THE
The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper
BLUE & GRAY PRESS VOLUME 95 | ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
Serving the community since 1922
Recent rock painting calls attention to safety concerns involving harassment and predatory behavior she said. “It also may have been the case that I wasn’t effectively expressing my concerns.”
WILLIAM LAWSON Staff Writer
Several UMW students were approached by a white male in his late 40s with dark brown hair around the library and HCC on the weekend of Sept. 17. The man, who was identified as Daniel Appel, had viewed several students’ social media accounts before approaching them on campus. Some students filed reports to the UMW Police Department about this man, and the Radical Students’ Union painted the spirit rock last week in response.
“He refused to wear a mask inside and was very creepy with his eyes and grin.” -Emma Skelly
“I avoided walking alone for the entire weekend and just started walking alone a couple days ago, and that is strictly during daylight hours.” -Anonymous Student encounters with Appel Appel’s full name was identified by a student employee on a receipt when he made a credit card purchase at Katora. One student, who wished to remain anonymous out of concerns for her safety, was approached by the man in the library. Appel told her that he had previously looked through her personal Instagram account. “He came up to me and asked if he could ask me a question,” she said. “I
RSU painted the spirit rock to make a statement to President Paino about recent sexual harassment incidents. Jess Kirby / The Blue & Gray Press
thought he was going to ask for directions since he appeared like he was in his 40s, and instead he asked about what I did in the past based on something he saw on my social media in 2017.” Appel asked her many personal questions, then asked if she had any weekend plans. “I had the gut feeling that I needed to
get away and that he was not someone I should talk to,” she said. She then reported the incident to the UMW Police. “The police chief took it seriously, but the first officer I spoke to didn’t seem to be too concerned until after around 45 minutes of conversation, in which case, he told me I could call him if I felt unsafe,”
She said this incident has impacted her feelings of safety on campus. “I avoided walking alone for the entire weekend and just started walking alone a couple days ago, and that is strictly during daylight hours,” she said. “I also started carrying an alarm.” Emma Skelly, a sophomore psychology major, and her friends, had similar encounters with Appel both on campus at Katora and downtown at Mian Noodle House. “He would ask questions about our weekend plans, where we are on campus and where downtown Fredericksburg was,” she said. “He refused to wear a mask inside and was very creepy with his eyes and grin.” Grace Sylvia, a sophomore elementary education major, said her roommate was also approached by Appel in the library. She said Appel had found information about students from the class of 2024 Instagram page. •ROCK | 7 “The police did nothing about it after
Five-cent plastic bag tax in City of Fredericksburg will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2022 SHAWN FLEETWOOD Staff Writer
The city of Fredericksburg voted at their city council meeting on Sept. 28 to implement a tax on disposable plastic bags provided to customers shopping at local businesses in the city, which may have a financial impact on students and businesses at the university. The tax will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and the money collected from this tax will go to environmental efforts and programs. According to the government’s public information officer Sonja Cantu, “the proposed ordinance would impose a five-cent tax per each disposable plastic bag provided at the point of purchase to retail customers at grocery stores, drugstores and convenience stores.” “A portion of the tax will be retained by the retailer as compensation for the costs they incur in collecting and remitting the tax,” she said. “Retailers will be permitted to keep two cents per bag until Jan. 1, 2023, after which they will retain one cent per bag. The revenue collected by the city must be appropriated to environmental programs such as pollution and litter mitigation, educational opportunities designed to reduce environmental waste, and providing reusable bags to recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) benefits.” Moreover, Cantu also notes that the tax would apply to “larger ‘big box’ retailers if those stores include a grocery store, convenience store or pharmacy.” Entities not set in a fixed location, such as the farmer’s market, would be exempt under the tax. The proposal would also provide exemptions for certain types of plastic bags, specifically those that are “specifically designed for multiple reuse and that are at least four mils thick” and “solely used to wrap or package ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, produce, unwrapped bulk food items or other perishable food items in order to avoid damage or contamination,” said Cantu. According to Cantu, plastic bags used to carry dry cleaning or prescription drugs, as well as those “sold in packages and intended for use as garbage, pet waste or leaf removal bags” would also be exempt under the bill. The initiative to tax plastic bag use in the city comes following the 2020 Virginia General Assembly legislation that gives localities in the state the option to implement
IN THIS
ISSUE
The plastic bag tax proposed by the City of Fredericksburg is fueled by a want for environmental sustainability. Kenya Carter / The Blue & Gray Press
such a policy. According to City Council Member At-Large Kerry Devine, the consideration of the proposal is one of several steps the local government is taking to make Fredericksburg a “more sustainable city.” “It is a tax that would be best not collected—the ultimate goal is to make reusable bags, or no bags for small purchases, a habit,” she said. “Those bags end up in landfills or in streams and riparian areas. They get caught in trees and brush and can harm fish and wildlife. Living in close proximity to the Rappahannock River, one can see firsthand the damage plastic bags can do. The City of Fredericksburg worked hard to get the River easement in place, this is one more step in •PLASTIC | 2
governor’s race
Ask Gabby
workout snacks
Student critiques Glenn Younkin’s platforms.
Advice on dealing with your roommate’s boyfriend.
Athletes talk about the importance of workout food.
