The Blue & Gray Press

THE

The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper

BLUE & GRAY PRESS VOLUME 95 | ISSUE 8

OCTOBER 28, 2021

Serving the community since 1922

Petition calls for protections for transgender students samuel creemer Staff Writer

inclusivity, but clearly they’re not following through,” she said.

On Oct. 2, undecided junior Andie Lee was verbally harassed and photographed outside of Katora cafe on campus by a parent who was touring the UMW campus. Lee, a transgender student who uses they/them pronouns, started a Change.org petition in response.

As of publication, the petition has 251 signatures.

The petition is titled “Help Transgender Students Feel Safe at College” and calls on the university to take four courses of action to better protect students under the guidance of The Clery Act.

“There are multiple CCTV cameras around the area, and professors not having knowledge on how to report hate crimes delayed what could have been justice for me and other transgender students on UMW’s campus.”

-Andie Lee

The petition currently has 151 signatures.

“UMW boasts about its safety and inclusivity, but clearly they’re not following through.”

-Hope Mills The first action the petition calls for is to make it easier for students to report bias incidents. In the petition, Lee states that multiple professors were unable to point them to the correct resource to report their incident to the university.

Next, the petition calls for the university to clarify what on-campus incidents count as hate crimes and what

the administration is doing to protect students on campus. The third action calls for CCTV footage to be more easily accessible to students who have been victims of on-campus hate crimes.

“There are multiple CCTV cameras around the area, and professors not having knowledge on how to report hate crimes delayed what could have been justice for me and other transgender students on UMW’s campus,” said Lee on the petition.

The last action that the petition calls for is for the university to facilitate emergency appointments with trained

Andie Lee / Change.org

therapists for victims of hate crimes.

Hope Mills, a senior biology and classics double major, found the petition through Instagram and signed it because she wants all students to feel safe.

“The demands would benefit everyone on campus when an incident occurs and help faculty be better at responding to students in these situations,” she said. “If we have cameras on campus that capture incidents, why aren’t we able to access them for reporting?”

Mills questions the school’s emphasis on safety.

“UMW boasts about its safety and

Lee hopes the petition will bring light to what is defined as a hate crime on campus.

Hate crimes are defined on UMW’s website as “criminal acts, illegal acts and other incidents as determined by law enforcement authority, that are motivated by race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin.”

“My goal was to not help myself because my case was already done at that point, but to help other future students who might be in a situation end up leading to you in a hospital; some can just lead to intimidation, so I want campus administration to know what a hate crime •PETITION | 7 is and how we

UMW Dining is experiencing severe staff shortages JOSEPHINE JOHNSON & JACLYN LEDOUX News Editor & Staff Writer

The University Center’s dining facility is experiencing severe staff shortages. As a result, not all food stations are being fully utilized and they’re relying on single-use dishes and utensils.

“The COVID-19 situation has caused a global, devastating shortage in labor as well as very serious interruptions in the supply chain,” said Rose Benedict, unit marketing manager for UMW Dining Services.

“We have had very, very few applicants.

Because we have so few workers and our work is very tasking--it’s hard work.

Sometimes we’ve hired people and they’ve walked out the same day they came on.”

-Rose Benedict UMW Dining has been searching for employees through traditional means but has discovered ZipRecruiter works best for them at this time.

“We have had very, very few applicants,” said Benedict. “Because we have so few workers and our work is very tasking—it’s hard work. Sometimes we’ve hired people and they’ve walked out the same day they came on.”

UMW Dining has consulted with other schools about the staffing issue.

“It is not just our food service—it is food service nationwide and globally,” said Benedict. “We have the same district manager [as William & Mary] and we share notes.”

Some employees are feeling overworked.

“Overall, I feel like there’s not enough staff,”

IN THIS

ISSUE

Some stations are only open for one meal a day.

Hannah Unger / The Blue & Gray Press

said a UC dining staff member who asked to remain anonymous. “I feel like if there’s enough staff we can grow together. Right now we’re not working together and they’re overworking people.”

Sean Coady, a senior theater and linguistic anthropology double major, believes workers are stressed during his visits to the UC. “I feel like people are scrambling to get things done, and it just feels like everybody’s a little bit rushed and stressed,” he said. “I feel like if we had more people it would be easier for everybody.”

Some long-term employees have been working overtime.

“We have some of our stalwart employees that have been with us for many years, and it’s really hard to watch them having to take on so much more work,” said Benedict. “We really want to credit them with the

work they’ve been doing. Our Executive Chef Peter Stine and our Catering Executive Chef Rigoberto Mendoza, because they’re salaried employees they don’t have to worry about working overtime, but they do. They’re working sometimes 14 to 16 hour days and almost always six days a week, and there have been times when they had to work seven days a week.”

There are also days when hired staff may not show up.

“That’s been one of the hardest things. People just don’t come in and we don’t know they’re coming,” said Benedict.

Benedict wants students to know that their paychecks do not affect their financial aid opportunities.

“A lot of students don’t know, we’re not a state employer,” she said. “Everything you make is yours, you don’t have to worry about it reducing the amount of financial aid that you can get.”

“If we had more utility staff-- we would go back to full China service. It kills us to not have that open.”

-Rose Benedict Benedict hopes the dining hall will be able to return to reusable plates, utensils and glassware, but it proves difficult without staff or a utility supervisor.

“If we had more utility staff, we would go back to full china service. It kills us to not be able to have that open,” said Benedict. “We are using compostable, recyclable materials. We’re doing the best we can on that.”

red lights

HALLOWEEN KILLS

volleyball star

Fredericksburg needs to implement red light cameras.

Horror franchise continues the story of Michael Myers.

Krista Rodgers named offensive player of the week.

