THE
BLUE &GRAY
PRESS
November 7, 2019
VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 10
1922 Student political groups organize voter turnout events for the November 5 election
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Katia savelyeva Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, a narrowly Republican-controlled Virginia legislature was overturned by the Democrats in both houses. This marks the first time since 1994 that the legislature has been under Democratic control. In the Senate seats local to Fredericksburg, Richard Stuart, the 28th District’s Republican incumbent, defeated Democrat Qasim Rashid, collecting 58 percent of the vote. Republican incumbent Bryce Reeves also kept his seat, defeating Amy Laufer with 52 percent of the vote. As for the House of Delegates, Republican Mark Cole of District 88 collected 55 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Jessica Foster. However, Democrat Joshua Cole defeated Republican Paul Milde, collecting 52 percent of the vote for District 28. The two were competing for the seat of incumbent Republican Robert Thomas, who lost the Republican primary to Milde earlier this year. The Virginia legislative race was closely watched this year due to the fact that whichever party won control
of the legislature would then control redistricting following the 2020 census. The Democrats now have the ability to redraw districts that have been criticized for being heavily gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. “The big question is: will Virginia Democrats continue to back independent redistricting now that they have obtained the power to do to Republicans what Republicans have done to them?” said UMW political science professor Stephen Farnsworth. In addition to redistricting, a Democratically-controlled legislature will create a different policy conversation in the upcoming General Assembly session. However, Farnsworth stressed the importance of not overstating the radicalism of the upcoming legislature. “Many Democrats remain moderate in their politics,” said Farnsworth. “Tuesday’s results will not make Virginia an East Coast version of California.” All the same, many new policy possibilities have opened up as a result of the flip. Farnsworth mentioned gun control issues, raising the minimum wage and passing •Election | 7
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE
Students from political groups on campus paint the Spirit Rock to advertise for rides to the polls. Jey Lewis / The Blue & Gray Press
Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes violinist Itzhak Perlman Alicen Hackney Viewpoints Editor
players and wanted this to also build the quality and pride for our group,” Banners on the gate to the Anderson said Bartram. “You can’t step onstage Center parking lot, advertise the UMW with Itzhak Perlman unless you are Philharmonic concerts most of the year, thoroughly prepared. It would be akin featuring the faces of famous musicians, to the UMW basketball team inviting actors and singers that students might in LeBron James. You have to prepare not expect to see on campus. The likes yourselves as a team to perform with of Kristin Chenoweth, Renee Fleming him near his level.” and Tony Bennett, as well as other “The concert with Paul Anka was a celebrities, have performed on the UMW memory that I will never forget,” said Philharmonic violinist Michael Gilchrist, stage. Violinist Itzhak Perlman was the a senior communication and digital most recent famous musician to visit studies major. Anka performed with the UMW on Oct. 26. Philharmonic in October 2018. In 2004, music professor and director “Paul Anka was good friends with Frank Sinatra and wrote arguably his most iconic song ‘My Way,’ so being able to tell people that I performed with the man who wrote ‘My Way’ and who also had his own amazing songs such as ‘Put Your Head On My Shoulder,’ ‘Diana,’ and ‘Puppy Love,’ is an amazing thing to be able to say,” added Gilchrist. “I truly believe that our most recent concert with Itzhak Perlman will always hold a place in my heart,” said Ivy Sanders, a sophomore music Students involved with the Philharmonic Orchestra have the opportunity to perform with world-renowned artists. major and contrabassist. “He Kevin Bartram / UMW Philharmonic Orchestra played the violin solo theme
IN THIS
ISSUE
of the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra, Kevin Bartram, began the Philharmonic celebrity series program at UMW in order to bring richer experiences to musicians both on campus and in the community, and to build the prestige of the university. With the backing of then UMW president William Anderson, Bartram set out to find musicians, singers, and actors who could fit the criterion for the performances he had planned. “We didn’t just want to bring in guest artists to perform solo recitals, we wanted them to be onstage with our
Fuzzy Friends
Major Insights
Students go nuts for campus squirrels.
Freshmen need guidance in their major.
