THE
BLUE &GRAY
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER
PRESS
April 19, 2018
VOLUME 91 | ISSUE 23 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE
1922
Students and faculty question no-mace policy ES HETHCOX & Meaghan mcinTyre Online Editor and News Editor
Flipping through a University of Mary Washington student handbook or reading through forbidden items in residence halls, students can find a list of forbidden items including: drugs, fireworks, and hoverboards. There is one item on the list which concerns students. Buried in a long list of forbidden items that allegedly may “pose a danger to the UMW community,” is mace. The discussion of UMW’s prohibition of mace has caught the attention of students and faculty alike. Of 83 students and two professors who responded to a survey on SurveyMonkey about whether they agreed with this policy, the vast majority said they did not. 79 of the 85 participants in the poll said they believe mace should be allowed. Senior psychology major Sierra McCahon, who is a sexual assault survivor, feels the university should do more to protect students. “I believe that the school does not provide enough protection for students and often concerns of safety are just dismissed,” said McCahon. “I am not supportive of this policy because there have been rapes on campus and I feel like I should be able to protect myself.” McCahon went on to comment about the presence of crime on campus. “If there was never any crime on campus, I could maybe understand the policy,” said McCahon. “That simply isn’t the case.” Some students feel that school ad-
ministration is responsible for fostering a safe campus, yet still disagree with the policy. “I think administration has the responsibility to keep campus safe,” biology major Ali Myers said. “But I believe that students having mace (and self defense training) would make this an easier task for all involved.” Students recognize the intent behind the policy may be beneficial, but feel that there are various issues attached to it. “I think the policy is misguided and it punishes the people that are most at risk from sexual assault, harassment and violence of all kinds by robbing them of tools to defend themselves,” said sophomore biology major Sarah Akers. Other students acknowledge the administrations reasoning behind the policy. “Mace can chemically harm someone (cause blindness/skin irritation and things) and there can be someone who uses their mace prematurely,” said senior history major Rachel Dacey. “I think UMW is trying to prevent an accidental use and injury.” Origin of the policy About the policy, there is a universal question of why it is in place. This ban on mace first appeared in the 2013-2014 edition of the student handbook in the section contains rules of Residence Life. The policy is also included in section one of the Student Code of Conduct, a document which is separate from the student handbook. As identified in an email from the Vice President of Student Affairs Juliette Landphair, this ban exists cam-
Many students feel they should be allowed to carry mace on campus.
pus-wide. The Student Code of Conduct states that possession of “Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, fireworks, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals,” is a violation “of community standards.” But according to Ray Tuttle, director of student conduct and responsibility and UMW employee since 1996, before it’s introduction to the handbook the policy was still being upheld informally.
Es Hethcox / The Blue & Gray Press
“As I recall, we’ve had a policy prohibiting pepper spray and similar chemicals for a long time – certainly before the 2013-14 academic year,” Tuttle said. “It might be that mace was specifically mentioned that year simply to clarify the intent and scope of the policy.” According to Tuttle, prior to 20132014 if there was an incident in which a student “discharged mace, particularly if the discharge had harmed others” the student would be held accountable for the incident •MACE | 10
College of Arts and Sciences welcomes Dean Mellinger
department for six years. In addition, he has held the position of director of Academic and Career Services, accordOn Mar. 27, 2018, the University ing to an article posted on EagleEye by of Mary Washington’s Provost, Nina Marty Morrison. Mikhalevsky, made an exciting an“I’m excited,” said Mellinger. “Benouncement in an email to the Universiing permanent means that the issues ty comthat the munity. college Keith is fac“Dr. Mellinger brings the necessary M e l ing are experience, skills, knowledge and l i n g e r, much a f t e r genuine commitment to our students m o r e serving on my and faculty to provide the kind of as the plate leadership that will enable us to address and I interim d e a n our current challenges [and] strength[s].” n e e d since to deal J u n e w i t h 2017, -Provost Mikhalevsky t h e m w a s m o r e named seriousthe permanent dean of the College of ly. I’m excited to be able to dive right Arts and Sciences. in.” Mellinger has been a UMW faculty “Dr. Mellinger brings the necessary member since 2003 when he started as experience, skills, knowledge and gena faculty member in the Department of uine commitment to our students and Mathematics. He was the chair of the •MELLINGER| 11 faculty to provide
Hannah Galeone Senior Writer
Keith Mellinger was recently named the permanent dead of the College of Arts and Sciences.
IN THIS
ISSUE
CULTURE & ACTIVISM
EagleEye
FACEBOOK FAIL
UMW comes together for the Multicultural Fair.
Facebook privacy scandal shows lack of care for users.
LIFE | 7
VIEWPOINTS | 4
BLOW OUT
Men’s lax gets handled by Salisbury.
SPORTS | 12