The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

March 22, 2018

VOLUME 91 | ISSUE 19 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

Professor inspires undergraduate research for UMW student Sarah Goodnough Senior Writer

Over Spring Break, UMW Assistant Professor Pamela Grothe and student researcher Andrea Moore flew to Christmas Island in the Republic of Kiribati to conduct paleoclimate research.

“We will be servicing our loggers on the reef...and collecting fossil coral samples to bring home,” said Dr. Grothe.

The researchers collected data regarding ocean salinity and temperature

up to 90 percent of the coral reef at Christmas Island. Since then, researchers have been keeping track of the reef’s state.

“Most of the reef was dead, as was the last time,” said Dr. Grothe. “However, we are starting to see both new baby coral recruits as well as macro algae.”

The research conducted over Spring Break is a continuation of Dr. Grothe’s doctoral research, which involved the reconstruction of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over the past several thousand years. ENSO is the varia-

“My work aims to better understand if these events are happening more frequently and more strongly with global warming.”

Andrea Moore Pamela Grothe drilling into a 5,000 year old fossil coral. Dr. Alyssa Atwood (Georgia Tech) assisting the placement of the drill head.

-Dr. Grothe from the loggers and changed out the batteries to redeploy them. They also gathered numerous fossil coral samples. Once such sample was taken from a 5,000-year-old coral, measuring more than a meter in length. The samples will be used for paleoclimate reconstructions, which enable researchers to understand how past climatic events have affected the coral.

This trip was a collaboration with Georgia Tech and other marine biologists to monitor the reef, which recently underwent a bleaching event during the El Niño of 2015. It bleached and killed

tion of winds and sea surface temperatures over the eastern Pacific Ocean. It affects the climate of that region as well as causes damage to marine ecosystems, such as the coral reef at Christmas Island. By reconstructing these events, Dr. Grothe is able to examine past climate change to better understand how El Niño interacts with today’s climate.

“El Niño is a climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific where the trade winds weaken, allowing the warm water piled up in the western Pacific to flow back towards the eastern Pacific,” said Dr. Grothe.

•RESEARCH TRIP | 11

Local islander Alyssa Atwood, Pamela Grothe, Andrea Moore (left to right) holding the final meter long coral drilled from the 5,000 year old fossil coral head

Minority students feel underrepresented in SGA

Grace Winfield Senior Writer

On February 19, several minority clubs and groups attended a Student Government Association meeting and demanded that their voices be heard. At the meeting some of the groups did not feel like they were being heard.

“I showed up [to the meeting] ready to engage, but I felt as though the members of the executive SGA cabinet, well most, were not willing to do so and were actively trying to avoid many of the topics we were trying to bring up, such as hate speech on campus and taking responsibility in the wake of a national tragedy regarding gun violence,” said Alex Rudenshiould, who is currently running for SGA President. “It felt like they were trying to deflect from those points; I was frustrated.”

Rudenshiould was not the only student who felt disheartened after the

IN THIS

ISSUE

meeting. Students of multiple minority groups on campus that voiced their demands, including Brothers of a New Direction (BOND), Black Student Association (BSA), and People for the

forum was meant to educate and inform students on campus of the issues they felt went unheard at the meeting, continuing to urge SGA and UMW to take initiative on the concerns of safety and

“My biggest responsibility is representing the voices of all students on campus, and it is a big challenge for my role specifically.”

-Sarah Karwowski Rights of Individuals of Sexual Minorities (PRISM), hosted an open forum as a result of the disappointing response they felt they received from SGA. The

Selection SEASON

diversity.

Sarah Karwowski, SGA President, says that at times it is difficult to appeal to the student body while maintaining

formal FRENZY

the non-partisan approach SGA is expected to possess.

“My biggest responsibility is representing the voices of all students on campus, and it is a big challenge for my role specifically,” said Karwowski.

“One of the hardest things is I have to be neutral at times, because there’s a lot of different opinions, so I try not to choose one side or the other. I know for a lot of people that’s very frustrating, but when I’m representing a mass of students, I can’t choose sides.”

Some SGA members suggest that people of minorities that feel marginalized by the school and SGA should run for committee and senate positions to ensure their voices are heard, though there are also those amongst SGA members who disagree.

“I don’t think it’s their fault nor their responsibility,” Matt Good, SGA Director of Communications and is also running for SGA President, •SGA | 2

BOUNCE BACK

Students share details about housing options.

Spring formal ticket sales cause stress for students.

Women’s Lax looks to bounce back after tough loss.

LIFE | 7

VIEWPOINTS | 5

SPORTS | 3

NEWS

Administration to host forums in response to students conversations

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 Kelly Emmrich

MANAGING EDITOR Tessa Cate

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Izzy Briones

VIEWPOINTS Ginny Bixby

LIFE Lauren Closs

SPORTS Ryan Brauch

ONLINE Es Hethcox

PHOTO Cayley McGuire Kyrstiane Urbaniak

Business Team Linda Fitzpatrick Janelle Behm

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

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Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Izzy Briones | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

said about the suggestion. tirely from scratch to create a constitucommunity. The choices this university “It’s our responsibility to reption that would better appeal to student makes creates its reputation, and hanresent them.” concerns, as well as creating a more efdling incidents like the Patriot Front Rahima Morshed, a representative ficient SGA. stickers is a clear choice that can sway under the SGA’s Diversity and Unity Good also agrees that the SGA does this university’s reputation. They’re Coordinating Committee (DUCC), says not accurately represent the student showing support for all students, but the reason body. with that, they are keeping an atmoshe ran to “For sphere of uncertainty and uneasiness for be elected one, I students who identify as minorities.” was prethink that Lillian Salamone, PRISM treasurer, cisely to because contributes her opinion of the universienforce students ty’s recent responses. that poc’s have told “I feel like taking stronger measures like herme that to define the attitude that is or isn’t welself, as they don’t come on campus would help,” said Salwell as feel repamone. “The university talks a big game those of resented,” about diversity, but it feels like the acthe LGBTQ community, concerns be said Good, referring to his interactions tion is lacking.” heard and resolved. with concerned students. Good continThe Office of the President and the “I personally have been dealing with ues, “We currently have the DUCC, but SGA are currently hosting “UMW: Can my own issues in terms of diversity inunder the current system they haven’t we talk?” forums in hopes of strengthclusion, more on the academic student been supported as well, but the new sysening the relationship between the stusafety side, and I realized I wasn’t the tem gives them power in the senate to dent body, the SGA, and the adminisonly one, and I wanted to emerge mypush those concerns and ideas through. tration. self in a situation where I can handle my Hopefully under the new constitution, “In the days and weeks right before problems, but address other students’ SGA will more accurately represent the Spring Break, as a result of several inissues as well,” said Morcidents on campus, stushed. dents had shared a variety Besides Morshed and “I want the SGA to be a center of power on of concerns to several a few others, the majority who work on campus, and not an extension of administration individuals of the SGA and the excampus. I personally was ecutive cabinet are white on campus, even if it is an association within feeling frustrated that I students, leaving minoridid not have more direct the institution.” ty students feeling very conversations with these underrepresented. students to hear and learn “I don’t believe the more about their UMW -Alex Rudenshiould SGA represents the stuexperience,” said President body as a whole, but dent Paino when asked this isn’t necessarily the what initiated the forums.

SGA’s fault,” said Jason Ford, BOND student body.”

“At the same time, SGA had been reVice President. “The majority of stuAside from the SGA, members of ceiving feedback on a variety of issues dents aren’t aware, or just don’t care, marginalized groups are even more and was searching for more ways to that the SGA has a handle here on camdisappointed with administration and engage students in important conversapus.” its statements and responses to recent tions.”

