The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

PRESS

March 28, 2019

VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 20

1922 Renovated Heslep Amphitheatre difficult to access for people with mobility impairment

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

GINNY BIXBY Associate Editor

The wheelchair accessible entrance to the Heslep Amphitheatre, a $3 million renovation project, is not visible from campus walk. Accessing it requires either parking in one of two handicap parking spots directly next to the amphitheatre or hiking up a steep incline located off of Sunken Road, starting behind Lee Hall.

The campus walk entrances are staircases.

According to the ADA National Network, the Americans with Disabilities Act, which became The amphitheatre is only wheelchair accessible from a steep hill off of Sunken Road. law in 1990, “All the programs of postsecondary institutions, including an access point to the amphitheatre financial or administrative burden.” extracurricular activities, must be from campus walk that would be ready “It is ADA compliant, but it’s not accessible to students with disabilities.” by the start of the fall 2019 semester. convenient,” said Sabrina Johnson, This includes providing architectural But until then, “what will be UMW’s vice access to necessary is for the University to president for buildings and provide assistance to folks from “It is ADA compliant, but it’s equity and residential campus walk to get to the accessible access, of the facilities. not convenient.” entrance,” said Johnson.

She said amphitheatre.

However, these possible methods of doing this include Johnson said accommodations using the campus golf carts to transport she has been are not -Sabrina Johnson people from campus walk to the engaged in mandatory entrance. conversations about making it more if they “would fundamentally alter “Until we get it the way we really accessible for people with mobility the nature of the service, program want it, to provide the experience access issues. or activity or give rise to an undue for everyone to be convenient and Johnson said there is a plan to build

Emily Sanborn / The Blue & Gray Press

comfortable and inclusive, we’ll be taking those kinds of measures as needed,” said Johnson.

Susan Worrell, special assistant to the president for special events, said that there have not been any school events in the amphitheatre since it was renovated, although a Roman drama class has booked it for a play they are holding on April 26.

“There are three events on the books for this fall because we know that after August it’s going to be totally accessible,”

•Amphitheatre | 11

Door orientation and locks in some buildings cause safety concerns Sean MOOre Staff Writer

In an active shooter situation, often the only thing that professors and students can do to make themselves safer is lock and barricade their classroom door.

However, because many classrooms on campus lock from the outside and open toward the outside, these safety precautions are made markedly less effective and are in some cases outright

Some professors have expressed concern that the doors in Combs do not lock from the inside.

Lauren Closs / The Blue & Gray Press

IN THIS

ISSUE

impossible to put in place.

Dr. Mara Scanlon, professor of English who teaches in Combs Hall, first became aware of these issues in 2015, after she and other faculty members were asked to view a workplace safety video about what to do in the event of an active shooter.

“I decided I would look at it, and when I did I realized that almost all of the recommendations given for safety were not possible in my classrooms,” Scanlon said. “There would be almost no way for me to safely secure that room for the number of people that were in it.”

She then emailed her concerns to administration, who said that they would look into them and are always working hard on all safety issues.

In 2018, shortly after the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that left seventeen students and staff members dead, Scanlon felt that her concerns had not been properly addressed and again emailed various administrators, including police chief Michael Hall, and says she was given a similar response.

Hall, who is also the Assistant Vice President of Public Safety, said that he and other administrators have been aware of these issues and after meeting

VAPE NATION JUUL e-cigarettes rise in popularity at UMW. LIFE | 7

even a few minutes late would have to extensively last year decided that all be admitted one on one, and there is a future buildings on campus would lot of problems with that too,” she said. feature doors that are able to lock from Austin Story, a junior computer the inside, as well as other measures science major who said that he spends such as scanners and key cards that are a lot of time in classrooms that have designed to make buildings safer. these issues, also shares this concern.

As for the retrofitting the older “I do not think that the doors should academic buildings with new locks, have to be locked at all times,” he said. which according to Hall would cost “It is disruptive. Professors should be in excess of $200,000, he and other able to lock the doors from the inside.” administrators decided that the safety budget would be better spent on Hall said that he appreciates and understands this other measures, including more “There would be almost no argument, and that class flow is blue lights and way for me to safely secure also a factor when community that room for the number of evaluating the outreach and tough decisions education people that were in it.” that those in programs. charge of safety Professors do -Dr. Mara Scanlon must make. have the option Another of locking their classroom doors as soon as class starts, potential solution is the various an option that Hall says is preferable products on the market that fit over to spending the amount of money that or under doors and are specifically installing new locks would require. designed to secure classrooms in the “It is a misconception that [the event of an active shooter. classrooms] are not secure,” Hall said.

“A number of schools have things “Safety is the first and foremost of our affixed to the hinges and other places priorities, but when it comes to this that prevent the door from being issue we have to ask ourselves if we opened. Some of my friends work at are looking for safety or convenience.” schools that have those,” Scanlon said.

For Scanlon, this solution is not Hall does not think that such ideal. “Any student that comes late, devices •CLASSROOM SAFETY | 10

CAMPAIGN GLANCE Lesser known candidates bring change.

VIEWPOINTS |

OFFENSIVE PLAYER

Allison Davis wins CAC offensive player of the week.

SPORTS | 12

NEWS 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 Lauren Closs

Associate Editor Ginny Bixby

Managing Editor Ryan Brauch

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Kate Seltzer

VIEWPOINTS Grace Winfield

LIFE Lucas Burkholder

SPORTS Jack Hagn

ONLINE Ronic Ngambwe Harry Fisher

PHOTO Cayley McGuire

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Kate Seltzer | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Campus community reacts to Trump administration’s proposed Title IX policy changes it,” said senior Matthew Allocca, English major and TEAL Peer Educator, of the At UMW, the reporting rates of proposed changes. sexual assault and sexual harassment Allocca said the have been increasing exponentially cross examination since 2015. Amidst this upward requirement would trend, at the end of last semester, U.S. make an already Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos traumatic situation proposed changes to Title IX that all the more stressful. would require universities to apply “You’ve had your basic due process protections for autonomy taken students. from you, you’re in The application of due process to a situation with no Title IX cases would mean there would agency and now you be presumption of innocence for the have to come forward Betsy DeVos has proposed substantial changes to Title IX policy. accused. Schools would be required and talk about it and in Chelsita Arango / The Blue & Gray Press to hold a live hearing with crossa situation where there examination. Additionally, in order is cross-examination... to ensure impartial decisions, schools impact on reporting rates.

This will just make it even more would be barred from using a single “Unfortunately we live in a world difficult for people.” investigator or an investigator-only today that things happen, so trying Allocca is worried that because model. to find that balance and then when these changes have been proposed, “Throughout this process, my the annual security reports became people may be hesitant to report sexual focus was, is, and always will be on federally mandated, they put teeth assault cases. ensuring that every student can learn into it where federal funding can be “I think if people were to hear in a safe and nurturing environment,” withheld from the universities if they about it and hear about the proposed said DeVos on the Department of did not comply with the information,” policy changes, I think it might stop Education’s website. “Every survivor said UMW police chief Michael Hall. people now from coming forward, of sexual violence must be taken According to the annual security even though it is just proposed and not seriously, and every student accused reports from 2015 to 2017, reporting of sexual misconduct rates of sex offenses, must know that guilt is “You’ve had your autonomy taken from you, you’re in domestic violence not predetermined.” and dating violence a situation with no agency and now you have to come have been increasing.

While the proposed changes have yet forward and talk about it and in a situation where there is Additionally, Hall to be implemented, said he is aware that cross-examination...This will just make it even more they could potentially the number in the difficult for people.” deter students from annual security report reporting. Currently, likely does not reflect more than 90 percent the actual numbers -Matthew Allocca of sexual assault of sexual assault and written into law,” said Allocca. victims on college campuses do not harassment on campus.

Since the proposal of the changes to report the assault, according to the Hall stated the purpose of the Title IX, the reporting rates of sexual National Sexual Violence Resource proposal is to ensure that false assault and sexual harassment seem Center (NSVRC). Sexual violence is reporting does not go unnoticed. Cases to be unaffected; however the final not reported for a number of reasons of false reporting of sexual assault numbers will not be released until the such as fear of not being believed, fear typically make up about 2 to 10 percent federally mandated annual security of retaliation and victim blaming. of all reports according to the NSVRC report comes out. It is too early to tell “I’m personally incredibly against – which is comparable •TITLE IX | 10 if the proposed changes will have any

Olivia Bridges Senior Writer

Renovations begin on Seacobeck Hall Fiona Nalepa Staff Writer

Seacobeck Hall has sat empty since the end of 2015. Now, the University has begun working toward its renovation plans to make the building into the new home of the College of Education and the Office of Disability Resources by fall 2020.

Seacobeck Hall originally opened its doors in 1931 and served as the main dining space for the University through 2015. In 2015, its doors were closed and the University Center became the new main dining area.

Many people on campus were upset at these new changes, mostly due to the high cost to build the University Center and the sentimental ties that many still had to Seacobeck Hall.

