The Flat Hat, January 24 by The Flat Hat

The Flat Hat

Vol. 103, Iss. 29 | Friday, January 24, 2014

The Twice-Weekly Student Newspaper

of The College of William and Mary

Flathatnews.com | Follow us:

Winter Wonderland

CAMPUS

ASHLEY RICHARDSON / THE FLAT HAT

KARIN KRAUSE/ THE FLAT HAT

Classes delayed, facilities management preemptively covered sidewalk with ice-melt BY ELEANOR LAMB FLAT HAT ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR

The College of William and Mary’s administrative team began working in anticipation of Tuesday’s snowfall before the snow even touched the ground. Although the snow did not begin to fall until

Tuesday evening, Vice President of Administration Anna Martin had been communicating with Provost Michael Halleran, the Emergency Management Team and the office of Residence Life to determine the best course of action for responding to the storm. With the few inches of snow in Williamsburg, this group worked together to ensure that students and staff would be as safe

WILLIAMSBURG

City considers tourism tax

To make up for the deficit in the city of Williamsburg 2015 fiscal budget, the Williamsburg City Council is considering adding a tourism tax to increase revenue. Although the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance consider the campus of the College of William and Mary a tourist destination, the College would not be subject to this possible new tax. During Saturday’s council retreat in the Municipal Building, Councilman Doug Pons revealed the possibility that the budget gap could range from $250,000 to $883,000. The size of the preliminary budget is subject to change. The budget gaps are a result of several issues within the budget. While revenue has remained constant, expenses continue to increase. The city is looking to increase funds for the Virginia Retirement system as well as Pons increase contributions to schools, the Williamsburg regional library, the jail and emergency services. The combination of all these increased expenses lead to a 0.9 percent increase in the budget. See TAX page 4

Index News Insight News News Variety Opinions Sports

Today’s Weather 2 3 4 Insert 5 6

See SNOW page 4

Students, faculty react to vandalism in Ewell Ewell Hall provides rooms by reservation only, practice rooms accessible to all students BY ABBY BOYLE FLAT HAT NEWS EDITOR

When Taylor Williams ’14 entered Ewell Hall Sunday morning to practice for a voice lesson, she was met with an unpleasant surprise. “When I walked in, I immediately smelled beer and then noticed that the piano was filled with PBR cans. … There were about seven cans and they seemed empty but the smell of beer was still very strong,” Williams said in an email. Williams later decided to post a picture of the piano to the Facebook group “Overheard at William and Mary.” The post received over 200 likes and about 30 comments as students responded to the damage evident in the picture. “Honestly, I was just so embarrassed that someone from [William and Mary] would do something like that, and I wanted people to know that it was not okay,” Williams said. “I was just so shocked to find something like that.”

COURTESY PHOTO / TAYLOR WILLIAMS

Taylor Williams ’14 went to practice in Ewell on Sunday, January 19 when she saw empty beer cans in a practice piano.

Practice room pianos are accessible to all students at the College of William and Mary.

Inside OPINIONS

While some rooms in the building, like the recital hall, are available by reservation only, other areas,

including practice rooms, do not See PIANO page 4

Inside SPORTS

A computer is no replacement for a therapist Sunny High 28, Low 12

parking lots. This week, the team preemptively lined the campus with magnesium chloride, an ice-melting substance that is better for brick, concrete, vegetation and people than regular rock salt. Their four spreaders began distributing ice-melt before the snow started to fall. Facilities

CRIME

Tax would raise revenue for 2015 BY ARIEL COHEN FLAT HAT CHIEF STAFF WRITER

as possible. “Everything we had was out there,” Director of Operations and Maintenance Bob Avalle said. The Facilities Management team has a standard procedure for storms: They begin treating the residence halls and paths to and around the dining halls first, followed by academic and administrative buildings and

Despite an online pilot program’s encouraging results, traditional therapy remains the best option for students who need treatment. page 5

Bumpy road

After a rousing win at home, the Tribe struggle on the road at Hofstra. Turnovers and missed shots lead to loss for the Tribe. page 6

newsinsight “

The Flat Hat | Friday, January 24, 2014 | Page 2

THE BUZZ

Our nation’s survival … requires that you stay awake and adjust to new ideas and remain vigilant in the face of change, in the face of conflict and in the face of transition.

—Roslyn Brock, chairman of the National Board of Directors for the NAACP on racial social inequalities

AROUND THE ‘BURG

“

THE DIGITAL DAY

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

“That guy” with austen brower ‘14 Go to Flathatnews.com to watch Flat Hat Chief Staff Writer Ariel Cohen’s “That Guy” interview with Austen Brower ’14. Brower reflects on his time at the College, his plans after graduation, the summer he spent with Seeds of Peace and about his habit of calling people “Big Dog.”

A THOUSAND WORDS

courtesy photo / latimes.com

Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, R-Va., and his wife was indicted for accepting more than $160,000 in gifts given in return for favors.

McDonnell and wife indicted on corruption charges Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, R-Va., hinted that his federal indictment for corruption was politically motivated, according to the Daily Press. McDonnell is facing decades in prison for allegedly accepting more than $160,000 in loans and gifts in return for favors from the state to Star Scientific chief executive Jonnie R. Williams, Sr. Fourteen counts long, the indictment also includes allegations of wire fraud, false statements on loan applications and obstruction of justice. His wife was also indicted. A motion filed in response to the indictment by McDonnell’s legal team argues that certain leaks of the case occurred because of the ongoing Virginia gubernatorial race. According to federal prosecutors, McDonnell and his wife sought loans and gifts from Williams after telling him that they could provide help to Star Scientific. Property values in Hampton City set to decline for sixth consecutive year Hampton City Assessor Brian Gordineer likely reported that property values in the city will likely decline for the sixth year straight in the upcoming fiscal year, according to the Daily Press. Gordineer’s report to the Hampton City Council projects that the taxable property value in the city will fall by about $100 million in 2015, and that 92 percent of all properties will see their value decrease. Either the property tax rate will have to rise, according to Gordineer, or officials will have to cut the city and school division’s budgets.

Local wood-flooring company faces class action lawsuit Lumber Liquidators, the wood-flooring company based in nearby Toano, is facing a class action lawsuit which claims that some of its products had levels of formaldehyde too high for the Lacey Act, according to the Virginia Gazette. More than $5 million is sought by the purchasers in the suit, filed Jan. 14 in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia. Three customers have been involved in this complaint. It is the third suit of its kind and it alleges that Lumber Liquidators sold flooring that originated in a restricted environment. A federal task force raided the company’s corporate offices in Toano and Richmond last September. Damages claimed by the suit include installation and removal costs, remediation costs, restocking fees, loss of use, diminished values and other losses. York County schools cancelled Wednesday, Thursday William and Mary students may have only gotten a halfday off, but schoolkids in the York County school division and Williamsburg-James City Council got two full-fledged snow days Wednesday and Thursday, according to the WilliamsburgYorktown Daily. According to the National Weather Service, wind chills have dropped to as low as -17 degrees. Both Walsingham Academy and Williamsburg Christian Academy were closed Wednesday and opened two hours late Thursday. As both Friday and the following Monday are holidays, students in York County schools will return to school on Tuesday, when they will take the exams that were scheduled for this week.