Ford continues, “Most students don’t events on campus, as well as national Paino continued on to say, “As a result vote or take part in important adminiscrises aforementioned, interpreting the of several conversations over the break, tration to student handlings, for a lack university’s ambiguity as an attempt to the administration and SGA agreed that of better term. I’m not saying there is preserve its image. we need to create more opportunities to not fault on the SGA. Their use of trans“Students felt the university wasn’t have important dialogue. Therefore I am parency and appeal to the student body being clear on where it stood,” says grateful that SGA agreed to co-sponsor is nowhere near optimal. SGA members Karwowski reflecting on her take from these talks so I can have more direct must understand that the student body is the February 19 meeting. conversation with students about issues more or less a social environment that Students are being clear on what they that concern them. I can only respond has other concerns away from matters want. “I want SGA to listen to us. I want to student concerns if I gain a better unthat in most cases directly affect them.”

SGA to bring our concerns to adminisderstanding of where they are coming Karwowski agrees that under the tration in a way which is not framing us from. Understanding comes from liscurrent system SGA does not represent as being a bother, but frames us as betening first. I also am grateful for the the student body. ing legitimate concerns,” says Rudenshopportunity to share information about “That’s why we did a constitution iould. “I want the SGA to be a center of what the administration is doing to reupdate, because when I started my term, spond I knew about a lot of the inefficiencies to these in the constitution, so at the beginning c o n of last semester, I put together a task cerns. force to get together to fix what wasn’t D i a working.” logue is Leading that task force was Good, so imwhere he says he and five other team portant members held formal and informal foin our cus groups to ask students about their ongoing main concerns and their relationship effort to with the SGA. What they found was create that many students did not know what power on campus, and not an extension a more diverse and inclusive learning the SGA was or how to get in contact of administration on campus, even if it community.” with them, and that if they did, they is an association within the institution.

The next forum is scheduled for still were not comfortable with turning Ford holds the school liable, saying March 27 at 7pm in Chandler Ballroom, to the SGA for help. With the data they “I do believe UMW can do more to supand all students are encouraged to atacquired, the team decided to start enport people of color and the LGBTQ tend and contribute.

•SGA | 1

“The university talks a big game about diversity, but it feels like the action is lacking.”

-Lillian Salamone

“Therefore I am grateful that SGA agreed to co-sponsor these talks so I can have more direct conversation with students about issues that concern them.”

-President Paino

CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Kelly Emmrich, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

SPORTS

UMW women’s lacrosse tries to bounce back after tough first loss of the season against Gettysburg

ALEXIS ZIRPMOULIS Staff Writer

On Thursday, Mar. 15, the University of Mary Washington’s women’s lacrosse team was defeated by first-ranked Gettysburg College with the final score ending with 12-4. The tough loss against Gettysburg College sadly broke Mary Washington’s seven game winning streak, forcing the University of Mary Washington to currently fall 7-1 for the season.

Gettysburg College had won their previous games of the season by leading the score with all of their opponents by at least 12 goals. Throughout the entire game Mary Washington demonstrated tough defense skills and showed great quality teamwork. The first four goals were scored by Gettysburg College, though junior, Mackenzie Maguire was able to get Mary Washington on the scoreboard with an awesome free position shot. junior, Allison Davis eagerly helped raise Mary Washington’s score to 4-2 during the first half yet, Gettysburg College fought back stronger, ultimately receiving the last goal of the half, resulting in a close score of 5-2 at halftime.

Quickly into the second half Mary Washington senior, Holly Hudson scored a free position shot and Gettysburg

College shortly followed with five goals back to back, resulting in the score being 10-3. Allison Davis fearlessly scored another goal for Mary Washington with only 3:30 remaining in the half, which brought the score to 10-4. Bitterly Gettysburg College was able to score two more goals during the final half which resulted in the final score of the game ultimately ending with 12-4.

Despite the tough loss, this has been an outstanding and remarkable season thus far for Mary Washington’s women’s lacrosse team.

“Each season is completely different from years past, but this season is going really well. We lost some really dynamic players last year, but so many people have stepped up to fill their roles,” said Sarah Hampton comparing this season to their previous years junior defense player.

The team has a dynamic routine which they are expected to strictly follow before each game. Participating in the routine before games allows for the players to positively prepare and reflect before each game. The team also spends a significant amount of time together studying their opponents so they know what to expect prior each game as Sarah Hampton mentioned, “Before each game,

our coaches make a comprehensive scouting report on our opponent. It details their offense, defense and other aspects that are important to know before stepping on the field. We also watch film that helps us prepare for what to expect.”

“We do a lot of bonding on and off the field. We are there for each other and are each other’s biggest support system. Outside of seeing each other at practices and games, we also do a lot of community service work together. It can be easy to get caught up in school and sports, so getting out into the community and serving others helps us refocus. This year we volunteered at the Fredericksburg Food Bank and also with the Friends of the Rappahannock,” said Hampton when asked if the teams close knit relationship off the field contributed to their successful season so far on the field.

Hampton, also shared her thoughts and hopes for the teams future this season, but stressed that she believes remaining concentrated on one day and one game at a time is a major component to the teams successful future.

“We have so much talent on this team and a lot of potential. We just have to

focus on showing up everyday and doing our best and the pieces will all fall in place. We would love to win a title, but we have to concentrate on one day and one game at a time,” said Hampton.

The University of Mary Washington’s women’s lacrosse team will face off against Messiah College at 1pm on Saturday, Mar. 24, on their home field.

UMW women’s lacrosse

UMW SAAC

Women’s tennis team looks to move forward after losing their six game win streak

KELSEY SHEFFER Staff Writer

The sixteenth nationally ranked UMW women’s Tennis team lost their six game win streak during their first home game since arriving back from California.

The beginning of the season has been the strongest the women’s team has seen in years; however, once the team returned home to play MIT on Friday, disaster would strike leaving the team with a 6-3 loss in every game of the weekend.

UMW held the advantage over the eighteenth ranked MIT on Friday during the doubles matches with a three to two win. This was in part thanks to seniors Ashley Barrow and Kait Brogan who took home a 8-6 win over the MIT Women’s Tennis Team. Ashley and Kait are both first team AllCAC Doubles players. Caroline Mosberg and Rachel Summers also helped lead the team with

their 8-6 victory.

However, it was not until singles matches that the pace of the game would change. The Eagles were defeated once MIT grabbed a 4-3 advantage and had two matches going into the third set. Kait Brogan, named two time CAC Player of the Year and VASID All State First Team in Singles, lost to MIT’s Nithya Kanagasegar 6-7 and 1-6. Rachel Cooperfell, freshman and former high school all state player, went into the third set and fell, 1-6, 7-6, 6-4, leaving MIT to gain a victory over UMW. The UMW women’s Tennis Team looks to be in good shape even with their recent losses.

Last year, the team won the CAC Champion and made a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles are also retaining six starters, five of which being first and second team

players as well as the reigning two time CAC player of the year, Kait Brogan.

These ladies have spent countless hours during their off season in the weight room as well as participating in team building activities which will help them prepare to maintain their 14 year streak of CAC Conference Championships. The team also has goals of reaching the Elite Eight of the CAA tournament as well as finish 15th nationally this year. Ashley Barrow, senior, states that she is “excited about all the opportunities the schedule has to offer” as well as seeing what her team can do with their amazing potential.

Come see these fierce ladies during their next game at the UMW Tennis Center on Saturday, Mar. 24 at against Centre.

Ashely Barrow swings at the ball.

UMW Athletics

Daniella Mirabella reaches for a forehand.

UMW Athletics

Weekly Scoreboard baseball

Men's lacrosse

Mar. 15 vs. Bridgewater (T) UMW: 5 Bridgewater: 5

softball

Mar. 18 vs. Eastern Mennonite (L) UMW:5 EMU: 1

Men's Lacrosse

Mar. 17 vs. Geneseo (L) UMW: 9 Catholic: 11

Mar. 24 @ St. Mary’s (Md.) TBA

women's lacrosse

women's lacrosse

Mar. 15 vs. Gettysburg (L) UMW: 4 Gettysburg: 12

Mar. 24 vs. Messiah TBA

baseball

Mar. 24 vs. Marymount TBA

softball

Mar. 254 vs. Lancaster Bible TBA

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VIEWPOINTS

UMW’s unique qualities are what makes it valuable ALICEN HACKNEY Staff Writer

During the January 31 University Faculty Council meeting, President Paino commented on the perspective growth of the school, but in doing so implied that he was having trouble finding what was valuable about the Mary Washington experience.