VIEWPOINTS | 3
LIFE | 4
SPORTS | 8
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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 Jess Kirby
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Bernadette D’Auria Cosima Pellis
BUSINESS EDITOR Erin Matuczinski
COPY EDITOR Abigail Slaughter
SECTION EDITORS NEWS Scotti Mullen Josephine Johnson
VIEWPOINTS Norah Walsh
LIFE Josephine Good
SPORTS Victoria Percherke
ONLINE Cameron Delean Maggie Mae Young
PHOTO Emily Warren
FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian
Editors: Josephine Johnson & Scotti Mullen | blueandgray.news@gmail.com
Education students navigate return to in-classroom practicums
DEVON MACHANDE Staff Writer
Many education students are back in local schools for their practicum observation classes. Some students are experiencing their first inperson practicums due to the pandemic. “As future teachers, there are a great number of requirements we need to meet and a great number of classes we need to take to be qualified,” said senior Allison Palmer, an English major in the five-year education program. “Condensing all of the requirements with classes and practicum simply stresses the students out, as well as leads to burnout.” Dr. John Broome, chair of the College of Education, explained that the program was shortened and changed since the end of the five-year education program. “We have reconfigured and updated our programs to meet an undergraduate experience,” he said. “Though they are shorter, they are also just different. Students just don’t have as long of a student teaching experience as the five-year program, but they will be well-prepared.” For Erin Wilson, a senior psychology major enrolled in the five-year education program, the transition back to in-person practicum was
not as smooth as she hoped it would be. “I feel a little thrown into it; they didn’t really talk to us about going back in person a whole lot before we went back to practicum,” she said. “Also, I’m a little nervous about being back in the classroom since a lot of students aren’t vaccinated at a young age.” Lauren Bailey, a junior history major in the secondary education program, was also concerned before starting her first in-person practicum this semester. “So far [practicum has] gone very well, but I was a bit nervous starting it because I had never gone through all the requirements for an in-person practicum before,” she said. “Last semester it was my first ever practicum, so it was mainly focused on observation. This semester, I’m starting to get more into the day-to-day stuff of the classroom. We’re basically supposed to do more than just observe, and it’s kind of at the discretion of the mentor teacher.” When asked if she feels she was prepared for this practicum, Bailey said, “I do and I don’t. I think I would’ve preferred to have gone in person last semester. I don’t think I was prepared for the in-person part, but
The education department practicum classes are mainly back in person after a year of being on zoom. Alex Simpson / Unsplash
I do think my professors in the College of Education are doing everything they can to help us. They’re very understanding and supportive. It’s just a big adjustment I think, going from all-online to going in-person.” Wilson, who is doing her practicum with a first grade class, said that the students are having a harder time with the transition, which has made her practicum experience “chaotic.” “First grade classrooms can be chaotic in general, but this one is different than anything I’ve ever seen,” she said. “Learning how to sit still in the seat, learning how to talk to your neighbor quietly, learning when to be quiet and when they can talk, and how to raise your hand, that’s
really hard stuff for them right now because they’ve never really been in the school environment. I think teachers are really struggling and it’s not their fault.” Broome has faith in the College of Education students. “Will there be an adjustment from their Zoom learning experiences to student teaching? Sure. But they are adaptive, flexible, and highly qualified future educators and they are mentored by experienced teachers. They will do great!” he said. Scotti Mullen, Bernadette D’Auria and Jess Kirby contributed to reporting for this article.
Plastic bag tax passed on Sept. 28 protecting that resource.” If successfully implemented, the tax is certain to have an economic impact on small businesses in the city, as owners could be forced to absorb the cost associated with the policy. Owner of Patriot Subs Brian Picero said that while he’s supportive of getting rid of plastic bags, he does not agree with the current proposal. “I do believe that we need to get rid of plastic bags, but I don’t think this is the way to do it,” he said. “I don’t really support it because [Patriot Subs] can’t absorb that. It’s a loselose no matter how you look at it. Either we’re absorbing it and we’re already struggling… or the consumer is gonna pay more.” UMW students had mixed reactions to the proposed plastic bag tax. Senior communication and digital studies and music double major Jean Mondoro said that she expects it to be met with “some support and some backlash, especially from college students.” “There are those who would agree with the environmental factors and support it,” she said. “But on the other hand, there are people like me, who don’t understand all of it and are just trying to pay tuition. It sounds like one more thing to worry about.” Senior political science major Tyler Tarrh reacted positively to the initiative, stating that he thinks the policy “is an effective way to reduce plastic in our environment.” “Even if the plastic use does not increase, at least additional revenue is going to the city and the business,” he said. “I’m a broke college student and I don’t think an additional five cents would matter to people much in the long run.” Earlier this year, Gov. Ralph Northam signed Executive Order 77, which requires state agencies to begin phasing out
•PLASTICS| 1
the “buying, selling or distribution of all nonmedical single-use plastic and expanded polystyrene objects.” However, according to UMW Dining General Manager David Schneider, state universities have been granted extensions in complying with the mandate. “Some of the “I can tell you that dining deadlines for meeting the new standards continues to work closely with have been extended,” the university to achieve to he said. “I can tell you EO77 expectation. All options to that dining continues meet the Governor’s EO are not to work closely with readily availible.” the university to achieve the EO77 expectation. All -David Schneider options to meet the Governor’s EO are not readily available.” Schneider went on to note the difficulties associated with implementing such a mandate, saying that “the products that are available come with a much higher price point, and are not consistently available to purchase.” “We face numerous daily challenges with supply chain and labor,” he said. “For example, eliminating single-use plastic water bottles was part of the ‘Immediate Cessation of Use’ in EO77. Suppliers are challenged with aluminum shortages (due to COVID), which in turn does not provide us with options outside of plastic.” “We continue to purchase biodegradable/compostable disposable products maintaining par levels that meet business demands,” he added.
CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Jess Kirby, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu
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Thursday, September 30, 2021
VIEWPOINTS
Editor: Norah Walsh | blueandgray.views@gmail.com
“The choice is clear, UMW: Vote for Terry McAuliffe”
In an official statement, Youngkin said, “We must respect parents’ right to decide what is best for their own Virginia is currently in the midchildren. If parents, teachers and dle of a highly contested governor’s children want to wear a mask, they race, with many polls saying that absolutely should do that, but there the race between Terry McAuliffe should not be a statewide school of the Democratic Party and Glenn mask mandate.” He has also repeatYoungkin of the Republican Party is edly expressed his objection to vacwithin the margin of error. cine passports and vaccine mandates. This is a competitive race where This contrasts with McAuliffe, both candidates have a significant who said in a statement that he “bechance of winning. Currently there lieves everyone should follow CDC are two major issues that both guidelines in wearing masks and candidates can gain and lose voters getting vaccinated.” on: COVID-19 and abortion. While According to current CDC guideMcAuliffe has solid positions and lines, “If you are not fully vaccinated policies on both issues, Youngkin’s and aged two or older, you should positions leave much to be desired wear a mask in indoor public placand are objectively dangerous to es.” This is one of the main reasons Virginians. why masks have been mandated in One of the biggest issues in the public schools in Virginia; only those governor’s race is how each candiwho are 12 and older can receive date will respond to the pandemic. the COVID-19 vaccine. Thus, masks help protect everyone who cannot get vaccinated. Youngkin’s belief that parents should decide if their children wear masks or not in schools is dangerous because it has been proven that mask-wearing is Glenn Youngkin is running against Terry McAuliffe in the upcoming one of the best ways to prevent the spread of governor’s race. @glennyoungkin / Instagram COVID-19. JACKSON HANDLEY Staff Writer
By opposing mask mandates in schools, Youngkin deliberately puts children and faculty at risk in order to appeal to voters instead of following medical experts. He also opposes mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations among all citizens in Virginia. Because Youngkin is unwilling to motivate citizens to get vaccinated, he is complicit in the spread of COVID-19. While Youngkin does encourage individuals to get vaccinated, encouragement is not enough at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic, and he should be doing more. Another major issue in the governor’s race is abortion. Abortion has always been a hot-button issue, with Republican candidates usually being “pro-life” and Democratic candidates commonly being “pro-choice.” However, with the recent passing of an anti-abortion law that effectively criminalizes all forms of abortion after six weeks of pregnancy in Texas, and similar bills being considered across the country, the candidates’ stances on abortion are more important than ever. McAuliffe has publicly stated that he would pass an amendment to officially put the protections set by Roe v. Wade into Virginia law, while Youngkin has publicly claimed that he is “unabashedly pro-life.” Youngkin also stated in an undercover video, “When I’m governor,
and I have a majority in the House, we can start going on offense,” after being asked if he would “take it to the abortionists.” If Youngkin were to “start going on offense” against abortion in Virginia and pass a similar bill to the Senate Bill 8 in Texas, the results could be deadly. An official CDC study from 1976 found that deaths related to abortion dropped from 39 in 1972 to three in 1975 after the passing of Roe v. Wade. Additionally, the study showed a decrease in illegal abortions from 130,000 to 17,000 in the same time period. The data shows that when abortion access is restricted, abortions become much more dangerous, as they are performed in homes and without proper medical supervision. If Youngkin is elected, access to abortion will potentially become more restricted and, as a result, more deadly. Overall, Youngkin has taken a dangerous position regarding COVID-19 with a clear rejection of CDC guidelines related to masks and vaccination. His position on abortion could potentially lead to increasingly dangerous abortions here in Virginia. If he is elected governor, then Virginia could become the next Texas regarding both COVID-19 cases and abortion law. The choice is clear, UMW: Vote for Terry McAuliffe.
Minors can make their own decisions on vaccines NORAH WALSH & SAMUEL PUGLIESE Viewpoints Editor & Staff Writer
After the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine, the CDC began to recommend that everyone 12 and up receive the vaccine in order to protect themselves and others. They acknowledged that “widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop this pandemic,” which is true, as we have been rudely awakened to this fact by the presence of the delta variant. With minors 12 and up being approved to get vaccinated by an FDA-approved vaccine, there is no excuse to refuse them the right to get vaccinated, yet many are unable to due to their parent’s personal beliefs and misconceptions.
