The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Data reveals fate of millions of leftover flex

VOLUME 90 | ISSUE 23

PRESS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

February 16, 1995 _______________

April 13, 2017 Honorary member of UMW athletics passes away after fight with cancer I 12

UMW Athletics

During the 2015-2016 school year, the university made $10.3 million in revenue from the meal plans. About $8.5 million goes to paying for food and services on campus. These expenses included dining services operating, dining services maintenance, Seacobeck Hall debt service, fee waivers for language coordinators, indirect cost charges, allocation for University Center Debt and the Repair and Replacement Reserve.

The unused meal swipe and flex dollar money is then used to pay the dining contractor to help reduce the amount that students pay for meal plans the following year.

Some students are not satisfied with the current system in place for unused swipes and flex. When asked whether the loss of money from unused swipes and flex made him upset, UMW student Kristopher Moxley said, “Yeah kind

of. Nothing I can do about it though, I guess. I’m already going to be 50 grand in debt. What’s a few hundred more?”

Other students feel it is their responsibility to make sure none of their dining plan money goes to waste. “To be honest, I think it is on the student to keep track and make sure they are using all of their meal swipes and flex,” said UMW student Kellin Gibson. “Their mom, dad or whoever paid for it, so they should make sure they use it all so the money doesn’t become UMW’s property at the end of the year.”

This is a problem with other dining programs. According to Virginia Commonwealth University officials, thousands of meal plans aren’t used in their entirety each year. The revenue from unused meal plans amounts to about $1 million for the university. VCU said that it relies on students not spending their entire meal plan in an interview with Richmond News. The meal plan for VCU students is required for students who live in dorms.

Over 9,000 students purchase meal plans with VCU’s dining program.

3,000 of those students live in the dorms and are required to buy one of the university’s several meal plans. The other 6,000 are voluntary. University officials say that there are about 150,000 unused swipes left over at the end of the year.

While UMW does not keep a record of how many swipes go unused by the end of the year, the dining contractor for UMW estimates that an average of 26 percent of swipes are not used by meal plan participants. That equates to about 1,031 meal swipes each year. These cal

Glenn Taylor / The Blue & Gray Press

•FLEX | 2

Find out where all your unused flex goes

Qdoba is a popular location on campus for students to spend their flex dollars.

IN THIS

ISSUE

1922

Thomas Wesley Berry

KELLY EMMRICH & ABIGAIL WHITTINGTON Life Editor & Staff Writer

At the end of spring 2016, University of Mary Washington student, Nick Atwell had roughly $130 of flex left over. He used that money to buy 12 large pizzas to feed his stressed peers during exam week. Atwell ends every year with an abundance of flex because he chooses to eat in the University Center dining hall, where he can eat healthy options for only a meal swipe. Despite mostly relying on meal swipes to feed him, Atwell still ends each year with about 30 unused swipes.

Meal swipes are equivalent to about $6 to $11 depending on what time of day students go to the UC and what the student purchases for a meal. Flex has the same monetary value as United States dollars. Flex is used to upgrade a meal or to purchase snacks as part of the meal plan. The flex dollars that go unused at the end of the fall semester roll over into the spring semester, but after the spring semester any remaining unused flex dollars are forfeited to the university.

Many students in addition to Atwell, face this same problem of having too much flex left at the end of each year.

At the end of the 2015-2016 school year $103,897 in flex went unused, according to the response to a FOIA request to the public information office.

April 20, 2017

THE CURSE

FLIGHT BACK

WON 4 WESLEY

Friends bond over Macbeth as the semester winds down.

Students weary of United Airlines incident.

Honorary Eagle Wesley Berry passed away last week.

LIFE | 6

VIEWPOINTS | 5

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 Chris Markham

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alex Spence

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Ester Salguero

VIEWPOINTS Tessa Cate

LIFE Kelly Emmrich

SPORTS Mikey Barnes

ONLINE Ethan Tobin

PHOTO Alex Sakes

Business Team

Editors: Ester Salguero & Meaghan McIntyre | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Millions of flex dollars put to use after year ends •FLEX |1 culations exclude the Eagle Plan, which provides unlimited meal swipes each year for freshman who are only given that one meal plan option. Because the Eagle Plan has unlimited swipes, it is hard to calculate how much of what they pay goes to waste.

H o w e v e r, other schools have systems in place to prevent the disappearance of students’ dining dollars at the end of the year. According to a Student Press Law Center (SPLC) report done by SPLC staff and student journalists at various universities, many schools are under a system in which the school can claim the unused money at the end of the year, but some schools have found ways to ensure that students get full use of their money.

Washington State University allows funds to carry over into the following fall semester as long as the student is still living in campus housing. Similarly, University of Wisconsin students receive a refund if their remaining dining dollar balance is over $20. If their dining dollar balance is below $20, the money is transferred to another account that acts as a debit card similar to the Eagle One account at UMW. When explained the systems that other schools have in place for unused dining money, Atwell said, “I think the school should reimburse the flex money that isn’t used. Odds are I would put that money towards buying textbooks for my classes or other food items off campus.”

Similarly, UMW student, Matthew Allocca said, “That sounds nice because it gives options to students instead of leaving them without money they’ve already put towards dining. It ensures that a student can actually get what they paid for.”

While UMW does not have a system in place to refund unused flex dollars or meal swipes, it does try to create new ways for students to use their remaining flex and meals at the end of the semester. The Grab ‘n Go in the Nest plans for mass spending at the end of the year by providing cases of drinks and non-perishables for students to purchase with their remaining flex dollars to take home with them.

Even if students don’t have room in their cars to take home cases of food, the university suggests buying the food for donation to Loisann’s Hope House in Fredericksburg. The mission of the Hope House is “to quickly move children and their families from homelessness to housing.” If students find they

don’t have time to drop the food off at the house themselves, some Grab ‘n Go employees offer to take the items to the house for them.

“I have offered to take some cases of soda to the Hope House after work

“I think the school should reimburse the flex money that isn’t used.”

-Nick Atwell before,” said Dora Whiting, an Eagle’s Nest employee at the Grab ‘n Go. “It’s a great way to make sure students’ money doesn’t go to waste while also giving them a chance to give back to their community.”

Students have also taken charge in promoting the spending of extra flex and meal swipes at the end of the year by sharing their wealth with those who burned through their flex and meal swipes earlier in the year.

Jennifer Hill started a group on Facebook called UMW Flex Daddies where students with extra flex are encouraged use their swipes and flex that would normally go unused to feed their peers. Hill started the group after learning about William and Mary’s flex daddy group from a friend. The group started this year and currently has only 44 members, but Hill expects the group to grow after a little more advertising.

“I haven’t had success yet with it,” Hill said. “But I am planning on making a video advertisement to hopefully start to get more attention.”

Student Senate Beat Wednesday, April 12 The following motions have been passed by UMW Student Senate. The passing of a motion does not mean that its terms are subject to happen.

The motions will be reviewed by the Student Government Association Executive Cabinet, who will then vote on the proposed motions.

OLD BUSINESS •

Basketball nets have been ordered and are now waiting on them to be delivered but will not be up until next fall

•

Tampon motion has been worked on by executive cabinet, Tampons have been ordered and will be put in women’s bathrooms in UC and data will be collected to see if there is room in budget for tampon dispenser. Right now, the tampons will be in baskets.

•

This is the last meeting of the year, all senators that have joined this year we encourage you to be in senate next year! Also encourage friends and other clubs to get involved in Student Senate.