“We need more students applying to college proactively saying,‘I want to go to Mary Washington,’” said Paino, “I don’t think we can say we have enough experiences to say that,‘this is what Mary Washington is about.’”

In reality, there is so much that is unique and valuable about the UMW experience.

Each and every student has a reason to be here, a reason they chose this university over any other. In this article, many of these reasons will be highlighted.

When looking at colleges, many students focus on the options and availability of majors. Personally, I was looking for a college where I could pursue and major in journalism, and I found a specific kind of experience here. Mary Washington’s offer for students to be able to create special majors is unique, and merely adds to the list of other already available majors.

“When I showed interest in business during visits before freshman year, the advisors were so helpful. They gave me all of the required information and helped with suggestions for outside of class opportunities,” said sophomore Justine Purdy.

UMW professors notably do all they can

to make sure students have the resources and information they need to make the right choices about their majors. This is part of what makes UMW great.

“I really appreciate the inclusivity at Mary Washington; like how there’s no audition to get into the Theatre Department. It made it a lot easier for me when I decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do anymore,” said senior Sarah Jones. “Also, FSEM advisor and professor/student relationships are so unique at UMW, and it just wouldn’t work in a larger setting.”

Another incredibly important aspect of student life at UMW is the location and overall closeness of a no-car campus. It only takes 20 to 25 minutes for the average student to get from one end of campus to the other at a diligent walking speed.

“When I visited other colleges, places like George Mason were just too big.

Sometimes their students had to catch a bus to get to classes or they had to walk upwards of a half hour across campus,” said Purdy.

“Transitioning from high school to a compact campus was extremely appealing to me,” said Sarah Jones. “This is the perfect university for people who didn’t want the large campus feel of places like JMU or GMU.” The consensus across campus is that the most important aspect of Mary Washington is its size. The small class sizes are incredibly unique and important to the education UMW offers. With many

classes capping around 15 to 30 spots, students get a specialized experience, more one-on-one time with professors, and more in depth feedback about assignments and writings. By accepting an increasing number of students in coming years, Mary Washington is risking losing the valuable small class sizes and overall space on campus that students so appreciate. This poses a potential problem.

“It’s more important to grow by ensuring all majors and departments have space and buildings for classes and offices, by adding professors and class options, and by increasing the number of writing and speaking intensive classes,” said Sarah Jones. “There is already a lot of competition for spots in classes as it is.”

“One of my favorite things about campus is that you can go out and sit on a bench and relax, listen to music, or watch wildlife, and often there aren’t too many people,” said Purdy.

As for the social life on campus and in Fredericksburg as a whole, the area tends to be calm and the night life isn’t terribly exciting. While that can be seen as a bad thing on larger campuses, Mary Washington students place higher importance in the educational experiences and down time on weekends for studying and spending relaxed time with friends.

“It’s more about living life and learning, than about the movie college experience,” said Sarah Jones.

“Our mental health is important, and it’s important for students with anxiety to

have the space they need to live and study successfully,” said senior Tori Power.

There are many ways we could expand that would benefit the students already here socially, physically, and mentally. Some examples would be adding a football team, adding the option for more single rooms on campus, and adding more classes at times that work better for students with outside jobs or kids, like night classes.

“A good way to expand would be to increase handicap accessibility across campus. Solutions could be to extend the width of the sidewalks, add wheelchair ramps, and get golf carts with better accommodations in order to pick up wheelchair students,” said senior Melissa Kong.

While the idea of growing in the coming years is appealing, we cannot let our eyes get bigger than our stomachs. Mary Washington is already such a unique and beautiful campus with a special kind of educational experience. Our focus needs to be on growing from within and celebrating the aspects of UMW that are already so great.

“The historic integrity and size are what put UMW on the map, it wouldn’t be good to take that away,” said Power.

“By expanding, UMW would be losing its uniqueness that attracts certain people,” said Kong.

“I hope, moving forward, UMW keeps its small school and community feel,” said senior Camille Jones.

Gen Ed requirements should be more flexible JESSICA LINK Staff Writer

College is often promoted as being the perfect place to find yourself and figure out what you love to do. General education requirements are typically a way for students to dabble in subjects they normally wouldn’t consider and find out if they love it or hate it. On the surface, general requirements seem great for every college to have, but looking deeper, are they really worth it or just a waste of time?

In high school, we all had classes that were required in order to graduate, like completing certain levels of math, science, foreign language, and English.

These varieties of subjects usually produce well-rounded students who then move on from high school with a general understanding of where their academic strengths and weaknesses lie.

For example, after struggling through the required years of math in high school, in addition to a few extra classes to buff up my transcript, I realized that I’m naturally bad at math. Now that I am in college, I find myself facing the prospect of struggling through two more math classes, even more advanced than I those I took in high school, just because UMW requires students to complete six Quantitative Reasoning credits. I want to go to law school, not become a

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mathematician. These classes will only add unnecessary stress and possibly poor grades to my transcript.

Gen Eds that don’t contribute to a student’s desired career field – or even in similarly related fields – can be seen as an expensive and frustrating waste of time, especially given the fact that it takes away from time that could be spent in classes that students are highly interested in.

Sasha Kelley states that gen eds “can add stress” and specifically resents the foreign language requirement.

“I would rather focus on other classes that are more important,” said Kelley.

In favor of general education, there is definitely something to be said for branching out and considering new subjects. Kelly Evans freshman at Mary Washington says, “I enjoy how gen eds allow us to explore, however I feel the required foreign language takes away from that.”

There could be a new approach to general education that hasn’t been looked at by the university yet. Would it be plausible for different majors to have different gen ed requirements? Or possibly provide interdisciplinary classes that meet requirements but can broadly be applied to many majors and career fields?

Norm Shafer/SmugMug

UMW requires students to complete several general education credits in various subjects across disciplines.

A good example of an alternative gen ed program can be seen at the City University of New York. According to the university’s website, students have three options when it comes to required classes. First, they can choose to take the “common core” which is a standard gen ed program requiring 12 credits consisting of English, math, and science classes.

Also available to students is the “flexible common core” in which 18 credits are required in World Cultures and Global Issues, U.S. Experience in Its Diversity, Creative Expression, Individual and Society, and the Scientific World. Finally, each individual college within the university has their own general education program that students can opt to take.

This is a great example of a flexible and inclusive general education program.

In some cases students feel their

college experience is enriched by gen ed classes. Sometimes students go into a class thinking they will hate it and end up completely loving it and taking more classes in that discipline later. However, this cannot be applied to every case. For someone who struggled with math all through high school, I can confidently say that I will not walk into a calculus class and fall in love with it.

Encouraging – even requiring – students to take general education classes definitely contributes to their overall education. However, we need to take a serious look at how these programs are structured and if more flexible alternatives may be more beneficial to the students. Creating a more fluid and inclusive educational environment can start with general education.

Thursday, March 2018 Thursday, January 21,22, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Ginny Bixby | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Spring Formal ticket sale process causes stressful frenzy

MARY PRAUGHT Staff Writer

What comes to your mind when you hear the words “school dance?” Maybe it’s repressed memories of middle school dances with uncomfortably bright lighting and teachers just a little too close within ear shot. Or maybe you’ve realized they can actually be a lot more fun than they used to be and you start getting excited to wine and dine, dance the night away with everyone dressed to the nines, and destress from those essays due next week.

Last week Class Council had tickets for sale from Wednesday, March 14 through Friday, March 16 for the University’s annual Spring Formal, but not everyone’s dreams of breaking loose on the dance floor will come April 6.

Students around campus quickly became frustrated with the ticket-selling process, as they had to wait in three hour long lines with no guarantee of being able to purchase their tickets.

Claire Marsala, a sophomore, had heard about Spring Formal through a Facebook ad last year, and decided she would go again after having such a fun time.

“The problem,” said Marsala, “is the ticket process is a disaster.”

