Three teams nationally ranked
Vol. 103, Iss. 19 | Tuesday, November 5, 2013
No. 18 women’s cross country, No. 21 men’s soccer, and No. 23 football all hold national rankings after a successful weekend. Jimmye Laycock and the football program knocked off No. 16 New Hampshire, while the cross country program swept the CAA championships. Chris Norris and the men’s soccer program tied UNC-W.
SPORTS >> PAGE 8
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Trammell ties knot in SCOTUS O’Connor officiates ceremony BY TUCKER HIGGINS THE FLAT HAT
Former College of William and Mary Rector Jeffrey Trammell ’73 married his long-time partner Stuart Serkin in a ceremony held at the Supreme Court last Tuesday, Oct. 29. Retired Supreme Court Justice and former Chancellor Sandra Day O’Connor officiated the wedding. Trammell, who was the first openly gay rector in Virginia, said the couple chose Justice O’Connor to officiate to “continue the tradition” of leadership at the College. “There is a tradition at William and Mary that plays a part here. Its respect for each other, and treating everybody equally and fairly,” Trammell said. In June, the Supreme Court struck down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act in the case “United States v. Windsor.” The court ruled that the rights afforded to legally married same-sex couples must be respected under the equal protection clause. According to the Associated Press, Tuesday marked at least the second same-sex wedding conducted at the court since the decision was announced. EqualityWM, the College’s gay, lesbian, biand transgender faculty and staff organization, congratulated Trammell on his achievements as rector and on his wedding. “Jeff has been tireless in his support of Equal Rights for all Virginians and we celebrate this milestone in his life,” the group said through a spokesman. Out of respect for his and his partner’s privacy, Trammell declined to comment Trammell on the particulars of the wedding. However, he said that the ceremony was “special but routine.” Trammell, who has worked for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Al Gore, remains heavily involved in political advocacy. In 2001, he founded a public affairs and lobbying firm in 2001 that he continues to run with his husband, who works as the company’s chief financial officer. Recently, Trammell said much of his focus has been on higher education. See TRAMMELL page 3
Hotels increase occupancy in Hospitality House’s absence
Yankee Candle unveiled a new candle based on the College of William and Mary. The William and Mary inspired “Balsam & Cedar” candle is available to order. The fresh forest scent is made by combining the scent of Balsam, aromatic cedar wood and a juniper berry blend. The candle is a dark green with the College logo on the outside, available for a limited time as part of Yankee Candle’s collegiate collection. The 22-ounce large jar candle costs $27.99 and provides 110 to 150 hours of fragrance.
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BY ANNIE CURRAN FLAT HAT NEWS EDITOR
Local hotels and inns are benefitting from the Hospitality House’s closure, especially during this past Homecoming. The College of William and Mary purchased the Hospitality House, the previous 295-bedroom hotel located across the street from the Walter J. Zable Stadium, in March 2013. In June, it was converted into the dorm One Tribe Place. It was a popular hotel for tourists and alumni because of its moderate prices and proximity to campus. Each year, when the College announces the date of Homecoming, local hotels and inns immediately start booking reservations for returning alumni. After the Hospitality House was purchased, many had to find alternate arrangements. George Hollingsworth operates the Colonial Capital Bed and Breakfast directly next door to One Tribe Place. He says that guests could look out of their windows and see his business. The bed and breakfast has four rooms. During Homecoming, he says College alumni rented at least three rooms. “I do know I have gotten guests who have normally stayed at the Hospitality House,” Hollingsworth said. Another Richmond Road hotel, the Days Inn, has benefited from the closing of the Hospitality House because it offers similar room rates. In the fall, the hotel generally is at 20 percent capacity. During Homecoming, the Days Inn sells out with an 80 percent increase. “This year we were full much earlier because the Hospitality House closed,” Shannon Atwood, front desk manager at the Days Inn, said. Besides Homecoming traffic, she has noticed a slight increase in booking activity since the larger hotel’s closure. Additionally, the Days Inn receives more business from the Hotel to host guests. Billy Scruggs, owner of the Fife and Drum Inn on Prince George Street, said he had noticed the Days Inn parking lot is much fuller than it has been in prior years. His inn is more upscale than the Hospitality House, and priced accordingly, therefore he thinks hotels like the Days Inn have seen a sharp
Where do tourists stay in Williamsburg?
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i n c re a s e, although his business has seen little change. “Interestingly enough, I’m seeing a little bit more traffic because the Ho House has closed down, but they had slipped so far,” Scruggs said. Due to the recession, room occupancy rates slipped in the Historic Triangle and still have not fully recovered. In 2011, the room occupancy rate in
The Virginia Gazette reports that, while the candle is currently only available at the Yankee Candle store and online, it will soon be sold at the William and Mary Bookstore. According to Yankee Candle spokeswoman Karen Woods, scents for the collegiate collection are based more on school color than the surrounding environment. Additionally, the Virginia Gazette reports the candle is being marketed to alumni since candles are banned from residence halls. Because of this, Yankee Candle will soon release a matching car air freshener. Some students are excited to buy the candle. “I would buy the candle because it would make a nice gift for my family,” Shannon Quinn ’17 said. Others do not plan on purchasing the new scent. “I wouldn’t buy it for myself,” Claire Timberland ’15 said. “I have a lot of William and Mary apparel and I don’t feel as though I need more.” — Samantha Kim and Flat Hat News Editor Annie Curran
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See HOTEL page 3
Fourteen graduates receive Fulbrights College ranks 20th among research institutions in producing scholars BY ABBY BOYLE FLAT HAT NEWS EDITOR
Michelle Repper ’13 was working at Earl Gregg Swem Library’s Writing Resource Center last spring when she opened her email and learned she had received a Fulbright U.S. student grant. The grant would allow Repper to dedicate a year to conducting research in India following her graduation from the College of William and Mary. “Frankly, I felt very distant from the reality of it,” Repper said in an email. “I had originally written my grant proposal about a year before, and suddenly I was being told I could actually do it.” Repper, who is tracing artist Amrita Sher-Gil’s journey around
Inside OPINIONS
India, was one of 14 College graduates to receive a 2013-14 Fulbright student grant. With this total, the College has the highest number of recipients of Virginia schools. Established in 1946, the Fulbright program offers meritbased grants for students and professionals to conduct research or work abroad. Fifty-three students from the College applied for Fulbright scholarships this year. In addition to the 14 who were awarded grants, four were named as alternates. Nationally, the College ranks 20th among research institutions for producing Fulbright scholars, according to an article from the Chronicle of Higher Education. Fulbright Program advisor and Associate Director of the Roy
R. Charles Center Lisa Grimes said she was very pleased with the number of students receiving grants. She attributed the number of applicants in part to support from faculty and to word-ofmouth as students tell each other about their experiences applying for or receiving these awards. “Knowing someone who’s won an award can make the application process — which really is a great deal of work — seem less daunting,” Grimes said in an email. The Charles Center also offers aid to students applying for Fulbright scholarships. In addition to Grimes herself working with applicants, Peer See FULBRIGHTS page 3
Inside VARIETY
In defense of young writers
You don’t need to have suffered to write something worthwhile. page 4 Partly cloudy High 65, Low 48
COLONIAL CAPITAL BED AND BREAKFAST
GRANTS
NEW YANKEE CANDLE RELEASED FOR WILLIAM AND MARY
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Home sweet home
Students foster connection with Colonial Williamsburg by living in the restored William Randolph House. page 5