The Blue & Gray Press

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BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

February 18, 2021

VOLUME 94 | ISSUE 3 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

Commuter students fail to take required COVID tests

VIRGINIA RICHARDSON Staff Writer

Upon returning to campus for the spring 2021 semester, all students were required to sign up for re-entry COVID-19 testing, but there have been complications in getting all commuter students tested. As of publication, about 500 off-campus students have yet to be tested.

For on-campus students, presentation of a negative test result to their RA was required before they were allowed to move back into their dorm room. Off-campus students did not have the same clear cut restrictions and, as a result, not all off-campus students have been tested. This is often not for lack of trying.

Off-campus students’ physical presence on campus varies much more than those living on campus. CJ Porter, director of Transfer and Off-Campus Student Services, and her team laid out three main categories of students. First, there are those who attend in-person classes, jobs and other on-campus activities. Then there are those who are entirely remote but whose status might change according to their or their classes’ needs. Finally, there are those who are 100 percent remote and will never be on campus.

The variation amongst these groups has caused a lot of confusion about who needs testing and when. Those who will never be on campus and

As of publication, approximately 500 commuter and off-campus students have yet to take their COVID-19 entry test.

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fulfill certain requirements can choose to opt-out. Students who have no reason to be on campus now but might need to later are recommended to apply to opt-out and request testing later for when they will be physically present so the information is as up-to-date as possible.

Denise Naughton, a sophomore computer science and economics double major and president of the OffCampus Student Association (OCSA), falls into the second category of offcampus students. She took the test as a precaution. “I don’t plan on coming to campus at all during the semester but thought I would get it just in case I

had to come there for any reason,” said Naughton.

Filling out the sign up wasn’t the problem for most students. According to one commuter student, junior political science major Griffin Koch, “signing up was very easy and really only took about a minute.”

Koch’s biggest problem was navigating the campus, as a transfer student who has taken only online classes and hasn’t had a need to be on campus. Certainly, this is a concern for new students.

According to Porter, for students who were required to complete reentry testing and didn’t do so, emails

were sent out from both the Office of Transfer & Off-Campus Students and the COVID-19 Implementation Team with increasing urgency. By the final warning, if the student fails to complete testing they will be barred from campus and network access is shut off. To regain access students will be required to contact the IT desk which will then provide instructions in order to get tested.

These emails proved effective as, of the approximately 2,200 off-campus students that had been contacted initially, only about 500 remain that still required testing by the end of the third week of classes.

“The persistence of those emails is what prompted me to actually make an effort to get tested,” said Koch. “Over time, those emails became increasingly verbose and made more frequent use of bolded and red text.”

Naughton similarly said, “I have received many emails about testing information and many emails about how to get tested. The university did a great job spreading the information.”

The COVID-19 Implementation and Testing teams are keeping track of those students who have not taken the test. The biggest challenge they face is getting in contact with those students. Often technical difficulties can occur and the emails are never received or sent to spam folders, and off-campus students can lose network access without •COMMUTERS | 6

Despite COVID-19 budget constraints, UMW avoids staff layoffs through furlough days and budget cuts

SHAWN FLEETWOOD Staff Writer

Despite the financial hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Mary Washington has managed to avoid staff layoffs, according to administration officials. The university has also stated that they have no plans to lay off any staff this semester.

According to President Troy Paino, there were a variety of actions the university took to ensure job security during the pandemic. “When the pandemic caused us to send students home last March, we instituted a hiring freeze,” he said. “We also centralized spending authority to control costs as much as possible. By not filling positions and reducing other operating budgets, we were able to avoid layoffs.”

Paul Messplay, the vice president for administration and finance and Chief Financial Officer, also elaborated on how government funding has also played a role in keeping university workers employed.

IN THIS

ISSUE

“We have received additional funding from both the state and the federal government that was not reflected in the original operating budget,” he said.

“These additional funds have helped to backfill some of the financial challenges we are facing, such as less revenue from our housing and dining operations.”

Many professors responded positively to the news, citing the transparency the administration has taken while managing finances during the Paul Messplay, the vice president for adiministration and finance and chief financial pandemic. “Personally, I have officer, and his team handle budget and finance decisions.

University of Mary Washington found our administration’s response to COVID, and the Broome continued, stating the same level of budget cuts financial decisions they have that despite budget cuts, the as other academic departments, had to make, to be respectful, educational environment the reduction in our program, transparent, thoughtful, and very much remains the same. due to COVID, has meant community-minded,” said Dr. “Budget cuts have not impacted that we are not feeling any John Broome, a professor in the my teaching. They have also immediate ill-effects,” said Education Department. “These not impacted my students’ Stull. are really difficult decisions. learning, to my knowledge,” The university’s financial Everyone has had to make he said. adjustments haven’t come sacrifices with their salaries and Gregg Stull, the chair of the without challenges, however. access resources, but in doing Theatre and Dance Department, While budget cuts have so, we haven’t had to resort to also echoed similar sentiments. allowed the university to avoid UMW employee layoffs.”

“While we have experienced any layoffs, employees have

suffered financially as a result.

“We did require employees to take unpaid furlough days this year and faculty had a salary reduction,” said Messplay.

“Fortunately, we have been able to restore about half of the salary reductions and furlough days.”

Teaching faculty saw a reduction in pay that varied based on salary. According to Messplay, this restoration means a teaching faculty member who saw an initial 3.5 percent pay reduction will now have a pay reduction of 1.75 percent for this year. Likewise, staff members – who were subject to furlough days rather than a salary reduction – may initially have had to take nine furlough days, but number would now be down to 4.5.