Tickets were sold in stages across three days. Each day one hundred blue raffle tickets were handed out to the first hundred students in line, who could then exchange their raffle ticket for Spring Formal tickets they could then purchase with cash, check, or Eagle One. Anyone who was in line after the one hundred mark cutoff would have to come back and wait for their chance another day.

“There are only 300 tickets available for a school of nearly 5,000 students, besides those in class council who I believe get tickets set aside for them.” Claire explained, “You have to stand in line for hours just for the chance to get a ticket.”

Students would often get in line several hours before ticket sales were scheduled to begin, hoping they would have made it early enough to be one of the day’s lucky hundred to receive a blue ticket.

A classic Willy Wonka style ticket frenzy.

“I made my first attempt at getting tickets on Thursday” Claire retells. “I got in line at 3:30, and there was already a line of about 55 people in front of me. I waited until 4:30 [but] unfortunately, they ran out of tickets about 4 people in front of me. I decided to try again the next day.

On Friday, I woke up early to get in line by 9:30 (ticket sales started at 12). When I got there, there were already about 10 people in front of me.”

Marsala’s experiences weren’t even the most extreme among her fellow students, stating that some students had gotten there around 8:30am or earlier. People started joking they should have stayed the night in the UC lobby so they would be there first.

“I sat in line until around 10:45 when my boyfriend took my place, so I could go to my 11:00 class. After my class, I ran back to the UC to get back in line, so he could go to his 12:00 class. By 12:15, I

had two Spring Formal tickets in my hand, and I needed a nap,” said Marsala.

Tiffany Lower, a senior at Mary Washington who attended the Spring Formal her sophomore year decided to treat herself by attending the dance one last time before graduation. She, like many other students who went through the process, has her own possible solution to try and coral the chaotic ticket sales.

“I really liked the idea of handing out the blue tickets to signify when the line would cut off so people didn’t have to waste time standing in line if they couldn’t get one,” said Lower. “I would have a set start time when people could start standing in line. As in, tickets will be sold at 2 pm but students couldn’t start lining up until 1pm. This could be more fair to people who have classes in the morning and they wouldn’t have to skip them to just get a good spot in line.”

The fact that students, especially seniors like Lower who are hoping to make it to the Spring Formal for nostalgia’s sake before graduation, should have to wait in line so long they have to take shifts with their friends or significant others, possibly running through lunch or class time, is ridiculous.

“I think people are never satisfied no matter what happens,” said Lower. “I also think that maybe since the process wasn’t clear prior to the tickets being sold made some people upset.

While it’s understandable that such an elaborately planned (and surely costly) event needs to be limited for budget’s sake it seems that the Class Council needs to essentially lower the demand for these tickets. With a school of about 5,000 students, they either need to increase the numbers of people that can attend the event, increasing the likelihood of being able to buy a ticket in the first place, or limit, unfortunately, the event to certain class years to help more evenly control the number of people going through such a process, while still building a sense of excited interest in the hopes of attending the Spring Formal later in your college career, just like high schoolers anticipate attending prom for the first time.

Perhaps the issue could be solved with a secondary event.

“I think they should accommodate more students. I understand that part of the intrigue is the elitism, but it’s not really fair. If they want to have a formal that’s available to everyone, everyone should be able to go,” Marsala said. “Another solution I think would be to have another spring formal that’s on campus like fall formal. That way, if you’re not able to go to the fancy spring formal, at least you could go to that one.”

Clearly the process of something as seemingly simple as purchasing tickets for a school dance did not go as smoothly as, surely, the Class Council planned it to. Understandably students were not happy about it. Conducting such a large scale event each year inevitably brings new challenges with it, but here’s to hoping Class Council will have a new and improved process for Spring Formal ticket sales come this time next year.

Staff Ed: Feeling safe in school is essential

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

On the morning of Tuesday, Mar. 20, less than 100 miles from where the March for Our Lives is set to take place on Saturday, Mar. 24, an armed student injured two other students at Great Mills High School in Great Mills, MD. Across the country, the city of Austin, TX was terrorized by multiple bombings. Though both perpetrators have been stopped, the country is still reeling. Feeling safe in one’s own school and home is not only important, but essential. These tragedies have reminded the community that safety is a collective effort. Questions or concerns about safety on campus can be directed towards the UMW police department, located in Brent House, or at the “UMW: Can We Talk?”

forum taking place on Tues, Mar. 27 at 7p.m. in the Chandler Ballroom. This forum is an excellent opportunity to speak with administration to address issues in the UMW campus and community.

The Blue & Gray Press wishes to reiterate that it stands with students participating in the March for Our Lives in Washington, DC. We encourage students to speak up about their beliefs and push for the change they wish to see in the community, the country, and the world. No person is too small to make a difference, and is incumbent upon those who wish to see change to be persistent and resolute in the face of adversity.

Arming teachers would protect students in active shooter situations ALEXIS ERB Staff Writer

Teachers are usually concerned with wanting students to shoot for straight As, but now they are worried about whether they should be carrying a weapon to protect students. According to Debate.org, 56 percent of people believe that teachers should be armed and an underwhelming 44 percent say that teachers shouldn’t.

However, teachers, the very people being discussed, have their own opinions about this polarizing topic. A study held by the News & Observer asked teachers in North Carolina how they felt about guns at school. A jaw dropping 78 percent of North Carolina teachers were against having weapons that could save peoples lives in tragedy such as Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. This startling fact raises a question: What is considered a priority of safety for the children these teachers look after every single day? If teachers don’t feel they should be armed then should there be more resource officers on a given campus to protect the defenseless students?

A Los Angeles Times writer named Paul Thornton, said “putting guns into classrooms would only create more problems than it might solve”. According to the article it was also stated that “ the article was swift and almost completely one-sided”. The writer for the Los Angeles Times therefore didn’t represent the side of the people who want teachers to be armed which is a social injustice to the public to disregard the other side of a important controversial debate.

Many teachers and school officials think that instead of arming teachers, there should be more school resource officers and/or police officers. Based off the poll held by the News & Observer, this would

be the best bet for the security of the students. However, the most recent school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School had a armed resource officer right outside the entrance of the school.

The officer failed to go into the high school and take down the gunman that killed 17 students. Because of the officers selfish acts, 17 families are without their children they will never see again. They will will never see their children graduate high school or college or get married.

So for any school official or teacher that would rather take chances on a resource officer that may act in a time of need or cower in a corner, remember those families that have lost a child.There are benefits to having resource officers in schools, but if they don’t do their designated job, then who will? If teachers don’t want to assume the responsibility and some resource officers won’t do their job then who will protect our children from threats at school?

The best chance the children in our schools have right now is our teachers.

Some people oppose the idea because of fear of a teacher accidentally shooting a student or a student getting ahold of a teacher’s sidearm. What people don’t realize though, is that this happens to trained police officers on occasion. If teachers were armed, they would be trained and would be in the exact same predicament as a normal police officer would, and a trained teacher would know to leave their firearm on their person at all times and never take it off. This prevents a student from getting ahold of the firearm and it is also at the teacher’s waist for convenience in case of an emergency.

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LIFE

Editor: Lauren Closs blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Game show trivia app gains popularity across UMW campus KYLE CLARKE Staff Writer

science, English, etc. While many people, myself included, begin playing the game with an arrogant sense of high knowledge, I can assure you, the game is trickier than it looks.

Rhys Johnson, an undeclared freshman at Mary Washington, said, “The game is fun to play, you just pull out your phone and it's like you’re on a

While scrolling through the thousands of apps and games the app store has to offer, you may come across HQ Trivia, a game that has become popular among smartphone users and many students at UMW. All across campus, students pull out their phones at 3 and 9 p.m. to compete with other users for cash prizes on this game show styled mobile trivia game.

As you begin playing, a live game show host takes you through the questions with increasing levels of difficulty. While the host is there mainly to guide the user through the questions, he also delivers a corny punchline joke at the end of each answer that brings even the fiercest of competitors to HQ Trivia has been released since Aug 2017. a subtle smirk. gameshow.” He continued, “I haven’t The questions that are asked range won any prizes yet, but hopefully my across a variety of fields, most of which luck will change as I play the game a are common knowledge high school little more.”

