VARIETY // Faculty and staff reflect on their own days at the College, p 4-5
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Spaces from Chandler Vol. 102, Iss. 16 | Friday, October 26, 2012
The Flat Hat The Twice-Weekly Student Newspaper
of The College of William and Mary
residence life
administration
AC
Added to Chandler
Chandler, Landrum and Barrett Hall will be the first dorms to be updated in a long list of $98 million worth of renovations
187
Fire safety
Spaces Added in Frats
Updating
“Campus will be torn up but it will all be worth it.” by veronique barbour the flat hat
Residence Life has set its sights on Chandler Hall as one of the newest construction projects at the College of William and Mary. Director of Residence Life Deb Boykin noted that construction on Chandler will start next year. “Chandler is the next building we planned to do,” Boykin said. “At one time, we did individual building renovations like this over two summers, but because of the scope of work, we will take Chandler offline from the summer of 2013 through the summer of 2014.” When the building re-opens, it will have central air-conditioning along with new windows, doors, ceilings, and bathrooms. With Chandler offline for the next year and the new fraternity houses opening in the fall of 2013, Boykin said spaces for upperclass students will increase. The new fraternity houses have 187 spaces while Chandler has 151. Recently, Redsidence Life sat down to look at all the
Student assembly
Senate works to improve transparency Students unaware of Senate role, SA launches awareness campaign by Meredith ramey flat hat news editor
They control $650,000 in student funds. They fund AMP, the Publications Committee, Filipino-American Student Association, and nearly every other club or organization on campus. They are integral in Charter Day, WCWM radio, I AM W&M Week and Homecoming celebrations. They are elected by students every year. They find a place in every issue of this newspaper. Why do students know so little about them? In answer to the call for transparency and student engagement, the Student Assembly Senate began their What Can the SA Do for You and What Else Can the SA do for You campaigns. These initiatives are why senators can be seen stationed outside the Sadler Center during dining hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. “It gives students the opportunity to come right to us and tell us what they want,” SA Senator Ishan Bardham ’13 said. “We’ve only been doing it for two weeks, and we’ve already gotten some phenomenal responses.” The initiative builds on other transparency-related policies enacted by the executive branch under SA President Curt Mills ’13 and Vice President Melanie Levine ’13. The pair has introduced the use of office hours and more frequent See sa page 4
News Insight News Opinions Variety Variety Sports Sports
needed renovations for each dorm. Including major to minor renovations, the total estimated cost would be nearly $98 million; however, projects would be spread out over several years. These changes range from making the buildings more energy efficient to adding airconditioning in certain buildings. Anne Reed ’13, Head Resident of Chandler, believes that renovations for Chandler are much needed but will affect housing options for upperclassmen students next year. “The renovation will definitely hurt upperclassmen looking for housing because Chandler is a great dorm, centrally located, and has large rooms and suite baths,” Reed said in an email. “That being said, the entire campus is undergoing major changes in campus living due to the new fraternity houses opening. Students needs will still be met, things will just be a little hectic. Chandler needs renovation. It’s a great dorm but it is old. They will be putting in
looking into green technology to decrease
Energy Costs
See renovations page 3
Long road for EVMS plan Medical school merger faces logistical hurdles by ken lin flat hat assoc. news editor
The proposed partnership between the College of William and Mary and Eastern Virginia Medical School will have to pass rigorous examinations of financial costeffectiveness and organizational feasibility to have any hope of coming to fruition. The steering committee, comprised of 13 professors and administrators from a variety of departments, has been assigned the task of studying the possibility of a merger. The committee includes five distinct subcommittees: academic programs, academic culture, organization structure and legal issues, budgets and health care, and political matters and communication. One of the committee members is adjunct assistant professor of biology Beverly Sher, who also serves as the College health professions advisor. “It’s not a situation where other people come and sit in at this point, but the committee members have been going out to members of the College community to elicit lots of feedback,” Sher said. “Provost Michael Halleran has basically said that he is committed to having this be an open process.” Sher is satisfied with the current relationship between the College and EVMS, which includes an early assurance program for College undergraduates applying to medical school. She also feels that a merger would have very little effect on students at the College preparing for medical school. “We are already EVMS’s biggest feeder school. … They take a fair number of our people as is, so I just don’t think it would change things that much,” Sher said. “It might be that it’s easier to do research in a med school lab, but EVMS is a long way from here. See EVMS page 3
construction
New Town route project falls out of the fast lane Plan to construct multi-use trail for College stalls due to funding by adam swack the flat hat
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A combination of red tape and insufficient funds has halted a proposed project that would provide students at the College of William and Mary a safer and more efficient access to the New Town Shopping Center on Monticello Avenue. The city’s Comprehensive Plan recommends a multi-use trail along Monticello Avenue from Treyburn Drive to Ironbound Rd. that would allow for a safe walking route to New Town. The current configuration forces students to make the trek in the bike lane along Monticello Avenue, a road with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour. Under normal circumstances, the city would have the green light to proceed on the project, which is estimated to cost $2 million. However, Monticello Avenue is owned by the state and the surrounding property is owned by the College. This means that the land sited in the city’s Comprehensive Plan is not under the city’s jurisdiction. “In normal circumstances, like if this were on city property, we would make a recommendation and then the city would
hayley tymeson / THE FLAT HAT
The College owns the property on either side of Monticello Rd., but lacks the funds to install a multi-use trail.
follow through,” Planning Commission member Chris Connolly ’15 said. “In this case, it is kind of a weird situation because you’ve got so many different actors.” Since the city’s efforts are stalled, either the College or the Virginia Department
Inside opinions
Ten misconceptions about Obama and Romney
Republican columnist Andrea AronSchiavone and Democratic columnist Alex Cooper debunk common rumors about both presidential candidates. page 7
of Transportation could undertake the construction, but neither wants to pick up the tab. The College’s six-year capital project plan See MONTICELLO page 3
Inside SPORTS
College claims CAA regular season title
Powered by Rutter’s two goals, the Collge notched a 3-0 victory over Old Dominion, propelling them to a CAA regular season crown. page 8
newsinsight “
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THE PULSE
News Editor Katherine Chiglinsky News Editor Meredith Ramey fhnews@gmail.com
The Flat Hat | Friday, October 26, 2012 | Page 2
THE BUZZ
ALL THE NEWS THAT’S UNFIT TO PRINT
According to the Virginia Gazette, a home at 702 Jamestown Rd. has been condemned by the City of Williamsburg as being unfit for human habitation. The home, which sits opposite of the Mason School of Business, is valued at $400,000. “There is also evidence of rodent infestation droppings, and it has structural issues caused by a leak in the roof. Plaster has fallen from the ceiling and the walls,” Planning Director Reed Nester said. The house was originally built in 1930 and has never been rented out to students.
We’re people who want to help. And we’re people who want to make a change, and I implore people to give us that chance. —SA Senator Colin Danly ’15
BEYOND THE ‘BURG
Rep. Bobby Scott (D) of Hampton Roads is one of three Virginia lawmakers who are pursuing a federal investigation of voter registration fraud allegations against two companies hired by Republicans to register voters. The three legislators — all Democrats — requested the investigation in a recent letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The letter was written largely in response to a man in Rockingham County who faces charges for throwing eight completed voter registration forms into a trashcan. According to the Daily Press, a Justice Department spokesman said the agency is reviewing the lawmakers’ letter. Williamsburg hotel occupancy numbers are up for the third quarter of the year, as reported by the Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily. According to data from Smith Travel, the Williamsburg hotel market saw a 7.7 percent increase in revenues and a 4.9 percent increase in room demand for the third quarter. This increase suggests that the region’s recently sluggish tourism may be on the upswing. The dropout rate decreased in 2012 in both WilliamsburgJames City County and York County schools, according to data for the Class of 2012 released by the Virginia Department of Education this week. In WJCC schools, the division dropout rate fell from 5.5 percent in 2011 to 4.9 percent in 2012, and in York County schools the dropout rate decreased from 4.1 percent to 3.2 percent. The statewide dropout rate fell from 7.2 percent for 2011 to 6.5 percent for 2012.
