The Flat Hat, September 3

Page 1

5

VARIETY>> PAGE 6

SPORTS >> PAGE 8

Two students travelled abroad this summer to foster tolerance in the Islamic world.

Tribe falters down the stretch after excellent first half, loses 24-17 to WVU in Morgantown.

Serving in Morocco

Vol. 103, Iss. 3 | Tuesday, September 3, 2013

FACILITIES

From ecstasy to agony

The Flat Hat The Twice-Weekly Student Newspaper

of The College of William and Mary

Flathatnews.com | Follow us:

Faculty

New charges, system at Rec Swipe-in system installed bY Veronique Barbour Flat hat Assoc. news Editor

When walking into the College of William and Mary’s Student Recreation Center, one might notice some changes. The swipe-in machines no longer accept key codes or finger prints. The Rec staff is stopping some students before they enter, and a few of the swipe-in machines have pink “out-of-order” signs. Currently, the Rec is undergoing a system update as well as a policy change that Director of Campus Recreation Linda Knight believes will benefit the facility as a whole. “We have a new software system that will allow us to do a much better job of controlling who comes into the facility and who doesn’t,” Knight said. “It also allows us to do a much better job of assessments, so we know that we are meeting the needs of our students, faculty and staff.” Within the new system, the Rec will be able to distinguish between full-time students, parttime students and faculty members. The Rec now charges part-time students the same recreation fee previously charged only to full-time students. “As a full-time student you have to pay a recreational fee, but as a part-time student you did not, and we felt that was unfair. So part-time students are being charged the recreation fee, just like a full-time student is being charged,” Knight said. “Part-time students do not have to pay the fee if they do not want to enter in and use the facility, but full-time students don’t have that option.” Improvements that Knight predicts the Rec Center will make include an online sign-up system for fitness classes and intramural sports. Also, with increased funds, the Rec is looking to purchase new fitness machines. “Any money that we get in from this [the new fees] will go back into the facility to benefit the students,” Knight said. The new software capabilities also include tracking who uses the facility and the times,

Former Rector Jeffrey

Trammell calls for partner benefits percent of faculty and staff at Virginia public colleges and universities are gay or lesbian. — Trammell said in a June 26 email to college leaders

Every month, Hispanic studies professor George Greenia takes over $900 from his after-taxes paycheck to pay for his partner’s health insurance, an insurance plan that lacks dental and vision care. His partner, Tom Wood ’73, stopped working as a primary clinician seven years ago to take care of his ailing mother. Wood lost his personal health insurance but cannot be covered under Greenia’s insurance at the College of William and Mary. As a public university, the College uses Virginia’s state health plan, which doesn’t extend coverage to domestic partners. The lack of benefits has sparked concerns among higher education leaders, especially for the former Rector of the Board of Visitors Jeffrey Trammell ’73, the first openly gay rector at the College and the state. Earlier this summer, Trammell sent a letter to Virginia Tech’s President Dr. Charles Steger, following up on an April meeting of college presidents and rectors during which the pair discussed domestic partner health benefits. According to Trammell, Virginia colleges and universities are losing their competitive edge. “The best business practice, the best way to run the university today, is to extend same-sex health benefits,” Trammell said. Benefits offered by private companies and in other states often lure talented faculty members to leave Virginia schools because of their lack of same-sex health benefits Trammell said. The Human Rights Campaign, which

See REC page 3

Student Assembly

BY Katherine chiglinsky // flat hat editor-in-chief

tracks health benefits for domestic partners, reported that 62 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer health benefits to same-sex partners. “The faculty members take valuable skills and research money with them,” Trammell said. Greenia explained that close proximity to family members combined with a commitment to the College has kept him at the College, despite the lack of benefits. “It’s an antique virtue, but there’s institutional loyalty. I love William and Mary ... I’m committed to the institution and its people even though it’s costing me money,” Greenia said. Then, this summer, the Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples could receive the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples in the thirteen states and the District of Columbia where their marriages are now recognized. Following the ruling, Trammell sent an email to Virginia’s college presidents and rectors, further emphasizing the need to address the issue of domestic partner health benefits. “We must face the reality that today’s Supreme Court rulings add a substantial incentive for our gay and lesbian faculty and staff to leave the Commonwealth’s public universities and colleges,” Trammell See HEALTH BENEFITS page 2

SA, Koontz discuss aspirations, plans for 2013-14 academic year Newly appointed Assistant Director of Student Leadership Development for Programming Frederick begins role bY Claire Gillespie Flat Hat ASSOC. News EDITOr

As the student body returns to campus to begin the new year, the Student Assembly has started to operate with a new administrative advisor and looks to continue financial reform, student life initiatives, transparency and election efforts. Opening the year with an executive branch retreat last Saturday, SA President Chase Koontz ’14 positively described his cabinet as “passionate” and “lateral” as it begins to plan for various initiatives for the upcoming semester. Alongside his cabinet, Koontz commented on a positive intergovernmental relationship between the three branches of the SA and believes his cabinet will work well together, alongside the student groups across campus and within the other branches of the SA. “This year is a great year for the Student Assembly,” Finance Committee Chair Sen. Colin Danly ’15 said. “I think this year we’ll have the closest and most effective relationship between the executive and the [rest of] Student Assembly in a very long time, which is very helpful to the student body and, frankly, cuts down on the bullshit.” Administratively, this year marks a change from years past, with the newly appointed Assistant

Index News Insight News Opinions Variety Variety Sports Sports

Today’s Weather 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Director of Student Leadership Development for Programming Trici Fredrick M.Ed. ’05 as the adviser to the SA. Before the renaming and reorganization of the Student Activities office last year, Fredrick served as the faculty adviser for AMP. “She’s going to be a huge resource that we’re excited to have for this year,” Koontz said. “She’s going to be huge in terms of establishment and institutional knowledge for the Student Assembly.” Koontz commented favorably on the potentially positive result having a consistent advisor knowledgeable about the SA and its policy history will have on the SA. In her position, Fredrick will meet regularly with Koontz and other SA members. Additionally, the Student Leadership Development Office faculty members have Koontz been assigned to advise the Undergraduate Council this year. In terms of student outreach, the SA looks to increase transparency with the student body through a website revamp scheduled for later this month. By the end of September, the SA will launch its new website, which will include a list of current SA members, their biographies and information about

the SA and its latest initiatives. These changes, among others, will bring the website up to SA code. Koontz said the executive, the senate and the council will be given access to the website so that updates may occur faster and more easily. Additionally, the fall elections will take place Sept. 26. This will include elections for freshman positions as well as the vacancies in the Class of 2014 vice president of social affairs and secretary positions. “Freshmen come in with so much excitement and enthusiasm to really get involved and help out,” Koontz said. “They’re going to be a huge asset.” As the Election Commission advertises freshmen elections, the undersecretaries of voter registration will prepare for the November Virginia general and gubernatorial elections through voter registration. Voter registration efforts could also have an effect this spring during the Williamsburg City Council elections in May. The SA is also hoping to make students aware of various changes that went into effect this fall, including updates to the Honor System and Student Handbook. All undergraduates will receive “Know Your Rights” wallet-sized cards that outline students’ rights in relation to the honor code and student conduct code.

See PLANS page 3

Honor System updated for 2013-14 academic year College of William and Mary President Taylor Reveley announced to students via email Aug. 19 that Honor system changes have been adopted for the 2013-14 academic year. There were three major changes to the Honor Code: a new early resolution option for Honor System infractions, the standardization of sanction levels and the creation of a Honor System Advisory Committee. The Honor System Review Committee began working in 2010 after Reveley called for a review of the Honor Code. It released its findings for students, faculty and administrative review. Government professor Clay Clemens ’80 chaired the committee.

Inside SPORTS

Inside opinions

The continuing allure of on-campus housing

Off-campus housing may be cheaper, but the full college experience is still to be found on campus. page 4 Chance of storms High 86, Low 66

Another initiative taking affect this fall is Tribe Tailgating, which will begin this Saturday, Sept. 7, for the first home football game. In terms of Homecoming, the council is planning events, including a T-shirt design contest.

