theflathat_08-31-12

Vol. 102, Iss. 2 | Friday, August 31, 2012

The Flat Hat The Twice-Weekly Student Newspaper

of The College of William and Mary

Class of 2016

Flathatnews.com | Follow us:

curriculum

Committee suggests reform Curriculum overhaul proposed bY jill found Flat hat editor-in-chief

Matt riley / THE FLAT HAT

“walk through every open door”

Judge Smith advises freshmen to seize opportunities while at the College bY ellie kaufman Flat hat staff writer

After being postponed by hurricane Irene last year, Convocation met with nothing but sunshine in the Sir Christopher Wren Building Yard Wednesday.

“It was definitely an adrenaline high,” Lucy Gonzalez ’16 said. “It made me feel at home.

Everyone was very genuine about it, and they were so happy that we’re here and a part of the Tribe.”

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith ’71, J.D. ’79 spoke at the ceremony.

Smith, unable to attend the re-scheduled

Convocation the previous year, spoke to the freshman class of 2016. Appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1989, Smith is the first female federal judge in the state of Virginia.

“I loved seeing the eagerness, the fresh faces. It was just a sign of continuing life and progress to me,” Smith said. “It’s wonderful to stand up there and look over the crowd and see the students who will be our future leaders.”

Convocation, one of the oldest traditions at the College of William and Mary, welcomes the new class of freshmen into the College community with a ceremonial

walk through the Wren Building into a cheering crowd of upperclassmen. Dining services and AMP continued the festivities with dinner accompanied by a band on the Sunken Garden.

Many aspects of the old tradition experienced changes this year. Freshmen have traditionally walked from Old Campus See Convocation page 3

For more photos of Convocation visit

FLATHATNEWS.COM

Future students may never know the struggle of waiting until their senior year to get into a 100-level history course to fulfill a General Education Requirement for graduation.

A proposed plan by the faculty steering committee charged with creating a prospective new curriculum would overhaul the GER system, under which the College has operated since 1993.

The proposed curriculum as it stands now aims to switch the emphasis from taking classes in a great number of topics to a more holistic general education program for students.

“We don’t see general education as a series of boxes to check but a way to pull together [students’] knowledge,” mathematics professor and member of the steering committee Michael Lewis said.

Freshman would continue to take the freshman seminars, though their designations would change to COLL 150. Additionally, the plan requires freshmen to take a COLL 100 course designed to compliment the freshman seminar. “[COLL 100] is where students are introduced to the rigor and excitement of the College,” Dean for Educational Policy in Arts and Sciences and Hispanic studies professor Teresa Longo said. Longo also chairs the faculty steering committee.

Like the GER system, the proposed plan spreads out general education over all four years. But the proposal would require specific classes during certain years.

Between their freshman and junior years, students would be required to take three COLL 200 courses, one from each of newly created fields: “The Arts and Aesthetic Interpretation,” “Social and Humanistic Understanding,” and “Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning.” In an effort to highlight the similarities and differences among fields, these courses would not belong to any department.

Students would also be required to take three additional courses from the new fields that are not designated as COLL 200.

“The new curriculum ties [different disciplines] together and allows students to learn from a perspective outside of their chosen major not only in core requirements but throughout their educational experience,” Caroline Yates ’12 a student on the faculty review committee said in an email.

Third year students would enroll in COLL 300: See proposal page 4

Administration

Dalai Lama tickets announced The Dalai Lama will speak to a stadium at least half full of College of William and Mary students when he visits the College on Oct. 10. Student Assembly President Curt Mills ’13 announced today that 4,300 tickets will be reserved for students at the event and 900 for staff and faculty, free of charge. Students can register online at http://www.wm.edu/dalailamavisit Sept.

4-7 for a lottery to receive tickets. Members of the general public will be able to purchase tickets for lower level seating for $25 and upper level seating for $15 starting Sept. 17.

— Jill Found

Index

News Insight News News Opinions Variety Variety Variety Sports

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Insert

Today’s Weather

Sunny High 91, Low 75

Student Affairs undergoes reorganization Rec Sports changes its name to Department of Campus Recreation

by Sarah kleinkinecht flat hat staff writer

Many of the departments that students rely on most heavily have received a makeover after an 18-month review of the Division of Student Affairs revealed to administrators that those departments needed greater overall integration. “[The idea was] to see whether when the division was completely pulled apart and put back together, if it would be done in the same way,” Vice President of Student Affairs Ginger Ambler ’88 Ph.D. ’06 said.

The verdict: Things needed to change.

Campus living, health and wellness, engagement and leadership, student success, and

career development cover vastly different aspects of life at the College.

Those aspects, however, have merged to represent the five areas of the newly remodeled Division of Student Affairs.

“The goal in all this has been to align our staff, offices and priorities with the broad mission and vision of the College and in the best interests of the students we serve,” said Ambler.

In the past, four major areas of health and well-being were organized under multiple supervisors. After the review, health and wellness now includes the health center, the counseling center, campus recreation, and health promotion and education. These five areas will also all fall under the supervision of Ambler.

Recreational Sports received

Inside opinions

The honor code and the College

Reflections on the story of David Tanar, a former academic ghostwriter who spent over 25,000 hours writing papers for a profit. page 5

a makeover under its new title of Department of Campus Recreation.

“We are very excited about the change,” Associate Director of Campus Recreation Bob Gough said. “The term campus recreation is all-encompassing of the programs and services we offer. The changes that have been made are mostly visual; our philosophy, values, and mission statement are all the same.

If anything, this furthers our values.”

Along with the already established programs that fall under Student Affairs, a new department, Student Leadership Development, was created.

“We still have the same responsibilities, but what feels different, at least to me, is that my title reflects the new thematic area of focus, and the way we foster

opportunity is where the new vision comes in,” Associate Director of Greek Life and Leadership Anne Arseneau said. “Thematic areas make sense for how we do the work that we do.”

Greek life is one part of the new Student Leadership Development department. According to Ambler, departments have been aligned so that those that are closely related fall under the same thematic area. “[Student Affairs is now] organized in a way that we can do our best work for students,” Ambler said. “I hope that students continue to seek out the people and offices that they are used to. From the student experience viewpoint, the people are still here, but now we are organized in a way that we can be more collaborative and creative.”

Inside VARIETY

Unique summer internships

Students gain important work experience, opportunities through summer internships. page 8

newsinsight “

The Flat Hat | Friday, August 31, 2012 | Page 2

THE BUZZ

All The News that’s unfit to print

The Capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg will be closed for one week starting August 29 in order to make repairs to the cupola. The closure is part of an ongoing project to repair the cupola’s siding, railings, roof and paint. “This project is part of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s commitment to the care and preservation of historic buildings,” Jim Bradley, communications manager for Colonial Williamsburg, said to the Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily.

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THE PULSE

News Editor Katherine Chiglinsky fhnews@gmail.com

Always be open to new opportunities and to new experiences because, here at William and Mary, in these next few years you can have that.

—U.S. District Judge Rebecca Smith ’71, J.D. ’79

BEYOND THE ‘BURG

Virginia Math SOL pass rates drastically decreased statewide after the adoption of harder standards last school year, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch. The seventh grade had the lowest pass rate at 58 percent; the highest pass rate was 75 percent on Algebra I tests. The tests made use of new types of questions, namely multi-step problems that prevent successful guessing. “While we have a long climb before we reach the achievement levels we hope to see … the results released today represent a good start and provide a solid foundation for further progress in 2012-2013,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia Wright said in a press release.

A siamang baby can now be viewed at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, according to the Daily Press. Siamangs are the largest species of gibbons and are native to Thailand and Malaysia.

The siamang is classified as an endangered species, as its native forests have become increasingly smaller due to deforestation.

“We’re hopeful that this spectacular event marks the beginning of a growing siamang family at the Virginia Zoo,” Greg Bockheim, the Zoo’s executive director, said in a press release.

According to The Washington Post, an advocacy group called the Coalition of The Silence filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education over the disproportionately low number of African-American and Latino students admitted to Fairfax County’s renowned Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The two groups make up 32 percent of the county’s student population but only 4 percent at Thomas Jefferson. The complaint does not outright incriminate Thomas Jefferson High School, but rather makes the case that programs that identify students as gifted early in their schooling favor students from more affluent areas.

COURTESY PHOTO / DAILYPROGRESS.COM

President Barack Obama rallies the audience at a Charlottesville address August 29. Many of the attendees were students from the nearby University of Virginia.

A THOUSAND WORDS

Florida A&M investigations result in more arrests

Colleges continue to turn out for President’s speech According to the Boston Globe, President Barack Obama, currently vying for a second term, is still receiving enthusiastic responses at college campuses. More than 26,000 people attended Obama’s three-state college town tour this week, which concluded at the University of Virginia. The school did not permit the president to speak on campus; the rallies instead took place at a pavilion near the university. The attendance totals, however, are not reaching top predictions.