COURTESY PHOTO / NGNGSPORTS.COM
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill wide receiver Erik Highsmith plagiarized the work of four 11-year-olds to complete a blog post assignment.
A THOUSAND WORDS
DANA DYTANG / THE FLAT HAT
Jailed physics professor wants salary doubled
Chapel Hill wide receiver copied 11-year-olds’ work
According to the Huffington Post, Professor Paul Frampton of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill has requested a 100 percent pay raise in a letter mailed from his Argentinian jail cell. He has been imprisoned for the past 10 months, held on drug trafficking charges following the discovery of cocaine in his suitcase. Frampton, who holds three degrees from Oxford and has contributed to over 400 publications, has claimed that he was the victim of a honeypot scheme involving a bikini model and academic jealousy. Following his arrest, UNC froze Frampton’s wages, citing his inability to perform his contractual obligations to the school. In response, the professor published a letter asserting his ability to continue teaching via burned CDs and telephone conversations with his two Ph.D. students.
The Washington Post has reported that University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill senior and wide receiver Erik Highsmith has been accused of plagiarizing a blog post for a communications course last spring. Rushing to complete an assignment, Highsmith allegedly copied and pasted material that was originally posted on an education site by four 11-yearolds. UNC’s football team is no stranger to controversy, as it is currently barred from bowl games due to violations by former coach Butch Davis. J. Nikol Beckham, the professor who spotted Highsmith’s plagiarism, left the school in protest of the perceived lack of action on the part of UNC. She has released statements asserting her belief that the football team promotes a culture of cheating, specifically within the African and Afro-American Studies Department.
University busts offensive bathroom flier scheme
Prison bans press but admits students for tours
According to The Huffington Post, the Miami University of Ohio has ascertained the identities of students behind the flyer listing “The Top 10 Ways to Get Away with Rape” found in a men’s bathroom. The flyer included tips along the lines of stalking women at night and slitting the throats of potential witnesses. While local police initially mentioned the possibility of felony charges, a university spokeswoman has declared that no criminal charges will be filed in this case. The unnamed students responsible for the flyer may face punishment ranging from loss of on-campus housing to outright suspension.
According to the State Journal-Register, 25 criminal justice students from Heartland Community College were allowed to tour a high-security Illinois prison despite the fact that reporters are banned from the same prison due to security risks. Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration and the state’s Department of Corrections has addressed the controversy, explaining the field trip as educational and strictly supervised. State officials added that the Heartland students had no contact with the inmates, but they offered no explanation as to why media access is more restricted than the college tours.
CAMPUS POLICE BEAT
CORRECTIONS
Oct. 24 to Oct. 25 Oct. 24 — An individual was arrested 1 Wednesday, for committing domestic abuse at Capital Landing
In the Oct. 8 Building Tomorrow article titled “Alumni-founded group receives $500,000,” The Flat Hat incorrectly stated that it costs $10,000 to build a school in Uganda. The correct figure is $60,000.
Dr. Oct. 24 — An individual was driving 2 Wednesday, under the influence of alcohol at Richmond Rd.
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.
Oct. 25 — An individual was arrested for 3 Thursday, assault and battery against a family member at Merrimac Trail.
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NEWS IN BRIEF Faculty showcase artistic abilities This Homecoming weekend, the Muscarelle Museum of Art is celebrating its 12th showing of faculty art. This year’s exhibit will include various paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics and other works of art. The exhibit opens this Saturday, Oct. 27 and will run through Jan. 6. For students and members interested in talking with the faculty artists, the Muscarelle will hold Faculty Fridays at Five, which are scheduled for Nov. 2, 6, and 30 at 5 p.m. The exhibit is free for all College students, faculty and staff. Admission for the general public is $10.
Alumnus debuts French piece William and Mary alumnus Henrik Borgstrom ’92 performed his 15th century French medieval piece “The Farce of Mr. Pathelin” at the Kimball Theatre Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. He wrote the piece for a French-language company. Although the production is in French, Borgstrom believes the piece will be appreciated by those who cannot speak the language. It took him nearly 16 months to complete his research and write the piece, and he chose the College as his first stop on his tour. The event was free of charge and hosted by the Wendy and Emery Reves Center for International Studies.
USC Professor to give sociology lecture Professor Sherry Velasco, chair of the Spanish and Portugeuse Departments at the University of Southern California, is scheduled to give the 2012 John Boswell Memorial Lecture Oct. 26. The series is named for John Boswell ’69, who held a Ph.D. from Harvard and taught medieval history at Yale. Velasco’s lecture, titled “How to Spot a Lesbian in Early Modern Spain,” will be held in Room 201 in Washington Hall and will investigate same-sex attraction in the popular literature in the 16th and 17th centuries. She hopes to draw attention to the development of society’s views on lesbianism.
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Friday, October 26, 2012
The Flat Hat
Administration
Power line faces College opposition
College teams up with Preservation Virginia and CW to write opposition letter by william plews-ogan the flat hat
The College of William and Mary, along with Preservation Virginia and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, co-authored a letter of protest to the Virginia State Corporation Commission Oct. 10. The letter expresses disapproval of a proposed Dominion Power transmission line that would run across the James River from Surrey to Skiffes Creek. Bearing the signature of College President W. Taylor Reveley III, the letter cited concerns that the proposed 500kV transmission line installation would compromise the purity of the Historic Triangle and threaten the touristic well-being of the Jamestown-Yorktown-Williamsburg region. As the Director of Preservation Services at Preservation Virginia — a Richmond-based organization that carries out preservation initiatives on Virginia’s cultural and historic sites — Louis Malon says, the organization is thoroughly invested in this effort. “Our concern is modern intrusions such as the power line,” Malon said. “Its scale and obvious incongruity in an historical view shed would … compromise an essential component of why people come to visit the Williamsburg area.” Malon noted that the visibility of the transmission line within the historic region would seriously undermine the tourist’s aesthetic experience. “What must also be preserved is the integrity
of the area and its ability to transport visitors’ minds back in time to the historical events that happened in this place,” Malon said. Preservation Virginia, along with the College and Colonial Williamsburg, are in the process of applying to designate the Historic Triangle as an UNESCO World Heritage site. The letter expresses serious concern that the installation of this transmission line could jeopardize accreditation. The Historic Triangle attracts six million visitors annually, accounting for nearly a billion dollars of economic revenue, bringing in 80 million dollars in annual state tax revenue alone, according to the SCC letter. All three parties involved in the letter are invested in this economic system, and the letter expresses that the installation of the power line could have serious ramifications on the economy. Brian Whitson, Associate Vice President of Communication and University Relations at the College, noted that the College has a very important stake in the issue. “As an important cultural and educational partner, [the College] fully agrees that the beauty and historical significance of this stretch of the James River should be protected,” Whitson said. “Ensuring that the greater Williamsburg area remains a vibrant tourism destination is to the benefit of all of us in the Historic Triangle, including William and Mary.” The issue also presents an environmental concern for the College Student Environmental
courtesy photo / DOM.COM
Dominion Power’s proposed 500kV transmission line would cross the James River from Surrey to Skiffes Creek.