In addition, COVID-related expenses have also continued to complicate the university’s budget, according to Paino.

“We have also experienced significant expenses due to COVID •NO LAYOFFS | 2 testing,

missed COnnections money Matters

RUNNING COMMUNITY

Instagram account organizes student dates.

Campus Recreation presents new group fitness course.

LIFE | 5

Employers should disclose expected salary on job postings.

VIEWPOINTS | 3

SPORTS | 8

NEWS

Editors: Jess Kirby & Josephine Johnson | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

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BLUE & GRAY PRESS

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

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kate Seltzer

Associate Editors Abigail Buchholz Cosima Pellis

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Jess Kirby Josephine Johnson

VIEWPOINTS Abigail Weber

LIFE Erin Matuczinski

SPORTS Victoria Percherke

ONLINE Samantha Price Bernadette D’Auria

PHOTO Bryanna Lansing

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

UMW alumnus Judge Miller gives Black History Month keynote address

PRIYA PATEL Staff Writer

On Feb. 10, the University of Mary Washington hosted Judge Kerwin A. Miller as the speaker for the 2021 Black History Month virtual keynote program. The James Farmer Multicultural Center and the Black Student Association hosted the event.

The virtual format of the event created a different experience from previous years, attendees said.

“I wish the event could have been in person so I could personally meet Judge Miller. However, I’m glad that we adapted to the COVID world and still were able to have the event,” said Michael Tucker, sophomore business administration major and a member of the

“He is a creator of history for Black people everywhere.

To be honest, it was a blessing that we were even able to have him as our keynote speaker, considering how qualified he is.”

-Jordan Providence Black Student Association.

“I’m sure many enjoy the convenience of joining the event on their computer rather than having to physically go somewhere.

I’m glad the event still impacted me and others in a

positive way despite it being virtual.”

Miller is from the Bronx, N.Y., but came to Virginia to attend Mary Washington College and graduated in 1995. He talked about how he enjoyed his time on campus and even takes yearly visits with his family to walk around the campus.

He gladly agreed to be the keynote speaker for this event.

Jordan Providence, sophomore English major and the president of the Black Student Association, believes that Miller was a great choice for the event.

“He is a UMW alumni, the first Black male attorney at Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office and the first Black judge in District 9, Hartford County in Maryland,” Providence said. “He is a creator of history for Black people everywhere. To be honest, it was a blessing that we were even able to have him as our keynote speaker, considering how qualified he is.”

Miller started his speech by talking about himself and what the world was like for him growing up and during his time at Mary Washington College. He went to high school during the cocaine crisis and the Central Park jogger case, where five Black and Latino teenagers were falsely accused and convicted of the rape and aggravated assault of a white woman.

Judge Kerwin A. Miller, a 1995 UMW graduate, went on to be the first Black male attorney in Maryland’s ninth district.

University of Mary Washington

The case led to a spike in racist portrayals of Black teenagers by the media.

Tucker has noticed some changes since Miller’s time at what is now the University of Mary Washington.

“I think things have most certainly changed since the ‘90s. For starters, Judge Miller stated that there were

about four or five African Americans in his class, and eventually more entered college as years went by.

Looking at the university today, there are most certainly more POC, and diversity is encouraged,” he said “It was still a culture shock for me when I entered UMW which I am sure

•keynote address | 7

UMW plans for no staff layoffs in spring reduction of students living PPE, in residence halls, we housing lost a significant revenue and meal plan refunds – that have not been fully covered by “Everyone has had to make the federal relief sacrifices with their salaries bills passed thus and access resources, but far,” he said. “We in doing so, we haven’t had are managing the to resort to UMW employee situation relatively well, but the hit on layoffs.” revenue plus the increased costs will -Dr. John Broome continue to present a challenge.” stream,” he said. “Much of The difficulties related to lost revenue from the revenue from residence university housing have halls covers fixed costs, and will continue to be a such as debt service, that problem for the foreseeable could not be cut” future, according to Paino.

Among the programs “Because of the significant most affected by the

•No layoffs | 1

school’s revised budgets, the College of Education Accreditation and the university catalog have seen the biggest deficits with respect to previous years.

According to a comparison from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 university budgets, the College of Education Accreditation saw a 48.78 percent decrease in funding, with the university catalog seeing a 28.71 percent decrease.

Other notable programs that saw significant decreases in operating budgets include the FirstYear Seminar program and the Art Department, with each seeing contractions of

18.74 and 10.51 percent, respectively.

So long as the pandemic continues, the university will continue to face financial complications going forward. With respect to potential future layoffs, Paino is hopeful that such cutbacks can be averted in the future. “We will continue to do everything we can to avoid that,” he said. “ I’m optimistic we can.”

Matthew Bova contributed to reporting for this article.

CORRECTIONS for THE Week Due to source error, last week’s article “Uncertainty surrounds CPB’s Big SpringConcert” incorrectly stated that Rocktoberfest did not happen. This event happened as a campus-wide rubber duck hunt.

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

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Thursday, February 18, 2021

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Editor: Abigail Weber | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Employers should include salary on job postings DANIEL ROZZEL Staff Writer

While happiness, enjoyment, and general motivation are strong factors as to why many people choose a specific career path, the salary a particular job pays is also a strong determinant. As a senior who will be graduating this semester, finding a job that is in the salary range I need to support my lifestyle has been more difficult than it should be. A survey conducted in 2019 by job seeker website Glassdoor stated that the number one piece of information a job seeker looks for when viewing a job ad is the salary. Despite the clear desire for a more transparent work environment, Glassdoor reported that less than 10 percent of online postings include salary information.