At Obama’s speech at Ohio State University in May, only 14,000 people attended, falling short of the predicted 18,000.

“Sweet Caroline” to no longer play at Penn State Penn State will no longer play the classic Neil Diamond song “Sweet Caroline” at football games. While the school claims the lyrics have nothing to do with the decision to ban the song, critics disagree. According to College News, the school banned the song due to the lyrics’ possibly risqué innuendos. The specific lyrics under question are the words in the bridge, “hands, touchin’ hands, reachin’ out, touchin’ me, touchin’ you.” Critics say the song could stir up unwanted attention following the recent sex scandal of ex-assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

A jury convicted Sandusky of 45 counts of child sexual abuse earlier this year. The school maintains that the song was removed as part of an annual process to update the playlist and keep fans entertained.

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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.

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Monday, August 6 — A firearm was stolen from the vehicle of a non-student near Dupont Hall. The firearm was valued at $560.

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Thursday, August 9 —A bicycle was reported stolen at the School of Education. The value of the bicycle was estimated to be $40.

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Thursday, August 9 — Landscaping equipment was stolen from 155 Richmond Road. The estimated value of the equipment was $400.

August 13 — A bicycle was stolen in the 4 Monday, vicinity of Jones Hall. The bicycle was valued at $500.

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

Becky Koenig Managing Editor — Jill Found Executive Editor Ellie Kaufman Chief Staff Writer Katherine Chiglinsky News Editor Stephanie Hubbard Copy Chief

Michigan State University student Zach Tennen was seriously injured last Sunday in an assault at an off-campus party. In his statement, Tennen claimed that the attack was a result of his Jewish faith, which he revealed at the party when asked by a pair of men who reportedly identified themselves as members of the Ku Klux Klan. Tennen reported he was beaten unconscious and had his mouth stapled shut while dozens of onlookers stood by and watched.

According to the Huffington Post, police stated Wednesday the 19-year-old was not targeted because of his faith. East Lansing police Capt. Jeff Murphy said that interviews with other party goers revealed no mention of religion as a reason for the assault.

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The Flat Hat Jill Found Editor-in-Chief Mike Barnes Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Remmers Managing Editor — Katie Demeria Executive Editor

Assault on student not a hate crime

August 6 to August 20

CAMPUS POLICE BEAT DANA DYTANG / the FLAT HAT

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s investigation of the Florida A&M University hazing of drum major Robert Champion last November due to hazing has led to further investigations and the arrest of Director of Special Events Tammy Hamlet. During the investigation, officials found information prompting a look into financial irregularities in the music department and other areas of the university. Hamlet is accused of submitting eight fraudulent travel vouchers totaling an excess $1,821 in the funds she received to cover her travel expenses. Hamlet turned herself in at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Monday night. Hamlet is the latest in a number of forcedout administrators and employees following Champion’s death.

Tuesday, August 14 — The Compton side of William and Mary Hall was damaged. The value of the damage was estimated to be $750.

News in brief Native American culture studied Recently, scientists conducted a hightech examination of Chickahominy artifacts extracted in 1968 and 1972 by late College of William and Mary archaeologist Norm Barka.

According to William and Mary News, the examination revealed corn as a major reason for the tribes’ autonomy in an otherwise Powhatancontrolled region. The study underscores the name of the Chickahominy tribe, which translates to “coarse-ground corn people.” The scientists made facial reconstructions of the remains to give descendants of the community an idea of what members of the Chickahominy tribe looked like.

Chinese artists perform at Kimball The University of Electronic Sciences and Technology of China Student Art Troupe will perform at the Kimball Theatre in Colonial Williamsburg Sept. 30. The 7:30 p.m. show will showcase Chinese cultural traditions and includes vocal, instrumental and dance performances from a number of different minority cultural traditions in China.

According to William and Mary News, the performance will also celebrate the first visit of UESTC President Wang Jinsong to the College. Over 260 UESTC students are involved in the troupe, which has received national and provincial awards in China.

College building gets new director According to William and Mary News, Ash Lawn-Highland, the William and Mary-owned historic home, is under new management.

The new executive director, Sara Bon-Harper, will move from her position as archaeological research manager for Monticello to Ash LawnHighland, which once belonged to President James Monroe. The position has been vacant since Carolyn Holmes retired this summer after 37 years of service. Bon-Harper has experience working at a number of other archaeological sites, including the historic city of Pompeii in Italy, as well as teaching posts at American and English universities.

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Friday, August 31, 2012

The Flat Hat

BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Swem switches out coffee vendors at Mews

Library offers revamped late-book policy, new scanner and aesthetic changes in the lobby

BY MEREDITH RAMEY FLAT HAT ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR

Students returned last weekend to find a refurbished and updated Earl Gregg Swem Library, equipped with a new scanner, new fine policy, aesthetic updates, extended hours and a Mews under construction.

This last alteration is apparent immediately upon entering the library as Greenberry Coffee Company replaces Starbucks in the library cafe.

“We knew we needed a different option there,” Assistant Director of Marketing and Communication Eden Harris said. “We wanted to bring in a more full-fledged café. So far the response has been great.”

Greenberry Coffee Co. is a cafe-style coffee shop based in Charlottesville, Va. When completed, the shop will offer artisan-roasted coffees, premium teas, smoothies, gourmet soups, salads, sandwiches, breads and pastries.

“The look will be completely new,” Aramark Marketing Manager Faren Alston said, describing the process as a

complete overhaul of the area.

Dean of University Libraries Carrie Cooper assured students that construction should not interfere with exams and other key study periods.

During construction, vending machines will be relocated to the Copy Center. The machines currently only accept cash, but Swem is working with IT to connect the machines to Express accounts.

When completed, Greenberry will accept Express, Dining Dollars, cash and major credit cards. According to Alston, Aramark has discussed including a swipe option at the cafe, but no decision has been finalized.

Swem’s changes don’t end at the entryway, however. One notable change is the extension of Swem’s weekend operational hours beginning Sept. 30. The library will remain open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and will open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

“We’ve got several more hours every week that students will be able to come into Swem,” Cooper said.

The late-book policy also saw changes, including extended borrowing days.

Undergraduate students may now borrow a book for up to 120 days before it is considered late while graduate students may borrow a book for 365 days. In addition, students can now rent DVDs for up to seven days.

When a student retains a book for more than the allotted time, he or she will receive a series of reminder emails, followed by a notification that he or she will be charged for the price of the book rather than fined for tardiness. If the student returns the book, the charge for the book’s price will be removed.

Aesthetic changes to the library include the addition of accent paint colors including Independent Green, Gingery and Soulful Blue as well as new chairs on the first floor.

“We thought maybe a pop of color in Swem might be a nice idea,” Cooper said.

“I want this to be a place for all students, a place for undergraduate students and graduate students. I want it to be comfortable. I want there to be enough variety throughout the building.”

The new walk up scanner, which includes a searchable PDF option, will

CHRISTINA GLASS / THE FLAT HAT

Greenberry’s Coffee Co. will replace the Starbucks formerly located in Mews at Swem.

allow students to scan books for free and either email the images or save them to a USB drive. The Swem Sustainability Committee (SASSY) and the Committee on Sustainability collaborated to bring the scanner to campus.

“We are really concerned with sustainable practices, and we know students pay a lot for copying,” Cooper said.

The new scanner is located on the first floor of Swem next to the copy machines.

Future changes to Swem will continue into the spring and will include the movement of the media collection to the right of the circulation desk on the first floor, as well as the addition of ottomans in key study areas.

Cooper also encourages students to use the whiteboard at the entrance of Swem for comments and suggestions.

Many of Swem’s changes were inspired by responses to surveys completed in the spring.

BOARD OF VISITORS

BOV votes to increase tuition for all undergraduates

Declining state funding and increased operating costs led to tuition hike

BY KEN LIN FLAT HAT ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR

Another year has passed, but the College of William and Mary still faces the reality of declining state funds.

Administrators are addressing this challenge both by reallocating funds and tuition hikes.

Additional mandatory College contributions toward state employee benefits drove much of the increase in costs this past year. As the state portion of the College’s expenses fell from 14.8 percent to less than 13 percent this year, tuition and fees for in-state students increased by 3.3 percent, or $438, and for out-of-state students it rose by $1,382, or 3.8 percent.

Gov. Bob McDonnell previously called for state colleges to attempt to limit annual increases to 2.7 percent to coincide with cost-of-living increases.

“It was a public statement, and there was no issue there,” Rector of the College Jeffrey Trammell ’73 said of the governor’s request. “The challenge is we’re in a recession, and part of the challenge is how you keep college affordable for the middleincome families, which is what the governor was asking for.”