LIFE | 4
VIEWPOINTS | 3
from the score to Schindler's List. In that moment on stage, everything connected with me. Getting to witness such a great man - who has battled against polio and risen above all odds - perform music from a movie that portrays significant history to his own Jewish heritage made me cry whilst performing alongside him during our concert.” To ensure the success of the Philharmonic program, the responsibility to create a welcoming and successful environment falls on every single member of the group. Over the years, due to the flourishing reputation of the Philharmonic program, Bartram has been able to invite celebrities to campus that he could only have dreamed of working with. “We brought in Tony Bennett and he had such a great time here [in 2016]. The year after Tony Bennett I began to look for another artist like Tony, an iconic singer, so I approached Paul Anka’s agent,” said Bartram. “I found this out later from Paul Anka himself, he had called Tony Bennett and said, ‘I got an offer from this group I’ve never heard of in Fredericksburg, Virginia. What can you tell me?’ and Tony told him, ‘Paul, you’re gonna have a great time.’” In order to support their program, the UMW •Philharmonic | 7
Washington Nationals Nationals clinch game 7, become 2019 World Series Champions. SPORTS | 8
NEWS THE
Editors: Kate Seltzer & Abigail Buchholz | blueandgray.news@gmail.com
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
Honors courses lack flexibility for some majors Joe Johnson & Kate Seltzer Staff Writer & News Editor
It’s that time of the semester when students register for their new courses. Honors Program scholars have to make this decision earlier than most students, and got to choose their courses starting Oct 24. They are required to take nine credits of honors-designated coursework beyond their freshman seminars. Since its inception, the Honors Program has consistently added courses to cater to a diversity of majors. Four new courses were added this year alone. The goal of the program from its inception in 2011 has been, according to the Honors Program director Kelli Slunt, to provide “an intellectual home” for high-achieving students. Honors classes
Coming this spring, students are able to choose from 21 courses in a variety of subjects. Some students think there should be more honors course offerings in a variety of majors. “The problem is that there's only a handful of honors-designated courses in each major. There's only two or so that are really offered in religion to the best of my knowledge,” said junior history major Grace Corkran. “A lot of people find themselves in the situation where they need to take an honors-designated course, and they have to take a course that has nothing to do with their major and so it kind of pulls them away from that.” Other students feel the honors course selection is too STEM-heavy.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs
Associate Editors Grace Winfield Ginny Bixby
Buisness Manager Lucas Burkholder
SECTION EDITORS NEWS Kate Seltzer Abigail Buchholz
VIEWPOINTS Alicen Hackney
Students in the Honors Program are required to take honors-designated courses. Sarah Sklar / The Blue & Gray Press
are available to all students, however. Slunt said she recently sat in on a modern languages meeting with the intent of expanding the honors designation to courses beyond Spanish.
“It seems like it's for people who are primarily pre-med,” said freshman Maya Jenkins. The process for designating a class is strenuous. The class is first
recommended by a faculty member to be designated as an honors course. The Honors Program website states that the course must meet the objectives of the Honors Program, including developing communication skills, incorporating an interdisciplinary focus and enhancing research skills. The course is then approved by a faculty committee with five members. Only after it has been vetted, and it is clear that the course articulates the objectives of independent student learning as defined by the Honors Program objectives does it become an honors course. These objectives may scare off the average student who is not a part of the Honors Program due to fear of extra work and long papers. Slunt made it clear that this is not what makes an honors course different from any other course at UMW. She said that the honors course lectures are similar to a regular course but the lab part of an honors course involves more research and advanced instrumentation. It is also possible that students have a background in honors-like courses because multiple courses at UMW already teach advanced speaking and interdisciplinary skills which is a vital part of any honors course. “If someone had not told me that they were honors I would never have been able to guess it,” Corkran said. “That doesn't mean that they're bad classes, but all these classes at college are hard and so there's nothing that makes an honors class more difficult.” Corkran said honors classes should be more goal-oriented, like courses designated as speaking or writing intensive. “I really can't say what an honorsdesignated class gets you,” she said. “I would have just said that maybe you needed an extra writing-intensive course or an extra speaking intensive course rather than doing specifically honorsdesignated classes.” Abigail Buchholz contributed to reporting for this article.