“A salary is important to me when applying for a job because I have to make sure the job will pay me enough so I can support myself financially.”

-Hannah Olkowski

Many employees choose careers and individual jobs based on salary.

Maxime/@maximeutopix on Unsplash

“A salary is important to me when applying for a job because I have to make sure the job will pay me enough so I can support myself financially,” said Hannah Olkowski, a senior political science major.

“If I had to rate [the importance of salary] on a scale, I would give it a 6/10,” said James Warndorf, a senior in the College of Business. “I want to make sure my salary allows me to live wherever I need and still allow some discretionary income for other things. But I won’t go travel the job market to find the best job salary-wise.

I’m sure that job offering will also be difficult to land.”

The main concern for salary is to find a job that is able to support that applicant’s lifestyle.

“You’re going to major in something you love,” said Lynne Richardson, dean of the College of Business.

“But I think from a practical standpoint, at least as a freshman, sophomores, you’re looking at majors, you got to at least consider, ‘can I live on the lifestyle? I want to be able to live on the salary from this major.’”

However, this valuable piece of information is often excluded from the job advertisements of today. The inclusion of this information should be an industry standard for companies as it can be extremely beneficial for both applicants and the employer.

The inclusion of salary on a job posting can greatly save both parties the time and trouble of the application process which has grown increasingly longer.

“If the ad had the salary, you wouldn’t apply, get way down the path and then get really excited about it and then find out that you were going to have to turn them down because it was a low salary,” said Richardson. “I would love to see it.”

Olkowski agreed.

“I think including the salary of a job on the listing will save time for both the employer and the employee during the application process,” said Olkowski. “I think including a salary on a job posting is beneficial because applicants would be able to determine whether or not the salary can properly meet their needs.

Employers could also benefit because they won’t take their time with people who expect higher pay than they can afford.”

The main argument for employers to not include this information is a loss of negotiation power with the job applicant. However, if employers exclude the salary range from an application this increases the

Staff Ed: To Administration: Students are hurting, and you’re not listening

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

COVID-19 has presented distinct challenges for college students. We have lost the ability to fully engage with our classes in a classroom setting, besides a few in person classes. Online classes require a lot more responsibility and motivation, which is hard to find among a rise in mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. Another effect of the virus is financial issues, causing some students to have to take up work—where they may face the additional anxiety of potential exposure to the virus— or work more in order to afford necessities.

On the morning of Feb. 16, the university announced that the University Faculty Council (UFC) decided that the alternative grading scale will not be available to students in spring 2021. This email acknowledges increased challenges for students due to the pandemic, such as “inequities in access to technology and online learning proficiency” and “household challenges.”

Though these challenges are acknowledged, the decision was still made for the alternative grading scale to not be extended.

One of the reasons given for the lack of extension of the grading scale was potential loss of financial aid, which is confusing, because to our knowledge that is up to the school. It also cites the opinion of only one student representative, who did not speak in support of the alternative grading scale. The opinion of just one student should absolutely not be the only student voice heard in a decision that drastically affects all of us.

Likewise, it was inappropriate to place the blame for an unpopular decision on the shoulders of the student

Thursday, February 18, 2021

representative.

The email also argues that using alternate grading will hurt students’ future job and graduate school opportunities by making their transcripts less competitive. The decision to use alternate grading is not taken lightly by students, and they understand the implications it may have in the future. Regardless, these decisions affect students and their futures, not the university, and students deserve the opportunity to choose alternate grading if it is best for them.

On the morning of Feb. 17, the SGA sent another email with a link to a SGA survey about alternative grading, to be referenced in an emergency “Can We Talk” meeting on Thursday, the Feb. 18. It’s clear from the email that the SGA was unaware the decision was happening: student government leaders were unable to do their jobs to represent the wishes of the student body.

Students, including SGA members, should have been consulted before this decision was announced, because we all have different experiences and are affected by the pandemic differently.

The conditions that warranted the initial decision to allow the alternative grading scale are very much still in place. Many students are dealing with grief, poor mental health and added financial stress. Students who have ordinarily excelled in their classes may see their grades plummet. It’s the school’s job to provide compassion and understanding — always, but especially right now.The decision to not continue the alternative grading scale into the spring 2021 semester will impact all UMW students, and more of our voices should have been heard before such a drastic conclusion was reached in the midst of a global pandemic.

Job posting sites like LinkedIn don’t require companies to publicize salary expectations.

LinkedIn Analytics Tool/@inlytics on Unsplash

possibility an applicant will skip over the posting which can lead to talent loss for a company, something that is often much more valuable.

Richardson also provided some insight on how to negotiate with an employer on the topic of salary.

“Number one, you should negotiate. That’s the number one rule. Don’t apologize for asking for more,” said Richardson. “We’ve got to get over this hurdle of ‘they’re going to pull [the job offer].’No, they’re not going to pull it, because they’ve already invested way too much time, effort, money… ‘we’re not gonna pull up an offer because you asked for more money or more anything.’”

The benefits both parties would gain from the inclusion of salary strongly outweigh the negatives.