The colors of the cube

Solving isn’t just a fun pastime — it’s a way of life for some members of the Rubik’s Cube Society. page 6


newsinsight “ “THAT GUY” WITH Matthew Pereira ’14

This week’s “That Guy” features Matthew Pereira ’14, a senior who volunteered as an Orientation Aide. He recaps his experiences leading Orientation for the Green and Gold Village.

THE DIGITAL DAY

News Editor Abby Boyle News Editor Annie Curran fhnews@gmail.com

The Flat Hat | Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | Page 2

THE BUZZ

For the love of your life, you get health insurance. You may skip the wedding ring, but you get health insurance.

— Hispanic studies professor George Greenia on same-sex partner health benefits

AROUND THE ‘BURG

FROM “MISS SERENDIPITOUS” By Daniela Sainz It never ceases to amaze me that whenever I look through lists of must-haves for college, mini-fridges are repeatedly at the top of them. I didn’t bring a mini-fridge to college my freshman year, and I haven’t done it since. Even though my roommate has brought hers to college for the past two years, I’ve never really felt it to be all that essential. If you’re on the fence about whether you should bring a mini-fridge with you to college, I have some advice for you to consider.

FROM “Confessions of an Undergrad” By Erin Spencer Stress is a part of our life at the College of William and Mary. We knew what we were getting into — part of the reason I was drawn to this school was the fact that students here are serious about their academics. But on top of the workload, somehow I managed to get involved in so many clubs that my inbox is a constant flood of reminder emails.

READ MORE AT FLATHATNEWS.COM COURTESY PHOTO / VCDL.ORG

A THOUSAND WORDS

Gun-related arrests through the first half of 2013 are already much higher than those made in 2012, potentially due in part to Virginia gun laws.

Gun-related arrests increase

Gubernatorial candidates take to radio

An increase in gun shows this year correlated with a spike in the arrests of illegal buyers. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that arrests through the first six months of 2013 will greatly surpass the total arrests made in 2012. Background checks are conducted by the Virginia Firearms Transaction Center. While state police declined to speculate why the arrest rate increased at the start of this year, they noted there might be a correlation related to the increase in the number of gun shows this year. Existing Virginia law requires only federally licensed dealers to conduct background checks for purchases at gun shows. This provision does not extend to private sale or transaction of firearms between individuals at gun shows.

Gubernatorial candidates Ken Cuccinelli, R-Va., and Terry McAuliffe, D-Va., went on Virginia Public Radio separately to discuss their different positions on issues concerning transportation, health care, education and other policies. Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis also appeared and criticized both major party candidates. The Washington Post reports both major party candidates attacked each other on their respective involvements with recent scandals. Cuccinelli focused on federal investigations related to McAuliffe’s GreenTech Automotive venture, while McAuliffe attacked Cuccinelli for initially failing to disclose thousands of dollars in gifts from Star Scientific’s chief executive.

CITY POLICE BEAT

Aug. 29 — Aug. 30 1

Monday, Aug. 29 ­— An individual was arrested on the charge of Larceny on Richmond Road.

Aug. 29 — An individual was arrested on 2 Monday, a charge of larceny on Harrison Avenue.

3

Monday, Aug. 29 — A case of nonviolent child neglect was reported on Scotland Street.

Aug. 30 — An indiviudal was arrested on the 4 Tuesday, charge of being drunk in public on Richmond Road. Abby boyle / the FLAT HAT

CORRECTIONS The Flat Hat wishes to correct any facts printed incorrectly. Corrections may be submitted by e-mail to the editor of the section in which the incorrect information was printed. Requests for corrections will be accepted at any time.

The Flat Hat ‘STABILITAS ET FIDES’ | ESTABLISHED OCT. 3, 1911

25 Campus Center, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va. 23185 Newsroom (757) 221-3283 — Advertising Dept. (757) 221-3283 / flathatads@gmail.com Editor flathat.editor@gmail.com News fhnews@gmail.com Sports flathatsports@gmail.com

Opinions fhopinions@gmail.com Variety flathat.variety@gmail.com Photos flathatphotos@gmail.com

Katherine Chiglinsky Editor-in-Chief Ellen Wexler Executive Editor Meredith Ramey Managing Editor Abby Boyle News Editor Rebecca Marshall Copy Chief Annie Curran News Editor April Smith Copy Chief Aine Cain Variety Editor Benoit Mathieu Photo Editor Jack Powers Sports Editor Hayley Tymeson Photo Editor Chris Weber Sports Editor Benming Zhang Online Editor Zach Frank Opinions Editor Matt Camarda Editorial Writer Zach Hardy Chief Staff Writer Garrett Hendrickson Copy Editor Veronique Barbour Assoc. News Editor Liz McGlynn Copy Editor Ariel Cohen Assoc. News Editor Betsy Goldemen Copy Editor Matt Esporrin Assoc. News Editor Richie Thaxton Copy Editor Claire Gillespie Assoc. News Editor Emily Lowman Copy Editor Bailey Kirkpatrick Assoc. News Editor Allison Ramage Copy Editor Eleanor Lamb Assoc. News Editor Jenna Tan Copy Editor Matt Camarda Assoc. Opinions Editor Rachel Smith Copy Editor Max Cea Assoc. Opinions Editor Natalie Sheffield Copy Editor Ashley Hamilton Assoc. Online Editor Lindsay Wade Cartoonist Rachel Brown Assoc. Variety Editor Lizzie Dabbs Cartoonist Natalie Ferenbach Assoc. Variety Editor Brian Kao Cartoonist Emily Nye Assoc. Variety Editor Karin Krause Social Media Manager Emily Stone Assoc. Variety Editor Jared Foretek Production Assistant Mick Sloan Assoc. Sports Editor Kaitlin Kunowsky Business Manager

Professor speaks on same-sex health benefits HEALTH BENEFITS from page 1

wrote in the letter. The ruling pushed the issue into the spotlight again, but Virginia’s public college presidents have raised the issue before. In 2009, multiple college presidents drafted a letter to then-Governor Tim Kaine, supporting the democratic governor’s efforts to allow Virginia colleges and universities to provide domestic partner health insurance. College President Taylor Reveley, former University of Virginia President John Casteen and former George Mason University President Alan Merten signed the letter that stated that the lack of health benefits for domestic partners hurts colleges and universities in the job market. Gov. Bob McDonnell’s, R-Va., transition to office halted the initiative, however. Trammell insists the stalled effort in 2009 shouldn’t be the last attempt to push for these benefits. Virginia needs to offer benefits to remain competitive, he said. “I think, increasingly, we will be the outlier,” Trammell said. Being an outlier financially hurts gay and lesbianfacultyandstaffmembersattheCollege, Greenia said. Health insurance remains a

COURTESY PHOTO / GEORGE GREENIA

Hispanic studies professor George Greenia allocates $900 from his after-taxes paycheck to cover his partner’s health insurance. Virginia’s state health plan does not extend coverage to domestic partners.

benefit that Greenia and Wood prioritize. “For the love of your life, you get health

insurance,” Greenia said. “You may skip the wedding ring, but you get health insurance.”


The Flat Hat

Page 3

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

HOUSING

Adapting to life in the Green and Gold Village

ResLife staff makes adjustments to accommodate students in new freshman housing by BAILEY KIRKPATRICK flat hat ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR

As last spring semester came to a close, a student vote reassigned the old units as freshman housing for the 2013-14 academic year. Two weeks ago, hundreds of members of the College of William and Mary’s incoming freshman class moved into the rechristened Green and Gold Village, with the existing buildings being re-named Lion, Griffin and Eagle halls. To accommodate the freshmen’s needs, the College decided to refurbish the buildings, install air-conditioning in the upper and lower lounges, buy new furniture for as many rooms and lounges as possible, re-paint, and hang up new artwork to add to the welcoming aesthetic. The changes were time-consuming and took much of the summer to complete. “We do our best to provide great service and to get residents excited about their new life at William and Mary,” DuPont and Green and Gold Village Area Director Terry Fassanella said. Aside from the many physical changes made to the buildings, the Residence Life infrastructure also changed to make the transition for freshmen and their resident assistants as seamless as possible. “Training was an intensive week-long process, with training for about six hours a day,” Eagle Head

Resident Sarah Carroll ’15 said. “We went over wellness techniques, mediation, how to create a warm environment without bias and really just how to be a role model and foster community amongst the incoming class.” During students’ freshman year at the College, they typically have an RA of the same sex. However, with the Green and Gold Complex buildings only having one RA for every 36 residents, each RA has residents of the opposite sex. Each floor is male or female, respectively, but each building has a mixture of both sexes. “I adore my RA,” Ashlyn Lancaster ’17 said. “It isn’t weird at all having an RA of the opposite sex, and during the first hall meeting, he let the girls know that we could come to him with any questions or concerns and that, if he couldn’t help us, he would find someone that could.” Lancaster’s RA in Griffin B, Evan Brandolino ’16, said he thinks that having RAs and residents of opposite sexes is not unique to the College. “From what I hear, we are behind the curve; other schools have already had freshmen and RAs of opposite sexes for a while,” Brandolino said. “In the view of other people, it is definitely a step in the right direction. I really enjoy having both guys and girls in my unit. It is a unique experience because you are able to deal with many different things.”

