HaLEy ScHNITzER Staff Writer
SEE DINING PaGE 2
Schneider said that some students may experience stomach aches as they adjust to eating at the UC. “It’s a big diet change for students when they come,” said Schneider. “They’re at home eating foods they have been accustomed to their whole lives and they come here and they’re eating french fries every day. The diet changes. You may get a little tummy ache if you go off of what is normal for you.”
David Schneider
“At
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Another one of the dining updates is the addition of Globowls to the Top of the UC. Globowls is a rebrand of last year’s Presto Pasta. “Everything is served in bowls, and it is upscale, restaurant-style offerings featured twice a month,” said Schneider. “Students can swipe in and utilize some additional flex. This is really exciting because it gives us a brand and an identity and brings excitement and quality to the Additionally,program.”thereis a new chef on staff, David Roeder, who is responsible for some of the changes. He has been on staff for about a week now. “The chef that was with us before did a great job,” said Schneider. “He was looking to seek out other opportunities and he found something that fit him a little bit better. So, we hired Roeder, who has an extensive background in Ritz-Carlton hotels and contracted food service, and I think he’s going to bring a lot of leadership to the team, which is really needed to help keep our folks happy and to keep them producing great food, and keep our program moving forward.”
The Top of the University Center made upgrades to Vegan Grill restaurant. Photos courtesy of David Schneider
The Top of the UC has made some changes leading into the fall semester, including improvements to the Vegan Grill station and a new approach to the overall menu.“At the UC we took a slightly different approach with the menu for this year. We’re trying to highlight specific dishes on the platforms in lieu of having a ton of variety, so we can really focus on higher end, restaurant quality and style foods,” said General Manager of UMW Dining David Schneider. In addition to the quality boost, the Vegan Grill is also now a full-service restaurant station. Starting this semester, there is a staff member behind the counter preparing the dishes, and a hot plate keeping the plated dishes warm and readily available. In past years, most of the other stations at the Top of the UC offered this service and the hot plate amenity, but the Vegan Grill was left out of the arrangement. The way the station was set up in prior years was inconvenient and inefficient for students and staff alike, likely acting as a deterrent to students eating there, Schneider said. “We have noticed a huge increase in participation at that particular restaurant which is awesome, and the food is great,” he said. In addition to the substantial number of UMW students who eat exclusively vegan or vegetarian diets, some students who do not ordinarily adhere to these diets have been frequenting the Vegan Grill. “As someone who does not usually enjoy vegetarian or vegan food, this semester I have been primarily eating at the Vegan Grill. They have really stepped up their game!” said Chloe Dietz, a sophomore history major in the secondary education program.
University Center dining staff were recognized in the Food Management Magazine.
Five Photos courtesy of
the UC we took a slightly different approach with the menu for this year. We’re trying to highlight specific dishes on the platforms in lieu of having a ton of variety, so we can really focus on higher end, restaurant quality and style foods.” - David Schneider “Over 400 nominations were submitted to the magazine, only 31 total people were selected, and five of them were UMW Dining -employees.”RoseBenedict
Schneider continued, “The first year I was here I used to see, and you can quote me on this, they call it the ‘UC shits’ and it really got me upset cause I’m like we don’t put out bad food, like we don’t. A lot of it really is just the change.” This past summer, five members of the team were recognized by the national magazine, Food Management. Among these five were Chef Rigoberto Mendoza, Senior Cook Emily Bond, Marketing Assistant Joye Thomas, Resident Dining Supervisor Raymunda Rauer and Resident Dining Supervisor Mary Williams. for fall 2022 semester
TheWeekly The University of Mary Washington Student SEPTEMBERNewspaper8,2022Serving the community since 1922 Ringer VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 2 RINGERTHEINSIDE The Newsdrive.hygieneUnionStudents’Radicalhosts| 2 7-1.GuilfordagainstdominatesSoccerSports| 8OpinionopioidduringisaccessibilityNarcannecessarythecrisis.| 3 Songs that flew under the radar Lifesummer.this| 5 Top of the UC introduces new chef, new philosophy and improvements to food stations
FROM DINING PaGE 1
According to the United Nations Children’s Foundation, a lack of necessary hygiene products can be a major factor in one’s decision to attend classes or interact with peers. Particularly for students and young adults, ensuring access to essential products promotes positive learning and social environments.
-Juliette Landphair
Corrections Due to editor error, in last week’s article, “Men’s rugby dominates doubleheader at the Battleground,” the following names were misspelled: Sebastian Schefermann, Viliame Tamani and Nathan Schwartz.
