided sufficient protection for younger journalists if it had been passed in its original form.

“I really don’t think this will

impact them greatly, because if I was in middle school and tried to pull something like ‘well I can actually do this, it’s the law,’ my teacher would probably roll their eyes and just take out my article because what would I be able to do? Open up a case?”

He cited his experience writing for university level newspapers as being substantially different from when he was younger.

“I didn’t start writing for newspapers until college, so I’m lucky to have a pretty big breathing room, but when I was younger and did articles for LGBTQ+ magazines, I definitely had some stuff rejected because it was too controversial or opinionated when the magazine was more focused on positivity,” Pryor said.

House Bill 36 is still moving through the legislative process.

The Hill

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SPORTS

Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Patrick Catullo named director of athletics

MARY FOSTER Staff Writer

of athletics since summer 2018. Catullo earned Last Wednesday, the University of a bachelor’s degree Mary Washington officially named in psychology from Patrick Catullo ’95 as the University’s UMW in 1995. He was new director of athletics. head coach of UMW’s In his newly-official role, Catullo women’s tennis team plans to “continue to align with the from 2004-2018. In 2014, strategic vision of the university to Catullo repeated “as State recruit and retain highly qualified and Coach of the Year after diverse students, address aging facilities, leading Mary Washington and navigate the changing conference to the 2014 NCAA landscape.” He said, “Working towards Tournament third round solutions that provide a meaningful and with an 18-8 record,” umw.edu Catullo was appointed after a series of open forums. memorable experience for the students according to a June 9, has our daily attention.”

2014 post to VASID, the official site of community surveys and interviews.

Catullo has served as interim director Virginia sports information directors.

Following the completed interview This award and the success of the team process, the decision was made on Feb. 5 that lead to it, is but one example of and was relayed to the UMW community the women’s tennis team’s impressive

by UMW President Troy Paino via record under the coaching of Catullo. email. In that same email, Paino detailed Head women’s tennis coach, is but one Catullo’s extensive ties and history of the many hats Patrick Catullo has with the UMW and Fredericksburg worn as a part of the UMW community, communities, and the incredible however.

UMW staff, faculty and alumni that Catullo also served as the made such a collaborative forum-style university’s assistant director of interview process possible for our UMW athletics and the director of compliance community. Many of those ties can be from 2012-2018. In his newly-official seen in Catullo’s past with the university. role as director of athletics, Catullo “As a former student-athlete and will be overseeing all 23 varsity sports coach, I’m really looking forward to and two of the university’s club sports, continuing the important work we’ve men and women’s rugby. Catullo will already begun with UMW leadership, oversee 14 full-time head coaches that divisions across campus, the athletics hold faculty status, according to the staff and student-athletes,” said Catullo.

2019 Director of Athletics Prospectus.

“My deep connection to the University The decision to appoint Catullo came makes it very meaningful to serve in this role.” magazine.umw.edu after a series of open forums, student Catullo graduated from UMW

University of Mary Washington Winter Sports Schedule

Men’s Basketball (14-9)

Feb. 1 L @ Chris. Newport (81-68) Feb. 5 W @ Southern Virginia (80-73) Feb. 8 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (72-62) Feb. 15 vs. York (Pa.) Feb. 19 vs. Salisbury

Women’s Basketball (16-7)

Feb. 1 L @ Chris. Newport (72-52) Feb. 5 W vs. Southern Virginia (49-46) Feb. 8 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (72-46w) Feb. 15 vs. York (Pa.) Feb. 19 @ Salisbury

in 1995.

Justin Anderson gets 100th career win as a head coach JOSEPHINE JOHNSON Staff Writer

On Feb. 1, the UMW men’s and women’s swim teams’ wins against Southern Virginia University took precedence over other regular-season games. It was a momentous senior night for some Eagles and a final victory before the CAC Championships for all… but for head coach Justin Anderson ’10, it was a 100-win mark as a head coach.

Anderson earned his degree in English from UMW in 2010. After five seasons as Frostburg State University’s head coach, Anderson returned to his alma mater as head coach of both varsity teams in 2018. The wins are a combination of games during his head coaching career at both Frostburg and Mary Washington.

The coach says the Eagles have put a tremendous amount of work into the past two years. “I feel really fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of the best student-athletes in the

country on a daily basis,” Anderson said.

“It’s rewarding to remember what it was like to be in their shoes and see them accomplish even greater things than the UMW teams I competed on.”

Their success is an outcome of hard work. Swimming at UMW involves waking up before the sun rises, giving up weekends for competitions and losing part of winter break to train twice a day preparing for the championship. “During the course of our season, every swimmer will swim over 500 miles during our 19 week season. Every swimmer on our team is swimming nearly 20-25 miles a week, most people won’t even walk that much each week. It’s that dedication and grind that has allowed our teams to stay on top and be as successful as they’ve been,” said Anderson.

Anderson says what’s most exciting and special about the program is the talent. “... I could list all 50 plus of our swimmers and they’re all capable of winning an event for us in the regular season, and I could name half the team

Anderson reached his 100th career win against Southern Virginia University.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

that has a legitimate shot at competing for a top 3 finish at our conference championship this weekend.” As far as comradery, the teams excel. “Every single swimmer on our team is a key swimmer for us as they all push each other toward being the best they can be, whether they’re first or last on our depth chart.”

Beyond winning, UMW swimming for Anderson is about personal growth.

“I think people often think winning is just the outcome of the meet, or the championship final standings.” Anderson believes it the individual wins reach by each swimmer. “I’m inspired by seeing people improve and reach their goals.

I love it when a swimmers’ hard work, focus, and commitment pay off with a drop in time or breaking a time barrier they’ve been chasing for years. I also love the team environment and getting to see our team support one another and push each other toward greatness,” says Anderson.

The Eagles compete in the CAC Championships held Feb 12-15 by St. Mary’s. The women are up to win their 30th straight conference championship and the men their 20th straight and 26th overall championship.

“For our team and our program we try to win every day, whether it’s doing something in practice or on a test set we’ve never done before, or hitting a new personal best in the weight room, winning happens in a 100 small different ways on a daily basis that give us the opportunity to piece together a winning performance in our meets and at our conference and national championships,” said Anderson.

Women’s Swimming (9-3)

Jan. 18 W vs. Barton (187-75) Jan. 18 W vs. Franklin & Marshall (16993) Jan. 25 L vs. Gettysburg (141-121) Feb. 1 W vs. Southern Virginia (122-32) Feb. 13-16 vs. CAC Championships

@ St. Mary’s City, Md.

Men’s Swimming (7-5)

Jan. 18 W vs. Barton (182-80) Jan. 18 L vs. Franklin & Marshall (154107) Jan. 25 L vs. Gettysburg (159-103) Feb. 1 W vs. Southern Virginia (147-66) Feb. 13-16 vs. CAC Championships

@ St. Mary’s City, Md.

Full Schedule not listed above.

Most recent games included.

Bold indicates home game.

Susan S / Shutterfly

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