Senior communication major

Meredith Jennings said she is happy for the upcoming renovations for Seacobeck Hall but had some reservations.

“I’m happy that Seacobeck is finally getting the renovation it deserves,” she said. “It is just sad that it was closed for most of my time here at UMW. And since it won’t open until the fall of 2020 at the earliest most people here on campus now won’t be able to use it either.”

After closing Seacobeck Hall in 2015, there was much deliberation over what would take the dining area’s place in the building. The University finally decided on making Seacobeck the new home of the College of Education.

Currently, the College of Education can be found in Trinkle Hall. Trinkle Hall is also the home of various other large departments like

•SEACOBECK | 10

Renovations on Seacobeck Hall began earlier this month.

Lauren Closs / The Blue & Gray Press

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

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SPORTS

Cheer team places second in all-girl category at Nationals

AMANDA SMITH Staff Writer

A week before the national competition, UMW competition cheerleading had lost its only male member to a severe leg injury.

Male cheerleader, Anthony Epps, stated that he was “devastated [he] couldn’t be there for [his] team” but the team understood his recovery was a top priority.

As a result of this unfortunate event, the team was bumped out of the co-ed category and into the all-girl category for what coach Amanda Short had explained as “the first time in about 5 years.” With this, UMW would have to go up against two experienced teams, rival JMU and Shepherd University.

With only three practices left before the competition, the UMW cheerleaders would have to buckle down and redo a whole routine with their newly recruited member, Jaylen Coefield, to learn Anthony’s position. “I felt stressed for sure with a week left until competition because I’d just been put on the team and not everything was hitting yet,” Coefield said. “As competition got closer, everyone became more determined and we got the hang of it.”

At the last practice, all 21 cheerleaders had finally finished and perfected their performance for the competition. Coach Taylor Henderson said that “we finally had it in us to perform a clean routine that could beat JMU.” However, according to Coefield, team members were feeling the pressure. She explained that the team was “determined but worrisome, but all you can ask is that we hit the routine our hardest.” With high hopes, the cheerleaders headed up to Ocean City,

Maryland to perform their new routine.

Bright and early on Mar. 23, UMW checked in as a competitor at the Reach the Beach Nationals. For this competition, all teams are to perform a “game day” routine consisting of a crowd cheer and a floor routine (a two and a Cheer placed second at Reach the Beach Nationals. UMW Cheer / Facebook half minute routine showing their highest shined as they completed a two-tiered skill level in stunting, tumbling, jumps shoulder sit flip stunt that would be and dance) on day one. After all the scored in the top bracket of the section. teams had competed, the judges would Completing the routine with a variety give teams temporary places based of high-skill tumbling and a sass-filled on who has the highest scores. These dance, UMW earned a 89.78/100 with placements would then determine who one deduction, putting them in second will perform first on day two. place for day two.

The team stormed onto the blue mat At 7:15 a.m. on Mar. 24, UMW and took their position. “Coming onto competition cheer performed an the mat gave me a huge rush of feelings, “energetic routine where the girls had some butterflies, but also a pure sense more confidence than they had ever of confidence,” said junior team captain seen,” said Short, “but we had two stunts Tara Adkins. Beginning their crowd fall, whereas day one we only had one.” cheer, an enthusiastic audience chanted The judges had awarded UMW with back the words “blue and white” surging 88.68/100 with two deductions. This confidence into the cheerleaders as they score would place UMW as 2nd overall waited for the deep-toned voiceover of in the all-girl college division with their music to exclaim “Eagle Nation!”

Shepherd as 1st and JMU as 3rd.

Starting their floor routine strong, “It felt awesome getting second the cheerleaders began with a complex place. If someone would have told us opening of the back-tuck baskets to wow two years ago that we would beat JMU the judges. The team was ambitious in in all-girl at competition, we wouldn’t their elite stunting category, attempting have believed it. But look at us; such a to hit a high-level stunting skill called the huge accomplishment,” said Henderson. “swedish falls” said Adkins. Performing With pride and all smiles, the cheer team this stunt, only three out of four stunt collected their award and exclaimed groups could complete the skill giving light-heartedly: “hey, second is the best!” them a deduction for a dropped stunt. as they posed for their last team picture Transitioning into the pyramid, the group of the season.

Enigma Winter Guard reaches new heights SAVANNAH ROBERTS Staff Writer

Last week, UMW’s Enigma Winter Guard finished strong at their second to last competition, receiving a score of 64.83 from the judges. This was a far jump from their first competition where they scored a 30. This is a major improvement for the team, especially since they lost three members during the first few weeks of practices. Teams are scored on their equipment, movement, design analysis and general effect. Score numbers are judged on a scale from zero to one hundred.

Winter Guard is considered the “sport of the arts” because it combines strength training, colorful flags, plastic rifles and weighted sabres with music and dancing to create a beautiful spectacle to be appreciated by art lovers and sports fanatics alike. Intricate maneuvers, tosses and catches construct a performance created to captivate the audience. The sport is also well known for its inclusive

Enigma Winter Guard scored 64.83. Bekah Pimm

nature. As all types of people spin together, it designs a show that can speak to everyone.

Enigma Winter Guard’s show is called People Help the People, featuring the song of the same name by Birdy. Their show is about how lending a helping hand is what brings people together in the end. Many winter guard shows include a greater meaning to their show, often including themes that convey meaning and emotion.

Enigma Winter Guard practices three to four times a week, with competitions on Saturdays. The team is made up of eight motivated members that work hard to achieve their team goals. Recently, the Guard has had their ups and downs after losing three members to scheduling conflicts.

“We basically had to remake our show in two weeks,” said freshman Kendall McCracken. The team mentioned that they created most of their show in the second semester, which added to the stress of losing members and learning new work.

Though the team has had its fair share of problems, they still managed to place first at every competition they have performed at so far. They perform in an open class, meaning that any group can perform and be scored by judges. Enigma Winter Guard has made improvements after every competition, only competing against their previous scores, and others performing in the open class.

UMW’s Enigma Winter Guard welcomes any prospective students to join their team, and are willing to pass their skills onto those who have no knowledge of how to spin. “I played tuba throughout high school, so this is a drastic difference,” said Anton Stevie, a freshman pursuing a theater major. Most of the team had never performed at a competition before this season.

“We all come from different backgrounds and we bring in different pieces of what we’ve learned,” said Julia Rizzow, a freshman pursuing education.

The biggest event of the season is just around the corner for Enigma Winter Guard. Next week, the team will head to championship finals, along with every guard in the Atlantic Indoor Associations Northern Division. This competition will be the last of the season for the Enigma Winter Guard.

Overall, the team is confident that they will succeed and raise their score.

Their improvements so far is a telling sign that things can only get better; especially since they doubled their first score at their previous competition. This week is their last week of practice before championship finals.

“I feel confident. We’re cleaning up what we already have,” said Savannah Rowland, a junior in the college of education.

The group feels ready to take on their last competition of the season, and feels prepared enough in their work to leave with winning smiles on their faces.

University of Mary Washington Sports Schedule

Men’s Lacrosse (6-5)

Mar. 14 W vs. Susquehanna (15-10) Mar. 20 L vs. Roanoke (20-8) Mar. 23 W vs. St. Vincent (15-5) Mar. 30 vs. Salisbury Apr. 6 @ Chistopher Newport

Women’s Lacrosse (9-1) Mar. 16 W vs. Roanoke (19-7) Mar. 20 W @ Stevenson (8-6) Mar. 23 W vs. Meredith (16-12) Mar. 30 @ Salisbury Apr. 6 vs. Chistopher Newport

Baseball (6-9)

Mar. 20 W vs. Marymount (Va.) (10-6) Mar. 23 W vs. Southern Virgina (7-6) Mar. 27 W vs. Roanoke (7-6) Mar. 29 @ Christopher Newport Mar. 30 @ Christopher Newport

Softball (10-10)

Mar. 23 W vs. Gettysburg (12-4) Mar. 24 W vs. Shenandoah (4-0) Mar. 27 W @ East. Mennonite (7-2) Mar. 30 @ York (Pa.) Apr. 3 vs. Salisbury

Men’s Tennis (12-3)

Mar. 22 W vs. Bates (6-3) Mar. 23 W vs. Southern Virgina (6-3) Mar. 24 W vs. Frostburg St. (9-0) Mar. 30 @ Christopher Newport Apr. 5 @ York (Pa.)

Women’s Tennis (11-2)

Mar. 20 W vs. Centre (6-3) Mar. 23 W vs. Southern Virgina (9-0) Mar. 24 W vs. Frostburg St. (9-0) Mar. 30 @ Christopher Newport Apr. 5 @ York (Pa.)

Full Schedule not listed above.

Most recent games included.

Bold indicates home game.

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VIEWPOINTS

Lesser-known candidates offer fresh insight and potential policy changes

With the presidential primaries nearly a year away and the first debates nearly three months away, it feels as though we as a society are worrying too much over an issue that frankly, will not be affecting us for a long time to come. However, that has not prevented a variety of contenders, largely democratic, from looking into a potential bid for president.