VIEWPOINTS | 3

LIFE | 5

SPORTS | 8

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 Jess Kirby

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Bernadette D’Auria Cosima Pellis

BUSINESS EDITOR Erin Matuczinski

Editors: Josephine Johnson & Scotti Mullen | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

SGA hosts town hall to voice student concerns about issues around campus PRIYA PATEL & HANNAH BUCK Senior Writer & Staff Writer

On Oct. 18, the Student Government Association (SGA) held a town hall, both in Dodd Auditorium and over Zoom, to allow students to communicate their concerns directly to the UMW administration. Some students feel that their voices were not heard at this event.

“I feel like the school should definitely follow through on the solutions that they’re proposing, like stating that they’re going to put up more cameras,” said Jordan Providence, a junior English major. “I’d like to see that the school actually follows through on them instead of just saying

COPY EDITOR

Josephine Johnson

“I feel like the school should definitely follow through on the solutions that they’re proposing, like stating that they’re going to put up more cameras.”

VIEWPOINTS

-Jordan Providence

Abigail Slaughter

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Scotti Mullen

Norah Walsh

LIFE Josephine Good

SPORTS Victoria Percherke

ONLINE Cameron Delean Maggie Mae Young

PHOTO Emily Warren

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

those things to comfort students of color on campus.”

At the event, Providence specifically asked about what accountability is being held for the anonymously posted white supremacist fliers and the misworded email from the administration that followed. The email, sent on Sept. 20, used the term “Blacks,” inciting anger from members of the UMW community.

In response to the fliers, Juliette Landphair, vice president for Student Affairs, said that it is hard to prevent these individuals from coming onto campus

because UMW is a public university, but the university is planning to add more cameras and a new blue light.

Providence believes that the UMW police could do more to prevent these anonymous postings.

“It is very concerning that we have a 24-hour police system, but these police are not constantly roaming the campus,” said Providence. “If our campus is an open campus, then I feel like we should have 24-hour protection.”

Radical Student Union (RSU) chair Salem Smith, a senior English major in the five-year education program, attended the event. On behalf of RSU, Smith voiced that the town hall should have been a student-led event rather than one headed by the administration.

“We admire the SGA’s efforts to provide a platform for student voices,” said Smith. “However, we were once again fed bullshit by admin, and it would’ve been a more productive evening if it had actually been a student-led, collaborative response to years-long demands for significant change.”

Stefanie LucasWaverly, the Title IX coordinator, gave a presentation explaining the Office of Title IX, including the complaint process. Later on during the town hall, Landphair also gave a presentation on white supremacist and extremist messaging on college campuses. Between presentations, there were opportunities for students to ask questions.

“We decided to hold a town hall

SGA hosted a town hall meeting for students to voice concerns directly to the administration.

The Climate Reality Project / Unsplash

after consistently hearing the same concerns from students during tabling, as well as through the different clubs and organizations we are in,” said SGA secretary Sophia Hobbs, a senior history major. “These concerns include campus safety, sexual assault and harassment and white supremacy on campus.”

Maya Jenkins, a junior political science and women’s, gender and sexuality studies double major and the president of the NAACP chapter on campus, attended the town hall as well.

“I do feel like it was productive in the fact

“We decided to hold a town hall after consistently hearing the same concerns from students during tabling, as well as through the different clubs and organizations we are in.”

-Sophia Hobbs that it gave people a voice who had not, and systematically, have not been able to have a voice on this campus,” said Jenkins. “So that was productive on SGA’s part.”

However, Jenkins also said that the

administration was not giving sufficient responses.

“I thought that [the answers] were insufficient at the least, triggering at the most,” she said.

Providence felt similarly.

“The answers they gave us were not real answers,” said Providence.

Instead of having the police work with bias incidents, Jenkins suggested that a separate division could be created.

SGA President Brianna “Breezy” Reaves opened the event by laying down some ground rules, emphasizing that students should not hold back their thoughts but should also not feel pressured to speak.

This was followed by a presentation from Marissa Miller, Director of Center for Prevention and Education (CPE), on the purpose of the CPE. This presentation mentioned a new 2021 grant to establish the Office on Violence Against Women.

Undeclared sophomore Andie Lee spoke at the event after they were verbally harassed on campus by a parent touring UMW. They stated that they were not immediately directed to resources for help and were told to “talk it out” with

their professors.

After speaking with three professors, Lee finally spoke to Landphair, who told them they could submit a student bias report.

When asked what could be done to prevent harassment

“I do feel like it was productive in the fact that it gave people a voice who had not, and systematically, have not been able to have a voice on this campus.”

-Maya Jenkins and provide resources to transgender students, Miller responded that the harassment incident did not fall under Title IX, but she was willing to connect and figure out how to navigate the incident. Miller also stated that the new Chief Diversity Officer, under the diversity program, will be added to that conversation.

“I feel like the administration and faculty finally had the opportunity to hear our pain and physically see the stress that these issues on campus are causing us,” Providence said.

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

2

Thursday, October 28, 2021

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Norah Walsh | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Phone addiction weakens our in-person relationships RAJAI WALTON Staff Writer

Izzy Schimp, an environmental earth science major, spends an average of five hours and 10 minutes a day on her cell phone.

“The amount of time that I spend on my phone isn’t a problem, but the way that I communicate through a phone can sometimes be used as an advantage,” said Schimp. “I’m an introverted person, so verbal communication isn’t the easiest thing for me, but responding through messages is more relaxing and allows me to always get my full thought process out.”

Technology has changed our lives for the better in some ways, but although we can communicate faster and have instantaneous access to information, there are certainly drawbacks.

Research from the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute shows that smartphones are powerful mind- and mood-altering devices that can be as addictive as drugs and alcohol. The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as engaging in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.