CAMPUS POLICE BEAT Audrey kriva / the FLAT HAT

Jan. 19 — Jan. 20

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

The Flat Hat

Sunday, Jan. 19 — An individual was arrested for larceny on Richmond Road.

Monday, Jan. 20 — An individual was arrested for manufacturing, possessing and selling a fictitious operator’s license on Richmond Road.

Monday, Jan. 20 — An individual was arrested for both counterfeiting and forgery on Richmond Road.

Monday, Jan. 20 — An individual was arrested for assaulting a police officer on Jamestown Road.

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

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

Katherine Chiglinsky Editor-in-Chief Ellen Wexler Executive Editor Meredith Ramey Managing Editor

Abby Boyle News Editor Annie Curran News Editor Aine Cain Variety Editor Jack Powers Sports Editor Chris Weber Sports Editor Zach Frank Opinions Editor

Ariel Cohen Chief Staff Writer Rebecca Marshall Copy Chief April Smith Copy Chief Benoit Mathieu Chief Photographer Matt Camarda Editorial Writer Jared Foretek Online Editor

Emily Stone Assoc. Variety Editor Madeline Bielski Assoc. News Editor Carol Peng Photo Editor Rohan Desai Assoc. News Editor Ashley Richardson Photo Editor Claire Gillespie Assoc. News Editor Samantha DeFlitch Copy Editor Bailey Kirkpatrick Assoc. News Editor Lauren Dybel Copy Editor Eleanor Lamb Assoc. News Editor Quint Guvernator Copy Editor Sang Hyun Park Assoc. News Editor Bobby LaRose Copy Editor Matt Camarda Assoc. Opinions Editor Emily Lowman Copy Editor Daria Grastara Assoc. Opinions Editor Rachel Neely Copy Editor Kaitlan Shaub Assoc. Opinions Editor Allison Ramage Copy Editor Karin Krause Assoc. Online Editor Richie Thaxton Copy Editor Ashley Hamilton Assoc. Online Editor Jenna Tan Copy Editor Kayla Sharp Assoc. Online Editor Dani Aron-Schiavone Cartoonist Haley Arata Assoc. Variety Editor Allison Hicks Cartoonist Jillian Bates Assoc. Variety Editor Sarah Thoresen Cartoonist Rachel Brown Assoc. Variety Editor Lindsay Wade Cartoonist Cristyn Filla Assoc. Variety Editor Patricia Radich Cartoonist Emily Nye Assoc. Variety Editor Kaitlin Kunowsky Business Manager

News in brief Heideman prompts STEM teaching

Godwin ’14 receives Monroe Prize

Jefferson Prize goes to Cameron ’14

Biology professor Paul Heideman, leader of the College of William and Mary’s Noyce Scholars Program, is spearheading a project to recruit undergraduate students who are interested in teaching in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. Heideman’s group received $800,000 worth of funding from the National Science Foundation for this initiative. Noyce Scholars pledge two years of teaching STEM subjects in high-need school systems. In return, the scholars are provided with financial support and specialized classes of their own. Heideman aims to discover and to nurture students’ passion for teaching.

Richmond native Laura Godwin ’14 will claim the 2014 James Monroe Prize for Civic Leadership at the College’s Charter Day ceremony Feb. 7. The prize is given to undergraduate students who display active leadership and character while committing to serve others. Godwin served people growing up through Girl Scouts, school and church. Since middle school, she has fed Richmond’s homeless and repaired houses for the elderly. She also participated in her church’s mission trips and helped run a camp for field hockey and lacrosse players. She has participated in programs like the Sharpe Community Scholars and the Phoenix Project.

Stephen Cameron ’14 was recently awarded the Thomas Jefferson Prize in Natural Philosophy. This award, granted by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees, is given to students who excel in mathematics and the sciences. It also commemorates the rapport between Jefferson and Professor William Small, the Founding Father’s tutor at the College. Cameron has done research in four subfields of mathematics through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and published a paper in the Journal of Applied Science and Computational Mathematics in his sophomore year.

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Flat Hat

Page 3

Student life

College commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Guest speaker from NAACP talks inequality

From the Archives: “Lincoln’s Job Half Done...” On Feb. 7, 1945, The Flat Hat Editor-in-Chief Marilyn Kaemmerle ’45 wrote an editorial in support of desegregation and an end to white supremacy. In response, the College of William and Mary administration removed Kaemmerle from her position at the paper and shut down The Flat Hat for one week. According to Time Magazine, over 1,000 College students held “a spirited mass meeting protesting infringement of the sacred principles of freedom of the press bequeathed by Alumnus Thomas Jefferson.” Desegregation began at the College about 10 years later. The Board of Visitors pardoned Kaemmerle 41 years later. She died in 2001. Below is a reprint of the original 1945 editorial by Kaemmerle. — Meredith Ramey, Flat Hat Managing Editor Lincoln’s Job Half Done… When Lincoln freed the slaves, he undoubtedly hoped the Negroes would someday be accepted as equals by the other colors of people in this country. Today we find the Negroes released from formal bondage, but not equalized. Racial Intermarriage… We believe and know that Negroes differ from other peoples only in surface characteristics; inherently all are the same. The Negroes should be recognized as equals in our minds and hearts. For us, this means that Negroes should attend William and Mary; they should go to our classes, participate in College functions, join the same clubs, be our roommates, pin the same classmates, and marry us. However, this cannot and should not be done today, or tomorrow, but perhaps the next day. Neither they nor we are read for it et. Only chaos such as the Southern sates experienced during the Reconstruction would result if such a plan were initiated before both Negroes and others were

educated for it. The One Human Family… Through education we learn of the spread of early man to all corners of the globe. Those who settled nearer the equator, whether in Europe, Asia, or in the Americas, developed a darker skin color than those who settled north of them. People’s hair often remained the same over great areas. Europeans remained quite hairy, but body hair almost disappeared in some parts of the world. Blue eye appeared in the north, and in Asia a fold of skin developed over the inner corner of the eye, forming a slant eye. Northern Negroes And Southern Whites… There is little difference in heights of head shapes; whites, Negroes, Mongols, and all races have the same four blood types. Tests show that Negroes in this country made a lower score than whites on intelligent tests; they also show that Northerners, black and white, had higher scores than Southerners, black and white, and that Northern Negroes had higher scores than Southern whites. The differences did not occur because people were from the North or the South, or because where were white or black, but because of differences in income, education, cultural advantages, and other opportunities. Equal opportunities must therefore be offered to all peoples in all sections of the country. Prejudice, A Nazi Strategy… The most important work, however, must be done in educating ourselves away from the idea of White Supremacy, for this belief is as groundless as Hitler’s Nordic Supremacy nonsense. We are injuring our personalities with arrogance; we are blocking our own emotional growth. Not until we eliminate Nazi race tactics in our own everyday life can we hope for a victory which will bring peace for the universal Human Race of the One World. Do you really want peace? Is your conscious clear?

FILE PHOTO / THE FLAT HAT

Marilyn Kaemmerle ‘45 was nearly expelled for her editorial advocating desegregation published in The Flat Hat in 1945.

OTP RESIDENTS GAIN LAUNDRY ACCESS Residence Life Area Director Rich Schofield announced to One Tribe Place Residents over email that they now have access to laundry in the building. The laundry room is located in the lower level of the building. At the beginning of academic year 2013-14,

residents were told they would have laundry by Dec. 13. They were not installed until winter break and were reviewed for code once students returned to campus.