Therefore, companies should look to adopt this practice to help increase their candidate pool and increase efficiency for both sides.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD

25

Total cases since Jan. 1, 2021

10

Active cases

0.57

7-day average cases per day

2,703

Total entry tests Jan. 1-Feb. 8

9

Positive entry tests Jan. 1-Feb. 8

31

Student health center tests

1

Positive student health center test

37 of 38

Isolation spaces available

74 of 82

Quarantine spaces available

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LIFE

Editor: Erin Matuczinski blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Mourning the loss of inspirational musician SOPHIE

GRIFFIN KOCH On Jan. 30, 2020, Sophie Xeon, who peralbum, “It’s Okay to Cry,” included her first Staff Writer formed simply as SOPHIE, was officially deever music video accompaniment. After clared dead from an accidental fall. She died years of working in the background, she near her residence in Athens, Greece while attempting to take a picture of the full moon. was ready to introduce herself to the public. Before this album, SOPHIE was a bit of a Not long after this announcement, major musicians began publicly paying their respects: recluse: she would perform live pretty sporadically compared to other producers and everyone from Rihanna to Diplo to Sam Smith to Baauer had only would often have drag queens or other performers pretend to DJ positive things to say about her and her work. This was indicative on stage while she was actually performing backstage. of something that SOPHIE uniquely excelled at: uniting the worlds With this song, however, SOPHIE finally embraced the spotof pop and dance music. And in a relatively short amount of time, light. The song was essentially a coming out party, with SOPHIE SOPHIE was able to make a big impact in both of these worlds. introducing herself to the world as an unashamed trasngender Overnight, SOPHIE had made a name for herself by standing individual. For a lot of closeted transgender people, myself includdefiantly against the increasingly similar, sterile and “serious” ed, it felt as if SOPHIE was speaking directly to them: “Just know electronic music of the post-dubstep era. Her sound felt brand new: you’ve got nothing to hide / It’s okay to cry.” Compared to a lot combining a garish, artificial sound palette with a slightly-danciof her previous work, this song was pretty structurally straighter-than-usual pop song structure. At the time, she was a somewhat forward. Still, the colossal crescendo and build in intensity at the divisive figure: just as many people considered her style gimmicky end as well as the emotional honesty made the song immediately and pretentious as others did energetic and celebratory. memorable. Later singles from the album would better showcase I spoke to Tamara Omer, a senior at UMW and a member of the the more abrasive and abstract tendencies that people associated university’s Society for Electronic Music, about SOPHIE’s music. with her sound.

SOPHIE passed away at 34 years old.

She had discovered SOPHIE’s single “LEMONADE” as a teenager Tamara tells me that OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES is Renata Raksha/Glamour Magazine while searching for new music on the music-sharing site SoundCloud. her favorite of SOPHIE’s work “because of the range of emotion she has put into it [...] I “I liked electronic music a lot in the past, but to me it was like stepping into new think every detail even down to the track placement is just very clever.” territory,” she told me. “It was very exciting to hear something so energetic, intense, and Connecting every song on the album were lyrics that encapsulated SOPHIE’s ideas bold at that young of an age.” of “transness”, which she described in a June 2018 Paper magazine as “taking control to I was first introduced to SOPHIE’s music in 2013 after an artist I follow on Twitter bring your body more in line with your soul and spirit.” To her, there was no distinction recommended giving the song “BIPP” a listen. After hearing it, I instantly became a fan. between the “artificial” and the “natural.” She embraced transhumanism just as much This was music that felt futuristic. Sure, it wasn’t completely unprecedented: the verses as she embraced her transgender identity and saw the two as largely indistinguishable. took clear inspiration from ‘80s house tracks, and the chipmunked vocals felt like a nod It was an ideology that, not coincidentally, had a lot in common with the sound of her to a lot of the “uncool” forms of music that had accumulated a small but dedicated inter- music. net following throughout the 2000s, like nightcore and trance.

While talking to Tamara on SOPHIE’s musical legacy, said something that really SOPHIE’s music was different: it took inspiraresonated with me: “She really helped pave the tion from the past but was looking forward rather future of pop music and music in general. I believe than backwards. It felt like a uniquely exciting time that a lot of what she did gave people the room and to be a music enthusiast. I was waiting on the edge confidence to unapologetically express themselves of my seat to see just how SOPHIE would confuse musically.” and captivate listeners with each new release.

She’s absolutely correct, of course. SOPHIE’s Following the acclaim of PRODUCT, a collectwisted form of avant-pop inspired people to tion of her early singles, SOPHIE would produce create uninhibited pop music without concerning songs for many big name artists, like Madonna, themselves with what was considered “tasteful” by Vince Staples, Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj, to music elitists. But more selfishly, that quote made name a few. However, the most notable of these was me think of all the times that I’ve found solace in her series of collaborations with pop star Charlotte her music, all the times that I’ve been inspired by Emma Aitchison, better known by her stage name her self-expression and all the unfinished digital Charli XCX. SOPHIE would co-write and co-proaudio workspace (DAW) project files I have stored duce every song on the latter’s Vroom Vroom EP, in my hard drive. Seldom am I moved by the as well as contribute to several of her subsequent death of somebody I’ve never met. Yet, SOPHIE’s SOPHIE released only one studio album in her lifetime. mixtapes and singles. These collaborations helped Charlotte Wales/Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides death has been the elevator music of my mind for significantly boost SOPHIE’s stature and inspired Charli XCX to pursue a more experiweeks. No matter what I’m doing, I’m thinking about how profoundly unfair it is that mental, artsy direction for her music, which she continues to do today. she’s no longer with us or what she’d have in store for us in the future if she was still In 2018, SOPHIE released what was, in many ways, her defining statement: her first here. I think this is because I know that her death isn’t just a massive loss to her family, studio album, OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES. The first single released for the friends, or fans. It’s a loss for music enthusiasts worldwide, even if they aren’t aware of it.