Action Coalition, or SEAC. “It just sets a bad precedent for altering a landscape from its original condition,” Rosemary McDermott ’15 said. “If anything, it could lead to a domino effect.”
A public hearing concerning the installation of the power line was held by the State Corporation Commission on Oct. 24 in Williamsburg and will continue in Richmond on Jan. 10. If approved, construction would begin in late 2013.
Student assembly
Student Assembly funds I AM W&M concert Increases maximum spending amount for Special Event Funding and Concert Funding by meredith ramey flat hat news editor
The Student Assembly senate unanimously voted to allocate $40,000 to the I AM W&M week concert. The funds will partially cover the artist’s fee and will continue working toward the SA’s goal of bringing more big name performers to the College of William and Mary. The senate entered a closed debate to discuss the name of the artist. This allocation marks a significant increase in funds in comparison to last year’s concert initiatives. Approximately $7,000 was allocated to bring TED speaker Sarah Kay to the I AM W&M week festivities last year, $1,500 of which was allocated from the senate. Also, $30,000 was allocated for last year’s WCWM Fest Concert through
senate initiatives. Following this act, the Senate unanimously approved The Housekeeping Act. The Executive Spending Limitation section of the Code of the SA expires yearly and requires the re-approval of the SA senate. This year, changes were made to the Executive Spending Limitation. The Housekeeping Act eliminated the Account Transparency and Reporting section of the code. This required the account to have online banking with the ability to view the copy of each scanned check. “It’s actually a mandate that could not be fulfilled with our current provider,” SA President Curt Mills ’13 said. “The student assembly president can’t have a card, and because the student assembly president can’t have
a card, we don’t have access to online banking … that’s one of the reasons that was eliminated.” The Special Event Funding and Conference Funding section was amended to increase the maximum amount that can be spent from the off-campus account without pre-approval by the SA president and the senate Finance Committee from $200 to $250. These funds would be used for expenses such as printing costs, office supplies, T shirts, get out the vote efforts and website costs. “This just allows us a little more flexibility,” Mills said. The act details two additional changes including the elimination of the section about the use of online account tracking with the off-campus account. In an email Wednesday sent through the senate listserv, Kendall Lorenzen ’15
announced that SA senate committee assignments would be changing due to personal issues. “I feel making these changes to the composition of committees will resolve these [personal] issues,” Lorenzen said in the email. “I firmly believe this is what is best for [the] Senate at the time.” Senator A.J. Sapon ’13 moved from the Policy Committee, which he formerly chaired, to the Student Life Committee and Senator Colin Danly ’15 moved from the Outreach Committee to the Policy Committee. The Policy Committee will select a new chair at Sunday’s meeting. At Tuesday’s meeting, Senator Steven Lovern ’13 introduced the Swem Snacks Bill, which would provide healthy snacks to students on Sunday evenings beginning at 9:00 p.m.
According to the bill’s language, this initiative would promote multiple Tribe Choices including healthy snacking and strong study habits. “On Sunday nights starting at 9:00 until 9:30 or until the food runs out,” Lovern said. “We want to give students the option for healthy snacking.” The bill allocates $83 a week for purchasing healthy snacks, small plates and napkins. According to Lovern, all leftover funds will be returned to the SA. This healthy snack option will not continue into the exam period since snacks are already provided at this time. Lorenzen assigned the bill to the Outreach, the Finance and the Student Life committees. The senate unanimously approved Sean Youn ’15 to the Appeals Committee as well.
Dorms to receive AC systems Project scrapped from six-year plan MONTICELLO from page 1
RENOVATIONS from page 1
AC and updating things like lights and fire safety. As with any old building, Chandler needs to be updated to make it the best place it can be for residents.” Boykin also mentioned that Landrum Hall will follow Chandler Hall in renovations. Dates for the renovation of Landrum Hall have not been set. While not all buildings will be renovated, some are getting minor changes done to them, especially when it comes to green technology. The Director of Housing Operations, Chris Durden, has been focusing on how to make the College more energy efficient. “In terms of going green, we do several things during renovations as well as with smaller projects. We will install low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucets to conserve water,” Durden said. “The Chandler renovation will include new windows as well as a vapor barrier to improve the efficiency of the air-conditioning and heating systems.” Durden mentioned additional changes that include transitioning from incandescent to fluorescent light fixtures across campus and experimenting with LED fixtures to conserve energy. Instead of buying new furniture, Residence Life has been re-upholstering furniture and using fabrics with recycled content when possible. They have also been recycling old mattresses, sending them to reclamation facilities where they are shredded and the material reused instead of sending them to landfills. Furthermore, Barrett Hall is expected to get new windows over the summer to allow for the installation of an air-conditioning system. With all of these changes, the College still has to focus on keeping its “old” look intact. “We work to strike the balance between retaining the character of an older building and designing interior spaces that are modern and comfortable,” Durden said. Durden believes that all of these changes and
originally included the project, but it has since been removed due to budgetary restraints. “[The project] is going to get a lower priority for funds,” Vice President for Administration Anna Martin said. The state also chose to not take on the project. In certain situations where the road is unsafe for walking, VDOT could take the land from the College, invoking Virginia’s
right-of-way policy, and construct the path. The state did not request easement of the land for the project. The city, however, expressed concerns that the path envisioned in the Comprehensive plan might not be safe. “I see lots of people just walking along the side, plus, at night, there are no street lights,” Connolly said. The city will hold a public hearing Nov. 7 at which
students and other interested parties will be able to voice their opinions about the project and other city issues. The Comprehensive Plan will be voted on Dec. 19. “It is a complicated situation in that there are some many different actors, but it would definitely be a valuable project and something that the college or the state should follow up with. I think [not only] students would utilize it, but residents as well,” Connolly said.
Groups investigating all sides of merger EVMS from page 1
JOHN ANDERSON / THE FLAT HAT
Chandler Hall will be the first to receive renovations next year.
updates are for the best despite the temporary upheaval it may cause. “I believe renovations like this will all be positive,” Reed said. “[The College] is updating their buildings to better suit the student’s needs. Campus will be torn up, but it will all be worth it. These renovations are part of keeping the [College] a top tier college in every way possible. The College’s goal is to take care of its students by giving them the best experience possible.”
I don’t know if you’ve driven to Norfolk recently, but the traffic is horrendous, so commuting down there for research during the school year probably would be pretty hard to do.” Political support and input from key groups will also need to be considered, according to Vice President for Strategic Initiatives James Golden, who chairs the political matters and communication subcommittee. “It’s quite clear that if we were to move forward with some closer relationship with EVMS that we would need support from a wide variety of people in that effort,” Golden said. “Certainly, the state has a great interest in this whole issue of public health. … There are lots of interested parties throughout Hampton Roads who’d have a great interest in this, and we want to be sensitive to their views.” Chancellor professor of economics Robert Archibald, who chairs the academic culture subcommittee, explained that the merger with EVMS ultimately must make sense from a cost-
benefit perspective. “In economics, when mergers occur, it’s because somehow you think that the joint entity is going to be more successful than the two parts. If not, why merge?” Archibald said. “I think any discussion of any merger has to look for ways that the joint entity can be more successful than the two separate ones are, and that, I think, is what the people at EVMS are trying to figure out, and that’s what we’re trying to figure out.” In response to concerns that a medical school might alter the College’s academic priorities, Golden pointed to the success of the College’s current graduate programs in business, law, education and marine science. “I don’t think that there’s any question that we want to maintain our unique strength in our undergraduate liberal arts program,” Golden said. “That’s really the heart of the College, and I think it always will be. … We are very sensitive to maintaining the core emphasis on the undergraduate liberal program while we explore some things that we can do at the graduate level to complement that.”