— Annie Curran, Flat Hat News Editor

SARAH CASPARI / THE FLAT HAT

Chairman of the National Board of Directors for the NAACP Roslyn Brock spoke at the College Thursday.

By SARAH CASPARI flat hat assoc. VARIETY editor

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of just three Americans to have a national holiday named in his honor, Roslyn Brock, chairman of the National Board of Directors for the NAACP, said during her presentation commemorating King at the College of William and Mary. “It is an honor that is bestowed upon a man of African descent to have the nation pause to honor him,” Brock said. Brock’s speech was part of the Center for Student Diversity’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program Thursday, Jan. 23. A supporter of rights for the individual and for the underserved, Brock focused her presentation more on social inequalities than on racial ones. She especially emphasized the individual’s obligation to participate actively in society — specifically, to vote in every election and to respect others. Citing King, she criticized those who stay silent during times of social change. “Our nation’s survival … requires that you stay awake and adjust to new ideas and remain vigilant in the face of change, in the face of conflict and in the face of transition,” Brock said. For Felicia Bowins ’16, who attended the talk, Brock’s emphasis on the value of the individual is what stuck out the most. “I liked what she said about how we need to see everyone because everyone matters, and in our society that is often forgotten,” Bowins said. Referencing problems such as gun violence, homelessness, poverty, healthcare disparities, illiteracy, unemployment and racial profiling, Brock demonstrated to the audience that even though 50 years have passed since King made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the race-blind society he spoke of has yet to be achieved. She alluded to the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin as an example of the violence that persists today. However, she balanced her statement by reminding the audience that inequality affects

everyone, and that blacks in the United States are not the only ones who suffer. Furthermore, Brock stated that the new generation is actually less aware of race than the previous one, although this may have both positive and negative implications. “Many of the new generations — they don’t have a problem with the race issue,” Brock said. “It’s some of us older folks who are still living and fighting old wars. I say that with a slight pin I have to put in it, because they may not see race because they don’t understand the phenomenon that created it. And so there needs to be an understanding and an awareness, but not a crutch that one wears on their shoulder as a badge of honor or a sense of victimization.” Assistant Director for the Center of Student Diversity Margie Cook said she sees the role of race at the College on a regular basis. She agreed that while students may be becoming less aware of race, they are losing sight of the problems racial minorities continue to face. “That’s a thing I think not everyone on campus necessarily understands — all of the context and all of the forces that impact people based on their race,” Cook said. “Even if they themselves are completely accepting or don’t have a prejudiced attitude, they may not understand what people of a certain racial identity are facing on a daily basis.” In her answer to a question posed by an audience member about fair representation of both black and white history, Brock delivered her final message of the evening. She asserted the importance of affirming one’s personal history, regardless of the controversy that may surround it. “The history of Virginia, with its slave and slave owners, is one that I think is a paradox; one that some would want to glorify — the days of the civil war and slavery — and [for] others, it’s a very painful experience,” Brock said. “Are you right because you are the slave owner or am I right because I am the slave? No, it is our common history that has produced and brought us to this place and it is that history that we have to honor as human beings in a society.”

SA members continue work on creating updated website

Executive department had hoped to finish project last summer but it has yet to be completed By clAire gillespie flat hat assoc. news editor

Despite beginning work on the Student Assembly website last spring after the election, the SA executive department still has not launched an updated, accurate website. Vice President Mel Alim ’14 initially wanted to launch the website over the summer, before the 2013-14 school year began. However, Chief Technology Officer Matt Sniff ’15 did not work on the website over the summer. According to Alim, she and SA President Chase Koontz ’14 were worried about the project’s incomplete state and contacted a computer science graduate student to complete the website. However, Alim said that the project the student

completed had many glitches. “There were a lot of glitches. It was visually not very aesthetic or what we wanted,” Alim said. Alim and Koontz paid the graduate student an initial fee from the off-campus account available to the SA president. Now, Alim, Sniff and Secretary of Student Life Alyssa Zhu ’14 are working to update the old SA website template. “I feel really frustrated that it wasn’t what we [imagined] it to be,” Alim said. “It’s already second semester and we’re still working on it. We’re hoping that … even though this website is going to be super late, that the next president and vice-president and the next Student Assembly can use this website for the future.” McConnell said he is upset that there is

still no website. “[Senators] have a lot of initiatives that are being low found by the fact that we don’t have a website,” McConnell said. In their campaign last spring, Koontz and Alim used videos and social media to discuss their plans for improving the SA. Those plans included creating a new website. “I think both of us do feel stress on delivering on [the website] because it was definitely a big part of our platform,” Alim said. Alim said that she hopes they will launch a website before their term ends in two months. “We tried really hard to make sure that everyone gets information through social media, flyering or campus wide emails,” Alim said.

SENATE TO RECONVENE NEXT WEEK Due to the cancellation of all activities at the College of William and Mary Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Student Assembly senate did not meet this week. Senate Chairman Will McConnell ’14 moved the Spring Break Transportation Act and the Department of Transportation Act to committees for discussion this weekend. The senate will vote on a new secretary, and Chairman of the Review Board David Wasserstein ’14 will swear in Chase Jordan ’15 to the vacant Class of 2015 senate seat next Tuesday. McConnell said the code does not require the senate to meet until after the first full week of classes.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t start early … but there were circumstances beyond our control,” McConnell said. “We’re still working by the code and everything that’s been done is not a breach of the code.” Sen. Yohance Whitaker ’16 tabled the Religious Diversity Act and McConnell tabled the Media Council Contract Act. The senate will vote on both bills next week. The senate could not meet another night this week because they would not have reached quorum — or twothirds attendance.

— Claire Gillespie, Flat Hat Assoc. News Editor

Page 4

The Flat Hat

Friday, January 24, 2014

WILLIAMSBURG

Student appointed to planning commission

Shawler appointed to city board, Connolly to serve as commission’s second vice chairman College of William and Mary students have greater representation in local government with two students now serving on the city’s sevenperson planning commission. Justin Shawler ’16 was recently appointed to Williamsburg’s planning commission at the Williamsburg City Council meeting Dec. 12. His term will run through Dec. 31, 2014. Shawler currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Virginia Informer and declined to comment on his recent appointment to the board. The planning commission, appointed by the city council, is a local board that helps plan future developments for Williamsburg. Shawler joins fellow student Chris Connolly ’15 on the board.

SEN. MARK WARNER TO VISIT WILLIAMSBURG Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., will visit Williamsburg today to meet with community leaders and discuss economic initiatives around the city. Warner will join city leaders as they tour the Prince George Street renovations and speak with local business owners, including the owners of the Jewish Mother and MAD about Chocolate, about business in the area. Warner will also Warner speak at a Williamsburg Community Leaders Forum in the Great Hall of the Wren Building after the tour. Warner was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2008 after having served as Virginia’s governor. He currently serves on the senate’s Banking, Budget, Commerce and Intelligence committees. He plans to discuss legislation going through Congress during his trip to Williamsburg.

