The Blue & Gray Press by The Weekly Ringer

THE

The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper

BLUE & GRAY PRESS Serving the community since 1922

VOLUME 94 | ISSUE 4

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

COVID conditions are worse than fall 2020 semester

PRIYA PATEL Staff Writer

There has been an increase in COVID-19 cases since the relative success last fall semester. On Feb. 12, an email was sent out to University of Mary Washington students conveying the concerns the university’s COVID-19 co-coordinators have about this semester. Students were told that there were more people in quarantine and isolation on the day that email was sent than at any time last semester. The co-coordinators also mentioned the threat of new variants of COVID-19 spreading across Virginia and recent surges in other Virginia colleges, some of which were forced to go remote. They asked that students continue to follow the health guidelines of monitor, mask, distance, clean, in hopes that students can remain on campus. “Getting that email did worry me because, while I’m online this semester, I still have friends who live on campus and who are in person, and I’m concerned for their well-being,” said Megan Allen, sophomore political science major. “It’s also alarming because I was hopeful after last semester’s relative success that it would carry into this semester, which would make it more viable for me to return to campus and do classes in person, but now I feel we’ve been set back yet again.” In the fall 2020 semester, there were

A sign of encouragement about COVID practices stands outside of the Simpson Library. Matthew Simmons / The Blue & Gray Press

only 48 cumulative cases of COVID-19 found among University of Mary Washington students and employees. During the spring semester, according to cumulative counts on the UMW COVID-19 Dashboard starting Jan. 1, there have been 36 cumulative cases as of Feb. 23. “What we’ve seen here and around the Commonwealth is a bit of an increase in cases, especially this early in the semester,” said Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, Associate Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Success and one of the University of Mary Washington’s COVID-19 cocoordinators. “That could be due to a

number of factors including the fact that most schools in Virginia are doing a lot more testing than in the fall, including required entry-testing.” “Most people just don’t care anymore because of how long things have been like this, as dumb as that is, and this is not aided by the vaccines because nearly everyone I know who is vaccinated immediately stopped caring about COVID despite explicit warning that they still need to take it seriously,” said Alexander Regan, junior political science major. The university will not shut down if cases increase. “There is always concern, but

one of the things we learned in the fall is that this may not be the best approach because sending students home risks spreading the disease further,” O’Donnell said. “As always, we will consult with and listen to our local public health and healthcare officials, as well as the direction of the Virginia Department of Health and the Governor.” Some students believe that the university should not have opened again for the spring semester. “I agree that sending students home might not be the best because they could spread it to their families,” said Mika Clincy, junior political science major. “But that’s why it was so imperative for the administration to have taken more care when deciding to bring the students back in the first place.”

“We have no knowledge of new variants or strains on our campus, although we’ve heard that we should expect them to be here in the coming weeks,” -Timothy O’Donnell Allen agreed with Clincy’s criticism of the university’s decision. “I think that was something they should have considered before bringing us back,” Allen said. “I agree that shutting down and sending us back home wouldn’t •COVID Worse | 2

With students frustrated by no alternate grading, UFC works on option for students struggling most

KAITLYN HUNDLEY Staff Writer

In response to an email that there will be no alternative grading option this semester, many students had concerns with the abrupt decision. But, an alternate grading plan for students with extenuating circumstances is in the works. Sarah Riddell, a senior computer science major, wrote a letter to the Office of Academic Services stating that she was not happy with the decision that was made. “I initially decided to write the letter because I saw, through the UMW meme page and various discord servers I’m a part of, that a lot of students were upset with the decision and felt that UMW didn’t really care about their mental health,” said Riddell. She then sent an addendum following the letter stating some additional concerns about the decision to not have an alternative grading option this semester. “With no alternative plan currently being offered or guaranteed...we have been left high and dry. It is disappointing at the least and infuriating at the most. We need our university to do better,”

IN THIS

ISSUE

The Office of Academic Services located on the second floor of Lee Hall. Emily Warren / The Blue & Gray Press

said Riddell. At least 70 people have co-signed Riddell’s letter thus far. Faculty and staff soon realized how concerned students were. On Feb. 16, students received an email from Dr. Andrew Dolby, University Faculty Council chair, that explained the process behind the

grad photos

decision to take away the alternative grading scale this semester. Statistics showed from last semester that “11 percent of all grades were ‘alternative scale’ last semester and 29 percent of students used the alternative grading scale for one or more courses,” said Dolby in an interview. According to Dolby, some professors

nationalist threat

Construction disrupts classic Far-right extremists have been senior photo settings. unchecked for too long. LIFE | 4

VIEWPOINTS | 3

were concerned that the alternative grading scale option may have hurt some students more than it helped them. “Some faculty were reporting that student effort really dropped off after the change to alternative grading was announced last fall,” said Dolby. Students were told about the decision Feb. 12, the day of the deadline to drop classes without a withdrawal on their transcripts. Dolby stated that the University Faculty Council has never been responsible for communication decisions with students, so this may be why the decision was made on the drop deadline. “I agree that the decision should have been announced earlier. We generally recognize the inadequacy and lack of coordination in some of the university’s communications and will all work as a team to do better,” said Dolby. Kyree Ford, a senior sociology major and president of the Student Government Association, hosted a Can We Talk? meeting with Dolby on Feb. 18. Ford stated that “the decision to take away alternative grading was made by the University faculty council on February 3. However, at this meeting, they did state that they would •GRADING | 7 have an option

fitness protocols Students complain about maskwearing in group fitness. SPORTS | 8