Personal Essay: Sole student in the friend group PAUL THOMAS Staff Writer

Throughout my life, I have always kept a small circle of friends. I found that large groups of friends have always led to drama, or I’ve been unable to keep up with everyone, and the friendship fades. Having fewer friends allowed for me to be closer and have better relationships with each person, and it was great. That is, until about the last year or so.

I live in Culpeper; I am a commuter to UMW and have been for the last two years. My time on campus has been an unforgettable experience. During my first semester, I made several friends through my courses, and had multiple classes with a few of them. While we were still in classes on campus, it was easier to tackle projects together and keep each other motivated with a common goal. Everything changed with the transition to online learning.

Being 100 percent online for the last eight months has not been all bad. The transition allows me to not have to wake up at 5 a.m. to be on time for my 8 a.m. at Woodard, nor do I have to deal with traffic around Fredericksburg.

Being online also allows me to be a little bit more comfortable while I am doing schoolwork. To top it all off, not having a commute allows me to work more and spend less, which gave me the ability to buy a new car.

The only problem is my small circle of friends here at home has left me feeling isolated.

My friends here are amazing, and I genuinely enjoy their company, but none of them are in college. Some of

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them work in corrections, others fire and rescue, but none are college students. Of my group, only three people went to community college and made it no further because they found other things that they wanted to do and enjoyed doing, which at the end of the day is completely fine.

While this never bothered me before, the transition has caused some loneliness, as well as a lack of interest and motivation in my studies. Being the only one of my friend group still having to spend all my free time doing homework and studying has caused me to be unable to spend time with them. As I sit and do work, I can see through social media that they are enjoying themselves, and it makes me wish that instead of completing assignments I was out with them, having fun. Some days I wake up and do not want to go to class or even attempt homework. I have not spent more than 30 minutes with a friend in several weeks due to trying to keep up with work and school, and it wears on you after a while. In the last year, I have missed a few major events, such as some of my friends getting married and even one friend expecting a child in a few short months.

Thankfully, my friends are good ones. Having friends is so important, and supportive friends even more so.

Even though we do not see each other with any sort of frequency, they always ask how it’s going when we do.

The relationships we have built over time have proven that even if we do not see each other for months at a time, when we do it’s right back to the same old thing, and that is amazing to me.

Even with these feelings, I will continue to stay steady in my resolve. With this year being my senior year, it is more important now than ever before to keep working, because each day that passes is one step closer to completion. While I may not have much time, I know that my friends will be here when it’s over, and that is motivation enough to keep powering through.

I hope that each person that is in a similar situation to mine is having a better time or is at least finding ways to cope with the situation since it is what we must do. For professors and other faculty, I personally thank each of you for all of the work you have done to make sure that we have the ability to learn even with the changes in the last year. For juniors and lower, keep working because it will pay off. For seniors, each one of us has worked far too hard to not finish strong.

Isolation has distanced friend groups, and not just physically.

Andrew Neel/Pexels

Thursday, Februrary 18, 2021

LIFE

Celebrating Purim with traditional hamantaschen

RACHEL BENOUDIZ Staff Writer

This year the Jewish holiday, Purim, begins on Feb. 25 at sundown and ends Feb. 26. Purim commemorates how the Jewish people in the Persian empire were saved Hamantaschen, a Jewish cookie, is typically eaten during the holiday Purim. Purim is celebrated in Judaism by reading the Book of Esther, dressing up, giving gift baskets called mishloach manot, putting on plays, drinking and having carnivals. Purim is a very loud holiday!

The story of Purim begins in the city of Shushan, in the Persian Empire. King Ahasuerus, after banishing (or executing, depending on how kid-friendly the retelling is) his wife was looking for a new bride. After Esther, a Jewish girl, wins a beauty contest, Ahasuerus selects her as his queen. Esther keeps her religious identity hidden for some time: in much of Jewish history, being Jewish wasn’t necessarily something you advertised. Then, Haman, adviser to the king and the villain of our story, told the king to kill all Jews in the city. When Esther learned of

Hamantaschen cookies with apricot and raspberry fillings.

the plot, she summoned the courage to reveal her religion and Haman’s wicked nature. Purim commemorates her bravery.

Dough after the flour has been added, before going in the fridge.

The cookies eaten during Purim are hamantaschen.

These cookies are a shortbread cookie filled with a sweet filling. Hamentashen are always triangle shaped: they are less commonly referred to as “oznei haman,” meaning Haman’s ears, but there are other theories for the reasoning behind the shape. One suggests that the cookies represent Haman’s signature three-cornered hat. The more traditional fillings for hamantaschen are prunes, poppyseed and different fruit jellies. Modern interpretations of hamantaschen include different fillings like chocolate, peanut butter, cheese and tahini. Anything can be used for the filling of hamantaschen, it’s all up to individual preferences.

Quick Hamantaschen Recipe Makes about 24 cookies Ingredients: 1/2 cup +3 tablespoons room temperature unsalted butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 large eggs 3 tablespoons orange juice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt ~2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup of filling of your choice (jelly, nuts, chocolate, etc.)

1 teaspoon water Beat butter until smooth. Slowly add in sugar, and beat until light and fluffy- about three minutes. Beat in one egg. Add in juice, vanilla, and salt and combine. Slowly incorporate the flour until a soft dough is formed.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let chill for one hour.

The dough can sit in the refrigerator for days and last in the freezer for months. Take out the dough and let sit until room temperature until workable.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly floor workspace.

Divide dough into 3 pieces. Roll dough out to 1/8 inch thick. Use a cup or cookie cutter around 3 inches wide to cut out circles. Re-roll scraps and repeat.