According to Vice President for Finance Sam Jones ’75, M.B.A. ’80, the governor and the General Assembly greatly helped in keeping tuition hikes low.

In addition, the state contributed toward campus renovations despite the drop in its share of the College’s operating expenses.

“We did just get about approximately $1 million in additional money from the state, so that helped us with some of the expenses that we otherwise would’ve had tuition to support,” Jones said. “It was

reducing expenditures in one area while increasing those freed-up dollars to use on other things.”

The College has not discussed with the state legislature raising the cap on out-of-state students with the state legislature. Raising this cap would allow the College to raise more revenue without having to raise tuition significantly.

“There are those in the General Assembly we are trying to keep from insisting on a lower cap for outof-state students,” Trammell said. “But we continue to show them the value and benefits that out-of-state students bring to the College.”

Another option, privatization, has not been contemplated seriously.

“We are still getting $43 million in operating money from the state of Virginia,” Jones said. “Even while the percentage has declined, it is still a significant

investment by the state. We still get significant money for the renovations, and so it’s not a discussion we’re having in any type of serious way.”

The budget, adopted at a Board of Visitors meeting in late April, also contained increases in tuition and fees for the College’s graduate programs.

“Unfortunately, sometimes tuition hikes are what are necessary to help maintain what we are as an institution,” Student Assembly President Curt Mills ’13, the lone College student on the BOV, said in an email. “However, I fully plan to ensure the BOV is not reckless with hikes, help them see the student cost of hikes, and do everything I feasibly can to stave off more hikes. Combined with the reasonable cost of living of Williamsburg, W&M remains a strong, more cost-effective alternative to many of the elite private institutions.”

Convocation switches directions, freshmen enter from historic campus CONVOCATION from page 1

through the Wren Building to the Wren Yard, but the ceremony took place in reverse this year.

Starting with the class of 2016, freshmen will now walk from the Wren Yard into Old Campus during the Convocation ceremony. The classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015 will still walk the original way during Commencement, that is, opposite the direction they walked at their Convocation ceremonies. This year’s ceremony was also moved from the first Friday of

classes to Wednesday at a later time.

“We hope the new day and time will enable more new students and more members of the campus community to come,” College President Taylor Reveley said.

After Smith’s speech, freshmen proceeded through the Wren Building to shake hands with Reveley and be cheered on by their fellow students.

Smith reflected on her time at the College and remembered the importance of traditions.

“The things that remained the same were the

wonderful traditions, and the things that had changed were the College moving forward in a progressive way,” Smith said.

Smith attended the College as an undergraduate and law student. After graduating from law school, she went to work as a clerk and practice law as a judge.

After leaving Williamsburg, Smith remained involved with the College as a member of the Alumni Board for six years. In 1997, Smith received the Alumni medallion, one of the College’s most prestigious awards. The College has remained an important part of Smith’s life professionally and personally.

“When the reunions come up we all come back together. I have maintained a lot of my contacts through the law school doing moot courts,” Smith said. “I have kept in touch with two professors that were really mentors to me when I was deciding to go to graduate school and law school.”

Smith encourages new students to look for the opportunities the College has to offer over the next four years.

“Walk through every open door,” Smith said.

“Don’t close any doors behind you. Always be open to

MATT RILEY / THE FLAT HAT

Professors gather at the Wren Courtyard to watch Convocation.

new opportunities and to new experiences because, here at William and Mary, in these next few years you can have that.”

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 2012‐2013 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 organiza�on has a budget…...email ayhaml@wm.edu

Budget Distribu�on Workshops Tuesday, Sept 4 ‐ 4:00 pm Tuesday, Sept 11 ‐ 4:00 pm Wednesday, Sept 12 – 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.

Page 4

The Flat Hat

Friday, August 31,2012

FACULTY

Vice President of Development moves on

Sean Pieri leaves the College to take over as Vice President for Advancement at Colorado College

BY ELLIE KAUFMAN FLAT HAT STAFF WRITER

The College of William and Mary Vice President for University Development Sean Pieri will leave his position Oct. 8 to become the Vice President for Advancement at Colorado College.

In his six and a half years at the College, Pieri has overseen the development department reach record numbers of donations and donors. In the past fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2012, the College received more than $80 million in gifts and commitments from 30,300 donors.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about the alumni, the parents, the friends who are committed to the institution,” Pieri said. “It’s about William and Mary, what it represents, and the people who will believe in it and invest in it.”

The top three fundraising years in the College’s history occurred under Pieri’s watch. In addition, the university topped $40 billion in annual cash gifts for four consecutive years for the first time in its history.

“He has transformed our development staff for the better and overseen efforts that, despite the Great

Recession and its malignant aftermath, has raised more money from more donors than ever before in William and Mary’s long life,” College of William and Mary President Taylor Reveley said.

Pieri and the development team’s efforts are visible in the Miller building, teaching professorships and student scholarships. Observing tangible growth at the College through development work has motivated Pieri along the way.

“William and Mary is about the much longer haul, so hopefully some of the things we put in place now have a far reaching impact,” Pieri said. “If that happens, that is going to be the greatest thing I can take away from William and Mary.”

Pieri will return home to Colorado as the Vice President for Advancement to serve in a similar role to his current College one. Before coming to Williamsburg, Pieri lived in Colorado Springs working at the United States Olympic Committee and U.S. Air Force Academy.

“That’s where my heart is,” Pieri said.

“This is an opportunity for my family to go back to Colorado Springs. We are going back to live in our old neighborhood, and go to our old school.”

A nationwide search will be conducted to find a replacement for

Pieri’s position. In the interim, Associate Vice President of Development Earl Granger ’92, M.Ed ’98 will lead the development team.

“We will continue along the same trajectory,” Granger said. “We very much know that we are going to be successful partly because of the infrastructure that is in place. Under his leadership, the development of enterprise has grown not just in terms of dollars raised but also in the staff. We have a much more sophisticated program today as a result of Sean being Vice President.”

Pieri believes the progress made in the past six and a half years will only continue after his departure in October.

“The base of support [from donors] is growing from 24,000 four years ago to 30,300 this past year,” Pieri said. “You have some pretty good momentum going there. It’s hard to leave because this year is going to be the best year so far.”

The team in place will continue to work towards the goal of advancement.

“William and Mary is a public ivy, and ivies depend in no small measure on the generosity of the alumni and friends to sustain their excellence,” Reveley said.

“Thus, we must have a strong, effective development program, and Sean has been instrumental to that end.”

COURTESY PHOTO / WMNEWS

As Vice President of Development, Sean Pieri oversaw the largest increase in private gifts to the College.

Curriculum changes would restructure current GER system

Committee suggests adding senior portfolio and additional required freshman course to core curriculum PROPOSAL from page 1

“W&M in the World,” a two-credit course focused on creating links between academic learning and the real world from a global perspective.

During their senior year, students would complete a two-credit senior portfolio through a course called COLL 400. This would serve as a “culminating moment” for students to compile their four years of work and present it in a public forum.

The proposed changes would retain the language

proficiency requirements but institute a similar requirement for mathematics.

“In order to build a strong academic community, we’ve set out to build a William and Mary program,” Longo said.

The proposed changes, including the proficiencies, would total to at least 30 credits, according to the steering committee. This would generally make up the same number of credits as the current GER system.

“I don’t think the new curriculum is any harder

or easier for students to fulfill,” Yates said. “Rather, the proposed changes offer a revitalized approach to core requirements.”

While formulating the proposed curriculum, the faculty steering committee received input from prospective student employers.

“What I heard was communication, communication, communication and collaboration and teamwork,” Lewis said. “They wanted self-awareness. Basically, they wanted interesting people.”

The committee said they developed the new program to prepare students for a changing workforce and an increasingly global market.

“By stressing an interdisciplinary and global perspective, the new curriculum prepares students for life outside of academia and exposes them to varying ways of learning as well as doing,” Yates said.

The proposed plan aims to keep students on the cutting edge of a developing market.

“The world has changed, our students have changed,” Lewis said.

opinions

Opinions Editor Ellen Wexler fhopinions@gmail.com

The Flat Hat | Friday, August 31, 2012 | Page 5

As the presidential election approaches and political tensions rise, students should make sure to pay attention.

By Patricia Radich, Flat Hat Graphic Designer

neither restraining them nor aiding them in their pursuits.”

Casting a vote this year is voicing your opinion about the principles upon which our government was founded and about modern-day pragmatism. It is about our country’s fiscal responsibility and also about our role as a promoter of freedom across the world.