According to the information technology company Asurion, “Americans

check their phones 96 times a day,” which averages out to be about once every 10 minutes, and 46 percent of American smartphone users say they couldn’t live without their cell phones.

This addiction comes with a vast number of problems. Phone addiction is linked to sleepless nights, depression and chemical imbalances.

Students are often glued to their phones due to the fear of missing out, or FOMO. FOMO can make people feel like others are all leading more interesting or enjoyable lives which, and can cause distress, since people forget to live their own lives, opting instead to live vicariously through the posts they see on their phone.

What people may not realize is that they are trading the connections they have with their loved ones for time on their phones, which is rather meaningless in the long run.

A recent study by Laila Chaudhry and Faye O. Prichard at Virginia Commonwealth University indicates that smartphones are beginning to blur the line between personal communication and the extension of oneself, and they are changing the way we communicate with others on an everyday basis.

Many students are so engrossed in what’s on the screen that they are ignoring family and friends sitting

right in front of them. It has become so common that experts have named it “phubbing,” aka phone snubbing. One study from the Computers in Human Behavior journal found that this practice led to breakdowns in communication and relationship dissatisfaction.

Smartphones can be detrimental to a relationship if we are prioritizing them over real and meaningful relationships.

Being on your phone communicates that the people around you are not important enough to receive your devoted attention.

Answering a call, sending an email or texting while spending quality time with others sends a clear message that they are not worthy of your attention, which can cause a rift or weakening of relationships.

“I think it negatively affects my relationships with people because messages are always expected to be seen, kind of how we expect our voices to be heard,” said John Perry, a junior communication major. “It’s a good way to look at things, but technology doesn’t always work in our favor, and every message doesn’t become read how we would say it.”

Taking out your phone at the dinner table is just bad cell phone etiquette.

Unless there is an emergency or you’re expecting a call, there is no reason to

keep your phone at hand when you are with other people.

A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that people who have their phone with them during a meal are 11 percent more likely to check that phone, diminishing their enjoyment of the experience and increasing boredom.

“The mere presence of a phone in a dining setting, let alone the touching or use of it, has been shown to significantly decrease conversation partners’ perception of the quality of conversation, as well as trust between the individuals,” said Brianna Lightfoot, a junior sociology major. “Therefore, it can be inferred that excessive social media use can lead to loss of non-virtual connections.”

Lightfoot continued, “When I was younger, yes, I was addicted. But as an adult ... I feel as though it’s a distraction. If it isn’t about family or my job, then I don’t need to be on it, honestly.”

With this in mind, it is important to evaluate how you use technology, especially if you feel that it is interfering with your interpersonal relationships.

Putting your phone away when spending time with friends or family is an easy way to focus on the people closest to you without the distraction of social media in the palm of your hand.

Fredericksburg needs to install red light cameras ARIA JANELLO Staff Writer

Fredericksburg needs to implement more red light cameras at intersections to improve the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists in the community.

According to the U.S Department of Transportation, 445,382 drivers were ticketed for running red lights on Fridays in 2020, which made it “the deadliest day for red-light running.” Additionally, in 2019, 143,000 accidents involving running red lights ended in injury and 846 ending in death.

One way to decrease this high number of accidents is by implementing cameras on stop lights at intersections. These cameras work by taking two photographs of a vehicle that enters an intersection after the stop light has turned red, which are alerted by sensors placed in the road. One photograph captures the vehicle entering the intersection during a red light, and the other photographs the vehicle proceeding through the intersection. Red light cameras do not photograph drivers who are in the intersection when the light starts out green and then turns red.

Many communities across Virginia, such as Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Richmond and Virginia Beach, have put red-light cameras in place.

Before Fairfax County put in red light cameras, there was a red light run every 20 minutes at each intersection, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In a Virginia traffic study, right light cameras reduced the total number of red light runners by 67 percent. Furthermore, in cities similar to Fredericksburg in size, fatal accidents caused by running red lights were reduced by 21 percent.

According to an interactive map of photoenforced camera locations at intersections in Virginia, Fredericksburg has only one license plate camera that monitors traffic patterns and does not issue tickets, detect red light runners or other traffic violations.

Red light cameras cost upwards of $100,000, which includes their installation. In Virginia, the cost of running a red light is $50 per violation, which means that about 2,000 red light violations would be the equivalent cost of one red light camera.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Senior business administration major Samantha Stachowiak finds driving in Fredericksburg more stressful than in her hometown in Maryland.

“I have never seen so many people run red lights like I have in my three and a half years in Fredericksburg,” said Stachowiak. “I always make sure to wait an extra second or two before going through a green light, even though I have the right of way.”

One of the most common arguments against putting in red light cameras is the tickets received resulting from running a red light. However, there’s a simple fix: if drivers don’t want a ticket, they shouldn’t run the red light.

False ticketing is another concern of implementing red light cameras, but there is a system in place to avoid this issue. After a picture is taken of a vehicle, it is sent to law enforcement officers for analysis to ensure that the sensor and camera were correct and that the driver violated the law before a ticket is sent out.

Since drivers are concerned about the price of a ticket for running a red light, they should think of the price of damages that result from accidents due to running a red light.

A Federal Highway Administration study showed that seven communities that put in red light cameras saw a decrease of $18.5 million in losses related to intersection accidents.

Virginia is one of 23 states that allows red light cameras to be approved for use, and their use has been legal since 2007.

Senior business administration major Sam Pugliese believes that the overall safety of the population would be raised in Fredericksburg by installing red light cameras.

“I think red light cameras would be a really beneficial thing for Fredericksburg,” said Pugliese. “I can count on both hands the amount of times I have almost been T-boned by someone at an intersection who is running through a red light.”