In the proposed Virginia Senate Bill 104, which was offered Jan. 8, 2020 and is even more relevant now, minors would be considered adults if consenting to vaccines approved by the CDC. These minors would be able to waive the parental consent requirement “provided that the individual demonstrates to the satisfaction of a health care practitioner the ability to understand at the same comprehension level as an adult the risks and benefits associated with vaccinations and immunizations.” Minors who are 16 and older are entrusted with many responsibilities that should deem them deserving of the right to consent to their own immunizations. They are able to drive a car by themselves, they are allowed to get a job without needing special permission and, with a job, they would file taxes as well. Jodie Hayob-Matzke, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences said, “I strongly believe everyone, including children, should be vaccinated. All data, as far as I am aware, show that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are very safe and effective for the vast majority of the population. I support the need to secure parental approval for those under a certain age, but I think a 16-year-old is mature enough to make their own decision.” Therefore, it is ridiculous that minors 16 and older are unable to consent to their own immunizations when they are trusted with other responsibilities that are expected of legal adults. The Pfizer vaccine is FDA-approved, it is recommended by the CDC, and it allows for the possibility of mitigating COVID-19 and producing variants such as the delta variant.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the formulation of three vaccines to help mitigate the spread of the virus, the issue of scientific misinformation that foments “anti-vax” sentiments has led to some parents prohibiting their minor children from getting vaccinated. This is a detriment to the entire population of the country, for it blocks an entire demographic from getting a vaccine that could save their life and prevent the spread of a dangerous virus to others. As a result, minors 16 and older should not need parental consent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In the past, schools and daycares have required certain immunizations for diseases like Polio, Chickenpox and Hepatitis A and B, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The immunizations for these diseases are all FDA approved, but people are able to be exempt from certain immunizations for religious or medical reasons. Although there have been anti-vax sentiments in the past, the unwillingness to get vaccinated against a dangerous disease has never been this blatant. According to vox. com, one of the six top reasons people refuse to get vaccinated is lack of trust in the vaccine. Although this distrust was stronger before Pfizer was FDA approved, the sentiment could also be a result of former president Donald Trump’s negative discourse around COVID-19 mitigation during his presidency. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, the demographic least likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is people who relied The need for parental consent hinders minors from protecting themselves from on former President Trump for information COVID-19. Daniel Schludi / Unsplash regarding the pandemic.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
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LIFE
Editor: Josephine Good | blueandgray.life@gmail.com
Muramaki’s book details importance of communication MATTHEW SIMMONS Senior Writer
As the first semester of my senior year continues to progress, so does the amount of work it demands. When thinking about the next book I wanted to read, I aimed to make sure it was a good one, because sometimes you end up with the complete opposite of what you were looking for. With this in mind, I decided to choose from a handful of titles that I read some years ago. I did this to guarantee that it would serve as a pleasant break rather than some sort of obligatory chore. I must be honest with you in saying that it ended up being an easy choice. I knew right from the beginning that I would be getting my hands back on “South of The Border West of The Sun” by Haruki Murakami. For years now, Murakami has entranced me with the works of fiction and dreamlike descriptions that he weaves throughout his entire portfolio. This time, I chose one of his contemporary fiction pieces. Since it has been a while, I did not remember all the details, which made it all the better. Upon fin“South of the Border West of the Sun” is a book that touches on how we expect ishing a second people to treat us, and how we treat others. Matthew Simmons / The Blue & Gray Press time, I would still recommend
this book to anyone, and I actively do. It is always the first book that I tell people when I’m asked what they should check out next. As someone who enjoys a character-driven novel, I relished the pleasure of watching the main character, Hajime, grow from a young 12-year-old to a full-grown adult. What I like about contemporary fiction is its relativity to everyday and sometimes monotonous life. I find that this genre of literature has a way of hitting home emotionally, as we can all imagine plotlines like the ones we see in Murakami’s coming to life. However, this contemporary novel was not painted with monotony, but rather vivid imagery that put words to thoughts and feelings that I have never been able to describe prior. As an adult, Hajime is living a relatively regular life with a wife and child, all while boasting successful ownership of a jazz-themed bar. However, one evening an old friend stops by for a drink. Within an instant, this woman from Hajime’s past, with whom he is still in love, turns his life completely upside down. Her sudden arrival forms a whirlpool that begins to suck everything that Hajime once knew down into its core. As stated before, this is not your typical dystopian reality or a sci-fi plot. It does not expand beyond the boundaries of what human imagination can be. Rather, “South of The Border West of The Sun” focuses on something closer to home - the treatment we expect to give and receive from those we love. Murakami has an innate ability to grab the reader and not let them go until the last page has been turned and the cover has been closed. He writes about small encounters in great detail, allowing the reader to become fully invested in not only the story or lesson being shared, but also the characters that serve as the book’s driving force. I felt like I was on this journey with Hajime side-by-side and, at some points, felt like we had merged into one. Although subtle, this work of fiction forced me to acknowledge my intentions and actions regarding other people. Themes of misunderstanding and faulty communication were present throughout. Lessons regarding trusting your gut and avoiding the inevitable guilt that follows it are all wrapped carefully within Murakami’s narration. I say all of this in a good way. It was refreshing to see myself within a character that I felt understood where I was coming from. More than anything, this book made me realize how neglectful we can be to others within romantic relationships as well as friendships. We tend to place a lot of emphasis on the mistreatment we are facing from others. Rarely do we take the time to consider whether or not we are doing the same thing to someone else. This lesson carried itself right through the last sentence, where I was immediately left feeling neither happy nor sad. Content does not begin to explain what I had been feeling emotionally for the week following. This book leaves you trying to piece together every encounter between characters, hoping that if you theorize enough, something may eventually make sense. That, however, is the charm of “South of the Border West of The Sun.” Maybe it is not trying to share a lesson or tell us something that readers do not already know. Maybe, it is just the opposite: that life is deeply complex, triumphant and, at times, difficult beyond words, and by trying to come up with a reason why this is, we can hope to find some sort of peace with our lack of control over it.