ANNOUNCEMENTS • •

This Friday, April 21 is President Piano’s inauguration.

Encourage to join senate again and tell friends! Executive Cabinet wants to also boost the significance of senate For more information, contact the president of Student Senate, Ethan Carter at : ecarter@mail.umw.edu

All motions were originated and passed in the Student Senate.

They have not gone through approval by the Executive Cabinet.

DETAILS PROVIDED BY JAMIE MCGUIRE

CORRECTIONS for THE Week

Linda Fitzpatrick Janelle Behm

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

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian •

2

Tim Brown is not the current rugby coach. He is the Coordinator of Team Sports. The newspaper inaccurately stated his job title in last week’s issue.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

SPORTS

Despite success, UMW softball still in the shadows Sportpinion

RACHEL FINSTON Staff Writer

UMW is colloquially known as “University of Mostly Women” but how does that translate to the university’s sports teams? Specifically in the case of softball and baseball, equity seems questionable.

In terms of information available about the teams, the softball team fields 25 players, just like most major league baseball teams. Baseball, however, has 27.

Even at a Division III school like UMW, it probably costs a significant amount of money to supply athletes, and both sports require the same amount of players. Both teams were established in 1988 and have three coaches, two assistants and a head

coach. However, according to the team schedule, the softball season is a month longer than the baseball season, going into the month of May after the April 22 CAC Tournament. Students have also expressed that playing times and playing locations for softball are less desirable than the ones assigned to the baseball team. Even if they have the same playing times, people are more likely to attend baseball games than softball games.

Emma Rakowski, sophomore softball player, says that she hasn’t had any problems.

“From my experience our playing times are always the same and the facilities for both softball and baseball can be really good or really shabby.”

She said that she’s been treated very well as a softball player. That is reassuring, since Title IX requires men and women to be allotted the same opportunities, but the disparate sizes of the teams are still a bit suspect. Softball head coach Dee Conway has been with UMW softball since its inception, for thirty years, and she is also a UMW associate professor.

Wayne Riser, head baseball coach has been with UMW baseball for five years and has not had the tenure with the school that Conway has. Another issue is the V. Earl Dickinson Stadium, where UMW baseball plays their home games. It boasts one thousand seats, concessions, and batting cages, both indoor and outdoor.

There does not appear to be an equivalent

facility for softball, which is troubling, nor do softball players play games at the stadium.

It seems like there are some inherent inequalities at play between the softball and baseball teams that need to be addressed.

Hopefully, veteran coach Conway and her players will be able to get the playing times, facilities and funding that they deserve. UMW may only be a Division III school, but students still have the opportunity to enjoy sports, and it’s important that the university provide the same opportunities to everyone.

Great finish for UMW golf in their first drive

UMW Golf Freshman Phillip Manceri (left) and Ethan Kelly (right) named first team all-CAC.

MIKEY BARNES Sports Editor

On Oct. 24, 2014, the University of Mary Washington announced it would be welcoming a new program to the UMW athletics team. That program addition was the men’s golf team, coached by former men’s basketball coach, Rod Wood.

Wood had led the UMW men’s basketball program to the Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament in his final season as the head of the program. He served as the head golf coach at Robert E. Lee High School where he led them to two conference championships.

The golf program started its inaugural season in the fall of 2016, bringing in an entire class of freshman and one transfer junior. Wood and the UMW athletic department welcomed in one of the top recruiting classes in Division III this season,

led by freshman captain Austin Matz.

Throughout the season, the program has had a number of top finishes in many tournaments. In September the team finished in third place in the CAC tournament preview at Cape Charles, Virginia, finishing just one shot behind second place Virginia Wesleyan. In the middle of October the team finished in fifth of 14 teams at the VSGA Intercollegiate tournament in Williamsburg, Virginia.

In the spring season, the Eagles had a lot of strong performances. The Eagles finished in first of six at the Burning Ridge Golf Club at the Myrtle Beach Kickoff. At the Marine Credit Union Collegiate Championship, the Eagles men’s golf team finished in sixth of 31 teams at the end of March and beginning of April.

On April 14, the Eagles participated in the tournament they had prepared for all season; the CAC Tournament. After

UMW Golf Freshman Austin Matz chips up on to the green after a strong tee shot.

the first day of the tournament, the Eagles were in second place, with freshman Phillip Manceri tied for first overall. On the second day of the tournament, the Eagles remained in second place, as freshman Ethan Kelly shot two over, with a round of 74. Manceri got second for the Eagles shot a six over, a round of 78. In the final day, Kelly shot three over, a 75, as Manceri shot a nine over, for an 81.

The Eagles finished in second overall, behind Christopher Newport University.

Kelly finished in fifth place, with a threeday score of 228, for a total of 12 over.

Manceri finished right behind Kelly in sixth, three strokes back. Fellow freshman Jason Guintu finished in fourteenth place with a score of 243.

Kelly’s performance and season was good enough to earn him the Capital Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and a spot on the first team all-CAC. Manceri’s

performance also earned him a spot on the all-CAC first team.

“It was such an honor to be apart of the inaugural team with a group of such great guys,” said Kelly. “Getting second in the CAC as a team was a huge statement along with Phillip and I receiving first team CAC honors. I am really looking forward to the coming years when we have a more experienced team.”

The Eagles’ strong performance in the tournament and on the season will set them up for next year and the years to come, as they are currently a roster of all nine freshman. According to a number of the current players, next year’s team is to feature another strong group of freshman.

“With a strong incoming recruiting class, we are looking forward to making a run at the CAC title next year,” said Matz.

Weekly Scoreboard SOFTBALL:

baseball

Apr. 15 @ Southern Virginia (W) UMW: 7 Southern Virginia: 5

Apr. 18 @ Salisbury (L) UMW: 21 Salisbury: 6

Apr. 18 vs. Frostburg St. (W) UMW: 16 Frostburg St.: 5

Apr. 19 vs. Frostburg St. (W) UMW: 11 Frostburg St.: 9

women's LACROSSE

men's LACROSSE

softball:

baseball

April 20 @ York (Pa.) 10:00 P.M.

April 20 @ CNU 9:00 A.M.

April 22 @ Salisbury TBA

April 22 @ Salisbury TBA

women's LACROSSE

men's LACROSSE

3

VIEWPOINTS Spring has sprung on the UMW campus COLLEEN SULLIVAN Staff Writer

Gone are the dreary days of winter, here come the idyllic days of spring. I sit on a bench and contemplate the whirlwind activity around me.

I truly stop, for what feels like the first time in ages.

My phone is off, my book is stowed in my bag, and my mind runs rampant. I struggle to remember the last time I was alone with my thoughts, without an outlet to silence them.

There’s no better place to do this than right here, outside on a bench, near the center of campus. The trees bow to the wind, birds chirp their secret language to one another.

I’m grateful that winter has taken its final bow and ceded the stage to spring. Back is the spirit of comradery, though it never truly left.

The campus awakens once more and gives students the chance to congregate at traditional meeting spots. Ball Circle is bustling with students soaking up the sun and a carefree game of frisbee can be seen here and there. Students dawdle at Monroe Fountain, first to fulfill the tradition of swimming in it,

but then to escape the heat sweeping through campus. Each bench has an occupant, some read literature, others sketch in journals, and some just fall asleep.

Trees rustle with leaves, and a rainstorm of cherry blossom petals is a welcomed treat.

This university affords us the simple luxury of enjoying nature whenever we please, which can be easily overlooked during winter.