Living so close to a major Fredericksburg intersection has recently changed his perspective on driving.

“I have a constant fear now of driving through intersections that I have never had before because

of all the dangers I have seen from people running red lights, especially by my house in Fredericksburg where I saw someone get T-boned recently,” he said.

Just a few red light cameras could make a large impact on the entire community. Not only do they decrease how often red lights are run at the specific monitored intersections, they also influence other nearby intersections that aren’t equipped, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Another common complaint against red light cameras is that there would be an increase of rear-end accidents caused by drivers stopping too quickly at lights to avoid running them.

Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have shown inconclusive evidence on this concern, but rear-ending accidents cause significantly less damage and are less severe than front-into-side or right-angle crashes, which are seen when someone runs a red light. Additionally, accidents that result in being rear-ended are much less costly than right-angle or front-into-side crashes. Therefore, the possibility of rear-end crashes caused by the presence of red light cameras is not as damaging, both physically and economically, as those caused by running a red light.

If Fredericksburg implemented red light cameras at intersections, it would greatly enhance community safety by decreasing the chances of dangerous accidents caused by people running red lights. Since Fredericksburg is home to UMW, college students who rely on walking around campus as their primary form of transportation to classes from their dorms need to feel safe when crossing an intersection that has a red light.

The intersection at William Street and College Avenue.

Jenny Thompson / The Blue & Gray Press

3

LIFE

Editor: Josephine Good | blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Spooky Halloween Staff Picks: The Perfect Playlist for a Killer Party Monster Mash - Bobby “Boris” Pickett The Time Warp - Richard O’Brien Calling All the Monsters - China Anne McClain I Put a Spell on You - Creedence Clearwater Revival Spooky Scary Skeletons - Andrew Gold Black Magic Woman - Fleetwood Mac Zombie - Cranberries Living Dead Girl - Rob Zombie Somebody’s Watching Me - Rockwell What’s New Scooby Doo - Simple Plan More Human Than Human - White Zombie Say My Name - Alex Brightman In the Room Where You Sleep - Dead Man’s Bones

Ask Gabby: How to get through mid-semester burnout JOSEPHINE GOOD & GABBY CARRION Life Editor & Senior Writer

Burnout is one of the worst things that can happen to a student in college. It makes you feel sluggish, unmotivated and tired all the time. In high school, some people refer to it as “senior slump” or “senioritis,” but I’m a junior and I’m not the only one feeling it.

Around week eight or nine of the semester, even if you don’t have midterms to get through, you may hit that mid-semester wall where, suddenly, every day feels like a Monday. As someone who has experienced burnout before, I understand how it feels to have 50 million assignments on my plate, while also dealing with drama, confusing feelings and unnecessary conflict in clubs and friend groups. I will be the first to tell you, it kind of sucks.

During this time I just want to call my mom and give her a hug, go on a shopping spree and, most times, I really just want to sing in the shower. As odd as it might sound, it can feel very cathartic to put on some music and just sing your heart out—it’s free therapy if you ask me.

To help you get through the rest of the semester in one piece, here are some of my favorite things to help with burnout, along with some tips and tricks on staying productive and positive.

Go on an Adventure One of my favorite things to do is just leave my work environment. If I am studying at home or at the HCC and I feel tired, sometimes a quick trip to Target makes me feel more motivated to keep working. Something about the atmosphere at Target can lift my mood in an instant. Also if a piece of clothing or a cute decor item catches my eye, I’ll treat myself a little bit.

Since it’s the fall, a fun road trip to a pumpkin patch is also relaxing. Go up to Cox Farms with your friends, or a local pumpkin patch near Fred. You can pick out a perfect pumpkin to carve, eat some kettle corn, and soon enough you’ll be back to studying for your Chem midterm and feeling motivated.

Get outside While this one may sound self-explanatory, the importance of getting outside goes much further than just a healthy habit. Walking, hiking, running or any other form of exercise is known to boost your mood due to the release of endorphins. Exercise can make you more productive and also give you the chance to soak in some Vitamin D. Vitamin D is something both physical and mental health professionals preach all the time. The benefits of getting out go much deeper than just enjoying the warmth of the sun. While being in the sunlight can boost your mentality, it also boosts the production of Vitamin D in your body, which can help prevent depression and anxiety.

If you ever find yourself needing a quick study break, take some time to go outside and go for a walk down Campus Walk or even just sit outside and read. The campus has a lot of places to explore and it can be a nice breath of fresh air to get out of your room and take a break.

4

Read a Book This might sound counterproductive to some people considering that all we seem to be doing these days is read. However, if you take some time to yourself and pick up a book that doesn’t have anything to do with your homework or studies, you might feel a sense of relief.

If you need to find a good book and aren’t sure where to go, I recommend Riverby Books in downtown Fredericksburg. It is a three-story building filled with secondhand books that you can buy for a relatively low price. This makes it a great option for college students who don’t want to spend too much money. Another option would be to stop by Simpson Library and pick out a book to borrow, and, while you’re at it, visit the treehouses upstairs. The entire floor is silent and it’s a perfect place to block out noise.

One of my personal favorite ways to decompress is to pick up a book, preferably a classic, and sit out on one of the green areas on campus. A lot of UMW students like to do their work on Ball Circle, but if you want a quieter and more closed-off place to sit, Jefferson Square is a great option. You can sit under a tree to get some shade or put out a blanket on the huge lawn.

Reading outside on a crisp fall day is somewhat meditative, and if you happen to fall asleep while reading, just look at it as taking a well-deserved nap.

Self-care Another thing you can do to beat burnout is a little bit of well-deserved self-care.

Self-care might sound simple, or even lame to some, but it can really change your mood around.