NEWS

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

THE

BLUE & GRAY PRESS

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

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 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

Number of Dean’s list students increases since switch to online classes

patrick brown Staff Writer

The number of students reaching the 3.5 GPA threshold to make the UMW Dean’s list has increased since the start of the pandemic. Between the spring of 2017 and fall of 2019, an average of 787 students made the Dean’s list each semester. In the spring of 2020, 918 people made the cut, and last fall 899 people made the list. The Dean’s list is broken up by college, and individual colleges are also seeing the trend. “I also noticed the small increase,” said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Keith Mellinger. “For the [College of Arts and Sciences] Dean’s list, it’s about a 5 percent increase from fall 2019 to fall 2020. It will be interesting to see what happens with spring 2021.” Some first-time Dean’s list students attribute their success to online classes. “I had not made the Dean’s list in the past. I think online courses were easier, and I think just the fact that I got in [the Dean’s list] when I had not before, proves it,” said senior Spanish major Liz Echevarria Serrano. Echevarria Serrano believes the decreased time spent on driving helped them. “I’m a commuter and I think the whole commuting part made me not focus as much on school as I did when I was able to just do everything from my house.” Mellinger acknowledged the struggles students are facing due to the pandemic. “I would like to think that UMW students have learned to adapt to the new world,” he said. “While things are undoubtedly more challenging for many of us, it also has heightened our attention to that which is important. Sort of like when somebody loses their eyesight and their other senses become stronger.” Some students did not find classes to be easier, but still made the Dean’s list. “I’ve been on the Dean’s list before,” said junior English major Rosemary Pauley. “I think online classes are harder because there is constantly work to be done so I don’t have as much down time as I did

A list of College of Business students who have been awarded to the President’s and Dean’s list for the spring 2020 semester is hung in the Woodard building. Emily Warren / The Blue & Gray Press

when I was taking in person classes on campus.” Some students felt that the online classes were challenging but helped them work at their own pace. “I made the dean’s list in the fall of 2019 as well,” said sophomore environmental science major Carolyn Wilmore. “I’ve found online courses to be harder regarding my comprehension of the material that I’m learning, but a little easier with managing my own time and workload. With many of my courses posting video lectures and online or asynchronous labs, I’ve found that I can take my time with the material and go at my own pace, but at the same time I personally don’t comprehend information as well in an online format compared to an inperson lab or lecture.” For some students, some aspects are harder and others are easier. “I have made the Dean’s List in the past and it was an immensely exciting achievement. It’s always nice to receive that notification,” said junior English major Marisol Powell. “I have to say that when we first started online, I found professors to pack on assignments as if to make up for our lack of in-class opportunity. This resulted in hours of unnecessary work and extended computer usage. My eyes suffered more than when we had inperson classes and I found my posture worsening as well as backaches.” Powell had different thoughts about the spring 2021 semester.

“I think most professors have learned from their mistakes,” she said. “The workload is more palatable and applicable instead of simply existing as busywork. I think it’s honestly doing too good of a job. Some classes are rather lax. I have found myself beyond bored this semester. There are no present challenges, which has left me a little stagnant. I’m actually considering signing up for free online classes offered by other institutions in tandem with my current schedule. I read for genuine enjoyment now which, I regretfully admit, is something I have not done in a long time.” For freshmen, online college classes are all they know. “I’m a freshman so this was my first time making the Dean’s list, and hopefully not the last time,” said freshman business major Zoe Harrington. “I only struggled with the workload of the online class last semester. I’ve taken online classes in high school using Canvas, so I found it super easy to navigate all the classes.” Mellinger commended students for their hard work. “I would like to think that UMW students have – in general – found a new level of focus on their learning,” said Mellinger. “They want to be in school and they want to finish. And they powered through the challenges of the pandemic. Again, this is only my opinion and not based on data. Whatever the case may be, I am very proud of our students right now.”

COVID-19 cases are rising in spring semester be wise with the uncertainty, but we knew about potential new strands before the semester had even started.” Students have been encouraged ever since last fall to follow protocols to minimize transmission of the virus. “I should say, our students have for the most part really done a great job of taking this seriously and following MMDC protocols,” O’Donnell said. However, Regan believes this is not always the case. “The student body does a pretty awful job for the most part and I’d wager we are following it even less than the

•COVID WORSE | 1

administration thinks we are, nobody listens to the ‘one person’ elevator rules, for example,” Regan said. Several new and more transmissible variants of the virus have come about since the fall and are now making their way through Virginia. This is one of the concerns of many colleges that would like to remain open, including the University of Mary Washington. “We have no knowledge of new variants or strains on our campus, although we’ve heard that we should expect them to be here in the coming weeks,” O’Donnell said. “Part of the reason we have so little knowledge is

that we are not well prepared as a nation to do the sequencing required to more closely monitor. Some of that capacity is just now spinning up in Virginia.” After learning about the concern of the COVID-19 co-coordinators, many students are wondering what will happen next. “Should things worsen considerably, we have and continue to refine contingency plans,” O’Donnell said. “Ultimately, it will depend on the circumstances and what UMW’s COVID-19 team thinks best addresses the situation in which we find ourselves.”