ABBY BOYLE / THE FLAT HAT

Freshmen moved into the Green and Gold Village. Each RA in the buildings has some residents of the opposite sex.

Previously having housed upperclassmen and most of the fraternities, the Green and Gold Village does still carry a bit of its previous stigma, but a paradigm shift in how students refer to the group of buildings is beginning. “I really do like the setup and location [of the village],” Elena Sakach ’17 said. “I can walk to the gym or the Caf and am close to the library. I also really like being so close to the other freshmen. There are so many freshmen here and it really builds a community, but it’s nice that each hall is still individual. It’s large

and small at the same time.” The Green and Gold Village will serve as the latest addition to the freshmen community at the College. “The Green and Gold Village just enforces the idea of community that William and Mary is always talking about,” Lion L RA Elizabeth Castellanos ’15 said. “Now that a huge portion of the freshmen are living in one place, so close together, they are meeting so many more people. It is a great experience because they are surrounded by freshmen everywhere.”

STUDENT LIFE

Students experience delays in deliveries of dorm amenities

Labor shortage, rental truck problems put Dorms Direct behind schedule in providing mini-fridges, lofts by ZACH HARDY flat hat CHIEF STAFF WRITER

Dorms Direct encountered several problems with delivery of its products this year, leading to delays in customers receiving rented furniture and appliances. Company founder Brian Davis ’07 said this was largely because approximately 80 percent of their part-time installation staff quit at the last minute. “Every year when we start, we know we’re going to lose a few of our workers … but this year we had such a large portion

of our student labor that wasn’t cut out for it,” Davis said. “For those not used to a hard day of manual labor, the job can be very difficult.” Davis said the company that supplies their mini-refrigerators shipped their products to Dorms Direct three weeks late. The company also had problems with the rental trucks used to transport equipment from Richmond to Williamsburg. Despite these setbacks, Davis said nearly all the bed lofts were installed by freshman move-in day, and the rest of the campus’s orders would be

fulfilled by Sunday, Sept.1. One resident of One Tribe Place who hadn’t received her mini-fridge until the Sunday Sept. 1 delivery date said the delays were inconvenient because the building lacks hall kitchens. “It was frustrating; they kept pushing the delivery date further back, but it did finally end up getting here,” Julia Holemans ’16 said. “But I’d still use Dorms Direct again since renting for me is much easier than buying a fridge and then dealing with transporting it and storing it.”

Residence Life Director of Housing Operations Chris Durden said Dorms Direct fully communicated the difficulties it experienced with its employees to ResLife. Dorms Direct will continue to provide on-campus residents with dormroom rentals next year. “We have enjoyed a good working relationship with [Davis] from the time he was a student employee with Campus Lofts through his tenure with Campus Lofts as a full-time employee and now,” Durden said. Davis launched the company in March

2012 by buying Campus Lofts’ inventory and its contract with the college. In addition to hiring a large number of student workers, Dorms Direct also gives several thousand dollars to the Resident Hall Association each year to support campus life. In the future, Davis said he hopes to prevent issues with employment by stressing the difficult nature of the installation job to prospective workers and to prioritize groups of workers who plan to use wages to benefit their club or organization.

New part-time fees at Rec Center REC from page 1

Calculated net present values. Then netted a 10-pounder.

“Last month, I joined a team in San Francisco to start working on a Silicon Valley project. Come to find out, a few of the clients share my passion for fly-fishing. And some of the best in the world is just a short drive into the Northern Sierras. Needless to say, when we head out on weekends, we take the phrase ‘Gone Fishing’ to a whole new level.” See every amazing angle at exceptionalEY.com.

so the Rec can offer more fitness classes during hours that cater to the needs of the individuals using the facility. With the new software, Rec Center workers have to take training courses on how to use the new system. Sutton MacQueen ’16 has yet to take a training course. “I am just learning on the fly, but I can tell that it is streamlining the process a lot more; all we have to do is figure out the kinks,” MacQueen said.

With the new system, some students have had difficulty with their IDs. “Alumni that just graduated have started to realize that they can no longer use the facility under their old ID. Also, we have had some issues with VIMS students and some international students studying abroad,” Rec Center employee Mary Covington ’14 said. Through all the initial kinks, the Rec Center is looking to benefit all those who enter the facility. “We really want to meet the needs of our students, and we can really do that with this new system,” Knight said.

SA plans to institute financial reforms PLANS from page 1

This year, the senate will also restructure the way organizations receive money from the SA in a variety of financial reforms. SA organizations, including the Election Commission and Public Affairs cabinet, must pass bills for routine operations such as printing fliers to advertise for elections. This year, the SA will include a separate allocation for them in the beginning of the school year. “It’s more effective for them — they can plan easier and far in advance,” Senate Chair William McConnell ’14 said.

The SA will also change the forms that club leaders fill out for the normal budget process. “We’d rather have the [Executive Appropriations Commission] discussing, ‘Is this what the student activities fee should be spending money on’ as opposed to ‘Can we finance this through the code?’” Koontz said. The seven members of the Review Board will be confirmed at the senate meeting on Sept. 10 and the undersecretary of public affairs to Richmond and final member of the Election Commission will be confirmed at today’s meeting at 8 p.m. in Blow 331.

Student Organiza�ons ‐ Don’t forget to pick up your money. If your organiza�on had a Student Ac�vi�es Fee Budget approved for 2013‐2014 the president and/or nancial manager of your organiza�on must a�end one of the following workshops to pick up your budget. Funds will not be available for use un�l budgets have been picked up and the proper forms have been signed and processed to ac�vate your account. NOT SURE IF YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS A BUDGET…...email: ayhaml@wm.edu

Budget Distribu�on Workshops

© 2013 EYGM Limited. All Rights Reserved. ED None.

Thursday, Sept 5‐ 4:00 pm Tuesday, Sept 10‐ 4:00 pm Wednesday, Sept 11 – 4:00 pm Li�le Theatre—Basement of the Campus Center Please email: ayhaml@wm.edu and let us know which organiza�on you will be represen�ng and which workshop you plan to a�end.