LIFE Cosima Pellis
SPORTS Jack Hagn
ONLINE Meaghan McIntyre Samuel Cobb
PHOTO Cayley McGuire Noah Strobel
FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian
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CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu
Thursday, November 7, 2019
VIEWPOINTS
Editor: Alicen Hackney | blueandgray.views@gmail.com
Students support the legalization of weed, removal as schedule one drug ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ News Editor
Marijuana should be legalized in Virginia and across the nation for two reasons. First, the basis for marijuana’s classification as a schedule one drug was laced with the racist views of the system’s creators. Second, if America truly espouses liberty, then citizens should have the liberty to impact their health positively or negatively without the government’s infringement. As of 2019, marijuana is illegal under federal law--despite 22 states legalizing forms of medical marijuana and 65 percent of Americans supporting legalization, according to a CBS poll from April. The federal illegality of marijuana was originally established by the 1970 Controlled Substance Act, which also created the drug scheduling system. There are five official schedules of drugs, with schedule one drugs being considered the most dangerous, having no medical use and a high potential for abuse. The current schedule one drugs include heroin, ecstasy, LSD and marijuana. Cocaine and meth are considered less dangerous than marijuana, as they are schedule two drugs. This scheduling system is absurd. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind who knows anything about substance usage would ever put weed alongside heroin,” said freshman Liam Kiely.
Having marijuana as a issues than all those who died in wars schedule one drug makes it fought by the US. difficult for scientists to explore The CDC further warns that the the benefits of marijuana. This consumption of both marijuana and scheduling system has created cigarettes could lead to: addiction, a cycle of anti-legalization damage to lung tissue and a greater risk politicians claiming that of bronchitis. The CDC claims that the there are no medical uses for research on marijuana and its link to marijuana, but then allowing cancer is inconclusive, while cigarettes the system to hinder research on are proven to be the leading cause of marijuana. lung cancer. Marijuana remains a schedule one drug despite push for legalization. The racism of the The discrepancies in the drug Jeff Barnard / AP criminalization of marijuana scheduling system are confusing, white people, even though both groups predates the Controlled Substance Act misleading and are labeling addictive and racial profiling currently used by the consume marijuana at about the same substances based on outdated biases and police force. In 1937 the Marihuana Tax rate.” research. The government needs to take Act was passed with the help of Harry The criminalization of marijuana also a logical look at what is legal and what Anslinger, the commissioner for the infringes on the liberty of all Americans. isn’t. Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Liberty is defined as “the state of I’m by no means saying that people In regards to the criminalization of being free within society from oppressive should go and smoke a pack of cigarettes marijuana Anslinger said, “There are restrictions imposed by authority on or get high every day. I’m saying it one’s way of life, behavior or political 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the should be up to the individual to decide views.” U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, what they do with their own bodies. Those against marijuana legalization Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic It makes no sense that a person can warn of the drug’s dangerous side music, jazz and swing result from consume one addictive substance over effects, but Americans are already able marijuana use. This marijuana causes another because one is more socially to consume a highly addictive drug that white women to seek sexual relations acceptable. kills an average of 480,000 people a with Negroes, entertainers and any “Cigarettes are terrible for you, year, tobacco. others.” just like alcohol can ruin your liver. The health risks to marijuana are on The racist origins of marijuana Weed should be legal because it’s less criminalization continued following the par, if not less than, those of cigarettes. dangerous than alcohol,” said Savannah The Center for Disease Control claims passing of the Marihuana Tax Act, when Roberts, a junior political science major. that smoking causes more deaths per black Americans were three times more Marijuana should be legalized year than HIV, illegal drug use, motor likely than whites to be arrested for because the laws that criminalize it are vehicle injuries and firearm-related violating narcotic drug laws. As of 2010 outdated and based on systemic racism. incidents combined. They also claim that the bias persisted. The ACLU reported The liberty of Americans depends on the more than 10 times as many US citizens that “black people were four times more freedom to make choices that you know have died from smoking-related health likely to be arrested for marijuana than aren’t good for you.