The Flat Hat
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Friday, October 26, 2012
The Flat Hat
Friday, October 26, 2012
Page 5
FILE PHOTO / THE FLAT HAT
Students come and go between classes outside of Tucker Hall in Jan. 1997. The building used to house the English department, but has been under construction for the last several years.
A snapshot of 1975
BY EMILY STONE / THE FLAT HAT This is not Deborah Hewitt’s ’75 first appearance in The Flat Hat. Hewitt, the Assistant Dean of MBA Programs at the Mason School of Business, has been featured previously in the campus police beat. “One of my fondest memories at [the College of ] William and Mary is when a sorority sister and I dressed up as Miller cans. At that time, recycling was really taking off, and Miller was having a big recycling drive, and you were supposed to bring your cans. It was a competition between the each of the sororities and the fraternities. You would put all the cans you brought on a scale, and they would be weighed.” Hewitt and her sorority sister showed up at the competition in their can costumes, in an attempt to get themselves weighed and win the contest. When the contest supervisors turned them down, they devised another plan. “We snuck over to a particular fraternity house, which I will not name,” Hewitt said. “They were having a chapter meeting, and we broke in with our Miller cans on, and I seem to recall spraying a few people with shaving cream. They started running after us, but we couldn’t run away because these costumes were holding our knees and we couldn’t move.” In an attempt to avoid getting caught by the fraternity brothers, Hewitt and her sorority sister desperately knocked on the door of the first house they came to on Dillard Street and asked for shelter. The girls’ antics were reported to Campus Police, and the story
ended up in an issue of the Flat Hat that week. Hewitt enjoyed her time at the College, and says she does not understand why people often come in with transfer credits to graduate early, something that has become more common since she was a student. “Why does everybody try to come in with a whole year’s worth of credits? Why finish faster? I didn’t want to finish faster. I COURTESY PHOTO / FACEBOOK.COM wanted to be here for four years.” Regardless, Hewitt did not imagine herself coming back to the College after graduation. “I left here and went to grad school, and from there I really wanted to see the wide world. I wound up in global consulting. So I lived in Tokyo, and Thailand, and worked around the world. That’s what I wanted to do, and I attribute a lot of that to studying at the College. I say my life would have been totally different if I hadn’t come here. But I never thought I’d come back.”
Most popular song: “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen Most popular movie: “Jaws” Commencement speaker: James Van Istendal Black Fun fact: the chemistry and philosophy building was named after William Barton Rogers 1835, who later founded MIT.
A snapshot of 2011
Most popular song: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele Most popular movie: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II” Commencement speaker: Joseph Plumeri Fun fact: the College’s undergraduate teaching ranked among the top 5 in the nation, according to U.S. News.
BY VERONIQUE BARBOUR / THE FLAT HAT You see her walking by in her purple sweater, skinny jeans and black flats. She looks like any other College of William and Mary student, except she is not — at least, not anymore. This young mystery woman is Christiana Kallon ’11, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admissions. Kallon never intended to live in Williamsburg after she graduated. “Williamsburg is an interesting town because there certainly are a lot of older people and college students,” she said. “So that in-between stage doesn’t really exist. So I was looking at going to graduate school or even moving to New York or Washington, D.C., where a lot of alumni are. This opportunity came about, and it was just worth having, so I applied for it, but I did not even think that I was going to be here more than four years.” Kallon applied for the job her senior year at the College while she was working for the admissions office. “My favorite part is, while I was involved as a student, now to be on the other side and seeing how things really work,” Kallon said. “When reading applications, if I select you it is because I really think you belong here, and having that perspective as a student, it’s easier to see who is a good match for the community.” Although Kallon graduated recently, she has noticed many changes to the campus, including construction and student interaction. “When I came in as a freshman, the Jamestown dorms were just getting built, but now there are Tribe Square and the apartments, and I am like, ‘That is so cool,’” Kallon said. “Then of course they are building the fraternity complex, so certainly the physical condition of the campus has changed. As a student body, as a community, I am just seeing a lot bigger events happening that are bringing campus together, which is really great.” Kallon is supportive of the traditions at the College and said she does not want to see them change. She added that she still “bleeds green and gold.” Additionally, Kallon is a part of the Hulon Willis Association for Alumni, which meets after Homecoming. She said that she loves the rich history associated with Charter Day and traditional activities on
COURTESY PHOTO / MULTICULTURAL.BLOGS.WM.EDU
campus like those hosted on the last day of classes. “Just those larger, bringing-everybody-together events — those are my favorite memories but I have just had good friends, and I encourage people to come for Homecoming,” Kallon said. “It is just an intimate community, because you have an opportunity to be a part of the big stuff but then you also have your friend-pockets. It is just cool; I like it.” Kallon now has the opportunity to make decisions as to who would fit in best as students at her alma mater. However, she also has words of wisdom to share with current students at the College. “William and Mary is what you make of it,” Kallon said. “I mean, it is hard work, but it is fun. It is fun to be around kids who love to learn, it is fun to be around professors and faculty who are invested in you, but it is what you make of it. Everybody has a different experience and I am very careful not to use my experiences as the blanketed experience — but I think I made the most of it, and I love this college.”
A snapshot of 1999 BY CHELSEA PITTMAN / THE FLAT HAT Lying on her couch under a blanket, with her shoes placed neatly next to her desk, Allison Larsen ’99, an assistant professor of law at the MarshallWythe School of Law, was comfortably reading a stack of papers of a height only appropriate for a law school professor. Before taking this position which she refers to as a “gift,” she attended the College of William and Mary and experienced many of the same trials and joys that current students do. From traditions like Convocation to tough classes that teach you more than your grade can show, Larsen experienced it all and is back for more. Larsen said she didn’t believe she would be back in Williamsburg after graduating, and made it clear that her current circumstances were unexpected. “I had no idea [that I would end up here],” she said. “When I graduated, I think I cried about leaving Williamsburg because I felt like this had become a home for me, but I had no idea I would literally be raising my family here. I feel very lucky.” Other than being the envy of all her still-close friends from the College, one of the things Larsen said she loves about being on campus is the nostalgia she feels while walking past the Sunken Garden where students are lying out in the sun or playing Frisbee. She also enjoys witnessing the traditions that she once took part in as a student from the viewpoint of a professor. “I remember being [at Convocation] as a 17-year-old kid and walking through the Sir Christopher Wren building and feeling like I was being embraced by this new community,” she said. Larsen’s time at the College as a student, and now as a Professor, has left her with the critical thinking skills that she attributes to an English class on
John Milton, which has given her the tools to teach her students to do the same in an environment she describes as the perfect gig. “The best part about being a professor is that you continue that learning exercise…you never leave the academic community,” Larsen said. Despite the schedule difference and the shift from student to professor, the College has kept the same charm that it had when she walked through campus as a student. “I remember the [Homecoming] parade and football game…you default back into the way you felt as an undergrad here,” she said. “Time goes by but some things never change.” Her advice to current students is to take advantage of the liberal arts education they are afforded, and not to focus too much on what career or job they may hold after graduation. “Enjoy your time here, that’s my advice,” she said. “It goes by too fast.” COURTESY PHOTO / ALLISON LARSEN
Most popular song: “Believe” by Cher Most popular movie: “Fight Club” Commencement speaker: John Warner Fun fact: Jon Stewart ‘84 began hosting the Daily Show.
A snapshot of 2002
Most popular song: “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback Most popular movie: “Spiderman” Commencement speaker: Lamar Alexander Fun fact: Current Chancellor at the College Robert Gates ‘65 became the Chancellor at Texas A&M.