For many of us, this is going to be the first presidential Flat Hat Staff Columnist election in which we are able to vote and an exciting opportunity to help determine the future of our country. In During these first few weeks of the semester, students at the the near future, we will be living and working independently College of William and Mary are busy adjusting to new living outside the security of the College’s walls. Some brave arrangements, more socially acceptable wake-up times and graduates will take the risks necessary to build their own the trek across the trip-inducing brick pathways. However, the businesses. Others will use their expertise and compassion to coming weeks are also valuable for reasons relevant to us in a work in the medical field. All of us will be looking for places to non-academic capacity.

This week, the Republican National Convention is taking place, call our new homes, paying taxes, buying goods and services, and working hard to forge our own paths. Policies related to followed by the Democratic National Convention starting next the economy, healthcare, small businesses and government Tuesday, Sept. 4. While many of us consider ourselves staunch spending are key issues in this election and will influence our supporters of one camp over another, I would highly encourage lives on a personal level. you to watch coverage of both conventions. Try to put aside any So, between your club informational meetings, Swemming preconceived notions and stereotyped views of either party’s and Pinterest breaks, I encourage you to catch the coverage platform, and tune into these events with an open mind. of both conventions, either through online streaming or on Over the summer, we were bombarded with advertisements television. Gather your friends from both from both sides vying to “sell” us a sides of the political spectrum and watch candidate. However, the conventions together. A healthy debate strengthens give us a rare opportunity to dive Consider the beliefs and your own views and opens your mind to deeper than the surface-level goals of each party straight other perspectives. information such advertisements from the sources.

Even after the conventions are over, present. Essentially, the conventions challenge yourself to become an election are huge, informational pep rallies with wonk. Look up videos and texts of leaders of both parties voicing their speeches and watch the debates. Above all, strive to consider opinions, beliefs and visions. the beliefs and goals of each party straight from the sources, The conventions remind us that this election is about more bypassing the re-packaged, skewed versions that are too than two men competing for the White House. The outcome often spoon-fed to us by various media sources. Besides, of this race is essentially a referendum about how Americans when again will procrastination have the potential to be so feel regarding the roles and responsibilities of government. This constructive and patriotic? fundamental concept is something which our own Thomas Jefferson grappled with over 200 years ago when he wrote: “The Email Andrea Aron-Schiavone at acaronschiavon@email. policy of American government is to leave their citizens free, wm.edu.

Andrea Aron-Schiavone

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The end of GERs A

fter a long and heated debate, a faculty steering committee has unveiled plans for changes to the existing curriculum at the College of William and Mary. We are excited to see the committee attempting to direct the College toward greater emphasis on the connections between theoretical learning and real-world application; however, we are a little confused as to the practicality of this plan.

The most obvious change is the elimination of General Education Requirements. As a liberal arts college, the need for students to become well versed in a diverse curriculum is imperative, but GERs have been reduced to little more than an item on a check list. Students register to take classes in which they have no interest, learn the minimum amount in order to survive the final, and then promptly forget everything they learned in class. The revised plan gives more flexibility to students to choose the classes they take and encourages students to draw correlations between the different fields they study. The plan divides the curriculum into three separate fields of knowledge: humanities and arts, social sciences, and natural sciences and math. Through this approach, students will be encouraged to take an interdisciplinary look at all of their classes and analyze how these different subject areas are related.

That said, we are not quite sure how some of the finer points of the plan will be implemented. The plan includes a course entitled “William and Mary in the World.” The class seeks to include real-world applications for learning, but what exactly do these applications include? A second part of the plan introduces the senior year portfolio, which would require students to synthesize and analyze the knowledge they have gained at the College. The portfolio would be presented publicly to emphasize the significance of developing strong oratory skills. Currently, these sections of the plan seem general and vague, and we wonder how they would work in the curriculum. We do not understand fully how the College plans to make them relevant for all students. For example, if students are studying for the MCAT or LSAT, do they need to complete a portfolio? Providing more connections between real-world applications and what we learn in class sounds positive, but how does the plan work when students all have specific and diverse real-world pursuits?

We believe the plan is a step in the right direction for the College. We cannot emphasize enough the significance of these changes to current students at the College. Even though we may have had to take countless GERs, the revisions to the curriculum affect the value of every student’s degree. We encourage students to be informed about the process and to ask questions. We also ask that the faculty steering committee take time to iron out the details of the plan and make all students aware of the changes.

Planning and implementing this change should not be rushed in any way, but rather given the amount of attention that such farreaching decisions deserve.

Editor’s Note: Jill Found recused herself from the 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 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.

Facebook Comments @theflathat

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Why the political conventions matter

Staff Editorial

I can’t wait to get my tickets! It would be an honor to be in the same room as His Holiness!

—Zachary J Bunglesworth on “Dalai Lama to speak at William and Mary”

Break up. Not that difficult a choice.

—Luke Thomas on “Behind Closed Doors: Losing the training wheels, whether to stay together or break up before college”

The Honor Code and the College: Reflections on one academic ghostwriter’s story Elizabeth DeBusk Flat Hat Editorial Writer

Every year during freshmen orientation, all students at the College of William and Mary take the same oath: the Honor Code. We pledge not to lie, cheat or steal; and we are reminded of that on every blue book exam we take. As the home of the original student honor code, cheating is taken as a serious offense. Many professors are so confident in the honor code’s ability to deter students from cheating that they will leave the room while students are taking exams.

However, the release of “The Shadow Scholar: How I Made a Living Helping College Kids Cheat” is a sad reminder that no school is immune to cheating.

The autobiography of academic ghostwriter David Tomar is meant to question what the value of a college education actually is. Tomar claims that he is like many students who feel

betrayed after going to school only to find that they are surrounded by students who only care about receiving grades for classes rather than actually learning. Tomar claims that he was driven away from education by students who do not care about learning.

This story is particularly relevant to the College, especially at the start of a new academic year. I do not believe that students at the College are unconcerned about learning; on the contrary, I believe that students at the College are driven by learning — after all, the word TWAMP was coined for a reason. My concern is the student-driven emphasis on grades at the College. Students at the College excelled in high school; it is why we were accepted into the College in the first place. As such, we expect to make certain grades, and when we fail, we become either angry or disappointed in ourselves. Students will spend long hours in Earl Gregg Swem Library to write papers and lose countless hours of sleep to maintain their grade point average; some students may even resort to cheating in order to improve their grades.

GPAs are important — I know I have spent enough time worrying over grades during my time at the College. That said, grades should not be the ultimate goal of our time at the College. Students must realize that classes at the College are hard, and if they put forth a decent effort, they will survive. I am disturbed by how much emphasis is put on grades at the College and how ingrained it is into the culture of campus. After all, we are only here for four years; what will your GPA matter 10 years after graduation?

Professors are understanding of the workloads students face, and the faculty at the College does emphasize learning first. If professors can see that students are putting effort into learning and analyzing the material, they will be understanding in granting extensions and helping students succeed.

Over the past several years, the College has been working to provide the best possible mental health care on campus; however, these implementations alone are not effective. As long as the culture at the College revolves around worrying about grades and bragging about the

number of hours spent studying for an exam, students will remain stressed.

Cheating does occur at the College: The Tomar autobiography serves as a bleak reminder of that fact. I believe that cheating at the College happens, though, because students are so focused on the grade that they forget that the whole point of College is to

learn, not to make an A. As we begin this new school year, I hope students will place less emphasis on grading and more emphasis on learning. In addition to reducing cases of cheating at the College, we can create a happier and healthier environment for learning.

Email Elizabeth DeBusk at epdebusk@email.wm.edu.

Graphic by Rachel Brooks / the Flat hat

varietyinside RANKS

BY SOPHIE MASON / FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

W

hile many college students dedicated their summer months to part-time barista stints at quirky coffee shops or lived the nine-to-five routine, surrounded by office buildings and starched button-downs, other students slept in poncho-like tents and trekked through sweltering and over terrain reminiscent of Star Wars with 50 pounds strapped to their backs and M60s gripped at their sides.

Thes e s t u d e nt s, the nine rising seniors in Reserve Officer Training Corps at the College of William and Mary, spent their summer at the 29-day-long Leadership, Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis in Washington.

“LDAC is built up a lot in ROTC because the evaluations that you get there, along with the rest of your performance in ROTC, really shape your branch choice,” Battalion Commander Aleca Blaisdell-Black ’13 said. “So, if you do really well

AT FL AT H HE /T

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at LDAC, it’ll push you over the edge over other cadets.”

Each person’s GPA, extracurricular activities and personal performance within the ROTC program combines with the LDAC score to determine one’s National Order of Merit List ranking, which ultimately deicdes each cadet’s Army branch assignment upon graduation.

The course is a reference for which branch assignment might be most fitting because it emulates authentic situations that cadets may face while employed by the Army in the future.

“There was one day where they put you in a gas chamber filled with pepper spray, and they make you take off your mask and jump up and down and say your name and what school you’re from … the whole time you’re just coughing and your eyes are like bleeding,” Command Sergeant Major PJ Judge ’13 said.