— Katherine Chiglinsky, Flat Hat Editor-in-Chief

Connolly, who joined the commission two years ago, was recently voted second vice chairman. Since he joined the commission in 2012, Connolly said he’s seen the city come a long way, especially through the raising of the housing density cap and the expansion of the city’s fourperson rule. Both policies target student-friendly housing, as raising the housing density cap allows for larger apartment-style complexes to be built near the College and expanding the four-person rule allows more students to reside in a single house. Connolly also cited the redevelopment of Prince George Street as a major accomplishment for the city. The city approved the development of Griffin Arms Apartments on Prince George Street, which runs behind Sorority Court. The apartments will be located above retail spaces, creating a mixed-use development similar to Tribe Square.

GATES TO DISCUSS NEW BOOK, “DUTY,” ON CAMPUS SATURDAY, FEB. 8 The College of William and Mary announced that the College’s Chancellor Robert Gates ’65, L.H.D. ’98 will discuss his new memoir at Earl Gregg Swem Library in tandem with the Charter Day ceremonies. The book, “Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War,” details Gates’ time as U.S. Secretary of Defense for President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama while the U.S. participated in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gates recently discussed the book on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart ‘84. William and Mary News Gates states the event is free and open to both the campus community and the general public. Attendees can register online to swemrsvp@wm.edu by Feb. 5. The discussion is at 1:30 p.m. on Charter Day, Saturday, Feb. 8. For more on Gates’ memoir and its headlinemaking comments, check out Flathatnews.com

— Meredith Ramey, Flat Hat Managing Editor

Connolly noted that work still lies ahead for the commission. He stressed that the relationship between the College and local businesses still needs to be ironed out. Restaurant owners in Tribe Square recently raised concerns that the mandatory meal plan on campus has decreased the number of diners at their establishments. “I’d like to see the Tribe Square businesses and the College reach some sort of deal that would be good for them,” Connolly said. “I think that adding the Flex plan to those businesses would be a good middle ground.” Overall, however, Connolly said he thinks town-gown relations are improving. “When there are problems, they are negotiated. I think that’s a testament to the increased communication and increased presence of students,” Connolly said.

FILE PHOTO / THE FLAT HAT

Chris Connolly ‘15 was elected second vice chairman.

Instances of vandalism in Ewell practice rooms rare PIANO from page 1

require students to swipe their ID cards or sign in. Music professors said that vandalism in Ewell practice rooms is not unheard of. “Even though doors are locked to the building and access is by swipe card, students find ways of entering,” Director of Applied Music and Piano Instructor Judy Zwelling said in an email. “The custodian has found beer cans, clothing, etc. here when he arrives in the early morning. It’s disheartening and appalling to us that any students would vandalize the instruments and property. The vast majority of students are upset about this.” Many of the comments on the Overheard post condemned the perpetrators. Music Department Chair Anne Rasmussen said incidents like this tend to occur once or twice a year. However, she said she does not think that practice rooms should necessarily be restricted to music majors. “We don’t have money, and even if we did have

money, I wouldn’t want to lock that down, because there’s probably someone who’s really creative and wonderful who would like to play the piano in the practice room,” Rasmussen said. “On the other hand, there are schools of music where only music majors can use the piano and have access to the piano with card swipes and keys, but I don’t see that happening here.” She added that, in her view, making students use their IDs to enter a practice room would not be enough to stop incidents from happening. Williams agreed that students should not have to swipe in to use the practice rooms in Ewell. “I think [William and Mary] students are responsible, intelligent and definitely old enough to be trusted with school property,” Williams said. “The honor code we have is so unique, and I really am proud of the network of trust that exists on this campus. I don’t know, obviously this person did not live up to these qualities, but I’d like to think that, as a whole, our student body is capable of respectfully using school property.”

Administrators discuss snow Precautions, preparations in place as temperature drops SNOW from page 1

Management’s 27-person crew is still at work. “We try very hard to monitor the storm so we don’t use any more chemical than necessary,” Associate Director of the Department of Facilities Management John McFarlane said. Tuesday’s snowfall prompted Halleran to cancel all academic affairs Tuesday evening until noon Wednesday. After some deliberation, the administrative team decided that Facilities Management had made the campus safe for commuting faculty members and students to get around campus. “There’s a balance — if most people can get here, [we] want to have class,” Martin said. “Not holding class is the last thing we want.” Martin said anticipating the weather is the most difficult part of preparing the College

for a storm. Although Tuesday’s snowfall was relatively minor, she said the campus has been faced with more pressing weather conditions. One salient case was Hurricane Isabel, which hit Williamsburg in 2003. During the storm, the College lost power for 10 days, and campus was evacuated. Even though Hurricane Isabel was much more harrowing than this snowfall, Martin said she believes that being well prepared for anything is crucial. “We always err on the side of caution,” Martin said. “You can’t predict the weather.” Grace Nowaldy ’17, a Williamsburg native, did not predict this kind of weather and said she was surprised with the amount of snow the area received. “Some years, we never had any snow days,” Nowaldy said. “We never have this much, and it never stays this long.”

City council mulls over tourism tax TAX from page 1

A tourism tax would charge a small tax on all admissions to Williamsburg tourist attractions. “It was a very tentative discussion,” City manager Jack Tuttle said. “Several ideas were batted around; there was no clear motion that we absolutely needed to do that.” The council also discussed that the funds raised for this hypothetical tax would go right back into tourism promotion. “The proposed tax would be on ticket sales because Tribe Athletics falls under the umbrella of the state institution, so they would not be able to be taxed,” Councilman Scott Foster ’10 J.D. ’14 said. “But if a third

“

party vender would put on an event at the College, that would be able to be taxed.” Pons suggested the idea of a tourism tax during the council retreat, but later said he would not be entirely supportive of the measure. “The notion of creating a tax to anything generally is a detriment to the business that is taxed, in that it raises the price,” Pons said. “I wouldn’t ultimately support an admissions tax, unless there was a really compelling reason to do that. I would only support an admissions tax that would help to generate more tourism and admissions.” The Hampton Roads Retail Planning group predicted that

sales in the Hampton Roads area would grow 3 percent in 2014, according to Pons. He remains optimistic for growth in retail sales in the upcoming fiscal year. He says this growth could help facilitate the 2015 budget. The city is planning to revisit the budget March 24, if not beforehand, to discuss requests from outside agencies. The current proposed 2015 budget is expected to go before the council March 28. “I think that we can sharpen our pencils and get those numbers worked out so we don’t have to have that budgeted deficit,” Pons said. The final budget will be completed by May 8, 2014.

I think that we can sharpen our pencils and get those numbers worked out so we don’t have to have that budgeted deficit.

“

BY KATHERINE CHIGLINSKY FLAT HAT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

— City Councilman Doug Pons on the city budget

{

BY SARAH CASPARI FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

{

for a nice mid-morning walk. This bookstore is not the go-to shop if you need something brand new or class required. Instead, Mermaid Books sells the best histories, biographies, stories, poems etc., in lovable old covers. The store has the largest collection of Dover Thrift books in the area and contains more than a few well-bound and slightly antiqued hardbacks that any bibliophile would die for. It has everything— from science fiction to historical fiction. True, it may not have as many volumes as the massive bookstore supermarket the next road over, but it does have more character than any corporate store could manage. You can feel good about shopping at Mermaid Books: not only are you getting a unique find, you’re also helping Williamsburg by shopping local.

