Weekly Ringer
Editorial Staff
Callie Harkins
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Claire Marshall Watkins Emma Kingkeo News Editor Ky Huynh
Opinion Editor
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Online Editor
Abbey Magnet
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Sushma Subramanian
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Please report any corrections to Callie Harkins at weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian at ssubrama@umw.edu
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UMW PD to acquire body cameras this year
SAMUEL HUXSOLL Staff Writer
The University of Mary Washington Department of Police and Public Safety is in the process of obtaining body cameras for officers when on patrol. According to Chief of Police Michael Hall, the Department hopes cameras will be deployed by summertime and fully operational for the Fall 2025 semester.
“All the agencies around us have body cameras, especially our colleagues here in the City of Fredericksburg, and in essence, that body camera will be the same that their officers are using currently,” said Hall.
The conversation surrounding the implementation of body cameras had been ongoing long before Hall stepped into his role leading the Department in 2014, he said, but after the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, there were widespread calls to mandate usage by all police officers. Now, after negotiating contracts and funding with the Commonwealth of Virginia, UMW is formally adopting a body camera policy.
“There has been more of a push from the university community,” Hall said. “A lot of the students talking about ‘I said this,’ ‘they said that,’ so more transparency. It’s a growing trend across the nation for more transparency when something goes wrong.”
Although the specifics of the policy are not finalized, it will adhere to standards set by the Commonwealth. This includes automatic activation when emergency lights are turned on and when the firearm is removed from its holster. Officers would then be able to turn off their body cameras once the issue is resolved.
“If a situation elevates or becomes a situation that could be confrontational or anything of this nature, or shifts out of a casual conversation to a more pointed conversation, those would be the things that dictate where they go,” said Hall.
“It makes me feel safer to know that the cameras are there, and they can be used for justice,” said Butler.
Senior computer science and political science major Luke Busch agrees that the change is a step in the right direction and will benefit the campus community, but believes there is still more work to be done to improve relations between police and students in the wake of the arrests of nine students in last year’s encampment in solidarity with Palestine.
“I think the UMW Police’s complicity and involvement in the removal of the encampment last year and the charging of students for exercising their rights set us back a long way,” Busch said. “UMW Police have a lot of work to do to prove they actually have the interests of the students at heart.”
Junior political science major Alden Friend supports the change in theory but is worried that this will send a message to students that UMW PD has their interests at heart, which he believes they do not.
“Those who trust the police will not be moved to trust them less. Those who do not will not be moved to trust them more. The lines are drawn,” he said.
While many students expressed their support for the body cameras, Hall emphasized the need for a human-based approach to policing instead of solely relying on recordings from cameras.
“Community-based policing—which has been the bedrock of this department under my administration—is interaction with the community we serve, having conversations, not yelling and screaming at each other,” he said.
UMW PD intends for the presence of body cameras to provide a clear depiction of potentially hostile situations and provide greater transparency to the community.
“That’s the intent of the cameras, it is to be more transparent when things happen so that if it’s a criminal situation, both sides get to actually see what’s going on at the present time.”
UMW Police showed optimism that these changes would result in not only more transparency but would serve as a deterrent to future crime.
“Cameras, they don’t build trust. People build trust. Cameras solidify things in the moment,” Hall said.
“UMW Police have a lot of work to do to prove that they actually have the interests of the students at heart.”
- Luke Busch
The University has been working through the procurement process for several months and is now nearing the final stages of approval, according to Hall.
“We’ve been evaluating for over a year now and just before Winter Break we thought we had finalized the deal but there was a procurement hiccup and so they are working through legal issues right now and the language for the purchase of those body cameras,” he said.
UMW PD and the greater student body see the implementation of body cameras as an opportunity for better community connection, increased accountability and trust.
“If the officers are shown to be honest, trustworthy and caring towards the community while upholding the law, then I believe that this will lead to more trust in the police department,” said Butler.
Bell tower logo designed by Bernadette D’Auria ‘22
Students like senior biology major Jada Butler are supportive of UMW PD’s use of body cameras and say that the policy will provide greater accountability.
Chief of Police Michael Hall acknowledges the university community’s push for body cameras and more transparency. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
The process of implementing body cameras into UMW’s Department of Police and Public Safety has been ongoing for years, but is projected to happen by the Fall 2025 semester. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Friday, February 7, 2025
Opinion
UMW was not designed for students with disabilities
YZABEL ILAO Staff Writer
Westmoreland Hall, Ball Hall, the UMW Apartments—These residential buildings have one thing in common: There is no elevator.