Freshmen need more advisor insight KATIA SAVELYENA The life of a freshman at major yet. “My advisor was Staff Writer UMW centers around the very helpful, but I wish we institution of the freshman seminar (FSEM). The could have explored more options than just figuring current advising system in place for freshmen sets out what classes to take next semester. I wish we had FSEM professors as students’ primary academic talked more about the long term.” advisors until they declare a major. Students can not First-year students want more from their declare until completing 28 credits or their first year. academic advising experience than basic insight into This advising system has a significant flaw: few their general education requirements. Not everyone students choose their freshman seminars to align comes in with a concrete major in mind, but many with their intended major. Many students choose to have a basic sense of what area they would most like branch out and take FSEMs outside of their desired to explore. disciplines, while others select their FSEM based on These students would benefit from conversations residence halls. with an advisor considering multiple options, Furthermore, freshmen admitted to the UMW and should be encouraged to actively consider Honors Program have limited choices. In the fall their academic path outside of general education 2019 semester, only 10 honors FSEMs were offered requirements. out of the 64 total FSEM sections available. The current advising system does have For all their good intentions, the primary insight some benefits. It distributes the task of advising that FSEM professors can provide is a knowledge of throughout the UMW faculty, ensures that students their own discipline. These insights, though rich, are have advisors who know them personally and not always helpful to students who have a major or provides a solution for students who don’t know interest outside their advisors’ what exactly they plan to major in. department. “I think a lot of the freshman Nevertheless, freshman advising as Junior English major advising experience is really it stands does not provide students Rebecca Young started with all the resources they need. just based on luck, as to her freshman year taking a It would benefit first-year students whether or not your professor if more academic departments history-based FSEM for the sake of its honors designation. is very invested in your future.” hosted detailed information sessions, “There were only three and if professors who taught - Liam Kiely people in the class who were introduction classes made a habit of even vaguely interested in a history major and our welcoming questions about their department and the professor had limited knowledge of every other majors they offer. discipline,” said Young. “For the majority of the Additionally, any professor teaching a freshman class, our advising was just looking at what gen eds seminar should understand that advising - including we had.” advising outside of their comfort zone - is part of Sophomore theatre major Olivia Harrington the duty to their students that they take on. This emphasized her desire to have received feedback on can entail providing information about majors and her plans. classes outside their disciplines, or knowing who to “My first-year advisor was very sweet, but it was redirect advisees too when there are questions they difficult because she didn’t know much about my cannot answer. prospective majors,” said Harrington. “She didn’t “I think a lot of the freshman advising experience really offer any constructive advice, and I think is really just based on luck, as to whether or not your that’s just because she wasn’t a theatre or a political professor is very invested in your future,” said Kiely science professor.” regarding his own generally positive experience. “Right now I’m trying to seek guidance,” said One way or another, we’d do well to lessen the role freshman Liam Kiely, who hasn’t decided on a that luck plays in the equation.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Staff Ed: gerrymandering By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD
The Democrats took control of the Virginia General Assembly for the first time in 26 years at the state election on Tuesday, November 5 where constituents are now looking to see if the candidates will follow through with the promises made on the campaign trail. An issue prevalent in Virginia, especially on college campuses, is gerrymandering. Democrats from Virginia Senator Tim Kaine to Delegate elect Josh Cole have spoken about the importance of switching to non-partisan redistricting, meaning that officeholders could not draw districts. The impact of gerrymandering and the influence district lines has on elections is seen all across Virginia. The issue is especially prevalent in Central Virginia where Louisa, Fluvanna and Albemarle counties are separated between two districts and have district lines that divide several precincts. The role of gerrymandering directly impacts Fredericksburg City. In an Instagram post, Cole shared an image of him on one side of College Avenue and democratic candidate Jess Foster on the other. Current district lines placed him in the 28th House District and Foster in the 88th House district, so the visual was used to highlight how “traffic lines split the City of Fredericksburg” and to emphasize why he is calling for a change to independent redistricting. Current lines drawn through gerrymandering not only impact city boundaries, but they are arranged to divide the vote from younger demographics, specifically college students. A relatively small campus, UMW is split into three voting precincts. Students in Eagle Landing, the University Apartments on William Street and campus dorms all belong to different districts and different polling locations. This problem is not exclusive to UMW, as Christopher Newport University is split in two delegate districts. The Republicans have benefitted over the years, but eyes are now on the newly elected Democrat candidates to see if they will take the high road they ran on or if they will continue to allow gerrymandering. It’s important voters use the civic passion to monitor and encourage newly elected representatives to follow through on their promises to end gerrymandering. This editorial was lead by Meaghan McIntyre.