This 29-day snapshot of Army life oriented cadets to the sobering realities of their possible futures after graduation.

“You realize that in about a year, you’re going to be leading about 40 people — 40 human beings — who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, who have combat experience and you’re just some 22-23 year old kid with a college degree, so LDAC was really a gateway to realizing that you’re entering the adult world,” Judge said.

LDAC offers the opportunity to execute not only the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the ROTC program during the cadets’s first three years at the College, but also a distinctive type of leadership compared to other organizations on campus.

“There are very few programs that take that AP HI

IN THE

The Flat Hat | Friday, August 31, 2012 | Page 6

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RISING

Variety Editor Abby Boyle Variety Editor Sarah Caspari flathat.variety@gmail.com

much time to really prepare you for something like the Army ... I feel like here at school they’ll be like ‘oh, have a leadership seminar,’ but it’s more than that in the Army [because] whatever your subordinates do is a direct reflection of you,” Recruitment, Retention and Marketing Officer in Charge Thornton Ray ’13 said.

Blaisdell-Black emphasized the importance for cadets to keep their future employment in the Army in mind despite the fact that, during the first three years in ROTC, heavy emphasis is placed on preparing for the LDAC. “A lot of people are trained that the LDAC is the end-all be-all, but you’re not training to go to LDAC, you’re training to be an officer in the United States Army … I want our ms1-3s [freshmen through juniors] to understand that I really want them to be good officers and to succeed in the Army,” BlaisdellBlack said.

Even though Senior Military Instructor Master Sergeant Ernest McCalister commended the seniors’ performance at LDAC, he agreed that LDAC is not the only indication of cadets’s future success in the Army.

“Just like in combat, nothing is set in stone [at LDAC] so you can’t have any expectations … the only thing you can say is that you want them to meet your standards — just like in war you just want to bring everyone home,” McCalister said.

Cadets received overall evaluations of E (Exceeds Standard), S (Satisfies Standard), or N (Needs Improvement) based on 17 “Dimensions of Leadership.” Of the nine cadets from the College, two received overall evaluations of E, an evaluation given to the top ten percent of cadets from across the country. The remaining seven earned an S, meaning that all cadets satisfied the requirements.

“Everyone has a bit more mutual respect for everyone else because we all passed it,” Judge said.

These nine individuals will now utilize their leadership in organizing and executing the training for underclassmen in ROTC, sharing LDAC experiences and advice with the juniors preparing for LDAC. “This year, we are the example, and we are the role models, and I’m excited that my classmates and myself really get to shape the program … I just want to help build our legacy here at the school,” Blaisdell-Black said.

Page 7

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Flat Hat

College partners to build new home for low-income Williamsburg resident

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NOAH WILLARD / THE FLAT HAT

BY ABBY BOYLE FLAT HAT VARIETY EDITOR Every afternoon, not far from the College of William and Mary, while students are finishing up classes for the day and heading to The Crust to meet up with friends or to their Jamestown dorm rooms to take a break, an elderly woman approaches her Williamsburg home. She lives alone; her house is low to the ground and decaying from water and termite damage. Her low income makes improving her situation little more than a dream. However, in the spring of 2013, this dream will become a reality.

In May, this resident will move into a brand new, easily accessible 1000-squarefoot home with three bedrooms and one bathroom. The house will be constructed by students and alumni of the College along with Williamsburg community members as part of the “One Home, Many Hands” project, which is a partnership between three different groups: the College, Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg and Housing Partnerships, Inc. “This is an exciting new project between three entities,” Director of the Office of Community Engagement and Assistant Vice President for Student

Engagement and Leadership Drew Stelljes said. “All three of us have worked together in various capacities over the last 15 years, and more recently we have combined our efforts for a project. The result of that is this ‘One Home, Many Hands’ project that is going to give us the chance to build a home for an elderly woman in the city of Williamsburg.”

The management team for the project began meeting in 2011 and includes representatives of all three groups. The site’s groundbreaking will be Oct. 29.

“President Reveley will ceremoniously provide the first scoop of dirt on the worksite, along with other representatives from different agencies, such as Housing Partnerships and Habitat,” Stelljes said.

Before construction of the house actually begins, however, the groups must raise money and materials for the building itself. Anyone can purchase a “share” in the home at $62 per square foot. Donations can be made on the groups’ joint website, http:// onehomemanyhands.org Stelljes explained that this build follows a previous collaboration between the College and Housing Partnerships, a non-profit organization whose mission is to repair or replace houses

for low-income families in the Greater Williamsburg area.

“Three years ago, the Office of Community Engagement partnered with Housing Partnerships to do a housing build on campus, so we literally built a home over a few-month period, and then we moved that home to its permanent site,” he said.

This time around, the home will be built on site, which is within walking distance of the College.

“This particular location was chosen because it’s where … the current homeowner actually lives,” Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg Janet V. Green said. “She has a house that is existing on one piece of land, and this is the other piece of land next door to that.”

Executive Director of Housing Partnerships Abbitt Woodall explained that having the worksite within walking distance of the College was important to the management team.

“The College wanted a project within walking distance,” he said. “Working with this particular group and project, we had to think Williamsburg-centric, so that [limited] the neighborhoods we could look at.”

CONFUSION CORNER

Avoiding stress and school work as the new year begins

Carry an umbrella and Facebook stalk with caution

Dasha Godunova

confusion corner columnist

First of all, I am happy to report that this weekend will not be nearly as monsoon-like as last weekend. Regardless, I think our newest freshmen have learned the importance of being equipped with adequate rain gear when living in Williamsburg and have probably been scarred enough to remember that if the forecast is partly cloudy or calls for a slight chance of rain, they should expect absolutely nothing less than a torrential downpour.

To all members of the Tribe — both new and returning — welcome. With a full nine months of late nights, beach trips, concerts, dance parties, free food and colonial tourists ahead of us, I cannot imagine a place I would rather be on this very hot August afternoon. Somewhere in the midst all of that, we might also write some research papers and attend a class or two, but both of those things depend on motivation and an ability to resist the snooze button.

Now that the members of the Class of 2016 have experienced the grueling rite of passage otherwise known as Orientation while the rest of us have prepared for classes only by skimming over the syllabi and hiding our textbooks in the very darkest drawers of our desks, there are a few words of wisdom all of us stand to be reminded of as the fall semester gets underway.

First and foremost, if you are torn between going to class and spending an extra hour in the Sunken Garden, I advise you to make the Tribe choice — sunscreen and extra vitamin D, not attending the introduction of the history of something or other.

Second — and I’m looking at you, Class of 2016 — if you bring your laptop to class and spend the entire time furiously typing away, it is safe to assume either that your professor is brilliant or

that the rest of your freshman hall is also trolling Facebook chat. Just take note that the rows of classmates behind you would much rather look at the Facebook pictures from last weekend that you have been stalking than listen to the lecture on 16th-century Asian Art, so please remember to stalk carefully.

Just a friendly reminder: since campus food has certainly improved this year, feel free not to use any of your meal swipes and instead to donate all of your meals to your friends who are seniors — we’ve been paying for college for almost four years now, and we need the money more than you do. How to spot a hungry senior: we can often be found waiting outside of the Sadler Center entrance during lunch with hungry expressions on our faces.

Last, but not least, as you trickle back to campus and catch up on your summers, you may once again feel like you are surrounded by overly accomplished individuals — people who have spent their summers opening a medical clinic in South America, volunteering at an elementary school in South Africa or researching a cure for Alzheimer’s and solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental issues. However, despite the few born to save the world, the majority of us have spent our summers earning meager restaurant tips and folding clothes at the nearest retail shop, only to come home and leave no HBO or Netflix series unwatched. So have no fear — for most of us, the laziness was still there.

And so, my dearest Tribe members, go forth and spend the day at the beach, and follow it up with a fantastic nap. Now smile and relax. Take a little time to enjoy the moment. Then smile again, because there is another glorious year ahead of us and not a single minute should be wasted on stress and unhappiness. People always say that these are the best years of our lives, and as William and Mary students, I know we never want to disappoint.

Dasha Godunova is a Confusion Corner columnist and plans to spend the majority of her senior year relaxing on the Sadler Center Terrace and avoiding all thoughts of job hunting and resume workshops.

He added that the nearby location also gives the groups the perfect opportunity to work with this particular client, whose current home needs serious repairs.

“Sometimes emergency repairs are possible but not economically costefficient, and that’s what happened with this client,” Woodall explained.

“We had talked to her a while ago and considered the possibility of replacing it, and we were really just waiting for the right opportunity and volunteer group to come around.”

Woodall, Green and Stelljes all emphasized that they want students, alumni and local community members to be involved in the build.