“Our purpose is to help the disadvantaged students on campus as well as in our community,” said Lester. “Last year we did a PPE drive for Micah Ministries, and I loved that. So as the new head chair, I figured we must continue something of that sort again
“Our students are engaging in a broad liberal arts and sciences education wherein they learn about social and cultural challenges (e.g., food and housing insecurity) that affect our society and community,” said Landphair. “Many students come from families and communities where resources are scarce. Service drives highlight the needs of our community and help students apply what they are learning in classes to the world around them.”
News Page 2Thursday, September 8, 2022 Weekly Ringer Editorial Staff The
Radical Students’ Union hosts hygiene drive, seeking products for unhoused individuals
“Over 400 nominations were submitted to the magazine, only 31 total people were selected, and five of them were UMW Dining employees,” said UMW Dining Marketing Manager, Rose Benedict. At the height of the pandemic, UMW Dining was not able to achieve its ideal level of sustainability due to the need for throwaway take-out boxes, cutlery and other essential supplies conducive to maintaining health and safety for students andNowstaff. that circumstances surrounding the pandemic permit them to do so, the Top of the UC has adopted sustainability practices. These practices include utilizing solely biodegradable and compostable disposable products and using only cagefree shell eggs and sustainable seafood products, among others. In addition, UMW’s food service provider Sodexo is an “industry leader” in terms of ethical and sustainable practices, Benedict said. UMW Dining is also working to address issues of food insecurity both on campus and in the surrounding area. Starting on Sep. 12, one night a week, the Food Recovery Network will be coming to retrieve any leftover food from the Top of the UC to donate to the Thurman Brisben Center, a shelter for at-risk or homeless individuals or families in the Fredericksburg area. This practice will limit food waste and provide food for the shelter.
The objective of the Radical Students’ Union is “supporting disadvantaged and marginalized groups in the UMW community through direct action,” according to their mission statement.
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The Radical Students’ Union is hosting a hygiene drive from Tuesday, Sept. 6 to Thursday, Sept. 15. Students and other members of the community can donate by delivering supplies to one of the tables set up either on Campus Walk or the second floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center. The group is specifically looking for donations of feminine products, razors, hair care products catered towards curly and coily hair types and melaninfriendly suncare. They will also be accepting monetary donations via Venmo as contributions to the event throughout the duration of the“Wedrive.are mainly focusing on items to go to BIPOC,” said Myca Lester, a sophomore sociology major and chair of the Radical Students’ Union. “Majority of the time, BIPOC are often forgotten about when it comes to drives such as these.”
“Many students come from families and communities where resources are scarce. Service drives highlight the needs of our community and help students apply what they are learning in classes to the world around them.”
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“You can never have enough supplies and support to the people who need it most in your community,” said Lester.
Vice President of Student Affairs Juliette Landphair said that service drives like these not only help the community but also allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom.
“Community service drives bring together the student body,” said freshman Anne Jackson. “We are all working together to support a common goal. Being a part of these types of activities help remind us that we are not just a part of UMW but a part of RSU encourages people to donate. @rsu.umw
/ Instagram caLLIE HaRKINS News Editor
“We are all working together to support a common goal. Being a part of these types of activities help remind us that we are not just a part of UMW but a part of the Fredericksburg community.” -Anne Jackson
The Radical Students’ Union is planning to host more community service initiatives throughout the semester, such as a food drive and another PPE drive.
UC works to improve dining experience
While public availability of Narcan does not address the underlying issues surrounding drug abuse and addiction, it can still save lives and create public awareness while other efforts are made to successfully solve the drug crisis overall.
Increasing the standing order to include the general public, as well as informing the public of the benefits and usage of Narcan, would help save many more lives. Public knowledge of CPR has proven effective in initiating life-saving measures prior to EMS arrival, and Narcan use should be just as known to the public.
“In today’s environment, in which opioid overdoses are becoming more prevalent, Narcan training is something that every individual should consider acquiring, just like CPR and other emergency intervention skills,” said Ray Tuttle, chair of Eagles in Recovery. “UMW has offered it in the past and we hope that it will be offered again in the near Accordingfuture.”to a 2018 study, however, “Naloxone access may unintentionally increase opioid abuse through two channels: (1) reducing the risk of death per use, thereby making riskier opioid use more appealing, and (2) saving the lives of active drug users, who survive to continue abusing opioids.” The study also states that this intervention does not address the underlying issue of drug abuse and addiction.
According to the CDC, opioid overdoses caused over 75,000 deaths last year in the U.S. alone, and the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reported that “pharmacies fill 153 million opioid prescriptions in a year.” With the U.S. census indicating that the population of the entire United States was about 330 million in 2019, these statistics put the opioid crisis into perspective.
“I have talked to several non-majors who have loved each RELG class they have taken and frequently voice regret that they didn’t double major.” For students who are interested in religious studies but unable to add it as a major, taking a few classes as electives can be just as beneficial.