Ask Gabby: Help, my roommate ditched me for a guy GABBY CARRION Senior Writer
Q: “My roommate is always spending time with her boyfriend, and I’m always feeling left out.” -Anonymous A: To be honest, I was guilty of leaving my friends behind for my romantic partners back in high school. It wasn’t until the relationship was over that I realized it. I was completely obsessed with my boyfriend and thought the world revolved around him and our relationship, so I isolated myself from the rest of my friends and only hung out with him 24/7. I actually ended up having to rebuild my friendships when we broke up because I realized my support system was gone. My
Communication is an important part of working out issues with any relationship or friendship. Ruthson Zimmerman / Unsplash
friends were not the biggest fan of him, so that may have played a factor as well, but I could have done a better job at uniting them. My advice is to not worry too much about it. As I’ve stated, this happens all the time, especially if it’s a new relationship and they are still in the honeymoon phase where everything seems so happy and perfect. First, you have to decide whether
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you like her new beau or not. If you do, that’s great! I would recommend that you all hang out together at once, like maybe getting lunch, drinking together or playing board games. That way you can hang out with your friend while getting to know the guy all at the same time. It’ll be a great way to bond with your friend and her boyfriend. Best of both worlds, am I right? Now, on the other hand, if you absolutely despise this guy or he has a bad track record, tell your roommate—you would want to know about it if the roles were switched. Although she might not be super happy about it, especially if they’re still in the honeymoon phase, it is your job as the roommate and bestie to tell her if there’s evidence that he might not be the best guy for her. At least this way she has all the information and can make an informed decision about what to do. Once you tell her all you know, you can be there to support her in whatever decision she makes. One other option is to actually tell your roomie how you feel. Just be completely honest and have a conversation about it. Like I said in my last article, communication is super important in building a trusting relationship, and this is true of friendships as well. Once you communicate with her that you’re feeling left out, it will be a lot easier to change that feeling. She may not even realize that she isn’t spending time with you or that you’re feeling this way. Once you’ve communicated with her, here are some things you can do to prevent feeling left out. You can set up certain days of the week to hang out with each other. For example, on Mondays, you guys will have a movie night and make dinner, and on Thursdays binge-watch your favorite show or go out to Brock’s (if you’re over 21). That way, there are set days you hang out, and the rest of the days she can hang with her boyfriend, study or do whatever. Another thing you can do is join a club or organization with your roommate. That way you can spend more time together and meet other people as well. I love doing philanthropy work with Downtown Greens or even just picking up trash from college heights. It makes me feel good and it can be super fun when doing it with your best friends. I have made so many friends through the clubs that I’ve joined, and I usually hang out with them after club meetings and events. After meeting all these new friends, you might not feel as left out. If you have any more questions that you want me to answer, direct message @theblueandgraypress on Instagram and I will answer them in the next Ask Gabby!
Thursday, September 30, 2021
LIFE
“Nickel and Dimed” gives honest portrayal of the working class
couldn’t just suppress my praise for the show, so I decided to take to the campus of UMW and interview several other people, who all were as, if not more, awestruck as I The “Nickel and Dimed” cast made their final perforwas by the show. mance this past Sunday after charming audiences from Emily Curtin, a junior communication and digital across the Fredericksburg and UMW area. studies major, took away more from the show than she The production adapted the acclaimed novel by Barexpected to. bara Ehrenreich into a witty, entertaining, visually-rous“You could really relate to the characters; the actors ing spectacle. The lives of the minimum-wage workers did really well,” said Curtin. “I didn’t think it would hit as hard as it did. It was just so human and grounded and emotional.” Curtin was also impressed by the show’s stage production. “The stage production was really cool too,” Curtin said. “How they mimed driving and moved all those blocks around, they still meshed that with the story and its themes really well. I loved it.” Another student, Jesse Frye, a junior American studies major, applauded the show’s ability to portray lower-income households. “I grew up in a low-income UMW Theatre’s production of “Nickel and Dimed” portrays the struggles of the lower workinghouse myself,” Frye said. “I class. Photo Courtesy of Geoff Greene think they do a really great job of recreating these quick-paced jobs they undergo. The Ehrenreich calls attention to thrust viewers into reality relatable nature of the characters made the show more and compel them to examine the tragedy of errors in the real for the audience.” employment system. Like Ehrenreich’s novel, the play Katriel Lee, a sophomore pre-law philosophy and follows her journey to build a critical essay on the wage political science double major, also found the show exgap in the 1990s, working at different low-paying jobs tremely relatable when thinking upon her own experience across America to learn about the vast diversity of people working multiple jobs. at the gap’s tail end. All of this is done under the back“The problems each character has to confront as a drop of colorful neon lights, detailed literal backdrops lower-class worker are things people who make way and boxes—yes, gray boxes—alone to set the scenery. On more than that don’t have to worry about,” she said. “The top of a riotous soundtrack, its mixture of visual storytellamount of work minimum-wage workers have to do well, ing, committed acting and sobering subtext sent audialmost pitch-perfect every hour of every shift, totals up ences up from their seats, myself included. Naturally, I ELI OSBORNE Staff Writer
The show used minimal set pieces to focus on the characters. Photo Courtesy of Geoff Greene
to a lot more work than what upper-class jobs could ever demand. I mean people in the service industry have it rough; it’s stressful being a waiter and you’re managing a lot.” This theatre production of “Nickel and Dimed” succeeded a thousandfold in telling a compelling story about the problems that members of the lower working-class face. People came in droves last Friday when I went: singles, families, couples, old, and young all came for a show. Overall, this was a fantastic production that set the stage for a successful semester for UMW Theatre.