SARAH CASPARI // FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

Blink and you miss it, and if you hit the Cheese Shop you’ve gone too far. With quaint gift shops, historic buildings and

The smell of aged paper and the excitement of new finds may draw students and townsfolk alike to Mermaid Books, but the customer service is what keeps shoppers coming back. The owner and his small staff never fail to show an interest in your classes and exams, and if you are looking for a gift or for a particular something special for yourself, they always know what to suggest and where to find it. The charm and character of Mermaid Books are enough to draw in students from the College, and the wide selection would

}

seemingly endless places to stop for a bite to eat, DoG Street is a tourist’s dream. For students at the College of William and Mary, however, there may be less appeal in eating out — again — or taking a tour of the Armoury. Maybe you are looking to fill a Friday evening, or just for an excuse to get out of the cold for a little while. Merchants Square’s answer for anyone looking for something to do is the Kimball Theater. Tucked neatly between Scotland House, Ltd. and Chico’s, the brick building that houses the Kimball Theater blends aptly into its

et re St r G ate Do he of T st ll

a Be b m

KRISTA BRAUN / THE FLAT HAT

options. You could stop by during the morning for an omelet and homemade ground grits, go again at lunchtime to grab a sandwich and soup of the day, and even visit a third time in the evening to check out the dinner menu, which includes Caribbean blackened salmon, white pita “pizza” and more. The bakery inside is tantalizing, and it could be a significant factor in the dreaded freshmen 15, offering both vegan and gluten-free options. Next time you desire a cup of caffeine to keep you awake for an exam, need to define the relationship, or want a warm atmosphere to write down your thoughts, visit Aromas, and you can even bring your pet along with you. Finally, make sure to grab a punch card, because if you visit once, you’ll have to go back.

Avid coffee drinkers know that the experience is not solely about the taste of the coffee —atmosphere is important too. In both of these categories, Aromas World surpasses the needs of its customers, offering delicious coffee and a cozy atmosphere to make patrons from all backgrounds feel welcome. Aromas has only been around since 2000 — a short time in comparison to the College of William and Mary — yet it has become a popular gathering for students. When students simply need to get away from campus for a couple of hours or want a place to study outside of Earl Gregg Swem Library, Aromas is the place to go. Customers can grab a cup of coffee and go, but more often you’ll see people writing in journals, typing away on their computers, listening to live bands, or conversing with their peers — discussing everything from group psychology projects to philosophy papers to relationship troubles. Aromas wins the award for the best coffee shop, and it deserves it with seven different flavors of coffee and espresso drinks, such as the s’mores latte and Tribe mocha. The coffees are always freshly brewed, so another great thing about this coffee shop is the inviting smell. Aromas offers several others kinds of hot drinks, like hot chocolate and (my favorite) the chai latte, as well as cold drinks, such as fruit smoothies, blended coffee smoothies and creamsicle delight. Besides drinks, Aromas sells a variety of food

}

The best smell at the College of William and Mary isn’t the cedar trees or the wood fires in Colonial Williamsburg, or even the heady scent of The Grind’s coffee. No, the most wonderful and intoxicating smell is the books: books in the Earl Gregg Swem Library, books in dorms, books in professors’ offices and books in the local bookstores. Parallel to the well-traversed path to the Barnes and Nobles student bookstore lies the slightly less traveled, though no less loved, path to Mermaid Books. Finding this hidden treasure may require a bit of a search for new students and residents. The reward, however, is well worth it. Located next to this year’s Best of the ’Burg’s best coffee shop, Aromas, in a basement on Prince George Street, Mermaid Books is not too far from campus

}

KRISTA BRAUN / THE FLAT HAT

s okoks boBo

{

RACHEL BROWN // FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

CRISTYN FILLA // FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

st id a Be m er M

e e f s f a o c m t o s r e B A

KRISTA BRAUN / THE FLAT HAT

make any TWAMP become attached. This shop comes with a warning: Beware those who enter, you may not ever want to leave.

surroundings, but provides a significantly more diverse and less touristy experience. For prices significantly lower than those of most local movie theaters, student theater-goers can enjoy a variety of films and live performances. Do not go to the Kimball expecting to see the new “Hunger Games,” however: the films shown are usually quirkier, lesser-known selections. Currently, the Kimball is screening “Great Expectations,” the 2012 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel, and the 2013 Sundance Film Festival hit “Kill Your Darlings,” a biographical beat-generation murder story. The theater will also play host to the annual William and Mary Global Film Festival beginning Thursday, Feb. 13, the Virginia Peninsula Jewish Film Festival beginning this weekend, and the William and Mary French and Francophone Film Festival beginning Friday, Jan. 31. For those who are worldly, highlights of the Global Film Festival will be screenings of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Cafe de Flore” and “Blue is the Warmest Color.”

Those who crave the adrenaline and honesty of live performance will not be disappointed by the Kimball. The Williamsburg Symphonia will be performing Monday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, Jan. 29. The Botetourt Chamber Singers will be giving a benefit concert Saturday, Feb. 8. For the history buff who is more interested in Thomas Jefferson than in Tchaikovsky, the Kimball will be hosting “An Evening with the Presidents: The Roles and Relationship of the Executive to the Legislative Branch,” a mock discussion between George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison about their interactions with Congress during their time. Students with a Collegiate Pass from Colonial Williamsburg are entitled to certain discounts on Kimball Theater tickets, and James Monroe Scholars may purchase discounted tickets in the Roy R. Charles Center. Take it easy on the Cheese Shop and make sure to check out Kimball Theater on your next stroll down DoG Street.

{ Paul’s Deli is what every college bar in a movie or television show aspires to be. Not because of the walls full of Tribe sports-themed pictures and paraphernalia — although those are a great touch — and not just because it’s just steps away from Zable Stadium. Less dark and depressing than the Green Leafe, more lived-in and intimate than the Crust and less packed sardine-style with social climbers than the College Delly, Paul’s is comfortable, cozy and consistent. It’s a home away from home. The food is good enough to spend three hours pecking away at while watching the Jets lose, and it becomes absolutely phenomenal after sharing a few $6 pitchers of watery, somewhat tasteless Bud Light. The service ranges from warm and friendly to cold and short, but that couldn’t matter less, because at Paul’s, time stands still while your buzz grows into a stupor. Those cheese fries that you just drunkenly downed at 1 a.m.? Those are the same cheese fries you soberly felt guilty about eating at 3 p.m. on a Sunday freshman year — back when you would look on enviously as the older guys bought round after round, unaffected by the stigma attached to drinking mid-day. Which brings me to my next point: Paul’s is a bar completely lacking in judgment and pretense. Want to argue a bit too loudly over Roger Clemens’ Hall of Fame credentials? Have at it. Want to sit silently with an Italian sub and a domestic beer while flipping through your study guide? Totally fine. Just don’t get caught standing in front of the TV

JARED FORETEK // FLAT HAT ONLINE EDITOR

}

during the fourth quarter of game six of the NBA finals. That’s not cool. So drop in with some good friends. Push away the empty pint glass from your table’s last occupants, get a pitcher and the chicken souvlaki platter, and feel the tension built up from a week of tests, papers and your roommate’s lack of interest in cleaning release. Crack a stupid joke about Tim Tebow’s picture or about Jimmye Laycock’s age. And when you’re finished, leave the bartender a decent tip. Most of all, take comfort in the knowledge that years after you graduate, when you come back for homecoming or to tie the knot, Paul’s will still be serving up the cheese fries — hopefully with a smile, but maybe not. It’ll be just as you left it.