TaBITHa ROBINSON Opinion Editor
The resuscitative opioid antagonist Narcan, is an emergency medication used to reverse the effects of an overdose by opioids. It is administered either intranasally or intramuscularly, and it is one of the most successful and effective in recent studies.
Narcan is by no means a miracle drug; individuals who overdose on opioids still need emergency care. Instead, Narcan is simply an initial emergency intervention, similar to an Epi-Pen for those with severe allergies. While public availability of Narcan does not address the underlying issues surrounding drug abuse and addiction, it can still save lives and create public awareness while other efforts are made to successfully solve the drug crisis overall.
Recent orders by the Virginia Department of Health have expanded the previous list of personnel authorized to give Narcan to a person suffering from an overdose to include people such as pharmacists, emergency service personnel, law enforcement officers and school nurses, to name a few. However, pharmacies still make the final decision to determine who is authorized to administer Narcan. Many pharmacies have still not recognized the standing order or have no knowledge of it, according to an article by The Virginian-Pilot in which some pharmacists stated that citizens still need a prescription or could only purchase it with proof of emergency or proof of opioid prescription. This limits the number of people who can administer Narcan and potentially save lives.
Opinion Page 3Thursday, September 8, 2022
In response to the study above, April Wynn, associate professor of biology at UMW, stated, “Will there be rare cases where it could cause more risky behavior – sure, but in small numbers. Folks that want to engage in risky behaviors are not likely to stop and think through the risk evaluation with and without Narcan to determine what actions they will take. They are likely to take action and having additional tools at others’ disposal to render aid is important.”
“I’d say that majoring in religious studies or only taking a course or two have the same effects on students,” said Mary Beth Mathews, professor of religious studies. “You get a chance to change your focus from perspectives you may be more comfortable with and instead look at the world in a different way.” A background in religious studies will prepare students for the more diverse, complex world they will enter after graduation. Having some basic knowledge and respect for others’ cultural and religious traditions goes a long way toward building bridges in an increasingly divided world.
Some states have passed orders that authorize more people to administer Narcan, but barriers against harm reduction still stand in the way. In some cases, life insurance companies have denied service to citizens because they carry Narcan. According to an article from WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, a Boston nurse was denied life insurance coverage because she carried Narcan. Even though the Massachusetts Health Department had instituted a standing order for Narcan, which acted as one prescription for everyone in the state, the insurance company asked her for a prescription from her doctor explaining that she only has it to help other people and not because she is a drug user herself. Life insurance companies who follow this same policy hinder people who may need the drug or who just want to have it in their first aid kit.
“One of our alumni became a video game designer and said his experience at UMW helped him understand how gamers interact with and become online communities,” said Mathews. Because the academic field of religious studies is important and applicable to all students, regardless of major or interests, all students should take advantage of the religious studies program at UMW to broaden their horizons.“Religion is an interdisciplinary topic and is therefore applicable to all majors offered at Mary Wash,” said Barry. “That applies for outside the University as well. We have several UMW alumni that write to us on the regular to let us know how often they have used their knowledge in unexpected ways.” This understanding of different religions helps foster mutual respect and healthy relationships in school, the workplace and beyond.
Opioids are medications used primarily to reduce pain. They include classic prescription drugs OxyContin and fentanyl and street drugs like heroin. These drugs are highly effective, addictive and can be fatal.
the influence religion has on the culture around us. “A student might choose this major as a way to understand their own experience or attempt to become familiar with what is driving a lot of conflict or religion and politics in our everyday world,” said Jennifer Barry, associate professor of Classics, Philosophy and Religion.
Naloxone, a life-saving opioid antagonist typically known as Narcan or Evzio, needs to be more available to the public in the U.S. because its accessibility is necessary in the continued fight against the opioid crisis.
Making Narcan more widely available would save lives
Religious studies can benefit all students, not just majors
cHEyENNE WRay Staff Writer Religious studies may not seem like the most practical field of study for a college student; the concepts are abstract, philosophical and often obscure. So why does Mary Washington offer it as a major? According to the UMW College of Arts and Sciences website, “Religion plays a crucial role in human experience and society.” Indeed, religion influences every aspect of life, especially in the U.S. From our political system to our cultural setup, religion underlies everything. Studying religion in an academic sense opens one’s mind to see and understand religion’s influence in everyday life. Therefore, all students—even those who do not plan to major in religious studies—should take at least one religious studiesReligiousclass. studies is “inherently interdisciplinary,” according to the College of Arts and Sciences website. Its broad scope touches every facet of society, and students often choose to major in religious studies to supplement another major, such as English or psychology. Understanding religion academically opens one’s mind to understanding people of different traditions and seeing
According to CNN, “A review of emergency medical services data from Massachusetts found that when given Narcan, 93.5% of people survived their overdose.” It is easy to use, safe, works within minutes and can be found in many drug distribution sites. So why doesn’t everyone have it in their emergency kit?