It is incredibly important to take wellness seriously and let yourself rest. It honestly might help you, and if it doesn’t, then at least you have glowing skin and a clear mind. One thing that I really like to do is turn on some music when I’m driving home. I love screaming Taylor Swift, Emblem3 or Luke Combs while making my way down Route 1. The best part about this is that you don’t even have to be a good singer to enjoy the serotonin boost that this brings on. I find myself smiling between the chorus and second verse because I’m just so happy.

Obviously, burnout can be caused by many things piling up on your plate, so if possible, try to cut back on a couple of things. You can’t cut back with class assignments, but with clubs, practices or meetings, I’m sure they would understand.

Anything to make your life a little easier, no matter how small it might seem, can go a long way with feeling burnt out.

Another piece of self-care advice that you should take advantage of is talking to your friends and family. Sometimes all you really need is to vent about the things that you’re going through, whether it be a test, an important paper, or a tricky professor. Calling my best friend to talk about what is going on in our lives is therapeutic and allows both of us to get our troubles off of our chests. Itr also helps to know that someone else is dealing with the same struggles as you and that can feel motivational.

I hope some of these tips help you break out of that mid-semester slump. Just keep in mind that you are not the only one going through it and it’s okay to get stressed out sometimes. If you have any questions you would like me to answer, please direct message @theblueandgraypress on Instagram.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

LIFE

“Halloween Kills” offers new perspective in the franchise

BERNADETTE D’AURIA Associate Editor

“Halloween Kills” is the latest installment in the decades-long “Halloween” franchise. Released on Oct. 15, the film has been met with a divisive response among horror fans and longtime franchise lovers. With some moviegoers loving the direction the series has taken and others criticizing the sequel for forgoing storytelling for brutal kills, many have wondered if this movie is worth seeing. As a long-time fan of the franchise, I’m here to tell you that, while “Halloween Kills” is not the greatest installment in the series, it is definitely worth a trip to the theater.

“Halloween Kills” explores the horror brought to modern day Haddonfield, Ill. by Michael Myers. @missjudygreer / Instagram.com

With David Gordon Green returning to direct the sequel to his 2018 reboot of the series, much of the film’s cinematography remains the same as the last installment. The only new stylistic decision made was Green’s inclusion of flashbacks to Michael Myers’s original reign of terror of Haddonfield, Ill. These flashbacks are not directly lifted from the 1978 film, but Green was able to recreate sets from the final act of Carpenter’s “Hallow-

een” and mimic the technical design that the original film’s team employed.

While Green’s ability to immerse the audience into the 1978 film once more was applaudable, I along with many others found that this was the start of the film’s faltering story-telling. The flashback may not be the initial shot that opens the movie, but it is a ten-minute long sequence that takes place before the opening credits roll. Furthermore, it is a sequence that focuses on Will Patton’s character, Frank Hawkins, a police officer who was only introduced in Green’s 2018 film. Rather than flashing back to characters like Tommy Doyle and Lindsey Wallace, who are characters from the 1978 film that make a reappearance, Green chose to add depth to a character that is not a primary focus in the previous installment.

The number one gripe that fans and critics alike have with “Halloween Kills” is its lack of focus. One of the main things that was commended by audiences of Green’s 2018 film was how it was able to portray generational trauma through an older Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, and Laurie’s daughter and granddaughter, played by Judy Greer and Andi Matichak, respectively. Laurie’s experiences with Michael shaped how she went on to raise her daughter and subsequently impacted her relationship with her granddaughter. Their relationship made up the heart of the previous installment, with a huge focus on how these women were able to come together as a family to fight the threat that has been hanging over them for 40 years. However, in “Halloween Kills,” the three heroines are all but separated for the majority of the film. For many, including myself, it was disheartening to see this core relationship sidelined throughout much of Green’s sequel.

One of the biggest gripes I have heard from other viewers is that “Halloween Kills” sidelines Laurie Strode in a way previous installments have not. Green already retconned Strode and Myers’s relationship in his previous film, but his 2021 release takes the stance that the whole

time Michael Myers has not been after Laurie Strode.

Rather, Michael is just a man (a boogeyman, if you will) whose goal is to kill as much as possible. With the focus of all other iterations of the franchise being on their relationship, it can be hard for some to reevaluate what they have grown so used to.

However, I am a huge fan of this revelation. I think that it is an interesting direction for the series to take and one that honors Michael Myers’s otherworldly obsession with murder. Rather than being focused on one specific person, Myers is just someone who thrives off the fear that he installs in people. Furthermore, I think this change places Laurie in an interesting position within the narrative. Rather than Michael fixating on her, it is she who fixates on Michael to the point of obsession. I think this is a really great twist on their relationship and something that has not been challenged in any other “Halloween” films.

Another plus for this movie for me was the gore factor.

I am not usually one for a heavy-handed gore-fest in my horror movies but, because this was my first in-theater horror movie experience since the pandemic, I found myself not minding just how brutal some of the death scenes were. It was fun to cringe alongside fellow fans when an extra drawn-out death scene occurred. While I gladly would have substituted some of these scenes for a tighter story, they ultimately added to my enjoyment level rather than took away from it.

Is this the best film in the franchise? No. However, it is not the worst film that exists in the “Halloween” franchise; that title is reserved for “Halloween: Resurrection.”

Green’s film is a fun theater experience that adds a new perspective to the “Halloween” franchise. I am looking forward to where Green is going to take this series, as he is slotted to direct the 2022 finale to the sequel trilogy, “Halloween Ends.”

“Halloween Kills” is currently playing in theaters and streaming on Peacock.