Freshman history major, Harrison level questions that cover history,

Fuller had more frustrated feelings toward the app saying, “I enjoyed the app when I first downloaded it from the app store; it had a new spin on the trivia game, which I liked. But as I play it more and more, I just get frustrated with the questions that not many people would know.” He continued, “if you’re going to make a trivia game for everyone, make sure the questions are reasonable.”

Fuller said that he continues to play the game because of how addictive and fun it can sometimes be.

After playing the game for a few weeks, I can understand the draw to the game as it can be quite fun. But after a while, the game does get a little tedious and boring with many of the questions being a little to routine. There is no telling how long this popularity of HQ Trivia will last, but if this Wikipedia. trend, we could see HQ become one of the top games on the app store in the coming months. HQ currently sits as the number one trivia game on the app store and has been gaining notoriety HQ Trivia was made by the throughout the tech/gaming community. creators of Vine.

itunes.apple.com.

Want to know the inspiration for these looks and how to create them yourself? Check out the Blue & Gray Press’ February Lookbook on blueandgraypress. com or on the Blue & Gray Press Youtube Channel.

Glynnis Farleigh, Sophomore Look: Vividly Versatile Glynnis has a unique fashion sense that she makes both fashionable and adaptable to work for any occasion, whether its taking a stroll downtown, or working with preschoolers.

Photos by Savara Gunn

Andy Sanabria, Sophomore Look: Rich & Retro Rain or shine, Andy loves to spice things up with a pop of color and some 80’s inspired tones and patterns.

Abigail Whittington, Senior Look: Simplistic City Chic Abigail is inspired by city fashion and loves to look the part while wearing clothing that’s both classic and trendy to express her fun and driven personality.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

LIFE

Current residents discuss building pros and cons for selection KYLE LEHMANN Staff Writer

Housing selection season is here and for those living on campus next year, it is a time of excitement, anticipation and decisions. Students are selecting roommates, whether they be old friends or strangers on Facebook, and also deciding between buildings themselves.

As many students are aware, residence halls are not clustered together, nor are they all made equal. Many of the residence halls were built alone or with a sister dorm, and thus do not all fit a standardized model. Due to this, each hall presents an interesting set of characteristics unique to the respective building. While basic information about the location and layout of the buildings can be found online, one of the best ways to assess the options for next year is to examine the perspectives of current residents of upperclassmen buildings.

Eagle Landing is one of the apartment-style residence halls. The five-story building that looms over Route 1 is by far the largest dorm on campus and where many upperclassmen choose to call home. Eagle Landing has some of the larger spaces available for on-campus housing due to the addition of a living room and kitchen.

Besides the larger rooms that Eagle offers there are a host of attributes.

“Good things about Eagle?” pondered sophomore resident Peter Stanley, “A nice kitchen, you’re close to Giant, close to the gym.”

There also a number of other perks that Eagle Landing has in store for residents.

One of said perks is trash and recycling chutes at the end of every hallway. So instead of walking Bushnell Hall. outside to throw your trash out, you can simply walk down the hall to throw your garbage away. Another is proximity to a parking garage that allows students that live in Eagle to have easy access to their cars.

For all the good reviews Eagle gets, there are a few things residents have complained about. “Besides Jepson and the gym,” Stanley says, “you’re kind of far away from most of the other buildings on campus. Like if you have a class in Combs, it’s a far walk. It’s also expensive.” This is true. For all the perks of Eagle Landing, it has the most expensive double room rates on-campus, costing $4368 per semester for the 2018/2019 academic year according to the Residence Life and Housing section on the Mary Washington website.

Another popular choice for upperclassmen to live is in Arrington Hall. Arrington Hall, and its sister building Alvey, are located adjacent to the Hurley Convergence Center. This residence hall is in the style of a classic dorm instead of the apartment style like Eagle Landing. Much like Eagle Landing, residents of Arrington have opinions on their home, both positive and negative. “We like that it’s close to the parking deck” said Carina Martin, a junior in Arrington. “It’s really good if

Arrington Hall.

you have a car on campus,” added her suitemate, sophomore Cheyenne Kern.

Each room in Arrington is also equipped with a sink in each room, which is a quirk not seen in many other residence

halls. Arrington, unlike Eagle Landing, allows you to keep your door open so neighbors and other people can walk over and introduce themselves. Arrington thus allows a typical dorm experience that is not offered in Eagle Landing.

They both seemed to have a generally positive outlook on Arrington, especially its location just off Campus Walk, but there were still things in Arrington that were left to be desired. “We don’t like that we have a single microwave for the

Eagle Landing.

UMW Residence Life.

whole dorm,” said Martin. “With a hole in it,” chimed in Kern. The tone of the conversation about Arrington seemed of one of generally positive experience, but with some quirks that come from being

“It’s really close to downtown,” said Austin Williams, a junior who was a former resident of Bushnell Hall. “That was always fun about it. It’s also right next to the [Bell] Tower so getting picked up and dropped off is nice, since its right there and everyone knows where it [the Bell Tower] is.”

While Bushnell’s location provides students access to a lot, it is also an older dorm. “It’s got wear and tear,”continued Williams.

“It’s not falling apart, but it is noticeable at times.”

Although it is not the oldest dorm on campus, Bushnell Hall was completed in 1959, making it almost sixty years old.

One of the cooler things about Bushnell, according to Williams, is the third floor common area. It is an area where people frequently UMW Residence Life. congregate and meet new in an older dorm. people. If you are someone that wants Another place that some students are to meet new friends, this might be an looking at is Bushnell Hall. Bushnell attractive feature of Bushnell.

Hall is on the opposite end of campus With the turbulent couple of days from Eagle Landing and Arrington Hall. of housing selection upon Mary Location is one of the major appeals Washington, it’s refreshing to look to about Bushnell Hall. It is closer to the future to where students want to live Combs Hall than many other dorms, with their friends or make new friends, which is convenient for English majors, or both. But it’s sometimes just as fun to Historic Preservation majors and look back at the places we’ve been just everyone taking a foreign language, as as it is to look at where we are going. well as other desirable locations.

UMW Residence Life.

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Weekend Events

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

• “Religious Freedom in • “Religious Freedom in • Good Neighbor Day • 7th Annual Beepa Fractured America” a Fractured America” 2018 @ UC Patio, 9 ing Egg Hunt @ Gari Conference @ UniverConference @ Univera.m. - 12 p.m.

Melchers Home and sity of Mary Washingsity of Mary WashingStudio, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. ton, Colonnade Room, • CCI Dog Walk @ Jefton, Colonnade Room, ALL DAY. ALL DAY. ferson Square and • Guided WoodCampus Walk, 12:30 land Hikes @ Gari • Coco @ Monroe 116, • 8th Annual Arab Culp.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Melchers Home and 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. ture Night @ Chandler Studio, 2 p.m.

Ballroom, 6 p.m. - 9 • Junior Ring Ceremo• Junior Ring Dance @ p.m. ny @ 1119 Hanover Chandler Ballroom 8 Street, Fredericksburg, p.m. - 11 p.m.

• Liberated Viewing VA 22401, 1 p.m. Event @ HCC Digital 2:30 p.m.

• Darkest Hour @ MonAuditorium, 7 p.m. roe 116, 10 p.m.- 12 11 p.m.

• Darkest Hour @ Mona.m roe 116, 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.

• Coco @ Monroe 116, 10 p.m. - 12 a.m.

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LIFE

Students travel for sightseeing, study and service over spring break ABIGAIL HUNT Staff Writer

Spring break is one of the most anticipated weeks for college students during the spring semester. The weeklong vacation period allows students to take a break from schoolwork and relax. Many UMW students took this opportunity to travel across the country, such as senior Rachel Hendricks, who flew to San Francisco, California for her vacation with friends. “I had an amazing experience in San Francisco this spring break,” said Hendricks. “My friends and I had been planning this trip for months now, so plane tickets were relatively cheap round trip. Over the course of the week I got to see the Golden Gate Bridge, the painted ladies, and my personal favorite, the house that was used for filming the show “Full House.”