BY AINE CAIN / THE FLAT HAT As a former Tribe swim captain, Director of Swimming Matt Crispino ’02 has accrued plenty of experience with Homecomings at the College of William and Mary. Still, he has yet to grow accustomed to one jarring aspect of the event. “People who used to be on the team are coming back as alumni,” Crispino said. “That never gets normal.” Crispino’s experiences as both an athlete and a varsity coach grant him a unique perspective on Homecoming. The circle of alumni in attendance, he says, is as varied as the swim team that competes in the meets. “Different faces are coming back,” Crispino said. “Usually, the younger alumni are very well represented at Homecoming. As people get a little further removed, they don’t come back every year. They come back every four years or every 10 years, so you don’t see them quite as often.” The coach lauded most of the changes that the College has undergone since his years as a student. “[The campus] has definitely changed physically,” Crispino said. “There’s more construction, newer buildings and improved living quarters. Better food.” He argued, however, that the core values of the College have remained intact. “The spirit and the culture of the campus is pretty much the same as it was when I went here,” Crispino said. “It’s a very engaged, dynamic student body. It’s an exciting place to spend four years and I don’t
think that’s changed at all.” Many of Crispino’s favorite memories from his years at the College revolve around this contagious, campus-wide enthusiasm and passion for involvement in extracurricular activities. “I have a vivid memory from freshman year of my first collegiate duel meet against Virginia Tech, which we won,” Crispino said. “I have memories of conference championships and time spent with my teammates and coaches. Those [memories] are still very special to me.” For Crispino, this draw to the College lingered following graduation. He returned in 2007 hoping to facilitate similar experiences for a younger group of swimmers. “The College has a special place for me, in my heart, because it’s my alma mater,” he said. “Remembering the experience that I had here and trying to duplicate, or even improve upon, that experience for this generation of student athletes is a neat opportunity, and one that I take seriously.” COURTESY PHOTO / COLONIALSWIMCAMP.COM
The Flat Hat
Page 6
Friday, October 26, 2012
ADMINISTRATION
Admissions refuses to investigate social media
Kaplan Test Prep study shows an increase of admission officers looking into applicants’ online presence BY KATHERINE DOWNS THE FLAT HAT
Careful, high school seniors – they’re watching you. According to a recent study put out by Kaplan Test Prep, 26 percent of admissions officers at U.S. schools use Facebook and 27 percent use Google to help them choose prospective students. The College of William and Mary is among the colleges and universities that do not partake in the use of social media to weed out students during the admissions process. Admissions officers cited a lack of time as well as ethical concerns in their decision not to use media outlets. “If they haven’t chosen to share something with us, it’s not ours to see,” Associate Dean of Admissions Wendy Livingston said. “They get to choose how they want to showcase themselves. We wouldn’t reach out to another teacher in their school who they haven’t asked to be a recommender to ask them about that student. Even if we wanted to — which I don’t honestly think we do — we don’t have time after trying to read nearly 14,000 applications twice through before making
a decision.” Assistant Dean Christiana Kallon ’11 thought that Facebook was unnecessary in light of the opportunities the College’s application offers. “I think we have cool outlets to be creative in our application process, whether it’s the optional art submission, [or the College] supplement, and those are ways people can share themselves in different, more creative outlets,” Kallon said. “I’ve never felt like I need to go on their Facebook page.” The use of Facebook and Google also raises questions about confidentiality for applicants in the admissions process. “That’s not how our process works,” Livingston said. “One of the primary reasons we have mixed feelings about submitting YouTube videos as part of the student’s application is unless you actively choose limited access, YouTube is not confidential, and we think every component of a student’s application is one hundred and twenty million percent confidential. In the same way, Facebook is not confidential to the extent that we have control of whether it’s confidential.” Kaplan also reported that of the
admissions officers who use social media, 35 percent found something that negatively impacted a student’s chances of acceptance. The report cited “plagiarism, vulgarities in blogs, alcohol consumption in photos, things that made them ‘wonder,’ and ‘illegal activities’” as factors taken into consideration. Wils Desonne ’13 advocated for student responsibility in making smart decisions online. “If you’re willing to put it out there for people to find, then that’s your responsibility,” Desonne said. As of now, the effect that the use of Facebook and Google by schools around the country will have admissions is unclear. “I think if you are using social media to check in on people in that way, it’s not going to be beneficial to your applicant pool,” current Admissions intern Rebecca Avison ’13 said. The College class of 2017, however, can rest easy. Livingston strongly affirmed that the College does not and will not in the foreseeable future use social media to learn about its applicants. “If you see a picture of a high school
ACADEMICS
Uncontested elections peak
Public policy program blames redistricting BY EMILY NYE THE FLAT HAT
Over the past ten years, the choices left to voters at the ballots have become increasingly slim as the number of uncontested elections continues to climb. The percentage of uncontested elections over the last decade has reached an all-time high, according to the Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy at the College of William and Mary The study, led by professor John McGlennon of the government department and graduate student Ian Mahoney, found that only about 60.3 percent of over 6,000 elections in 2012 will experience a major contest by fielding candidates from the two major political parties. “It can help students better understand that some of the most important offices in the country are not facing significant contests,” McGlennon said. “It’s an issue of whether or not voters really have a choice in the positions that most directly affect them. State legislators make laws regarding school funding, voting regulations and other social issues like drinking and driving, and they have a lot of impact on roads. If you’re not having real contest for these state legislative seats, it makes it harder for the public’s views to be represented in the legislature itself.” The study traced and analyzed election cycles of 43 of the 50 states from 2002 until 2012, attributing much of the change in contested elections to redistricting. “The main finding of this study is that over the course of the last ten years, we have the lowest number of contested races,” McGlennon said. “We attribute that in part to redistricting. In a number of states, legislative lines were redrawn to make a larger number of seats safe for one party or another.” Mahoney has no doubt about the effects of redistricting on elections.
“It is not at all a coincidence that the two smallest years were the two years after redistricting,” Mahoney said. According to the study, reapportionment plans could potentially discourage competition by spreading one party’s supporters over those districts with a majority opposition vote. Professor Christine Nemacheck, both a government professor and the College’s Pre-Law Advisor, agreed. “Students, and even Americans in general, are not aware of the importance of redistricting, both at the state and the federal level,” Nemacheck said. “It’s really important because it’s one of the ways that parties can exercise control and gain dominance in the legislatures. Students need to understand the implications of redistricting and how it affects their number of options.” The study also analyzed the effects of “wave” elections on contest rates. “Potential candidates didn’t see this election year as being a wave election, where one side or another had a particular advantage,” McGlennon said. Wave elections play a significant role on which candidates actually run for office. “In years where there is not the same public interest and public fervor, as a party, you aren’t as bold because you’re not sure what support you are going to get,” Mahoney said. McGlennon and Mahoney used state election officials to compile their data, suplementing some cases with newspaper reports and other public information. The overall effect offers insightful information for students here at the College and across the country. As elections continue throughout 2012, Mahoney and McGlennon urge students to pay attention. “I’ve always felt that local elections never get enough attention,” Mahoney said. “It’s important to know what affects an election to become more informed.”
Father David Stanfill will be giving witness to his own faith journey as a married man, and how God worked later in his life to lead him to the priesthood. Come out to Theology on Tap, “One Man’s Journey… Call and Response,” and join William & Mary Catholic Campus Ministry for good food, good drink, and, of course, good Theology! Where: Paul’s Deli 761 Scotland Street Williamsburg, VA 23185 When: 7:00pm October 30, 2012
Contact Us! maryranderson31@gmail.com Join our facebook group! Williamsburg Theology on Tap
Save the date! The next Theology on Tap will be November 27!!