With fourteen Democrats going so far as to declare their candidacy, the ring is crowded. Behind the big names of Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke and Elizabeth Warren, many lesser-known candidates are struggling to be heard by the mainstream audience.

However, we should still be interested in these less popular candidates who may possess the power to enact change.

A good example of this is Senator Bernie Sanders. His policies, regardless of how one feels about them, have become a focal point amongst current and potential democratic candidates.

Although his stances on universal medicare and free tuition were once seen as fringe or unlikely to succeed, they have been discussed more and more since his 2016 campaign, despite failing to secure the nomination against Hillary Clinton.

The Sanders campaign is not the first time an otherwise unsuccessful candidate has changed the game during election season.

In 1992, Reform candidate Ross Perot famously ran a campaign centered around balancing the federal budget, taking nearly 19 percent of the popular vote in the presidential election. Since

then, the issue has Basic Income.

AUGUSTUS GROHMANN been discussed by Although Staff Writer every subsequent seemingly presidential bizarre, hopeful. this idea has shown moderate levels So, are there any new big issues in of success when Finland underwent a the current 2020 field? It’s hard to tell. two-year, small scale trial of the policy However, there certainly are a number of between 2017-2018. Test subjects unorthodox policy ideas, some of which reported lower stress levels and greatly have been gaining traction. improved feelings of financial security.

Although he is not officially declared, Another questionable proposal is Democrat Pete Buttigieg has spoken out Tulsi Gabbard advocating to end all strongly against the electoral college, American wars for regime change openly advocating for its abolishment. throughout the world. At first glance, This issue, understandably, has gained the idea seemed rational. However, the a lot of traction amongst Democrats, stance is problematic when considering who have lost two elections in the past Gabbard’s refusal to site Bashar Altwenty years by electoral college, even Assad as an adversary. Moreover, she has though they have won the popular vote.

Calls for the abolishment of the electoral college became particularly vehement after Hillary Clinton’s loss to President Donald Trump in 2016.

Another idea fielded by a lessdiscussed Democratic hopeful is Julian Castro’s advocation for publicly funded pre-K education, announced at the launch of his career, another widely unknown cause with wide-ranging appeal.

Naturally, there have been some candidates that have fielded policies which appear entirely out of place, though have still managed to garner moderate support. A prime example of this is Andrew Yang’s “Freedom Dividend,” a one thousand-dollar, government supplied monthly source of income delivered to any and all United States citizens as a form of Universal

unilaterally condemned any and all rebel groups in the country as “terrorists,” including those who the United States has supported in the past, a stance which could potentially destabilize the region.

Of course, all of these candidates are unlikely to succeed. While some of their proposals are intriguing and indicate to some degree what ideas the base of the party is amenable to, it’s unreasonable to expect the majority, or even any, of these policies to become main talking points in the Democratic Primaries, both now and going forward.

And who knows? If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that Americans are starting to become more open to change.

Times.com

The print edition of the paper is inefficient and wasteful compared to online publication benefits, student says SAMUEL WEINSTEIN Staff Writer

The Blue and Gray is an important part of UMW’s culture and identity.

The fact that any student can join the paper and write for it is wonderful and inclusive, and opens the paper up to all different views and ideas. There are 24 locations on campus to pick up the paper, allowing for all those thoughts and ideas to easily be spread throughout the student body. The more places to pick up the paper, however, means more papers need to be printed. While the Blue and Gray is a valuable part of UMW, it isn’t worth printing each week. It would be more efficient to cut the physical paper and only publish articles online.

The most important thing to do when evaluating the worth of something is to look at its cost. In May of 2018 the Student Finance Committee denied the Blue and Gray’s request for $13,665.12 to print the paper for the year, as reported

by Jeff Branscome of the Free LanceStar. If the money being used to print the paper was cut and used for other projects, the committee could fund additional requests, which could have a bigger impact than a physical paper.

Finance Committee member Hannah Goad said, “we’ve had to make a lot of

cuts to make sure we can fund stuff like Devil Goat Day and Spring Formal and we wouldn’t be as stressed if we had the money that usually goes towards printing out the Blue and Gray.”

By funding the Blue and Gray, the resources of the Finance Committee are stretched thin, limiting their ability to provide funding for important parts of UMW’s culture.

Another factor to consider when evaluating the worth of the Blue and Gray is the impact it has on the environment. 1000 papers a week printed for 24 weeks a year is 24,000 papers.

That is a very significant amount of paper. Taking steps to eliminate the paper now would help to fight pollution and waste. The problem with the physical paper is that regardless of whether or not they get read, they all end up in the garbage or recycling, making the printing of the paper terribly wasteful.

Instead of focusing just on why print copy is bad, it is also necessary to look at why digital copy is good. The Blue and Gray is already available online and is easily accessible. Phones, iPads, and computers can all access the website, and in this age of technology where nearly everyone has a smartphone, there is no need to print hundreds of papers each week when students can already access it

right from their pocket.

Other universities have taken steps to either move online or reduce the number of papers they print each week for various reasons. Mt. San Antonio College stopped printing a paper in 2015, opting to use the website Medium to post stories and articles. At first they were only getting readership on bigger stories, while smaller pieces were left mostly ignored. They adapted by creating a Twitter account to report on the smaller things that people may not want to read an article on, but would still want to be informed about. The

University of Syracuse stopped its Friday publications in 2008 in an effort to save money. In 2015, those in charge of the paper revamped it, and decided to focus more on digital aspects by hiring a new assistant video editor.

The benefits of having a paper purely online vastly outnumber the benefits of keeping the physical paper financially, environmentally and logistically. The extra money could potentially go back to the student body and support other clubs, rather than using it to pay for a paper that could be just as easily read on a computer.

Grace Winfield / The Blue & Gray Press

Thursday March 2019 Thursday, January 21,28, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Grace Winfield | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Staff-Ed: Mental health resources and support essential for crisis survivors during trauma aftermath A year after the fatal shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School that left 17 people killed and another 17 wounded, the community is still dealing with the aftermath of that tragedy. Two survivors of the school shooting died by suicide last week. Sydney Aiello, a graduate of the Parkland high school, died on Mar. 17 at the age 19. Her parents revealed she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was struggling with “survivor’s guilt” after losing a close friend in the Feb. 14 shooting last year. Police recently confirmed that 16-year-old Calvin Desir died by suicide Saturday night on Mar. 23, just a week after Aiello took her own life.

David Hogg, one of the student activists who became a prominent figure in the wake of the shooting, called upon

PTSD and officials in

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS suicide a tweet on EDITORIAL BOARD awareness.

Sunday to do more to prevent such deaths. He More needs to be done to help survivors said, “How many more kids have to be deal with aftermath taken from us as a result of suicide for of trauma and find the government/school district to do the healing they anything? Rip 17 + 2.” need.

The high school’s parent-teacher If you or association tweeted a flyer with contact someone you know information of officials who could help may be struggling with suicidal with counseling for trauma. In response thoughts, you to these deaths, the City of Coral Springs can call the U.S. has now planned a Mental Health and National Suicide Suicide Prevention Town Hall Meeting Prevention Lifeline for Wednesday next week. When looking at 800-273-TALK for ways to address mass shootings, (8255) any time of we believe that it’s paramount to also day or night or chat consider how survivors are impacted online. by such tragedies, and provide support, Crisis Text Line including removing the stigma around

provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

This staff editorial was led by Ronic Ngambwe.

suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Staff-Ed: The student newspaper print edition is an indispensable component of the UMW campus community If you’re reading this, there is value in print.

The Blue and Gray Press is the only remaining physical student publication at UMW, and the print edition fills an important role in the liberal arts aspect of UMW’s culture.

First, the paper brings together students from all disciplines for valuable experiential learning and community engagement opportunities. For many students, it is their only opportunity to see their name in print, and to express their opinions and engage with the campus community through the print medium.

“I feel that the print edition of the Blue and Gray Press is extremely valuable to the students who create it.

Having a physical edition printed each week gives us something tangible with which we can appreciate our hard work, and it gives us a way to promote the paper to the UMW community,” said senior writer and English and literary studies major Hannah Galeone. “As writers, we want nothing but to have our voices heard and appreciated and the Blue and Gray gives us that ability.

Reducing the student newspaper to just an online edition would seriously detract from our ability to promote our work and be effective journalists.”

Since the program previously funded

by SGA that provided The New York Times and the Washington Post for free on campus was cut due to budget constraints in 2017, the Blue and Gray is the only newspaper on campus, and therefore the only source of print news available to students on campus.

We recognize that in today’s media, it is imperative for newspapers to offer a digital platform, which is why we’ve continued to maintain and expand our online presence. However, we have also observed that most of the people that engage with the paper online via social media are alumni and parents.