“We’ve actually gone through the entire schedule as far as when school is in, when school is out, so we would love students to volunteer both after their classes and before their breaks,” Green said. “If they’re in town, we’d still like them to volunteer. If not, we’re hoping to get members of the community, either alumni or other people who are involved with the College of William and Mary or just the City of Williamsburg or James City County building the house.”

Stelljes added that the project’s success is contingent on student

volunteers.

“The plan is for us to have the ribboncutting ceremony before finals, so before the class of 2013 graduates; our current homeowner will be entering her home in that first or second week of May,” he said.

“In that period from late October through late April, we’re going to rely on students to volunteer on a regular basis.”

He explained that students will be able to sign up on the website for volunteer shifts throughout the school year.

Woodall hopes the project will educate students on issues that are prevalent both in Williamsburg and nationwide.

“In one way, we want them to see a little bit about affordable housing and the need for it in the community,” he explained. “I want them to be aware of the need. The lady whose home we’re going to be building needs a decent place and an affordable place to live and the market doesn’t always provide that.”

Stelljes added that he hopes the project will benefit everyone involved.

“The fact that the three entities are working together makes it all that more significant and powerful and hopefully impactful to education, and in terms of providing a warm, safe, dry home to a needy person,” he said.

variety

Variety Editor Abby Boyle Variety Editor Sarah Caspari flathat.variety@gmail.com

The Flat Hat | Friday, August 31, 2012 | Page 8

COURTESY PHOTO / ALLMEDICALTOURISM.COM

COURTESY PHOTO / READINGINFORM.COM

COURTESY PHOTO / BRODYAGA.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISHAN BARDHAN

From Williamsburg to the real world Summer internships provide experience in the workplace, allow worldwide exploration

BY ZACH HARDY FLAT HAT ONLINE EDITOR

College students dream of summers filled with lazy days on the beach, reading paperbacks and eating at Chipotle.

However, many students at the College of William and Mary forego this dream vacation in exchange for valuable work experience at summer internships.

Summer internships typically are an intense immersion into a certain field, and can last anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.

In today’s economy, college graduates require an edge when competing for jobs.

“Students should try to get several internships in their college years, whether they are local internships during the school year and/or summer internships,” Director of the College of William and Mary Sherman and Gloria H. Cohen Career Center Mary Shilling said.

The summer between junior and senior year is often considered the critical time for an internship because they may lead to a job offer.

“Junior summer internships often, not always but often, lead to a job offer

if you work hard so that when you graduate they would have you work full time,” Shilling said.

The benefits of internships are many: Students are able to gain experience for resumes, get letters of recommendations and build workplace relationships.

“Everyone’s door was always open [at The Boys and Girls Club of America]. …

I actually spent more time this summer with our organization’s president than pretty much everybody among our staff,” Ishan Bardhan ’13 said.

Interning allows students to explore real world careers related to their area of study. For instance, International Relations majors Elsa Voytas ’13 and Zann Isacson ’13 worked for the U.S. Mission to NATO and the United States Embassy in Guatemala, respectively.

“Here at William and Mary, you learn so much theory, and at US NATO I got to see some of those theories in practice,” Voytas said. “I saw how at NATO they might abide by this theory instead of that and so on.”

Interning has advantages but many are

unpaid or underpaid, and sometimes the work isn’t glamorous.

“My responsibilities … varied greatly in regards to both excitement and educational value. I’ve never spent more time licking envelopes or filling out Excel spreadsheets as I have this past summer,” Bardhan said.

Although an internship may occasionally involve errands, some can offer a real picture of a specific career.

“I was really lucky because my boss was fantastic and believed that as long as I was in Guatemala and doing this internship that I should have the responsibilities of an officer, so basically I did the work of a real worker,” Isacson said.

Government major David Alpert ’13 interned at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., and explored many different operations of the group. “[I] got to help run the Development department, which entails things like maintaining relationships with corporate sponsors, planning for our annual conference in November, and also some finance, so I did some work with

QuickBooks, and also with the finance department of the think tank,” Alpert said.

Similar to taking different introductory classes during freshman year, internships can gauge compatibility within a certain field or industry.

“Working an internship helps you answer questions like: Is this a good environment for me? Do I like the people that work in this field? Do I like the kind of skills that I use here?” Schilling said.

Isacson said working at the U.S. Embassy affirmed her desire to work in international relations.

“Working this internship definitely convinced me to join the foreign service,” Isacson said.

Voytas expressed similar sentiments.

“I don’t really think I knew where I was headed before this summer but now I think I’d really like to pursue a career with the State Department as a Foreign Service officer and work overseas,” Voytas said.

Thankfully, summer internships aren’t all work and no play.

“I did a lot of networking and outreach

with older guys in my fraternity who have since graduated and other friends. It’s great just to grab coffee or go to happy hour and catch up. I think D.C. is a really accessible place for William and Mary grads,” Alpert said.

Working in Belgium didn’t stop Voytas from meeting up with William and Mary students or from networking.

“The great thing about Brussels is that it’s really easy to travel anywhere,” Voytas said. “I was with one other William and Mary student [for] one weekend and we went to Budapest and they have a business school study abroad program there, so we saw some other William and Mary students there. Another great thing about Brussels is that it is very political, since the EU is also there. On Thursdays there would be huge happy hours after work … One friend described it as frat party in business casual.”

Isacson used her free time to enjoy Guatemala’s natural surroundings.

“I climbed a volcano,” Isacson said.

“We hiked uphill for seven hours in the pouring rain, but it was still amazing.”

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football ’12 The Flat Hat

B.W. WEBB

SENIOR CORNERBACK

BRENT CAPRIO

JUNIOR QUARTERBACK

A NEW HOPE? New faces on offense, coupled with an experienced defense could help the Tribe overcome a disappointing 2011.

KEITH McBRIDE

junior RUNNING BACK

JABREL MINES

SENIOR LINEBACKER

brian thompson

senior safety

offense

Sports Editor Mike Barnes Sports Editor Jared Foretek flathatsports@gmail.com

The Flat Hat | Friday, August 31, 2012 | Page 2

A Fresh Start

A slew of underclassmen attempt to restart the offense

BY JARED FORETEK FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR

The quarterback carousel of William and Mary’s 2011 season has finally come to an end — at least for now.

Tribe head coach Jimmye Laycock pegged junior Brent Caprio to lead the offense into College Park for its seasonopener with Maryland Monday. But as last year showed, nothing is set in stone.

“It’s like any position — we continue to evaluate it,” Laycock said. “If he goes in there, does well, he will stay at quarterback, and if he struggles and doesn’t play well and we feel like we need to do something different, we will.”

For the junior from Somers Point, N.J., it’s been a winding road back to the top spot that he held at points last season. Caprio — who entered the season as the No. 2 — had his chances to seize the starting job when Michael Paulus struggled early but proved just as ineffective in the team’s season-opening loss to Virginia.

Instead, it was junior quarterback Michael Graham, a sophomore at the time, who played comeback-leading hero when the Tribe struggled against Division II New Haven. From there, it was Graham’s job to lose and Caprio was only called upon when Graham was sidelined with illness and injury.

Caprio got his first start in week seven against New Hampshire, and the junior delivered with a win, going an efficient 7 of 11 for 167 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. But Graham would return next game before being sidelined

for the rest of the year.

With three games left in a lost season, it was Caprio’s chance to make his case for 2012, and he performed well, going a combined 51 of 76 for 534 yards, four touchdowns and four picks over the last three games of the year.

In the final game of the year at Richmond, the Jersey-native led a comeback drive and capped it with a game-winning touchdown with just seconds remaining.

But Caprio seems less interested in rehashing last season than he does looking to Maryland and beyond.

“I was very excited when I found out I’d be starting at Maryland,” he said. “I’ve worked hard all spring and summer.”

For the two quarterbacks he beat out — Graham, who was out of the running after hurting his ankle in a pre-season scrimmage, and sophomore Raphael Ortiz — they’ll have to wait to see if their numbers are eventually called. But Caprio said the competition helped everyone.

“All the quarterbacks get along very well and we never root for someone to do poorly,” Caprio said. “I try and control what I can control and worry about myself while also being supportive of my teammates. The competition … brought out the best in everyone.”

But the biggest change on offense from 2011 to 2012 will not be at quarterback, but at tailback, where the College will look to fill the void left by Jonathan Grimes, perhaps the best back in school history.

Grimes, who signed with the NFL’s Houston Texans this offseason, owns much of the school’s rushing records,

including career rushing yards and allpurpose yards. His final season was also his best, as the senior racked up 1,431 yards on the ground (averaging 5.0 yards per carry) while scoring 10 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 23 balls for 262 yards.

Replacing him will be a stable of backs, including sophomore Keith McBride — who was the change of pace back last season and notched 281 yards on 56 carries — as well as senior Meltoya Jones, who ran for just 35 yards on 14 carries in 2011. Laycock jokingly tried to downplay the challenge of replacing one of the school’s all-time greats, explaining that the task won’t fall on just one player.