JOHN ANDERSON / THE FLAT HAT
College Admission officials currently refuse to investigate applicants through Facebook and Google.
kid drinking, and you think it’s beer, it may not be, first of all, and if you think it is, who
decides that that’s the morally worst thing to do?” Livingston said.
Senate addresses transparency issues, reaches out to student body Students say marketing and publicity major issues SA from page 1
student body-wide emails to interact with members of campus. Tabling has brought to light some student suggestions including increased kosher and halal dining options, quarter machines, earlier airport shuttles, tablets for the Earl Gregg Swem Library and more lights lining the walking trails. Senators are using this initiative more to establish a public face on campus rather than to improve an existing one. “I don’t think the student assembly has any negative presence on campus,” SA Senator Colin Danly ’15 said. “I think what people think about it is they don’t think anything … [This initiative] is trying to make a more positive presence on campus so people understand that this is what we do.” Madame Chair of the senate Kendall Lorenzen ’15 agreed. “This gives the student assembly not just one face but multiple faces that [students] can go to,” Lorenzen said. According to students, this initiative is necessary. “I don’t hear much from [the SA] other than emails,” Jacqueline Sorg ’16 said. “I feel like [student opinion] is kind of ambivalent because people don’t really know what they’re doing.” When asked about what the student assembly could change, providing more information about the SA was the most common answer. “More information. I mean, I’m a junior, and I don’t really know much about it,” Matt Heckler ’14 said. According to students, SA advertising and marketing efforts could use the most improvement. “There needs to be, effectively, a marketing overhaul,” Adam Enoch ’15 said. “The student body needs to know what exactly it is [the SA is] doing … For example, the flu shot thing. I think that’s an awesome program. I had no idea that was going on. I totally would have done it. But there’s no way, it seems, to know what’s going on in the student assembly except for Student Happenings and just flyers you see around campus.” Enoch, a Resident Assistant, suggested increased cooperation with residence life in promoting initiatives, as well as more creative advertising campaigns such as chalk drawings, more colorful flyers and slips inside the napkin holders. “There are a million different things that they could do to get the student attention, but it seems like they’re stuck in a rut,” Enoch said. Currently, the SA primarily utilizes Facebook, email and word-of-mouth to promote events on campus including SA co-sponsored events during Homecoming weekend and the upcoming Halloween-themed Spooktacular. Similar to any administrative or governmental organization, the SA is not new to criticisms, whether they are directed toward finances, transparency, advertising or initiatives. “Every single one of us has something on this campus that we’d like to see [implemented],” Bardham said. “We can’t make food better … but if we reach out to [dining] they will respond.” While defending their roles as elected officials, senators also urge students to reach out to them with questions, concerns or suggestions through the Sadler tabling efforts. “Give the student assembly a chance. Don’t write it off as something that’s nonexistent because it isn’t,” Danly said. “People on this campus have the amazing ability to make a change. You see it in the things we do outside of [the College of William and Mary]. You see it
in our extracurricular activities. And sometimes, you forget about the things we can change here, as well, and I think that is where people can give us a chance, come to us with their ideas. When they have a problem, instead of being negative about it, come to us with positive solutions. … We’re people who want to help. And we’re people who want to make a change, and I implore people to give us that chance.” Senator Yohance Whitaker ’16 elaborated on the representative role of senators. “There are people that may hold this position, either the title of senator or other positions within the student assembly, but it’s really important for [students] to remember that this is their seat and that we represent them,” Whitaker said. “So if they have an idea, we respect it. We’d love to hear that, so share that with us.” The question of whether tabling will be enough to quell ambivalent and negative feelings toward the SA among the student body remains. Some students believe more needs to be done. “[The SA] is a well-intentioned organization that lacks the student attention or the proper direction to effectively function,” Enoch said. “They have a lot of resources but don’t really seem to do too much for the general student body. The events they host rarely garner too much attention.” Senators urge students who do feel negatively about the student assembly to actively help fix the situation through interation with senators. “Don’t critique us, get involved,” Bardham said. “If you want to make a difference, if you think we’re doing this the wrong way, run for SA. … Run for a position and make that difference yourself.” Another major area of concern with the SA is transparency, which Enoch believes the SA still lacks. In the first and only SA meeting Enoch attended, the senate entered closed session to discuss the artist they were hiring for the I AM W&M Week concert. The senate voted to allocate $40,000 for the concert directly after returning to open session without public debate. “The homogenous group of students that are deciding what to spend $40,000 on could definitely use the voice of someone who wouldn’t necessarily be involved with student assembly but is one of the people that student assembly is trying to target,” Enoch said. “When you close that off so that only the people in student assembly can discuss what is going to happen to that $40,000, you need to be able to actually ensure that you’re appealing to a large cross section of the William and Mary population.” Lorenzen explained the administrative need for discussions of this nature to be handled during closed sessions until the artist can be finalized. “It’s complicated with some of the concerts because business deals need to be worked out. … if that gets out and things don’t work out, we don’t want the public to get really excited about certain artists coming and then for it to fall through. … It just would reflect really poorly, ” Lorenzen said. “We’ll have the transparency in the bills we can have, but when it deals with artists and things of that nature, we want it to be transparent, it’s just that right now, the bills that we’re dealing with have to be handled with a certain degree of [discretion].” To increase transparency and advertising possibilities, the senate is looking to improve the SA website through increased and direct communication with the webmaster, Peter Voth ’15. The senate is hoping to ensure that all legislation passed, financial records and other outreach initiatives are available on the site.
opinions
Opinions Editor Ellen Wexler fhopinions@gmail.com
The Flat Hat | Friday, October 26, 2012 | Page 7
11 Days until the election 10 Misconceptions to correct
Continuing this week, right-leaning columnist Andrea Aron-Schiavone and left-leaning columnist Alex Cooper are writing regular columns on the upcoming presidential election and the issues at stake for college students.
Alex Cooper
Andrea Aron-Schiavone
Flat Hat Staff Columnist
Flat Hat Staff Columnist
The Republican Party — both in the U.S. Congress and in the media — has consistently spread rumors about President Barack Obama and his administration. Spreading rumors harms the democratic process because the voter has the right to know the truth about all candidates. In Obama’s case, the misconceptions spread by Republican leaders and pundits seek to blemish a relatively successful presidency. As voters, we must be aware of these misconceptions and outright lies and understand what Obama has done to address the nation’s most pressing issues. 1) Higher education: Luckily, when it comes to how Obama has affected higher education, there aren’t many misconceptions. This may be due to the fact that most education policies are agreed upon to some extent — even Romney supports, at least at the moment, — expanding Pell Grants, but maybe this is due to the fact that Obama’s education policies are proving to be a success. For students who are in community college, Obama has helped expand programs to ensure that young adults have the access to the education they find suitable for themselves. As for veterans, Obama supported GI Bills to make the transition back to civilian life better for the men and women in the armed services. As Obama has said, he is not for “giving anyone a hand out,” but for bettering our country by bettering its citizens. The fact is that Obama has helped college students fight the rising costs of tuition. Pell grants have been increased to help curb the cost of an education for those from families that can’t afford high tuition. Although the long term effects are still unaccounted for, I for one am able to attend the College of William and Mary with the help of a Pell Grant, as are many other students. 2) The economy: As for the moment when students say goodbye to the Sunken Garden, the Sir Christopher Wren Building and the rest of campus, a common misconception across the board is that the economy is still struggling. Come May, I will hold my diploma in my hand facing a job market that has improved because of Obama. There have been 19 months of job creation in the U.S. under Obama, and the stimulus created over a million jobs. Many economists believe that a larger stimulus would have helped the economy even more, but due to political bargaining, the result was a stimulus package half the size of the original plan proposed by Obama. Without the stimulus, the U.S. economy would not be improving as it is. 3) Jobs: Romney has incorrectly stated that the government does not create jobs. Is it ideal for the government to create all jobs? No, but in tough times when no businesses are creating jobs and the private sector is not as healthy as it once was, the government can help. In order to better the economy, the unemployment rate must fall. This isn’t a difficult concept to grasp. 4) Healthcare: The fact is that the Affordable Healthcare Bill has helped college students by not only increasing the time that students can be on their parents’ healthcare, but also by ensuring that students are protected during the transition from a parent’s plan to their own. 5) The idea that 47% of this country wants a free ride in life: If anyone has loved ones on some type of welfare or government program, ranging from anyone in extreme poverty to military veterans who receive benefits for their service, you know that is not something they want for their entire life. As students going out into the world for the first time, some of us will struggle with poverty. Some students do now. As a nation, we need to have a net in place in order to protect our fellow citizens when they are at their lowest, so they can be brought back up to reach their highest potential. I urge you to see past the misconceptions. I also urge you to correct and inform people when you hear these misconceptions. As college students who may be voting for the first time, please be aware. Please be informed about both candidates. The danger that comes from lies being thrown about is that you — the voter — don’t have the correct information to make a decision. Spreading misconceptions isn’t a democratic ideal, and it isn’t politics. It’s corruption. Email Alex Cooper at wacooper@email.wm.edu.