Meanwhile, we also know hundreds of current and prospective students— who are our main target audience—pick up papers during the week. Papers are more visible as all students that go to

class, eat, study Political

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS or workout on science professor, EDITORIAL BOARD campus pass and Journalism newsstands every day. Those that wish Advisory Committee member for the to read online have to actively search B&G, Dr. Stephen Farnsworth reads the for articles or follow us on social media paper every week and advocates for the and are therefore more likely to miss print-edition on campus. “As with any out on articles they would otherwise media outlet people look at different be interested in, amongst the several channels. Some people pick up the paper print-exclusive aspects to the paper such others go online. And to offer only one as photo stories, the police beat and the of those avenues is a bad idea,” said the sports scoreboard. former daily journalist. “The hard copy Sophomore Alexander Lee says he of the newspaper is one of the ways reads the paper every week just shortly visitors learn about Mary Washington. after it arrives and hasn’t missed a single When prospective students and parents edition since coming to the university. make their way across campus, some of “It’s just a part of my weekly routine at them are going to be picking up copies this point, and it’s become especially of the paper.” important for me as a relatively highAside from public demand, there are ranking SGA representative because it also higher standards for newspapers in gives me a way of keeping up to date print media, and with that writers have with the events that I might not hear greater expectations to uphold. about otherwise.”

“Getting rid of the print edition would Lee continued, “I feel that the value only make quality much worse. Writing given to the student body through the for an online platform creates a much print distribution is more than enough different tone and attitude. Writing to to justify that cost… The point is, even get clicks deteriorates the quality of an if readers make up a minority of the article. Writing for print doesn’t lead student body, a student newspaper is the to any of that compromise. When I best resource available for documenting know my name is physically printed to student life and having a print edition something, I work harder to make that is an important part of maintaining story matter,” says UMW alumnus Chris accessibility.”

Markham, who served as the EditorStudents aren’t the only ones picking in-Chief of the paper from 2015-17 for up papers; faculty also recognize their two of his four-years of involvement. value. HCC Building Manager and “If I can take my name off of something Adjunct Instructor Cartland Burge reads with one click, that sense of urgency to the paper every week. produce quality work is gone.”

“I’m a big fan… I get very excited Not only is the motivation—and every Thursday when the papers are quality—of the paper jeopardized delivered, just ask my student staff.” with the depletion of the print edition, Even the digital guru understands the not having a print edition would put importance of print. “I like the print UMW behind nearly every other format because it keeps the articles in public university in Virginia, which context with the time. When an article have weekly or even daily student pops up online, sometimes it is weeks or newspapers, often in addition to other months old, and just coming to my notice print publications like magazines. through social media or some other Markham, who recalls his years internet algorithm with its own nefarious working with the Blue & Gray Press as purpose. When I pick up the paper, I “a cornerstone” of his UMW experience, know these are all things UMW students says his work on the newspaper was are thinking about right now, which is part of the curriculum for his journalism helpful in understanding what issues are major, only furthering the argument currently on people’s minds.” that the print edition offers much

more than simple stories. “The lack of courses directed towards journalism and communication offered at UMW makes the importance of a student-run newspaper all the more critical. My experience on the paper landed me the job I have now; not the classes I took or the grades I got.”

In terms of sustainability, newspapers are traditionally the largest component by weight and volume of curbside recycling programs. Newspapers generate 8.8 million tons of waste, and in turn, 7.74 million tons of those tons are recycled, an 88.0% recovery rate.

Just this past summer, the school claimed that cutting the paper would be environmentally beneficial to the university. The University of Mary Washington stated in a Facebook post that, “UMW believes in freedom of the press and in stewardship of the environment,” which noted that the newspaper continues to operate online.

Comments expressing concern and anger from both alumni and school faculty and staff soon flooded the post, one alumnus argued that if the school’s concern is saving paper, they should stop sending promotional materials that solicit donations through the mail.

It should also be acknowledged that the school sends promotional material to prospective students that eventually get thrown away—why don’t they settle for only email?

Because print is effective.

We at the Blue and Gray appreciate the readers, journalists and political advocates that fight for freedom of the press. Now more than ever, the public should support the journalists who write and report to enact change in their communities, the nation and even the world; the same journalists who push back against fake news media outlets that easily creep their way onto the internet and into mainstream digital media.

Our purpose is to inform, to report the truth, to bear witness to suffering and to provide a reliable platform that represents the voices of any and all people.

This staff editorial was led by Grace Winfield.

5

LIFE

Editor: Lucas Burkholder blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Visting instructor program contributes to language LLC

MOLLY AVERY Staff Writer

While Mary Washington faculty are often treasured for their hard work and kindness, many newer employees remain unknown and underappreciated.

Some of those forgotten staff members, hidden down the hill behind Jefferson and confined to the walls of Combs, are the visiting language instructors and coordinators.

These terms are often met with confusion when brought up to the majority of students and faculty on campus. Most people could not point them out in a crowd as they are often mistaken for students themselves. They are crucial to students success though.

Visiting language coordinators (VLC) and visiting language instructors (VLI) are people who come from countries in which the languages taught here are native. The job of a VLC is to come to Mary Washington and help students further their education of languages and culture. They do this through hosting cooking hours, conversation hours, movie screenings and tutoring. VLI’s do all of these things as well, along with teaching a few classes.

“We are here to help the students, we want to help the students, but they don’t know we’re here.” said Sophie Blons, the French VLI. There’s a total of nine instructors and coordinators employed by the school. There are three instructors; one for Spanish, French, and German.

Along with that there are also six coordinators; one for Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Chinese, and Italian.

They’re here on a one year program, so the university gets new instructors and coordinators every year.

The coordinators and instructors live on campus in South Hall, down the hill from Combs, as part of the languages living and learning community. The purpose of this community is for students studying languages to interact with the instructors and coordinators to further their connections.

“We were really excited to come here,” said Ane Perez Gago, who is the VLC for Spanish.

“But that excitement went down.”

As a resident of South Hall myself, I have experienced this eagerness fade firsthand. The coordinators were painted a picture of what working on campus would be like, but it didn’t take long until it crumpled away. From housing mishaps to raised expectations, The visiting language instructors and coordinators reside in South Hall, located behind Combs. the instructors and Molly Avery / The Blue & Gray Press coordinators were cheated in many ways. in South Hall, and only around half the for the instructors and coordinators as One of the guarantees of being a VLC people living in South Hall are actually a none of them have cars here. or VLI is having your own room. Due part of it.

The VLC’s and VLI’s this year are to the housing crisis at the beginning of Blons shares a room with the German working with the university during the semester though, nearly all of the VLC in Russell, a hall for first years with a difficult time, with the language coordinators and instructors had to share no suite bathrooms. There is also another department potentially at risk of being a room, and it wasn’t until they arrived coordinator living in Ball. cut down. Their distress has been that they were told. At the beginning “It’s not what we expected it to be. expressed through hall meetings. of last semester all but two of the We were suppose to be sharing a house Residents of South Hall are worried coordinators and instructors were sharing with all the international students and that the future jobs of VLC’s and VLI’s rooms. students taking languages that wanted could be cut, which would erase a VLC for Arabic, Zaid Nihad Yousef to get in contact with us, but that’s not primary aspect of the living and learning Odetallah, was one of the coordinators how it worked out,” said Isabel Perez community. to share this fate. He shared a room with Moreno, who is the Spanish VLI. Now more than ever, they are the Italian VLC. As if having to share a Housing isn’t the only challenge emphasizing the importance of learning room wasn’t bad enough, they were also they’ve face. Adjusting to a different another language. Moreno commented given one of the smaller rooms in South country is never easy, but adjusting to a on a way to improve student interest, “I Hall. college campus in another country is far think the university should encourage “I think it’s the smallest room in more challenging than one can imagine. students to not just learn a language as South, the room is so tiny,” Odetallah All of the coordinators and instructors a requirement, but to be interested in said. “It’s very hard, the room is so so have already graduated university, so languages.” small.” to not only work, but also to live at one Despite all the drama they’ve faced, Having to share rooms is not all of again is quite difficult for them. the coordinators have made the best they it though. Also because of the housing The coordinators and instructors went can out of their situation. They’ve visited crisis not all of coordinators and on to explain that most of the universities various parts of the country during instructors even live in South Hall. Some they went to were in cities and didn’t winter break, keep in touch with people were placed in other dorms, when South really have an isolated campus. UMW’s from back home, and form connections Hall became full with students who were small campus can make people feel with what few students they can. In times supposed to live in Arrington. I can attest trapped at times, but one of the things when they don’t have that though, they that not everybody that is a part of the that helps with that is leaving the still have each other. living and learning community are living university to go out. This isn’t very easy

Jordan Peele’s “Us” offers horror infused social commentary ETHAN BLOUCH Contributing Writer

The movie “Us” is the second feature length film from Jordan Peele, who previously wrote and directed “Get Out” in addition to his collaborations with Michael Keegan on the Comedy Central television show Key and Peele.

Viewing the film entirely on its own terms, the film is smart without being pretentious, makes you care about the main family’s survival, and even manages to effectively use jump scares.