According to Opiates.net, “It is estimated that 1 in 4 college universities have an opioid and opiate abuse rate above 10%.” Hundreds of thousands of college students are affected by opioid abuse on their campuses. At UMW, there are resources available through Eagles in Recovery, a program that supports students through their recovery as they continue their pursuit of a higher education. However, there is more to be done, including making Narcan available to the public.
“I have always wanted to take a religion class because I think that learning about different religions is really fascinating,” said Emily Whitt, a senior accounting major. “It is important for everyone to have knowledge of different religions.”
“As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay,” reads the description for New York Times bestselling author Aiden Thomas’s newest novel. In a world inspired by Mexican folklore, ten semidioses between thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol himself to compete in the legendary Sunbearer Trials, where the winner gets to bring light and life to the temples of the land and the loser gets the honor of being sacrificed to Sol. At the center of this year’s Sunbearer Trials is Teo, the 17-year-old trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds. In an unlikely turn of events, Teo is chosen to compete in the trials, and alongside him is a group of individuals who are much more powerful and better trained for survival. While much of the hype behind this novel is in part due to Thomas’s previous success, “The Sunbearer Trials” seems to stand on its own as a novel. According to Publisher’s Weekly, “Thomas’s queernormative world and distinctly drawn cast deliver an upbeat fantasy teeming with captivating worldbuilding, earnest friendships, and electrifying adventure.” Though the novel may not be a debut for Thomas, it is his first ever series and first ever venture into a full-fledged fantasy setting. While his previous works have had fantastical elements attached to them, this is the first time fans of Thomas will be seeing how he constructs a world from the ground up. As a fan of Thomas’s previous works, I am excited to see how he is able to adapt his writing to a new genre. The world seems to be very thought out and grounded in the folklore and mythos it is based around. However, the thing that I am most anticipating from this novel is the character work. Thomas’s ability to construct fleshed-out characters with distinct voices is something that any writer would be envious of. With the introduction of a large cast of characters, I am curious to see how Thomas will keep up with creating so many distinct voices, though I have total faith that Thomas will stick the landing.
“House of Hunger” is a Gothic novel follows the journey of a bloodmaid. @alexhwrites / Twitter “The Sunbearer Trials” portrays a story about the young trans son of a Goddess. @aidenschmaiden / Twitter
“The Sunbearer Trials” by Aiden Thomas | Release Date Sept. 6
“The Witch and the Tsar” by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore | Release Date Sept. 20
The fall book release schedule is about to begin, and there are many books that are going to be added to the shelves of local bookstores. Whether these books are authorial debuts, anticipated releases or sequels to your favorite series, it’s important to know what books will be hitting the shelves so that you can snag some copies for yourself. To save you some time, I have gone through different publishers’ September releases to curate a list of some of the books that are coming out. Without further ado, here are my top three anticipated September book releases.
I am pretty excited for this debut work. I am an avid fan of both Russian history and folklore, and this book seems to be a perfect blend of both. I have yet to read a Baba Yaga retelling and am fascinated to know how Gilmore weaves in different aspects of her mythos with historical aspects of Ivan the Terrible’s rule. It’s definitely something that I believe will be worth picking up. “House of Hunger” by Alexis Henderson | Release Date Sept. 27
Blood is power in this thrilling new Gothic tale by “Year of the Witching” author Alexis Henderson. When Marion Shaw, a young woman raised in the slums, comes across a listing in a newspaper for a bloodmaid, she takes it upon herself to apply for the odd position. As it turns out, in the far north where the position is located, nobles live their lives in luxury and drink the blood of those in their service. Once Marion is inscribed as one of the many who give their blood to the wealthy, she is swept into a world full of darkness and treachery. At the center of it all is Countess Lissavet, who takes a special interest in Marion.
@OlesyaAuthor / Twitter
I’m excited to see where Henderson takes her tale about such a grim and bloody setting.
Described by Publisher’s Weekly as bringing “both history and folklore to vivid life,” Gilmore’s debut novel adds to the trend of historical and mythological retellings. “The Witch and the Tsar” tells the tale of Yaga Mokoshevna, a half-mortal half-goddess who has garnered the name Baba Yaga the Bony Leg by those who fear her. For years Yaga has lived in isolation, having been spurned by humans once too many times. However, when her old friend Anastasia—the wife of the tsar—comes to her seeking refuge after falling victim to a mysterious illness, Yaga realizes that she must remerge into society to protect her friend and her country. Other authors have been buzzing about this debut. Mary McMyne, author of “The Book of Gothel,” described it as “expertly drawing from Russian history and mythology, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore transforms Baba Yaga into a complex heroine, whose quest to save her country sparkles with folk magic and supernatural intrigue.” Genevieve Gornichec, author of “The Witch’s Heart,” praised the novel for delivering “high stakes, memorable characters, and a sixteenth-century Russia you can almost reach out andOverall,touch.”