Though the cold was biting, it was a bit miraculous to watch tiny buds

Transfer student finds home at UMW TAYLOR OSTROM Staff Writer

I still remember my first day of college. I felt like a kindergartener all over again with sweaty palms and butterflies in my stomach.

Sure, I was nervous, but I was also bursting with excitement.

I was about to start my journey down a four-year road of self-discovery.

However, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment when I realized I was attending a university that made me feel lost in the shuffle. This university failed to 4

meet my needs as a student and I felt overlooked and unimportant.

Fortunately, this university was not the University of Mary Washington.

I transferred to UMW this semester, and have yet to regret my decision to do so. I was previously attending a college up north, and while there, never once felt the way I feel at UMW. I feel welcomed here, not only by students but also by staff.

When it comes to making stu-

This university, in all of its springtime glory, inspires a sense of hope in prospective students.

Though academics are a large part of a student’s choice of college, a campus with a welcoming embrace is the first impression one gleans when they visit here.

As I take my own moment to think about my world, I realize that I, too, have changed with the seasons.

My freshman year is coming to a close and I’ve Ginny Bixby / The Blue & Gray Press learned things about myself that can only be taught outside form on trees and gardenias bloom the classroom. in spite of the frigid temperatures.

My long-term goals have changed, With impending final exams, re- as well as my perspective. Failure is search papers, and, for some, grad- no longer a fearsome possibility; it uation, it is a struggle to take a mo- can be embraced as proof of a coument to pause, breathe, and relax. rageous effort.

Amidst the endless flurry of activiPersonal ideals should take precty lies remarkable scenery that begs edent over ideas forced upon you. to be observed.

Some friendships evolve, but others The university is more than just an may plot contrary courses. It’s okay institution for higher education; it is to follow your own map. symbolic of striving for a brighter After all, you can’t walk very far future and grasping at the boundless without encountering a familiar opportunities. face. It’s your place to call home.

dents feel like family, UMW does not fall short in doing so.

On my first day of class my peers greeted me with friendly smiles.

It took my professors only a mere week to learn my name, whereas at my previous college I was constantly reminding my professors who I was.

At UMW I feel comfortable. Professors see their students as individuals with unique qualities and specific needs, they do not judge, and are always available to help when needed.

The students of UMW are friendly and approachable. I can recall numerous occasions where fellow peers of mine have introduced themselves and started up friendly conversation with me.

I have even had a student go out of her way to ask a professor for my email so she could reach out to me.

She was aware I am not only a student, but also a mother and po-

litely emailed me to let me know that she runs a pro-life group here on campus. She assured me that if I ever needed anything, such as a babysitter or someone to talk to, then I shouldn’t hesitate to contact her.

I thought that was so sweet and kind. I have never experienced a more welcoming student body than the one here.

UMW is a close-knit campus, and that’s why I love being a student here so much. Sure, at a larger campus, parties might be crazier and sporting events may attract a larger crowd, but they lack the family atmosphere UMW has.

I have only been here for a semester, but it already feels like home to me.

I can tell that during my time here at UMW, I will not only grow as a student but also meet some amazing people along the way.

Thursday, April 20, 2017 Thursday, January 21, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Tessa Cate | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Students react to United controversy

ANDREW ARENAS Staff Writer

On April 9, 2017, O’Hare International Airport police forcibly had removed passenger David Dao from United Flight 3411 after he refused to exit the airplane upon the demand of management.

Dao screamed as officers pulled him out of his seat, and his face hit an armrest during the struggle.

Officers then dragged him on his back along the aircraft aisle past rows of passengers.

Before the dispute began, management offered compensation to passengers willing to vacate their seats to make room for four airline employees who needed to travel to the flight’s destination, but none of the passengers were willing to give up their seats.

Four passengers were then selected for involuntary removal from the flight. Three passengers onboard complied, and Dao was selected to be fourth.

Videos of the encounter were quickly posted on social media showing Dao bloodied and frightened. It sparked an international outrage condemning United’s overall handling of the situation.

“What happened on that flight was terrible for the passenger that was bumped and United’s image as a whole” said junior Joemmel Tendilla. Many speculated that this

incident would financially hurt United in the future, but to some that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“I think people might not have much of a choice but to fly with United because of smaller competition on certain routes,” said Tendilla.

United’s CEO Oscar Munoz received intense criticism on his initial reaction to Dao’s confrontation, many calling it ‘unsympathetic.’

A couple days later, he made another statement ultimately apologizing to Dao and promising that this type of incident will never happen again.

“That initial ‘apology’ to Dao was only issued because of how much money United lost over the past few days,” said freshman Rachein Childress.

According to Time, United’s value went down four percent over the course of the week.

The stock ended up at $69 on Thursday, reducing the company’s market cap by $770 million to $21.5 billion.

Fortune reported that Munoz could lose up to $500,000 of his bonuses tied to customer satisfaction

GomerBlog

surveys. The airline collects up to 8,000 surveys from United customers each day.

Since the incident with Dao, customers have been tearing up their survey sheets and United credit cards.

“The only way I could see United coming back is [if] they completely overhaul [all] of their overbooking practices,” said Childress.

“The use of the word ‘accommodation’ from the CEO of United is flat out laughable.

At least this incident brought a bevy of memes along with it,” said junior Eli Fraley.

Twitter and Facebook flooded with memes depicting people being brutally beaten to be ‘re-accommodated’ out of a United Airlines flight.

“I’m not entirely sure that this incident will affect them in the long run, but I will avoid United like the plague in the foreseeable future,” stated Fraley.

“I had a flight scheduled during the summer that was under United prior to this incident.

Now I’m definitely going to go with another airline instead.”

Staff Ed: Less print copies and more videos lie in BGP future. Help wanted from community to improve paper.

Over the course of the year, The Blue & Gray Press staff has worked hard to produce the highest quality product of news. In what could be called one of the most challenging years in the history of journalism, we take pride in staying true to our mission of striving for accurate news to benefit the University of Mary Washington and the Fredericksburg communities.

While at times this goal was not always met, one of the most important parts of journalism is not letting mistakes or criticism take control of your operation. This year, we have strove

to produce more in-depth, “hard-hitting” articles, often met with opposition and strife.

These reactions are common, and in many newspaper offices, expected. However, despite acting as a professional and high-quality publication, The Blue & Gray Press is still a student-run organization with much room to grow and much to learn.

This isn’t to justify mistakes, but to extend an invitation for student, faculty, staff and administration to help us in our journey to produce the highest quality product we can.

All students at UMW may write for

the newspaper as long as the editors approve. All advice and constructive criticism is welcome, as long as healthy discussions can be made of it. In recent years, we have heard demand for more multimedia productions, which we followed up with by introducing the “Blue & Gray TV” series. Although it is still a work in progress, BGTV is a focal point of The Blue & Gray Press’s future.

Recently, we have also heard from faculty that a decrease in circulation should be considered. We are happy to announce that we will be decreasing our weekly circulation from

2,000 copies to 1,000 copies starting next academic year. This is to reduce the cost of our production as well as reduce the weekly waste we produce.

The motto of The Blue & Gray Press is “Campus news with student views.” While our staff consists of 12 editors and around 40 staff writers, all 5,000-plus members of the UMW community are a part of what makes our paper. To be the best paper we can be, we need the involvement of the entire campus community, whether that be picking up the paper or writing for us. Only then will we live up to our motto.