CORRECTIONS for THE Week

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

Thursday, February 25, 2021

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ize

VIEWPOINTS

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

American far-right: an underestimated threat

GABRIEL MATTESON Staff Writer

calls for action were completely in line with his past rhetoric, so this escalation on his part shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone. The truth is that it is only recently that the American far-right (and far-right adjacent collaborators) have been identified in terms of being threatening and only after the insurrection has any lip service been paid to considering them a serious national security threat. Before this the American far-right has largely been

political reflects that to a high degree. In this specific case, this cultural capital has afforded those who share On Feb. 13 Trump was acquitted of all responsibility this identity and who fight to further empower this for the events in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, where protesters cultural class with fraternization by those in the power contesting the 2020 presidential election results stormed structure. and occupied the United States Capitol Building. This was seen in action during the Capitol protests Trump’s acquittal has reignited outrage (from the as law enforcement officers clearing barricades, liberal and left-leaning sections of American society) clearing pathways, and encouraging the safe passage of and debates in national outlets such as The New protestors past their lines and into the Capitol building. York Times, USA Today, MSNBC, and The The protesters were largely viewed as Washington Post surrounding one question: a non-threat to the larger societal power How is the person responsible for it still structure and not in conflict with the walking free? status quo (on major fronts) and so were The answer is that, while Trump is culpable afforded the leisure to act as they wished to a certain extent, and his rhetoric acted in part with no state interference. to inspire those who marched on the Capitol, While this is reflected on the microhe is not solely responsible for the success of level with Capitol police assisting the the insurrectionists. The narrative that Trump protestors this is also the case on the orchestrated a sophisticated coup in an attempt macro-level. Security agencies have to seize power is laughable and misunderstands historically understated the threat of the the root causes that allowed this reactionary American far-right, as seen in practice movement to go forward. in 2017 when the FBI released a threat The more important question to ask returns to assessment that pointed to “Black the original national debate that was occurring extremists” as the most prominent before the collective liberal media sphere decided threat to the United States only a few to place sole blame on Trump. months after the far-right rally held in How were “violent extremists” allowed to Charlottesville. In this way cultural capital occupy the sacred halls of an American institution has acted in an invisible manner to simply in an insurrection against our democratic process? not prosecute the American far-right until There were multiple layers of administrative only a few years ago. leadership beyond Trump’s purview that could It is at all levels of politics the have stopped the protests in their entirety. American-far right has been afforded Specifically, the United State security apparatus preferential treatment and it is only A far-right mob stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. which, from the federal to local level, failed on though the direct demonstration of their Jason Andrew for the New York Times multiple occasions to address the security threat place in the societal hierarchy, via an act that the election protesters represented with any level considered a non-threat by the American political of symbolic violence against the very basis of our of seriousness. (This is in stark contrast to the over establishment. democratic intuitions, that any effort is being made to mobilization of law enforcement during the Black Lives This leads to the broader question “why has the address the danger they pose to our efforts at democracy. Matter Protests during the summer of 2020). American far-right been seen as a non-threat?” The Hopefully, after this occurrence, the eyes of the The Department of Homeland Security & FBI both answer is that the American far-right is, and has been, American public have been opened and further failed to release a security threat report ahead of the widely composed of members of the same societal class escalations by the American far-right aiming for the protests. The Capitol Police and the DC Metropolitan that possesses a great amount of cultural capital in our deterioration of our deomocratic institutions can be Police both refused offers from the National Guard society. avoided. Perhaps, even more importantly, a dialogue for additional support. Despite far-right organizers In short these are not “fringe extremists,” who exist can be begun on the fraternity and brotherhood shared organizing in public spaces on social media no Federal at the edges of American society, but part of a societal between the American far-right and American political agencies and or local law enforcement issued any kind in-group that enjoys fraternity and the blanket protection establishment and the special relationship it shares with of serious warnings in the days leading up to the riot. of willful ignorance on the part of the historical and the anti-democratic and reactionary elements in the As part of the effort to place the blame solely on one contemporary American leadership. These members are Republican Party. actor a false narrative has been developed that attributes classified by their whiteness, Christian background, and This an opportunity for the country to address the these failures to the fact that no one could account for most importantly deference to reactionary-conservative mistakes of affording decades of preferential treatment a President of the United States calling for violence politics and it is this identification that they share with to the American far-right, understand what it means and suppression of our democratic process. But as the power holders in American society. They are the to be deemed threatening by the American political multiple experts have pointed out, to exhaustion, online rule, not the exception. establishment and begin to build a stronger base for organizing for violence directed at Congress had been It is inarguable that the trend in the United States truly democratic institutions that embrace inclusiveness ongoing before Trump’s rally and, regardless of any has been to afford the highest societal rungs to those and progressive reform at all levels of governance. action or inaction by Trump, security agencies should who are white, Christian and reactionary-conservative have set up contingency plans. Beyond this, Trump’s in thinking. To this day, leadership both economic and