Page Olsen: Balancing education and entrepreneurship ANNE SMITH Senior Writer
What started off as an adaptation to the pandemic turned senior Page Olsen into a novice businesswoman. Now, she not only has to navigate college life, she also has to do it while running a small manicure and nail art business. “I never had any intention of becoming a small business owner,” she said. “I have always needed a creative outlet, but I never thought of selling my work.” Olsen is a senior majoring in studio art, which is a good pairing for the type of work she does for her business, ‘Impressed By Page,’ that she started in 2020. “When the pandemic started, I needed a new hobby and I did not feel comfortable going to the store to pick up a set of press-on nails,” she said. “I had been wearing press-ons myself since 2018, but they were just the standard ‘KISS’ brand. I decided to do some research to see how hard it would be to make my own press-ons at home. Hours later I had placed my first order on Amazon
Page Olson makes and sells nail decals and nail sets. Impressed by Page / Instagram
Thursday, September 30, 2021
of polishes, nail tips, a UV lamp and nail glue.” After receiving many compliments on her nails, Olsen decided to share her talent. “Somewhat in secret I created an Instagram account for the business and went from there, receiving my first order the day after my Instagram launched,” she said. Olsen sells both handmade press-on nails and nail decals. After the initial take-off of the business, she also started offering in-person appointments for gel manicures. “When I launched my nail stickers in Jan. of 2021, I did not expect to get as many sales as I did,” she said. Olson regularly takes her business to Art in the Park and will be there Oct. 2 and 16. However, managing her business Impressed by Page / Instagram while being a full-time student and Meeting other small business owners has been just one Resident Assistant (RA) has taken some trial and error. other positive Olsen has experienced from this opportu“I first cut my time into doing schoolwork during the nity. day and business at night, but that left me with no time “I have seen so much growth in myself when it comes to sleep, so I had to pivot,” she said. “I set aside a certain to speaking with others and ‘selling’ myself in the busiamount of time each day or every other day to work on ness world,” she said. “I have learned so many valuable orders and content for the business. I am still working skills, from how to handle difficult situations to problems on perfecting this, but it has been working pretty well so with orders and doing it in a graceful manner. I have nevfar.” er been more confident and proud of myself in my whole Olsen had never taken a business class and doesn’t life. Creating this business has given me the confidence have any entrepreneurs in her family. However, she was to pursue this as my full-time job after graduation.” able to seek out some reliable sources to help her through Olsen has also participated in the local Fredericksburg the process. Art in the Park, which has provided her with the ability to “Simone Levendosky of @srl.designs, who graduated sell to a wider demographic. from UMW in 2021, kind of mentored me in the beginImpressed By Page will be at Art in the Park on Oct. 2 ning and remains to be a big supporter of mine to this and 16 at Hurkamp Park. She will also be at 116th Chase day,” she said. “I have gained so many virtual friends St. on Oct. 22. through this and they have all taught me so much. We “I will also be continuing to provide in-person apactually have a group chat with 23 other small businesspointments through the semester, so feel free to book women who are in college and we help each other out through my Instagram (@impressedbypage),” she said. when we can by giving advice, buying products or even just liking each other’s posts.”
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VIEWPOINTS
Editor: Norah Walsh | blueandgray.views@gmail.com
Staff Ed: Residence Life needs to exercise care when filling vacant dorm rooms THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD
The Office of Residence Life and Housing needs to take roommate safety concerns more seriously, especially when assigning random roommates to vacant dorm rooms. The terms and conditions of the 2021-2022 housing agreement state that UMW can fill an open room at any time. Residents already living in the space are supposed to receive an email notifying them of the change ahead of time, but the email often comes just a few days before the new roommate moves in, or no email is received at all. Residents assigned to open rooms do not meet their new roommates before they move in, and they typically have no way of communicating with each other before having to live together. The possibility of getting a random roommate will always be
present with any open room, but residents should get an opportunity to contact their new roommates before they move in. In addition, Residence Life should take students’ preferences on the Housing Portal into account to check allergies and basic compatibility. Being in a pandemic adds another concern: fear of exposure to COVID-19. For example, a roommate who takes minimal precautions should not be placed with an immunocompromised student. This is a serious issue that often cannot be resolved by a roommate agreement or mediation. In the past, some students have received slow responses from Residence Life regarding these concerns. When students reach out because they are feeling unsafe in their living situation, they need
The Blue & Gray Press
Thursday, September 30, 2021
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immediate responses, not to be directed to the Talley Center. These reports need to be addressed without delay for the well-being of everyone involved. For many students, the idea of living with a stranger is terrifying. In an educational environment, a highstress living situation may negatively impact a student’s academic performance, as well as their mental well-
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being. Students should worry about upcoming tests, not their safety within their own home.
bgpress1922
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NEWS
CRIME COLUMN JOSEPHINE JOHNSON & SCOTTI MULLEN News Editors
Petit Larceny
On Sept. 20 at 4:00 p.m., there was a case of petit larceny in Mason Hall. This case is pending.
Underage Possession of Alcohol
On Sept. 21 1:07 a.m., there was a case of underage possession of alcohol in the UMW Apartments. This case is pending.
Possession of Marijuana
Students say administration’s response to safety concerns is lacking
•ROCK | 7
students informed them of it,” she said. “The police asked one of my friends ‘what do you want us to do about it?’ [Appel] was also asking students how to get into buildings.” Responses from the UMW Police Department
“It’s in these instances that the full resources of the university, including Title IX and the Department of Public Safety, are available to support the community member or members and resolve concerns.” -Michael Hall According to UMW Police Chief Michael Hall, Appel’s actions were not against the law. “The ‘law’ is specific as to what actions or behaviors constitute criminal misconduct (such as stalking, harassment and sexual assault, etc.),” he said. “Clearly, individual opinions and perspectives are important, it is ultimately that code of law that prescribes our law enforcement actions or options.” Hall continued, “The situation/encounter last weekend, I’m sure was uncomfortable and
a true concern to the student and community. It’s in these instances that the full resources of the university, including Title IX and the Department of Public Safety, are available to support the community member or members and resolve concerns. This is why students are encouraged to immediately call campus police.” Skelly turned to the UMW Police Department. “I contacted UMW police on Friday after he had found me and my friend downtown at Mian Noodle House,” said Skelly. “The police over the phone asked many questions about his appearance, almost like they’d received a similar report. They then said I could come to Brent Hall and make a report. I went with my friend and spoke with the sergeant.” Skelly said that the sergeant, Michael Cornelius, told her that there was nothing they could do but advise her to travel in packs and continue to be vigilant.