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

5

LIFE

Editor: Kelly Emmrich blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Macbeth takes stage in Klein Theatre with bloody combat scenes MEAGHAN MCINTYRE Assistant New Editor

On Thursday, April 13 I and three of my friends found ourselves making our way across campus to Klein Theatre where we would proceed to watch a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

That night, what originally started as a class assignment became an enjoyable memory for the four of us.

When Miranda Batte-Futrell and I were deciding when we should go see Macbeth for our Introduction to Theatre class, both of our future roommates for next year expressed an interest in coming with us. All of us were familiar with the

plot of the play, but this was the first time any of us had seen it performed as a stage production.

Overall, the four of us thoroughly enjoyed the play and felt it was a good experience. By the time it ended, we found ourselves analyzing it as we walked back to our dorms. One thing we found was that different scenes stood out to each of us.

“My favorite part was the scene with the porter, which didn’t amuse me when I read the scene, but had me in stitches from laughter when it was performed,” said freshman psychology major Batte-Futrell. “The actress did an

UMW Theatre/Facebook

amazing job and I always had high expectations when I saw her walk onto the stage.”

As a group, we all agreed that the characters who seemed to fully commit to their roles really added to the overall presentation of the play.

“My favorite characters were the witches and the porter,” said freshman psychology major Alexis Erb. “They all acted really great and got into their roles.”

Alongside the humorous scenes, the ones where individual characters displayed intense emotions were also memorable.

“Another favorite of mine was the scene where Lady Macbeth was being observed by the doctor and nurse,” said Batte-Futrell. “The actress did an excellent job conveying her insanity.”

Though we all felt that for the most part the production was well done, there were a few critiques that we had.

“My least favorite part was when the blood from killing Banquo was splatted on the murderer's face, but his dagger appeared clean,” said BatteFutrell. “This was a slight inconsistency

Motivation techniques for the screen-locked college student FINNLEY GOFF The thrumming of the internet calls actually get stuff done, then?

Staff Writer to you and suddenly you're sucked Before I begin my little advice into the depths of YouTube or Facesection, let me be clear: we all book, unable to surface until hours later. At least, this is know the typical ways to retain motivation. Take breaks you if you act anything like me. Even as I’m typing this when studying, get enough sleep, give yourself enough article I have my laptop screen split in two; one half is time for assignments, blah blah blah. this article and the other is the equivalent of Vine re-runs, I’m not going to simply slap a new coat of paint on compilation-style on YouTube. these and pretend they’re brand new and totally work I’ve always had a problem with staying motivated, 100% of the time. Instead, I’m going to recommend one even when it came to the things I wanted to do. For of the best and worst motivators: tell someone you don’t instance, at the beginning of this semester I bought a ton want to disappoint when you need to get something done. of yarn and three different sizes of knitting needles in For instance: when I have a large essay due, I tend a period of two weeks. I learned the basic technique of to let my mom in on my deadlines. I don’t necessarily English-style knitting from the internet in an attempt to tell her I want her to check up on me, but I let her know find a relaxing hobby. I’m proud to say that using blanket because I know she’ll naturally ask about how it’s going. yarn I actually arm-knit quite a few scarves. What I’m She’s not strict, but I know that when I text her, there’s not proud to say is that the majority of the supplies I a general expectation that I should be working at a good bought now are resting at the top off my dorm room’s pace in regards to my due date. Like I said, if employing closet, abandoned for now. this tactic, pick a person you genuinely don’t want to disI’m sure I’m not the first person to abandon a new appoint but who won’t lord the deadline over you, unless hobby—after all, how many of us lie to ourselves and say you’re into that. we’re going to start jogging the canal path or regularly Another key point is to examine the reason why attending the gym’s fitness classes? It’s all fine and dandy you’re unmotivated to do something. Actually question to abandon hobbies; the real problem is when you begin the part of your brain that whispers that you can totally to abandon the remaining work for the last two weeks of tackle that ten page paper in two days or that you don’t classes. really have to go to the class study session before your Now, I’ve been pretty honest in these personal essays exam. thus far but let me reassure you that I’m being truthful Personally, I tend to be a perfectionist, which ironwhen I say I’m definitely feeling the burn of the last two ically means that I tend not to want to do something weeks. Every time I have class I have to convince myself unless I can do it really well. Remember my example of that I legitimately need to attend and force myself to go. knitting? My scarves kind of sucked to be honest, and It’s like debating with someone who's had much more even though I got used to needle knitting it still didn’t time to prepare and is armed with a list of things that look exactly how I wanted. So I abandoned knitting. It is seem much more important than one 50 minute lecture. If also possible you don’t consider yourself a perfectionist I’m worrying about what comes after college, it distracts because you’re completely fine half-assing something the me enough that I need to simply sit down or take a nap. If morning it’s due in a panic because you pushed it off. But I’ve procrastinated on an assignment already, what’s the think about it: why did you push it off in the first place? point of going to class when I can turn it in next class?

Getting down to the root of the problem tends to Lastly, why study for finals when I can sleep instead for a be the answer to most of our personal or interpersonal healthy length of time? problems. When that fails, the normal tactics for getting Really, it’s pretty easy to convince yourself not to do something done really aren’t that bad as long as you something. Motivation is a fickle being that blesses us don’t abuse them. Worst comes to absolute worst, just rewhen we’re too busy and abandons us when we settle member we only have two more weeks to push through. down to do the work. How do you retain the drive to

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University Relations

I didn’t like.”

What we saw of the fight scenes at the end were engaging, but as viewers we felt some disappointment over them not being more visible to the audience.

“In general, it was portrayed really well but some of the fight scenes towards the end should have stayed on stage instead of in the wings,” Erb said.

Despite the ways in which we think the performance could have improved, in the end we all enjoyed ourselves and were glad to have had the opportunity to attend the play as a group. “Overall I

University of Mary Washington Department of Music Event: Fratres, Vocaloid, Anachronistic

Memories, & Sonic Depths:A

Night of Contemporary Music Who: Zach Payne, Cole Masaitis,

Michael Prime, Levi Manuel When: 4/29/17 @ 4:00 - 6:00p.m.

Where: Hurley Convergence Center,

Digital Auditorium University of Mary Washington 1301 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Cost: FREE Contact: zpayne@mail.umw.edu,

cmasaiti09@gmail.com,

lmanuel@mail.umw.edu Fredericksburg, VA (April 29th, Saturday) Come experience a night of contemporary and eclectic music performed by members of the Mary Washington Music Department. Original compositions and performances of contemporary composer Arvo Part combine to create an engaging and educational concert to remember.

Listen to violinist Zach Payne’s lecture performance of Fratres by Arvo Part, a musical piece of haunting and ethereal patterns.

Cole Masaitis debuts new original music incorporating Vocaloid, the singing voice synthesizer accompanied by modern instruments and dance to represent where live and electronic musical possibilities intersect in the future.

Michael Prime premiers his original composition Anachronistic Memories utilising ancient Scandinavian folk singing in tandem with contemporary instruments and compositional styles. In his presentation, he will discuss the Nordic culture during the height of the “Vikings”, as well as the style of singing used in his piece.

Levi Manuel reveals his original and aquatic composition Sonic Depths that will take listeners through the layers and sounds of the ocean. In his lecture, he will explain how the layers are analyzed and portrayed, as well as the ocean sounds used in the piece.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

LIFE

HOLI: the annual celebration of color takes over campus Photos by Glenn Taylor Desiree Williams (left) and Lewis Harvey (right) are both captured enjoying the aftermath of throwing the colored powder. During the event, students usually gather to take photos of each other with the variety of colors on their clothes.