Bram Stoker Award-nominated author Eric Larocca has called Henderson’s work “a Gothic masterpiece that demands to linger like the coppery scent of blood in the air long after the final page is turned.” This praise is hardly surprising, as Henderson’s debut novel received much of the same acclaim for its use of the Gothic tradition to fabricate an eerie tale full of witchcraft. It seems that Henderson has now attempted to take a stab at another beloved supernatural entity—the vampire. What is most intriguing about Henderson’s work to me is the way she is able to blend tradition with modernity. What I mean by that is I love how she is able to set her stories in historical settings that are traditionally known for their strict social mores and use those traditions as a way to comment on issues of sexism, classism and more.
BERNaDETTE D’aURIa Staff Writer “The Witch and the Tsar” is a historical and mythological novel.
Life Page 4Thursday, September 8, 2022 New books being released in September 2022
“There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” by Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys released a new song at the end of August this year. Jisu Han / Unsplash
DaVy WaSHINGTON Senior Writer
Life Page 5Thursday, September 8, 2022
Turner has perfected his smooth and high tone delivery with his singing, which he carries into this new release and I expect to hear in the band’s new album. His lyrics are also noteworthy, speaking about the band and his personal life since the release of their last album in 2018. The lyrics can be read as the story of a pair of lovers going through a breakup, while the main character, the singer, is noticing that his lover has changed and there’s no desire to save the relationship.
Another song that was released this summer is “Deep End” by Dayglow, which is the second single from the band’s next studio album “People In Motion.” The song picks right back up where Sloan Struble, the lead singer, left off with his second album, “Harmony House,” by reviving the upbeat disco instrumental sound and tempo that gets you up and dancing. He’s bounced around in the past with his sound, starting off with a more childlike, guitar-heavy, nostalgia-driving theme to something more groovy and quite retro in nature. Struble somehow manages to tug at your heartstrings and make you want to get up and dance all on the same record. His duality is not something to overlook and is a skill a lot of artists struggle to master, especially in the same album. Many of Struble’s songs are a reflection on his lived experience, with “Harmony House” being about his time right before and during the pandemic. This song appears to be following that pattern with lyrics like, “Oh, I’ve made it so much harder than it has to be / Cause I’ve gotta want it / And feel like oh, man / We can go and go and go and go ‘til nothing is / Oh, I’m sure we can / It’s coming in phases” in the chorus. Struble has an amazing way of writing lyrics that are so universally understood and have a way of moving people that’s undeniable. He’s definitely an artist that’s coming into his own and will most likely continue to grow in popularity after each release.
“Deep End” by Dayglow
Recent Release Radio: Songs that you might have missed over the summer
One of the songs that went largely unnoticed by the general public was “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” by Arctic Monkeys, which dropped on Aug. 30 and sent their fanbase into a frenzy. The band, after not releasing any new songs for years, dropped a single, album title and album release date all in one day, which was something worth celebrating.Thesong opens with a soft jazz, hi-hat-snare drum rhythm and a string section, something that Alex Turner, lead singer and front man, may have brought back from his time in the band, The Last Shadow Puppets. The song surprised me at first, as the band once again strayed away from the old grunge garage rock sound that they became popular for and picked up where they left off with “Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino” in 2018. The song reminds me of a tune you’d hear in a fancy nightclub.
“Deep End” was released by Dayglow in Aug. 2022. @dayglowband /
Lyrics such as, “Don’t get emotional, that ain’t like you / Yesterday’s still leaking through the roof” and “I’d throw the rose tint back on the exploded view / Darling, if I were you” echo the sentiment of a faltering relationship.
After a summer of back-to-back, radio-dominating songs, many artists have had songs that have flown under the radar that deserve some attention. Artists such as Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Beyonce and Drake have released instant hits over the past few months, leaving little to no room for smaller artists to shine and show off their discography. Here are two songs you might’ve missed but are totally worth the listen.
However, the lyrics could also be an introspective commentary on the band’s relationship with their fans because of their past releases. Similar to a few tracks on “Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino,” their style in “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” takes a sharp turn away from their usual hard rock and heavy guitar sounds, focusing more on the bass, piano and other ethereal sounds. Thus, the song could be Turner attempting to speak to the fans directly, asking them if they’re willing to walk into this next chapter with him, implying that the mirror ball is a new sound for the band to explore.