opinions

Opinions Editor Zachary Frank fhopinions@gmail.com

The Flat Hat

EDITORIAL CARTOON

| Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | Page 4

STAFF EDITORIAL

How you’re affected I

BY BRIAN KAO, FLAT HAT CARTOONIST

GUEST COLUMN

What President Reveley would have said

that someone else might have the better of it.” During the semesters and years to come, our faculty, which includes some of the best teachers anywhere, will push you to broaden the horizons of your mind, to tighten your lines of reasoning, and to challenge your preconceptions. You will be surrounded by talented peers PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE who will on occasion have the better of it, though always as part of a Tribe that does care a whole lot for one another. And, when you get your sheepskin from William & Mary Editor’s note: The following are the remarks that President some years hence, you will emerge armed with one of the Reveley had prepared for Convocation, which was cut short best educations in the world. due to rain. You and William & Mary have already begun a lifelong relationship. It began the first time we communicated Dear Students, Despite the depredations of the Weather Gods, Opening with each other, it grew when you stepped on campus, it Convocation went forward late yesterday afternoon. It was is about to be reinforced as you walk through the Wren, great to see so many members of the Tribe brave the rain and it will be enormously strengthened during your time as join together to greet our new students. And new students, it a student, and it will become an important part of your was marvelous to watch you pass through the Wren Building identity as well as an abiding source of pride for you for the and emerge in the cheers of a very enthusiastic, if soggy, rest of your life. Your link to William & Mary will also be a powerful credential that vouches for your crowd. Alumna Nancy Gunn gave ability and opens doors for you. After an unusually powerful Convocation In accordance with ancient you graduate, your lifelong relationship address. After Nancy spoke and as the custom — a custom established with the Tribe will be characterized by rain kept falling, I began tossing other at some point between the visits back to campus to kick the tires parts of the program, including my Punic Wars and the American of your alma mater and see how she’s remarks. There is no lasting escape Revolution — the president gets getting along without you on campus from them, however. They follow, if the last word at William & Mary every day to hold her hand. This lifelong you’d like to read them. Here’s what on occasions like this. relationship will also entail belonging I would have said had we been dry. to a mutually supportive community of In accordance with ancient William & Mary alumni wherever you custom — a custom established end up living. at some point between the Punic Wars and the American Lifelong ties also carry the opportunity and the Revolution — the president gets the last word at William & responsibility to give back to your alma mater to help Mary on occasions like this. sustain it for generations to come, just as past generations New members of the Tribe, it’s good to note that some older of alumni and alumnae have played vital roles in helping to members of the Tribe have been doing quite well recently. build and sustain the marvelous facilities and programs that Mary Jo White, class of 1970, just became Chair of the we all enjoy these days. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC is the New members of the Tribe, William & Mary is for life. And preeminent regulator of U.S. markets. Previously, she was the what a treasure it is to possess! first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, a major Now, we are about to hear the dulcet tones of the Wren post for U.S. law enforcement. Bell sounded over and over again. This always happens at Jim Comey, class of 1982, just became Director of the FBI. Opening Convocation to welcome the newest members of In years past, he served as Deputy Attorney General in the U.S. the William & Mary family. Justice Department. Some years from now, each of you will have a chance to Ellen Stofan, class of 1983, just took over as NASA’s chief ring the Wren Bell yourself on the last day of your William scientist. & Mary classes. Shortly thereafter, the bell will toll as That’s quite a run for any school, even one like William & long as you walk through the Wren Building headed for Mary whose alumni include a recent U.S. Secretary of Defense, Commencement in William & Mary Hall. a recent chair of President Obama’s Council of Economic The Wren Bell is a very busy, hard-working bell. It also Advisors, and the current director of our national parks, plus three U.S. Presidents (four if you count George Washington — I peals for weddings in the Wren Chapel, 50th class reunions, the installation of new William & Mary presidents, and do), four U.S. Supreme Court Justices including the great Chief the annual Sunset Ceremony in the Wren Courtyard when Justice John Marshall, four U.S. Secretaries of State, four U.S. alumni and alumnae who died during the previous year are Attorneys General, and the founder of M.I.T. — just to name a remembered by name in a deeply moving ceremony. few. When you emerge from the Wren in a few minutes into What is it about a William & Mary education that so primes riotous acclaim this afternoon, know that you now have a its graduates for such productive lives of service? place in a long line of William & Mary people reaching back I like Jim Comey’s quick answer: “William & Mary trains a to 1693. William & Mary is now yours for all time coming! young mind to think broadly, reason tightly, and never forget

Taylor Reveley

t seems platitudinous to call for student involvement in local issues, but it can be prudent to be reminded occasionally of the specific and tangible effects that sort of involvement can have on students individually. Jeffrey Trammell ’73, the former rector of the College of William and Mary’s Board of Visitors, voiced his fears that Virginia state universities will lose professors due to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act and Virginia’s refusal to provide same-sex health benefits to the partners of faculty. When Maryland and Washington D.C. — just across the border — are more than willing to offer these benefits, it’s entirely possible that we could lose talented academics. For a school that prides itself on having high quality professors, this antiquated policy serves only to repel them. That’s just from an educational and business perspective. With a population of students that is predominantly (though, of course, not entirely) in support of extending benefits to same-sex couples, it would make sense for those College students to at least voice their opinions on this issue. If you are wondering what you can do to make your voice heard, there are gubernatorial and Williamsburg City Council elections coming up. The governor picks the members of the Board of Visitors and plays an important role in determining state funding for public colleges and policy regarding faculty benefits. The Democratic nominee, Terry McAuliffe, and Ken Cuccinelli, R-Va., are so ideologically different that whoever wins will almost certainly have a large impact on the College and its students. And take a look at our southern neighbor, North Carolina, for further evidence of the profound impact state government officials can have on college students. North Carolina governor Pat McRory has signed into law bills that will cut education spending and which may make it harder for students to vote by cutting early voting, shortening voting hours, ending pre-registration for students under 18, and removing student IDs as an acceptable form of voter ID. And come May, the city of Williamsburg will hold a city council election. The close relationship between the College and the city requires that students pay attention to issues within Williamsburg. The council has the power to affect the three-person rule, a housing requirement that greatly affects the student population. The city also helps the College, providing emergency services for students, faculty and staff. But the city also provides simple services, like widening the sidewalks that students traverse on Richmond Road and Jamestown Road. This year, Council Members Doug Pons and Scott Foster ’10 J.D. ’14 will be up for re-election. Three years ago, the student body came out in full force to support Foster’s run for city council. The issues of the city and faculty benefits seem remote but directly impact students and their time at the College. On college campuses, these sorts of issues appear in a cyclical manner. Every four years, the entire population at the College is replaced. And when the issues and controversies current students are familiar with continuously resurface, very few will know the story of how often and in what form those issues have previously appeared in Williamsburg. This means that, while all students will feel the very real and very tangible effects of both state and local politics, they have an extraordinarily small window of time in which to voice any sort of concern — any sort of student involvement must be remarkably swift. Katherine Chiglinsky recused herself from this staff editorial to remain unbiased in her reporting. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Flat Hat. The editorial board, which is elected by The Flat Hat’s section editors and executive staff, consists of Abby Boyle, Matthew Camarda, Katherine Chiglinsky, Meredith Ramey and Ellen Wexler. The Flat Hat welcomes submissions to the Opinions section. Limit letters to 250 words and columns to 650 words. Letters, columns, graphics and cartoons reflect the view of the author only. Email submissions to fhopinions@ gmail.com.

FLAT HAT OPINIONS POLL Do you like the newly expanded Sadler Dining Hall?

No

10%

Yes 90% POLL BY BENMING ZHANG

Why on-campus housing retains its appeal, despite the financial question Beatrice Loayza THE FLAT HAT

Each year at the College of William and Mary, over half of the student body competes for a spot on campus and approximately 73 percent of undergraduates live in housing operated by the College. The fact that some unlucky students are bumped off campus rather than leaving by choice shows the appeal of living on school grounds trumps the benefits of off-campus living for many of us (breaking free of the meal plan). This raises the question: Why should there be an overwhelming preference to live on a notoriously small campus with mediocre facilities that, relative to other housing options in Williamsburg, are

somewhat overpriced? Off-campus living is financially attractive, but I applied to the College for its on-campus perks. Its small campus allows students to be conveniently near friends, student groups, activities, academic resources, professors and athletics — essentially, the traditional college experience. Or, at least the one I expected to have at this school. Most of us believe the College is a place that emphasizes its campus community, where it is no surprise if you stay close friends with everyone in your freshman hall throughout all four years. Residence halls frequently hold events like dinner parties and porch cookouts — and people actually go to them. I recently spoke to some international students about why they chose to study abroad in the United States and, specifically, Williamsburg. Naturally they didn’t have (too) much enthusiasm for our local colonial

surroundings, but they pointed out that living on campus with students their age all around them, and in a dorm room with a person they’ve never met before in a hall of several other random people, was both the foreign and the exciting aspect of coming to study in the United States. Back at home in places like the United Kingdom, Australia and France, the college experience is a matter of living in your own apartment or back at home with your parents, going to class on your own, and going out of your way to make plans with friends at some location unaffiliated with the college. The College is not a big commuter school, which is why much of the draw comes from it being a place that can easily become a home away from home. Students who live off campus may miss out on opportunities and services offered outside the classroom, such as tutoring, clubs and support groups. Certainly this may not be the

case for all off-campus students, but one cannot ignore the convenience of leaving a dorm with only a five-minute walk separating you from a dining hall,

the library, the Sunken Garden and class. Email Beatrice Loayza at bloayza@ email.wm.edu.