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LIFE
Editor: Cosima Pellis blueandgray.life@gmail.com
Preservationists at work: experiencing local history internships Photo story by Emilia Michalkiewicz Many college students spend a lot of time wondering what they are going to do once they graduate. One way students can get ahead and learn more about their field is through internships. Historic preservation is a relatively unique field at UMW that is not offered as a major at many other 4-year institutions. The history of the Fredericksburg area offers many opportunities for students in the historic preservation department to gain job skills in the field.
Brianna Melick, Mary Washington House Below: Brianna Melick is a junior historic preservation, religion and classics major with a minor in museum studies. She also interns as a Historical Interpreter at the Mary Washington House, a position she found via Facebook before her sophomore year. Her favorite parts of her job are “getting to talk to people who are genuinely interested in learning about Mary” and wearing colonial period clothing. She said, “I would absolutely recommend both internships and employment while in school. It gets you the best experience and it shows you what having a job will be like in the future. You also make amazing connections with future employers.”
Cody Youngblood, James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library Above: Cody Youngblood, a junior historic preservation major and museum studies
minor, is an intern at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library through the Albert J. Bowley Scholarship. He has great feelings about what this internship is doing for him. “Working at the Monroe Museum has provided me an exciting opportunity to better understand the inner-workings of a museum by assisting in collections management, exhibit creation, educational programming and more,” he said. He found out about the internship when his advisor, Christina Turdean, recommended that he apply for the Bowley Scholarship. His favorite part of the internship is, “the opportunity to work with one of the greatest collections of Monroe objects in the United States. Being able to sit in the archive room and look over to see Monroe's suit he wore to the coronation of Napoleon is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity, and I'm thrilled I get to experience it.” Cody’s one piece of advice for students considering internships is, “you can never have too much experience.”
Lauren Simpson, Moore Archives and Preservation
Right: Lauren Simpson, a junior historic preservation major and museum studies minor, is currently interning at Moore Archives and Preservation, a book and page restoration business owned by University of Mary Washington alum, Kristi Moore, class of 2015. Simpson found the internship through word-of-mouth. “I found out about it through a woman at my church who said her daughter-in-law had a book restoration business in Fredericksburg and was a UMW historic preservation major. She had been looking for another student who was a historic preservation major at UMW to intern for her,” she said. She enjoys learning the various bookbinding and page restoration techniques and likes how there is something new to work on each day. Simpson also thinks highly of the experience that can be gained from an internship. “I would definitely recommend students do internships while in school because it is an opportunity to see how the work is presented in the outside world that you have learned throughout your classes,” she said.
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Thursday, November 7, 2019
LIFE Beloved campus squirrels make UMW their home, spark conversation DARCY SPICER Staff Writer
UMW has a large squirrel population. While some people like them and others find the number of squirrels on campus to be a bad thing, there is no doubt that the university is home to many of these fuzzy creatures. Though there are many questions about this phenomenon, the biggest question may be: why here? Is the presence of so many squirrels unique to UMW? Andrew Dolby, a biology professor at UMW, provided his professional insight into the squirrel situation. According to Dolby, there are many features of college campuses that benefit squirrels, such as the kinds of trees grown on campus as well as the lack of predators. “Our campus forest fragments contain tree species such as oaks, hickories, walnuts and beeches, which all produce nuts that squirrels eat. They also give squirrels plenty of cover from predators
like hawks [redshouldered and sometimes redtailed hawks],” said Dolby. “Throw in a few treats left around on the ground by students, and you pretty much have squirrel heaven.” “I like the squirrels a lot. They make me happy,” said Ella Green, a sophomore historic preservation major. “I probably see at least ten squirrels a day, but that’s a slow day. I think 20 is probably more reasonable honestly. There’s so many of
Squirrels can currently be seen on campus stocking up on food for the winter.
The squirrels love being photographed according to Squirrels of UMW on Instagram.