Life Page 6Thursday, September 8, 2022
Astrology Highlight: Mercury Retrograde and the Harvest Moon
This month, on Sept. 9, Mercury will turn retrograde in the sign of Libra. This period of retrograde will last until Oct. 2 and will be in the sign of Libra until Sept. 23 when it then returns to MercuryVirgo.Retrograde, an important term in astrology, refers to a period where the planet Mercury appears to be moving backward across the sky. Mercury’s retrograde movement occurs three or four times a year, in about three-week intervals. The astrologer Annie Heese, who runs the astrology resource website Café Astrology, emphasizes that retrograde cycles for any planet are optical illusions from our perspective on Earth, since no planet truly can orbit backwards around the sun. Mercury is in retrograde more frequently than any other planets. However, as Heese described, “[Mercury] can never be more than 28 degrees from the sun, and whenever it reaches its furthest distance from the sun, it changes direction.”
Mercury Retrograde
Thisoptions.isnot to suggest that Mercury Retrograde is all negative, however. Breakdowns in conventional communication and delays in our endeavors can be the encouragement needed to focus on our internal selves and slow down. Mercury Retrograde is a good time to practice self-reflection, looking back over past events and emotions to gain clarity for the future.
Full Moon in Pisces
Mercury retrogrades are so impactful because Mercury rules over our sense of understanding information, our communication and our decision-making. During retrograde periods, making big decisions can become difficult, unclear or delayed, and communication with others may suffer from similar issues. It is a time to be careful when dealing with big decisions, large purchases or commitments and contracts, especially with retrograde being in Libra. Libra, the sign notorious for its indecisiveness, may cause us to reexamine all our decisions and analyze our opinions and close partnerships closely to make sure they are the right
On Friday, Sept. 9, the full moon, known as the harvest moon, will rise into the sign of Pisces. Simultaneously, the planet Mercury turns retrograde, where it will remain until Oct. 2. This lunar cycle’s full moon being in Pisces puts it in opposition to the position of the sun, which is currently in Virgo. Virgo and Pisces are signs in opposition to each other, representing the two most sensitive aspects of the zodiac. Virgo represents the embodiment of order and Pisces represents the dreamy infinite possibility. With our sun in Virgo and our moon in Pisces, we are encouraged to honor the balance between our emotional needs and the need for day-to-day order in our lives. Balance is a keyword for this full moon. If we neglect our emotional and spiritual selves in favor of excessive order or to get lost in our emotions and forget our responsibilities, we could quickly feel out of control and off-balance. However, not all opposition should be read as negative. Instead, Virgo and Pisces can work together to bring about the best of both their domains. As astrologer Maria Sofia Marmanides writes, “Virgo invites analysis and a preoccupation with the mind. And while there is a time and place for that energy, this Pisces full moon instead invites softer reflection, creative visualization and mindful meditation.” The key to balance during this period will be in determining and honoring our spiritual needs while finding ways to keep our minds and lives organized in the everyday. The moon in Pisces supports creative and imaginative activities, the pursuit of the spiritual, self-reflection and self-development. This will be a good time to pursue artistic and spiritual ideas, with creative energy boosted by Pisces and the drive and organization to complete such endeavors supported by our Virgo sun’s focusing energy.
Once the retrograde enters Virgo on Sept. 23, the self-reflection and inner development of the first stage can lead to new perspectives and methods for work and our routines, as well as increased productivity. The Pisces full moon and the Mercury Retrograde emphasize the need for balance, selfreflection and mindfulness during this month. Thinking carefully through every decision, paying attention to close relationships and the way in which we communicate with each other and trying to establish balance in the work life and the emotional life will be very important in the following weeks. Pay attention to your internal compass—if you are patient with yourself and those around you, everything will work out.
EDEN SHENaL Staff Writer
On September 3 at 12:30a.m., There was an underage alcohol possession reported at Westmoreland Hall. This case is pending.
Junior studio art major Sarah Yowell’s class moved online“I’mtemporarily.takingaFrench class in the bottom level of Combs,” she said. “It has been pretty hot in the building since the first day of classes and gradually got worse to the point where we had to go to class virtually one day. It gets hard to concentrate when all you can focus on is trying not to sweat rather than the class.” Historic preservation professor Andréa Levi Smith said that teaching over Zoom during the COVID pandemic helped prepare students and professors for moving online during the AC issue. “The COVID crisis in a sense helped us, and now we all know how to go on Zoom and how to make our classes go online,” said Smith. “I have students who are in quarantine pretty regularly, this was actually easier to adapt to now than it would have been pre-COVID.”