GRAPHIC BY ALLISON HICKS / THE FLAT HAT


variety BY ÁINE CAIN FLAT HAT VARIETY EDITOR

Joshua Clarington ’15 recently broke the daunting 10-second threshold for the Rubik’s Cube, solving the colorful puzzle in 9.84 seconds. Some regard his accomplishment with awe, but he dismisses their accolades. “Saying that you ‘could never do that’ is a self-fulfilling prophecy because inevitably you’re not going to try and you’re not going to be able to do it,” Clarington said. “You have to have the right mindset. You will be able to do it; it’s just a matter of time.” Clarington was first introduced to Rubik’s Cubes in high school. Soon enough, he was hooked. He consulted the internet, applying useful tips found in YouTube tutorials. Then, he broke the 1-minute threshold and fell in love with speed solving. “The real beauty is the fact that you can pick it up every day and learn something new about it,” Clarington said. “I’m always thinking about what I can do differently. I experiment. Of course, you have instances when you’re frustrated. You want to throw the cube.” Today, he is the president of the College of William and Mary’s Rubik’s Cube Society. He helped found the group during freshman orientation last year. Clarington also participates in speed solving tournaments around the globe, traveling as far as Berlin to compete against other people. Inspired by similar functions at MIT and Cal-Tech, Clarington hopes one day his club will sponsor tournaments at the College. Society Secretary Faraz Rahman ’15 explained that mastering speed solving requires intense dedication. Some competitive cube-solvers practice upwards of 100 solves daily. He also notes that cubing culture fosters casual socialization and fun. “Solving puzzles is a way for me to relax,” Rahman said. “After being stuck in the thought processes of ‘memorize this’ or ‘answer this’ or ‘read this,’ it allows me to slow down and think in a more creative way. Although Rubik’s Cubes are definitely mathematical in nature, the spatial

Variety Editor Áine Cain flathat.variety@gmail.com

The Flat Hat

reasoning involved lets me work my mind in way that’s not really challenged in the majority of my coursework.” Society PR Chair Tim Putnam ’16 was introduced to Rubik’s Cubes when he was 12 years old. He struggled at first; eventually resorting to destroying the cube and piecing it back together solved. He truly solved his first cube at a meeting of the Society, with the assistance of his fellow members. After practicing for a month, he whittled his solving record of 10 minutes down to around 3 minutes. Putnam notes that it is a far easier skill to master than popular perception indicates. “Solving a Rubik’s Cube while sitting around looks a lot better than twiddling your thumbs,” Putnam said. “This winter, while on a College trip to Washington D.C., I saw a Rubik’s Cube on a congressman’s desk. I asked if I could play with the cube, and ended up solving it in a couple of minutes. The congressman’s staff was impressed and actually asked if I had a resume available for them. So it’s not just in movies like ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ where puzzle-solving skills come in handy.” The Rubik’s Cube is just one type of speed-solving puzzle; varieties include the 2x2 cube and the Megaminx. In tournaments, some events require the participants to wear blindfolds. Clarington’s favorite is the classic Rubik’s Cube. He recommends that beginners remember that the cube is a threedimensional object and solve it layer by layer, rather than one side at a time. He noted that there are a finite amount of moves to be performed on the cube and that taking breaks should be encouraged, not avoided. Clarington also addressed the stereotype that Rubik’s Cube enthusiasts are all math-loving computer nerds, describing his meeting with Germany’s Cornelius Dieckmann, an internationally ranked solver, at one conference. “I asked him what he was going to major in,” Clarington said. “I was assuming math or computer science or engineering. Guess what his major was? Music and English. I could not believe it. The stereotype isn’t always true. Cubing is for everyone who’s willing to learn.”

Competitions provide cube solvers with a way to meet other people who share their interest. Clarington has met the best solver in the world for blindfolded 4x4x4 cube. Their backgrounds are diverse. One solver worked for The Economist as a translator. While the Society prides itself on cultivating a laid-back, collaborative environment, hosting meetings at Jones and allowing all puzzle solvers to progress at their own speed, the competitive side of cubing is a draw for some. Society Vice President Logan Scharen ’15 was introduced to cubing by a dorm mate during his freshman year. It took him some time to master, but he was ultimately attracted to speed solving. “It’s a competition to me, something to strive for,” Scharen said. “In high school I ran track at a pretty competitive level, eventually running a two-mile in 9:55, but I was unable to pursue running as avidly as I had in high school due to an injury that limited my running ability. I think that cubing took the place of a competitive outlet for me. I get to compete against a clock to further improve on what I have already done.” Clarington encourages both aficionados and novices to join the Society, whether they are interested in socializing or intense competition. Clarington believes more people would be able to solve Rubik’s Cubes if they simply tried it. He cited his experience teaching the 10-year-old son of a College alumnus how to solve Rubik’s Cubes. The child mastered the skill in only three lessons. Whether he’s unconsciously cubing while watching a movie or solving before an exam to relieve stress, Clarington enjoys the sense of community provided by the activity. “The best part is knowing that there are more cubers all over the world,” Clarington said. “It’s kind of an underground culture. When someone comes up and cubes, people just watch. On average, people don’t think they need to learn it. I’d rather have more people get involved. It really is a lifestyle, for some people. It is for me. The most important thing is spreading the culture. It’s part of my identity.”

| Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | Page 5

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY/ JOSHUA CLARINGTON

ÁINE CAIN / THE FLAT HAT

CONFUSION CORNER

College students, don’t forget the world beyond campus TWAMPs should enjoy their peaceful campus and town, but constantly stay aware of pertinent global happenings

Ariel Cohen

Confusion Corner columnist

Saturday afternoon, President Barack Obama declared his intent to take military action against the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. If passed, the strike on Syria could potentially catalyze one of the biggest international political and military catastrophes since the Iraq War. Yet College of William and Mary students were unfazed. Nothing changed for us. The world didn’t shift. Alarms didn’t go off. Nobody ran to call their parents or even went to take comfort in each other. We just went on with our normal schedule. This is not uncommon. This is Confusion Corner, and I’m very confused. As students at the College, we are fairly intelligent by default. But the impact of policy changes and

foreign affairs has no recognizable effect on our everyday lives. If we are here to prepare for the future, shouldn’t we keep tabs outside our bubble? The William and Mary bubble, beautiful and precious as it is, holds us in from the outside world. They don’t call it the “ivory towers of academia” for nothing. At every college in the United States, students spend the majority of their time either studying the past or preparing for the future. Theoretical knowledge comes in textbook form to provide a sense of empowerment and a necessary, yet naive, optimism. But at the College, we take the concept of the college bubble a step further. Removed from any major city by at least 45 minutes, not much international, or even national, news permeates into campus. Many freshmen do not venture much beyond the colonial charm of Duke of Gloucester Street. An exciting adventure consists of Sunday morning “flapjacks and a flick.” And that’s not to disparage the small-town

Williamsburg life. There is nothing I cherish more than the assurance of stepping out into the middle of a crosswalk and not really needing to look both ways because I know the car will slow down for me. The hospitality expressed by southern Virginian mannerisms makes for a more pleasant lifestyle. The slow pace of the Tidewater region of Virginia means that the small town of Williamsburg may not exactly be a hub of current events, but it is a great place for learning. Last year, a visiting Nigerian scholar gave a lecture in the Marshall-Wythe School of Law. His first remarks were “Yes, I like your campus. It is very removed; you can really study. No distraction.” So, we happily carry on through the first week of classes with smiling optimism for the new semester. But, if the draft were still in place, a sense of gloom would hang over the campus this week. As soon as Congress resumes next week, the House will hold an emergency vote as to whether we will take military action in Syria. Even though Obama promised “no boots on the ground,” our military action could lead

to greater violence and the need for U.S troops. Regardless, the potential military action will still undoubtedly have an impact on our day-today lives, or at least our lives beyond the bubble. Taxes may go up, non-defense spending may be cut (including for education) or the national debt may be increased — probably a bit of all three. Additionally, travel alerts will go into effect and increased security protocols will be enforced in airports, train stations and on our borders. While we may not be able to visibly see such changes here in Williamsburg, just a few hours away in the northern Virginia/D.C. area, such repercussions will be readily apparent. Williamsburg provides us with the gift of being able to focus on our microcosm of life here at the College. But all too often, the minutia of college life can distract us from recognizing the greater problems of the world we are so anxiously preparing to enter. Ariel Cohen is a Confusion Corner columnist and enjoys bursting your bubble.