The main tension in the film is between a seemingly normal family and a frightening, twisted version of them that comes to visit them at their beach house. Both the normal characters and their doppelgangers are portrayed by the same actors, but the stark contrast between the way the actors differentiate their portrayal of the characters manages to convince you that they are entirely different people. In particular, Lupita Nyong’o steals

the show as both the troubled protagonist Adelaide and her doppelganger Red, who is by far one of the most disturbing and frightening characters in a horror movie. Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex also give great double performances as relatable family figures and otherworldly psychopaths.

The film does have some things to say about social and racial privilege, and the film is best appreciated as a visceral experience first and foremost. It’s an incredibly well-paced horror film.

This film also manages to tell its story using captivating cinematography- the first 10 minutes or so effortlessly switch between first person and third person perspective to help the viewer identify with and feel concern for a young child. The soundtrack feels like a future classic horror score, and Michael Abels, like Bernard Hermann before him, manages to turn the violin into the ultimate instrument for creating

suspense. The acting and choreography are all excellent- one of the final encounters between Adelaide and Red in a hallway, which cuts between flashbacks of Adelaide dancing as a young girl, is particularly effective.

The actual explanation of what the doppelgangers are and where they come from is the weakest part of the movie, but thankfully Peele seems to recognize this as such and brushes over it very quickly. Upon re-watching the film, you’ll no doubt recognize various lines that end up having deeper meanings, or see meanings in the film’s various recurring symbols that you didn’t see before. You’d be hard pressed to be disappointed by “Us”, a genuinely good horror film.

“Us” released on March 22.

IMDB

Thursday, March 28, 2019

LIFE

Fiftieth anniversary of Woodstock has fans wary about act lineup DALEY JENNINGS Staff Writer

On Nov. 8 of last year, it was announced that a fiftieth anniversary concert of the Woodstock was in the works, sparking excitement in the rock community. Since then the speculated concert has gone through many changes.

It is now going to be a three-day event with a concert each day, each one standing for love, peace and music, which were the main themes of the original Woodstock.

Ever since the rumored lineup of the concerts has been on the internet, there has been criticism of the chosen artists, some of the biggest ones being Jay-Z and Imagine Dragons. Purists of the original festival have voiced concerns of the festival simply turning into any other kind of music gathering you would find in 2019, some comparing it to DC101’s Lollapalooza or Coachella, another greatly anticipated music festival.

Woodstock dropped the official lineup of the three-day event on its website, and confirmed Imagine Dragons, Miley Cyrus and Jay-Z would be performing, although on separate days, as well as big name artists such as Janelle Monae, Haley, Robert Plant, Dead & Company and Chance the Rapper.

The announcement was met with the same criticism that had been circulating previously, as well as criticism online of the show organizers not capturing the original concept of the concert, which

was a movement for peace during the Vietnam War. Junior music major, Ana Oleinick, believes that a lot of the backlash is unfounded, but is still wary of how modern music may come into effect.

“Since the artists rely heavily on electronic music, it can easily become reminiscent of a ‘typical’ music festival.

I believe people are critiquing the concept because it was such a historical event- one that changed the way the country viewed the counterculture movement, politics and music itself,” said Olenick.

After seeing the lineup, Oleinick did see some remnants of the original peace,

love and music concept “Miley [Cyrus] is a known activist in the pacifist community. She’s performed at many other related marches and events, as well as advertising the vegan lifestyle and animal right campaigns.

Her brand is titled Happy Hippie, so I do believe she fits the criterion,” Olenick said.

Artists supposedly not matching the criteria of what the original Woodstock stood for is seems to be the most common complaint about the whole event, but it is hard to recapture the political atmosphere at the time of the Vietnam War. Junior English major, Makayla

Woodstock 2019 is April 16 in New York.

Harrington, agrees with the majority of the internet that the lineup missed the beat in keeping with the themes of the original Woodstock.

“I think the lineup isn’t on par with what everyone was expecting. It seems like they sacrificed the classic rock and roll style bands for just the most popular names they could get,” said Harrington Few artists have responded to the criticism online. Halsey, who is slated to perform the third day along with the artists such as Imagine Dragons and Cage the Elephant, addressed the criticism in a tweet days after the lineup had been released.

“The Woodstock lineup seems to be a bit divisive. But I am very honored to be included in a lineup of artists who all appear to be constantly influencing culture or representing social activism.

Using their voices. That’s Woodstock to me (sunflower emoji) I’m honored and I can’t wait.”

While none of the other artists have commented or reacted to the backlash, many other people are commenting on Twitter with one tweet claiming that the lineup “looks like it was curated by someone who’s only exposure to music has been through the Grammy’s ‘Best Rock Performance’ category between 2010-2013.”

Woodstock 50 is going to be held in Watkins Glen New York from Aug. 16 18. Tickets for the event are expected to become available on Apr. 22.

Variety

Vape Nation: a closer look at the rise of JUULs at UMW SARAH GARNETT Staff Writer

In a recent study done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the sale of JUULs was found to have increased 641 percent during 20162017. JUUL is a brand of e-cigarette that contains nicotine, and offers an alternative to regular cigarettes. In Dec. 2017, JUUL sales accounted for 1 in 3 e-cigarette sales in the United States.

They have an added appeal of coming in a variety of different flavor pods, masking the taste of nicotine. On Feb. 21, 2019, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill that will raise the age to purchase tobacco and vaping products, including JUULs and other e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. The bill will

go into effect on Jul. 1, 2019.

According to the JUUL Lab’s website, their mission is to “improve the lives of the world’s one billion adult smokers.”

The website also outlines restrictions placed on purchasing JUUL pods that went into effect in Nov. 2018, aimed at preventing youths from using the product. These preventative measures included ensuring no one under the age of 18 is able to purchase the product, and that certain flavored pods were not allowed to be sold to anyone under the age of 21. To prevent illegal sales, JUUL limits customers to two vaporizers at the time and only 10 vaporizers per year.

The company also holds customers to a monthly limit of 15 pod packages.

Furthermore, the company has a “secretshopper” program aimed at ensuring

56 percent of JUUL users were under 18 when they first used a JUUL.

locations that sell JUUL products are complying with the rules and regulations.

A spokesperson from JUUL labs expressed support for the new legislation writing, “We applaud the Commonwealth of Virginia for raising the purchasing age for all tobacco products, including vapor products, to 21 and we hope more lawmakers follow their example at all levels of government across the country. We cannot fulfill our mission to provide the world’s one billion adult smokers with a true alternative to combustible cigarettes if youth use continues unabated.”

A survey done by the National Institute of Health showed a “dramatic increase” in the use of vaping devices by high school seniors. In 2017, 27.8 percent of seniors reported using any form of vaping; in 2018 that percentage rose to 37.3. This survey also showed the increase in JUUL sales as a percentage of all e-cigarette sales. In Aug. 2017, JUUL sales represented just 24 percent of e-cigarette sales. By Oct. 2018, JUUL represented 75 percent of e-cigarette sales.

Truthinitiative. org is a website that seeks to educate on the statistics of JUUL use. A survey of college aged students (18-21) from Jul. 2017 to Oct. 2018 revealed

that the percentage of this demographic that had ever used or tried JUUL increased from 3 percent to 16 percent.

The survey also showed that 56 percent of those that had tried a JUUL were younger than 18 when they first tried it. In a survey of 600 youths and young adults, the same study found that the reasons why the younger generation used JUUL include “its popularity with other young people, the variety of flavors, its perception as less harmful than other products and its ability to deliver a buzz.”

At UMW, students were asked if they had seen an increase in the use of JUULs over time. Senior communication and English major Jamie McGuire said she “never expected to see such an increase in JUUL users over the last few years; however, I have seen more UMW students using JUULS more than traditional tobacco products like cigarettes.”

The Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education published a study in January of 2017, stating that young adults who start the use of nicotine via e-cigarettes triple their odds of starting cigarettes. Young adults are increasingly jumping on the bandwagon of JUULing as an alternative to smoking cigarettes, but they may actually be increasing their odds of becoming cigarette smokers.

When asked if it was obvious that there were more students using e-cigarettes, senior business administration major Rebekah Eyob said, “Oh absolutely, now people who I have never seen even touch a cigarette have JUULs with them all the time.”

Wired

7

Weekend Events Thursday

Friday

• Foreign Film Series 2019: Gauguin (French) @ HCC Digital Auditorium, 7:45 p.m.

• Arab Culture Night @ Chandler Ballroom, 6 - 9:30 p.m.

• CPB Big Spring Concert: AJR w/ Young Rising Sons @ Anderson Center, 7 p.m.

• Undeniably Adjacent Improv Comedy Show @ Monroe 116, 6 - 10 p.m.

• Junior Ring Dance @ Chandler Ballroom, 8 p.m.

• Mary Poppins Returns @ Monroe 116, 7 p.m.

• Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse @ Monroe 116, 10 p.m.

Saturday • SHH For the Kids 5K @ Ball Circle, 6:30 - 11 a.m.

• Junior Ring Ceremony @ Chandler Ballroom, 12 p.m.

• Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse @ Monroe 116, 7 p.m.

• Mary Poppins Returns @ Monroe 116, 10 p.m.

CONNECT WITH US NOW ON SNAPCHAT AS WELL The Blue & Gray Press

@theBlueandGray

theblueandgraypress

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LIFE

Personal Essay: a college student’s inner dialogue with depression HANNNAH GALEONE Senior Writer

“Wow, I’m going through this shampoo so fast… I feel like I just bought this bottle,” I thought to myself as I looked at my new micellar water hair product. I go through shampoo faster when I’m feeling depressed. I was stepping into the shower for the second time that day, finding myself soothed by steaming cascades of water yet again.

We’re all familiar with the feeling of craving a long, hot shower when we’re stressed, our day was tiring or we just need a people-free space to exist in. No one can bother us when we’re in the shower, and for some of us, the ability to self-isolate is extremely relieving. But when does it become too much?

I, like thousands of other students my age, am going through life in college with depression. We’ve all felt down, upset or just not “right” at some point in our lives, but it takes a toll having that feeling as a permanent part of your life. College is a difficult place to be when all you want to do is be alone.

You can hear people running through the residence halls, laughing outside or bustling around campus and part of you desperately wants to do those things too.

But the other part just wants you to stay inside by yourself.

Depression makes you feel lonely; it makes you feel like you and yourself are the only two people out there. It’s the two of you against everyone else.

Your lowly lit, slightly messy room and pillow-covered bed become your favorite place to be. It’s ironically your “happy” place because your lack of happiness is what makes you want to be there in the first place. And when you’re out all you want is to be back there.

We’re faced with “impossible tasks”easy, day-to-day things like running to the pharmacy that shouldn’t be this hard to accomplish- but they are. You try little things that you think will help- to do lists, cell phone reminders, good old fashioned sticky notes. And none of it seems to work. Yet, when you finally motivate yourself and complete an impossible task, the feeling is uplifting.

Every day I have to remind myself that my desire to be alone a lot of the time is coming between me and my happiness. I have always been a very More than 3 million people in the US suffer from depression every year.

Medium social “people person” and I always will be. But watching myself stray further more than I used to. Partially because I mental illnesses are often labeled as and further away from people is harder have incredible friends and family, and weak. People tell us to “just cheer up,” than the consequences of self-isolating. partially because part of the process ask if we’ve “just tried being happy,” When I think about it, it all comes was an obstacle that I had to overcome. or told that we’re using our mentality down to rationalizing my feelings with Sometimes the idea of going out in a as a crutch. But in reality, we’re the myself. Getting out of bed really isn’t public space was overwhelming. Or I opposite of weak. We just feel things that hard, you just don’t want to. Starting couldn’t find an outfit that I felt confident more intensely than other people. When that assignment isn’t as daunting as I’m in. What if I go out and I regret doing it? we feel sadness, we feel the weight making it out to be. It’ll take you five But I have to push those thoughts away of it resting on us and when we feel minutes to make that phone call that’s because they’re what hold me back. I happiness, it’s a whole new type of been on the to-do list for a week. I forget have to tell myself, “just go do the thing, energizing. College is undoubtedly how powerful my internal dialogue can you’re going to have fun and feel better stressful for everyone, but for people like be and when I use it correctly, it’s helpful for doing it.” And it works. Sometimes me, sometimes everything seems a little and motivating.

I am truly my own worst enemy, but bit worse. But sometimes things have to I find myself appreciating the time sometimes we can be friends. get worse before they can get better.

I spend with friends and family much People with depression or other

Bisexual+ Health Awareness Month draws attention to hidden issue VICTORIA RICKMOND Staff Writer

As the sixth annual Bisexual+ Health Awareness Month draws to a close, still many people remain unaware of its existence. Even though people who identify as bi+ (the + seeking to include all labels such as bisexual, pansexual, fluid, etc.) make up the largest majority of the LGBTQ+ community at nearly 52 percent, they face far greater health risks than the rest of the community.

“Bisexuals have higher rates of poverty, suicide, mental health issues, domestic violence, sexual assault, eating disorders, substance abuse, and poorer general health overall than the rest of the population,” said Kylie Smith, a therapist on staff at UMW’s Talley Center.

According to data compiled by the Bisexual Resource Center, only 28 percent of bisexual people report being out to those closest to them, compared to 77 percent of gay men and 71 percent of lesbians. Biphobia and the erasure of bisexuality often run rampant both outside of and within the community.

Jokes, stereotypes, non-inclusive language and even abuse surrounding the bisexual orientation as being either “actually gay” or “actually straight” often leaves people feeling confused, alone and misunderstood. This applies especially to bisexual youth.

“Bisexual youth report lower levels than their gay and lesbian peers of knowing that there are safe and supportive places and people out there,” Smith said. “They’re facing isolation from the heteronormative community and within the queer community, too.”

For college students, the stress of

questioning or feeling that they have to prove their sexual identity can often feel like yet another heavy burden added to their daily lives. Smith pointed out several crucial resources here at UMW where bisexual students can feel free to explore and be open about their identities.

“The Talley Center is a great resource for our bisexual students,” Smith said.

“While the group is for all those who identify under the queer umbrella, we validate and recognize that first, sexual orientation and gender are on a spectrum and they are not fixed. Second, we are all individuals with individual identities,” Smith said. “Many students are trying things out for maybe the first time and they can say things out loud in a space that is safe and where it won’t go beyond

Only 28 percent of bisexual people have reported being open about their sexuality.

“It’s a great place to explore sexual and relationship orientation, as well as gender identity. Our professional staff here are affirming, so students can work with a therapist to explore their identities and to address all of those extra-big issues out there that make the bisexual population more vulnerable.”

In addition to individual therapy, the Talley Center also provides an LGBTQ+ support group that is usually able to take on about twelve students each semester.

Wikipedia

the walls so they don’t have to worry about family and others finding out.”

In addition to the Talley Center and support group, there are several other resources on campus as well. The James Farmer Multicultural Center develops programs that are collaborative with gender and sexual minority-inclusive programs, and Title IX works to provide support for education and corrective action if a student is targeted due to gender identity or sexual orientation.

The rainbow eagle stickers and pins that are often seen on laptops and backpacks around campus represent yet another resource in UMW’s SafeZone Program, in which faculty, staff and students go through training culminating in signing a pledge that they will be affirming and supportive allies for LGBTQ+ individuals on campus.

Despite all of the advantages, the idea of reaching out to these resources or joining a support group may still be intimidating for bisexual students who are struggling. There are always phone hotlines and online chats available, including The Trevor Project for crisis intervention and suicide prevention (866-488-7386), the GLBT National Youth Talkline for both online and byphone private peer support (800-2467743), and the LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Hotline (866-3566998).

Though they may not be as individualized or effective as oneon-one therapy, Smith also said that standard self-care practices are always a good starting point.

“Express yourself through writing, journaling, poetry or art. Do things that will keep you healthy like balanced meals and movement. If you do use alcohol, tobacco or drugs, do so in moderation because those things make us more vulnerable and we’re already a vulnerable population. Be aware that identifying as bisexual in a world where dichotomies reign is really hard but when you’re able to, stand up and tell the world who you are. Wear your pride. Tell the world that you won’t let them make you invisible. Tell them you’re valid and that who you are matters. It’s not a phase and you deserve to be taken seriously.”

9

NEWS

POLICE BEAT UMW sees uptick in reported sexual assaults •TITLE IX | 2

MEAGHAN MCINTYRE & KATE SELTZER News Editors

Vandalism On Thursday, March 21 between 11:20 p.m. and 11:25 p.m. a tree outside Marshall Hall was vandalized. This case is closed with one Honor Council referral and one administrative referral given.

Petit Larceny On Wednesday, March 20 at 10:58 a.m. a wallet was stolen from the Goolrick Hall. This case is closed and the item was returned to the owner.

On Thursday, March 21 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. a debit card was stolen from the Anderson Center. This case is pending.

Public Intoxication On Sunday, March 17 at 9:38 p.m., there was an incident of public intoxication and an individual tried to use a false ID in Randolph Hall. One administrative referral was given.

to rates of false law; however, if it were to pass, it reports of other crimes. would be the first change to Title IX He also wants to ensure that campus is since it was implemented in 1972. a place where victims feel embraced by The proposed changes to Title IX the university differ from the so they will Dear Colleague “I feel like people tend to not report Letter on Sexual step forward. things because steps are taken to Violence under “So now we’re in President Obama’s alleviate a victim’s stress but it that stage doesn’t seem to last for very long.” administration. of trying to According to come back to the Department of -Sammie Meyers center, so that Education website, both parties the Dear Colleague are given a Letter on Sexual fair representation to find the truth, the Violence was introduced April 4, facts of what took place,” said Hall.