Crime Column Underagepossessionalcohol ofPossessionMarijuana
Students and professors in Combs Hall experienced increased heat in the building throughout the summer into the beginning of the semester, until the AC gave out during the second week of classes. Classes in Combs were either canceled, moved online or moved to different buildings until the AC was repaired.
Classes canceled, relocated or moved online due to air conditioning issues and extreme heat in Combs Hall
News Page 7Thursday, September 8, 2022
“I’ve been here all summer,” said Dan Hubbard, associate professor of historic preservation. “I’ve been very fortunate because my office is actually on the first floor, which has always been the cold spot, so I didn’t have any difficulties, but it was clear that we knew something was wrong.”
Classes were canceled in Combs Hall due to excessive heat from air conditioning failures. Kenya Carter / The Weekly Ringer
-Sarah Yowell
On august 31 at 8p.m., there was a case of marijuana possession at arrington Hall. This case is pending.
ScOTTI MULLEN & caLLIE HaRKINS News Editors
PEaRL LEE Staff Writer
“I guess if I were going to predict, I would predict that it’ll be on and off in different parts of the building, I think faculty offices have often lost HVAC even when the main parts of the building still had it.”
University Provost Tim O’Donnell and President Troy Paino sent out emails regularly regarding the outage and came to check on Combs throughout the summer and during the first week of classes. “I’m very surprised that even President Paino came over but particularly, Provost O’Donnell was over here several times in the worst of the heat, actually personally checking on the temperature,” said Hubbard.
Some were critical of the response time to the AC issue.“Ithink the school could have been a bit faster in the initial response time to the AC breaking the first time, but they were pretty fast about the second instance during the week,” said freshman Chiara Baez. While the initial outage has been resolved, questions still remain about the longevity of the fix.
“It has been pretty hot in the building since the first day of classes and gradually got worse to the point where we had to go to class virtually one day. It gets hard to concentrate when all you can focus on is trying not to sweat rather than the class.”
“I guess if I were going to predict, I would predict that it’ll be on and off in different parts of the building, I think faculty offices have often lost HVAC even when the main parts of the building still had it,” said Ben LaBreche, professor of English literature.
-Ben LaBreche
After what sophomore political science major Carter Berg described as “a battle” of a first game—a 3-2 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan College just two days earlier—the team has two wins under their belt to start the year.
Sports Page 8Thursday, September 8, 2022
On Sept. 3, the UMW men’s soccer team won their home opener against Guilford College 7-1. Spectators not only witnessed the Eagles maintain a strong lead over the Guilford Quakers, they also saw a decadeslong UMW record be broken. With four goals, senior business administration major Josh Kirkland helped establish the Eagles’ offensive success, tying the school record for goals in a game by a single player. The record was set in 1992 and equaled once before in 1999.
The Eagles will next be in action on Sept. 6 as they host Johns Hopkins University, a division rival.
Josh Kirkland dribbles the ball. UMW Athletics
Men’s Rugby (0-0) Aug. 27 W vs. Welsh Engineers Sept.(21-14)10 vs. Radford Sept. 17 vs. Southern Virginia Cross Country Sept. 16 @ christopher Newport Sept.Invitational24@Shenandoah University
Women’s Volleyball (2-1) Sept. 2 L @ Va. Wesleyan (2-3) Sept. 7 @ Eastern Mennonite Sept. 9 vs. Christopher Newport Sept. 9 vs. Carnegie Mellon Men’s Tennis (0-0) Sept. 10-11 UMW Invitational with George Mason and N.C. Wesleyan
The women’s volleyball team started their season strong with a crushing victory over the Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets, defeating them in three sets. Three players in particular had a commanding presence: senior Krista Rodgers, junior Jordan Lyons and junior Dakota Hansen left it all on the court. Lyons finished with 11 kills, Rodgers with seven and Hansen with 12 digs.
“It legitimately takes the whole team to win the game, whereas in other sports, other people can stand out, hog the ball a lot, but with volleyball, it takes all six girls on the court,” said sophomore undeclared major Hannah Livermon.
The two teams battled point for point until the Eagles were able to pull away with a score of 22-17. Rodgers served a perfectly-spotted short ball within the 10-foot line that Randolph-Macon struggled to return. The uncontrolled receive sent the ball a little too close to the net, which opened the door for Lyons to send it right into the floor, earning UMW point 23. Lyons brought an end to the second set with a score of 25-19.
Women’s Tennis (0-0) Sept. 9-11 vs. Navy Invitational Sept. 23-25 ITA Regional Games are available to watch via livestream on the UMW athletics webpage
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Full schedule not listed above. Most recent games included. Bold indicates home game. EMILySportsHEMPHILLEditor Fall Sports Schedule
The Eagles struggled to defend against some tips from the Yellow Jackets, but Foley answered with a deceptive push disguised as a set that caught both the audience and the opposing team by surprise.