Page 6

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

The Flat Hat

Students travel to Morocco to teach math and coach soccer at a summer camp COURTESY PHOTO / HALLIE WESTLUND

Hallie Westlund ’16 and Rachel Wiser ’15, two College of William and Mary students, participated in service projects in Morocco this summer. Westlund worked at a soccer camp and Wiser taught women math through America’s Unofficial Ambassadors.

Hiking the massive Moroccan dune took Hallie Westlund ’16 and her fellow service interns two hours of moonlit climbing. The next day, the mountain of Sahara sand was marked where the group slid during their descent. Westlund, a Sharpe scholar, embarked on a service trip to Morocco this summer through America’s Unofficial Ambassadors, along with Rachel Wiser ’15. AUA sends interns to areas throughout the Islamic world with opportunities to work in Indonesia, Zanzibar, Morocco and Tajikistan. While abroad, interns complete service projects with non-governmental organizations and schools. The initiative’s ultimate goal is to

teach, aid and foster positive relationships with local citizens. “Our service interns are citizen diplomats,” AUA Program Coordinator Stefan Cornibert said. “While in the field, they have a chance to represent their own country in a positive light by working in human development. When they return, they are instrumental in fostering greater tolerance for the Muslim world here in America too.” Westlund and Wiser recorded their experiences in Morocco through blogs. Later in the year, they will give presentations on cross-cultural cooperation in either their hometowns, faith communities or at the College of William and Mary. Wiser, a St. Andrews Joint Degree student majoring in economics, taught math to local Moroccan women, many of whom previously relied

COURTESY PHOTO / HALLIE WESTLUND

America’s Unofficial Ambassadors assigns service interns to work with service projects in numerous Islamic countries.

on volunteers to help with business calculations. Mathematical skills will allow the women greater financial independence; they can now determine the cost of production, salary requirements and the best prices for their weavings and products. Wiser was especially heartened to see the unprecedented support her students received from their families. “Ito, one of the women, was learning math,” Wiser said. “One day her two sons prepared their own meal so that she could continue to work. They were so encouraging of their mother. They wanted her to learn just as much as she wanted to. That was one of the only times I saw sons preparing family meals. It was moving.” Westlund and Wiser did experience some culture shock, such as the crowdedness of public transportation and a general lack of concern for traffic safety. Other differences came as welcome surprises, such as Morocco’s lush countryside, laid-back culture and ubiquitous hospitality. “My fond memories are just sitting on a rug carpet with the women, attempting to explain myself and interact while only remembering the word for chicken in Arabic — djaj,” Wiser said. “Then we would laugh our heads off at our inability to communicate, and somehow that was us communicating. I was proud of myself when the women would finally smile and goof around with me. That’s when I realized they had opened up to me.” In the city of Tarmilaat, Westlund worked at a summer camp, where she organized arts and crafts projects, sporting events and field trips to the Al Akhawayn University pool. She also coached a soccer team of 13 girls, who greeted their coach every morning with a kiss on the cheek. Children would often take the interns to visit their favorite spots, including a huge creek, natural springs, a garbage dump and a towering hill. “One of my favorite memories is the day that we left,” Westlund said. “The interns all decided to

buy carpets of bags that the women made. All the women and children came to say goodbye and lay out their various rugs and bags. It was really a great day because I felt like I lived in the village and all the women and children loved us.” Westlund will be giving a presentation to the William and Mary Inter-Faith Club Sept. 10, discussing her experience as a non-Muslim staying and fasting in Morocco during Ramadan. She also participated in other cultural activities, such as an impromptu visit to a Moroccan wedding.

I was proud of myself when the women would finally smile and goof around with me. That’s when I realized they had opened up to me. —Rachel Wiser ’15

BY ÁINE CAIN FLAT HAT VARIETY EDITOR

“All the women and children were dressed in these beautiful sari-like outfits, and we were in our hiking clothes,” Westlund said. “We sat down to watch this band of men sing, chant, dance and play drums. The next thing I knew, one little girl was pulling the eight of us AUA girls up to dance as well. I was thinking to myself how crazy it was because I was on a different continent dancing in a wedding looking absolutely ridiculous because I didn’t know the dance, and I was wearing hiking clothes. The best part is when we left at two in the morning, and the bride and groom hadn’t even shown. Moroccan weddings last all night.” Cornibert noted that such positive crosscultural encounters are evidence of AUA’s ongoing success. “The responses we’ve gotten from Moroccans in the communities where [the interns] worked were overwhelmingly positive,” Cornibert said. “I do think it’s a testament to Rachel and Hallie’s personal strengths that they were able to succeed the way they did.”

May the odds be in your favor: The intensity of a capella tryouts Students audition to join the College’s extensive a capella community, but only a select few make the ultimate cut BY JOHN ROAKES THE FLAT HAT

“It’s Raining Men” by the Weather Girls may be old school, but Mary Donohue ’17 is totally okay with that. On the evening of Aug. 29, she was fully prepared to belt out the number for a group of ten strangers in Morton Hall. She wasn’t musically ambushing a group of bewildered government majors. She was auditioning to join the College of William and Mary’s large and highly competitive a capella community. Members of the College’s musical community say that joining these groups, which routinely do not call back all-state choir members, is harder than rushing some elite Greek organizations. Singers wishing to audition for a capella groups must sing scales, a prepared song, harmonies and a variety of warm-ups. In addition to becoming

a member of a prestigious singing group, group members also hope make a close-knit group of life-long friends — but in order to receive these rewards, those who try out must clear the hurdle that is the intial singing audition. Transfer students Danielle Bauman ’15 and Karen Kimberlin ’15 attribute their friendship to their mutual love of singing. The chaos and stress of the audition process ultimately only heightened their friendship. “We were both really nervous, but the flip side is that we are really excited to join a group that has a large amount of new potential friends,” Bauman said. This social aspect of a capella is a major factor in its appeal. Danielle Shulkin ’15 considers stress to be the reason that a capella members get so close. “The tryout process is like a forge that makes

strong singers,” Shulkin said. The auditions ran non-stop in multiple rooms, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Aug. 29 for girls and Aug. 30 for boys. The talent pool was intense. Many hopeful candidates were all-county or all-region singers in high school. Throughout the evening, there was someone auditioning every six minutes for the various groups. Those auditioning began the process by indicating for which groups they wanted to try out. After an interest meeting of sorts, a schedule for tryouts was set. Subsequently, the head of each of the various a capella groups posted a callback list. Individuals who did not make the cut will have at least until the next tryout session to improve their craft. Chelsea Blanco ’17 noted that the odds for success aren’t great, even for talented singers. “I was crushed, but it will only motivate me

for my next tryout,” Nick Adjami ’17 said. “I met a lot of great people who taught many important musical lessons. These outstanding singers are all trying for limited spots, and these spots are set for singers that have certain attributes, such as being an alto, etc.” Hopefuls who were called back will have to repeat the grueling process once more. Those that are eventually inducted into a group will be joining a very elite and collaborative community. A capella groups bill themselves as a second family for members. New members are usually immediately incorporated into acts, allowing for an immersive acclimation process. Rookies will be quickly introduced to the student body, whether they make their debut in crowded, impromptu shows in the basements of freshman halls or on chilly Wednesday nights’ Wren Ten concerts.


sportsinside

The Flat Hat | Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | Page 7

FIELD HOCKEY

Dominant victories inaugurate Ellis era

Nine goals from nine different players propel the College to opening wins over Radford and VCU in Williamsburg