r a b s t ’ l s s ’ u l e BauPa P

CAROL PENG / THE FLAT HAT

Be Sept. 19 finds me in the Blue Talon every year for a free entree, but the mousse is what really keeps me coming back. Chocolate-egg white-cream velvet served out of a massive tub makes you feel like the Wolf of Dog Street. Look to the Talon’s website for the recipe. I tested it for New Year’s 2012, and people said it tasted “like coffee,” so I probably used too much coffee. The addition of chocolate syrup and fresh strawberries completes a dessert that even the most disciplined

}

{

BY PETER COLWELL // THE FLAT HAT

diner couldn’t deny. True Blue Talon lovers know that Wikipedia says that David Everett, who bought the Trellis from MAD about Chocolate Founder Marcel Desaulniers, owns the Blue Talon. If you plot each restaurant on a map, and connect the dots, you’ll be surprised to find a scalene triangle — from the Greek “skalenos,” meaning uneven. The only thing uneven about these restaurants and their owners, however, is the amount of attention they receive in the Earl Gregg

{

Swem Library catalogue, which boasts eight Desaulniers titles and zero Everett. While the chocolate mousse remains a perennial favorite, the Blue Talon Bistro offers a range of desserts. From burnt sugar ice cream to gateau breton, the specialty dessert menu promises to please every palate. For those who prefer savory to sweet, the cheese plate is a tasty option to round out a meal. Regardless of taste preference, the Blue Talon Bistro is sure to satisfy that dessert craving.

}

BY KATHERINE CHIGLINSKY // FLAT HAT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Quotes from George Bernard Shaw and Eric Hoffer decorate the wall as diners pass into the main room of Food for Thought. Food for Thought, a restaurant tucked in between the pancake houses and Ripley’s Believe it or Not on Richmond Road, offers a rare blend of delicious but unique foods and deep intellectual thought by decorating the place with quotes and discussion cards on tables. The restaurant serves a range of food, varied enough to satisfy your mom’s new gluten-free diet,

Bes t pl

your dad’s love of meat and potatoes and your younger brother’s general lack of refined taste. The menu, organized like a book, leads you from the prologue through the first chapter all the way to a happy ending and some endnotes. Choosing the main entree becomes an adventure; should you stop with grandma’s meatloaf in chapter one or hold off for a Shrimp Po’Boy in chapter five? A twist on the traditional model of a restaurant, Food for Thought mixes a delicious and wide range of food options with a thought-provoking experience, eliminating awkward silences during meals. The diverse menu, combined with reasonable prices makes Food for Thought a great place to take the family.

Foo ace to tak df ey or Tho our pa ugh rents t

CAROL PENG / THE FLAT HAT

{

Be B esst BY JARED FORETEK // FLAT HAT ONLINE tp pa EDITOR Fiv anc e ak Fo e s r

}

Take a drive down Richmond Road on a lazy Sunday morning and you’ll find no shortage of eateries calling themselves diners or pancake houses. They’re all serving up eggs, sausage, hash browns and pancakes in portion sizes that are the only justification for the pricing. They all cater to the confused tourist who doesn’t know any better. Tragically, they’re all doing their part to further cheapen the brand of American diner cuisine. But there’s a place in Williamsburg that doesn’t settle for just filling you up. A Greek joint at heart, it turns out the best diner food around — it’s the legendary Five Forks Cafe. While the exterior is

{

unspectacular, the inside is a time-warp , transporting you to an age of BLTs, omelets, club sandwiches and early-bird specials done right. There are certain menu items that put a slight twist on the classics, like the Greek breakfast sandwich and the Big Chilli omelet (both amazing), but for the most part, Five Forks is committed to making standard diner fare with care, quality ingredients and a lot of flavor. It’s more than just authentic American diner cuisine; it’s really great food.

BY EMILY STONE // FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

DoG Street Pub is a relatively new establishment, but it fits right in on the historic Duke of Gloucester Street. The gastropub opened its doors in June 2012, bringing a new flavor to an area that previously lacked variety. The setting is casual, but the 80-yearold converted bank that houses the restaurant adds a lot of charm. The gastropub concept originated in England, combining high-end beer and quality food. The DoG Street Pub menu is an American take on traditional English cuisine, with choices like bangers and mash and shepherd’s pie. I advise less adventurous diners to go for the DoG Street burger or the trecce pasta. “Small plates” are a nice menu feature for those who want a less expensive and low-calorie option, since the entrees can be huge. If you save room, the desserts should not be overlooked. Kentucky tiramisu and sticky toffee pudding are standouts on the menu, along with more traditional items like

KATHERINE CHIGLINSKY / THE FLAT HAT

t lon r e Ta s s ue e l d B st

CAROL PENG / THE FLAT HAT

}

classic cheesecake. Those preferring to cozy up to the bar can still experience the great cuisine because the DoG Street Pub has a more “snacky” late night menu. The extensive drink menu could get overwhelming if it weren’t for the entertaining blurbs that accompany each listing. Even Sprite gets its own description: “clear body; fresh, tart on the nose with a sweet, dry mouth feel.” Overall, DoG Street Pub’s warm atmosphere and quirky menu make it a clear winner for Best New Place.

b u

e P c a

pl et

e w r e

t n S t s e G

B o

KRISTA BRAUN / THE FLAT HAT

opinions

Opinions Editor Zachary Frank fhopinions@gmail.com // @theflathat

The Flat Hat | Friday, January 24, 2014 | Page 5

STAFF EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Extra security

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Myths about COLL requirements