UMW seniors consider their options after graduation GRANT CRAGG Staff Writer

College is a place where we grow intellectually and explore potential options for our next big decision, whether it be the choice to go to graduate school or directly join the workforce following graduation. Three of these students explained how they decided where to go after graduating from UMW. Graduate school can be an investment toward students’ future and is also a requirement of certain fields.

“I decided to take the route of graduate school, specifically law school, because I’ve always wanted to be an attorney,” said Grace Clarke, a senior political science major. “I enjoy reading, writing and studying law. I think it is an interesting approach to solve problems. The route of law school has been the ultimate goal. The past couple of years I have been preparing and practicing both academically and mentally for this next step in life.”

According to an article from NBC, job opportunities are back on the rise after they plummeted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines have created a job boom and many companies are now opening their doors to new employees after months of not hiring.

One particular UMW student, Jack Landers, a senior business administration major, was able to capitalize on this job boom early this fall semester.

Jack Langers decided to go straight into the workforce.

“When I graduate I have a Photo Courtesy of Jack Langers job lined up to be a data science engineer at a company called Inmar Intelligence,” said Landers. “At Inmar I will be working on automation, machine learning, AI, that whole broad spectrum of data science and of course data analytics on the backend of everything.”

Landers also provided some helpful tips for fellow UMW students who are looking to line up a job after graduating.

“Just apply to as many positions as you can and reach out to hiring managers on Linkedin,” he said. “There are a bunch of good ways to connect with people within the company already. Definitely try to take advantage of UMW alums who are working in the field you’re interested in. There are a lot of ways you can do it, but the biggest thing is keep your foot on the gas and keep trying to apply.”

Like many students, Landers tossed around the idea of attending graduate school after graduating from UMW.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

“I was thinking about going to graduate school for data science or computer science, but that was all really dependent on potential job offers I would receive,” he said. “So, now that I have a job lined up, the option of graduate school is looking less likely to happen for an immediate plan for the future. It’s definitely still an option for a few years down the line.”

Clarke has decided on attending graduate school and has also provided tips for students interested in law school.

“Don’t rush the process,” she said. “Start early enough so you don’t feel crammed studying for the LSAT and Some students choose to go to graduate or law school, like Grace the application process. Take Clarke.

Photo Courtesy of Grace Clarke your time because you will be the best judge of if you’re ready.”

Along with Clarke, Noah Smith, a senior biology major, has decided on graduate school.

“Currently, I am applying to genetics programs for an MS (Masters in Science) in either genetics, molecular genetics or pharmacogenetics with the thought of pursuing a Ph.D. afterward,” said Smith. “My end goal is to eventually go into Biotech Graduate school is required for some careers, making it the decision for pharmaceuticals.” for some students, including Noah Smith.

Smith noted some tips for Photo Courtesy of Noah Smith STEM majors interested in graduate school.

“Get on your stuff early because it comes back to bite you,” he said. “Make sure if you’re a STEM major really bolt down on the classes outside your major ‘cause your GPA will take a hit as you go through STEM classes. Once you get to senior year you can’t really repair your GPA, you can only maintain it.”

As students get closer to the end of their college chapter, there are many routes that could be considered depending on their desired career or life goals. For some, graduate school may be necessary or preferred, but others may benefit from going directly into the workforce.

5

Editor: Norah Walsh | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

@theBlueandGray

The Blue & Gray Press

@theblueandgraypress

Thursday, October 28, 2021

6

NEWS

Transgender student verbally harassed and photographed by parent touring UMW campus

•PETITION | 1 can deal with them on campus safely.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Juliette Landphair believes hate incidents are cause for concern. “[Campus administration

“As Vice President for Student Affairs, I always listen for the impact of situations on students so we can learn from that impact.”

-Juliette Landphair

is] always concerned about bias incidents,” she said. “Hate incidents and hate crimes hamper the educational mission of UMW. When we are made aware of an incident, we investigate it fully.”

Additionally, this petition was discussed at a recent town hall facilitated by the Student Government Association (SGA).

There were several members of the university administration present at this meeting, and a variety of campus safety issues were discussed, including Lee’s harassment incident.

However, some students were disappointed in the administration’s responses to

students’ concerns.

“I felt like .it was just unacceptable,” said Lee. “I had friends at the town hall who were asking questions about their issues and I was asking questions about my deal, and it did not feel like we were getting straight answers.”

Landphair believes some of the information Lee is asking for has been conveyed. ”Speaking for myself, I believe that important information about what happens in the Title IX process and sex and gender-based prevention and education was conveyed, as well as information about the context of extremism and why

extremist and white supremacist groups target college campuses,” she said. “As Vice President for Student Affairs, I

“A lot of people are allowed to marry each other now, and some places have protections for LGBTQ workers, but on campus it is still a hostile place. That is my main message coming out of this. Campus is still hostile.”

-Andie Lee always listen for the impact of situations on students so we can

learn from that impact.”

Lee acknowledges progress has been made overall, but still desires to feel safe on campus.

“I think we should take away at the end of this that we have made progress about LGBTQ rights,” said Lee. “A lot of people are allowed to marry each other now, and some places have protections for LGBTQ workers, but on campus it is still a hostile place.

That is my main message coming out of this. Campus is still hostile.”

Bernadette D’Auria contributed to reporting for this article.

UMW hosted 88th District House of Delegates debate SCOTTI MULLEN News Editor

On Oct. 26, UMW hosted a debate over Zoom for the 88th District House of Delegate seats. This debate featured Democratic candidate Kecia Evans, Republican candidate Phillip Scott and Libertarian candidate Tim Lewis.

Evans opened up the debate in her introduction speech by stating her values.

“I am running off my Christian values: integrity, forgiveness, dreaming and imagining greater possibilities,” Evans said. “What you want, 88th, is a leader that’s knowledgeable, effective, compassionate, innovative and an activist.”