On Friday, April 14, the International Living Community and SEED hosted Holi on Ball Circle. Holi is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring. Students gathered in the middle of the day to throw powder and spray water at each other.

The University of Mary Washington’s Eagle Bhangra is an organization that appeals to students of all cultures. Before the Holi festival began, this team performed traditional dances. Orginating in the Punjab region of India, Bhangra has become a performance that students enjoy watching because of its high-energy.

Freshman ask advice from seniors about majors and balancing work HALEY SPENCER Staff Writer

The 2017 school year is beginning to wrap up and graduating seniors are preparing to write a new chapter in their lives and endure a new adventure. For them, it has been four years of papers and exams, late nights in Simpson Library and the Hurley Convergence Center, many trips to Blackstone for the largest coffees available and celebrating with their life-long friends for semesters’ ends. While seniors have only a few weeks left before they throw their caps in the air, University of Mary Washington freshman are just gearing up to make the most of their college careers. To facilitate a discussion between freshman and seniors, an aggregate of questions submitted by some freshmen were given to seniors to answer with the best advice freshman can use to make the best of the rest of their college years.

Ryan Goodrich, a freshman who intends to major in music and communications asked, “Looking back on finding your major, is it something that you love, or is it just something that you knew would pay well? And if it’s something you love, do you have any advice on how to embrace that and go for it?”

Christine Mackrell, a senior majoring in geography and political science, who is going on to graduate school for geography, answers this in her love for geography.

“I am a geography major, and that is certainly a field that I love first and foremost. It also has the potential to pay well depending on what route you take. I would say that it is different

from person to person, but just remember that whatever path you choose, you will have to be able to tolerate doing that thing every single day. Choosing a major that makes you miserable but could make you a lot of money down the road does not make sense. Any major you choose can be profitable if you take all of the opportunities you can and make yourself known. It’s all about how you spin it.”

Clara Ludtke, also a geography major, appends on this as well.

“I think that you just have to keep an open mind, and I suggest taking every opportunity your professors present you with. I’m a Research Assistant right now, and I’ve had the opportunity to go to conferences so there are ways that you can make your major marketable.”

Another aspect of college life is a student’s involvement in clubs outside of the classroom. Frankie Edwards, a freshman intending to major in history, asked seniors how clubs and activities affected one’s college experience.

Mackrell thought back on her experiences in both WMWC Campus Radio and Women’s Ultimate Frisbee stating, “Being a part of these clubs helped me make friends and opened me up to new things. I think freshman

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should be willing to try a lot of different clubs until they find the right one, because those people can become awesome friends.”

Ludtke said, “I transferred to Mary Washington, so joining clubs are where I made most of my friends in college.

I’m in a few clubs now, and all of them bring something different to my college experience. One of them is a service club, and the other is an environmental club, so clubs are a way for me to get more involved in the campus community as well as the Fredericksburg area. Clubs also helped my find my niche in college.

I honestly think without them I’d be kinda lost.”

Lastly, Nora Whelan, a freshman and intended biology major asked, “How can you prepare for life after college in your upperclassmen years?”

Cameron Duncan, a senior majoring in English and plans to go on to grad school for her Master’s in Education, said, “don’t procrastinate on thinking about your future. Start thinking about internships, programs and jobs during your sophomore year. Look into grad school, jobs and other future endeavors your junior year. But more importantly, don’t panic if you don’t know what you’re doing yet. The one thing I have learned is that no one knows what they are doing.”

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Campus. Life. All. Week.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Reel Deals

• Earth Day Celebration @11 a.m. , Ball Circle

• Day of Silence @ 12 p.m., Ball Circle

• Relay for Life @ 6pm, Ball Circle

• Wine and Food Pairing 3pm, The Underground

• Rogue One: a Star Wars Story Friday @ 7 and Saturday @ 10

• Trivia Night @ 6 p.m., Talon Lounge Higher-Ed in the Disinformation Age @ 7 p.m.,Dodd Auditorium

• Presidential Inauguration @ 3:50 p.m., Dodd Auditorium

• Spring Choral Concert @ 7:30pm, Dodd Auditorium

• Sing!

Friday @ 10 and Saturday @ 7 pm

• Community Celebration @ 5:30 p.m., UC

Op Ed: #WeAreAllRefugees SARAH TEAGUE Contributing Writer

I am more and more frustrated by the western world and its actions against the immigrants to Europe. They are refugees, people! Can no one understand that? Trouble always comes with any group, but it is racist to say that the refugees are somehow worse than the natives. The Prime Minister of Sweden said the other day that he will never allow mass immigration to happen again.

Why? Because someone performed a terrorist attack. This makes me feel literally sick.

Before I go on, I have to say terrorism is evil. Everyone knows this. What the PM of Sweden is saying though, and there is no nice way of saying this, is worse than terrorism.

He is condemning a group of people based on no evidence.

Terrorism is just a reality of living in the west. This is not the end of the world. I know some people support what the Swedish Prime Minister is saying. Typically, they are Trump supporters. Doesn’t that say enough? It should.

The real solution to terrorism is to adapt. It is very wrong to force the refugees to live like Europeans when they come to Europe. I say this for a few reasons. One, they did not choose to be born in a war torn region. Two, they bring diversity with them and it enhances us. These are without question. Diversity is a strength. So racists and patriarchal westerners (is there a difference?) always say that

immigrants need to assimilate.

But they ignore a fundamental truth. We need to assimilate to the refugees too.

When someone is hurt, you don’t force them to act like you for you to help them. We shouldn’t expect these refugees to convert to western values either. It’s so demeaning. We need to help refugees, and we need to adapt to their way of life more. It shouldn’t be a hard thing to do, and it’s not crazy to say. We have so much, and they have so little.

It’s a little bit racist to think that they should be forced to flee their country and also lose their entire way of life. Sometimes that has issues, but the issues are a part of what makes diversity so great. We learn, we grow, and we change.

When they bring diversity to Europe and the West, they help us. In many ways they even help us learn about ourselves. The west has done so much bad to the world. We’ve probably done more bad than good. It’s inhumane to be so hypocritical and not help the refugees. So I want to ask everyone to follow this rule: They are better than us, and we can learn from them! Diversity is a strength. Shout it! DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH.

• Annual Student Art Exhibition @ 10am, duPont Gallery

LIFE

How students manage stress by taking breaks during finals week HARRY FISHER Staff Writer

With finals week rapidly approaching, University of Mary Washington students find themselves faced with the difficult task of trying to find ways to relax amidst all the chaos that the end of the semester can bring. One of the most popular ways for students to shake off the stress in between working on final projects and studying for exams is, of course, binge watching television. However, there are also other ways to relax as you prepare for finals, and these students have shared their opinions on what they like to watch, listen to, and eat during and after the last week of the school year.

It seems many students find watching TV is a good way to relax, especially during finals.

“I like to watch TV shows from the 80s like Jem and the Holograms and The Heathers, because they’re so funny and over the top,” says Megan Lindsey, a junior history major.

“I like watching Jessica Jones during finals week, because it’s suspenseful, just like finals are,” says sophomore English major Katie Chau.

According to the fastweb.com article “Staying Healthy During Finals Week”

by Arianne Amparo, taking a break from

studying to watch some TV is a perfectly good idea. Amparo writes that taking breaks during study time is essential.

She recommends taking a short break by watching TV. She warns against getting too carried away in a show, though.

However, for some students, the internet provides all of the stress relief they need.

“I like to watch ‘let’s players’ during finals week because they have funny reactions to frustrating video games,” says junior history major Sarah Jones.