“I was frustrated and asked to file a report.” -Emma Skelly “I was frustrated and asked to file a report,” she said. “He said I couldn’t since the predator never ‘did’ anything to me. I wrote down what happened and was given a case
number.” “I despise the way UMW handles serious inquiries from students of all races and genders,” said Skelly.
“Those of us who did paint the rock, we did not initially want to claim that RSU was with the people painting the rock.” -Salem Smith “They brush off large issues, especially safety involving strangers on campus and sexual assault cases. I never walk alone on campus, day or night, anymore. I believe campus PD just drives around campus on golf carts with a loaded gun and does nothing. I don’t feel protected and neither do many of my friends and coworkers. I am disgusted with how we are treated and how our concerns are being handled.” Spirit rock painting The Radical Students’ Union (RSU) painted the spirit rock to draw attention to the recent events on campus, as well as to bring awareness to sexual harassment and assault at UMW. The rock says in capital letters, “Mr. Paino, how many reports to catch a few predators,” with tally marks on the side. “Those of us who did paint the rock, we did not initially want to claim that
RSU was with people painting the rock,” said Salem Smith, a senior English major in the five-year education program, speaking on behalf of the Radical Students Union. “We try not to publicize our membership and talk about who is organizing what actions because I, as the chair, have already experienced harassment. And we are at a predominantly white institution and our e-board is mostly people of color. We’re not trying to have more violence brought against us.” Smith suggested that UMW should host an open forum for students to voice concerns about sexual harassment and assault directy to the campus police and administration. Smith also expressed that all students are welcome to join. “Anybody that comes to RSU should know that there’s already a seat at the table for you, the seat at the table is waiting for you,” they said. On Monday, Sept. 27, University President Troy Paino said he was made aware of the spirit rock over the weekend and is preparing a response. “I have been trying to get up to speed on this matter,” he said. “I was out of town attending to my elderly parents when these incidents had occurred. My Chief of Staff sent me a photo of the spirit rock that invokes my
name, but I had no context and have tried to get up to speed since returning to campus. Over the weekend I asked for the police reports concerning these incidents and I am following up to gather more information later this morning. I’d like to reserve any further comments until I am able to assess what happened.” Joey Zeldin, a junior political science major and SGA representative, described measures being considered by the SGA to improve safety on campus. “We are currently
“We are currently in the process of passing a resolution up to administration right now to address student safety.” -Joey Zeldin in the process of passing a resolution up to administration right now to address student safety, one of which would hopefully convince administration to allow students the right to carry pepper spray on campus, something we at SGA have wanted for a long time,” he said. Bernadette D’Auria contributed to reporting for this article.
COVID DASHBOARD On Sept. 19 at 11:00 p.m., there was a case of possession of marijuana in the UMW Apartments. This case is pending.
0.71
59
ASH-
Total cases since Sept. 28, 2021
6
Active cases
7-day average cases per day
273
Student health center tests
11
38 of 38
Isolation spaces available
82 of 82
Quarantine spaces available
Positive student health center tests
Thursday, September 30, 2021
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SPORTS
Editor: Victoria R. Percherke | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com
Students take their workouts off campus
Some UMW students venture offcampus to take fitness classes rather than working out at Campus Recreation. Three of the most popular fitness studios located in Fredericksburg, according to UMW students, are Sweat FXBG, CrossFit Fredericksburg and Orangetheory. “Both Sweat and Campus Rec offer classes, but Sweat offers a variety of strict high-intensity interval training (HIIT) fitness classes,” said senior psychology major Grace Nicolai. “This allows for many classes every day, which helps fit my own schedule. It also allows me to branch out in the community and meet people that I would not meet if working out at UMW.” Sweat FXBG is a fitness boutique which is located on Fall Hill Avenue, right next to Central Park. Sweat FXBG offers a variety of individual training and group fitness classes for people at a variety of fitness levels. Some of these programs include HIIT or, as Sweat likes to call it, Sixty. Sixty uses a technique in which people work out in short bursts of highly challenging activities such as rowing and strength training. They offer a variety of plans, including a $129 per month pass for unlimited classes and $19 for individual classes.