Lewis went next and stressed the importance that he does not like the two-party system and stands for everyone’s freedoms.

“I’m running this time to provide you with a real choice,” Lewis said.

“I think you’ll hear over the course of tonight that I have views that settle on both sides of this debate. I think I have ideas that can bring us all together and return the liberties and freedoms to you.”

Scott spoke last and wanted the audience to know that he is a family man and will work for the people.

“I am a father, a man of faith and I believe in the Constitution,” he said.

“As a man of faith, you know that I will stand on my integrity. When I’m out meeting people in the 88th District, I am hearing the concerns that the people have and I’m responding, so I will be a voice for the people of the 88th.”

The three candidates vary on many issues including redistricting reform, campaign finance caps and health care.

Evans is pro school choice, which allows parents to choose whether to send their children to public or private schools. She also believes in redistricting to prevent gerrymandering and wants campaign finance to be capped so that votes cannot be bought.

When asked about gerrymandering, Evans made it clear that she wanted the people to draw the lines.

“The answer is simple,” she said.

“We’ve listened. We’ve communicated.

We sat at the table. We did everything that we can do and yet we still don’t have maps for the House of Delegates.

The issue is legislatures. Take the legislatures out, Republicans and

Democrats, and let the people draw the maps.”

Scott wants to improve the health care system, is against campaign finance caps and supports the Virginia Right to Work law, which allows Virginias to work for an employer without joining a union.

“If we were to repeal the Right to Work it would take away the individual Phillip Scott is one candidate running for a House of Delegates seat. liberty and freedom to @philscottva / Instagram either join a union or that’s in front of you today,” he not join a union and said. “I’ve received the lowest in be forced to pay dues out of your own contributions and I’m not upset hard-earned dollars,” Scott said. about it. People putting money into a Lewis believes that the government campaign is their free speech and I will should not get in the way of people’s not vote to limit that.” freedoms. He does not believe in The 88th District covers campaign finance caps; he wants Fredericksburg to Fauquier county and elections to be run fairly and he is pro has primarily voted for Republican unions. candidates in previous elections.

“I am the lowest funded candidate

COVID DASHBOARD

81

Total cases since Oct. 26, 2021

11

Active cases

1.86

7-day average cases per day

490

Student health center tests

21

34 of 38

Isolation spaces available

82 of 82

Quarantine spaces available

Positive student health center tests

Thursday, October 28, 2021

7

SPORTS

Editor: Victoria R. Percherke | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Swim team hosts first meet since COVID-19 ABIGAIL SLAUGHTER The cheers of the UMW Eagles’ swim three teams competing instead of two.

Copy Editor team echoed through the natatorium in There were many other notable wins that Goolrick Hall. As the swimmers gathered in night, with freshmen dominating in several their usual circle and screamed, the other teams stood awkwardly different races. Freshman Ashley Dyer won the 1000 yard along the edges of the pool. Ingrid Dizon, a senior mathematics freestyle with a time of 10:59.39, and freshman Phoebe Root won major and swimmer, helped lead the team’s deafening and the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:01.76. Another notable energetic routine team cheer that’s done just before each meet. win was senior biology major Sydney Hall with a time of 24.97 “It’s really nice to get everybody together and [cheer], in the 50 yard freestyle, just under her personal best time of 24.57 especially at the first home meet and the only home meet of the seconds. semester,” said Dizon.

Dizon specializes in butterfly and individual medley races and Not only did the UMW men’s and women’s swim team swam 1:04.09 in the 100-yard butterfly and 27.36 seconds in the energize their fellow teammates, they also blew the competition butterfly portion of the 200-yard medley relay. She also competed out of the water. in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 400-yard freestyle relay that The UMW Swim Team’s record is now 2-1 after securing the day. win during the Oct. 22 home opener against Southern Virginia Alongside Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach Justin University and Marymount University. The women’s team Anderson, Assistant Coach Ryan Sullivan helped prepare the team defeated Southern Virginia 218-43 and Marymount 221-39, for the beginning of the season. and the men’s team defeated Southern Virginia 165.5-95.5 and “We started off the season with a lot of time stuff in practice Marymount 219-32. to get them thinking, ‘We’re back. We’re going fast, right away,’” Ellis Winfree, a junior psychology major, closed out one the said Sullivan. “We told them last year, ‘We’re going to hit the winning heats of the men’s 200 yard medley relay with a time of ground running, so be ready.’”

21.16 seconds in the freestyle portion. Specializing in freestyle, The UMW Swimming Instagram account posted that their Oct. sprint and butterfly, Winfree helped kick off the meet with a close 16 meet at Washington and Lee University was the team’s first finish with Southern Virginia University. swim meet in 609 days, with the team halting regular competition “It’s a good start off to the rest of the meet, so [I’m] looking in the spring 2020 semester due to previous COVID-19 guidelines forward to a good meet today,” said Winfree. “We have three preventing indoor competition. After witnessing the team’s teams here instead of two, so you get to see a whole bunch of training and development through the beginning of the pandemic, different swims from everybody.”

Sullivan said the team was “ecstatic to get back into the water.”

Aidan Deege, a junior business administration major, swam “It’s really nice to have a season after last year,” said Dizon. right before Winfree in the second leg of the winning heat of the It is Dizon’s last season as a UMW eagle and member of the 200-yard medley relay. He specializes in mid-distance races-women’s swim team. Since there will only be two home meets in such as 200 Yard races-- and breaststroke, helping to set the team the spring, she wants to make this year count. up early on in the meet for a win against Southern Virginia and “It’s awesome [to be back]. My mom is getting to see me swim Marymount. after two years,” said Deege, when asked how it feels to be back “That was actually my first opportunity to be able to get that from a year and a half hiatus. He went on to win his heat in the position on the team, and I’m really happy with how it turned out 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:00.92 and placed fourth in today,” said Deege. “I just think the bigger the crowd you have, the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:23.32. the more opportunity you have to prove where you are amongst The UMW Eagles will compete again on Oct. 30 against them.” He said there was a significant turnout because there were Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets.