“Old ‘what’s his name’ isn’t there anymore, I think he’s down there playing in Texas or something,” he said. “We aren’t going to have a back carrying the ball 30 to 35 times anymore.”

The coach also threw in the name of redshirt freshman Mikal Abdul-Saboor, a converted quarterback. That said, all indications are that McBride will play the feature role, as his speed and quickness have set himself apart in his first two years at the College since transferring from Navy.

“You really don’t replace Jonathan,” McBride told the Richmond TimesDispatch. “He was a great guy, great player, great individual. We’re just going to come out and try to set our own mark and try to help this team win.”

But if the tailback position was a spot of stability and excellence in 2011, the wide receiving corps was just the opposite. The team hopes that senior

wideout Ryan Moody, who was sidelined for most of last season following a standout 2010 campaign, will provide the downfield threat that the College sorely lacked last year.

When he played in 2011, he showed flashes of his sophomore brilliance, exhibiting his ability to go up over defensive backs to make acrobatic grabs. After him, Caprio and company will probably turn to sophomore receiver Tre McBride, who in 2011 was the first Tribe receiver to see action as a true freshman since 2005. He finished with just 14 catches for 156 yards in 11 games, but Laycock says he’s made strides in the offseason. “[He] had an excellent preseason. …

He has grown up a lot as far as knowing how to practice, knowing how to prepare and how to react when things go this way,” Laycock said.

If the offensive line holds up to Laycock’s expectation that it will “probably [be] the best conditioned offensive line we’ve seen,” the College could have the weapons needed to outperform a lackluster 2011 in which it averaged just 334.8 yards of total offense a game and just 18.4 points per game. If not, the College will once again be a team reliant on defense.

But through all the turnover and change, one aspect remains consistent — that’s Laycock himself, who is entering his 33rd season at the helm.

The rollouts, the slants and the draws often remain unchanged, but it’s the jersey numbers and level of execution that can look so different.

Position Breakdowns Wide recievers / Tight end

Quarterback

Running Backs

Offensive line

At the tight end spot, the Tribe has another big hole to fill as it looks to replace Alex Gottlieb, who signed an undrafted free agent contract with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

Senior Nolan Kearney, who caught seven passes for 77 Moody yards and two touchdowns last season, should be called upon to fill Gottlieb’s shoes.

At 6’4”, 250 lbs., Kearney’s a big target.

At receiver, senior Ryan Moody will team up with sophomore Tre McBride to open the year. Moody was McBride hurt for most of 2011, but had an excellent sophomore season, leading the team with 47 catches for 731 yards.

McBride, the first true freshman to see action at wideout since 2005, will look to improve on a lackluster 2011 in which he caught 14 balls for 146 yards. Tight ends are often a focal point of the Laycock’s passing offense, but if Moody is completely healthy and plays to plays like a bigger, more experienced version of his sophomore self, it could be the receivers that make the biggest impact.

Junior Brent Caprio enters the year as the starter, and it would be hard to believe his improvement over the last part of 2011 didn’t play a role in head coach Jimmye Laycock’s decision. Caprio played well down the stretch and threw a game winning touchdown in the season finale.

The signal-caller led a comeback drive late in the game at Richmond in the last week of the season, and generally showed himself to be a capable field general. Still, he needs to cut down on the turnovers and become more consistent.

Caprio passed for 795 yards in 2011, completing 63.6 percent of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Sophomore Keith McBride will most likely be the feature back as the College looks to replace one of the school’s best ever, Jonathan Grimes.

McBride rushed for 296 yards on 56 carries (5.0 yards per carry) and two touchdowns last season.

He also fumbed twice, once in an extremely costly moment against James Madison, so ball security is potentially something he’ll need to work on.

Still, Laycock has made it clear that the College will rely on a number of backs, not just McBride. Expect to see senior Meltoya Jones, an experienced tailback, as well as sophomore Darnell Laws taking a number of carries in the backfield this season.

Laycock believes that this season’s offensive line is one of the most solid groups in years. Featuring two seniors and three juniors, the group is undoubtedly experienced.

Senior Mike Salazar will return at left tackle, where he’s started every game for two Salazar seasons. At left guard, junior James Johnson III won the starting role this spring after 15 starts the past two seasons.

After splitting time at left guard and right tackle last season, junior Matt Crisafi will move to center. Crisafi, billed as the Tribe’s most versatile Crisafi offensive lineman, must replace All-CAA center James Pagliaro ’12 as a force along the line. Junior Trevor Springman returns at right guard and will be expected to create space for the running game.

Springman was honored as the team’s Winter Warrior for his dedication to the squad’s offseason program, and has drawn positive reviews this summer. Rounding out the offensive line is senior Robert Gumbita at right tackle. Gumbita has appeared in at least five games in each of his three years.

rb McBride

qb Caprio

wr T. McBride

OL

OL

C

OL

OL

te

Salazar Johnson Crisafi Springman Gumbita Kearney

wr Moody

defense

The Flat Hat | Friday, August 31, 2012 | Page 3

Parting Shots

SENIOR DEFENSIVE CORE SEEKS TO GO OUT ON A HIGH NOTE

BY MIKE BARNES FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR

As a football player, there are few experiences worse than watching the playoffs from your couch. After two wildly successful campaigns in 2009 and 2010, William and Mary fell on hard times last season, missing the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

Needless to say, last year’s disappointment still stings, especially among members of the Tribe defense.

But senior linebacker Jabrel Mines and cornerback Brian Thompson — the team’s two captains — are using the letdown of 2011 as motivation for this season.

“Last year we were picked to be really good and we didn’t play that well,” Thompson said. “This year, people are expecting us to do bad, and we are just using that as motivation and we want to shock a lot of people this year.”

While the squad’s overall record of 5-6 wasn’t pretty, the defense played well by all accounts and is expected to be the team’s strength this season.

Defensive coordinator Scott Boone’s unit finished third in total defense in the Colonial Athletic Association last season and returns a number of talented and experienced players this season who are seeking to improve upon last season’s performance. In particular, the squad hopes to improve its run stopping and third down defense.

“Last year, the area we did struggle a lot in was stopping the run,” Mines said.

“Every time we line up we are looking to stop the run, stop the pass. We are looking

an injury sustained in practice. Without Cook, the College will feature Mines, sophomore Ariek Green and freshman Luke Rhodes at the three linebacker posts.

Despite his fellow linebackers’ lack of experience, Mines is confident that the three will mesh together and form a formidable group.

“With Dante going out, that’s kind of a huge loss for us from the vocal leadership standpoint of being one of our most experienced players,” Mines said. “Luke Rhodes is really capable of the job, the only difference between him and Dante is experience. … Airek Green played his freshman year and we are excited to have him back. He’s a very athletic kid, and explosive. … We have some depth at linebacker, but when Dante is ready to come back, we will be ready to have him come back.”

The College enters the 2012 season with a pair of all conference performers in the defensive backfield and an abundance of up-and-comers. Thompson, a three year starter, has become one of the most accomplished members of the Tribe defense, earning second team preseason All-CAA honors this season. Last season, Thompson split time at linebacker and strong safety, recording five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception.

After assuming the starting free safety position midway through last season, junior Jerome Couplin III will continue in that role again this season. With Thomspon and Couplin manning the safety positions, the Tribe will turn to a pair of athletic defensive backs at the cornerback position.

to stop them on first and second down and get them in third and long so we can break out our different blitzes.”

In order to be a better run stopping team, the College must rely heavily on its defensive line. With two projected starters recovering from injuries, the College’s defensive line features a talented group that could have an impressive season if it can stay healthy.

Junior Bryan Stinnie will reprise his starting role at defensive end after missing the final seven games last season due to injury. Before going inactive, Stinnie played in four games at the beginning of last season and recorded eight tackles and a forced fumble. Following an impressive 2011, junior George Beerhalter returns at defensive tackle and hopes to eclipse his breakout season from a year ago.

Beerhalter notched 35 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss last season, and despite being hobbled by injury in the spring, is ready to begin another successful season.

“I think if that group is healthy, they have a chance to be really good,” Boone said. “The key to being really good upfront is to be deep. If George is healthy, if Brian Stinnie is healthy, that allows us to get that nice rotation going, and the more guys you can play upfront, the better off you are going to be in the long run.”

During preseason, the Tribe’s linebacking corps looked to be one of the strongest, most experienced defensive units in the conference. Last week, however, the College was dealt a sizeable blow when it learned that AllCAA selection senior Dante Cook would be inactive for the first few contests due to

Senior B.W. Webb, one of the most heralded players on the active roster, returns for his fourth and final season at cornerback. Webb earned first team AllCAA honors last season after notching 40 tackles and two interceptions while earning the reputation of a shutdown corner. The other starting corner gig will belong to redshirt freshman DeAndre Houston-Carson, an athletic young corner who did not log any playing time last season but has impressed coaches.