Place 1 teaspoon of filling in each round. Lift the right and left sides of the circle and pinch together at the top.

Take the right side and fold together with the bottom and pinch the side together. Repeat with the left side. Mix together one egg and water.

Place cookies on a lined baking sheet, 6 inches away.

Brush egg and water mixture onto shaped cookies. Bake

Hamantaschen shaped and covered in egg before baking.

for 12 minutes, flipping the baking sheet halfway.

The recipe is adapted from The World of Jewish Cooking by Gil Marks.

Photos courtesy of Rachel Benoudiz.

Blind dates organized by anonymous Instagram account GABRIEL MATTESON Staff Writer

With the challenges of the pandemic, finding meaningful connections may feel impossible. But one challenger stepped up to give UMW students a shot at love, new friends, or at the very least, an opportunity to go on an enjoyable Valentine’s Day date.

This matchmaker is the (non-affiliated) UMW Missed Connections @umwmissedconnections Instagram account. On Saturday, Feb. 12 the account posted an announcement for “UMW Missed Connections: Blind Dates,” where students could meet up with other eligible singles for a blind date on Valentine’s Day. There were also options for making new friends.

“I get people messaging me all the time saying that they want to make connections so I did the ‘making connections event’ twice earlier in the fall…but this was different because I was facilitating,” said the person behind the UMW Missed Connections account, who chose to remain anonymous. They got the idea from a shared group chat with other missed connections accounts at universities across the country. “Somebody brought up the idea of doing blind dates and I thought that was amazing and I wanted to do that too.”

All students had to do was fill out a short form asking dating preferences, background information and a review from a friend. A few days later they received their match over Instagram.

Many students took full advantage of this opportunity.

Over 90 applicants signed up for the blind date experience, and soon enough they were sent their matches along with safe date ideas, including classics like Vocelli’s and walks in downtown Fredericksburg. CDC guidelines for social distancing were included as well for a worry free and safe Valentine’s Day. This was a big turn out for UMW Missed Connections, who expected only around fifty applicants. It was a challenge that took nearly three hours to decide on the pairs, but they found that participants took the questionnaire seriously and were very genuine in their answers.

UMW Missed Connections thought that the high

Thursday, February 18, 2021

turnout and sincere responses were “a reflection of not being able to do normal interactions where you meet a significant other or a friend.”

The blind dating event itself was not limited to meeting romantic interests and an option for a platonic meetup was offered as well. UMW students took advantage of both options, and during this event, half of the people that signed up were looking for friends while the other half

Over 90 students participated in the blind date event.

UMWMissedConnections/Instagram

were looking for a romantic partner.

UMW Missed Connections said that people looking for a range of connections, from the explicitly romantic to general camaraderie, is part of a broader trend beyond this event. Last spring, UMW Missed Connections received more romantic-specific submissions, where people messaged the account hoping to connect with someone attractive in a class or around campus. Now, UMW

Missed Connections receives a lot more submissions that consist of giving a shout out to a person that made their day great.

“People are messaging me all the time which I think is interesting, it’s almost a safe space in my DMs to vent,” they said. “I’ve had a lot of people messaging me saying ‘I want to find friends’ and ‘I want to find a roommate.’”

UMW Missed Connections is embracing this change.

“I’ve definitely seen a difference and in response to that I’ve had fun making my account a way to connect people.”

Their account has become a platform for people to more broadly come together during the pandemic.

It seems that applicants are using this event, and the UMW Missed Connections platform more broadly, to overcome the pandemic we’re living in and make new meaningful connections in the UMW community.

If you missed this event you can check out UMW Missed Connections’ Instagram page. Its bio currently reads “See a cutie in the UC? Sitting next to you in Psychology? DM us to be featured!” Students can send a direct message to the instagram account when they see someone on campus but don’t have the opportunity to speak to them directly. If a student who’s featured on the page sees that someone is interested in them there is even the opportunity for them to meet up.

Despite a global pandemic, UMW Missed Connections continues to provide a safe space for students to pay each compliments, meet new Eagles and spread With the challenges of the pandemic, finding meaningful connections may feel impossible. But one challenger stepped up to give UMW students a shot at love, new friends, or at the very least, an opportunity to go on an enjoyable Valentine’s Day date.

5

NEWS

Estimated 500 commuter students still need testing

•commuters | 1

ever knowing the problem. In the case of a student purposefully not getting tested and ignoring protocols, judicial action could be pursued. In line with MMDC policies, serious violations of health and safety protocols, such as intentionally avoiding testing, could have the student referred to the Office of Student Conduct & Responsibility whereupon evaluation a range of disciplinary actions could ensue.

For additional testing upon request, the UMW Health Center is providing testing for students exhibiting symptoms during the nine to five workday and has provided a list of places that students can also go after hours for immediate testing.

Random surveillance testing will also continue to take place over the coming months to combat the spread through students who may be asymptomatic.

Five hundred on-campus and off-campus

students weekly will be randomly selected to take part. Students who are selected for surveillance testing but don’t complete it will be sent email warnings and risk losing access to campus facilities and network for failure to comply with the regulations.

When asked what she’d like to stress to students who haven’t yet been tested, Porter said, “I’d just like them to reach out to me, together we’ll figure out where you fall in those three categories. I want to make sure everybody can get through the semester as they need.”

Students who have not yet gotten reentry testing or have questions about prevalence testing can reach out to CJ Porter at cjporter@umw.edu. If students have any other questions about testing, they can email covid-test@umw.edu.