Noah Strobel / The Blue & Gray Press
Many of the tree species on campus produce nuts that squirrels eat and they go nuts for them. Noah Strobel / The Blue & Gray Press
Thursday, November 7, 2019
them.” She believes the amount of squirrels present is strange, but not necessarily shocking. “I think it’s something that most people notice about UMW right away, because it’s such a high concentration of squirrels on a relatively small campus,” said Green. “I think the reason is because the campus is so old and has so many mature trees . . . it’s a pretty insular area so honestly we’re probably witnessing like generations of squirrels just in our time here.” According to Bradley Lamphere, another professor from the biology
Noah Strobel / The Blue & Gray Press
department, there are certain times of day where one could actually struggle to spot a squirrel. “I tried to do a squirrel feeding lab for my Animal Ecology class last year. Students and I searched campus all lab period [2 - 4:45 p.m.] and came up with zero live squirrels.” said Lamphere. “Apparently, they take an afternoon siesta that is really badly timed for afternoon labs.” Whether it be by leaving them a snack or snapping a picture, students interact with and appreciate the squirrels. There is even an Instagram account devoted to the squirrels called Squirrels of UMW. The owner of the account said that the squirrels are in fact “very vain” and “love to have their picture taken.” With winter on the way, there is a significantly larger amount of squirrels scurrying about and looking for food. With all of these furry creatures running about, it makes it hard to not wonder what life is like for these campus squirrels who live seemingly comfortable lives. Although campus squirrels are common, there is no doubt that the squirrels of UMW are highly appreciated and celebrated among the campus community.
UMW squirrels have even inspired an Instagram account. Noah Strobel / The Blue & Gray Press
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MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS AMONG HIGH-ACHIEVERS IN JANUARY 2019, ACTIVE MINDS AND NSCS SURVEYED 9,319 STUDENTS NATIONWIDE WITH A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 3.4 OR ABOVE AT U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, and both suicide ideation and suicide attempts are on the rise among this population. Further, mental health issues are prevalent among young adults. Sometimes referred to as the “anxious generation,” today’s young people are actually much more likely to talk about mental health than their parents or grandparents. This generation is closer than ever to breaking the stigma around mental illness in a time when only 44% of adults – and less than 20% of young adults – with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need.
@theBlueandGray
SURVEY OUTCOMES
High-achieving students are struggling.
91%
The Blue & Gray Press
The vast majority of participants have felt overwhelmed by all they had to do in the last year.
73% 2 out of 3
bgpress1922
from a friend
of respondents have sought help from someone in the last 12 months.
respondents experienced a need for mental health services in the last year, despite achieving a high grade point average
theblueandgraypress
32%
16%
25%
from a professional
90%
from a family member
of participants think that therapy/counseling is helpful.
46%
76%
of participants know where to go on campus if they need professional help.
of respondents believe that “Most people think less of a person who has received mental health treatment.”
High-achieving students are not going to advisors or professors for help. However, they would like to. BARRIERS Respondents identified the following barriers to receiving services (counseling, therapy, or medications) for mental or emotional health:
21%
17%
preference to deal with issues on their own or with support from family/friends
not enough time
13%
3%
financial reasons
32%
difficulty finding an appointment
no need for services
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FACULTY AND ACADEMIC ADVISORS Engage in a simple three-step conversation (V-A-R) Validate
Appreciate
Refer
validate their experience (use phrases like “That makes sense.” and “That sounds difficult.”)
appreciate the student’s courage for being open with you (i.e. “Thank you for sharing with me.”)
refer them to the appropriate skills and support.
Normalize the need for help. Mental health issues are common, especially among college students. The number one thing students say they value most in a professor is approachability.
Keep high-achievers on your radar. Embed wellbeing concepts in your curriculum. Advocate for more support.
Remember to practice your own self-care.
CONCLUSION
Students would like to go to their professors and academic advisors for help when they are struggling, but many do not yet feel comfortable doing so. Their recommendations indicate a need for more support – both from faculty and from their universities as a whole. Everyone plays a role in creating a supportive campus community, and you don’t have to be an expert to help –
you just have to be there.
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, certified FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) compliant by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, is certified by the Association of College Honor Societies and is a proud member of the National Orientation Directors Association and the American Association of Community Colleges. Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Active Minds has a presence on over 700 colleges, universities, and high schools nationwide powered by our chapter network, Send Silence Packing® exhibit, and our Active Minds Speakers. The organization is dedicated to supporting a new generation in ending the silence and changing the conversation about mental health for everyone. *Many of the questions used in the survey were adapted from the nationwide Healthy Minds Study.