I never thought much of it when I moved to the UMW Apartments in spring 2024. Moving into my second-floor apartment was a hassle, but I never had a problem going up and down the stairs to and from classes. The first time accessibility crossed my mind was when my grandmother had to go up the stairs to my apartment despite excruciating pain in both of her knees. My relatives stood behind her to ensure that she would not get hurt. I was in front of her, watching her feel the gravity of each step pushing down on her knees. That memory resurfaced for me last fall during my English 295 class when we discussed disability studies.
My professor asked if anyone could think of examples where places were designed for only the able-bodied. Many of the students brought up their experiences of inaccessibility at UMW. Some students mentioned how challenging it is to navigate around campus with their disability or when they were temporarily injured. Other students mentioned how their dorm buildings do not have elevators or lack necessary wheelchair accessibility. Hearing these negative experiences baffled me because the student body deserves better accessibility to a place they paid for. Now, a new semester is upon us. Has UMW’s accessibility improved for its students since then?
Universities were designed for the able-bodied. There’s an expectation that a “college student” is young, healthy and can walk to and from classes. Sure, the campus is built beautifully and is rich with history, but that’s only to distract you from the fact that UMW lacks decent accessibility.
UMW was founded in 1908, but it wasn’t until the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, that allowed disabled students to attend Virginia colleges. Moreover, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 reinforced protected rights for disabled people and set accessibility requirements to make daily life easier. The Office of Disabilities, or ODR as many students call it, was also created to comply with these laws.
“Accommodations are determined and approved through a collaborative process between ODR, the student and their medical or mental health providers. Ultimately though, ODR has the responsibility to determine what reasonable accommodations look like for our campus,” said Alex Ecklund, Director of the Office of Disability Resources.
Nowadays, the schema of the “college student” is more diverse. A college student can be an elderly woman with arthritis or an athlete who walks on crutches due to a recent sports injury. Yet, daily life on campus for disabled students is not easy when accessibility acts as a performative remedy. When you look at UMW’s architecture and layout, it is stunning but there are discrepancies. There’s that spectacular spiral staircase in Ball Hall, but no elevator. The only elevator in Combs Hall squeaks suspiciously when you approach the third floor.
“The bare minimum shouldn’t be praised when students deal with subpar accessibility daily.”
- Yzabel Ilao
The bare minimum shouldn’t be praised when students deal with subpar accessibility daily.
I reconnected with one of my classmates from my English 295 class, Crook Campbell, a junior computer science major, who has been affected by lapses in accessibility on campus.
“It can be kind of rough because there’s usually only one elevator or one set of elevators in the building working and if they’re down, they’re down,” said Campbell. Campbell also brought up a challenging experience getting dinner at the Top of the Cedric Rucker University Center while both elevators were broken.
“I had to forgo dinner the other day because I could not get from here to there up the stairs and my body was like done with it,” Campbell said. “I can walk up the stairs, it just takes me forever and it hurts but I have friends who are almost exclusively wheelchair users. What are they going to do? Nothing.”
“It’s important to note that while ODR (and its registered students), take an active role in advocating for culture change and physical change on campus – we are one of many stakeholders,” said Ecklund. “We firmly believe that accessibility is everyone’s responsibility on campus. We frequently require and enjoy partnership from other offices on campus.”
Additionally, Ecklund provided information about UMW’s Accessibility Improvements project website. These projects involve making residence halls, academic buildings and the overall campus more accessible this spring. Still, as of right now, the diverse student body must conform to the UMW’s able-bodied design.
The elevator in James Farmer Hall has been overdue for inspection since last semester. Abbey Magnet/ The Weekly Ringer
The UMW Apartments on William Street do not have elevators in them. Abbey Magnet/ The Weekly Ringer
The only elevator in James Farmer Hall, a building for the humanities, was out of order. Abbey Magnet/ The Weekly Ringer
Fire fits start to appear as snow melts on UMW’s campus
ANNA GOODMAN Staff Writer
With recent temperatures reaching as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit students are not only braving the cold but doing so in style. While it can be easy to throw on whatever is warmest at your disposal, many students are calculated in their couture.