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The Blue & Gray Press

@theBlueandGray

bgpress1922

NEWS

Layering masks recommended for those on campus

ISAIAH DURAN staff Writer

Many members of the UMW community have begun to use two masks to add an extra layer of protection.

“Walking around campus I am starting to see handfuls of students wearing double masks now,” said Rene Sanders, a nurse practitioner and Associate Director of Student Health at UMW. “It protects you more when someone sneezes in the grocery store or in class. It protects you and everyone around you.”

The practice of “double masking,” where a cloth mask is worn over a surgical mask, has already been made a part of the UMW Health Center Protocol. Staff and patients at the UMW Health Center are now being told to double mask for appointments to protect themselves and those around them. They will also be providing a second mask for those who need it.

Growing concerns about new variants of COVID-19 in Virginia and a greater than ever risk on campus have led to staff and students reevaluating their mask practices, along with the rising number of cases near UMW. Double masking is making a select group in the community feel safer as they go to work, to class or walk around campus.

“I have not yet been able to get my

continued practice of double masking.

“Yes, I would recommend a double mask. A surgical mask with the wire across the nose for more of a snug fit, and then you can wear your cloth mask on top,” said Sanders.

Double masking has proved effective when done correctly. The CDC has released guidelines on its website to outline the proper way

“Double masking is necessary when I am in the classroom to minimize the risk of contracting the virus and hopefully breaking the chain of transmission.”

-Dr. Swati Agrawal UMW student Margaret Gregory double masking in order to adhere to MMDC guidelines while on campus.

Cara Lowengrub / The Blue & Gray Press

vaccine and I teach classes and labs where I am in close contact with a lot of students on a daily basis. Double masking is necessary when I am in the classroom to minimize the risk of contracting the virus and hopefully breaking the chain of transmission,” explained Dr. Swati Agrawal, an assistant biology professor at UMW. Sanders explained that filtration efficiency of a cloth mask used on its own is nearly 40 percent lower than

double masking. The combination of a surgical mask and a cloth mask provides over 90 percent filtration efficiency, which means 90 percent of air particles are being filtered out.

A steady increase in COVID-19 cases in Fredericksburg and the recent appearance of new variants of COVID-19 are a cause for concern for some in the UMW community. The new threat of the U.K. strain is leading health care professionals to suggest

to double mask to achieve the best possible protection. They suggest a disposable mask under a cloth mask.

For those who wish to not wear two masks during the day, Sanders made note of the fact that an N95 mask can be worn by itself without a cloth mask on top. An N95 provides as much protection as the double mask setup that is suggested.

An alternative to double masking, such as the N95, has proved to be important to students who do not feel comfortable in their masks or cannot double mask due to health restrictions.

Students take life lessons from keynote address speaker and his experiences at UMW

•keynote address | 2

many [People of Color] can relate to,” he said. “There are not many people that look like me, but there are some.”

Miller also spoke about some negative experiences with the Fredericksburg Police during his time in college.

This was a topic that the attendees were particularly interested in and asked him questions about. Despite his negative experiences at Mary Washington College, Miller does not hold it against the current university.

“Regarding the Fredericksburg Police, I think things have changed for better, just not as much as many would hope, including myself,” Tucker said. “At the end of the day, change is gonna come, but at what rate?”

William Moore, a junior communication and digital studies major and another member of the Black Student Association, agreed that there has been change.

“I believe that it has definitely changed just speaking on what I’ve experienced,” Moore said.

“Most of the law enforcement that I’ve met while being here is very approachable and nice.”

Miller talked about his career as a prosecutor, judge and later an adjunct professor.

He was eventually appointed

by Maryland’s Governor Larry

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Hogan to serve as an Associate Judge in District 9, Hartford County in Maryland.

“Hearing about Judge Miller’s achievements affected me in a positive way,” Tucker said. “I love to hear when others have done well in life and have achievements that help represent their success.

Honestly, the way he carries himself and speaks influences many. Before he even mentioned his achievements, I thought to myself ‘dang I can really learn something from him.’ I’m sure my peers and other attendees thought the

“A major key that I took away from his speech is that we have to live in today,” Tucker said. “Meaning that we have to make the most out of each day. We can’t dwell on the past nor is tomorrow promised, so we have to better ourselves each day. We have to stop putting things off and really work towards our goals. Also, I totally agree with change happening at the local level. We have to get to know our local officials for change to truly

occur.”

“Our local authorities are what we are closer to, so why not make necessary changes at home,” Moore said. “That would make our battle a little easier.”

Providence also felt like she learned a lot from Miller’s speech.

“The most important point that I took away is that it is important to always stay true to yourself and your heritage no matter what position or

career you choose to pursue,” she said. “Another point I took away is to not be afraid to be the first to do something.”

Moore said he benefits from Miller’s story.

“Judge Miller, being a man of color, gave us the opportunity to dive into his story and then gave us necessary tools to utilize in our battle for fighting racial injustice,” Moore said.

Black History Month calendar

“The most important point that I took away is that it is important to always stay true to yourself and your heritage no matter what position or career you choose to pursue.

Another point I took away is to not be afraid to be the first to do something.”

-Jordan Providence same thing.”

Judge Miller talked about three factors that are necessary to light the path forward: encouragement, engagement and empowerment. He told the attendees that real change starts at the local level.

7

SPORTS

Editor: Victoria R. Percherke | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

UMW students increasingly show interest in sport-related careers LEIGH HATTON Staff Writer

The University of Mary Washington’s 2020 First Destination survey showed that sports and leisure is one of the top 10 career fields being pursued by UMW students, according to instructor and career coach Mary Becelia. Over the past few semesters in particular, the university has expanded its offerings on these topics.