SAM CREEMER Staff Writer
Nicolai especially enjoys their yoga classes. “The coaches there are extremely supportive and motivating,” she said. “It makes me enjoy going to workout.” Sweat FXBG also includes cycle, barre and row classes. While Campus Recreation offers cycle and yoga classes, barre and rowing are not a part of their itinerary. While Sweat FXBG focuses primarily on group fitness, CrossFit Fredericksburg focuses on strength training and conditioning. CrossFit Fredericksburg is located on International Parkway off of Route 17. Their programs involve work both inside and outside of the gym, as they promote a healthy nutrition plan along with heavy exercises. CrossFit uses high-intensity workouts that focus on building strength and muscle. Their monthly cost ranges from $145 a month to $185 dollars a month, depending on how many months an individual signs up for. They also have a student discount of $130 dollars. The programs at this gym and those offered at Orangetheory are quite similar, but each has unique aspects. CrossFit focuses more on strength and individual training, while Orangetheory focuses more on cardio and heart-rate zones. “I chose CrossFit because of the community I had heard from others, and working out with people with the same work ethic was essential,” said senior psychology major Rachel Remer. “It offers me a chance to work out with individuals that push me to step out of my comfort zone. I recently participated in a Spartan race that before joining Crossfit I would have never considered doing!” For Remer, the price of fitness classes didn’t matter because she instantly fell in love with the intensity that CrossFit offers. Remer chooses to work out at CrossFit at 6 a.m., while Campus Recreation opens at 8 a.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. on weekends. Another popular fitness gym outside of campus is Orangetheory, which Rachel Remer working out at CrossFit Fredericksburg. Courtesy of Rachel Remer focuses mainly on cardio training and
burning calories. Orangetheory in Fredericksburg is located on Southpoint Parkway off of Route 17. Their HIIT workouts focus on keeping people in the “orange zone” of heart rate, where individuals boost their metabolism and burn the most fat and calories. Attendants purchase a heart rate band and wear it throughout their workouts. These workouts are centered around rowing, cardio and strength exercises. Orangetheory’s plan for unlimited workouts is priced at $160 per month. Some students have said that classes at Fredericksburg workout studios push them further than what Campus Recreation has to offer. “Choosing to go to CrossFit pushed me outside of my comfort zone in all the best ways possible where campus recreation didn’t,” said Remer. Additionally, Remer said that offcampus fitness studios offer a sense of community. “Campus recreation, or more specifically the lifting areas, feels more individual with an in-and-out-mentality, which of course isn’t a problem,” she said. “It’s hard to compare two environments, where one you go for the people and the community [and] one where you go when you have time between classes.” Senior softball player and business administration marketing major Maggie Mrowka also switched to an off-campus fitness studio. “I enjoy Sweat because the workouts really challenge me,” she said. “Being a personal trainer and trained group fitness coach myself, I can trust [instructors] like Robin, Paula or Sara because I know the training and intense certifications and backgrounds that they have.” Fitness training is different for everybody, depending on what kind of experience the person wants. “Being an athlete, it’s important that I’m challenged by the workout or trainer but also can feel confident that the trainer will correct me if I’m doing something that could injure me,” said Mrowka.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
DUKE MORISSET Staff Writer
Fall Sports Schedule and Scores
Men’s Soccer (5-1-2)
Sept. 25 L @ N.C. Wesleyan (0-2) Sept. 29 W vs. Stevenson (2-1) Oct. 2 @ Christopher Newport Oct. 5 vs. Catholic Oct. 9 vs. Salisbury
Women’s Soccer (1-1-4)
Sept. 25 L @ Bridgewater (Va.) (0-2) Sept. 29 @ Lynchburg Oct. 3 @ Greensboro Oct. 6 vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) Oct. 9 vs. Salisbury
Men’s Rugby (2-1)
Sept. 18 W vs North Carolina (64-0) Sept. 25 W @ Southern V.A. (52-15) Oct. 2 @ Maryland Oct. 16 vs. Virginia Tech Oct. 23 vs. Mount St. Mary’s
Cross Country
Oct. 2 @ Bridgewater Oct. 16 @ Hood Oct. 30 @ Coast to Coast Conference Nov. 13 @ NCAA Regionals Nov. 20 @ NCAA Regionals
Field Hockey (4-3)
Athletes share favorite workout snacks UMW athletes shared which healthy snacks they eat when preparing for competitions. “Clif bars, Muscle-Milk shakes and snacks like almonds, and trail mix are good ways to replenish lost electrolytes in games and practices,” said senior elementary education major and club softball player Shannon Kehoe. According to a Healthline article, “When you’re working out, your muscles use up their glycogen — the body’s preferred fuel source, especially during high-intensity workouts. After a workout, the body tries to rebuild its glycogen stores as well as repair and regrow those muscle proteins. Eating the right nutrients soon after you exercise can help your body get this done faster. It’s especially important to eat carbs and protein after your workout.” Blake Johnson, a senior sociology major and president of the club softball team, prefers Gatorade protein bars, cashews and propel drinks for her pregame snack cravings. “[These] energy drinks are my normal go-to’s,” said Johnson.
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“Fillers can be a way food companies get their products to be more dense in weight, but the additives that are used in the fillers can prevent positive nutritional gains,” said Gaines. Pre-game and post-game snacks can have mental and physical benefits after athletes burn calories. “Eating healthy is good as long as you remember that what you put in is what you are going to get out of it,” said Johnson.
Kehoe’s not a big fan of protein bars, but she is in favor of the Gatorade Energy gummies. “These were a good way to have some extra energy during games and practices. I personally am not on a strict diet but I definitely pay attention to what I’m putting in my body. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables and protein,” said Kehoe. Tyshaun Gaines, a senior music major and the vice president of the men’s club football team, chooses certain snacks to help him recover after playing a big game. “Your body needs protein to heal and recover from exercise,” he said. Gaines said that those who enjoy protein bars and shakes should make sure the snacks don’t Eating after a workout helps rebuild glycogen. have too much filler.
Sept. 22 W vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) (3-2) Sept. 25 W @ Bridgewater (Va.) (5-0) Sept. 29 @ Randolph-Macon Oct. 2 @ Transylvania Oct. 3 @ Centre
Men’s Tennis
Oct. 1 vs. Marymount Oct. 2 vs. Marymount Oct. 3 vs. Marymount Feb. 5 vs. George Mason Feb. 15 vs. Longwood
Women’s Tennis
Feb. 5 vs. George Mason Feb. 10 vs. Towson Feb. 15 vs. Longwood Feb. 27 @ Claremont-M-S Feb. 28 @ Chapman Games are available to watch via livestream on the UMW Athletic’s webpage Schedule not listed above. Bold indicates home game.
Brooke Lark / Unsplash
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