NEWS
POLICE BEAT ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ & KATE SELTZER News Editors
Public Sexual Display On Tuesday October 29 at 2:37 p.m., there was a public sexual display in Monroe Hall. Prosecution is pending. One administrative referral and one Title IX referral were issued.
Trespassing On Thursday, October 31 at 12:18 a.m. there was a case of trespassing at DuPont Hall. One arrest has been made.
Hit and Run On Friday, November 1 between 9:15 a.m. and 4:03 p.m. there was a hit and run involving an unattended vehicle in the Sunken Road parking lot. This case is pending.
Vandalism Between Friday, November 1 at 12:20 p.m. and Sunday, November 3 at 12:50 p.m. a vehicle was vandalised in the Marshall Hall lot. This case is pending.
Larceny Between Thursday, October 31 at 11:30 p.m. and November 1 at 10:00 a.. a credit card was stolen from Combs Hall. This case is spending.
Assault and Battery Between Tuesday, October 22 at 6 p.m. and Thursday October 24 at 5:20 p.m., there was an incident of assault and battery in Virginia Hall. The victim declined to press charges. One administrative referral was issued.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Orchestra unites students, professionals and community with shared passion for music Philharmonic doesn’t pull funds solely from the university. Due to the hefty cost of bringing celebrities to campus, the program is supported financially by the community and by the Friends of the Philharmonic group. These Friends of the Philharmonic community members participate in the
performance events, trips and practices of the Philharmonic through donations, attending events as concert-goers and by joining the group as musicians alongside students of all backgrounds. “The community members in our ensemble are all kind and extremely willing to share advice, whether it be musical or not, to any student; everybody collectively works to build each other up,” said Sanders. “The best part of being in an ensemble made up of so many people with different backgrounds is the love and acceptance that we all share for one another.” “We have a mix of music majors and non-majors in the group, and that’s Kevin Bartram founded the Philharmonic celebrity series program at UMW. Kevin Bartram / UMW Philharmonic Orchestra an important
•Philharmonic | 1
distinction between us and the big DI schools. Where the top ensembles at the big division one colleges you have to be a music major to get into, here that’s not the case, and that’s why we’re a liberal arts institution,” said Bartram. “More than half of the group of students are non-majors, and we’re proud of that.” Unlike the theatre major requirement of attending the shows put on by the campus, music majors are not required to attend these events. While tickets to the Philharmonic events can be costly, the music department recognizes the burden on students, so often attendance can be counted as extra credit or students can discuss price reductions with professors and the department. Following the legacy performance by Itzhak Perlman with the orchestra, the UMW Philharmonic is looking towards investing time in both returning celebrities and new performances with celebrities Bartram has on his bucket list. Violinist Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg will be performing at the February 16 concert, Norman Rockwell’s granddaughter Abigail Rockwell will be narrating the March 21 concert, and actor Dennis Quaid will be performing at the April 24 concert.
Democrats regain control of Virginia legislature for first time in 26 years •Election | 1
the Equal Rights Amendment as a few likely avenues for Democratic focus and success. Additionally, education and environmental regulation are likely to gain greater focus. The new policy possibilities are intimidating to some. “I feel that being a young Republican at this time is frustrating,” said Rachel Hodges, president of UMW College Republicans. “I watch so many young people support extreme legislation.” Others are excited for the potential changes. “I’m very excited about the future of Virginia politics,” said Sam Hartz, president of UMW Young Democrats. “It was also great to see all the UMW students who took the time to vote, and it made a real difference with Josh Cole being elected to represent most of campus in the House of Delegates.” As a whole, UMW’s student body has been strongly involved with the Fredericksburg races. “We’ve been knocking on doors, phone-banking, organizing and doing whatever we can to support the great candidates that the Democratic party has running this year,” said Hartz about the Young Democrats. Similar efforts have been made by the College Republicans. “UMW College Republicans have spent months door-knocking, making phone calls, and sending texts for not only our local candidates but candidates all around Virginia,” said Hodges. In addition, these two political student clubs have co-hosted debates between local candidates and made an effort to introduce these candidates to their members. The campus organization UMW
Votes collaborated with other students and organizations to coordinate rides to the polls. The group drove a total of 161 students to the polls over the course of Election Day. “Seeing that we've managed to produce results and get the word out about this election and who's running is beyond me. I'm incredibly proud to be a member,” said UMW Votes member and sophomore communication and digital studies major Amber Brown. Students who used UMW Votes’ resources on campus were confident in the importance of their participation. “I really like how UMW is encouraging people to vote, because that’s how we as a society can have a say in what happens,” said freshman Erin Mahoney, who aided the effort to get students to the polls as a campus organizer for Feminist Majority. “We’ll have setbacks, that’s kind of a given, but if we’re resilient we can get past that.” “Everyone’s opinion matters. Their
voice matters,” said freshman Karlie Jahn. “We have to be able to push ourselves to try and explore options and different candidates.” Sophomore computer science major Jane Hill said, “I like having civil rights. I like the people that I care about being able to exist as people without being systemically discriminated against. So voting is a way to try to make things better.” In Hartz’s experience, the political atmosphere of the last few years has been conducive to youth participation. “The first election that I was able to participate in ended with Donald Trump being elected president and that was a moment that I think really galvanized people on both sides to get more involved,” said Hartz. “It’s a whirlwind. There’s so much excitement and energy around politics and being a part of real political change that it’s hard not to want to be a part of it.”