Saturday’s game, though a strong offensive showing from the Eagles, was a tight physical contest. Black and white jerseys frequently clashed with players bumping and pushing off of each other seeking an advantage on the ball. Sophomore Jordy Santana was given a yellow card when a Guilford player went to the ground going for the ball, while Guilford sophomore Osman Torres was thrown out of the game with a red card after Berg was fouled flagrantly.
Women’s Soccer (0-2) Sept. 1 L @ Randolph-Macon (0-1) Sept. 3 L @ Messiah (0-2) Sept. 7 vs. Southern Virginia Sept. 10 vs. Marymount (Va.)
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UMW men’s soccer team crushes Guilford 7-1
UMW continued their trend of scoring first in the third set. Rodgers and Lyons once again stepped up and ended the game 25-17, allowing the Eagles to end the match in three sets.
The team also hopes for a return to the NCAA“Thetournament.FinalFour is the furthest we’ve gotten [in team history] so to get there and push that, I think that’s our goal,” said senior biology and chemistry major Jacob Kautzman, who was on the team the last time they qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2019. The victory has helped the Eagles focus on what is going well and what they can still improve“We’reupon.still working out the kinks, got the new freshmen in here and they’re still learning the system,” said Berg. With 20 returning players and 11 freshmen, sophomore biology major Aidan Shell said that “everyone’s playing well. Our mentality for this game really was just set the tone for the rest of the year.” Outside of Kirkland’s four goals and Berg’s one, senior business administration major Gadson Abel knocked in UMW’s fifth goal just before halftime, while freshman Edres Fekrat, a computer science major, brought the Eagles’ total to seven by scoring the final goal of the game. “I thought today was a good performance of what we’re capable of,” said Kautzman. “Against competitive teams, we will have to struggle a little bit more to get that, but if we can replicate that I think we’ll have a pretty good chance the rest of the year.”
ELI SeniorKEITHWriter
Field Hockey (1-0) Sept. 1 W vs. Roanoke (6-3) Sept. 7 vs. Bridgewater Sept. 10 @ Rhodes
The second half of the game was physically rougher; it saw five penalties of the 11 total fouls including two yellow cards per“Youteam.are typically going to see teams become a little more physical when the game gets out of hand,” said assistant coach David Yates. “But I think our guys responded well ... and we kind of kept our heads.” UMW was supported by the home crowd and spirited student section, who chanted “Get dirty, go Wash” in moments of momentum and excitement. “Every game, we treat it like it’s a conference championship game,” said Berg. He assisted on two goals and scored the Eagles’ sixth goal off a penalty kick. UMW ended with a commanding lead in shots, attempting 35 compared to Guilford’s six. The Eagles also led 11-2 in corner kicks. Even though post-season goals circle the team, the Eagles are aware of the challenges they have ahead. While the conference championship game is on many of the players’ minds as a season-long goal, according to Yates, “Each game is important ... we have an extremely tough schedule, one of the most difficult in the country.”
“Definitely a good first match win,” said Coach Alex Hinsey. “Definitely saw a lot we could work on too but saw a lot of positives from tonight as well. We just want to get better every time we step on the court and we want to be the best volleyball team we can be every night.”
“I’m very happy with the team’s performance,” said Rodgers, a business administration major, after the game. “We’ve had a rough couple days just figuring out the kinks of everything, but we pulled everything together and I think it looked very good.”
The Eagles led for most of the first set. Hansen’s dig prevented the Yellow Jackets from going on a run, making the score 16-10, and sophomore Sarah Moore scored the final point in the first set, leaving a score of 25-19. “I also think our team especially has a lot of depth,” said sophomore Madison Van Buren, a computer science major. “There’s a lot of girls on the team. And lots of people get injured. I feel like it’s good to have depth and I feel like that’s something that’s very unique about UMW volleyball.”Sophomore Lauren Foley started the second set with a wellcontrolled serve that earned UMW their first point of the set.
Women’s volleyball wins season opener at home aNSTON BLaKEy Staff Writer
Men’s Soccer (2-1) Sept. 3 W vs. Guilford (7-1) Sept. 6 L vs. Johns Hopkins (0-1) Sept. 10 vs. Emory @ Baltimore, Sept.Md. 11 vs. cortland @ Baltimore, Md.
Scoring the first three points of set one, the Eagles came out strong with an observable energy that continued through the game. Even when the Yellow Jackets scored, the Eagles were still smiling.
Last year, the team finished with an overall record of 19-12. With the additions of freshmen Maura Munson, Lilly Hussman, Avery Gallahue, Makayla Bowman and Dani Molina Otero, the team is looking to improve every game.