Athlete profile: Volleyball star Krista Rodgers

On Oct. 18, junior business Rodgers’ talent; her teammates stand behind BRADEN ROBERTS Staff Writer administration major and sports her too. management minor Krista Rodgers was “Krista is probably one of my favorite titled offensive player of the week for her contributions to the teammates to be on the court with because she brings a constant UMW women’s volleyball team, who has gone 16-9 so far this intensity and has a talent in motivating everyone around her to all fall season. play their best,” said senior psychology and neuroscience major The offensive player award is Aidan Finegan. announced by the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Finegan has been a longstanding Conference to name the best players in the teammate and close friend to Rodgers offensive and defensive categories every throughout her time attending and playing week of the sports season. for UMW. “Krista is definitely a very hard“I am extremely proud of Krista and working individual and is very humble,” happy for her to receive this recognition said Alexander Hinsey, the head coach of this week,” said Finegan. “It’s been a long the women’s volleyball team. “She’s not a time coming. She has been an essential player that likes to be in the spotlight but part of this team since she joined three seems to find herself in it more often than years ago and her continuous effort day in not because of her level of play. She’s the and day out is very apparent to everyone type of player that is a silent leader and Krista Rodgers playing volleyball. on the team, and it was nice that the UMW Athletics plays with a lot of heart!”

Conference finally gave her the recognition Rodgers has been involved in UMW’s volleyball team as a she deserves.” middle hitter for all three years of her college career.

Rodgers was not able to meet with her full team the last “It is really nice to be named offensive player of the week, I sports season, and she is excited to be back in person to continue could not have done it without my team,” said Rodgers. “I am competing and working with her teammates. very excited to continue to work hard through these next few “I have been so lucky to have a team full of my best friends weeks and finish this season out strong.” who constantly push me on and off the court to be the best that I From very early in her life, Rodgers has been involved with can,” said Rodgers. volleyball. At the age of eight, she would assist her mother, Rodgers has had many highlights throughout her volleyball who was a recreational coach, by doing tasks like collecting the career, the most recent being her game beating Washington and balls during practice to help coach her mother’s team. At age Lee University in five sets at home.

12, Rodgers began playing volleyball herself. Until she was 15, “It really was a tough game and to be able to finish strong and Rodgers played both volleyball and basketball. However, once she get that win was really hype,” said Rodgers. reached high school she switched to primarily playing volleyball As a freshman, Rodgers entered college as the only middle and lacrosse. hitter on UMW’s women’s volleyball roster. Despite the “Lacrosse and basketball were both super fun but I had the challenges that arose, Rodgers continued to practice and improve most passion and love for volleyball throughout all the years,” over the 3 years. said Rodgers.

“Krista’s performance against Virginia Wesleyan University on She said her experience with the UMW women’s volleyball Oct. 13 definitely solidified her as offensive player of the week,” team has been nothing but positive, especially now that the team said Hinsey. “It seemed like every time she touched the ball she is able to compete again. Hinsey has been overseeing Rodgers’ was able to score a point for us.” growth over the past three years and has seen her develop her While there are no more home volleyball games this season, skills both on and off the court. Hinsey believes Rodgers has on Oct. 30 the UMW women’s volleyball team will be facing entered this season with a lot of experience and has showcased Wittenberg University as part of an invitational at Carnegie confidence on the court. Hisney is not the only one noticing Mellon University.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

University of Mary Washington Fall Sports Schedule and Scores

Men’s Soccer (8-2-4)

Oct. 23 W vs. Christopher Newport (2-1) Oct. 25 L @ Virginia (0-2) Oct. 30 @ Salisbury Nov. 4 vs. TBA C2C Tournament Nov. 5 vs. TBA C2C Tournament

Women’s Soccer (4-1-7) Oct. 20 L @ Swarthmore (1-2) Oct. 27 @ Christopher Newport Oct. 30 @ Salisbury Nov. 4 vs. TBA C2C Tournament Nov. 5 vs. TBA C2C Tournament

Men’s Rugby (4-1)

Sept. 25 W @ Southern V.A. (52-15) Oct. 2 W @ Maryland (90-0) Oct. 16 W vs. Virginia Tech (76-12) Oct. 23 W vs. Mount St. Mary’s (43-12) Oct. 30 @ Queens

Cross Country

Oct. 16 @ Hood Oct. 30 @ Coast to Coast Conference Nov. 13 @ NCAA Regionals Nov. 20 @ NCAA Regionals

Field Hockey (8-6)

Oct. 16 L vs. Salisbury (0-4) Oct. 27 vs. Dickinson Nov. 3 @ TBA C2C Tournament Nov. 6 @ TBA C2C Tournament

Women’s Volleyball (16-9) Oct. 23 W @ Marywood 4pm (3-0) Oct. 23 W @ Marymount 6pm (3-0) Oct. 27 @ Bridgewater Oct. 29 @ Carnegie Mellon Oct. 30 @ Wittenburg

Swimming (2-1)

Oct. 22 W vs. Southern Virginia (16595) Oct. 22 W vs. Marymount (Va.) (21932) Oct. 30 @ Randolph-Macon Nov. 6 @ Franklin & Marshall Nov. 12 @ St. Mary’s (Md.)

Games are available to watch via livestream on the UMW Athletic’s webpage Schedule not listed above.

Bold indicates home game.

8