The mainstream media and Team President Barack Obama have worked relentlessly to attack the Gov. Mitt Romney-Rep. Paul Ryan ticket, propagating countless misconceptions to foster fear in Americans. Yet, they have underestimated our vigilance in discerning fact from fiction. 1) “Romney is a greedy billionaire.” Romney donated all of the inheritance he received from his father to Brigham Young University, according to a Forbes article. The Wall Street Journal also confirmed (based on tax returns) that the Romney family donated four million dollars to charity in 2011. This amount comprises 29 percent of their income, compared to the Obama family’s donation of 21.8 percent of its income to charity. Additionally, Romney donates ten percent of his income annually to the Mormon Church, adding up to more than three million dollars in the past two years alone. Since 1999, the Romneys have donated over seven million dollars through their Tyler Charitable Foundation, championing causes ranging from treating Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis to promoting emotional and physical health of underprivileged children. 2) “Romney and Ryan are out of touch with the struggles average Americans face.” Romney has stated countless times that his plan will not increase taxes for the middle class, and explicitly said he would not unburden the rich, telling Obama “they will do fine whether you’re president or I am.” Additionally, Ryan’s life story epitomizes the pursuit of the American dream. After losing his father at age 16, Ryan worked to help provide for his family. After college, he was a waiter and personal trainer while interning for a senator, and worked in construction and as a salesman before being the youngest person elected to Congress in 1998. For about 10 years, Romney served without pay as a ward bishop for his congregation, providing support to people during difficult times. He essentially shut down Bain Capital’s Headquarters to search for his business partner’s missing teenage daughter. After taking CEOs with him to New York, he established a tip-line and a command center, hired a private detective, and coordinated a flyer-distributing effort, scouring the streets until the girl was found. 3) “Romney is ignorant about equality for women and women’s rights issues.” As governor of Massachusetts, Romney appointed a woman, Kerry Healey, as Lieutenant Governor. In 2002, before Romney was governor, women held only 30 percent of top government positions. In his first two and a half years as governor, 42 percent of Romney’s appointments to top positions were women — more than the govenor of any other state. Additionally, while Romney is a pro-life candidate, he stated in a CBS interview that he believes abortion should be an option in the case of rape, incest or to save the mother’s life. 4) “Romney doesn’t care about education.” While he was governor, Romney’s state earned top scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. As president, Romney wants to reduce complicated regulations in order to lower tuition costs (which have increased under Obama), promote transparency and increase educational options. Romney also advocates strengthening and simplifying the college financial aid program. 5) “Romney’s experiences as a CEO in the private sector can’t help America’s economy grow.” As CEO of Bain Capital, Romney did not accept pay, helping to revitalize companies such as Burger King, Staples and Domino’s. He was selected to turn around the 2002 Olympics, balancing the event’s budget by making pragmatic decisions that eliminated wasteful spending without compromising the event’s success. In a state with a 87 percent Democratic legislature, Romney had to consistently compromise to create effective policies, reducing a $2.1 billion deficit by closing loopholes and cutting spending. These facts all point to the tireless work ethic, empathy, pragmatism and economic know-how of the Romney-Ryan team. We need their leadership now more than ever to restore the promise of America. Email Andrea Aron-Schiavone at acaronschiavon@email.wm.edu.
By Patricia Radich, Flat Hat Graphic Designer
Staff Editorial
Lack of resources makes EVMS merger impractical for the College
W
hen the College of William and Mary and Eastern Virginia Medical School began discussing a possible merger over the summer, we were intrigued by the long-term benefits of a medical school associated with the College. The College is always looking for ways to improve its education program, and access to this medical school could help the school build a top-notch science program
Graphic by Lindsay Wade / the Flat hat
in addition to adding prestige to the College. In an ideal financial situation, we would encourage this type of merger; however, we believe the College currently does not have the money or resources to invest in such a program. At the College, we hold ourselves to a standard of academic excellence, and we expect this same standard to apply to all graduate programs associated with the College. The 2010 National Institute of Health ranked EVMS No. 124 among medical schools, and U.S. News and World Report ranked EVMS No. 63 in primary care among medical schools. These rankings show that EVMS is not meeting the College’s current standards. As such, we cannot see any immediate benefit from merging with EVMS. The College would likely benefit from the merger after some time if by partnering with EVMS we could build a more highly ranked program; however, that move would require a large investment of time and money —
resources the College does not have. Money is clearly a pressing issue for the College. As we can barely afford to retain our own faculty right now, we cannot afford to spend more money recruiting the faculty that a premier medical school requires. Without this faculty, we cannot hope to mold EVMS into a school that will really benefit us. The College is attempting to use all of its resources to find ways to become more efficient in spending money. A merger with EVMS is not a wise decision for the College at this time; it would simply drain the College of more resources and only exacerbate the problems we already have. If the state would give the College more money to build on the medical program at EVMS, we would support a decision to proceed with the merger. This kind of financial backing would make the decision seem more secure and less like a gamble with only longterm benefits to recommend it. EVMS does enroll a number of
students from the College every year, but students wishing to pursue a career in medicine go to many different schools depending on what program will best suit their interests. Our current plan with EVMS is working; we are unconvinced that we need to use our resources on what is not broken. The College is trying to provide high quality education to all its students and still stay afloat during tough financial times. Resources are in high demand. In an effort to make the school most efficient for the time being, we believe the College should pass on a merger with EVMS. 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 Katherine Chiglinsky, Elizabeth DeBusk, Katie Demeria, Jill Found and Vanessa Remmers. 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.