Staff Ed: The Blue & Gray print edition is an essential Mary Washington institution By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS The print edition of The Blue & Gray Press is a provides normalcy in a time when everything is digital EDITORIAL BOARD valuable and irreplaceable outlet of student expression at and the campus feels vastly different from the one we left in UMW. It is not enough for the newspaper to operate only March 2020. online. As far as sustainability concerns, we’ve cut down the number of printed copies In 2018, the Student Finance Committee attempted to pull print funding from The each week to account for less people on campus, which saves on waste. Each week Blue & Gray Press. Although they did not succeed, COVID-19 temporarily shut the we monitor how many paper copies are picked up to make sure we’re not printing too print edition down for the fall 2020 semester. many, and all papers not picked up are recycled by us. It is our opinion that being online only created a feeling of disconnect from the According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2018 newspapers had a work we published, both among writers and on campus. This negatively impacted the recycling rate of 64.8 percent. Because recycling is available to everyone on campus at quality of writing and the morale of the staff. Since the print edition began again this UMW, the number of papers recycled here is likely higher. spring, we’ve already noticed a positive difference. With a limited number of journalism-focused classes at UMW, writing for The Having a print edition holds writers and editors to a higher standard for the work Blue & Gray Press is the best way for aspiring journalists to learn and showcase they do. While online articles can be corrected in a second, mistakes made in print their work in a professional way. Besides the newly-reformed literary art magazine articles cannot be taken back. Once mistakes are in print, they require a correction in Aubade, The Blue & Gray Press is the only remaining print publication at UMW, and the next issue of the paper. its history stretches back to 1922. Many other prominent Virginia universities, such Seeing one’s work and accomplishments in print is exciting, and holding the as UVA, Virginia Tech and William and Mary, all have print student newspapers. As administration and the community as a whole accountable is more effective in print. the university attempts to align itself with the policies and practices of other Virginia Only having an online edition can make important news out of sight, out of mind. schools, eliminating the print edition of The Blue & Gray Press would only make us The newspaper connects the UMW community together and keeps students, staff less competitive and noteworthy. and administrators informed. It provides a way for all students to showcase their work, write about their passions and voice their opinions and concerns. The print newspaper

Thursday, February 25, 2021

LIFE

Editor: Erin Matuczinski blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Personal Essay: Campus has lost its beauty in my final year

CALEB PICARD Staff Writer

have yet to be inside seacobeck hall due to prolonged construction. The view from In 2016, as a junior in highschool, I started touring the wooded bridge connecting monroe to colleges in Virginia. I knew I wanted to go to school seacobeck has been prime real estate for in Virginia, but with that as my only criteria, I had beautiful photos as the overgrown foliage an intimidating number of options. With six tours creeps along the bridge. Now, on either scheduled, the biggest irony was that UMW was not a side of the bridge, all that is visible are school I had planned to see. Only after pulling off of 95 fences and the sounds of construction. for gas did we decide to meander around the campus. Another one of these foundational I instantly fell for the smaller campus concept, and felt locations to UMW lies in Ball Circle. proud to call this school my home away from home. Ball Circle has a huge place in my heart Now, five years later in my senior year of college, the where I celebrated every homecoming, campus I once fell for feels almost unrecognizable. With meeting with alumni and friends before construction projects occurring everywhere you look, the tailgate. Now due to the construction the once beautiful scenic campus we call home has been at Virginia Hall, Ball Circle has been reduced to a mosh pit of neon vests and construction disrupted by a horrendously ugly concrete Popular photo spots are now riddled with construction fences. sites. path on a campus whose pathways are Reese Place/The Blue & Gray Press Senior photos is a tradition that is all too familiar all red brick. As a sophomore and junior to those of us who live on campus. During the spring I loved Ball Circle and the memories I once was. Although construction has always been in the semester there are always seniors dressed to the nines made there stargazing or meeting new friends. Now all background, now more than ever it holds centerstage getting their photos taken at the places that make UMW I can think of is the concrete path tearing through the being unavoidable. With this in mind, I can’t help home. The fountain is one of these prime locations, grass. At this point it feels like a personal disservice to but think that when I come back to the school as an which is currently being disassembled. Coming to call it “Ball Circle” being that it no longer resembles a alumnus, I won’t recognize the place I once called circle. home. The fact that all these places that made my school a home are being torn into during my senior year leaves a bad taste in my mouth, especially as I come back to the school in hopes to have some semblance of a normal senior year. I know that we will never truly be able to go back to the way we once lived, but more than that It saddens me to think that there might not be another person who falls for the campus in the way that I did. Touring this campus in the spring was never on my agenda and I had never planned on even applying here, only after seeing how much can fit into a school of only 5,000, did I really fall for the school. Picard saving his graduation cap from the wind on the Lee patio. With greenery always only a moment away Reese Place/The Blue & Gray Press and a beautiful brick façade, there was UMW the fountain was one of our staple locations, with little that broke up my enjoyment of the campus when I it being a rule that you HAD to jump in the fountain first arrived. before you graduate. For seniors who never had a Now It seems a stretch to go five feet without chance to take a dip, there might not be an opportunity being disrupted by towering fences and the sound of to participate in this tradition. construction. I understand that these past few years have Seacobeck hall was once a staple location of UMW, been prime time to work on construction projects. With but now even after years of construction being halted less people on campus, now is the time to renovate and Hope remains that the fountain will be finished by graduation. and restarted repeatedly, fences litter the view from remodel. Even still, the scenic campus I fell in love Reese Place/The Blue & Gray Press College Ave. Even today as a fourth year senior, I still with as a high school junior is no longer the place it

Black history month Staff Picks: Our current favorite songs by black artists Pretty Girl Hi! - UMI Sensitive - Serena Isioma Deep Sea Diver - Angel Haze Ghost - Jaden Smith Love on the Brain - Rihanna Fast Car - Tracy Chapman Drew Barrymore - SZA To Zion - Lauryn Hill Make Me Feel - Janelle Mońae Paint - Anderson Paak Backseat Freestyle - Kendrick Lamar 4