It seems that for students like Jones, watching “let’s players,” or people who play video games on YouTube for people’s entertainment, is much more stress relieving than television, especially when they have over the top reaction to frustrating videogames, which creates some hilarious content which helps students take their edge off.

Saleha Malik, a junior creative writing major, has similar interests. “I like to watch let’s players, music videos.

Anything that I don’t have to think about.”

After hours of studying, it seems like anything that allows students to just stop thinking and relax for a little while is a good way to take a break. This is especially true of music.

According to the uloop.com article

Ideas on how to survive after your meal plan runs out ES HETHCOX Assistant Online Editor

With the end of the semester drawing near, some Mary Washington students are watching their flex dollars and meal swipes dwindle as they enter the final three weeks of the semester.

However, UMW students should not lose hope. Fredericksburg is a college town, and college towns look after their student community.

Here are a few places in the Fredericksburg area that offer cheap deals for students struggling to keep themselves fed.

Pho Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant on Salem Church Road offers $5 pho bowls for students on Wednesdays.

Bring your EagleOne during the hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a cheap –and delicious— meal.

IHOP offers student deals every Thursday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Just show your EagleOne and you can receive 50 percent off your entire meal (with the purchase of a beverage). In addition, on Tuesdays IHOP also offers half-price burgers with the purchase of a beverage, as well as free coffee with the purchase of an entrée on Mondays.

Country Cookin offers anyone a meal of burger and fries for only $3 every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. With the simple showing of your EagleOne

and payment of $3, you can fall asleep

with a full stomach.

Pancho Villa in Eagle Village offers students and faculty 10 percent off any of their new lunch specials! Grab your EagleOne and take a walk across the bridge for some delicious Mexican food.

In addition, there are some restaurants close to campus that allow students to use their EagleOne as payment. If you are really struggling and can convince your parents to transfer money to your EagleOne, you can use that as payment at the following restaurants: Chipotle, Babe Ganoush Mediterranean Grill, Country Cookin, Domino’s Pizza, Home Team Grill, McDonald’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, IHOP and Greens & Grains.

Even though all these restaurants are off campus, they will help Pho Saigon Restaurant/facebook you survive the final weeks of the semester.

Extra tip: If you post on the popular app YikYak that you are out of flex or meal swipes, many Mary Washington students with an abundance of the two will gladly offer to buy you food. It sounds sketchy, but it’s usually students who have been in your position and don’t want you to starve your way to finals week.

“Do or Don’t: Studying While Listening to Music” by Elana Goodwin, “Studies have shown that listening to music before studying or performing a task can be beneficial as it improves attention, memory, and even your ability to do mental math as well as helping lessen depression and anxiety.”

These students have also shared their opinions on what they like to eat and drink when studying for finals.

“I try to eat like I normally do, because too much sugar and caffeine isn’t healthy,” Jones said.

“I like to drink tea. It helps me relax,” Lindsey said.

Tea is actually a much better energy booster for studying than coffee, according to the article “When it Comes to Studying, Science Proves Tea is Better Than Coffee” by Andi Heffez from thelala.com: “The side effects of tea serve as the ultimate boost to your study habits. Tea is used for improving mental alertness, information processing, and

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memory, all crucial for getting that ‘A.’ As an added bonus, it can also help treat those finals week stress headaches.”

The students I spoke with also shared what they would like to do in celebration of finals being over. “I would binge watch all the shows I haven’t been able to watch because of finals,” Malik said.

“I always watch whatever TV shows everyone’s been talking about when finals are over,” Lindsey said. It seems that TV is a popular way to celebrate the end of the semester, both during and after finals.

If you need a way to clear your head during this finals season, just take a page from these students’ books, grab some green tea, and switch on the TV.

Sleep is overrated: go for a run SUSANNAH TOMBES

I wake up with wore me down, Staff Writer the sun as the rest of adding in extra time campus is still in deep sleep, breathing to train for running 13.1 miles did not heavily under soft comforters. Thoughts seem logical to my friends who lovingly about hiding under my own covers suggested that I rest my mind and body. invade my mind and I know that the The secret though, is that running did battle has begun. I get up. I’m getting rest my mind. It allowed me to see the dressed and I have to remind myself strength of my heart and mind, especially that the only runs I have regretted are when I did not see that strength. It gave the ones that I never went on. Slipping me time to think and be present, two on my shoes, I make my way out of my things that I struggled with in classes and dorm and move into a jog until I find my even with friends at certain times. Even pace. though training caused the trajectory of Running has always been an my body to be challenged and forced me important to stretch aspect of muscles in my life, but my heart when I came and mind to college that I did it became not know even more existed. prominent.

Over I remember the past this past few years fall most as my vividly when running I trained has for the increased, Richmond my family Half and friends Marathon. have It was a begun to difficult question semester Susannah Tombes/Blue & Gray Press my sanity. for several Tombes and her mom at a race.

Honestly, I reasons. do too sometimes.

Mostly due to an increase in anxiety and But, however insane running appears unnecessary pressure that I placed on to others, it is the one thing that keeps myself. Even though I was experiencing me calm. uncomfortable emotions, I knew that I Running forces my feet forward. had running. I had a purpose; something Stride after stride until the strides turn to work at day after day with the hopeful into miles. It has turned me from a shy reminder that victory always comes after and timid girl, into a strong and fearless pain. woman.

As academic and club commitments

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NEWS

POLICE BEAT

UMW and GMU partner to offer accelerated law program

MEAGHAN MCINTYRE News Editor

Vandalism Between Tuesday, April 4 at midnight and Tuesday, April 11 at 12:34 p.m., vandalism of a garbage bin took place near Trinkle Hall. The case is pending.

University of Mary Washington Alumni Colin Spangler participates in Mock Trial comptition.

Amanda Howar Staff Writer

On Friday, April 14 at 12:30 a.m., underage possession of alcohol occurred at Randolph Hall. A student received an administrative referral.

Possession On Friday, April 14 at 12:30 a.m., underage possession of alcohol occurred at Randolph Hall. A student received an administrative referral.

Larceny On Friday, April 14 at 12:30 a.m., underage possession of alcohol occurred at Randolph Hall. A student received an administrative referral.

The University of Mary Washington has a new pathway for students interested in law. Teaming up with George Mason University, starting in the fall semester of 2017, UMW has created an accelerated pathway into the Antonin Scalia Law School called “The 3+3 Accelerated Program” for UMW students.

It was created by Richard Finkelstein, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Henry Butler, dean and professor of law at the Antonin Scalia Law School.

“Law is a good profession for Liberal Arts graduates because law schools and law firms are looking for broadly trained people with good communication skills and strong critical thinking,” Finkelstein said.

The pathway into the law school is a program for all students of any major where they would complete three years at UMW and then three years at GMU to obtain their bachelor’s degree and law degree. This is an advantage to students because instead of the traditional seven years it takes to complete a law degree, everything would be completed in six years.

To start the process of being considered for this accelerated program, a student has to complete a Program Participation Form early on in their college career at UMW which can be found on GMU’s website. Students have to apply to GMU’s Antonin Scalia Law School

by January 1t of their third year at UMW. By then the Law School Admission Test must have already been completed by December of their third undergraduate year. To be considered for admission into the law school a student must have a 3.25 GPA or higher, which does not guarantee admission.

“The program helps students because it is created with a focus on acceleration and cost-friendliness. For students coming out of college, most of the time with student loan debt, the price of law school can come off [as] intimidating,” said sophomore political science major Theodosius Zotos.