From cozy oversized sweaters to chic layered outfits, Eagles are finding creative ways to stay warm without sacrificing their fashion sense. Typically, sweats are the go-to during the winter months, keeping it comfy and casual, but putting on a nice outfit can make you feel good. “I enjoy dressing up and expressing my style through clothes because it brings me confidence,” said Freshman, Sophia Woodyard.
Not only can calculated outfits make you feel good, but they can also make you more productive. “The right outfit can make you feel like the most studious character in a rom com. I wanna feel like a studious baddie,” said freshman Tatiana Mineiro.
Mixing and matching seasonal patterns and textures can add an element of originality to your outfit. Freshman Anne Nolen is the perfect example of pairing traditionally summer skirts with winter knits. Nolen is seen wearing a white linen skirt, black boots and a winter themed black sweater creating a unique and comfortable outfit for class. Cold weather cannot stop UMW Eagles from expressing their unique style. Anna Goodman / The Weekly Ringer
For UMW Eagles, fashion sense can make our confidence soar as the temperatures plummet. Anna Goodman / The Weekly
Students like freshman Tatiana Mineiro tend to opt for layers when the weather turns brisk. Layering allows for you to stay warm and still wear your favorite warm weather outfits. Shedding layers is a must in buildings like Combs and the HCC whose resting temperature feels like the desert, while outside it feels like the tundra. Having something cozy is required for classes in Farmer and meals in the CRUC. Anna Goodman / The Weekly Ringer
Some Eagles lean towards an academic look for their winter style. Paring traditional coats with colorful trousers can be a great way to project classiness in your daily fits. College can be a great time to test out your future business casual clothing. Whether you are presenting or just in lecture, looking classy can keep you productive. Anna Goodman / The Weekly Ringer
If you struggle to put an outfit together, monochrome might be for you. Freshman Sophia Woodyard can be seen wearing a grunge yet girly ensemble with an all black base and lacy grey layer. Woodyard even matches her outfits to her hair, creating an overall cohesive and original look. Anna Goodman / The Weekly Ringer Eagles bring the bling with jewelry. Adding accessories to your outfit can truly elevate your look. Anna Goodman / The Weekly Ringer
TICKETS ARE $5 w/ UMW ID AT THE KLEIN THEATRE BOX OFFICE IN THE LOBBY OF DUPONT HALL (Limit TWO tickets per UMW ID)
Stalking
On Jan. 6, there was a case of stalking virtually. This case was referred to Title IX.
Exposure
On Jan. 18, there was a case of exposure at Ball/Custis Parking. This case was referred to Title IX.
Crime Column
EMMA KINGKEO News Editor
The Crime Column is based on UMW Police reports from Jan. 29. - Feb. 5.
Larceny of Scooter
On Jan. 21 at 1:45 p.m., there was a case of larceny of scooter at the University Center. This case is pending.
Stalking
On Jan. 24, there was a case of stalking at Combs Hall. This case was referred to Title IX.
Harrassment by Computer
On Jan. 28 at 5:00 p.m., there was a case of harrassment by computer at UMWPD HQ. This case is pending.
Public Intoxication
On Jan. 31 at 11:21 p.m., there was a case of public intoxication. This case was referred to O.S.C.A.R.
For the first time,
Sports
UMW’s self-supported color guard team competes at the collegiate level
ELLA CORDLE Staff Writer
Clad in mismatched tie-dye t-shirts, the University of Mary Washington’s Enigma Color Guard participated in their second competition of the season on Feb. 1 and achieved their biggest goal: Don’t get last.
“We went up in points, we weren’t last— That’s kind of all that we care about,” said Jo Kammer, a sophomore conservation biology major and secretary, equipment manager and social media manager of Enigma. “We had fun.”While Enigma was founded over 30 years ago, this is the team’s first time performing in the Independent A class.
In winter guard, also known as a type of indoor color guard, there are different classes designated for different skill and educational levels. High schools perform in the scholastic classes, and colleges typically perform in the Independent A (IA) class. Up until last week, Enigma belonged in a class between the two, called IRA, or Independent Regional A. This is a group that colleges are discouraged from joining, generally designed for younger independent teams.
The reason for belonging to this class for so long is Enigma’s categorization as a club at UMW, which is atypical for other collegiate color guard teams.
“We do not have an extensive tryout process,” said Jordyn Anderson, a junior psychology major and president of Enigma. “We take anyone and everyone who wants to join. In other guards you see, it’s an exclusive process. You are cut from the team. You can’t just join without previous experience. We don’t discern in that way.”