No More ?’s - Eazy-E, Ice Cube Lose Control - Missy Elliot, Ciara Song 32 - Noname Forrest Gump - Frank Ocean Stuck in the Middle - Tai Verdes Tipsy - Chloe x Halle Red Nose - Sage the Gemini PYNK - Janelle Mońae Day ‘N’ Nite - Kid Cudi Home - Vince Staples This is America - Childish Gambino Thursday, Februrary 25, 2021

LIFE

Positivity Post brings light to students in dark times

PAUL THOMAS Staff Writer

The UMW Positivity Post is a weekly newsletter led by students. It is written and organized from dorms and bedrooms with the goal of spreading good news. Each issue of the Positivity Post is written on Google Docs, which is then distributed mainly through email and the Positivity Post Instagram account. Each edition is different in subject matter. The post includes many sections such as the “Pet Highlight,” which includes a story and pictures of a new pet each week and “Kindred Eagles,” a section devoted to uplifting news from around UMW. A recent issue of the post included a faculty and staff highlight on Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Cedric Rucker. It also The first issue of the year was posted on Jan 25, 2021. includes a highlight on Major and @UMWPositivityPost/Instagram Champ, two German shepherds that belong to President Biden. The Positivity Post was born in a For most sections, the post is largely social group chat for Writing Center composed of reader contributions. One consultants on April 3, 2020, during a of these sections is the Positive Gossip, time when the impact of the pandemic or POGOs, which are often thankful took a negative toll on many people. The notes for a professor or student. The consultants banded together with the writers of the post allow students to goal of connecting the community in a make POGO submissions, shoutouts positive way. After some deliberation, of faculty and staff, positive story they decided on creating a weekly submissions and pet photos via forms newsletter that included uplifting and linked at the end of each post. Along exciting things both at UMW and around with these forms, there is also a link for a the world. In the beginning, the focus positive listening playlist on Spotify that was having the post be something that anyone can add a song to. The playlist is could be enjoyed by students, faculty and updated weekly. staff not only from UMW but from other

schools as well. The UMW Positivity Post started with a goal to “share positivity to inspire smiles and to keep up the spirits of the UMW community,” said Giannini, a senior English major. As the creation of the post was almost a year ago, being born of the COVID-19 pandemic, the goals still have not changed. According to Cosette Veeder-Shave, a junior historic preservation major, “When we created the Positivity Post, we weren’t thinking super long-term. Things haven’t changed that much. Our goal is the same; bring some joy and positivity to a tough time.” Acknowledging that sometimes positivity can be overwhelming, the Positivity Post has been slightly modified since its creation. “I think it has somewhat evolved, mainly to avoid toxic positivity and to acknowledge the seriousness while also bringing happy stories to our readers. Other than this, our goal has always been to spread contagious smiles,” said Giannini. The first issue of the post was released on April 13, 2020. Since then, there is a regular subscriber count of around 150 people including students, faculty, friends and family. The Post has changed since its creation 10 months ago. It has brought on another writer to ease the workload for the group and the organization of the Post has changed to a slightly more professional style since the fall 2020 semester to allow for more

efficiency in the newsletter. Dr. Gwen Hale, director of the Writing Center, said, “I would like to see the post continue permanently, or as long as it is needed. And given the current state of the world, I think it is still needed.” Giannini agreed. “I would like to see the post continue – I think the world is tough enough even without COVID that something like this is worth continuing.” There is talk of making a club and taking on new members to continue the work. “The idea of formalizing this creation has been bounced around. The only reason it hasn’t happened yet is simply because we are all super busy,” said Veeder-Shave. Until then, there are options to make suggestions for the post through feedback to the email address for the post. On Monday, Feb. 22, the post released its 38th edition with team members Piper Giannini, Chloe Martin, Kassie Phillips, Eli Keith, and Cosette Veeder-Shave, as well as Dr. Hale. If students are looking to subscribe or have feedback for the post, they may email umwpositivitypost@gmail.com or follow the Instagram account associated with the Post, @UMWPositivityPost.

Celebrating family traditions during recent snowstorms DAVID STROBACH Staff Writer

With the recent winter storms and of course COVID-19, students and their families are staying home, enjoying their time together inside and continuing family traditions despite the inclement weather. For some, the pandemic means more time to celebrate their family cultures. “During either Thanksgiving or Christmas, the popular time to make them, sometimes my cousins, aunt, and mom will all gather together at one person’s house and form an assembly line to make Puerto Rican pasteles,” said junior English major Keona May. “Pasteles are basically Puerto Rican tamales except they take much longer to make as they require multiple steps. In short, they are made with pork and adobo stuffing and then are encased in a green plantain masa wrapped in green banana leaves.” For some students, cooking with their families is an activity that they have been doing for a very long time, but now have been spending more time cooking and baking. “These are the traditions I always remember doing, but recently it has been given more attention and time,” said junior Spanish major Alissa Flores-Valverde. “Before, we wouldn’t always all be involved. As a result, this past year we began our start-up called NuNa Andino, and as a family we always try to be creative and do activities related to our business.” For Flores-Valverde, the pandemic and staying home with her family has led to the creation of NuNa Andino, a mother and daughter-owned start up that specializes in serving Peruvian food for the soul all throughout Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. Their business is run through their Instagram account @nunaandino, where customers can preorder based on changing menus. Besides enjoying holiday foods and preparing dishes, some families play board games and enjoy each other’s company. “We usually stray away from the cold and hole