To pursue this accelerated law degree program, a student would have to be approved in their freshman or sophomore years by an advisor. A lot of students have had positive thoughts about this new partnership for the accelerated law program.

•3+3 PROGRAM |11 10

University Relations

Campus safety legislation reintroduced by Senator Mark Warner KAITLYN WIEDMANN Staff Writer

Aiming to change the way rape and sexual assault cases are handled and reported on college campuses, Sen. Mark Warner and his colleagues have reintroduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This act, an amendment to The Clery Act, is a bipartisan effort that will require campus officials to adhere to standard training and consistent reporting practices. Its goal is to empower survivors by making sure they have access to support services and are in control of their own care and the reporting process.

80 percent of rape against female students goes unreported to police, which is partially due to current legislation making it possible, and even beneficial in some cases, for colleges to cover incidences up. There is very little transparency. Not all institutions have properly trained officials or protocols, and some subgroups, such as student athletes, tend to receive unfair protections against accusations. CASA intends to change all of that.

Under CASA, all schools will be required to use the same disciplinary process for all complaints, which will prevent them from being handed off to individual departments to resolve internally. It is hoped that this will make the process treat every situation equally.

“It’s best to treat all cases the same, instead of changing things on a caseby-case basis,” said history major Joe Sartori.

Schools will also be required to give all involved in the disciplinary process specialized training in order to be able to more thoroughly understand both the physical and psychological aspects of the crime.

CASA will prevent misunderstandings with local law enforcement over jurisdiction, since schools will be required to enter a memorandum of understanding with them ahead of time.

This makes it clear who has what responsibilities and how information will be shared, which allows the schools and law enforcement agencies to cooperate and deal with these crimes more efficiently.

However, victims will never be forced to report sexual violence if they do not want to. Schools will need to have designated Sexual Assault Response Coordinators who work with students to ensure they have access to support and services. It will also be the Coordinator’s responsibility to make sure that students know all of their options regarding reporting the crime.

Survivors are completely in charge of how they want their specific case to be handled, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinators are mainly there to ensure they get the support and guidance they need. The proposed system has received positive feedback.

“It is beneficial both for victims and for prospective students; it would make them feel more secure knowing they have an advocate,” said Cathleen Smith.

Students feel that the support the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator can survive is important in the process.

“It’s good that people will have someone to go to,” said senior Matt Smith.

Another aspect of CASA that has the potential to help prospective students is a new survey given to students in all upper level educational institutions about their experiences with sexual violence at school.

The survey would be held every two years and be completely confidential, with all results published online. The names of schools with pending investigations would also become publicly available.

Dawnielle Woodman, a geography major, is one student who supports this idea.

“Transparency is most important, there’s been way too much cover-up,” Woodman said.

The survey is something that is supported by students and parents alike.

Jeanne Cotton, both a parent and student, thinks the survey is great. “We want more transparency and accountability. As a parent, it would affect my decision on where to send my daughter,” said Cotton.

Some, such as Woodman, feel like more should be done than just a survey

•SAFETY ACT |11 Thursday, April 20, 2017

NEWS

University Relations

Legislation passes to protect survivors •SAFETY ACT | 10

University Relations

UMW provides students with Peace Corps program in upcoming semester Jonathon Myers Staff Writer

Starting in the fall of 2017, the University of Mary Washington will be offering a program to students interested in joining the Peace Corps after graduation. In a newly acquired partnership with the Peace Corps, students will have the opportunity to prepare for a volunteer experience that would take place following their college years.

Designed to prepare students for Peace Corps service, the prep program integrates coursework with hands-on experience and professional development.

The Peace Corps operates within six different branches of work programs to aid people in need, utilizing people of all talents. These include community economic development, youth development, education, environment health and agriculture. In addition, volunteers can participate in secondary projects that they develop themselves using their own strengths and interests.

There are more than 50 countries that volunteers can apply to work in and locations vary from the Caribbean, to Latin America, to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific Islands. It’s fair to say that students and potential volunteers would be preparing for a varied experience in a variety of differing locations.

The prep program facilitates the development of four core skills: training and experience, foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence and professional development and leadership. All of these core skills are critical to Peace Corps success.

As part of the application process, students must incorporate a list of courses they plan to take that will focus

Thursday, April 20, 2017

on each of the core skills. In addition, the program will aid in meeting the experiential learning requirement as well as some major and minor requirements.

During the 27-month experience, housing expenses are covered as volunteers are placed with host families.

Two vacation days are earned for every month of work, giving volunteers 48 days to travel and explore over the course of their time there. Medical and dental are completely covered and volunteer safety is the organization’s primary concern.

Volunteer work for the Peace Corps counts as qualifying employment for the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This means that volunteer work for the Peace Corps can potentially get your student loan debt waived entirely. This is often a bonus to students interested in serving.

The post service benefits can also be viewed as appealing. Volunteers are given $8,000 upon completion of their service. There are also graduate school programs that offer Peace Corps veterans reduced tuition, assistantships and stipends for those who are looking to continue with their education.

Future employers also like to see the skills one can learn in the Peace Corps when looking for new applicants. The Peace Corps even offers services for helping their volunteers find jobs after their time abroad is over.

“I believe it’s a wonderful program,” said sophomore art major Shane Schwasta. “It will open up opportunities for students planning to go that route and give new possibilities to students who are still deciding what it is that they want to do.”

For more information contact Kyle Danzey, the program’s campus coordinator.

but recognizes that there are privacy boundaries that need to be respected.

Finally, CASA will change the protections it offers to be more in favor of students, than schools, for any violations. Students who reveal a non-violent crime in good faith, such as underage drinking, while reporting sexual violence can no longer be punished by the school. On the other hand, schools themselves will face harsher penalties for not abiding by the requirements laid out by CASA. Colleges and universities previously faced a maximum fine of $35,000 for Clery Act violations, which under

CASA will be increased to $150,000 and they may be fined up to one percent of their operating budget for failing to comply with CASA requirements.

While this money will be distributed back to schools in order to fund prevention and treatment of sexual violence, some students worry that this will not be enough to cover all of the costs of upholding CASA regulations.

Cotton wonders if the states or universities themselves will be funding the act, while Cathleen Smith worries that it will fall on the students.

“I’m thinking it may raise tuition,” Smith said.

Program focuses on cutting down on years for students going into law

•3+3 PROGRAM | 10

“I feel like this definitely would benefit those students who wanted to save money and time in getting their law degree,” said sophomore American studies major Adeline Comerford.

A student’s scholarship and FAFSA at UMW will not continue on at GMU since the student will be considered a GMU law student. They would have to work with the law school’s financial aid

the UMW degree and the law degree.

If somehow, a student does not complete the first year at GMU whether it is from withdrawing or failing then the student can return to UMW without having to reapply to finish their undergraduate degree.

This program is for students that are focused, due to the extra course load that comes with completing a major in three years.

UMW has many ways to help a student understand the process and steps to participate in this accelerated program.

The first is the student’s advisor but also UMW will offer affinity groups, which are groups of UMW alumni who are in the same career. “ U M W will make use of affinity groups of lawyers who are UMW graduates to speak to pre-Law students and help with advisement,” Finkelstein said.

The accelerated path can be an immense benefit for students thinking about becoming a lawyer. This program will save time and money for any student who is on the path to a law degree.

Cutting out a whole year of school will get students who are motivated out into the career world sooner.