2011. The purpose of the letter is to According to the crime log at remind schools of their responsibility Brent House, there have been eight to take the necessary steps in a timely reported incidents of sex-based crimes manner after a case of sexual violence within the current academic year. The is reported and outlines the school’s reports range from sexual display to obligations under Title IX. statutory rape; out of the eight reported However, as of Sept. 7, 2017, instances, six of the reports were either DeVos announced in a press release sexual assault or sexual harassment. that the Department of Education is “I looked at numbers this year, and withdrawing the Dear Colleague Letter they were elevated, but we looked on Sexual Violence. at nationwide that the numbers were After the proposed changes to Title elevated. We attributed that to more IX were proposed, there was an open awareness on campus,” said Hall. “I comment period from Nov. 29 to Jan. think the #MeToo movement brought 28. However, due to the government more awareness to the nation.” shutdown, the open comment period According to the crime log, the was extended to February. The Office depositions of two of the reports stated of Civil Rights is currently reviewing the victim did not want to report or the proposal. If the proposal is declined prosecution and were referred passed, it would become a law and to Title IX. be implemented at a federal level. In It is unclear if and when the this event, the UMW Title IX Office proposed regulations will be put into will send out an official email to the

university community.

According to the Department of Education’s website, the proposed rule speaks of the importance of supportive measures such as academic course adjustments, counseling, no-contact orders, dorm room reassignments, leaves of absence and class schedule changes. The supportive measures are in place make sure students have fair and safe access to education whether or not they file a formal complaint.

“I feel like people tend to not report things because steps are taken to alleviate a victim’s stress but it doesn’t seem to last for very long. There’s also still a stigma tied to people who report,” said English major, senior Sammie Meyers.

Stefanie Lucas-Waverly was previously the Title IX Investigator, but as of the week of March 25 has taken over Marissa Miller’s position as Title IX Coordinator. According to LucasWaverly, UMW has yet to change any of its policies. Additionally, LucasWaverly states it is hard to say what the impact will be as they are currently in a waiting period. She had no comments on reporting rates and the impact of the proposal.

“If that happend to me, God forbid, I would not even go to [the Office of Title IX],” said sophomore fine arts major Gabrielle Campbell. “I’d just go to the police because I would not want to be interrogated...Cross-examination seems to be extremely aggressive if you’re a victim.”

College of Education to occupy Seacobeck in fall of 2020 •SEACOBECK | 2

Math, Classics, Religion and

Philosophy.

Since Seacobeck Hall is a very old building and it used to be a dining area, it needs to undergo various renovations so that it can be fit for the College of Education.

Dean of the College of Education Peter Kelly said, “Faculty, staff, and students in the College of Education are excited that Seacobeck will serve as their new home beginning in the fall of 2020. The architects from Hanbury have done a great job soliciting and incorporating feedback on the building design [from] faculty, staff and students.”

Kelly voiced his appreciation for prioritizing the College of Education and the future teachers emerging from UMW. “That Seacobeck will be redesigned as the new home for the College of Education is strong indication of the support UMW has for teacher preparation, and we are deeply grateful for that,” Kelly said. “There is a serious teacher shortage in Virginia, and we have a responsibility to help address

that.”

According to the associate vice president of Facilities, John Wiltenmuth, the construction plans to revamp Seacobeck Hall will make it more of a classroom and office setting.

“The renovation of Seacobeck will provide new life to the building and a new home to College of Education as well as the Office of Disability Resources,” Wiltenmuth said. “The interior will be reconfigured for classrooms, offices and other support needs. Exterior components, including porches and windows, will be repaired.”

One of the problems that has been brought up with the construction at Seacobeck Hall is the redirection of parking. The area around Seacobeck on College Avenue has often been used for parking by staff and some students.

Wiltenmuth confirmed, “The service lot at Seacobeck will be closed throughout the duration of the project with displacement of a small number of service vehicle and staff parking spaces.”

Seacobeck’s renovations are expected to be complete in August of 2020.

“The renovation of Seacobeck will provide new life to the building and a new home to College of Education as well as the Office of Disability Resources.”

-John Wiltenmuth

10

Future buildings on campus will feature doors that lock from the inside.

Lauren Closs / The Blue & Gray Press

Students and staff discuss campus safety

•CLASSROOM SAFETY | 1

“Mary Washington is very would be usable on campus, as community-oriented. It’s a very according to him many of them violate friendly campus,” he said. fire code and are therefore not viable Scanlon also said that she generally solutions. feels safe in her classrooms and Hall said that he wants students and recognizes that money is tight and faculty to know that safety will always safety decisions are not always easy to be his number one concern, and that if make. anyone has issues or concerns that he “Safety is a lot of things,” said would be happy Scanlon, to speak with “Would I rather “There are difficult questions have locks on them.

“There that we need to ask ourselves. It every door or a are difficult security guard keeps me awake at night.” questions that from 8 [p.m.] we need to ask to 6 a.m. in the ourselves. It parking deck -Chief Michael Hall keeps me awake every night? at night,” he There are so said. many kinds of safety that a campus has Despite his issues with the locks to take care of and I understand that on some of the classroom doors, Story shooting situations are actually rare if said that he still feels safe on campus. you think about them statistically.”

Thursday, March 28, 2019

NEWS

According to students and staff, UMW is lacking in terms of ensuring that campus is accessible to people with disabilities.

Emily Sanborn / The Blue & Gray Press

ODR navigates challenges due to inaccessible areas on campus •Amphitheatre | 1

said Worrell.

“Because we’re a beautiful historic that, then we have to figure out how are working and to respond if someone Johnson campus, we have beautiful historic to change that classroom location. All reports they are not working. said it is not her understanding that buildings that have a lot of value and of that requires time and coordination “As renovations are happening, of certain events cannot be held in the are very important for our campus, so across the different departments.” course we are making changes, and amphitheatre due to the accessibility I don’t want to discount that in any Johnson said that there is still much then in existing buildings we’re trying issue, but that for any events that are way. Things were not to understand the held, the University has to plan to always designed with and address “Because we’re a beautiful historic campus, we have issues provide assistance. acceptability in mind them as we can,” said beautiful historic buildings that have a lot of value and are Johnson.

Worrell said that while the limited 100 years ago,” said accessibility has impacted her decision Machado.

Bean said that she very important for our campus, so I don’t want to discount to not promote the amphitheatre as “Some of my hopes the University that in any way. Things were not always designed with an event space, she does not typically classes were in will work to “include acceptability in mind 100 years ago.” promote any of the other event spaces buildings without elevator access in all on campus. functioning elevators buildings—academic, “We haven’t had numerous inquiries and were upstairs. administrative and -Jessica Machado about [booking the amphitheatre].

While I went to living. Include ramps The majority of the inquiries have class, it was often and elevators in been people who are alums who want painful to get there. One of the clubs I to be done on campus in terms of gender neutral housing. Have training to have their wedding there,” said sporadically attend is [also] located in accessibility. “The campus in and of for all staff, especially housing staff.”

Worrell. the [creative writing mansion], so it is itself [can be inaccessible] because of “We’ve got 14 students who Johnson said she recognizes it is not rare that I go,” said Bean. all the rain; it’s just the nature of where are classified as having mobility convenient for students with mobility Senior Brandy Fallon, a member we’re located. There are some very impairment. That number could change issues who may want to spend time of the DiversAbility club, suggested inconvenient access issues,” she said. tomorrow if someone else wants to in the amphitheatre on a normal day that the University could be doing Johnson said she is consistently register. It’s a really small percentage outside of an event. “That’s what we’re more in terms of making campus more working to make structures on campus of students, but that doesn’t mean working on; it’s a priority,” she said. accessible. more accessible. For example, she that those students are not just as Senior English major Kylie Bean “UMW seems to make sure things recently worked to create a more valuable as every other student here, said her disability affects her mobility are compliant with ADA laws, but they accessible entrance to the zen garden. and have the right to access the same on campus. don’t really think things through as far “For awhile that wasn’t accessible, opportunities,” said Machado.

“I’m hemiparetic, meaning I’m as making things easily accessible,” and one of the things I advocated Johnson said that as vice president partially paralyzed on one side of my said Fallon. for and got immediate support with for equity and access, it is important to body. I use a leg brace and a cane for “Most handicapped parking is used [making] sure that was accessible as continue to work to make all aspects of better mobility, but stairs and hills by staff and nothing is specifically for fast as we [could], and now it is.” campus accessible for all students. are painful for me. I walk with a limp disabled students. Some buildings have Additionally, Johnson is working “The amphitheatre is a wonderful, and walk at a slower pace than most ramps behind the building to way out to install automatic door openers in all beautiful venue; it’s nostalgic, it people. I also get worn out by physical of the way so a disabled student has buildings. has historical value, so as one of the activity like to take more “We are adding door openers to offerings that we’re most proud of and walking time and buildings as those issues are brought to that we want to celebrate, we have to “UMW seems to make sure things energy out around our attention,” she said. For example, do our best to be sure that everyone campus more are compliant with ADA laws, but they of their day she is working on adding door openers can enjoy it equally.” quickly and just to find in DuPont and Woodard to doors that Kate Seltzer contributed to the don’t really think things through as far an accessible easily than are closer to the elevator. She said reporting of this story. as making things easily accessible.” entrance.” most,” Bean there is a protocol to check that these said.