Longtime head coach Peel Hawthorne led William and Mary to a 10-win season and its first conference tournament berth in three seasons last year. However, days before the College opened its 2013 schedule, Hawthorne vacated her post to join the athletic department as Associate Athletics Director of Student Services and Senior Woman Administrator. Athletic Director Terry Driscoll named assistant Tess Ellis as the program’s interim head coach August 23. Bringing 18 years of coaching experience to the squad, Ellis began the season amidst concerns of losing last season’s momentum without Hawthorne at the helm. Any lingering doubts were quickly addressed as the College (2-0) dispatched Radford 5-0 before downing Virginia Commonwealth 4-2 to jumpstart the new season. Facing Radford (0-2) in the season opener, the Tribe notched the game’s first score in the 16th

minute. Sophomore Etsy Byrd scored off a penalty corner, her first collegiate goal. Scoring just one goal on 13 shots in the first half, the College quickly added to its lead in the second. Junior defender Navneet Singh converted a penalty stroke two minutes into the half before junior forward Pippin Saunders and senior forward Taylor Hodge scored in the 42nd and 64th minutes to make it a 4-0 Tribe lead. Junior midfielder Kayleigh Ross capped the day’s scoring in the 65th minute, as the College outshot Radford 21-2 en route to the 5-0 victory. While Virginia Commonwealth (0-1) left the Colonial Athletic Association, the non-conference designation did little to help the Tribe forget its 3-2 loss to the Rams in 2011. Junior midfielder Brittany Hopkins opened the scoring, converting on a Saunders cross for the 1-0 College lead just eight minutes into the opening half. Not wasting time, the Rams found the equalizer just four minutes later. Two quick goals sent the Tribe

into the half with a 3-1 advantage. Senior defender Giovanna Golen sent a rebound past the Rams goalie Megan Botteri in the 30th minute. Seconds before the halftime whistle blew the College drew a penalty attempt, which resulted in one untimed corner. In the ensuing scuffle, freshman forward Maria Pastor found room for the Tribe’s third goal of the contest. Down two scores, the Rams quickly cut the deficit to one in the 42nd minute, as Kendall Comb’s put a shot past the College’s redshirt sophomore Cate Johnson. Leading 3-2, the Tribe put the game out of reach in the 68th minute. Junior Jesse Ebner followed her own rebound to score the game’s final goal and push the College to the 4-2 win. Through two games, Ellis has constructed a powerful and diverse offensive attack. All told, the Tribe’s nine goals of the season have come from nine different players. The program travels to Louisville, Ky. to face Louisville and Ohio September 6 and 7.

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

Former assistant coach Tess Ellis won her first two matches as head coach after replacing longtime coach Peel Hawthorne.

REPLACING A LEGEND

BY CHRIS WEBER FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR

Peel Hawthorne retires as head coach after 26 years The 10th-winningest active coach in the National Collegiate Athletic Association with 306 wins at the time of the announcement, Peel Hawthorne left quite a legacy. Hawthorne established herself as the most successful Tribe field hockey coach ever in 1993, just

6 seasons into her 26-season tenure. She was selected the Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year three times and led her team to the regular season title in 2003 and 2004. She has coached and recruited 112 all-conference players and six players of the year.

MEN’S SOCCER

Tribe falls flat in season opening loss to St. Francis Red Flash converts pivotal turnover into decisive goal and keeps College attackers off the scoreboard BY YONNIE IYOB FLAT HAT STAFF WRITER The excitement in the air was palpable at Martin Family Stadium, but William and Mary’s home opener was ruined by a careless Tribe defensive mistake and an anemic offensive attack as it fell 0-1 to St. Francis (1-0). “We are obviously disappointed with the performance and the results,” head coach Chris Norris said. “I think St. Francis was good and solid, but it wasn’t anything we hadn’t seen in preseason or training.”

The College (0-1) faltered in the 62nd minute, allowing the match’s only goal to the Red Flash. Sophomore midfielder Ryan Flesch turned the ball over in the College’s defensive third to St. Francis’s Pablo Medina. After his deft steal, Medina fed Wallis Dabouru a smart pass, which put Dabouru in position to threaten freshman David Phillip’s net. Dabouru fired a cross, which found Nick Kolarac in the center of the box. Kolarac kicked the ball off the post and promptly collected the rebound. On his second opportunity, Kolarac converted

First game ends in ambiguity for Tribe COMMENTARY from page 8 One shoud not forget the high notes of the Tribe’s performance in the bitterness of the final result. Senior quarterback Michael Graham was poised in the often-deafening stadium, completing 66 percent of his passes for 207 yards and logging two touchdowns. Junior receiver Tre McBride competed gamely with the Mountaineers’ athletic defenders, logging 108 receiving yards and helping to set up all three Tribe scores. Perhaps most impressively, the Tribe defense allowed just five yards in a successful second quarter before crumbling against the hosts’ blockers in the second half. Despite these positives, it is difficult to forget how overmatched the College looked in its scoreless second half. With the exception of Ronald Carswell’s wide-open 69-yard touchdown reception, the Mountaineer offense had neither need nor reason to throw downfield. They relied on short throws and power runs throughout the half and used their mammoth offensive line to pound the tenacious but undersized Tribe defense into submission. The Tribe had no such physical advantage; it spent the second

half trying to seal the game with running plays and short passes, but it had little chance against a Mountaineer defense that had no fear of the Tribe throwing farther than 10 yards. Head coach Jimmye Laycock’s apparent mistrust of his passing game only compounded the issue, as the host defense crept closer to the line of scrimmage as the second half progressed. There is no question the Tribe’s inability or hesitation to stretch the Mountaineers’ defense vertically was critical to its scoreless second half. It is not clear how fans should react to Saturday’s defeat. Surely one cannot lambast the Tribe for being unable to hold firm against a bigger, faster, stronger opponent for 60 minutes, but one can wonder whether their offense will be more diverse as the season progresses. The offense was obviously less aggressive in the second half, running on seemingly every first down and barely trying to keep the Mountaineer defense uneasy. This was somewhat understandable against an intimidating opponent in a hostile environment, but the Tribe should consider playing more aggressively against future opponents, rather than allowing itself to become predictable.

St. Francis’s first goal of the season and the game winner. “We made a lot of mistakes in possession tonight, and that was the one that cost us,” Norris said. “We just have to be a lot better in possession.” Aside from the turnover in the second half, the Tribe put forth a solid defensive effort, limiting the Red Flash to eight shots with only one on goal. Continuing a trend from last year, the College couldn’t consistently penetrate the opposing box for shots. The Tribe started off the match outshooting the Red Flash 5-3 in the first half. Five

minutes in, the Tribe set up for the only corner of the half, but senior defender Will Smith’s header skittered just off target to the left of the net. Red Flash keeper Andrew Garcia proved too daunting, collecting four saves during the game. In the 24th minute, junior midfielder Michael Teiman fired an audacious shot, but Garcia was there for the save. Garcia thwarted the Tribe’s efforts again in the 31st minute when he stopped junior midfielder Chris Albiston’s shot. The College had the upper hand in shots during the match, finishing with

11 points to St. Francis’s eight. Late in the second half, trailing by a goal, Flesch had an opportunity to make amends. In the 84th minute, Flesch put a dangerous shot on goal, but Garcia managed to make a diving stop. “We win as a team and we lose as a team,” Norris said. “But I expect our guys to have a very good response to this result and this game.” With the College’s Monday match against No. 5 Connecticut cancelled due to inclement weather, the Tribe will face Old Dominion on the road Sept. 7.

Spirited first-half performance fades in second FOOTBALL from page 8 With three minutes left to find an answer, Graham had to find his first half form. Instead, Graham threw an interception on the first snap of the drive, sailing a pass well past his target and into the arms of West Virginia’s Darwin Cook. Graham’s late-game sluggishness and poor decision-making complicate his case to remain the starting quarterback

after Caprio and Ortiz return from injury. But his stellar first half performance showed his lofty potential as the Tribe’s main signal-caller. Although the Tribe far exceeded expectations ­— they came into Saturday’s game as a 32-point underdog — the players were far from satisfied with their performance. “I don’t think there’s anything to be happy about,” said McBride. “Obviously

we played well; there were some highlights in the game. We worked hard; we came into halftime with the lead. But at the end of the day, we lost and there’s nothing to be excited about. But what we are going to do is we’re going to put this game behind us and work to smash everyone else on our schedule.” The College returns to Zable Stadium for its first home game is Saturday against Hampton at 7 p.m.

Like sports? Got Tribe pride? Join Flat Hat Sports.