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Hanover Street hill filled with families sledding during the snow. Reese Place/The Blue & Gray Press

up and home, there are some cliches like putting on a movie and drinking hot chocolate,” said business administration major and fall 2020 Graduate Shannon Ghahramani. “Another cool thing my father and brother do is play backgammon which we attribute to our Persian heritage. I stubbornly refuse to learn and just watch. I like to contribute to the Persian card games like Rummy.” Some cultures celebrate the beginning of the winter season by celebrating the solstice. For Iranians and Persians, this celebration is called Yalda. Yalda translates to “rebirth” and it symbolizes the triumph of daylight over the night. For Iranian-Persians like Ghahramani, families come together and eat fruits, nuts and read Hafiz (Iranian) poetry. “Celebrating Yalda was new this year,” she said. “It was something I was always aware of but we never actively celebrated it. It was fun, I love pomegranates so it didn’t hurt that we had around six of them and I got to eat them the days following Yalda.” Such celebrations are ones that Ghahramani also recommends to everyone. “I would recommend a fun winter activity with the family or close friends if given the chance. It’s a great time and just brings everyone closer together. In regards to Yalda, it’s looked at as a celebration of the winter solstice, so really anyone can take their own

interpretation if they want to celebrate it and do it their own way. I really enjoyed it and definitely hope it will become a new tradition for our family.” Besides the board games and pomegranates, Ghahramani’s mother shared her lentil soup recipe, a traditional Persian dish. Ingredients 2 cups of lentils 6 cups of water 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 3 teaspoon turmeric 2 lemons 1 onion 2 cloves of garlic, diced 3 eggs 4 spoonfuls cooking oil 1 spoon of flour Instructions: Wash the lentils and drain the water. Slice the onion and garlic. Pour the cooking oil in a pot, add sliced onion and fry it at medium temperature until it looks golden. Add garlic, salt, pepper and turmeric to it and mix them. Add water and lentils to the pot. Add flour to a cup of water and stir it until it is mixed. Wait for the water to reach boiling temperature. Then add the flour to the pot. Let it cook for 30 to 40 minutes. After it is cooked, increase the heat to high, when water starts boiling, break the eggshell and drop the egg in the pot. Add lemon juice from the two lemons. Let the egg cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the stove . Let it settle for a few more minutes. Your soup is ready to be served.

Peruvian meals and treats @NunaAndino/Instagram

Weekend Events Thursday

Friday

• Employer event: Alternative • Reserve your copy of Aubade Paths Training School | Zoom, Literary and Art Magazine | 1 p.m. in front of Lee or Monroe, • Employer event: Catholic 12 p.m. Charities | Zoom, 1 p.m. • Ordinary Days @ Klein • R&Bingo | Zoom, 7 p.m. Theatre @ Klein Theatre, 7:30 • Reality TV Trivia | Zoom, 7 p.m. p.m.

Saturday • Downtown Greens Volunteering | meet at Bell Tower, 10:30 a.m. • MLK Day of Service | various locations, 1:00 p.m.

From SAE’s “The list of things you CAN do”: • Create a time capsule to remember this semester in 5 or 10 years • DIY (do it yourself) – make your own scrunchie or lip balm • Go through your clothes and either donate unwanted items to charity or swap with a friend • Grab coffee or tea with a friend • Introduce yourself to five new people by the end of the week

The Blue & Gray Press @theBlueandGray

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NEWS

#UMWTogether created to ease students’ stress

alyssa spenser staff Writer

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UMW Student Activities and Engagement (SAE) and James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC) have created a hashtag to bring the UMW community some much-needed inspiration, positivity and connection during these challenging times. The hashtag, #UMWTogether, is featured on the @saeumw and @umwjfmc Instagram accounts weekly. The #UMWTogether hashtag was created at the end of the fall 2020 semester and was posted every day of finals week to offer resources and reflective questions for stressed-out students. According to some, the posts were a cool way that the school was able to reach the students through a source other than email. “I follow a lot of UMW accounts on Instagram, and I remember enjoying the posts and knowing that there were other students going through the same thing that I was going through,” said Andrew Thomas, a senior environmental science major. “Doing finals at home was weird and uncomfortable at times, so it was nice scrolling through my feed and being reminded to stay positive.” Now the posts are uploaded weekly, continuing to remind the community that we are all in this together. According to the director of SAE, Sandrine Sutphin, the hashtag was not only made to keep students close when they were all apart, but it was also a way to help students gain coping skills and focus on their mental well-being during such a challenging time. The Director of the JFMC, Dr. Marion Sanford, was a pivotal person in creating and overseeing the implementation of the hashtag. According to her, the influx of student reports relating to mental health issues and navigating their education during

read and engage in these activities, it will help them build resiliency, have a better, more positive outlook, and feel encouraged that we will get through this as a community,” she said. However, not all students know about the hashtag, despite SAE and JFMC’s large Instagram following of over two thousand followers combined. Jamie Graham, a senior biology major, was one of many that confessed she didn’t know the hashtag even existed. “Honestly, I genuinely didn’t