Since the athletic field is broad and has many different options, there are multiple pathways available for UMW students. Mary Washington offers a minor in sports management, and has recently introduced more sports-related courses, such as Introduction to Coaching.

Instructor and assistant director of Athletics, Caitlin Moore, shared that the sports management minor is the second most popular minor at UMW, directly after business administration.

Outside-of-class opportunities to learn more about careers in sports are expanding too.

“A large segment of the US population loves sports, we love athletes and athletics, and this is a field with something for everyone.”

- Mary Becelia

On Feb. 2, the College of Business hosted the virtual event “So You Think You Want to Work in Sports.” The event included UMW alumni speakers who work with the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour and the Kansas City Royals baseball team, among others.

UMW’s Center for Career and Professional Development can also be a useful resource for students who are looking to explore career options in athletics, according to Becelia. She said that UMW students have recently completed sports-related internships with various local organizations and universities, as well as through the University of Mary Washington’s own Department of Athletics.

Becelia urges interested students to start looking for reallife experience sooner rather than later, and to get to know mentors and peers on campus.

“Network with coaches and faculty, and with fellow students. This is a competitive area, not only for the actual athletes, but also to work behind Sports and leisure is one of the top 10 career fields that is being pursued at UMW. UMW Athletics the scenes. You

want to be prepared, passionate and ready to work hard to get your foot in the door,” Becelia said.

Apart from internships, students can gain experience during academic semesters via the Campus Recreation Department. There are jobs and trainings offered in a variety of subjects and positions. Campus Recreation hires students to work in the roles of attendants and personal trainers, as well as swim and fitness instructors.

Hannah Chester, a sophomore group fitness instructor shared how she came to consider working in this field.

“I never really imagined myself being an instructor, and I feel like I almost stumbled into it. I fell in love with it on my first day of training. With my case, I feel like it shows how easy it is for students to get involved in athletic-based fields of work,” Chester said.

Chester encouraged students interested in a sportsrelated career to take advantage of these on-campus opportunities. “I felt extremely welcomed in the Campus Rec environment, and you will, too. Get involved with Campus Rec in any way possible, and they’ll help guide you toward the right path for you!”

Chester said.

Even if none of these options sound exactly right, there are plenty of other ways to begin a career in a sports-related field. It comes down to each individual.

“A large segment of the US population loves sports, we love athletes and athletics, and this is a field with something for everyone,” Becelia said.

Moore shared a similar opinion on the matter.

“These can be very rewarding and impactful career paths,” Moore said. “Network and create your own opportunities! Each pathway may be different.”

‘Running for the Fun of It’: Campus Recreation’s new group fitness course ELIZABETH FOSTER

Running for the Fun of It is a new free group fitness class also described the positive impact running has had on her. “Running Staff Writer on campus led by Campus Recreation’s yoga and mindfulness is the way I start every day. It gives me so much and is a wonderful instructor, William Brooks. This spring, Brooks hopes to create a way to wake up and get your day started!” said Creamer. She states community of runners and help others enjoy running for the process, not just the end that running has made her happier, positive, and more confident. The evidence is goal. New runners are encouraged to join and will learn how to run just for the fun of strong that aerobic exercise helps to produce these mental states. For example, it. according to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, running and “I want others to enjoy running, but I know that is not always the case,” said exercise in general boost feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin and can Brooks. “We humans are so goal oriented, always attempting to accomplish something. decrease depressive symptoms.

The problem is that expectations are often disappointments under construction. What Creamer also described some ways in which running could be considered a if one just ran for the sake of running and enjoyed the process? That’s what I’m hoping meditative activity, stating that for her, running is a form of meditation and an effective that ‘Running for the Fun of It’ will provide – an opportunity to simply run and enjoy way to relax. “I believe that I am the most mindful and in tune with my surroundings it without layering it with goals and expectations.” when I am running,” said Creamer. “The time I spend running is distraction and worry According to Brooks, the class isn’t very structured: it’s just designed to create a free. I feel connected to my mind & body and fully present with my surroundings.” community of people running together. Brooks will lead the runs and offer pointers.

Any students that are interested in ‘Running for the Fun of It’ are encouraged to According to longevity researcher Dr. Rhonda Patrick, running daily for even register through Campus Recreation’s website. The class meets Tuesdays from 4 p.m. a short amount of time lowered mortality from all causes, but particularly from to 5 p.m. outside of the fitness center and requires no prior running experience. Masks cardiovascular and cancer-related issues. Similar research from the Journal of Progress are required. in Cardiovascular Disease found that runners, on average, live for three years longer than people who don’t run and have a 30-45 percent lower risk of dying early from various causes. Many UMW students enjoy both the mental and physical benefits of running. Kaitlyn Smyth, junior biology major and “What if one just ran for the sake of running president of the UMW running club, has loved and enjoyed the process?” running ever since her first triathlon in eighth grade.

- William Brooks This love for running led her to start the running club, which she created in order to develop a welcoming running community on campus. In her interview, she described some potential benefits of running for students in particular.

“Running can be extremely beneficial for college students, especially during the difficult time we are in as of right now. There is a lot of pressure on college students right now as they have to adjust to maintain their grades through virtual learning on top of keeping their health at a priority,” said Smyth. “Running can serve as an ‘escape’ for students as they can venture off to a new trail or route and focus on their mental health!”

“Running for the Fun of It” meets on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. outside of the fitness center.

Pexels.com Brenna Creamer, senior geography major and co-social chair of the running club,

Thursday, February 18, 2021

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