We also ate very well. For anyone who hasn’t visited San Francisco I suggest they go.”

Some UMW students used the time to travel out of the country such as senior Camilla Herrera. “For my last spring break as an undergrad I flew to visit family and friends in Granada, Seville and Madrid, Spain,” said Herrera. “I was lucky to get a ticket to the Alhambra in Granada, one of the most important historical traits the Arab kingdom left behind. Additionally, I went skiing in Sierra Nevada. In Seville I toured the city and learned about the sad history of the jew quarters that the Spanish ran for decades. Finally, in Madrid I got lost between metro stations touring the capital of Spain and met old family friends for my last night in Spain.

Together we made a lot of memories. I travel to Spain sometimes several times

in a year, I love it there.”

Senior Nikki Lind spent her break training for her first marathon. She ran the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach on Sunday. “I had run several half marathons in the past,” said Lind, “but this was my first full marathon.

I couldn’t have done it without the support from my family and my friends. I finished with a time of 3:34:51, and I qualified for the Boston Marathon which has always been a dream of mine.”

UMW Ultimate Frisbee members made the 6 hour drive to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the annual High Tide Frisbee tournament. They won approximately 3 of 5 games, however the tournament does not affect their ranking as it was just for fun.

Other UMW students chose to participate in some of the many study abroad trips offered by Mary Washington, or trips with their clubs. Four UMW students took part in constructing a school for underprivileged students in Honduras with the organization Students Helping Honduras. They were joined by 18 other students, one from Wake Forest University, and the rest from James Madison University. Freshman Sophie Ahava was one of the four students who participated in the trip and is an active

member in Students Helping Honduras.

“We went and worked on a school for a week mixing the cement and building up the walls,” said Ahava.

we were there. Their gratitude extended beyond the scope construction, they were more than grateful that we were there to do the things their own government couldn’t do for them.”

In addition, Dr. Dawn Bowen, professor of Geography, lead over a dozen students on a voyage to Guatemala.

According to the UMW Geography webpage, the purpose of this annual trip is to advance the countries economy, protect it from food shortages, and to aid in providing socio economic stability. Initiatives to achieve these goals are produced by the Community Cloud Forest Conservation, the NGO in which the students partnered with while in Guatemala.

Other trips included Habitat for Humanity, who took UMW students to Georgia to UMW Center for International Education / Facebook.. take part in rebuilding “We built three extra classrooms for the and constructing houses. In addition sixth grade. The education buildings do several other groups of students studied not exceed elementary school, making abroad in Quebec, Poland, Panama, the middle school aged children unable to Galapagos and London. continue their education. Many of the The end of spring break 2018 marks the kids at the school also helped us. The the halfway point through the semester extra rooms also help these kids because leaving us with only seven weeks left of they don’t have the opportunity to go school until summer break. For many to school year round simply because seniors this is a bitter-sweet time. For there’s not enough space so often they freshman, sophomores and juniors it have to take turns. Many members of the marks just one more school year closer community where almost in tears that to graduating.

Students react to Double Drive holly tree maintenance trimming BRIAN SWEENEY Staff Writer

had exceeded the desired bounds,” said Blair. “They also were posing problems for people parking their cars and then not being able to open the car door. Besides the aesthetic reasons, the hollies had not been pruned back hard for at least 12 years.”

penetration and air circulation to reach the interior of the tree and thus promotes healthier and balanced growth.”

Blair added that the trim, “also aids in the reduction of scale which we have been combatting for several years now.”

While most students don’t like having

Jacqueline Huppuch, a junior creative writing major, is one of these students.

“It was a bit of an eyesore, but Before spring break, a campus-wide knowing plants, trimming the branches email notified the UMW community is healthy for the plants so that way that the holly trees on Double Drive new branches can grow better.” said were going to be trimmed, a promise Huppuch. that came to fruition just one Huppuch added that, week later. While the email “it’s better to trim the explained the necessity of branches during the winter, pruning, many students still so that when spring comes do not like the holly trees’ around, the holly trees new look. Other students, becomes a fuller plant.” however, have expressed their “It’s something that we [the acceptance of the short term students] should get used sacrifice of campus beauty to, but it’s for the best.” she for the long term health of the concluded. plants.

She explains that her Students, who have classes father would park around around the entrance of the the trees and have a hard university and at Combs Hall, time trying to get out of his did not like the recent changes car, it was for the best and on the holly trees. was glad that the branches Reem Amin, a senior are trimmed down. accounting major, stated that Sophie Gringer, a senior the trees, “are ugly and that accounting major, replied they [the trees] should be simply, “It’s just part of changed.” While she agreed maintaining a tree,” when that the tree trimmings are asked about the trees beneficial for the plant to grow appearance. healthy, she preferred how the Fortunately for everyone holly trees were before instead whether they appreciate the of what it looks like currently. pruning or not, the effect Richard Blair, Director of of the trees is temporary The holly trees by the main entrance of the school, covered in snow.

Allison Tovey / The Blue & Gray Press.

Landscape and Grounds for and the email from Marty the University of Mary Washington, Blair explained more specifically the holly trees getting trimmed and Morrison promises that “the hollies will explained why the holly trees needed to the health benefit for the hollies. “By making its new appearance on campus look much better by Commencement, be trimmed down to their branches. pruning them back as hard as we did,” “ugly” to the environment, few students and they’ll be as good as new in time for “The holly trees on Double Drive explained Blair, “it allows better sunlight seem to not be as upset as others.

Move-In Day.

9

NEWS

POLICE BEAT MEAGHAN MCINTYRE & IZZY BRIONES News Editors

Petit Larceny

Between Wednesday, February 14 at midnight and Wednesday, February 28 at 9:54 a.m., clothing and an electronic device was stolen from Randolph Hall. This case is pending.

On Wednesday, February 28 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:31 p.m., US currency was stolen from Mason Hall. This case is pending.

Simple Assault

On Wednesday, February 28 at 11:47 p.m., an incident of assault took place at Jefferson Hall. This case is pending.

Vandalism

On Tuesday, February 27 at 8:46 a.m., a wall of Melchers Hall exterior was graffitied.

This case is pending.

Between Monday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, March 6 at 7:00 a.m., a door was damaged at Goolrick Hall. This case is pending.

On Wednesday, March 14 at 11:00 a.m. a vehicle window was vandalized at 900 block, Mercer St. This case is pending with FDP.

10

UMW students spend time in the world of the K’iche people Rachel Manning Senior Writer

Over this past spring break, 17 students from Dr. Dawn Bowen’s GEOG 360E class took a trip to Guatemala.

There, they learned about conservation of cloud forests and the culture of the K’iche people.

While away, they spent four days learning at the Community Cloud Forest Conservation Center (CCFC) and teaching the children about ecological practices, and the next two days living with K’iche families in their homes.

“The coursework leading up to the trip provides the essential background that students need – an understanding of the Civil War, gender roles, the importance of education, agroecology, and deforestation, the last three of which is the focus of our trip,” said Dr. Bowen.

However, some of Dr. Bowen’s students shared that they felt that nothing could have possibly prepared them for what they’d experience in Guatemala.

“You can sit around and read articles and talk about it with your friends but it’s another thing to actually immerse yourself in the culture and I just wasn’t mentally prepared for that when I went,” said sophomore and geography major Bria Hickman.

Junior international affairs major Anna Krus agreed.

“I don’t think that there was anything that the class could have done more to prepare us. It’s still going to be sort of a culture shock- just being in a completely different environment doing something that I have never done before,” Krus said.

Another aspect that came as a surprise to the students was the ingenuity of the CCFC and the K’iche people. The

CCFC is set up to be entirely sustainable, as they capture and reuse energy and compost all waste.

“I was really impressed with that sustainability factor. I’ve really been skeptical of things like that because you have to give up so many modern conveniences, but honestly, [the K’iche people] really didn’t,” said Krus. “We had to conserve energy [while staying with them], but it didn’t feel like we were sacrificing a lot.”