“I love, love, love #UMWTogether, the kind and encouraging quotes are always a bright spot in my day.” Through #UMWTogether, Student Activities and Engagement and the James Farmer Multicultural Center aim to bring the campus community closer through social media posts. Hannah Unger / The Blue & Gray Press

the pandemic increased significantly before the start of the fall semester. “For many students, these stressors included feeling overwhelmed with the mechanics of remote learning, challenges of internet access, food and housing insecurities, financial struggles and other uncertainties about one’s ability to remain in college,” said Sanford. According to Sanford, JFMC teamed up with several other departments including the Talley Center, the Student Transition Program (STP), the Office of Disability Resources, the Office of Student Conduct and Responsibility, the Student Transition Program, the UMW Human Resources department and UMW Campus Recreation/President’s Council on Wellness. The most recent post displayed a quote by Gandhi that stated “be the change,” and it was paired with an article titled “How You Can Help During the Coronavirus Outbreak” by The Washington Post. The article goes

into detail about how one can support everything from non-profits to animal shelters in their community. The post continued: “So, as we, in 2021, move deeper into the midst of a global pandemic and social unrest, it is hopeful that we all can agree that ‘working together’ to recover society should be an avid part of our communal and personal action-plans this year.” The positivity of the posts is something that many students look forward to every week. Ainsley Rucker, a sophomore pre-law major, said “I love, love, love #UMWTogether, the kind and encouraging quotes are always a bright spot in my day. Seeing our small community come together under such hardships and still try to thrive makes my heart happy.” Sanford believes that through participation and engagement, these posts have the ability to positively help the UMW community. “We firmly believe that if students

Students upset with no alternate grading •GRADING | 1

for students to opt into if they had experienced great hardships during the semester.” Dolby also confirmed they are working on a new option for students with extenuating circumstances. “Some special options are being explored by the University Academic Affairs Committee for students who are severely impacted by COVID-19. There have been no details sent out about those options as of now, however, meetings are underway about exploring more options for students.” Every student will still have the alternate grading options offered in normal semesters. “Students will continue to have all the normal tools available to them, including switching graded credit to P/F, strategically withdrawing from courses, and asking professors for incompletes if COVID prevents them from completing work at the end of the semester,” said Dolby. The University Faculty Council is currently working on a The Student Government new form of alternative grading. Association requested help from Emily Warren / The Blue & Gray Press the student body by sending out an

Thursday, February 25, 2021

anonymous survey asking for their input about the alternate grading decision. The survey showed that “a vast majority of students would like to have alternative grading even if they don’t use it. Most students were in favor of alternative grading,” said Ford. Dolby offered other resources: “Students in true need of a lifeline will get it. Peer tutoring, Academic Services counseling, the Talley Center, and professors are ready to provide extra help,” said Dolby. Most importantly, Dolby wants students to know that they are not going unheard. “This is all heartbreaking for me. I really do love my students, and I personally try to be responsive to the students in my courses and always make sure they have what they need,” said Dolby.

-Ainsley Rucker know it was a thing.” When asked why the UMW community should care about the hashtag, Sanford communicated how important it could be to students in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know that COVID-19 has affected everyone in some way, causing us to reframe, restructure, reimagine, and refocus on how we continue everyday life and the responsibilities that accompany them,” said Sanford. “The tools and resources we are sharing help individuals put these stressors and issues in perspective, providing a bit of hope and optimism that we can get through this crisis, and other negative situations we may encounter.” SAE and JFMC are making efforts to uplift the UMW community during a time shadowed by a global pandemic. As the organizations further promote the posts to reach more students, the hope is that the constant positivity, resources and connectivity will be beneficial to students in the upcoming months.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD 36

Total cases since Jan. 1, 2021

Active cases

0.57

7-day average cases per day

422

Total prevalence tests Feb. 12-Feb. 18

Positive entry tests Feb. 12-Feb. 18

Student health center tests

Positive student health center test

37 of 38

Isolation spaces available

79 of 82

Quarantine spaces available

SPORTS

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

Joe Hatcher reflects on his successful seasons with UMW Men’s Soccer ZACHARY HOLLINGSWORTH Staff Writer

When Joe Hatcher, a senior business administration major and a member of the UMW men’s soccer team described his first time winning the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) championship, he couldn’t stop smiling. “I remember just being so nervous in the locker room since everyone was silent and focusing on the task at hand,” he said, about the team’s 2017 win. “I was substituted early in the game, and all I wanted to do was make my team happy, especially for the seniors who acted as my mentors. I wanted them to get their first CAC championship. The best part about the entire game was just storming the field and tackling all the senior players, and we just did not want to leave. We stayed and took photos in our new CAC champ shirts. It is one of the best moments I have had at this university.” Throughout Hatcher’s college athletic career, the UMW men’s soccer team has won the CAC championship every year. Due to COVID-19, all fall sports were halted in 2021. This led the team to have a final win in the CAC before the closing of the university due to the pandemic. “It was just one of those things,” he said. “It stings a little knowing we could not have the opportunity to go four straight years of winning, but we made our mark on the team, and that is all I could ask for.” Although Hatcher’s senior season has been canceled, he is happy for all the memories he can reflect on. “Scoring the game-winning penalty kick against Frostburg State to send us to the CAC final against CNU was an indescribable feeling,” said Hatcher, about his sophomore year accomplishment. The UMW men’s soccer team had the opportu-