CROWN ’EM! TRIBE CLINCHES CAA TITLE WOMEN’S SOCCER
With a resounding 3-0 victory over visiting Old Dominion, William and Mary captured the regular season Colonial Athletic Association crown Wednesday at Martin Family Stadium. The Tribe, which will host next week’s CAA tournament, concludes regular season play with a 14-5 record overall, including a 8-2 mark in the conference. Sophomore forward Emory Camper broke the game open with a goal in the 34th minute to give the Tribe a 1-0 lead. Junior forward Dani Rutter cleaned up from there and scored a game-high two goals, one in the 63rd minute on an assist from senior forward Cortyln Bristol, and another in the 74th minute off the feed from senior midfielder Mallory Schaffer. “The first one was just me following Cortlyn’s awesome work and she
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william and mary tribe
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O LD D O MINI O N MONARCHS
shot the ball, and I was there for the follow,” Rutter said. “On the second one, we were working on breaking down their defense and Mallory played a great ball in.” With a first round bye in the CAA tournament, the College will await its opponent in the semifinals Nov. 2 in Williamsburg. The Tribe will face the winner of a quarterfinal match between Hofstra and Northeastern. Head coach John Daly and the Tribe are eagerly awaiting the chance to prove themselves in tournament play. “I think we’ve got a pretty good team,” head coach John Daly said. “We’ve got a good goalkeeper, some good defenders, a very strong midfield and two or three players who can score goals when needed, so that’s a pretty good recipie.” COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS
Sports Editor Mike Barnes Sports Editor Jared Foretek flathatsports@gmail.com
The Flat Hat | Friday, October 26, 2012 | Page 8
FIELD HOCKEY
Tribe narrowly falls to Monarchs Saunders’ two goal effort nearly leads big upset
BY MIKE BARNES FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR With its impressive season nearing a close, William and Mary head coach Peel Hawthorne viewed her squad’s game against No. 9 Old Dominion Wednesday in Norfolk as a tune-up of sorts for the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association tournament. The Tribe scheduled the Monarchs late in the season in order to better prepare itself for postseason play, and neither team disappointed. The College battled with Old Dominion for two full periods before narrowly falling in overtime, 3-2. With Old Dominion (13-4, 6-0 CAA) ineligible for CAA tournament play because of its impending move to Conference-USA, the Tribe currently sits in third place in the conference. Although the Tribe lost, Hawthorne was pleased with her team’s effort and their ability to hang with one of the best teams in the nation. “It’s a terrific confidence builder, especially because we were able to sub extremely well,” Hawthorne said. “I think we used 11 subs, and the level didn’t drop when we put these people in and we really tried to keep fresh legs on the field. It was a tremendous confidence builder, to know that we can play with anybody.” The Tribe benefitted from an exceptional performance by freshman attacker Pip Saunders, who scored both of the squad’s two goals. With 5 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the first period, Saunders weaved her way through the Monarch defense and slipped the ball past ODU goalkeeper Marla Petriello. “Pippin had a great night, she really could have had a hat trick,” Hawthorne said. “The goalie
got a piece of one of her shots which would have otherwise been another fast break situation.” Exactly 30 seconds later, the Monarchs responded. ODU’s Nicole Goff pulled the Monarchs even with a score at the 5:44 mark. Neither team managed to log another goal for the remainder of the first half, resulting in a 1-1 halftime score. After the intermission, ODU wasted no time, taking the lead with 35:35 left in the second half. ODU’s Danielle Clutter skillfully fed the ball to her teammate, Rosario Villagra, who put the ball in the back of the cage, giving ODU a 2-1 advantage. Like the previous scoring exchange, the College responded quickly. Saunders knifed through the ODU defense and scored her second goal of the day, pulling the Tribe even at 2-2 at the 37: 16 mark. After the College’s swift retaliation, neither team was able to convert again, sending the contest into overtime. The overtime period was hotly contested, with both squads having their fair share of chances to claim victory. For the majority of the extra session, senior goalkeeper Elizabeth Frey kept the College in the game with a series of impressive saves. “Elizabeth Frey in overtime was unbelievable,” Hawthorne said. “She had a lot of close action saves in succession that were outstanding.” At the 82:57 mark, however, ODU’s Emily Harting scored the decisive goal, slipping the ball past Frey and sending the College home with its third straight loss. Regardless of the final result, Hawthorne felt the Tribe played well and was intrigued by the short scoring bursts and odd game flow. “It was just odd that both goals came together in the first half and both goals came together in the second half and then that was it,” Hawthorne said. “When we got to overtime, it was kind of the same
COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS
Freshman attacker Pip Saunders spearheaded the College’s offense Wednesday with a pair of goals against Old Dominion.
thing. Both teams had a chance. They even had a yellow card in overtime, I thought for sure we were going to be able to convert, but honestly by that point, both teams were so tired.” Due to a scheduling quirk, the Tribe will play Old Dominion for a second time in a row. The two schools will clash in Williamsburg on Senior Day, and the match could carry CAA tournament seeding implications. Regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s upcoming game against ODU, Hawthorne
and her squad feel confident heading into the tournament, which begins next Thursday. “There is so much parity in the conference now, and we’ve had one goal games with everybody except JMU. … It’s going to be a battle no matter what, and I think the girls are pretty relaxed, actually … Obviously, they are motivated to win and play hard, but there’s not really any pressure on them. Going into the tournament, its not going to make a heck of a difference, which seed we will draw.”
MEN’S SOCCER
Slow start dooms College in loss to James Madison Tribe loses chance to secure second-consecutive conference victory, falls to 1-5-2 in conference play with loss
BY MICK SLOAN FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR Fresh off of a critical win at No. 8 Old Dominion, William and Mary traveled to Harrisonburg
Wednesday night for a late season test against James Madison where the Dukes handed them a shutout and a 1-0 loss. The Tribe, (3-10-3, 1-5-2 CAA) lost its chance to pick up a second consecutive win, falling 1-0 at the hands of JMU’s formidable defense.
“We got a bit of a slow start, and we were not particularly sharp early on, and that cost us a little bit … we didn’t get enough pressure early on,” head coach Chris Norris said. The Tribe created an early scoring chance when sophomore back Zachary Montebell fired a shot in the 14th minute. The strike sailed above the net, one of many missed offensive opportunities for the College. The Tribe suffered a rare defensive miscue in the 27th minute when JMU’s Karel Manrau corralled a rebound to the right of the goal and fired a shot past sophomore goalkeeper Alex Harrington to give the hosts a 1-0 lead and control of the match. The Tribe nearly tied the game minutes later when junior midfielder Chris Perez crossed the ball to Montebell, whose on-target shot attempt was saved by JMU’s Kyle Morton. The Tribe struggled offensively at times in the first 45 minutes and entered halftime trailing by a goal and in need of a momentum shift. However, the Tribe found a spark in the second half, firing nine shots in the period, with five coming in the first 10 minutes. In particular, junior defender Will Smith’s strike from six yards out nearly found the net, but Morton swooped in to log a save and preserve JMU’s lead. The Tribe had a number of chances, but each seemed to fall the wrong way. “We just couldn’t quite get the goal. There were a couple of unlucky bounces,” Norris said. Both teams played strong defense throughout the match. The Tribe’s steady back line conceded only five shots to the Dukes in the second half, and only one corner kick. Despite allowing a score, Harrington was solid in goal, logging four saves to keep the Tribe within striking distance. Nevertheless, JMU’s defense was more impressive, undoubtedly bolstered by a terrific performance from
COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS
Junior midfielder Chris Perez nearly tied the game Wednesday.
their freshman goalie, Morton, who stopped five shots on goal to shut out the College in an intense second half. Ultimately, the Tribe failed to equalize the score, sending them home from Harrisonburg with another loss. However, Norris kept the result in perspective and gave credit to JMU for playing a strong match. “It’s always disappointing to lose. Certainly we were hoping to come off the win last week and build a little momentum … but in our league there are no easy games. Madison has a good team and a good program. They have a tradition of being very tough to beat at home, so we knew it was going to be a difficult game,” Norris said.