While at the CCFC, the UMW students helped teach the K’iche children

“It was incredible. I would definitely do it again.”

-Bria Hickman all that they’d learned about conservation in Dr. Bowen’s class.

“We learn about strategies to help them improve their agricultural techniques and, most especially, focus on the younger generation who will have the most impact on the environment,” said Dr. Bowen.

“We would typically observe what [the children] were doing and participate in the activities that they were told to do, that we would help with planting, we would support them whenever they were playing games in class,” said Hickman.

However, what most seemed to impact the students was the homestays with local K’iche families.

“Homestays are a challenge, but they provide students the opportunity to experience the humanity of being with others who live very different lives from their own. While they did not

share a language, they shared drawing, pantomimes, and lots of laughter,” said Dr. Bowen.

Students who participated in the trip echoed Dr. Bowens sentiments toward the K’iche people and shared their own personal experiences.

“When we went on the homestay, it struck me how little these people had and how joyful they were with what they had,” said Krus.

Hickman has been similarly affected since the trip. “I complain less. I feel so much more appreciative overall,” she said. “I genuinely have a broader outlook on life.”

While the CCFC and the K’iche people were able to give the UMW students a greater understanding of agro-ecology and conservation, the UMW students were also able to give the K’iche children a piece of their culture and confidence.

“Even though we weren’t able to verbally communicate with the kids, we got them to come out of their comfort zone and play soccer,” said Krus.

“The [teachers at the CCFC] took the front role and we were there for support and empowerment and giving them self-confidence because that’s something the community really lacks,” said Hickman.

This has been the seventh time GEOG 360E has been offered, and the seventh time UMW has gone to Guatemala and the CCFC. Dr. Bowen’s students were very glad to have had the opportunity to do it.

“It was incredible. I would definitely do it again,” said Hickman. Indeed, this is a truly unique opportunity for UMW students to experience and interact with their coursework and humanity in such a way.

Students call for ASL to be offered at UMW

Gabriella Garcia Staff Writer

On February 21, 2018 the University Faculty Council received a request from the Student Government Association that the University of Mary Washington begin offering American Sign Language (ASL) courses through the Modern Language Department and have these courses count towards the Modern Language Requirement.

The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) defines American Sign Language as “a complete, complex language that employs signs made by moving the hands combined with facial expressions and postures of the body. It is the primary language of many North Americans who are deaf and is one of several communication options used by people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.”

According to Ross E. Mitchell, who is a research scientist with the Gallaudet Research Institute at Gallaudet University, Approximately 2 million people in the United States cannot understand normal speech, and of this number, just under 500,000 comprise the deaf community. This does not include the hearing spouses of deaf adults, etc. ASL is a widely used language amongst more than just those who cannot hear and should be available for study with ease of access to those who wish to pursue it.

Currently, the University of Mary Washington website states the follow-

ing: “Intermediate competency in a second language may be demonstrated by: (1) completion of 202 or higher in a language including ASL; (2) a score of 620 or higher on any language SAT II subject test; (3) a score of 4 or higher on any language AP Exam or on any Language and Literature AP Exam…”

However, Modern Language Department Chair and Spanish Professor, Betsy Lewis shared that the issue of ASL as a Modern Language has been brought up to before “I told the student who contacted me what the history of teaching ASL in the past was and some of the issues involved for example, whether we would be the best department to house it, or whether it would be better with English.” Lewis continued, “I also spoke to the ways students can currently satisfy the language requirement by transferring ASL from other institutions and the numbers of forms that I sign each semester, only 3 or 4.”

The Registrar site states: “Sign language courses transfer as elective credit only. Completion of ASL 202 (American Sign Language) does complete this requirement however UMW does not offer the course so it must be transferred in.”

Lewis explained that the process for having any new program approved at UMW, in addition to getting specific courses proposed and approved is a highly involved process.

“Who would be involved in that de-

cision is also a big factor. I have not had a discussion about this with my department yet. Our next meeting is April 2nd,” Lewis said.

ASL is not the only course that has been fought for in the past.

“Motions such as these brought forward by the senate have been successful in the past. That’s where our Arabic and Chinese courses came from, it’s the same student interest that has made this successful in previous years. This is a process, and we’re just on the front end of it,” said Dean Rucker.

“We also need to look at all of the possibilities, for example, we may have someone able to teach ASL at the 100 level but not necessarily at the 200 level, and that’s what we need in order to begin offering it” explained Rucker.

Despite the difficulties offering ASL may take, the university is taking the actions that it can in order to explore the possibilities of offering ASL in the future.

“There really isn’t much to say on the matter, we’re just exploring the feasibility of it, talking with the appropriate people, etc…” said student and Director of Communications for the SGA Matthew Good.

Following the meeting on April 2 the university may be able to provide an update as to what direction it will take and what the next steps may be as far as introducing the language to the University.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

NEWS

Alyssa Atwood Pamela Grothe cleaning a tag on a coral that we tagged to monitor the health of through the El Nino event

Research provides new opportunities •RESEARCH TRIP | 1

UMW Firearms club hosts 2A Day event president of the club, states “I’m really proud of how fast this club has grown and I’m excited to see what else this The Firearms Club is holding an club accomplishes!” event called 2A day. This event, similar The club became an officially fundto previous events will be focused pried and recognized club in October 2017 marily on education. The seminar and and there are about 15 to 25 members series of talks will be held in the Digital present at each meeting, about 140 peoAuditorium on March 30. ple on the emailing list for the club, and “We discussed that we did not want over 50 members on the club’s Faceto be political and rather focus on edbook page, Johns mentioned. ucating people even if they are against By joining the club and attending guns or have never shot a gun” said vice 2A Day students will president of the club, be able to connect junior Steven Jett.

“I joined the club in with others and meet This event will connew people. David Jett sist of different second hopes to meet people shared that through amendment speakers who share the same his participation in the including Erin Palette, club, he has been able founder of Operation love for guns as I do.” to connect with other Blazing Sword, Mistudents that have the chael Johns the Genersame passion for fire-David Jett al Manager of the NRA arms as he does.

Range, Logan Metesh, The Firearms Club Firearms Specialist for the NRA Museof UMW is enthusiastic and hopes to um, and more. continue growing and further achieving The second amendment of the Unittheir missions of providing firearm and ed States Constitution protects the right related safety training. Vice president, of people to keep and bear arms and Steven Jett, said that he hopes new peothe UMW Firearms Club aims to fople will participate in the event, so they cus on the advocacy of these rights. In can learn about gun laws and become addition, the Firearms Club hopes to better educated on the subject. increase firearm sport participation and Junior David Jett, hopes to increase firearm related safety and training. education on firearms and their useful“I joined the club in hopes to meet ness as well as their safety. people who share the same love for The Firearms Club hopes that peoguns as I do,” said Geology major and ple will show to participate in the event junior David Jett. where attendees will have the opportu“2A Day is a free public event open nity to interact with a Q&A panel with to the UMW and Fredericksburg comall the speakers at the end of the event. munity. The schedule for this event There will also be opportunities to win consists of a training seminar, different raffle prizes throughout the event such speakers, a Q&A session, pizza, and as a ‘Range Bag’ valued at over $200, if more. The training seminar is two hours pending request is approved. long and everyone who stays for the enStudents can register for the event tire seminar will receive a free one year at OrgSync.com and search 2A Day to NRA membership. learn more.

Junior Natalie Johns, the creator and

Victoria Grant Staff Writer

Thursday, March 22, 2018

“ T h e s e events occur every 2-7 years and are the largest source for interannual climate variability across the planet, responsible for droughts and floods.”

El Niño events can cause flooding and wildfires, which can add up to billions of dollars in damage, while also bleaching corals and shutting down South American fisheries. The question for the researchers is whether the El Niño events a r e p a r t of the natural variation in climate or if they a r e aggravated b y global warming.

“My work aims to better understand if these events are happening more frequently and more strongly with global warming. This would be important to know for planning purposes and hazard mitigation,” said Dr. Grothe.