“Law is a good profession for Liberal Arts graduates because law schools and law firms are looking for broadly trained people with good communication skills and strong critical thinking,” -Richard Finkelstein

office.

During the student’s three years at UMW, they would have to complete their major but the student would not get their undergraduate degree until after the first year in the law program in order to obtain all the elective credits needed for the undergraduate degree.

During the first year at GMU’s Antonin Scalia Law School, classes taken would count towards the elective credits for

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SPORTS

Editor: Mikey Barnes | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Celtics’ Thomas looks to honor sister in NBA playoffs

RYAN BRAUCH Assistant Sports Editor

The 2016-2017 NBA season featured and intense Eastern Conference battle for the first overall playoff seed, between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers held the top seed heading into the All-Star break with a record of 39-16, the Celtics followed them closely at 37-20. As the season came to a close, Cavaliers’ head coach Tyronn Lue began to sit stars like Lebron James and Kyrie Irving more and more, making the team more susceptible to losing, while the Celtics were focused on the first overall seed. In the end, Boston was able to clinch the Eastern Conference regular season title with a record of 53-29 with the Cavs following with 51-31. Heading into the playoffs, the Celtics appeared to be favorites to make it to the Finals, but now their

championship hopes are in jeopardy, as the trail the No. 8 seed Chicago Bulls 0-2 in their first round series.

Prior to Game 1 of the series, Chyna Thomas, sister of the Celtics’ rising star Isaiah Thomas, died on Saturday in a one-car accident. With such a sudden and devastating tragedy, speculation surrounded Thomas and the Celtics on whether the star point guard would play on Sunday against Chicago. Despite losing his sister, Thomas put the team first and announced he would in fact play in Game 1 of the series. Receiving condolences from friends and players all around the league, Thomas prepared for the game determined to win for Chyna. As expected, Thomas was extremely emotional during the game, as he gave teammate Avery Bradley a hug after making a shot. In an evenly matched game, Thomas put up 33 points but the

Celtics still came up short as the Bulls stole the win 106-102. Chicago’s upset was fueled by a motivated Jimmy Butler, who contributed 30 points. After working frivolously to attain that first seed, the fans in the TD Garden were both appalled and nervous as they watched their home squad take a loss with such high emotional stakes.

Looking to redeem their loss on Sunday, head coach Brad Stevens and the Celtics went into Game 2 determined to tie up the series with force. Unfortunately for Boston, the Bulls had no intention of leaving the playoffs early, as they played the Celtics even harder than they did in Game 1. Chicago, led by Rajon Rondo and Butler, completely embarrassed Boston, dousing them 111-97. Butler flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Rondo

also had a magnificent night, recording 11 points and 14 assists but what demoralized the Celtics the most, was what Rondo said. Several Boston players heard Rondo telling his team “Yeah, they gave up. They gave up” and Celtics’ play confirmed.

Stevens’ squad just looked outdid in every facet.

Traveling to Chicago for the next two games of the series, Thomas and the Celtics look to find a way out of the hole they dug themselves. If Boston wants to avoid a stunning first round exit, they have to control Jimmy Butler on defense. In the aftermath of one of the most tragic events of his life, can Isaiah Thomas push his emotions to the side and take the reins of his team before it’s too late? The Celtics have a chance to take a road win from the Bulls on Friday.

Honorary Eagle, Wesley Berry passes away UMW Athletics speak at memorial

Ken Tyler/ Twitter Members of UMW Athletics attend the memorial on Monday

CHRIS MARKHAM Editor-In-Chief

Hundreds gathered at Barnesfield Park in King George, Virginia on Monday to celebrate the life of 22-year-old Wesley Berry, who passed away on Thursday, April 13 after a 10-year battle with brain cancer, the same number he wore on the baseball field. Country music filled the air as loved ones gathered on the infield of the baseball field to honor their inspirational figure and honorary Eagle.

In 2014, Wesley was adopted into the University of Mary Washington athletic department through the Friends of Jaclyn, a foundation that pairs those with pediatric brain tumors with college sports teams to grow a bond with. UMW became the first school to adopt through the entire athletic department after 2015 graduate Tyler Carey began their relationship.

Wesley’s love of sports shined through his battle with cancer and at his memorial. During the Berry’s partnership with UMW, ‘Win 4 Wesley’ games were played in honor of his fight. At his memorial, attendees were encouraged to wear their favorite sports jerseys, just as Wesley did many times in his life. Sports jerseys of Wesley’s favorite teams and players hung behind home base, where a small memorial stood for Wesley.

Thursday, April 20 2017

Attending the memorial were representatives of many UMW teams as well as athletic coaches and administrators. Of those who attended was director of athletic development at UMW Phillip Piece, who worked hand-in-hand with the Berry family over the past three years to develop the two’s relationship. A teary-eyed Pierce put on a Yankees jersey in honor of Wesley’s favorite team, a difficult task for the self-proclaimed Red Sox fanatic.

“I will never be able to express how blessed our Eagle family has been over the past three years to have Wesley on our team,” Pierce said in front of the crowd.

“When I think of living a powerful life, I think of [Wesley’s] relentless strength and unwavering faith, and for that, I am grateful. UMW athletics will forever be grateful.”

Also speaking from UMW was the young man who started it all, 2015 graduate Tyler Carey, who was a member of UMW’s tennis team during his four years.

Carey got involved with Friends of Jaclyn during his junior year and began the initiative of making Wesley a part of the UMW Athletics family. Standing at home base with Carey were two more UMW tennis players who have headed the “Win 4 Wesley” initiative at UMW, Shelby Harris ’16 and junior Kait Brogan.

“One of the special traits Wesley had

Sue Spencer / Perfect Shots Wesley celebrated his 20th birthday in the Anderson Center

was his ability to bring people together.

That is a very rare trait that I believe only a few people are blessed with,” Carey said at the podium. “He gave Mary Washington athletes something more to fight for and reminded us how lucky we were to play the sports we love.”

The memorial began with a ceremonial first pitch, delivered by Wesley’s brother Drew and caught by UMW baseball player and King George native Tyler Truslow.

Drew currently plays baseball at Bridgewater College and the two teams played each other on Thursday, April 13, the day Wesley passed away. The game was won by the Eagles of UMW after a go-ahead RBI by Truslow, a friend of Wesley.

Referred to multiple times by speakers at the memorial, including Pierce, was one common bible verse, from Isaiah 40:31 which states, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Pierce cited a conversation with Wesley’s father, where he said “it must be a God thing, that Wesley ‘wins’ on the same day the Bridgewater Eagles play the Mary Washington Eagles.”

When Wesley wasn’t watching or playing baseball, he was showing his animals at 4-H competitions or learning more about John Deere tractors. Even during

treatments, Wesley maintained his strong attitude and competitive spirit.

“I believe there are only a few people that come along in your lifetime that truly have an astounding impact on your life.

He made me never want to give up or complain. He made me a better person and for that, I’m eternally grateful.”

Wesley’s visits to UMW were limited due to obvious health complications, but his impact was felt through the entire UMW athletic department. Over the course of three years, all UMW sports teams hosted their own “Win 4 Wesley” games in which signs were posted throughout the playing venue and messages were spread through social media to raise awareness for their honorary teammate.

In Pierce’s speech, he notes that the same year Wesley was made a UMW Eagle, ESPN personality Stuart Scott passed away after his own battle with cancer.

Scott famously said at the ESPYs before his death that “When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.” Pierce followed that by saying “I think we can all agree…Wesley ‘won’ every day of his 10-year fight with cancer.”

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