“Soccer has always been a big part of my life, but it is crucial to find steadiness through all aspects of life, especially family and God.” - Joe Hatcher

nity to visit Costa Rica. There, they were given the chance to play against three local youth academy teams. Hatcher shares this story as being one of his most prideful yet nerve-racking moments while being a UMW college athlete. It was a new experience for Hatcher. “Both teams shared a love for the sport, and that was all that mattered,” he said. Despite all of the positives Hatcher shared, there were other obstacles besides COVID-19. “The hardest challenge related to the relationship between our teammates was that if we got too comfortable with our style of play, we could quickly become our own enemies, so we always had to come out strong,” said Hatcher. Regardless of the game at stake, Hatcher felt his team could take on any challenges that stood in their path. He spoke fondly of the team’s high morale. “We were constantly having fun and playing well,” said Hatcher. Hatcher was quick to praise his teammates, and he mentioned how they were willing to help out in any given situation. “These guys are the types of people you want around you for life,” said Hatcher. Not only did the UMW men’s soccer team enjoy each other’s company, but they immersed themselves in the Fredericksburg community. From playing on the field to off-field team dinners, or even helping out at the local homeless shelter once a week before COVID-19, Hatcher said he really valued the team’s commitment to the community. Joshua Everard, a fellow senior on the team, shared his experience being Hatcher’s teammate and friend. “Hatcher is an overall great guy and has added a lot to this program, on the field and off the field. I am glad to have had the chance to play alongside him,” said Everard. When Hatcher is not playing soccer, he also works as a social media coordinator for a local business. As a student and working athlete, he still maintains his academic performance, a fact which is reflected by his acceptance into Beta Gamma Sigma in 2019. He has also been named CAC all-academic yearly, recognizing good academic standing for student athletes.

Hatcher, pictured above, has helped the men’s soccer team to victory at the CAC Championship three consecutive times. UMW Athletics

For Hatcher, life has always been about balance.“Soccer has always been a big part of my life, but it is crucial to find steadiness through all aspects of life, especially family and God,” said Hatcher.

Fitness center faces consistantly low turnout with in-person classes KATE SOVERO Staff Writer

A change from last semester, Campus Recreation is offering indoor, in-person group fitness classes this spring. During the fall 2020 semester, Campus recreation only offered virtual and outdoor fitness classes due to adjusting to new policies, resulting in limited indoor spaces to conduct fitness classes. Campus Recreation will be offering a number of fitness classes that students and staff can attend in-person including Dance Fitness, High Intensity Interval Training (HITT), and Total Body Burn. The classes offered this semester have a maximum capacity of nine participants, compared to previous years where classe attendance could be up to 25 people. Throughout the first week of in-person fitness classes, Campus Recreation has noticed a significantly low number in attendance. Fitness instructors are struggling to attract students due to the protocols that have to be followed, such as wearing a mask during high intensity workouts. “I feel like I can’t exercise comfortably,” says junior education major, Haley Magee. “I want to be able to work out, sweat, feel good, and not worry about my mask coming down or being in my way.” Magee prefers going to other gyms in the Fredericksburg area, and performing athome exercises. Lily Salva, a junior women’s studies major, teaches in-person Total Body Burn, and talked about the first in-person class she taught the first week. “I taught a Total Body Burn class in-person and I only had one participant. What I have heard from other instructors, that seems to sort of be what is happening. Some instructors don’t even have anyone show up,” says Salva. Each class has socially distant spaces blocked off for each of the nine participants that attend a class. Instructors and participants will be required to to wear a mask throughout the workout with exceptions for water breaks. All of the equipment used during each class will be properly cleaned to ensure clean and safe equipment for the next class. Before entering the gym, Students and staff are required to show that they have completed the Covid health survey for that specific day. Senior geography major, Christopher Kostrzewa, says, “If it was not for masks, there is no doubt I would be at UMW fitness classes. Please know I place no blame on the University. I understand that wearing a mask is the policy, and I believe they are crucial in reducing the virus’s spread. Still, they are such a nuisance while exercising, and if I can avoid wearing them while doing so, I am going to.” Katherine Conner, a junior women and gender studies major who teaches Dance Fitness, encouraged students to get out of their comfort zone and give it a shot. “This class is super beginner friendly, and you don’t need to have any

Thursday, February 25, 2021

dance background. It makes you feel really confident, energized, productive, and motivated while feeling connected with yourself and the others around you. This class is so much fun it feels like a party, it doesn’t really feel like you are working out so much until it’s over and you realize you just got a good workout in.” said Conner Fitness instructors have made modifications to the workouts due to being masked during the duration of the workout, “All the fitness instructors have taken down their intensity level and things like that because we’re in masks. If that is a big concern for people thinking they can’t do a cardio workout in a mask, we all are taking it down a notch and giving more breaks and time to get water,” said Salva. Some students, like junior education major Annie Del Zingaro, said they feel safe going to group fitness classes. “I feel comfortable because I know that there are strict protocols in place: you have to wear your mask, there are so many water breaks to spread out the intensity, the fitness instructors encourage you to go at a comfortable pace, and all patrons have their own space to perform exercises,” she said. Campus recreation will still be hosting a variety of classes on Zoom as well as inperson. Over the next few weeks Campus Recreation and fitness instructors like Salva and Conner hope to see more participants in the classes, “I encourage people to give it a try. Although we all wear masks, the workouts are not as hard as people expect them to be. We really hope to gain more participants in all the in-person classes,” said Salva. The fitness schedule is located on the Campus Recreation’s Instagram (@ umwcampusrec) or the website, campusrec.umw.edu, for more information.

Everyone on campus must wear a mask at all times.

Tess Wilhem / UMW