“We’re not there to get trophies. We’re not there to be competitive. We’re there to get our name out and show people that we exist and that we have a good time doing it.”
- Jordyn Anderson
Anderson explained that balancing their performance between students who are familiar with guard and students who have no experience is one of the things the team struggles with the most.
“It’s very difficult to write work, to write the choreography in such a way that everyone is satisfied and challenged appropriately,” Anderson said.
Other college guards in the IA class are made up of experienced performers, but Enigma’s open-armed approach to club membership often necessitates a beginner status. Due to this, they are not capable of meeting the intermediate requirements demanded by the IA class.
Mary Washington’s color guard, Enigma, is entirely student ran and funded. This is their second competition against other college teams after competing at a lower level the past years. Ella Cordle / The Weekly Ringer
During the first performance of the season, the winter guard team did not receive the feedback they were hoping for. However, with this being a small competition and Enigma being the only guard that signed up in the IA class, they were able to take home the trophy for first place.
“We got specific feedback from one judge who said we were in the wrong class,” Anderson said. “She said we should go back to IRA.”
However, Anderson and the other nine members of Enigma expressed disinterest in winning by default in a class that was not designed for collegiate athletes. UMW Winter Guard had a newfound determination to earn their place in IA amongst the rest of their college peers.
This would prove no easy task as the stark differences in coaching and funding were made clear. Most teams in the IA class that Enigma competed against Saturday had coaches, captains, intricate costumes, elaborate props and funding from their schools. Enigma entered the competition with none of these. They are entirely student-led, managed and funded. With the members paying for their equipment with club dues. Enigma also choreographs their routines and designs shows on their own.
With all of this stacked against them, Enigma showed up to the competition with a goal to prove these differences did not matter. They performed their routine with little incident and waited anxiously for their results. Their competitors included James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia, all of whom had double or triple the number of members of Enigma with props and costumes that were more intricate and expensive.
Mary Washington Winter Guard placed fifth out of six schools, which might not seem like much but was enough for Enigma to prove to themselves that they belonged in the IA class among the rest of their peers.
“I think the whole team was just like, hoping to not get last, and we succeeded in that,” said Kammer.
While Enigma could change its policy and only accept athletes with previous winter guard experience, this would go against the mission of the team.
“I’m so grateful to have such a supportive group of people in the guard,” said Ryan Sandson, a freshman Enigma member. “People who are so understanding and who are really welcoming to people with any skill level going into that, and it’s made me feel really at home, and really feel like I can just be where I’m at and grow from there.”
“If our listeners or readers want to come see us, they should, because we would love that.”
- Isabel Carter
Members have emphasized that the most important thing to Enigma is that they have fun. The show that Enigma is performing for this season ends in a choreographed group hug, proving again how much the team means to each other. Anderson described how the hug was an especially touching moment in Saturday’s competition.
“I think today might have been the first time that we all did that genuinely smiling,” Anderson said.
Enigma’s next performance takes place on March 1, and the team is hoping for more Mary Washington support at these competitions.
“If our listeners or readers want to come see us, they should, because we would love that,” said Isabel Carter, a junior theater major and vice president of Enigma.
Enigma’s wish is for UMW and the color guard world to know that they’re here and how passionate they are about their sport.
“We’re not there to get trophies. We’re not there to be competitive. We’re there to get our name out and show people that we exist and that we have a good time doing it,” said Anderson.
Men’s Swimming (5-3) Feb. 13-15 NJAC Championships
Women’s Swimming (8-0) Feb. 13-15 NJAC Championships
Men’s Basketball (8-11) Feb. 2 vs. University of California, Santa Cruz (64-62)
Feb. 8 vs. Salisbury University
Feb. 12 @ Eastern Mennonite University
Women’s Basketball (8-14)
Jan. 29 @ Marymount University (50-39)
Feb. 1 vs. Salisbury University (45-51)
Feb. 12 @ Shenandoah University
Men’s Tennis (0-0)
Feb. 8 vs. Belmost Abbey College
Women’s Tennis (0-0) Feb. 8 vs. Belmost Abbey College
Men’s Lacrosse (0-0) Feb. 8 @ Randolph-Macon College
Games are available to watch via livestream on the UMW Athletics webpage www.eagles.com/composite
Full schedule not listed above. Most recent games included. Bold indicates home game.
THOMAS JACKSON Sports Editor