Student volunteers drove students to the polls from the Bell Tower and the Anderson Center. Adam Wartel / The Blue & Gray Press
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SPORTS
Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com
Washington Nationals win first franchise World Series
University of Mary Washington Fall Sports Schedule
newsweek.com
nytimes.com
On Oct 30 at 11:45 p.m. the Nationals brought the World Series Championship to D.C. The last time a MLB championship was won in D.C. was 1924.
Pregame rituals promote team unity and a competitive atmosphere Varsity volleyball has some pregame rituals and some in-game rituals after each point. During their games the team takes time after every point to meet up and pat eachother on the back. The team also takes time to celebrate birthdays after games. The team is going into the CAC semifinals with a record of 15-12. They are facing Salisbury and have a 2-0 record against them.
Women’s Soccer (10-10)
Nov. 2 W vs. Southern Virginia (4-0) CAC Tournament First Round Nov. 6 W @ Christopher Newport (4-1) CAC Tournament Semifinal Nov. 9 vs. York (Pa.) CAC Tournament Championship
Men’s Soccer (13-3-3)
The team sings happy birthday to their coach after a game aginst Marymount University.
Oct. 26 T @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (2-2) 2OT Oct. 30 W vs. York (Pa.) (5-1) Nov. 6 W vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) (3-1) CAC Tournament Semifinal Nov. 9 @ Christopher Newport CAC Tournament Championship
Field Hockey (7-11)
Oct. 23 L vs. Salisbury (6-0) Oct. 26 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (2-1) Oct. 30 W @ Southern Virginia (12-0) Nov. 2 L @ York (Pa.) (4-2)
Volleyball (15-12) The volleyball team celebrates a win against Marymount University.
The team gathers after a point and pat eachother on the back.
Women’s tennis has their own pregame chants and rituals. Before every match the team forms a circle and chants “Get Dirty.....Go Wash!” The team has been competing in multiple tournaments this fall with limited success. Their main season starts in Februrary and the team has plenty of time to get big hits in the new year.
The team starts their cheer by forming a circle as one player hits the ground and yells “Get Dirty.”
Photo story by Sarah Sklar
Oct. 23 W vs. Southern Virginia (3-0) Oct. 26 W vs. Lynchburg (3-1) Oct. 30 W @ York (Pa.) (3-0) Nov. 1 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (3-1) Nov. 7 vs. Salisbury CAC Tournament Semifinals
Men’s Rugby (0-4)
Sep. 7 L vs. Kutztown University (36-8) Sep. 21 L @ Penn State University (22-0) Oct. 26 L @ Army (31-15) Nov. 2 L vs. St. Bonaventure (29-27) Nov. 9 vs. Notre Dame College
Women’s Rugby (3-2)
Sep. 21 W vs. Old Dominion (38-21) Sep. 28 W vs. Maryland (41-5) Oct. 5 W vs. Longwood (81-0) Oct. 26 L @ William & Mary (15-12) Nov. 2 L @ American (17-7)
Full Schedule not listed above. Most recent games included. Bold indicates home game.
The women’s tennis team begins their pregame ritual before a match.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
The players chant “Get Dirty... Go Wash” as a pregame cheer before their matches.
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