“I think the quality of our two-deep in the secondary allows us to do a lot of things,” Boone said. “Obviously, B.W. is a great player and an All-American candidate, he’s the corner everyone wants to have on their team so they can shut everyone down. Our safety position is really deep. We have four, five guys that are sharing reps, and the more you can have confidence in playing people, the better you can be in the long run.”

With a deep roster full of talent, the key for the Tribe will be how quickly its defense meshes together. As such, the Tribe hopes that its leaders can help its more inexperienced players play at a high level, which will elevate the whole defense.

“I’ve been a part of some great defenses here,” Mines said. “I’ve been able to play with some guys that have moved on to the next level. So I am excited because it is now my turn, along with Brian Thompson, to be the leadership of this defense. I’ve been under some great leadership, so its my turn and I want to follow those guys, and I want to be able to look back and I know that I gave it all and that this defense gave it all.”

Position Breakdowns Defensive Line

Sinnott

Stinnie

With two projected starters recovering from injuries, the College’s defensive line features a talented group that could have an impressive season if it can stay healthy. Junior Bryan Stinnie is fully recovered from an injury that sidelined him for the final seven games last season. Stinnie will return this season and start at defensive end.

Sophomore Stephen Sinnott played well last season as a redshirt freshman, and has earned the other defensive end job. Sinnott appeared in all of the Tribe’s games last season, notching 26 tackles and two

forced fumbles.

Junior George Beerhalter will return at defensive tackle after recovering from an injury in the spring and hopes to continue to build on his last season’s successes. After contributing on a reserve basis last season, senior Nick Zaremba will step in to the other starting defensive tackle position. Sophomore Mike Reilly saw an ample amount of action last season and will be an integral part of the rotation at defensive end.

Linebackers

Special Teams

Defensive Backs

The College suffered a major loss two weeks ago when senior linebacker Dante Cook went down with a knee injury. In his absence, redshirt freshman Luke Rhodes will step in at middle linebacker.

Rhodes, who has seen no game action, will be joined by a pair of more experienced teammates who will occupy the other linebacker positions.

Senior co-captain Jabrel Mines will anchor the group at outside linebacker. Mines will be joined by sophomore Airek Green. Although Green missed the entire 2011 season, Tribe defensive coaches have been impressed with his effort in spring and summer camps and look for him to have a big year.

Junior Drake Kuhn will pull double duty again this season, as he will handle kicking and punting responsibilities for the second straight season. Last season, Kuhn converted on 10 of his 14 field goal attempts with a long of 45 yards and his career conversion percentage sits at 71.9 percent. Additionally, Kuhn also performed well at punter, launching 43 punts for an average of 39.8 yards. Kick returning duties will be split between the College’s top two tailbacks, sophomore Keith McBride and senior Meltoya Jones will both see time at kick returner. Senior B.W. Webb, who earned All-CAA honors at punt returner in 2009 and 2010, will continue to field punts for the College again this season.

The College’s stable of defensive backs is another position group to watch this season.

The Tribe is led in the defensive backfield by senior co-captain Brian Thompson at strong safety. Thompson returns to his natural strong safety position Couplin after seeing time at linebacker last season. Thompson will be joined by junior Jerome Couplin III, who will hold the starting free safety spot.

With Thomspon and Couplin manning the safety positions, the Tribe will turn to a pair of athletic defensive backs Thompson at the cornerback position. Senior B.W. Webb, the College’s most decorated returning player, will start at cornerback. Webb, a four year starter, will be mentoring an up and coming cornerback on the other side in redshirt freshman DeAndre Houston-Carson.

Houston-Carson will see his first collegiate action Saturday at Maryland. As such, three out of the four starters in the defensive backfield come into the season with ample experience, making the defensive backs one of the College’s most dangerous groups.

s

s

Thompson

Couplin

lb

lb

lb

Green Rhodes Mines

cb Webb

de

de

de

Stinnie Beerhalter Zaremba

de Sinnot

cb Houston-Carson

The Flat Hat

Friday, August 31, 2012

A Big Test 2012 Schedule

Page 4

at Maryland Sept. 1

2011 Record: 2-10 The College will once again open its season against an ACC opponent when it visits Maryland Sept. 1. The Terrapins, who finished last season with a 2-10 ledger, open a critical season in College Park. Head Coach Randy Edsall has come under fire for his controversial coaching style, and has seen 24 players leave the program since he assumed control two years ago. After a rash of injuries, Maryland will start a true freshman at quarterback Saturday.

Lafayette

at Towson

2011 Record: 4-7

2011 Record 9-2

The Leopards struggled through 2011 but feature the top returning quarterback of the Patriot League, Andrew Shoop. Shoop is one of six returning starters on offense, while the defense will be relatively inexperienced as it returns just four starters. In 2011, Lehigh averaged just 21.7 points per game, while allowing 28.0 points per game.

Ross Schuerman, the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year, will try to lead the Leopards’ ground attack.

The Tribe will try to avenge its 38-27 Homecoming loss at the hands of the Tigers last season when it heads north to Towson.

Towson is coming off a cinderella season in which it went from the bottom of the conference to the top to claim the conference title. Running back Terrance West will return after an outstanding freshman season while quarterback Grant Enders will be back to lead the second best offense in the CAA in terms of scoring.

Delaware

Georgia State

2011 Record: 7-4

2011 Record: 3-8

Of any 2011 game the Tribe played, it’d probably like to erase its its meeting with the Blue Hens from memory the most.

When the College went to Delaware last season, it was thoroughly embarassed, losing 21-0.

A 2011 contender, the Blue Hens will return five offensive starters and nine defensive starters. But they also lost standout quarterback Pat Devlin, who graduated and went to the Miami Dolphins.

In its first and final year as a CAA football program (Georgia State will be moving to the Sun Belt next year), the Panthers are looking to rebound from a lackluster 2011 campaign.

The Panthers will return 12 starters in total, but are relying on redshirt freshman Ben McLane to command the offense. The defense was suspect last season, allowing 31.2 points per game and 403.3 yards per contest in 2011.

at Penn

at JMU

2011 Record: 5-5

2011 Record: 7-4

The University of Pennsylvania looks to contend in the Ivy League this season. The Team’s already been picked to finish second.

The Quakers racked up 353.6 yards per game in 2011, while allowing opponents to average 339.1. Returning starting quarterback Billy Ragone finished last season with an efficiency rating of 121.3 while tossing 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He passed for 1,860 yards.

The Tribe fell in a close one at home to the Dukes in 2011 thanks in large part to JMU’s two-headed option rushing attack of tailback Dae’Quan Scott and quarterback Justin Thorpe, both of whom are returning for 2012.

While the Dukes mustered just 22.2 points per game in 2011, their defense was stellar, holding opponents to just 19.6 points per game on 299.8 yards of total offense per contest.

Maine

at UNH

2011 Record: 8-3

2011 Record: 8-3

Maine, the only CAA squad to make the FCS quarterfinals last season, is expected to be a sleeper pick for the CAA crown. The Black Bears return seven starters each on offense and defense and are led by linebacker Donte Dennis. On the offensive side of the ball, All-CAA senior wideout Maurice McDonald looks to be a major threat. Junior tight end Justin Perillo will also look to improve upon his successful 2011 campaign.

The Tribe scored one of its most impressive victories of 2011 against the Wildcats, pulling out a much-needed 2410 win at home.

The Wildcats look to compete in the CAA once again, returning four starters to an offense that averaged 427.8 yards per game and a threatening 153.1 yards per game. But the UNH defense struggled to stop the run in its own right, giving up 181.6 yards per game on the ground.

Sept. 8

Sept. 22

Oct. 6

Oct. 27

at ODU Nov. 10

Sept. 15

Sept. 29

Oct. 13

Nov. 3

Richmond Nov. 17

2011 Record: 9-2

2011 Record: 3-8

Old Dominion has enjoyed a skyrocketing ing ride to prominence after reinstating its football program in 2009. Over the course of three seasons, the Monarchs have shown enough promise to prompt the school to leave the CAA and upgrade to the FBS level. Led by star quarterback Taylor Heinicke, the Monarchs are one of the early season CAA favorites and they seek to make another deep playoff run in their last season at the FCS level.

After losing its last eight games, Richmond enters the 2012 season in full rebuilding mode. Head coach Danny Rocco — the school’s fourth head coach in as many years — will seek to replace graduated quarterback Aaron Corp and receiver Tre Gray. The College, which recorded a thrilling, last second victory over the Spiders last season, is seeking its third straight Capital Cup victory in the Oldest Football Rivalry in the South.