This research has become a point of interest for some UMW students, including senior environmental geology major Andrea Moore. Dr. Grothe has been to Christmas Island six times, but this is the first trip she has taken with a UMW student researcher. For Moore, it was her very first undergraduate research trip. In addition to accompanying Moore, Dr. Grothe was able to collect samples to be brought back to the university for students who are interested in this research.

For students who are unsure of whether or not they should pursue undergraduate research, Dr. Grothe has a few words of encouragement.

“Start early! Figure out what faculty are doing, approach them with your interests and ask how you can help. And then be dedicated. Research is a huge commitment so be prepared to spend a lot of time on it. It’s hands on learning experience that you just can’t get in the classroom,” said Dr. Grothe.

This is exactly what Moore did.

Moore transferred to UMW in the fall

of 2016, the same year Dr. Grothe came to the university as a visiting instructor.

“I took EESC 111 with her specifically because I was interested in her doctoral research,” said Moore. “I asked her if she was looking for any research assistants, and eventually – after signing on as an assistant professor – she took me on as her first student.”

The research trip provided Moore with the experience of what field work looks like outside of the classroom.

Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Keith M e l linger, described the other benefits that undergraduate research can provide for a student.

“Doing research teaches a new way of thinking that you rarely get in your regular courses,” said Dr. Mellinger. “It also encourages a degree of creativity for students as they pursue their projects, and it connects students in a much more meaningful way to their faculty.

These connections lead to further opportunities – graduate school recommendations, internship opportunities, or further research collaborations.”

When transferring to UMW, Moore recognized the importance of undergraduate research for her academic and career plans.

“Graduate schools, internship programs, and employers all look for demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills and strong critical thinking ability, which are developed during the research process,” said Moore.

While Dr. Grothe hopes to continue her research on Christmas Island, her future research will also take her to the Chesapeake Bay. “There is so much to learn about the paleoclimate here in Virginia that it makes sense to establish some roots locally,” said Dr. Grothe. “Plus, local research will be more affordable and attainable to more UMW students.”

“Graduate schools, internship programs, and employers all look for demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills and strong critical thinking ability, which are developed during the research process.”

-Andrea Moore

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SPORTS

Editor: Ryan Brauch | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

UMW club baseball thrives under new presidency

ARIANA BARRETT Staff Writer

UMW’s club baseball team is excited to kick off their season against James Madison University (JMU) on Saturday, Mar. 24.

This season, they are under the new presidency of Dustin Thomas, a junior math major. He’s been a part of the club baseball team for two years and as an aspiring high school baseball coach, he is excited to be in this position.

This year, Thomas got rid of the three year old uniforms and replaced them all with new ones of his own design.

“Gotta look good to play good.” said Thomas, referring to the new uniforms.

Along with new uniforms, Thomas has some new players on his team. Including former varsity player, Hayes Gottlieb. Bobby Salierno and Ryan Webster, who were also candidates for UMW’s varsity team, are also new additions. Altogether, they have four former varsity players on their team.

“We’re going to be good. We just need to cut down the errors. Errors kill the momentum.” Said Hayes Gottlieb, a former varsity player and current outfielder for the club team. Having former varsity players on the team adds to the experience and overall quality.

“I feel as if we added some good pieces this semester and we’re excited to be disruptive to other teams postseason aspirations.” said Thomas, who is preparing his team for JMU, their biggest competition.

Even though they are facing steep competition, they are still remembering to have fun.

“The level of competition is pretty good and it’s still playing ball without as much pressure.” said Gottlieb.

“It’s a lot more relaxed, it’s all about going out there and having fun with the boys.”

It is common for former varsity players to join club sports team because it allows them to still play the game they love without the stress of a real coach.

“I like Dustin’s coaching style. He puts the best guys out on the field, but he also gives everybody a chance to play, which is something that didn’t happen on the varsity team.” Said Gottlieb. “There’s less favoritism happening on this team because we’re all friends with each other.”

Sophomore and outfielder/pitcher Adam Newburger, agrees that having Thomas as a coach is beneficial.

Thomas has been playing baseball since he was sevenyears-old and is a player coach for a collegiate summer wooden bat league, making him more than qualified for this position.

“He’s very approachable. As opposed to a traditional setting where the coach is a separate entity, Dustin is really part of the team.” Said Newburger.

UMW’s club baseball team is now a part of the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA), making their scheduled more structured than ever before. They’re scheduled to play against large schools this season, including JMU, Virginia Commonwealth University, and University of Maryland.

“With this change I’m really excited to be back on the field with the guys and to really improve overall as a team.” Said Newburger.

UMW will play away against JMU in a three game series this weekend.

Luis Hidalgo throws a pitch

Mark Newburger

Adam Newburger slides on base

Mark Newburger

Club baseball players jog onto the field

Mark Newburger

Small schools make a name for themselves in historical opening weekend of March Madness

T’KEYAH JONES Staff Writer

It’s that time of year again, March Madness. It is one of the most exciting times of year for college basketball fans, as they watch to see what teams advance through the NCAA tournament and head to the finals.

Once the teams have been selected for the tournament people across the country make their own brackets to try and predict the results of March Madness.

People compare them to others and some even place bets on their brackets, hoping that their predictions are true. Being that it is March Madness it is not easy predicting what will happen because these games have some of the most surprising endings and there is honestly no telling who could win. The first round of the NCAA tournament officially began on Mar. 15.

The 68 teams in the first round of the NCAA tournament brought many surprises, with some of the lower ranking teams pulling off victories over the teams that, to many, seemed to be contenders, but again, nothing is expected during March Madness. This year’s first round of the tournament meant an early exit for many of the NCAA’s top teams.

Buffalo, a 13 seed, shocked everyone with an impressive win over Arizona, a

Thursday, March 22, 2018

4 seed, with the final score resting at 8968. Buffalo pressured Arizona defensively and offensively, forcing outside shots that Arizona was unable to make, only scoring 2 of 18 three pointers.

Marshall, another 13 seed, beat Wichita State a 4 seed, 81-75. This is the first time that Marshall has played in an NCAA tournament game since 1897.

Ball handling played a big role in Wichita State’s loss. With 15 turnovers, this surely contributed to their early elimination in the first round of the tournament.

Loyola-Chicago a 11 seed, beat Miami, a 6 seed, to proceed to the next round of the NCAA tournament. A three-pointer at the buzzer gave Loyola-Chicago the win over Miami, the final score was 6462. Much like Marshall, in another long absence from an NCAA Tournament, Loyola-Chicago appeared for the first time in 33 years.

Nevada, a 7 seed, and Texas, a 10 seed, faced-off in a hard fought battle that led to overtime. In the final seconds of the second half, Nevada was fouled and sent to the free throw line where they tied the game and sent it into overtime. Nevada won, 87-83, which marked their first win an NCAA Tournament since 2007.

One of the most surprising results from

the first round of the NCAA Tournament was the a 16 seed, UMBC or University of Maryland-Baltimore County, win over a 1 seed Virginia.

UMBC came into the game as the underdog and came out victorious in what was not a close game. UMBC won 74-54 against Virginia. Being that Virginia was a 1 seed team, this game shocked many because being the top ranked team in the NCAA, fans would expect Virginia to at least make it towards the end of the tournament, not eliminated in the first round. That’s exactly what March Madness brings out, competitive gameplay and unsuspecting endings that leave fans wanting more.

Other top teams that won in the first round of the NCAA tournament were Xavier, MI State, UNC, Cincinnati, Purdue, Villanova, Duke, Tennessee, Michigan, Texas Tech and Kansas.

There was a lot of excitement in the first round and there is much more to come. The first and second round of the NCAA tournament will conclude over the course of the weekend. Following that, we will see what teams make it through Sweet 16, Elite Eight, the Final Four, and finally the matchup that will decide who will take home the National

championship which is scheduled to be on Apr. 2.

UMBC celebrates a historical win

Buffalo bench goes wild

NJ.com

CBS Sports

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