Machado Bean explained -Brandy Fallon said her that some experience older with accessibility at UMW has been buildings on campus are not accessible. mixed. “The Disabled Student Services “Because we are a historic campus, office [and] Office of Disability we also might be inadvertently setting Resources has been fantastic. However, ourselves up for not having a lot of the housing situation has been sub par. students with mobility issues coming to I have also had professors that have our campus because of the challenges not been understanding of my tardiness they face with just navigating,” said when I had to walk across campus in Machado. ten minutes while being physically “The Title IX building - and how disabled,” Bean said. important is that! - is not accessible.

“I think universities as a whole You have to be able to walk up those across the entire country struggle stairs in order to get to the front door to meet the needs of students with and inside. Once you’re inside, the disabilities. I think that some might offices are also upstairs.” have more challenges than others “We have buildings that are still because of things are within their used and [taught] in, like the creative control and also outside their control,” writing mansion,” continued Machado. said Jessica Machado, director of “If students have the need to be able UMW’s historic buildings are frequently inaccessible to people with mobile impairments.

UMW’s Office of Disability Resources. to use the elevator or something like

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Emily Sanborn / The Blue & Gray Press

11

SPORTS

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

Track and field looks to continue outdoor season success

AVA ROBB-MCCORD Staff Writer

The University of Mary Washington men’s and women’s track and field teams finished their indoor season at the end of February, where men placed fourth and women placed third among competing schools in the Capital Athletic Conference.

Now, the outdoor track and field season is in full swing. The team prepares for the Outdoor CAC meet in the beginning of May, just a few weeks away. This year, the team is confident that they are in a better position than last season and are ready to put their best foot forward for the remainder of the outdoor season.

Helping the track and field team along their journey to success, the athletic department hired Anthony Wallace as the new men’s and women’s sprints and jumps coach. Wallace, or Coach Ant as the athletes call him, replaced coach Kathy Binder after a year at her position as sprints and jumps coach. The athletes have responded positively to the newest addition to the team.

“I think Coach Ant is exactly what our program needed. We have so much talent that wasn’t being utilized and he has done a great job bringing out the best in everyone. He knows what he is doing and as a result the sprints team really trusts him,” said sophomore sprinter

Angie Cherikos.

The addition of Wallace has been a welcome change for the entire team.

This past weekend on Saturday Mar. 23, the track and field team participated in the Goucher College Invitational held in Towson, MD. The weekend proved to be successful as many UMW competitors finished in the top three of their respective events.

On the track, junior sprinter Erin Andrewlevich finished first in the 100 meter dash and in the women’s 4x100 meter relay placed second, among other noteworthy performances. While on the field, senior thrower Ripken Smith won both the discus and hammer throw and sophomore thrower Jackie Smith placed second in women’s javelin.

Commenting on his last season as a UMW track and field athlete, Ripken Smith has dedicated the last three and a half years to finishing his athletic career as strong as possible, with hopes of qualifying for Nationals by the end of the season.

“It will be very difficult but I want to qualify for Nationals in the Hammer this year. So I am really focusing on that event but I still want to focus on shotput and discus too. If I continue to improve and set new personal records at every meet, I will consider this season a successful one.”

So far, Ripken has held strong on the promise to himself and has set a new

personal record at each meet this season.

On the distance side of the track and field team, which includes events ranging from 1500 meters to 10,000 meters, the athletes are confident in their performances and abilities thus far.

The team’s outdoor season continues on May 3-4. UMW Athletics “With the start of outdoor, distance team, Villiva will be replaced our workouts are smoother and more by the now assistant coach, Stephen consistent. We’re in a better position now Harrison. than we were at the beginning of indoor Sophomore distance runner Carly in December,” said freshman distance Hughes commented on her feelings runner, Zoe Rafter. about losing not only a coach but a friend While the team has moved past at the end of the season. their performance at the Indoor CAC “Coach Alec has done so much for competition, both the men’s and me as a runner, and is one of my favorite women’s teams have their sights set people. I was so sad when I heard he was on finishing in the top three at Outdoor leaving, I hope he still comes back for Conferences in May. races. That said, I’m happy it is Coach “I think now people know what needs Stephen who will be replacing him for to be done in order for this season to cross country and track.” be a success. People are looking fit at The team is optimistic about the rest practice, and the season has only just of the 2019 Outdoor season which will started. The goal for both men and be held at CNU on May 3-4. Between women is always aim for winning the now and then there are opportunities for conference titles, realistically top three. the UMW community to show support That’s something we’re more than for the track and field team at two capable of doing,” said Cameron Coates, home meets hosted at the Battlegrounds junior distance runner. complex.

While the sprints and jumps part of UMW will host the annual the team gained a new coach this season, Battleground Relays on Apr. 5-6 as well the distance portion of the team will say as the Eagle Invitational, which will be goodbye to three year coach, Alec Villiva held on Apr. 27. in May. As the current head coach for the

Allison Davis receives CAC honors for women’s lacrosse

year is that many of the players on the starting attack are seniors.

“Having a lot of our girls be really Senior Allison Davis was awarded experienced this year and having been CAC Women’s Lacrosse Offensive working together for four years - it’s Player of the Week last week. The finally coming together really well,” recognition came after she scored four explained Davis. goals against Kean and five goals and an There are also twelve freshman assist against Roanoke, leading her team who joined the team this year. Davis is to two victories. grateful to her coaches for “bringing in “It was really awesome to see my new, strong people every year.” hard work being recognized,” said Davis, “Everyone is strong. We help [the “but the most important thing is that I freshmen] get better every day as they couldn’t get my goals without [the team] help us get better every day. Once we working as a whole unit...I feel like it’s leave next year, they’ll still be able to be an award for our whole attack.” able to fill in just as well,” said Davis.

Davis believes that one thing that has The women’s lacrosse team will contributed to the team’s success this kick off their first conference game this Saturday, Mar. 30 at Salisbury.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday,” said Davis. “Salisbury is our biggest rival, and we have never beaten them in my four years. This is a super exciting game that we’re all looking forward to.”

One of Davis’ goals for this season is to make it to the NCAA tournament. The team has made it for the last three years, so she hopes to finish her college career strong by doing it again. In order to get there, the team will need to perform well throughout the season, especially when it comes to games against previous conference leaders, York and Davis scored 4 goals against Kean and five Allison Davis Salisbury. goals and an assist against Roanoke.

GEMMA SPICKA-PROFFIT Senior Writer

Being a senior adds an extra layer of stress during the competing season.

Davis is a math major with a data science minor, so she is looking for a job that includes programming after she graduates this May. Although the job search has been “pretty tough,” she remains optimistic.

Playing a spring sport also affects seniors in another unique way.

“The NCAA tournament goes after school ends and after graduation, so the past three years we’ve had to stay over,” said Davis. “One of the NCAA games lands on the day of graduation, so there’s a possibility that we could not be able to walk.”

However, when this happened in the past, the team has jumped at the opportunity to hold an alternative graduation.

“In my sophomore year...the seniors couldn’t go to graduation, so we hosted our own graduation for them in one of our backyards,” reminisced Davis. “It was really cute. They got all dressed up with their cap and gown. It was even better in a way because you’re not sitting out in the hot for so long, and it was just more intimate with our close friends.”

In her free time, Davis loves to attend concerts. She and her dad listen to a lot of the same music, so they often attend shows together.

“I’ve been to Firefly twice,” said Davis when asked about her favorite show she has ever attended. “It was just me and my dad, so we camped out

together and went to four days of show.

It was so much fun.” Up next on her concert schedule is her favorite band, The 1975.

Davis also makes time for volunteering. She coaches a rec team over the summer in her hometown, and she helps out with the clinics that her coach hosts in Fredericksburg as much as she can.

“I really like sharing my love of the game and teaching the girls,” said Davis.

“The ones who are brand new to the sport and have no idea - it’s just really fun to see them learn and develop their skills. With the older ones, it’s fun to try to develop strategies and how to play in tournaments... I hope to inspire them to want to play in college too.”

“I used to not think I would be a good coach because I’m a reserved and quiet person and to be a coach you have to be very loud and energetic,” added Davis.

“Once I did it, I was like ‘okay, I actually really like this’ ... I hope to continue coaching after I graduate.”

Davis also volunteers with the women’s lacrosse team around Fredericksburg. Some of the team’s annual volunteering activities include spending time at the food bank and participating in a canned food drive.

“I think it’s really important that all our teams at Mary Washington try to get out and do stuff because we’re such a big part of the students at this school,” said Davis. “I think it’s great that we get so many people involved.”

Club Sports Scoreboard Club Softball Mar. 23,24 @ University of Virgina 1st in Tournament Thursday, March 28, 2019

Club Womans Soccer Mar. 24 @ Lynchburg College 3-1

Club Womans Volleyball Mar. 30 @ University of Virgina TBA 12