ordinarily take this course in the third year. But the timing of COLL 300 is not mandated. Finally, COLL 400 asks students to have a capstone experience in their major during their senior year. We expect that senior capstone courses now required in most majors, along with departmental Honors, will fulfill the criteria for COLL GUEST CONTRIBUTORS 400. As a state institution, the College adheres to statewide agreements regarding transfer students and co-enrollment We write in response to your Jan. 16 editorial about the new programs with community colleges. While we hope these general education curriculum (denoted as the College Curriculum, students can participate in the College Curriculum as fully as or COLL). possible, we also want them to graduate on time. The faculty’s College of William and Mary students played important roles mandate in this area extends only to requiring COLL 150 of all in developing the College Curriculum: Caroline Yates ’12 was an transfer students. Determination of the remaining details has outstanding undergraduate representative on the Curriculum been postponed until new state agreements are finalized later Review Steering Committee, and each year three students serve on this spring. the Educational Policy Committee. We value students’ continuing We agree there is more work to do before we fully implement contributions, and we want to help you provide accurate information the new curriculum. It took substantial research, discussion about the goals and courses of the College Curriculum. A central criticism in your editorial is that the new system is and debate for faculty to get to this point. This January, the inflexible in its scheduling of courses over four years. In fact, there is A&S Dean’s Office named the first four Fellows in the new Center for the Liberal Arts, which is charged flexibility in the new COLL system. Although the with providing intellectual leadership for editorial states “sophomores will be required to the College Curriculum. Together with take three COLL 200 classes,” in truth, students A central criticism in your members of the EPC, these faculty leaders can take COLL 200 courses whenever they fit editorial is that the new will design courses as well as refine and appropriately in their academic plan. There is system is inflexible. In fact, evaluate the requirements. This will be a no requirement that such courses must occur during their sophomore year. there is flexibility in the new deliberate, flexible and thoughtful process. We will pilot some COLL courses in fall 2014 Students will necessarily take two courses, COLL system. while we prepare to implement the first year COLL 100 and COLL 150, in the first year, as of the COLL system for the fall 2015 entering these introduce them to the rigor of college-level work, orient them to academic resources, and lay the groundwork class. The new system will then be phased in over four years. for subsequent study. COLL 100 presents scholarly inquiry on a big Throughout this time, faculty will assess and review the system idea, while COLL 150, much like the current freshman seminars, to determine what works best and what needs to be tweaked. trains students in the deep reading of sources and the critical Students will be part of that process. The editorial is absolutely correct that the College assessment of a narrower topic. Curriculum represents potential. This is a bold and innovative The COLL 200 courses are anchored in one or more of the three curriculum whose goals are to create astute, flexible, and selfknowledge domains — humanities, social sciences and physical reflective thinkers; to expose students to different disciplines; sciences — and look “outward” to another, in order to demonstrate to produce graduates who communicate effectively, and to how different academic disciplines illuminate a single topic. enhance our students’ understanding of the liberal arts. The point of COLL 300 is to lift students off campus, whether The entire effort has underscored the importance of the literally or figuratively, and to expose them to cross-cultural or general education requirements as a central strength of the global issues. We expect that a number of courses will fulfill COLL undergraduate curriculum. 300, including study abroad, which most students undertake in — John Griffin, A&S Dean of Undergraduate Studies and the third year. Students choosing the on-campus option of the Lu Ann Homza, A&S Dean for Educational Policy COLL 300 Colloquium, “William and Mary in the World,” would

Lu Ann Homza and John Griffin

“

The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Flat Hat. The editorial board, which is elected by The Flat Hat’s section editors and executive staff, consists of Abby Boyle, Matt Camarda, Katherine Chiglinsky, Meredith Ramey and Ellen Wexler. The Flat Hat welcomes submissions to the Opinions section. Limit letters to 250 words and columns to 650 words. Letters, columns, graphics and cartoons reflect the view of the author only. Email submissions to fhopinions@gmail.com.

TWEETS @THEFLATHAT

“ “

A growingly common position.

“ “

BY PATRICIA RADICH, FLAT HAT GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ollege of William and Mary students take pride in our community of trust. It spares us anxiety and paranoia, while promoting greater respect for one another. However, that trust will always be fragile. All it takes is one person acting out of deception, disregard, disrespect or sheer idiocy. Unfortunately, that has happened again — this time as vandalism in Ewell Hall, where beer cans were left strewn inside a piano. While we value accessibility and openness, the College needs to institute limited swipe access to protect expensive equipment from vandalism. Damaged equipment hurts students and the overall community. In Ewell, students use pianos to improve their musical talent, produce beautiful music, and learn new skills that will make them better, more well-rounded human beings. They, along with their faculty, spend countless hours working with and maintaining the pianos. To treat their time and energy with such disrespect is shameful and unbefitting of the College. Which is to say nothing of the potential cost: It is not as if the College has thousands of dollars to shell out on repairs and replacements. When we buy a piano, it needs to last a long time; otherwise, the student body bears the cost. It makes sense to protect expensive equipment with more security. This does not mean we have to make it harder for music students to access them. They have every right to be there, but students who are only there to cause trouble (and who are not relying on that equipment for their education) should be kept out unless granted special permission. Restricting swipe access to those students would go a long way toward preventing future vandalism and theft, which would very likely offset the cost of expanding the swipe system. This goes for instrumental practice rooms and other places where expensive equipment is located. Guarding school equipment through swipe access would be a very small endeavor when compared to the allencompassing swipe system upgrade the College underwent last year. Small changes and adjustments have helped the College maintain a healthy community throughout the years. It’s making sure the blue emergency lights are functioning properly and the lampposts are well lit, so students can walk around campus safely at night. It’s watching out for your fellow students, protecting them if necessary, even when the police are not around. In many cases, it’s respecting student and school property, even when your decision-making may be impaired by drugs and alcohol. That may not always be easy, but it is the price we need to pay for trust. When a picture of beer cans stuffed in a Ewell Hall piano was posted on the Overheard at William and Mary Facebook page, the reaction was not of an immaturity befitting the culprits, but of indignation. Dozens of comments showed that students were genuinely upset that at least one of their peers would do something so disrespectful. Preserving our community still matters to most College students, and they will continue to fight for it. Now the College must do its part. Abby Boyle recused herself from this staff editorial to remain unbiased in her reporting.

—@YaleCLS on “Programming Languages Should Fulfill The Foreign Language Requirement”

It has ever been thus. Bravi tutti!

—@WilliamJoyner on “Sinfonicron Presents An Engaging Version Of Sullivan And Gilbert”

Online therapy is a useful resource, but shouldn’t replace in-person sessions

Andrea Aron-Schiavone FLAT HAT OPINIONS COLUMNIST

In our bustling society where free time is scarce, online services cater to our need for flexibility, allowing us to do things at our convenience (like watching a show on Hulu in bed at 2 a.m.). Websites and apps connect us to a plethora of resources from nearly anywhere with Internet access, as long as we have a smartphone, laptop or tablet in tow. Despite the freedom and accessibility virtual means afford, certain things seem so personal and important that they should be done face-toface if at all possible. Wellness — physical and mental — is one of these cases. At the University of Florida last semester, 26 students participated in an online program called Therapist Assisted Online, a series of modules designed to aid students afflicted with anxiety.

The seven-week program was almost exclusively virtual, although it did include a weekly 10-15 minute video consultation with a therapist. The results were quite positive — TAO students even reported a higher level of progress than those who were in traditional (in-person) individual therapy. While these results are encouraging for the potential of online counseling, I can’t help feeling that in-person therapy is still the preferable alternative. Mental health — like physical health — is such a personal aspect of our wellness that it deserves individualized care. Two people who are diagnosed with the same mental health condition could be affected by it in significantly different and nuanced ways. Similarly, people recover and heal in different ways and in their own time; there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. No matter how advanced the technology, I struggle to believe any module would be as perceptive, thoughtful and empathic as a well-trained human being who is physically present and listening to you. In an ideal world, everyone would have the option of in-person therapy, but in unfortunate

situations where few in-person counselors are available, an online program such as TAO could be a (hopefully short-term) viable alternative. Having a form of counseling while waiting for an in-person appointment would be better than going longer without any sort of professional intervention. In settings outside of college where counseling is not free, online programs could increase access to mental health services for those who cannot afford traditional counseling. Online mental health services also seem to downplay the imperative nature of therapeutic counseling. The fact that therapy is available online implies that therapy can be considered a casual affair like other online activities, like updating Facebook or watching new episodes of shows on Hulu. Mental wellness is not something that can be tended to only when it is convenient. Just as we schedule appointments with our physicians, we should also make time for in-person mental health visits and acknowledge our need for them without shame or embarrassment. Email Andrea Aron-Schiavone at acaronschiavon@email.wm.edu.