FH

The Flat Hat sports section is looking to expand their writing staff this semester. If you have any previous experience in sports photography, videography or journalism and would like a chance to contribute to coverage of the Tribe’s various athletic teams please email Flat Hat Sports at flathatsports@gmail.com


sports

Sports Editor Jack Powers Sports Editor Chris Weber flathatsports@gmail.com

The Flat Hat | Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | Page 8

FOOTBALL

A tale of two halves

108 receiving yards in Saturday’s loss

What we are going to do is we’re going to put this game behind us and work to smash everyone else on our schedule.

Tribe loses early lead as Mountaineers score 17 unanswered to win 24-17 BY JACK POWERS FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR The scene at West Virginia’s Milan Puskar Stadium was one of abject confusion at halftime. If the West Virginia faithful were prepared for a stiff test from William and Mary, they didn’t show it. The only noise to be found amid the sea of roughly 55,000 yellow shirts was from a small sliver of dark green, hidden in the right side of the south end zone. The College held a 17-7 advantage going into the locker room, and even though the Mountaineers (1-0) would win by a touchdown for a score of 24-17, there was a sense that the Tribe (0-1) had still made its statement. This year could be special. “I don’t know whether we ran out of gas, whether the depth got to us, or the heat got to us, or whatever,” head coach Jimmye Laycock said. “We just weren’t able to make the key plays in the fourth quarter to get the win. But overall, I thought our effort was outstanding.” The main question for the College entering the game was the quarterback position. Senior Michael Graham, playing while the injured duo of junior Raphael Graham and senior Brent Caprio didn’t dress, performed admirably in the first half. Graham scrambled and showed confidence in and out of the pocket before faltering in the second. All told, Graham was 18 of 27 for 207 yards with two touchdowns — one running, one throwing — and an interception. “I thought [Graham] played very well,” Laycock said. “He seemed very poised; he threw the ball well.”

Junior wide receiver Tre McBride

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

The first West Virginia possession of the game, an eight-play, 67-yard touchdown drive, seemed to foreshadow a blowout. The Tribe, however, wasn’t swayed. After a missed Mountaineer field goal, Graham led the offense down the field and connected with junior running back Darnell Laws for a 1-yard score. An outrageous 40-yard catch by junior wide receiver Tre McBride broke the game open. McBride finished with 108 receiving yards. “We took a shot,” McBride said. “I was confident in myself and, to be honest, I didn’t see any safeties, so I only thought ‘I got to get that ball.’” In the Tribe’s next drive, the offense showed that the first touchdown wasn’t a fluke. Graham and company tore through the Mountaineers’ defense for 88 yards and another seven points. Again, a long completion to McBride set up the score. This time, however, Graham took it in himself on a 5-yard scramble. The College would further punctuate its lead by converting a fumble reception into a 29-yard field goal by junior John Carpenter, building a 17-7 lead at the half. More impressive than the offense’s first half fireworks was the Tribe’s stingy defense against the Mountaineer’s vaunted “air-raid” offense, which averaged almost 40 points a game last season. After surrendering the early first touchdown, the Tribe’s defense buckled down, preventing the Mountaineer offense from threatening again in the half. The admirable defensive effort culminated in three consecutive three-and-outs to end the half. If Saturday was a “tune-up” game for West Virginia, it sorely needed it. The Mountaineers came out sluggish in the first half, but found their

legs in the second. The Mountaineer offense reinvigorated the home crowd in the third quarter with a field goal and a flash 69-yard touchdown reception, leaving the Tribe with a tie game and a defense searching for answers. West Virginia’s superior depth and weight upfront visibly wore down the College’s defenders. As the game went on, the Mountaineer offensive line created more and more gaping holes for its running backs to exploit. Overall, West Virginia rushed for 206 yards and two scores. Tailback Charles Sims alone had 126 rushing yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. While the College’s defense showed cracks, the offense sputtered through a scoreless and largely tame second half. Graham lost his first-half rhythm as the play calls went away from the first half ’s deep throws and, instead relied upon largely conservative play calling in the second half. McBride snagged his third big catch of the game in the third quarter, but the ball was woefully underthrown, creating a 28-yard gain to mid-field instead of a potential touchdown. The Tribe would never get as close to the end zone again. West Virginia grabbed its first lead since the first quarter with just over three minutes left in the game by taking advantage of excellent field position afforded to it by its defense and special teams. The touchdown put the Mountaineers up seven points and forced Laycock to open up his offense to find the equalizer.

COMMENTARY

Conservative second half ruins upset bid

Mick Sloan

Flat Hat ASSOC. Sports editor

William and Mary gave West Virginia all it could handle Saturday, but instead of walking away with a headline win, the Tribe headed back to Williamsburg with an agonizing loss. Although a blowout loss seemed preordained as soon as the game was scheduled, for 21 minutes, the College led the Mountaineers by as much as 10 points. The faithful Tribe fans, tucked into a single section in the Southeast corner of Milan Puskar Stadium, were ecstatic — ­ daring to dream that they would witness a miracle. Then the dream receded back into reality. The Mountaineers rebounded to outscore the College 17-0 in the second half, hammering the Tribe defense with their superior size and snatching the lead with just over three minutes left in the game. Tribe fans were left unsure whether to be grateful for a magical first half or disappointed to go home with a loss.

See FOOTBALL page 7

See COMMENTARY page 7

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Camper scores two in first win, down High Point 3-0 Daly satisfied with offensive, defensive output as College evens record at 1-1-1 on year; Casey records shutout BY CHRIS WEBER FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR Following two consecutive overtime games to start the season, William and Mary headed into halftime locked in a scoreless tie with visiting High Point. With an offense that couldn’t connect in the final third, the College (1-1-1) seemed on track for yet another overtime game. Head coach John Daly’s substitutions only marginally changed the flow of the contest, and halftime came as a welcome chance to talk to his squad. “Our halftime speech got us pretty fired up and got us ready to go. [Daly] told us we needed desire and that they wanted it more in the first half. That really got a fire under us,” junior forward Emory Camper said. “We knew we wanted it on our home field — we wanted a win.” Camper responded 10 minutes into the second half. Receiving the ball just outside the Panthers’ penalty area, Camper took a touch to her right to line up the 20-yard strike. High Point keeper Jesse May dove but could only watch as the ball

found the back of the net for the 1-0 Tribe lead. “We needed it because we had such a poor first half,” Daly said. “We needed to step things up, and no matter how much you step it up, if you don’t put the goal in the net, the more the game runs on, the more confident they become, and we become more frustrated. So, the goal came at just the right time.” The College’s offensive attack came to life following Camper’s successful strike. In the 76th minute, senior forward Audrey Barry gathered the ball on the right flank and sped past a Panther defender to become unmarked in front of the goal. Rather than take the chance herself, Barry laid off a pass to the onrushing junior forward Anna Madden, who finished easily for the College’s second goal of the night. Eight minutes later, Camper again found herself with room just outside the Panther’s penalty area. Taking a touch to her left, Camper sent another shot on frame, good for the third and final goal of the match. “It was a little awkward. You have to be able

to use both feet when the opportunity arises. It wasn’t my best foot, but I got a pretty good shot off,” Camper said. While the Tribe’s offense rebounded from average performances against Georgetown and George Mason, the defense also improved, allowing just four shots. Sophomore back Leci Irvin held down the right flank, winning long balls and advancing up the sideline to Camper create opportunities. For Daly, Irvin represents a number of underclassmen making larger impacts. Daly looks to Irvin’s forays into the offensive third as an area of improvement. “Connect better; get forward; get assists. She’s an outstanding player, and she’s going to get better,” Daly said. In addition to Irvin, another sophomore — keeper Caroline Casey — recorded three saves in the side’s first shutout of the season. “She deserved the shutout against Mason.

I don’t think that really weighs on her mind — she’s more about her performance,” Daly said. After starting the season with three winless overtime periods, the College looks to maintain momentum heading into the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic in Charlottesville, Va. Sept. 6-8. “We go into every game like we’re going to win. That’s how you have to take it. The past is the past, and we just got to keep moving from there,” Camper said.

BY THE NUMBERS

TRIBE 3 28 11 5 5

panthers GOALS SHOTS SHOTS ON GOAL CORNERS FOULS

0 4 3 1 8


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.