GRAPHIC BY DANI ARON-SCHIAVONE / THE FLAT HAT

sports

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

The Flat Hat | Friday, January 24, 2014 | Page 6

MEN’S BASKETBALL

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

Senior forward Tim Rusthoven jockeys for position in a 2013 photo. The Pride outrebounded the College 41-31 while holding the Tribe to 27 second-half points.

The long and winding road

College comes up empty at Hofstra following 13-hour commute as Tribe drops to 4-5 on road William and Mary (10-7, 2-2 CAA) has had a difficult relationship with snow storms this season. Wednesday’s 13-hour bus and plane trip prefaced a 77-60 meltdown at Hofstra (7-12, 3-1 CAA) that dropped the Tribe to 4-5 on the road, compared with 6-2 at home. If the transportation issues had any effect on the players’ fitness levels, it wasn’t readily noticeable until the second half when the Pride went on a 17-0 scoring streak that lasted six-anda-half minutes. One game after the Tribe shot 56.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the three-point line en route to a 78-56 victory over James Madison, Hofstra turned the tables Thornton on the Tribe. The Pride shot 47 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

three-point line, while the College slumped to 32 percent from the field. Junior guard Marcus Thornton led the team with 17 points but shot 5-14 from the field. Meanwhile, on the other side, the Pride was led by center Stephen Nwaukoni and guard Dion Nesmith, both of whom racked up doubledoubles. Following the Tribe’s victory over JMU last Saturday, head coach Tony Shaver was especially proud of his team’s rebounding output. But the Tribe couldn’t carry over the output to Wednesday’s contest. Senior center Tim Rusthoven jostled with Nwaukoni all night and finished with eight rebounds and 13 points. Nwaukoni racked up 14 rebounds as

“

part of Hofstra’s 41-31 dominance on the boards. Shaver bemoaned his team’s lack of defensive intensity as compared to its effort Saturday, while also commenting on the Tribe’s shooting struggles. “Their defense was better than our defense tonight and more intense than our defense tonight,” Shaver told the Daily Press. “And they made shots that we didn’t. Sometimes it’s a simple game.” The Tribe went back and forth with the Pride through the first half, going into halftime down by just one point. A strong three-point percentage in the first half kept the Tribe afloat as it shot 6-13 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes. However, the Tribe’s shooting

dipped precipitously in the second half, making just two of 12 three-point shots. Three minutes into the second half, with the Pride up by three, the Tribe’s scorers fell silent, while the Pride’s shots fell in droves. The Tribe would score only one field goal in the span of 19 possessions. After the drought, the Tribe tried to claw back into contention but couldn’t make up for the lost time. The closest the Tribe came was a 10-point deficit with just over two minutes left. Any chance the Tribe had of forcing overtime was sapped when the Pride converted 10 straight free throws in the last two minutes. Shaver acknowledged that the long, tiresome trip to Hempstead, N.Y. may

We had an opportunity and we didn’t take advantage of it. You’ve just got to get through the travel and move forward. —Head coach Tony Shaver

“

BY JACK POWERS FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR

have affected his team’s performance Wednesday but did not believe it was a legitimate excuse. “We had an opportunity and we didn’t take advantage of it,” Shaver said. “You’ve just got to get through the travel and move forward.” The Tribe has Shaver exhibited wide fluctuations in performance in recent games. Two dominant home wins against Drexel and James Madison have been balanced with two difficult road losses to Delaware and Hofstra. Though the Tribe has shown its potential in spurts, Shaver expects more from his team. “I think great teams play at a high level on a consistent basis,” Shaver said. “And we’ve been really good on a fairly consistent basis. But not every day.” The Tribe will try to improve its road record Saturday at Drexel, who it defeated 85-73 Jan. 8. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Tribe falters in final seconds, remains winless in CAA Swanson’s team drops its sixth straight decision at hands of buzzer-beating UNC-W lay-up BY CHRIS WEBER FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR Junior forward Jazmen Boone’s go-ahead layup with a minute and 18 seconds remaining against North Carolina–Wilmington erased memories from last week’s 40-point blowout loss. But only for a matter of seconds. Senior forward Kaitlyn Mathieu missed a jumper and the Seahawks grabbed a pair of rebounds in the final 26 seconds to set up the go-ahead score with five seconds showing on the game clock. A last-second heave from junior forward Kyla Kerstetter fell short, as the College (3-13, 0-4 CAA) fell 60-59 Thursday night. Freshman guard Marlena Tremba led all scorers with 17 points, while Boone added 14 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. Mathieu registered the Tribe’s second doubledouble of the night, with 13 points and 13 boards, but Tremba couldn’t stop the College from dropping its sixth consecutive decision. Mathieu leads the Tribe with five double-doubles on the season. In its last six outings, the College has been

outscored by an average of 19.5 points. The Tribe hasn’t won in 2014 — its last win came against Saint Louis Dec. 28. The back-and-forth game Thursday night saw seven ties and eight lead changes as each team failed to create a lead larger than six. The Seahawks (3-16, 2-3 CAA) dominated in the paint, outscoring the Tribe 48-8. As a result, the College shot 30 three-pointers, converting just six. Shooting 78 percent from the free-throw line and outscoring the Seahawks 19-9 on second chance opportunities helped the College overcome its 31 percent field goal shooting. Still, the Tribe couldn’t find a way to protect its onepoint game late in the game. Dropping a decision after leading in the final minute is nothing new for the Tribe. Hosting High Point Nov. 19, Mathieu gave the College a onepoint lead before the Panthers converted a runner with six seconds remaining. Like Thursday night, the final shot came from Kerstetter, who knocked the front end of the rim as time expired. Kerstetter finished with eight points and four rebounds in 23 minutes of play. Tremba and Mathieu led the Tribe in time played, each completing all 40 minutes. Much like last Thursday’s 40-point blowout loss to visiting Drexel, the College struggled in

the second half. Despite a five-point halftime lead, shooting 23.1 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes held the College to a 23-point second period. After opening up shooting 35.7 from threepoint range, the College cooled off in the second, shooting just 6.3 percent from beyond the arc. Other than Boone, who scored 10 points, no other Tribe player scored more than four points in the second half. Tremba, who was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week following the Cyclone Challenge in late December, followed up a 13-point first half with a four-point second. Mathieu added just two points after scoring 11 in the first half. The College returns to action seeking its first conference game when it hosts Towson Saturday. The Tigers downed the College of Charleston 64-60 Thursday night, and they boast a 9-9 (3-2 CAA) record. The College sits in last place of the CAA, the only team in the conference without a win over a conference opponent. Towson, meanwhile, has wins over Northeastern and Hofstra, good for the No. 5 conference slot. Tip is set for 2 p.m. at Kaplan Arena.

UPCOMING

TRIBE WEEKEND EVENTS Men’s Track and Field CNU Captain’s Invitatational When: Friday, Saturday Where: Newport News, Va. Men’s Basketball at Drexel When: Saturday at 4 p.m. Where: Philadelphia, Pa. Women’s Basketball vs. Towson When: Sunday at 2 p.m. Where: Kaplan Arena Women’s Gymnastics at N.C. State When: Friday at 7 p.m. Where: Raleigh, N.C. Men’s Gymnastics at the Navy Open When: Saturday at 1 p.m. Where: Annapolis, Md. Women’s Tennis at Alabama When: Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Follow @FlatHatSports for the latest results, analysis, and statistics from the Tribe.